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Leopard and Vista: Last Gasp of the Big OS?

Daniel Fleshbourne   on 23 June 2007 - 13:28 · 44 comments & 14281 views

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Twenty years from now a new generation of computer users will look back on the operating systems of today with the same bemused smile we look back at the cars of the late 1950s and early 60s. They had huge fins, were the size of a small yacht and burned up just about as much gas. That's right, I'm comparing Apple OS X 10.5, or Leopard, and Microsoft's Windows Vista to those old behemoths -- big and flashy and totally unnecessary.

Instead our grandchildren will be using discreet, unobtrusive operating systems that will be invisible to the naked eye. They will, if you want to think about it like this, almost be a return to the concept of a command line, only in this case they will respond to either a typed command or a voice command or perhaps a gesture to open, join, find, save or close a file. Most likely they will be embedded in the system that you buy or in the network.

View: The full story
News source: PCWorld

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 44 additional comments
#1 bmaher on 23 Jun 2007 - 13:35
It would be extrelely nice if that happened, but there's really no way of telling these things.

If, 20 years ago, you said "We'll be using computers which have 4 cores on one chip, over 3ghz, TBs worth of HDD space and Gbs of RAM", people would have laughed in your face
(2 replies) #2 kaffra on 23 Jun 2007 - 13:41
nothing wrong with how cars looked like in the 50s or 60s. some had some real character and we are even making remakes now
#2.1 ThaCrip on 23 Jun 2007 - 15:19
yeah i agree the upper 60's is when muscle cars peaked out

a couple of my favorites from those days are "Shelby Cobra" and "1968 Shelby GT500"
#2.2 madkingsoup on 23 Jun 2007 - 19:58
Quote - (kaffra said @ #2)
nothing wrong with how cars looked like in the 50s or 60s. some had some real character and we are even making remakes now
But they were resource hogs - all glamour and shine, but under the hood they were clunky and uneconomical. I think it's a superb analogy.
(9 replies) #3 CUPMAN on 23 Jun 2007 - 13:45
While this may be true it still stands that Microsoft has again put the screws to the public with Windows Vista. In the 20 years that I have been computing I have never seen anything so cumbersome and worthless (except for their other big bad joke, Windows Me) as Vista is. Whoever dreamed up this mess should be shot. Vista locks up at least 10 times a day. IE 7 freezes in Vista and did not do it at all in XP. I honestly believe that Microsoft has once again done a dirty deed on all of us who has tried it.

The best that can happen right now is that Microsoft recall Vista and refund all money spent on it and the extra drivers needed to be compatable with vista. That would be the best they could do and the next thing they could do is close up shop if Vista is the best these airheads can do.
#3.1 Hooya on 23 Jun 2007 - 13:54
hmm... Been running vista from the beta stage and not considering the unfortunate time I was running the 64-bit version I haven't had a single issue that wasn't explainable by some error on my part or something third party.

In other words, the 32-bit version of Vista is the most stable OS I've used.... You sure there isn't something up with your hardware scheme?
#3.2 Primetime2006 on 23 Jun 2007 - 14:40
Quote - (Hooya said @ #3.1)
hmm... Been running vista from the beta stage and not considering the unfortunate time I was running the 64-bit version I haven't had a single issue that wasn't explainable by some error on my part or something third party.

In other words, the 32-bit version of Vista is the most stable OS I've used.... You sure there isn't something up with your hardware scheme?


That's exactly it too. After so many years you would think people would quit blaming the OS for every little thing that happens to their computer. Try blaming software, hardware, or user error for once. Heaven forbid. And how did this turn in to a bashing thread yet again.
#3.3 HawkMan on 23 Jun 2007 - 15:30
Seeing as Vista works fine for the huge majority, user error is of course totally out of the question...
#3.4 Shadrack on 23 Jun 2007 - 15:31
That sucks that you are having so many problems with Vista. I haven't had hardly any problems with Vista on my machine and I think that the UI makes a hell of a lot more sense than Windows XP. I mean, how useless is the "Task Pane" in Windows XP? In Windows Vista you get an Explorer "sidebar" that is actually very useful.

