Oh heck, I wasn't gonna start this, but since someone else did, let's get the show on the road...
Way back when there were at least four different versions of DOS, PC-DOS, MS-DOS, DR-DOS, and some other flavor, I don't remember the name. None of which were compatible with each other/ MS, whether or not they intended to or did so legally, managed to elimintated all but one of those versions, DR-DOS which became Novell. This did not revitalize the industry, it vitalized it turning the computer from the pet rock of intelectuals into a genuine tool that could be used by anyone, and incidentially made sure we all have jobs. Over the years since these events, Microsoft has released many new OS's. Each one required new hardware specs that followed the latest upgrades in computer technology. Observing the latest release, vista, I am struck by how the pricing reflect this, and am aware that the pricing along with the development of hardware is not an accident, it is fully intentional. Consider this... An upgrades will cost anywhere from $100 to $200 from any brick and mortar or online retailer. This is to upgrade computers that are on average 3 years old. A new computer, with Vista installed will cost upwards of $300 for new hardware which is almost guaranteed to be twice as fast as the hardware you intended to upgrade with Vista. Now, if you are planning on upgrading several hundred machines, then certainly the price difference may suggest that the upgrade path may be ideal for you. That is until you start determining the cost of hardware wearing out, replacment, loss of productivity, man hours, and just general stress. But, to the average home user, the extra money may be a pinch, but an acceptable pinch, and most will choose to upgrade the entire machine rather than go with an upgrade. If you consider the effectthis has on the industry as a whole, including your carreers, this drives the hardware market, the software market, and the support market. So, I salute MS for whatthey have done to th industry, and I suggest you should, too. ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- From: "Richardson,Tony" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: info-tech@aea8.k12.ia.us Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2007 07:54:18 -0600 Constant change is part of this business... ________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of George Tuttle Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 9:41 PM To: info-tech@aea8.k12.ia.us Subject: [info-tech] forced updates Techs: I posted the following to a web blog and thought you might enjoy reading it' I am a tech at a school district. I have a number of machines running Windows 98 just fine. I never asked Microsoft to include automatic daylight savings time. However, including it and now with the change renders my software obsolete. I restored and still own a 1930 Model A ford. I had no problems finding updates and parts to redo it. Maybe that's why Ford is having financial problems. They made their cars in 1930 so well that I didn't have to upgrade!! I still have the car and it runs fine. I'm not sure I can say the same about my software. With the DST change, Microsoft does not support any operating system that I can find beyond 2000 Pro. They have a really easy way to patch XP and 2000 but have decided to declare their other stuff obsolete by not providing easy to install patches. According to their website, the solution is to "upgrade". Hmm, what a nice revenue stream. I appreciate some of the pricing breaks that Microsoft provides schools but don't appreciate dropping major support after 5 years and minimal support after 10 years. Anybody running machines over 5 years old besides me? George --- [This E-mail scanned for viruses by the schaller-crest.k12.ia.us server.] --------------------------------------------------------- Archived messages from this list can be found at: http://www.mail-archive.com/info-tech@aea8.k12.ia.us/ ---------------------------------------------------------
