OMEN
11-04-2007, 02:46 PM
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GRIPES GROW: As sales of Microsoft's Vista operating system accelerate, so do the complaints.
As sales of Microsoft's Vista operating system accelerate, so do the complaints.
On Monday, Microsoft announced it had sold 88 million copies of Vista since its launch in January, twice as many as its predecessor, XP, at the same stage in 2001, but some business users say Vista is more of a step back than a step forward.
In particular, the new system is not compatible with some widely-used software packages, including accounting software.
Auckland software developer Nick Griffiths joined the chorus of gripes after buying Vista last month.
After having to install more RAM to get Vista to run on his eight-month-old machine, Griffiths was appalled to discover many of his applications would not work.
As well as specialised programming tools such as Java development system JBuilder, Griffiths found his MYOB accounting software would not function, nor would his Microsoft Visual Studio or Microsoft Virtual PC.
With MYOB, he said, "you're either forced to pay to go up to the next product or go with a (free) Vista compatible version, which is not compatible with your previous version so you can't import your existing accounts."
Griffiths said he was "gobsmacked" to find JBuilder didn't work.
For many of the problems a workaround could be found. "But it's all time, and time is money."
"People will find it frustrating because you don't know what'll run on it."
Customer dissatisfaction with Vista has been so great that Microsoft announced last month that XP would be available beyond its planned retirement date of January 31 next year.
Microsoft Windows client marketing manager David Rayner told the Star-Times the company was aware of concerns.
"We know that pain still exists," he said. "That's why we've introduced the downgrade rights programme ... More often that not now there will be a downgrade option in the box (when customers buy a computer)."
Rayner said Microsoft had gone through an extensive development process with Vista and decided the increased need for security had required a major rewrite of the operating system, and this had led to compatibility problems.
The XP downgrade option was available only to buyers of the business version of Vista, said Rayner, because users of the home editions, even if they were small businesses, would not be badly affected.
Microsoft's restriction on consumer choice of operating system has had repercussions in some parts of the world. Last month Dutch consumer advocate Consumentenbond advised consumers to avoid Vista because Microsoft had refused to offer a free downgrade to XP for all customers experiencing problems.
Computerworld reported last month that Consumentenbond had received 5200 complaints about Vista over a six week period.
Rayner said offering downgrades to all users was too complex. But he said any small business with difficulties over Vista should contact the company.
"It is an open door so if you're a small business and you've got an issue then let us know."
Reuters
GRIPES GROW: As sales of Microsoft's Vista operating system accelerate, so do the complaints.
As sales of Microsoft's Vista operating system accelerate, so do the complaints.
On Monday, Microsoft announced it had sold 88 million copies of Vista since its launch in January, twice as many as its predecessor, XP, at the same stage in 2001, but some business users say Vista is more of a step back than a step forward.
In particular, the new system is not compatible with some widely-used software packages, including accounting software.
Auckland software developer Nick Griffiths joined the chorus of gripes after buying Vista last month.
After having to install more RAM to get Vista to run on his eight-month-old machine, Griffiths was appalled to discover many of his applications would not work.
As well as specialised programming tools such as Java development system JBuilder, Griffiths found his MYOB accounting software would not function, nor would his Microsoft Visual Studio or Microsoft Virtual PC.
With MYOB, he said, "you're either forced to pay to go up to the next product or go with a (free) Vista compatible version, which is not compatible with your previous version so you can't import your existing accounts."
Griffiths said he was "gobsmacked" to find JBuilder didn't work.
For many of the problems a workaround could be found. "But it's all time, and time is money."
"People will find it frustrating because you don't know what'll run on it."
Customer dissatisfaction with Vista has been so great that Microsoft announced last month that XP would be available beyond its planned retirement date of January 31 next year.
Microsoft Windows client marketing manager David Rayner told the Star-Times the company was aware of concerns.
"We know that pain still exists," he said. "That's why we've introduced the downgrade rights programme ... More often that not now there will be a downgrade option in the box (when customers buy a computer)."
Rayner said Microsoft had gone through an extensive development process with Vista and decided the increased need for security had required a major rewrite of the operating system, and this had led to compatibility problems.
The XP downgrade option was available only to buyers of the business version of Vista, said Rayner, because users of the home editions, even if they were small businesses, would not be badly affected.
Microsoft's restriction on consumer choice of operating system has had repercussions in some parts of the world. Last month Dutch consumer advocate Consumentenbond advised consumers to avoid Vista because Microsoft had refused to offer a free downgrade to XP for all customers experiencing problems.
Computerworld reported last month that Consumentenbond had received 5200 complaints about Vista over a six week period.
Rayner said offering downgrades to all users was too complex. But he said any small business with difficulties over Vista should contact the company.
"It is an open door so if you're a small business and you've got an issue then let us know."
Reuters