I'm not sure how Vista's UI is bloated unless you are just commenting about the borders....? The Control Panel actually has descriptions next to everything to help the novice user, there is no ambiguity between copying a file into a folder or dragging a file ontop of another file or folder and mistakenly copied to the wrong place or opened the wrong thing, and you don't have to explain to newbies about what happens when you right click in the white space (the features are no longer hidden). IMO, this is the least "clunky" version of windows I've seen.
#3.5 ziadoz on 23 Jun 2007 - 16:36
There's nothing wrong with Windows Vista whatsoever. When will people stop making it a scapegoat for bad drivers, 3rd party software, inadequate hardware or the idiot end user. Once its on every desktop it'll be as praised and trusted as Windows XP.
#3.6 RottGutt on 23 Jun 2007 - 17:06
It is quite obvious just from your statement that your computer is a complete POS.
#3.7 ThoughtKrime on 23 Jun 2007 - 23:41
Quote - (RottGutt said @ #3.6)
It is quite obvious just from your statement that your computer is a complete POS.


These statements honestly frustrate me. How can you make such a general assumption especially as it's well known across the internet that Vista still has some rough edges when it comes to resource management.
#3.8 David3k on 27 Jun 2007 - 14:53
The guy next door from my house is like you. He thinks that Microsoft is the root of all evil...He's also an idiot.

Have a nice day.

Last edited by David3k on 28 Jun 2007 - 22:17
#3.9 waldenasta on 12 Jun 2008 - 05:15
(ziadoz said @ #3.5)
There's nothing wrong with Windows Vista whatsoever. When will people stop making it a scapegoat for bad drivers, 3rd party software, inadequate hardware or the idiot end user. Once its on every desktop it'll be as praised and trusted as Windows XP.


I too have been running Vista Ultimate on two laptops. One a HP dv9730us/ AMD Turion 64 X2 /4 gigs of Ram/ all bells and whistles go...I have had no problem. My other laptop an Alienware M9750 / Intel 2 Cores/ dual sli enabled nvidia cards / 4 gigs of Ram/ all bells and whistles go...No Problems Whatsoever. I really believe the people complaining about Vista is trying to run it on inadequate hardware. As a matter of fact my systems have not crashed once. I can multi-task like crazy from Gaming, to downloading mp3, to watching movies, making DVD's, whatever, no problem. My only complain is that they should give us some nice Utlimate Extras.
(1 reply) #4 +Zhivago on 23 Jun 2007 - 14:00
The comparison with cars is really irrelavant.
#4.1 HawkMan on 23 Jun 2007 - 15:31
yes, especially since we dont' have any popular big flashy and totally unecessary cars today, like SUV's or anything.



worst comparison ever.
(1 reply) #5 Croquant on 23 Jun 2007 - 14:07
I'm still waiting for the flying cars and robot maids they were promising us in the 70's.
#5.1 Arkle on 23 Jun 2007 - 17:30
I'm just glad food hasn't been transformed into pills yet.
(7 replies) #6 crashguy on 23 Jun 2007 - 14:08
Well I’m going to comment in two parts. firstly with regards to hating of vista... let me start with the fact that I don’t like vista, in fact after going through an utterly painful process of getting my copy through the express upgrade with my laptop, I have since removed it going back to XP as I’m sure many have.

My concern is that people are bagging out a system, which while is quite bad, from what I can see is not quite finished. So many features were removed from Vista that it's difficult to see what it may have become had longhorn's feature set not been so decimated.

The reality is that Microsoft’s employee's seem to work hard at there jobs, despite what there software may suggest, but they answer to the one thing that rules everything... money. Vista was released not finished, not ready and without the many beneficial features we may have seen.

Microsoft says, we release an operating system, good or not it makes money. Well from what I have seen Vista has made money, I’ve seen techs and non tech running to get a copy for testing. Some to vomit on it, and some to love it.

I think Microsoft has come to a point where money is the ruling factor over all there business decisions. This makes sense other then that fact it’s coming in the way of their product development.

There is the argument that business have not run to this operating system... this is not suprise as many univerisities and technical colledges were until 1 or 2 years ago were still runnings windows 2000 and have only now begun to catch up to XP which i think would be the same in many businesses.

Businesses need hard factual evidence that an operating system will work. This takes years of use.

