subject: Microsoft delays launch of Vista posted: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 12:21:10 -0000
[Dear Bill, so long, and thanks for all the (rotten) fish. I can't
wait for your "major re-working" that "changes the way the operating
system looks". I mean that I don't want to upgrade my whole system
and reinstall all my applications, again, just so I can have a Start
menu with a different logo. If I wanted cosmetic changes to my
computer, I would tip a can of paint on it. Thanks anyway. As for
networking and sound, these must also be cosmetic changes as I can
network my computers right now, and they play music already. I'm
sure you'll con a few people into buying your retreaded retreads, but
not me. - Stu]
Microsoft plans to delay the consumer launch of its much-anticipated
Windows Vista operating system to January 2007.
It had originally aimed to launch Vista - the first major update
since Windows XP was introduced five years ago - in the second half
of 2006.
Now, a version will be available for corporate customers from
November 2006.
Vista will then be rolled out for consumers after the holiday
shopping season, said a spokesman for Microsoft - the world's biggest
software maker.
But analysts said this could throw some PC manufacturers and
retailers into turmoil.
"It's not the optimal situation, to be launching the next-generation
version of Windows right after the big holiday sales season," said
analyst Joe Wilcox at Jupiter Research.
Efforts to improve security in the new system were largely behind the
delay, Microsoft said.
Six versions
Microsoft is planning six versions of the next incarnation of its
Windows operating system.
Three versions of the software, called Vista, will be for home users,
two will be for businesses and one will be for emerging markets.
Vista, which was known as Longhorn during its long development, is a
major re-working of Windows that makes changes, among other things,
to the way the operating system looks and how it handles networking
and sound.
Microsoft said the six versions were designed to match the demands
different users have for its software.
No details have been given about the pricing of the separate
versions.
When Vista eventually hits the market it will be the longest gap
between releases of Windows systems.
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