I bought one of my very first computers for $999.00 from Business Depot. The computer was made by Pine and not very well at that. At the time I decided to try the beta that was floating around of Microsoft’s new Operating System called Windows 95. I guess I was too inexperienced, or the computer was ready to go to the computer hell, preordained – but I managed to completely destroy that box with the help of the floppy install of DOS and a Windows 95 beta. I not could help but think about Microsoft’s intentions for Windows 95 if it was so hard to install at the time. The product was a major advancement, but unpolished. Fast-forward to today, and Microsoft if doing something almost unheard-of , its fast-tracking an Operating System to the market even before many companies have started using their previous product, Windows 2000. What effect is this having on the industry? Can Microsoft handle the backlash the will come from releasing a product that has been passed off as a ploy to play games with its rivals, the government, Sun, and AOL? This new Operating System, though much more polished then its predecessor, will have many adverse effects on the industry as a whole.

Certification Choices

I’ve already heard that the beta versions of Windows XP exams are being tested by the public. The accelerated rate of certification is incredible. I am currently an MCSE and have not even begun to look into a Windows 2000 certification – yet Windows XP looms on the horizon. Many MCSEs such as myself are choosing to pass on the Microsoft imposed acceleration in testing rules. In many cases the cost of re-testing so often does not justify the MCSE rewards (which many have said are dwindling because of the lack of respect it holds in the market). I will grudgingly be taking the Accelerated MCSE and undoubtedly the rest of the tests required to achieve a full Windows 2000 MCSE. I will let you know how the exams turn out.

As you may have also heard, Microsoft has gotten into a bit of hot water for using the word Engineer at the end of the MCSE name. I received a letter, as did all MCSEs in Canada did, referring to the use of the MCSE credential saying it was OK to use MCSE, but not Microsoft Certified System Engineer. The training and certification department of Microsoft is in shambles, the Windows XP release will certainly not help.

Installations

This is quite a subjective concept for most industry people. The installed seats of Microsoft Operating Systems are long labored and argued point. One common agreement among IT people is that the Windows 95/98 line of Operating Systems is the dominant business client on the market today. Microsoft has been doing their level-best to push Windows NT workstation and Windows 2000 Professional into the market, but have failed to achieve the desktop of business on a grand scale. The installation and configuration of Windows 95/98 and DOS support is far superior to that of Windows NT/2000. Windows XP does not look to change this trend with likely 1.5gb of drive space and 128mb of RAM required, most companies will not decide to make use of such an operating system on the common business computer. Of note is also that Linux is also making little or no progress in this regard. This hinges in a big way on the compact size and powerful installation of Windows 95/98. I can have a Windows 95 computer installed and ready in less the 20 mins, triple that just to install Windows 2000. Many have suggested a light version of Windows 2000 would have been a tactful move by Microsoft.

OEMs

The moneymaking machine of Microsoft runs on Original Equipment Manufacturers and their purchase and installation of the Windows product line on computers. Microsoft has such a monopoly that they have even started a program that suggests that customers call about people that buy computers without Operating Systems implying that they are likely planning to pirate software on some level. Microsoft has had it wrong about OEMs, and how the software they provide should be used, for a long time. The Windows 95/98 OEM pre-load process was one of great power and worked wonderfully. In contrast, the OEM pre-load of Windows NT was clunky, most of the utilities didn’t work out of the box, and the configuration was extremely cryptic. Windows XP is Windows NT 5.1, and will use the same pre-load process that Windows NT and Windows 2000 used. This is a major disadvantage to the installer base in general.

The hoopla surrounding the removal of Java technology from the Operating System has been big news. This will require OEMs to now install add-ons like Java to bring computers up to spec. In the past OEMs have always had to do this with computers, I remember one OEM computer we built for a customer required the AT&T online service prominently displayed on the desktop as well as a homegrown utility installed on the computer. I think the removal of Java from Windows XP will be a bumpy ride for OEMs but will in the end have more effect on the consumer.

Software Makers

Continuing a trend that is surely being investigated, Microsoft continues to bundle more software with their Operating System ruling out the usefulness of another vendors application. There a re a few examples in Windows XP including the addition of a personal Firewall built-in to Networking Settings of Windows XP. many customers will simply use this and companies that make Black ICE, Zone Alarm, Norton Personal Firewall made be pushed out or removed altogether. One interesting thing is that Microsoft has stayed out of the Virus Software industry since the days of DOS. The release of Windows XP will hurt software vendors that have carved out niches in the market.

The End-User

The group of people likely to loose the most by Microsoft’s fast tracking of Windows XP is the End-User. The end user will have no choice but to accept Windows XP on newly shipped computers in as little as three months from now. The End-User will most often be switching from a Windows 9x product line to a Windows NT product line – there will be a small but at times frustrating learning curve for the end-user as he/she realizes many of the compatibility realities that have been forced on other groups of end users (Mac, Amiga).

Bill Gates is Thrilled, should he be?

The new interface, the stability of Windows NT, the hardware support – will all be welcome additions for the End-User and in many ways expected by the user. I do believe however that there needs to be a switch in technology and vision – but Microsoft seems to have the wrong idea when fast-tracking an Operating System to achieve its own goals of simplification, and revenge while hurting the very sectors of the business that have given it the power it has. Microsoft as a company will be hurt on many levels by the release of Windows XP. This pain might be the most refreshing developments of all – the economy needs a reinvented Microsoft – something is happening.