One other thing? the idea of Microsoft closing up shop might make Linux lovers and Microsoft's Haters scream for joy? but issues like no more bug patching in a non open source operating system, no more technical support and no more extreme documentation for support (MSDN) would mean extreme damage for businesses, software companies and people at home. This to me, is a very silly idea that so many seem to have. Because very few people would flock to Linux, hell i wouldn't flock to Linux. Mac would take over the marketshare... and say hello to the "you don't need to understand why it works, it just does" kind of tech world.

My second part is on the operating system that Daniel imagines... the first thing that comes to my mind is that the idea that has been proposed is a Linux users dream. No more prettiness, no more hassle, so much more system power to be used on... I don’t know what, but something.

I personally agree that the operating system must fundamentally change, because it's becoming bloated and slow. Does this mean we need a return to the command line? Or a version of it?

I find that many non tech people are not only scared of the command line, but can barely find the start menu or know what a "taskbar" is. I dazzled and wow'd three supposedly technically minded people by creating a batch file which renamed all there files from .vob to .mpg.

In an age where the people want this simpler, and not have to think so much, I think we have many many more years of bloat and pointless features to come. How many times have you said to someone "I’ll lend you a book so you can see how to do it" and they fain interest, say ok and that book never leaves your shelf.
#6.1 +Smigit on 23 Jun 2007 - 14:14
Quote -
let me start with the fact that I don’t like vista, in fact after going through an utterly painful process of getting my copy through the express upgrade with my laptop


Mine still hasnt arrived. I just went through the payment proces for the 3rd time 3 days ago. yes the THIRD bloody time after they've stuffed up, cancelled orders without notification or cause ect. *sigh*
#6.2 crashguy on 23 Jun 2007 - 14:18
Quote - (Smigit said @ #6.1)
Quote -
let me start with the fact that I don’t like vista, in fact after going through an utterly painful process of getting my copy through the express upgrade with my laptop


Mine still hasnt arrived. I just went through the payment proces for the 3rd time 3 days ago. yes the THIRD bloody time after they've stuffed up, cancelled orders without notification or cause ect. *sigh*


What ****ed me off more then anything? is that fact it doesn't even come in a Vista box or anything.. had HP all over it *shudder*.

Plus was in a paper slip not a case... thats what you want dvd's coming in isn't it.

Plus i feel your pain i spoke to several illiterate people to find out what was going on.. went from it was coming, to not coming, to on it's way, to cancelled, to me not being elligable for it... wow they really have there sh*t together.

I realise outsourcing saves money? but it frustrates the hell out of it's customers...
#6.3 Primetime2006 on 23 Jun 2007 - 14:58
Quote - (crashguy said @ #6)
Well I’m going to comment in two parts. firstly with regards to hating of vista... let me start with the fact that I don’t like vista, in fact after going through an utterly painful process of getting my copy through the express upgrade with my laptop, I have since removed it going back to XP as I’m sure many have.

My concern is that people are bagging out a system, which while is quite bad, from what I can see is not quite finished. So many features were removed from Vista that it's difficult to see what it may have become had longhorn's feature set not been so decimated.

The reality is that Microsoft’s employee's seem to work hard at there jobs, despite what there software may suggest, but they answer to the one thing that rules everything... money. Vista was released not finished, not ready and without the many beneficial features we may have seen.

Microsoft says, we release an operating system, good or not it makes money. Well from what I have seen Vista has made money, I’ve seen techs and non tech running to get a copy for testing. Some to vomit on it, and some to love it.

I think Microsoft has come to a point where money is the ruling factor over all there business decisions. This makes sense other then that fact it’s coming in the way of their product development.

There is the argument that business have not run to this operating system... this is not suprise as many univerisities and technical colledges were until 1 or 2 years ago were still runnings windows 2000 and have only now begun to catch up to XP which i think would be the same in many businesses.

Businesses need hard factual evidence that an operating system will work. This takes years of use.

One other thing? the idea of Microsoft closing up shop might make Linux lovers and Microsoft's Haters scream for joy? but issues like no more bug patching in a non open source operating system, no more technical support and no more extreme documentation for support (MSDN) would mean extreme damage for businesses, software companies and people at home. This to me, is a very silly idea that so many seem to have. Because very few people would flock to Linux, hell i wouldn't flock to Linux. Mac would take over the marketshare... and say hello to the "you don't need to understand why it works, it just does" kind of tech world.

