Imagine Microsoft
Imagine Microsoft
Keeping Up With Microsoft - Newer Does not Always Mean Better
After months and months of seeing commercials on television, Internet popups and water cooler chats we bite the bullet and rush out to grab our shiny new copy of the latest Microsoft Opertaing System or Microsoft Office. We get that warm and fuzzy feeling washing over us CONVINCED that all of our prayers have been answered and that our problems will just melt away. Do they really? Anyone who works with Microsoft products on a daily basis suc as myself knows full well that there is a lot more to it than meets the eye.
Let us just say that you support a company of 100 users / computers and all of a sudden you get a call from the CEO and says that he had seen a comercial about Microsoft Vista and he feels it should be rolled out to everyone. For starters....the CEO doesn't realize that probably the vast majority of the PC's in the office are notup to snuff in terms of hardware to even load the Operating System let alone use it on a daily basis. So....it might be the case where you have to replace at least 50% of your machines before you can even do anything. There is also a chance that the even the ones that are compatible will end up having several of their hardware components not working like the video card for instance.
Ok, well after all of the time convincing the CEO that he needs to spend a ot more money it's rolout time. It seems lke no matter how much you do your homework on finding out whether or not the companies main applications will work on Vista there always seems to be a list of problms that crop up. Now you're runing your butt off trying to figure out why, hounding the software vendor, implementing workarounds and fielding hundreds of helpdesk calls. Wait a minute, wasn't life suposed to be easier with a new and improved version of Windows? Do you think any of this was conveyed in that flashy comercial the CEO watched with all of the dancing girls and catchy music? Exactly.
To add to the glory, you have been put in charge of having to train all 100 emplyees on how to use the new system. Knowing what most I.T professionals know about the "end user" you can just imagine the nightmares involved with that. Lots and lots of hours spent showing users how to do what used to be a simple task in Windows XP which is now an annoyance in Vista. Can you see how costly this is getting up to this point? I my experience so far with Vista all it has done is slowdown the user's machine and generate double the helpdesk calls. Now imagine what happens when we throw on Office 2007? You end up getting calls from a user who now all of a sudden can't figure out how to change a Font or insert a bullet list. Users just LOVE change don't they? hahaha
I can see it making sense to upgrade if there are specific reasons in terms of security or stability...something concrete. However, to jump at each and every new version (and sometimes even a Service Pack) just because it's "New" will just cost you more money and time dealing with all of the issues. I have a simple little website http://techhelp4free.googlepages.com that I use to offer free support to people via email and I get LOTS of questions on Vista and Office 2007. I really don't see any end to it really...but hey....keeps us I.T. folks employed now doesn't it?
I myself had Vista and Office 2007 installed on my work machine for a whopping 1 day!!! Yeah, first thing the next morning I was wiping it clean and installing my good buddy Windows XP. It's faster, it works great and I don't need to pour through books and newsgroups to find out how to do something. Now imagine how the non-technical folk feel when they first login and sit there with that glazed over look on their faces. I do have a second machine running Vista and Office 2007 but onl because I have to support it...believe me...I don't use it because I like it. Did I mention how slow it is? I find that both Vista and Office 2007 have so many new bells and whistles, services, icons, color schemes and useless applets that it ust chugs and chugs and chugs. Oh well, all we need to do is throw another 2 GB of RAM at it right?
Until next time, haved you hugged your XP machine today? For more of my articles you can also check http://techhelp4free.googlepages.com/myarticles as I post new ones on a regular basis.
TA
About the Author
When Microsoft take over Yahoo, can you imagine what YA will be like?
It'll be violation city, you'll have more notifications than Windows service updates! I'm not looking forward to it..
Wrexham - LOL fantastic...your not wrong bud
Missy - I don't think Bill Gates would approve..lol
Dexter...oh yes my friend, it can always get worse!
Irish and proud - I know...i've had 2 this week alone
Chaz - don't worry, we'll do our best to try and stop the changes..rally round and demand they keep it the same..whether that works or not is another thing
There is a slight chance it could get better...*cough*
Di - your probably right! x
notpoodle - format Bill G would be nice
We'll get Yahoo Answers Vista, it'll crash a lot, take ages too load and when you withdraw an answer you'll get the blue screen of death
Imagine Microsoft
Project TEACH ME NOW by X-TEACH (ARMENIA) - Microsoft Imagine Cup 2011 Software Design
Microsoft, Skype, Kinect and 3D Games
Microsoft's Kintect plus Xbox is definitely the game console of the year. The sales figures are staggering and its growth is just phenomenal. It won't be surprising if more game developers migrate to the Xbox because of their Kinect technology which allows gamers to play video games without holding any controllers.
