Windows Vista: Now is the Time!

I hate to do this, but this is so bad that it really can't be just left alone.  First, the time for Windows Vista is not "Now".  Maybe I'm a literalist, but I interpret "now" to mean now. The product hasn't even shipped!

Are you ready for Windows Vista? We know the world is!

Really!  A a lot of what I read about Vista says "Beware!!!"  Your hardware probably won't fully support it, and a number of your applications likely won't run.  But other than that, "The world is ready!  We have that information from a reliable source!"

Barring any unforeseen quality issues such as bugs around data corruption, resiliency, or security, we remain on track for business availability of Windows Vista later this year, with our consumer launch in January. Those of you who have started using RC1 can see how stable the product already is. We are very close to being done.

Windows Vista is going to give you, developers, new opportunities on a scale you haven't seen since Windows 95.

Yes, assuming that you want to ditch managed code, and program in unmanaged C++, Vista has a lot of new, cool, Vista-only features.

Industry analysts predict that some 200 million people will be using Windows Vista within the first 24 months of launch.

Hey, 24 months.  That sound almost like 2 years.  Pop quiz: On the eve of 2009, how many computers will there be in the world?  Answer: A hell of a lot more than 200 million. It's going to be a very long time before you can build apps that use Vista-only features, and still deploy those apps to the majority of your customers.  Most of that 200 million will be new PC sales.  I have a hunch there aren't going to be that many upgrades, based on my own upgrade experience with RC1.

We're rapidly approaching launch, and then millions of people will be looking for applications. People will flock to software that is new, compelling, and "cool." You have GOT to be ready for this opportunity.

Holy crap.  This is must be what it sounds like when you turn the hyperbole volume up to 11.  I don't know, are you currently scampering about looking for applications to flock to?  Will you be one of the millions who will say, "Wow, that's so cool.  Here's my money, and my old PC.  I brought it with me just in case I saw something 'cool'.  Take it you scalawag.  JUST TAKE IT!!! I HAVE TO HAVE THAT APP!!!"  It certainly remains to be seen if there will be a killer app for Vista that makes home users and/or business users feel like they need to throw their existing machine into the blackberry bushes and run out and buy a new one so that they can flock with the rest of the flock.

We have invested heavily in both the .NET Framework 3.0 and traditional Win32 APIs in Windows Vista.

Ok, let me rewrite that sentence so that it's not misleading.  "We have invested heavily in the .NET Framework 3.0.  As a completely separate and unrelated effort, we have invested heavily in traditional Win32 APIs for Vista.  The .NET Framework 3.0, and Vista, have nothing to do with each other.  You can run the .NET Framework 3.0 on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, or Vista.  It's all managed code goodness.  Vista, on the other hand is an unmanaged OS.  We keep trying to make you think that the .NET Framework and Vista have something to do with each-other.  They don't."

With Visual Studio you can create applications that are visually stunning, connected, workflow-enabled, and secure.

Without Vista.  Again, these are features of the .NET Framework 3.0.  The .NET Framework 3.0 runs just fine on XP and Windows Server 2003.  You get all of this without Vista.

You can get a preview of some of the great features in the upcoming next release of Visual Studio that will make development for Windows Vista even more powerful. And the new line of Microsoft Expression products will make it much easier for developers and designers to collaborate on creating great experiences for Windows.

Ok, let's get a couple of things straight.  Saddam did not fly any of the 9/11 planes.  Vista and the next version of Visual Studio are not fundamentally related.  Microsoft keeps talking about them in the same breath, and that creates the impression that they're related and/or the same thing, but the only way they're related is that the next version of Visual Studio will ship with a C++ compiler, and you'll need that C++ compiler to get to most of the Vista operating system functionality.  The .NET Framework 3.0 is something separate.  The Expression products are useful for building applications with, or without, Vista.

More than 1,000 companies are engaged in our early adopter programs, and some of the initial work I've seen has simply blown me away. People will just love these applications - from new DX10 games to cool Sidebar gadgets to new rich visual enterprise applications. Some of these apps are mind-bogglingly cool.

Like Office 2007!!! Oh wait, that runs just fine without Vista.  Really, Microsoft, you're a world leading software company, and what app are you planning on shipping that requires Vista to run?  What???!!??  You're not building Vista-only apps??!!??

And, some of the best work is being done by small companies that many of you probably haven't heard of, so the opportunities for changing the world are clear. We've created a showcase so you can see what some of your peers are doing.

I really hope there is a killer app for Vista.  Really I do.  It will be great to have Vista pre-loaded on any new box I buy.  I'm not going to recommend that my mother-in-law upgrade.  I don't have that kind of tech support time.

What do you need to do to be ready? First of all, make sure your application is compatible. We have made tremendous investments in Windows Vista to ensure backwards compatibility, but some of the system enhancements, such as User Access Control, changes to the networking stack, and the new graphics model, may require code changes on your part. You should work hard to run as standard user.

Read the above as: Some of your favorite applications aren't going to run on Vista.  Hopefully whoever you bought them from will give you a Vista compatible version for free.

We've got tools to help you:

• The Application Compatibility Cookbook will give you in-depth information on the new capabilities in Windows Vista and how they may affect existing applications.
• The Windows Vista site on MSDN includes the latest technical material and gives you pointers to our upcoming worldwide launch events.
• Visit the Innovate on Windows Vista portal to get access to tools, resources, and Windows Vista logo program information. I strongly encourage you to apply for the Certified for Windows Vista Logo.

If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your Microsoft representative, post to MSDN Forums, or send us feedback directly.

We'll feel your pain, but ready or not, here we come!!!

As I said, the opportunity will be tremendous.

Stupendous, humongous, outrageous, bodacious, and totally bitch'n.

If you want to ride the wave we're creating with Windows Vista, the best way is to have your application ready by the time we ship! And that is very soon.

thanks,
jim

Jim Allchin
Co-President, Platforms & Services
Microsoft Corporation