My second part is on the operating system that Daniel imagines... the first thing that comes to my mind is that the idea that has been proposed is a Linux users dream. No more prettiness, no more hassle, so much more system power to be used on... I don’t know what, but something.

I personally agree that the operating system must fundamentally change, because it's becoming bloated and slow. Does this mean we need a return to the command line? Or a version of it?

I find that many non tech people are not only scared of the command line, but can barely find the start menu or know what a "taskbar" is. I dazzled and wow'd three supposedly technically minded people by creating a batch file which renamed all there files from .vob to .mpg.

In an age where the people want this simpler, and not have to think so much, I think we have many many more years of bloat and pointless features to come. How many times have you said to someone "I’ll lend you a book so you can see how to do it" and they fain interest, say ok and that book never leaves your shelf.


I'm going to comment in two parts. First, you're a moron. This isn't even a discussion about Vista, this is a discussion about the future of computing. Take your trolling to the Fisher-Price club if you want to post like this and act like a child. Vista has been completely fine with my machine and it isn't the latest and greatest. You can't expect a POS computer to run it - welcome to the 21st century. It isn't "bloat", it's technological advances. The lightbulb was not invented overnight and yes, you are going to continue to see fancy skins, bells and whistles and the like because that is what the world wants. If you look at technology, this is how it's been going for DECADES, not just with computers, with everything. People want the most for their money and don't want to have to go out and buy 40 different things from 40 different places just to get what they want. Imagine if I bought a car and all it came with was the frame and the seats and I had to go and buy the engine, fuel pump, tires, lights, etc. ALL from different places and all for piles of money just before I could start my car? Same goes for operatings systems. I don't want to have to go and buy 40 different pieces of software from 40 manufacturers just so I can have a worthwhile setup. So next time you sit here and bitch and moan about **** you don't understand, do some research and educate yourself.

The second part, Vista was finished and Vista was released with the features they stated. They informed the public "hey, we are taking this feature out" long before Vista was released and yet, people still paid for it knowing features were removed. It's not like MS released it promising features that were not in it. Furthermore, there is a reason why universities and schools don't upgrade right away, SEVERAL reasons. One, they have a budget and it costs money to buy licenses - if their current operating system does not need the upgrade, they would they do it just "because there's a new version"? Second, the hassle of upgrading all the machines and making sure all of the software works on it. It's all about budget. So no, it has nothing to do with "there is no reason to upgrade", it's "there is no reason to upgrade based on our budget". Educational facilities don't jump to upgrade everything the moment they get a chance.

All in all, Vista, just like every other piece of software out there today, has it's issues. MS clearly explained what you were getting when you put your money on the table and at $100 for a brand new operating system (I remember Windows 98 costing almost $200) which isn't bad, told you everything you were getting and not getting and you agreed to it when you bought it so you have no reason to bitch. MS of course is in it for money just like every other company out there today. If you knew anything about how to run a business you would know this. If you were running MS, they would be well known as "the company with a smile............that went bankrupt because they didn't know how to make money". Brand loyalty has been established for Microsoft since Windows 95 and they have been riding those waves since - so why would they need to worry about what you have to say? MS is not going anywhere anytime soon.

In future, tablet PCs will replace laptops, desktop computers will shrink in size and increase in speed expotentially. A completely wireless set up will exist and expect a lot of CPUs be embedded in to products even as small as a coffee maker. Changes will happen. The operating system may evolve to simple commands, but the interface is still going to get more and more fancy as the years go by. That will never change.



Do your research next time you post.
#6.4 MrCobra on 23 Jun 2007 - 17:32
Quote - (Primetime2006 said @ #6.3)
I'm going to comment in two parts. First, you're a moron. This isn't even a discussion about Vista, this is a discussion about the future of computing. Take your trolling to the Fisher-Price club if you want to post like this and act like a child.

If you don't like what someone posts about then don't finish reading it. It's that simple but apparently you can't grasp that idea.

