Windows 7
Starting with Windows Vista, Microsoft began producing what I call a “new generation” of products that are – quite frankly – pretty impressing. I guess the continued delays of Windows Vista, as well as the rough time launching it, has left a prominent impact on the entire company, perhaps a “story of warning” told to other employees. During the development of Windows Vista, Microsoft hit rock bottom, and from what I’m seeing now, it has dramatically changed the company’s direction – to the better.
Don’t get me wrong, I do not think that Vista – as a product – represents “rock bottom” for Microsoft (THAT would’ve been Bob); its an excellent improvement in my view, but the development cycle it has gone through is rather horrible, and Microsoft openly admits to that.
ANYWAYS, back to the topic: Windows 7.
Before talking about the UI, I guess, in my opinion, the most important changes that have occurred to the OS are those that are under the hood. The memory footprint is surprisingly low, the speed is rather amazing, power efficiency is notably improved, etc. From that respect, MS did a good job really.
The UI is an advancement in many ways, but somehow the new changes can make a person feel foreign to the OS; I like it and can use it well, but I still don’t feel “right at home” when using it. I guess some UI changes are perhaps a bit too radical (and maybe that’s good for the long term) and thus take some time to get used to.
When it comes to stability, reliability, and performance, Windows 7 is the OS to beat. When it comes to UI, intuitiveness, and ease of use, I guess that’s when it becomes debatable.
Overall, I’d still like to say I love the new direction Microsoft is going through, the Zune, the Windows Live stuff, and now Windows 7… kind of hard to believe that this is the same company that existed 11 years ago.
