After years of bitter experience with impulsive upgrades, JOHN HARRIS explains why he plans to only put his toe in the water with Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows 7.

Just two weeks until the October 22 launch of Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 7, and the computer world is abuzz.

By all accounts – and my own experience using a couple of beta versions of the software – it’s a vast improvement on its predecessor, Windows Vista.

Windows 7 is faster than Vista, it’s easier to use and it is much quicker performing mundane tasks like starting up. It also promises good compatibility with existing applications.

Microsoft has high hopes for its new OS: "Windows 7 is the best PC operating system we have ever built," bragged Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer last month.

Well, he would say that, wouldn’t he? With the US struggling to shrug off a bitter recession, Microsoft is hoping that Windows 7 will start to refill its revenue rivers of gold, which were depleted by Vista’s underwhelming performance.

However, Noel Coward’s song about mad dogs etc applies just as well to impulsive software upgrades as it does to the midday sun.

For many years, I anticipated the release of new software, such as Windows 95 or Windows 2000, with great excitement.

Each release was inevitably better than it predecessor (I’m ignoring Windows 98 and Windows Millennium because the main game was the Windows NT product stream).

However, that impressive record came to a screaming halt with Windows Vista, a glamorous but bloated performer that has led a chorus of disappointment.

After using Vista for a few weeks on a new notebook bought in 2007, I decided to never install the software on my work computers – a vow I’ve kept by retaining the trusty Windows XP version.

So I’ve followed the evolution of Windows 7 with interest, to the extent of purpose-building a PC to try out the beta versions (I’m way too old to install it only any hardware that matters).
But despite my positive impressions to date, there is no way I’m installing it on a work computer until the release version of Windows 7 has proved itself fully.

Too often, major disruptions arise from minor incompatibilities – such as network or screen drivers – that can turn an ordinary day into eight hours of torment.

My plan is to install Windows 7 on my trusty Fujitsu notebook – after backing up its contents – which I’ll use both inside and out of the office for the remainder of this year.

If Windows 7 lives up to my expectations, I may install it on work computers in early 2010. If it doesn’t, XP will get an extra lease of life in my office.

John Harris is managing director of Impress Media Australia. Email jharris@impress.com.au.

 

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