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MS vows to avoid Vista mistakes in Windows 7

updated 12:35 pm EDT, Fri August 15, 2008

MS Windows 7 Updates

Microsoft today started a Windows 7 blog with the objective of avoiding the perception issues for its next operating system that it believes have hurt Vista's reputation in the past. The project's senior engineering managers Jon DeVaan and Steven Sinofsky claim the site will serve as an "open and honest" platform for both illustrating Microsoft's development process as well as to help determine when the company is ready to reveal new features. This will be a "two-way" conversation where input is possible from readers, the officials say.

However, the two executives also make clear the larger goal of counteracting mistakes made in Windows Vista's development. The software was marred early on aggressive feature promises such as the Avalon presentation layer and WinFS, many of which either had to be scrapped late into development or were ported back to Windows XP and negated the Vista advantage. Blogging Windows 7's creation will reportedly ensure that any disclosures relate to the real product rather than uncertain additions.

"Related to disclosure is the idea of how we make sure not to set expectations around the release that end up disappointing you—features that don’t make it, claims that don’t stick, or support we don’t provide," DeVaan and Sinofsky say. "Starting from the first days of developing Windows 7, we have committed as a team to 'promise and deliver'. That’s our goal—share with you what we’re going to get done, why we’re doing it, and deliver it with high quality and on time."

These updates are expected to start shortly and will mark the run up to Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference and WinHEC conferences in October, which should have the first in-depth discussion of Windows 7's feature set beyond early previews. Unlike with past releases, Microsoft has remained largely silent on version 7 and has so far only confirmed the development of multi-touch for the OS to give it interface and object manipulation similar to the iPhone.

 
Previous Comments

lol

08/15, 12:46pm reply

That's what MS claimed when they were making Vista (everything will be better and faster with vista, lol).

What MS will probably end up doing is to scramble Vista's interface, and call it a different name (widnows 7)

dliup

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jan 2006

+1

just the fact mam!

08/15, 01:00pm (1 reply) reply

M$ is notorious for bragging about features in "upcoming" products some of which are a poor resemblance to the hype and many are 100% vaporware. Like a personal ad list great looks, intelligence and a warm personality written by someone that lacks any of those traits. Window's users live with the promise of "honey, I will change my wicked ways" only to let me let down years later with the same old shoddy software. Break the co-dependancy cycle and get a Mac.

kerryb

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2001

+3

WGA?

08/15, 01:10pm reply

So they're getting rid of Windows Genuine (dis)Advantage and DRM?

WiseWeasel

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Apr 1999

+1

Vista mistakes?

08/15, 01:33pm reply

I thought according to MS, Vista HAD no mistakes? What aaarrrree they talking about?

LOL ;-)

smitch

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 2005

+2

ROTFLMAO

08/15, 02:58pm reply

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLO

climacs

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2001

0

Wow

08/15, 03:15pm reply

Have any of you gone to read this thing? I guess as a Windows engineer this would be good and all, but just read the comments (posts not done in reverse order!?) and you see amid the MSFanboys, plenty pleading for almost everything that's already on the Mac: Expose, one price, easier navigation and graphics....It is so funny to read what they HOPE will be in Win7 and it is sort of sad.It is the typical conversation of MS folks living in their own world, only seeing their own innovation, as if the globe revolves around them ... BUT they no something is wrong. Hilarious.

MacnnChester

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2007

0

har de har

08/15, 03:24pm reply

Just read through a bunch of this blog. You have to read some of it!! People describing basic software development management to them, listing things like a "wish list", doofuses spouting out programming 101 jargon.

Here's a suggestion, MS. Whatever time, effort and money you are spending on this pathetic attempt at PR - re-direct that toward developing the software. Oh, sorry, my mistake. You are incapable of that - so are doing this instead.

Doofuses.

robttwo

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 2005

+1

Focus on the product

08/15, 08:45pm reply

I can't tell if Microsoft really understands that its' problems with Vista are because the product isn't good.

If Microsoft really believes Vista is a good product and their problems are due to the world being under the influence of master marketer Apple then they (MS) are in serious trouble.

sfmitch

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Mar 2008

+2

eh...

08/16, 03:00pm reply

It will be more vaporware from Microsoft and still light years behind Mac OS X.

howiethemacguy

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2007

+1

Why?

08/17, 10:31am reply

Why? Was there a problem with Vista? ;)

brainiac_7

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2005

0

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