EDIT: You were reported for personal attacks on members. Have a good day.
#6.5 +DrCheese on 23 Jun 2007 - 18:01
Quote -
In future, tablet PCs will replace laptops


er no, Bill gates predicts that rubbish every year and yet tablet PC's still sell sod all. The only way tablet PC's will take off is if they become as a usuable as a piece of paper and at the moment they aren't. A laptop will always still be many times more powerful than a tablet PC.
#6.6 internetworld7 on 23 Jun 2007 - 19:41
Blah, blah, blah...Who gives a...

Quote - (crashguy said @ #6)
Well I’m going to comment in two parts. firstly with regards to hating of vista... let me start with the fact that I don’t like vista, in fact after going through an utterly painful process of getting my copy through the express upgrade with my laptop, I have since removed it going back to XP as I’m sure many have.

My concern is that people are bagging out a system, which while is quite bad, from what I can see is not quite finished. So many features were removed from Vista that it's difficult to see what it may have become had longhorn's feature set not been so decimated.

The reality is that Microsoft’s employee's seem to work hard at there jobs, despite what there software may suggest, but they answer to the one thing that rules everything... money. Vista was released not finished, not ready and without the many beneficial features we may have seen.

Microsoft says, we release an operating system, good or not it makes money. Well from what I have seen Vista has made money, I’ve seen techs and non tech running to get a copy for testing. Some to vomit on it, and some to love it.

I think Microsoft has come to a point where money is the ruling factor over all there business decisions. This makes sense other then that fact it’s coming in the way of their product development.

There is the argument that business have not run to this operating system... this is not suprise as many univerisities and technical colledges were until 1 or 2 years ago were still runnings windows 2000 and have only now begun to catch up to XP which i think would be the same in many businesses.

Businesses need hard factual evidence that an operating system will work. This takes years of use.

One other thing? the idea of Microsoft closing up shop might make Linux lovers and Microsoft's Haters scream for joy? but issues like no more bug patching in a non open source operating system, no more technical support and no more extreme documentation for support (MSDN) would mean extreme damage for businesses, software companies and people at home. This to me, is a very silly idea that so many seem to have. Because very few people would flock to Linux, hell i wouldn't flock to Linux. Mac would take over the marketshare... and say hello to the "you don't need to understand why it works, it just does" kind of tech world.

My second part is on the operating system that Daniel imagines... the first thing that comes to my mind is that the idea that has been proposed is a Linux users dream. No more prettiness, no more hassle, so much more system power to be used on... I don’t know what, but something.

I personally agree that the operating system must fundamentally change, because it's becoming bloated and slow. Does this mean we need a return to the command line? Or a version of it?

I find that many non tech people are not only scared of the command line, but can barely find the start menu or know what a "taskbar" is. I dazzled and wow'd three supposedly technically minded people by creating a batch file which renamed all there files from .vob to .mpg.

In an age where the people want this simpler, and not have to think so much, I think we have many many more years of bloat and pointless features to come. How many times have you said to someone "I’ll lend you a book so you can see how to do it" and they fain interest, say ok and that book never leaves your shelf.
#6.7 crashguy on 23 Jun 2007 - 23:18
Quote - (Primetime2006 said @ #6.3)
Quote - (crashguy said @ #6)
Well I’m going to comment in two parts. firstly with regards to hating of vista... let me start with the fact that I don’t like vista, in fact after going through an utterly painful process of getting my copy through the express upgrade with my laptop, I have since removed it going back to XP as I’m sure many have.

My concern is that people are bagging out a system, which while is quite bad, from what I can see is not quite finished. So many features were removed from Vista that it's difficult to see what it may have become had longhorn's feature set not been so decimated.

The reality is that Microsoft’s employee's seem to work hard at there jobs, despite what there software may suggest, but they answer to the one thing that rules everything... money. Vista was released not finished, not ready and without the many beneficial features we may have seen.

Microsoft says, we release an operating system, good or not it makes money. Well from what I have seen Vista has made money, I’ve seen techs and non tech running to get a copy for testing. Some to vomit on it, and some to love it.

I think Microsoft has come to a point where money is the ruling factor over all there business decisions. This makes sense other then that fact it’s coming in the way of their product development.

There is the argument that business have not run to this operating system... this is not suprise as many univerisities and technical colledges were until 1 or 2 years ago were still runnings windows 2000 and have only now begun to catch up to XP which i think would be the same in many businesses.

