Comments on: Are the Windows half open or half closed? http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/ All the stuff about Microsoft and technology you haven't read anywhere else. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:52:06 +1100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Vista, Big Problem In Small OS World | The Blog Pirate http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-68862 Vista, Big Problem In Small OS World | The Blog Pirate Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:05:29 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-68862 [...] to bigger trouble then it’s already. Even way Microsoft made it unfair release giving away so-called Pre-made Beta release and selling it.. Anyhow whats for sure the Vista is going to lay off up to 5,000 workers or 5 percent of its total [...] [...] to bigger trouble then it’s already. Even way Microsoft made it unfair release giving away so-called Pre-made Beta release and selling it.. Anyhow whats for sure the Vista is going to lay off up to 5,000 workers or 5 percent of its total [...]

]]> By: kamni http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-49029 kamni Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:01:30 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-49029 The choice of early disclosure is a game that all companies have to play, and it highly depends on the product. When a company has a great innovation that is more or less complete (with relatively minor adjustments), early disclosure is a great way to get people chomping at the bit (pre-orders for video games, anyone?). But if you're not sure if you can deliver what you promise at approximately the date you promise it, it's best to keep it under wraps. Microsoft played the game and lost, fair and square. It made promises on Vista that it couldn't accomplish, and paid the price in disgruntled customers. But this should come as no surprise: Microsoft has a history of talking about its products ahead of time and then not being able to deliver on its claims. Apple, on the other hand, knows that operating systems are pretty hard to get working, so they choose the non-disclosure route -- but then again, they also make more reasonable and feasible changes to the OS per release. Unfortunately, Microsoft has a problem with switching from an early disclosure to a policy of secrecy. Since Microsoft has made it a prior policy to disclose innovation, customers have come to expect it, and they feel jilted when Microsoft suddenly becomes hush-hush. It seems, then, that the only reasonable solution would be for Microsoft to continue disclosing, but only those things that they are relatively certain of. Sure, it makes for a less exciting pre-sell, but on the off chance that they do manage to pull off the uncertain developments in time for ship-out, the customers will be that much more enamored of Microsoft and be more willing to encourage friends to make the switch after release. That being said, it seems to me that the issue of disclosure is somewhat irrelevant to the success of Vista, as Microsoft made plenty of other mistakes that would account for its lackluster acceptance. I know more people who were simply ticked off by Vista not working with supposedly "Vista compatible" hardware, than they were about the failed bigger-and-better promises. The choice of early disclosure is a game that all companies have to play, and it highly depends on the product. When a company has a great innovation that is more or less complete (with relatively minor adjustments), early disclosure is a great way to get people chomping at the bit (pre-orders for video games, anyone?). But if you’re not sure if you can deliver what you promise at approximately the date you promise it, it’s best to keep it under wraps.

Microsoft played the game and lost, fair and square. It made promises on Vista that it couldn’t accomplish, and paid the price in disgruntled customers. But this should come as no surprise: Microsoft has a history of talking about its products ahead of time and then not being able to deliver on its claims. Apple, on the other hand, knows that operating systems are pretty hard to get working, so they choose the non-disclosure route — but then again, they also make more reasonable and feasible changes to the OS per release.

Unfortunately, Microsoft has a problem with switching from an early disclosure to a policy of secrecy. Since Microsoft has made it a prior policy to disclose innovation, customers have come to expect it, and they feel jilted when Microsoft suddenly becomes hush-hush.

It seems, then, that the only reasonable solution would be for Microsoft to continue disclosing, but only those things that they are relatively certain of. Sure, it makes for a less exciting pre-sell, but on the off chance that they do manage to pull off the uncertain developments in time for ship-out, the customers will be that much more enamored of Microsoft and be more willing to encourage friends to make the switch after release.

That being said, it seems to me that the issue of disclosure is somewhat irrelevant to the success of Vista, as Microsoft made plenty of other mistakes that would account for its lackluster acceptance. I know more people who were simply ticked off by Vista not working with supposedly “Vista compatible” hardware, than they were about the failed bigger-and-better promises.

]]> By: Grogan http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48663 Grogan Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:27:22 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48663 Long, You're looking at this from the perspective of a consumer. The only potential ramifications of incorrect information released too early (i.e. features are cut, features don't exist yet in pre-release builds that will come later) is that your expectations and excitement is diminished. But you have to remember that Microsoft isn't Apple. Microsoft has spawned an entire industry dedicated to creating products that work with Windows - both software and hardware. Within this ecosystem, there are a number of companies that have to make "big bets" based on what they know about the next version of Windows. If features are out publicly before things are "fully baked", these bets may turn out to be poor and livelihoods are put in danger. I believe this is the main reason why Microsoft is trying to keep things under wraps- not for consumer excitement, but for the actual protection of the ecosystem. Long,
You’re looking at this from the perspective of a consumer. The only potential ramifications of incorrect information released too early (i.e. features are cut, features don’t exist yet in pre-release builds that will come later) is that your expectations and excitement is diminished.

