Microsoft decision making

tbernstein · Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 1576 Location: London

Thinking about what I'd typed in in my response to the thread about Vista V XP ("Would I be correct in saying.."), I was wondering.
Do any Gnomies have any information or insight into this?
How do the Brains in Microsoft decide what goes in the Home versions and what is only in the Pro versions of their software? As a Home user at home and a Pro user at work, it seems pretty random, or even perverse. Rolling Eyes

goretsky · Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:26 am Post subject:

Hello,

Just in case anyone didn't see the message thread TBernstein referenced, I believe it is located here.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

I've never been a software (OS) guru and really had NO desire to be one,
but I've heard from sources that seem more knowledgeable than me that,
MS has always created just one version of Windows.

That one version would include everything that they could come up with, then they cut and trim it to create cheaper versions.

Just like today, you can "acquire" a version of XP called "Stripped to the Bone".
It's basically the core of XP with none of the fluff of the retail versions.
It's great for those who like to create their own windows.
Or just get XP onto a new HD in the least possible amount of time, for testing purposes. It takes up very little space on a HD and loads in about fifteen minutes. It can be "Legalized" by upgrading it with a fully licensed version of XP.

In all the versions of XP that I've seen to date, they seem to work off of the same basic core. It's just the options that vary, like services and drivers.
As the old saying goes, "You only get what you pay for".

Personally, I really hate the XP-Home version. It's seriously lacking!
Give me the Pro version.

It appears that M$ is doing the same thing, or similar, with Vista.

Well, that's my 2 cents worth...... Wink

The Doctor Cool

tbernstein · Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 1576 Location: London

That makes sense. But my grudge with the home versions is not that they lack things, as such, but that they're lacking in the things that a home user would need ( and often a business user probably wouldn't, like a quick route to fast user switching) yet still have things that a home user is much less likely to need. It's as if the design team are from another planet, where they don't have homes and families: They must do market research, but maybe they do it on their own planet. Rolling Eyes

pcrattail · Joined: Jun 11, 2004 Posts: 406

And therein lies the problem.

Most "big businesses" use and subscribe to using "market analysts" and " market research" to base their products design and delivery on. They forget to "take home" the product to "test" with "family and friends". They loose some of the "perspective" of "joe schmo".

Microsoft has always been to cater to the business world. The consumer is an after-thought, used to "get rid" of the excess units on hand.

I agree that THEY are using the "trickle" down method of engineering. Where-as, they are building the BIGGEST product and cutting it down to create different versions.

BUT hey...... The Automotive Industry does that every YEAR......... its called.... CONCEPT CARS. They put all the NEWEST safety features and all the bells and whistles on them. Then during the next 10 years, they "trickle" those into their existing product lines.

tbernstein · Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 1576 Location: London

...and how many British or American cars are on the road these days? I was so shocked in the US last Summer, everyone seemed to have Toyotas. The UK and now the US motor industries are "down the pan", which should tell us something.

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

For years, the Oldsmobile Toronado was GM's rolling test bed for all their new ideas. It was the first production front wheel drive car made in the US.
I had a 1967, 1976 and 1977 Toro. What a car!!!!

So what do most of us drive today? Front wheel drive cars, but most of them on the road today are made outside the US.

God, I'd love to have my 1967 Olds Toronado back again.

As for Windows..... I try to run the Top-O-The-Line version, when I can.
That way, I have very few regrets.

Cheers mates!
The Doctor Cool

louis-the-cat · Joined: May 13, 2006 Posts: 307

to be honest what annoys me more than the "home" and "pro" versions are the OEM versions. They usually come with features missing, extra stuff ( that nobody needs or wants) no original discs......i could go on, but then it'd be a rant.

Hey Dr Who...if you can't get your dream Oldsmobile ...how about trading in your Tardis for this 1991 Dodge Dakota 5.2 Liter V8 .......I wonder how long it will take for this concept to trickle down?

http://inventorspot.com/articles/wood_burning_truck_travels_coast_coast_17361

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

Louis,
That's COOL!

Not a totally new concept,,,,but COOL none the less.

Run your truck on Methane and make your own as you travel.

But, if you want the very best version of Windows? It's gonna cost ya!

Doc Cool