Businesses need hard factual evidence that an operating system will work. This takes years of use.

One other thing? the idea of Microsoft closing up shop might make Linux lovers and Microsoft's Haters scream for joy? but issues like no more bug patching in a non open source operating system, no more technical support and no more extreme documentation for support (MSDN) would mean extreme damage for businesses, software companies and people at home. This to me, is a very silly idea that so many seem to have. Because very few people would flock to Linux, hell i wouldn't flock to Linux. Mac would take over the marketshare... and say hello to the "you don't need to understand why it works, it just does" kind of tech world.

My second part is on the operating system that Daniel imagines... the first thing that comes to my mind is that the idea that has been proposed is a Linux users dream. No more prettiness, no more hassle, so much more system power to be used on... I don’t know what, but something.

I personally agree that the operating system must fundamentally change, because it's becoming bloated and slow. Does this mean we need a return to the command line? Or a version of it?

I find that many non tech people are not only scared of the command line, but can barely find the start menu or know what a "taskbar" is. I dazzled and wow'd three supposedly technically minded people by creating a batch file which renamed all there files from .vob to .mpg.

In an age where the people want this simpler, and not have to think so much, I think we have many many more years of bloat and pointless features to come. How many times have you said to someone "I’ll lend you a book so you can see how to do it" and they fain interest, say ok and that book never leaves your shelf.


I'm going to comment in two parts. First, you're a moron. This isn't even a discussion about Vista, this is a discussion about the future of computing. Take your trolling to the Fisher-Price club if you want to post like this and act like a child. Vista has been completely fine with my machine and it isn't the latest and greatest. You can't expect a POS computer to run it - welcome to the 21st century. It isn't "bloat", it's technological advances. The lightbulb was not invented overnight and yes, you are going to continue to see fancy skins, bells and whistles and the like because that is what the world wants. If you look at technology, this is how it's been going for DECADES, not just with computers, with everything. People want the most for their money and don't want to have to go out and buy 40 different things from 40 different places just to get what they want. Imagine if I bought a car and all it came with was the frame and the seats and I had to go and buy the engine, fuel pump, tires, lights, etc. ALL from different places and all for piles of money just before I could start my car? Same goes for operatings systems. I don't want to have to go and buy 40 different pieces of software from 40 manufacturers just so I can have a worthwhile setup. So next time you sit here and bitch and moan about **** you don't understand, do some research and educate yourself.

The second part, Vista was finished and Vista was released with the features they stated. They informed the public "hey, we are taking this feature out" long before Vista was released and yet, people still paid for it knowing features were removed. It's not like MS released it promising features that were not in it. Furthermore, there is a reason why universities and schools don't upgrade right away, SEVERAL reasons. One, they have a budget and it costs money to buy licenses - if their current operating system does not need the upgrade, they would they do it just "because there's a new version"? Second, the hassle of upgrading all the machines and making sure all of the software works on it. It's all about budget. So no, it has nothing to do with "there is no reason to upgrade", it's "there is no reason to upgrade based on our budget". Educational facilities don't jump to upgrade everything the moment they get a chance.

All in all, Vista, just like every other piece of software out there today, has it's issues. MS clearly explained what you were getting when you put your money on the table and at $100 for a brand new operating system (I remember Windows 98 costing almost $200) which isn't bad, told you everything you were getting and not getting and you agreed to it when you bought it so you have no reason to bitch. MS of course is in it for money just like every other company out there today. If you knew anything about how to run a business you would know this. If you were running MS, they would be well known as "the company with a smile............that went bankrupt because they didn't know how to make money". Brand loyalty has been established for Microsoft since Windows 95 and they have been riding those waves since - so why would they need to worry about what you have to say? MS is not going anywhere anytime soon.

In future, tablet PCs will replace laptops, desktop computers will shrink in size and increase in speed expotentially. A completely wireless set up will exist and expect a lot of CPUs be embedded in to products even as small as a coffee maker. Changes will happen. The operating system may evolve to simple commands, but the interface is still going to get more and more fancy as the years go by. That will never change.



Do your research next time you post.


The comments on vista were directed at the person who commented before me with regards to Microsoft Owes people money for the Vista operating system not being so good. And i figured i hear so much whining and crying about Vista that i'd comment on that too. If you don't like it, too bad.

