Since cheaper IBM/PC compatibles emerged in the beginning of 1980′s sponsored by Dell in America and Acer in Asia, the third Toffler wave is indicated by a world dominated by Microsoft operating system. With over 80% share, 95% of which contributed by OEM’s (PC assemblers incorporating Windows into their systems), Windows has been evolving from a simple graphical interface between human and computers in over two decades, to a glass-like graphics known as Vista.
This world domination is not without glitch. Windows is prone to crashes known as blue screen, which has been the major reason people escape and reluctant to be loyal. Windows evolves with increasing complexity in the name of integration and innovation, which makes it heavier and demand higher hardware requirements, and leave the option to support backward compatibility for older machines.
Here’s just some thoughts for Microsoft and generally everyone in the industry to learn to survive business. Customers expect the future version of Windows to be more lightweight and modular, much like Windows Mobile: instant on, straightforward, minimum features, power efficient. Windows Servers need to be developed with specific functionalities to avoid security and stability issues. Moreover, development cycle needs to be simplified to deliver products at promised/scheduled times, maintain inter-platform consistency, and solve compatibility problems among product varieties. Modular and focused design should limit what applications can do to improve security, ease of migration, and simplify licensing.
This isn’t a novelty, since alternatives have been in existence for the past few years. The once-giant software company, Microsoft, should be very worried about their future. And the future is now.
