In this post done in 2006, I predicted a few things, but the one that is closest to being spot on is how Vista would be banned from deployment (point b). So I was somewhat wrong. It was NOT deployed at all by even Intel. What makes anyone think that yet another “upgrade” of their OS is going to be any different?
Here’s what I predict (yes, it is early for end of year prediction, but hey!):
a) Windows 7 will be yet another spectacular failure (following the path set by Windows ME and Vista) but this time because of how they are pricing the product and the fact that a lot of devices and applications will not run properly.
b) The EU will slap on more punitive damages because of the way MS Europe is trying to hoodwink Europeran users over Windows 7.
c) The Singapore SOExcruciation project that is rolling out Vista (imagine that!), is going to be stuck with a huge upgrade task (which falls on EDS who won the deal). I would not be surprised if there is a security incident just because of the mess.
d) Netbooks will revert to running Linux (Moblin, Fedora, Android) and the Taiwanese vendors will just snub Windows 7.
Point A & B not likely
Points A & B aren’t very likely, given the overall attitude of Windows 7. Windows 7 has been basically considered the “Vista as it should have been.” Windows 7 has been received rather well over the course of its development, so I doubt we will have issues like Vista’s.
Re: Point A & B not likely
Thanks for your comments. I am trying to do it like any IDC/Gartner/Forrester report about technology in which they can predict the future. Like your daily horoscope prediction, the intepretation is left as an exercise to the reader :-).
Re: Point A & B not likely
I see…
I think Microsoft learned a lot from the Vista PR disaster and will not let it happen again with Windows 7, you can see how on the web a lot of people swear about Windows 7 as being the best thing since sliced bread. That it PR at work.
And for d) I don’t think is gonna happen, unless those are netbooks with ARM CPU.
This is really a pent up frustration that Vista left with a lot of people – hence, anything looks better than Vista. I would agree with you that perhaps 7 might turn out to be superior to vista, but, really, the enormous awareness of people that there are other ways to consume technology is really what will drive how less than spectacular 7 will be. Netbooks, smartphones and SaaS has changed the landscape.
Let’s plan Fedora 12’s release party then!