As far as Vista's not being finished, i do not deny they made public the removal of the features, i was pointing out that what Vista was meant to be was never 100% realised. IE: Not finished.

Your comments about microsoft? sounds in line with my opinion on it, so i'm lost why you felt the need to flame me.. i guess you feel better. So good on you.
(1 reply) #7 Ghostdraconi on 23 Jun 2007 - 14:13
I love these predictions that are so far in the future that by that time no one will care or remember that the prediction was made.

Here my prediction, in 20 years no one will write these stories as we will all be serving our new ant overlords.
#7.1 Lant on 23 Jun 2007 - 15:10
Sorry but now I'm going to have to remember that
(1 reply) #8 crashguy on 23 Jun 2007 - 14:16
I for one, welcome our new insect overlords...
#8.1 slang123 on 23 Jun 2007 - 14:39
LOL
#9 Budious on 23 Jun 2007 - 17:16
To make the 50's analogy, you'd need a generic frame unto which you could apply the shell of your choice (ie. kernel & kde/gnome/xfce w/ beryl/compix ) Windows/OSx would currently qualify as the Model T, it comes in any color you want so long as that color is black.
(2 replies) #10 .Neo on 23 Jun 2007 - 17:20
In twenty years hardly anything changed when it comes to how we interact with our computers. Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard is in essence not that much different from System 1, released in the mid 80s. It's of course much much more advanced but the Desktop is still here, the icons are still here, windows that hold the application's contents are still here and the Menubar remained more or less the same as well.

What this guy basically says is: The only reason we have this much eye-candy in both Mac OS X Leopard and Windows Vista is because Apple and Microsoft both want to make the biggest carnaval attraction out there, to attract as many people as possible. Why should that by any different 20, 30, 40 or even 50 years from now? Will all competition between different companies cease to exist just like that? I doubt it.

If these changes will come, it will be because of different reasons.
#10.1 billyea on 23 Jun 2007 - 18:21
Wow, even after Microsoft killed off most of the Longhorn feature set AND cleaned up the code, it's still called bloated!
#10.2 .Neo on 23 Jun 2007 - 18:45
Quote - (billyea said @ #10.1)
Wow, even after Microsoft killed off most of the Longhorn feature set AND cleaned up the code, it's still called bloated!

????
#11 backdrifter on 23 Jun 2007 - 18:47
To be honest this was one of the best observations in the technology field in the recent era. Really, today's operating systems use over 15 year old framework, and try to add the breaking technology on top of it. Just out of my head, 3d rendered desktop could be used in a very smart manner, but all we see is stacked up windows (flip3d) and really bloated stuff (beryl)
The only good thing is short after these movements or trends, a counter movement appears, and I'm expecting it soon. I'm guessing both Apple and Microsoft are preparing the next computer experience, with very unique hardware and software. Soon after the open source community would duplicate and innovate over it.
(1 reply) #12 simon360 on 23 Jun 2007 - 20:08
Multi touch is the way we're headed. Just look at Surface and, more or less, the iPhone. I'd like to see Microsoft build the kernel and let other people make the software, though, and the same goes for Apple (mind you, Apple makes some phenominal programs, as does Microsoft). Both companies ship too much, and it means they end up maintaining everything, so we get unsecure programs and monopolies.

The way Linux works is perfect: you have distributions packaging the kernel with programs, making evrything work together, and other companies making updates so that everything stays stable and secure.
#12.1 Iridium on 23 Jun 2007 - 21:10
I definately think youre right wit hthe surface computing. Its the new revolution. However Linux is seriously a lost cause. I can only mention 4 advantages over windows (very good advantages however):

1) It is very responsive and less system intensive for similar applications. Hardly every crashes and usually resolves the issue fast.
2) Linux almost never needs to be restarted even after heavy system updates
3) Never needs defragging (although i have read that it does it just takes much longer for significant fragmentation to occur)
4) Not as many viruses, but this problem seems to be directly proportional to popularity and linux is third in the 3 big OSes.

