CIO Jury: Let's wait on Windows 7

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That's not how it's viewed.

Yeah, but that economic argument isn't one business accepts. They
see IT as a cost, and employees as an asset. I know that makes no
sense, but that's the reality.

I think you're both over optimistic. The idea that Windows7 will have
fixed every problem by the time it ships seems an amazing flight of
fancy - it simply won't. I think all businesses with significant IT know,
understand and (grudgingly) accept this. As long as those problems
aren't too widespread or expensive to fix the odd printer or webcam
not working probably isn't a show stopper.

However the idea that internally written code will fair much better or is
so disposable - well, I think that's stretching it. These thing are
potential show stoppers.

You also have to look at what Windows7 brings to the party, what is
the business case for deploying it? Here is Microsoft's biggest hurdle
one that Vista never got over - and I think Windows7 is much the
same, sure Windows7 is a step forward, but a lot of those things
aren't something business are going to be interested in.

I do love the suggestion about deploying Ubuntu as much as you do -
priceless.

Not that I'm not anti-Ubuntu (we have Ubuntu boxes here, they're
great - but they're not drop in replacements for XP). Anything
negative I've said about moving from XP to Windows7 goes even more
so for moving to Ubuntu. If you're a green field site - well things are
totally different, but if you've been "on Windows" for years and done
no planning to get off, you'd need to do a huge feasibility study
before considering Ubuntu on the desktop.

You'll notice I've not considered upgrade cost per se, for most
companies of any real size their license with Microsoft will allow them
to run new versions of software as they become available - it is
against this backdrop that Vista failed so spectacularly, I see no
difference this time around. We are more ready for Windows7 but
there still isn't that initial business case that will provide the "push".
My guess is for business at least Windows7 is more likely to be a
"sleeper hit" with businesses coming around to it eventually.

Posted by: jeremychappell   Posted on: 06/15/09 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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