Just recently, Microsoft purchased Skype - which is the most popular, if not widely used, Voip application on the internet. And to integrate Skype into Xbox with online gaming is not a far fecthed idea espcially with the popularity of online games. Neither is integrating Skype into its web browser will not really be surprising. And that innovation in itself can be a game change for many online gaming enthusiast. But wait! There's Kinect as well. how about integrating Kinect and Skype with Internet Explorer? Just think of the possibilities especially with online gaming! This in itself will spawn a new whole industry.
The annoying thing about Microsoft is that when it comes to 3D games, they seem not fully immersed or convinced that there would be a lot of profits in there. They mentioned that they are technically on board with 3D games, meaning that their Xbox is already 3D enabled so if game developers would like to develop 3d games for the Xbox then they can do that. But they are not pushing this feature really hard. And that's understandable as they are still celebrating their victory with their Kinect enabled Xbox.
But if Microsoft would really like to be the leader in game technology, then they really need to play hard ball instead of catch up and play. Andhere's how they can gain the upper hand with the cards they have on hand.
First they need to think: Internet and 3d games. Microsoft has lagged to be a leader online and this is the reason why Google reigns. Let's face it. The future is online. And by integrating Skype and Kinect with Internet Explorer, will they have a supreme advantage in the browser wars. Having to download IE without downoloading another software for Voip makes IE really attractive. But having to integrate Kintect with IE - priceless!
Imagine controlling web page elements without using your mouse. But imaging playing an online game where you can form a team with member from different location and you can communicate with them either by Voip or chat. And imagine playing this video game in 3D without having to use those 3d glasses! The opportunities are endless. The experience will be out of this world! The quesiton is will Microsoft go full on 3D? Well, only time will tell.
But unless Microsoft becomes more creative online, they could miss the boat on this one and be a fledgling behemoth like IBM a decade from now.
About the Author
The author of this article is http://3dgames.co - a website that's all about 3d games and related technoliges. Play FREE 3d games. WooHoo!
|
|
eMachines Desktop PC with AMD Athlon XP(TM) 2300+ Processor (T2341) ... |
|
|
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim $48.99 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the next installment in the award-winning Elder Scrolls series. Skyrim is the follow up to the 2006 Game of the Year, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and the next game from Bethesda Game Studios, creators of the 2008 Game of the Year, Fallout 3.... |
|
|
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim $44.99 The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is the next installment in the award-winning Elder Scrolls series. Skyrim is the follow up to the 2006 Game of the Year, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and the next game from Bethesda Game Studios, creators of the 2008 Game of the Year, Fallout 3.... |
|
|
Rocksmith $72.50 Rocksmith X360... |
|
|
Giggles Computer Funtime For Baby - ABCs & 123'S $18.95 Giggles Computer Funtime for Baby: ABCs and 123s helps your babies learn through play. Make up stories and have fun! Babies learn best when they're having fun. The unique mousing system also lets them explore moving the mouse as they progress. Engage and enrich your baby through fun-filled learning - at their own pace. Giggles Computer Funtime For Baby is also filled with fun sound effects, animal... |
|
|
SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition [Download] $19.99 SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition turns you into a citizen, a criminal, an architect, a mayor, even a god -- bringing you deeper into SimLife than ever! As you create railways, ferries, plan out streets, you also get to use that transportation in a series of great new driving mission! System Requirements Minimum Specifications: OS: Windows XP only Processor: P3 500 (or equivalent) ... |
|
|
Oblivion Game of the Year Edition $19.99 Oblivion Game of the Year Edition PC... |
|
|
HP Pavilion a230n Desktop PC (2.08-GHz Athlon XP 2800+, 512 MB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, DVD+RW/CD-RW Drive, CD-ROM Drive) $829.99 At the midpoint of HP's Pavilion a200n series of personal computers, the Pavilion a230n Desktop PC delivers reasonable performance and upscale perks such as DVD recording at a solid price point. If you're a serious gamer or a demanding business user, you may want to look at either upgrading the unit or opting for HP's new Media Center series, but all others should find the Pavilion a230n a perfect... |
Imagine Microsoft
