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Raw Bytes Computer News KPBX FM 91.1 Radio National Public Radio Network Frank Delaney Producer Broadcast on Wednesday Morning 7:35 AM During Morning Edition Support Public Radio ! The Theater Of the Mind |
In computer news this week 10/29/2008 We need a
new version of windows like we need a hole in the head. What we need is a stable
lasting version of windows that works. Have you
ever wondered why there have been so many versions of Windows and how many? Windows 1
was released back in November of 1985; made no splash ,
and was a dog. In fact, at the time there were other utilities that would let you run multiple
programs on your pc, and the dominant product was called Double Dos. I used
Double Dos, and it worked great. Windows
2.0 introduced in November 1987 barked just as loudly. Windows
for workgroups 3.1 introduced in 1992 was the first windows version that kind
of worked. Then
there was Windows 95 also referred to as Windows 4 – then subversions -
Windows 98 – then Windows 2000 – then Windows millenium
– then Windows xp introduced in 2001 referred to as Windows 5 - then Windows Vista introduced in 2006 referred
to as Windows 6 – and now
Windows 7 alluded to in a parting shot by Bill Gates, slated to come out
maybe next year. Quick
microcomputer industry history lesson: Question : How did Microsoft make all its money ? Answer: By licensing – first Dos
– and later windows – on new computers. So when
somebody buys a new pc today - Microsoft sells another
windows license, and hopefully also sells Microsoft office too. But when
people do a minor upgrade of their operating systems – like the recent
panicked upgrade of most XP machines to service pack 3 because of supposed
vulnerabilities discovered by Microsoft – they make no money. We as the users get a patched
operating system that supposedly is safer and works better. It’s old
but patched, like an old quilt from your Grandma, and it’s comfortable
and familiar. But Microsoft reminds us that they will soon not be supporting
XP – and that we will have to buy a new operating system – either
Vista or Windows 7. And with all the bad press about Vista, most people will
probably go for Windows 7 next year, which is approaching rapidly. So somehow
the pc industry fell into the same marketing mindset as the new car industry
– that there was to be a new car model each year – and a new pc
operating system – new and improved and it has that brand new operating
system smell - and like lemmings we rush to be the first ones to get them. |
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For Raw Bytes This is Frank Delaney (C) 2008 MTA Micro
Technology Associates http://www.mtamicro.com/kpbx.html PO Box 31522 Spokane, Wa 99223-1522 (509)624-7230 |
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