Windows Vista: Do or Don't?

Much has been discussed about Windows Vista including performances issues, hardware and software compatibility and device driver issues. As an IT professional, I obviously have interest in testing this operating system. However, due to the extensive amounts of problems users are encountering (without any resolution by Microsoft), it is doubtful I will roll this operating system out in the near future (either at personally at home or in the office). I will also continue to attempt to purchase new computers without it.

Unfortunately, it appears that Microsoft is still on the mark to stop shipping copies of XP by the end of 2007. So, this could become a real dilemma for IT professionals once XP stops shipping. Microsoft definitely needs to stabilize this release of Vista and fix the major issues before removing XP from the market. Otherwise, Microsoft could find itself in a very tough spot:

1. XP is, then, off the market so you can't buy new systems with it
   
2. Vista is unstable, lacks in performance and is incompatible with many applications, so you can't go forward

The only option left, at this point, is to jump ship and find a new operating system that is both stable and reliable. This may very well be the turning point that Linux has been hoping for. In fact, this may be the final straw that forces many IT shops away from Windows permanently (both on the desktop and in production).

Microsoft needs to realize that it is at a very tenuous crossroads. Without a stable operating system on the market, it has no fallback options. Microsoft could try to force people into Windows 2003 server, but that's overkill and extremely expensive for a desktop or notebook. So, this issue can easily lead IT professionals into making tough choices including completely jumping ship.

Up until now, Microsoft has been responsive to problems within its operating system. But, it appears that Microsoft has changed its attitude, once again. Now they are basically forcing Vista (an incompatible slug of an OS) onto consumers and IT professionals alike. It simply does not believe that there is any problem with Vista (completely ignoring what users are saying). They're living in their own corporate bubble.

You can't exactly release an application in a corporate environment unless you know the underlying operating system is stable. But, so far Vista has been far from that. So, without a stable OS, you can't expect many shops to roll out Vista. This is exactly what is happening.

Microsoft, wise up. Learn what your customers want and give it to them. Don't try to foist garbage onto people and expect them to embrace it with open arms. Over the years, you have forced your users to become more intelligent and critical. In so doing, you have sown the seeds of your own demise. The times of the ignorant user are now long past. Users won't install a new broken OS knowing their applications will fail. So, do or don't?