Linux users who are the same people that usually drive its development are geeks and not people they want to be different and show off their genius level IQs. This is a detriment cuz they will never admit failures and are ultimately not allowing their OS to get market share. Linux could win if it allowed for service packs instead of whole distro releases, improved file hierarchy (ive read the reasoning behind it but Microsoft is able to do all that with a very simple hierarchy), and finally a better window manager as gnome is to simple and kde is to complex and finiky and lets face it Vistas explorer is the best out there.
(1 reply) #13 PaulNC on 23 Jun 2007 - 22:48
This comment is genuniely not meant in a satirical way, but If big OS's are out, then what would take their place?

A couple of reasons for big OS's:

1. Millions of "consumers" have become accustom to and enjoy all the eye candy/ useability features that current OS's provide.

2. OS applets add value. Why buy an app when the one included in the OS meets many users needs. Especially items like a calculator, paint program and laugh if you will, a simple email app like Outlook Express, that's FAR cheaper than Outlook '07.

3. When done right, they (big OS's) are really nice products. Examples:

a. Windows NT 4.0 was, in it's day, a workhorse business OS.. yes?
b. Windows XP (containing NT techology).
c. I'm hoping some MAC/Linux types will include thier candidates for stable, versitle and reliable OS's.

Best!
PaulNC
#13.1 Osiris on 24 Jun 2007 - 02:06
Quote - (PaulNC said @ #13)
This comment is genuniely not meant in a satirical way, but If big OS's are out, then what would take their place?

A couple of reasons for big OS's:

1. Millions of "consumers" have become accustom to and enjoy all the eye candy/ useability features that current OS's provide.

2. OS applets add value. Why buy an app when the one included in the OS meets many users needs. Especially items like a calculator, paint program and laugh if you will, a simple email app like Outlook Express, that's FAR cheaper than Outlook '07.

3. When done right, they (big OS's) are really nice products. Examples:

a. Windows NT 4.0 was, in it's day, a workhorse business OS.. yes?
b. Windows XP (containing NT techology).
c. I'm hoping some MAC/Linux types will include thier candidates for stable, versitle and reliable OS's.

Best!
PaulNC


Exactly Paul!! It would be a Linux users wet dream to have such an invisible OS as described, but the entire history of computing runs against such a prediction, even now look at MS and MacOSX they steam towards more and more eye candy, while Linux pilfers away on the margins of the OS market. The reality is it would be naive to think that general consumers, and the millions who dont care about tech specs want an invisible OS, they want their eye candy, hell I even enjoy the eye candy.

What are you going to use your quad core processors, 4 gig of ram and increasingly advanced video cards for if not for a little eye candy? I love how people scream bloatware, but oh no, I cant believe Microsoft is using more resources than XP or Windows 95, how dare they attempt to utlise a relative proportion of current computing system specs!

As for computing changing, the big whigs have already pointed to in which direction thats going, they will be tackling the way we interact with computers. This is likely to be a big change in itself but not one which destroys the fundamentals of an eye candy OS future.
#14 CUPMAN on 23 Jun 2007 - 23:10
Bill Gates and all Microsoft employees should be shot for introducing Vista before it was ready to be released. I am smashing this retarded machine and mailing it to Microsoft with one hell of a hate letter. No more Microsoft software for me if Vista is the best they can do.
(1 reply) #15 IntelliMoo on 24 Jun 2007 - 00:01
Yawn... I just want a flying car.
#15.1 PaulNC on 24 Jun 2007 - 01:08
Quote - (IntelliMoo said @ #15)
Yawn... I just want a flying car.


LMAO That was sweet
#16 Le Master on 24 Jun 2007 - 03:36
Jeez, when will I be able to smell the fart of the person I'm chatting with?
#17 TheNGTV on 24 Jun 2007 - 10:49
Those new interfaces contain no warmth at all.

Considering how good OSX and Vista have been on warmth factor and interface optimizations, I will never go back.

XGL and Beryl can't shield erratic behavior of the OS itself, lack of comprehensive and interactive offline documentation and geeks with severe ***l attitude trolling forums insulting starters on their lack of knowledge.
Linux is still gonna be a joke for 5 years, at least. Keep on proclaiming nth year as Open-Source Desktop year, guys. You'll need the publicity.

As for new interfaces? Let's see how much benefit iPhones and Surfaces bring first. I for one, am much more than contented with my Wacom Intuos coupled with basically every human-input based app, along with the still awesome GUI of Vista/Tiger.

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