But you have to remember that Microsoft isn’t Apple. Microsoft has spawned an entire industry dedicated to creating products that work with Windows – both software and hardware. Within this ecosystem, there are a number of companies that have to make “big bets” based on what they know about the next version of Windows. If features are out publicly before things are “fully baked”, these bets may turn out to be poor and livelihoods are put in danger.

I believe this is the main reason why Microsoft is trying to keep things under wraps- not for consumer excitement, but for the actual protection of the ecosystem.

]]> By: All about Microsoft mobile edition http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48632 All about Microsoft mobile edition Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:04:29 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48632 [...] Because Microsoft won’t talk about Windows 7, I can’t quote any Microsoft representatives on what they are planning, thinking and hoping regarding Windows 7. [...] [...] Because Microsoft won’t talk about Windows 7, I can’t quote any Microsoft representatives on what they are planning, thinking and hoping regarding Windows 7. [...]

]]> By: quikboy http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48490 quikboy Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:05:17 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48490 I agree with the right side more. It's technically right, and that's the more safer route. That's why Apple's business model is much more sound and popular. Giving surprises (instead of saying "Oops - we didn't do this) is better than dishing out disappointments. I remember how there was a show of Longhorn at PDC 2003, and "Instant Desktop Search" was a feature shown, and Apple placed it first in Tiger, before Vista. And of course, it seems like Microsoft just copied Apple on another concept. Exactly why showing tech 'demos' only leads to other smart techies to put them in first. Public betas are dumb. Users who experience issues and whatnot blog and talk about it, making it look bad, even though it's NOT the final product. And the Office team has obviously done a better job in releasing their latest version than the Win team. Sometimes it's best to keep it a secret. In the mean time, give out other things people want and they'll be happy (like Vista SP1, Ultimate Extras, etc.) So the option on the right is much better. I agree with the right side more. It’s technically right, and that’s the more safer route.

That’s why Apple’s business model is much more sound and popular. Giving surprises (instead of saying “Oops – we didn’t do this) is better than dishing out disappointments.

I remember how there was a show of Longhorn at PDC 2003, and “Instant Desktop Search” was a feature shown, and Apple placed it first in Tiger, before Vista. And of course, it seems like Microsoft just copied Apple on another concept. Exactly why showing tech ‘demos’ only leads to other smart techies to put them in first.

Public betas are dumb. Users who experience issues and whatnot blog and talk about it, making it look bad, even though it’s NOT the final product.

And the Office team has obviously done a better job in releasing their latest version than the Win team.

Sometimes it’s best to keep it a secret. In the mean time, give out other things people want and they’ll be happy (like Vista SP1, Ultimate Extras, etc.)

So the option on the right is much better.

]]> By: RC http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48459 RC Thu, 24 Jan 2008 22:00:48 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48459 I think some of those are false dichotemies but I fall on the side of these individuals divulging information that they are not authorized to do so. It does make me wonder if they are explicity violating contracts they signed, as that would mean their word doesn't mean much. I think some of those are false dichotemies but I fall on the side of these individuals divulging information that they are not authorized to do so. It does make me wonder if they are explicity violating contracts they signed, as that would mean their word doesn’t mean much.

]]> By: Quadricorn http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48450 Quadricorn Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:37:12 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48450 I think you have a very valid point regarding Apple's ability to shut out "outsiders" until they think the product's ready to meet the world. Although Apple's recent success can be attributed to multiple factors, the fact they are able to keep the public in suspense is their biggest asset. I think you have a very valid point regarding Apple’s ability to shut out “outsiders” until they think the product’s ready to meet the world. Although Apple’s recent success can be attributed to multiple factors, the fact they are able to keep the public in suspense is their biggest asset.

]]> By: Cloud02 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48413 Cloud02 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:04:28 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48413 I think that it's interesting perspectives you've managed to carry out. However, I feel that the new Microsoft orgnisation is the one looking at it as being more open. Microsoft has gone through several ways of doing business and I believe that Microsoft is going through another one. My opinion though... means jack shit :) I think that it’s interesting perspectives you’ve managed to carry out. However, I feel that the new Microsoft orgnisation is the one looking at it as being more open. Microsoft has gone through several ways of doing business and I believe that Microsoft is going through another one.

My opinion though… means jack shit :)

]]> By: Cullen D http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48406 Cullen D Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:18:44 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48406 For the most part, I agree with Long 2. Long 1 loosk at it from a non-business standpoint. If you look at this from a corporate standpoint you will agree with Long 2. Long 2 is truly logical, and talks about how a corporation REALLY works. Not how random people who don't work for MS THINK the place should be ran... For the most part, I agree with Long 2. Long 1 loosk at it from a non-business standpoint. If you look at this from a corporate standpoint you will agree with Long 2. Long 2 is truly logical, and talks about how a corporation REALLY works. Not how random people who don’t work for MS THINK the place should be ran…

]]> By: Michael Mc http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48402 Michael Mc Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:37:24 +0000 http://www.istartedsomething.com/20080124/windows-half-open-half-closed/#comment-48402 That last comment was on the wrong post. Damn you, tabbed browsing! That last comment was on the wrong post. Damn you, tabbed browsing!

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