As those who follow this blog will attest, I've made no bones about my dissatisfaction with Microsoft's enterprise desktop strategy. The bloated heap of incompatibilities known as Windows Vista has forever soured me on the company's post-XP direction, and no amount of UI smoke and mirrors will make me warm up to its imminent successor, Windows 7. As far as I'm concerned, the position of desktop standard bearer -- once claimed almost exclusively by Windows XP -- remains vacant.
Part of the problem is the company's refusal to address the legacy compatibility issue. Industry pundits and enterprise customers alike have been clamoring for a long-term alternative to the ever-expanding collection of patches, shims, and compatibility band-aids that make up the current Windows runtime. But instead of the clean break that so many wanted, Microsoft is sticking us with yet another round of duct tape and twine in the form of Windows 7.
[ See how Windows 7 beta performs in InfoWorld's benchmark tests. ]
It didn't have to be this way. Thanks to some prudent acquisitions -- including Softricity and Kidaro -- Microsoft now has the technology pieces in place to create a viable compatibility layer that would allow legacy applications to run unmodified on an otherwise legacy-intolerant, managed-code-only OS platform.
But instead of weaving these bits into the Windows core, where they could benefit all users, the company is withholding the productized versions -- Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) and Microsoft Application Virtualization (APP-V) -- and reserving them as carrots to entice enterprises to sign up for its Software Assurance licensing program (as part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, or MDOP).
When Microsoft first acquired Softricity, I had high hopes that the company would soon kick the legacy habit. However, after two years, the product formerly known as Softgrid remains a bit of a bastard child, caught in a state of perpetual limbo between the Windows desktop, server, and applications groups.
Get the independent advice and expertise you need to support a virtual workforce.
The increase in Linux popularity has increased the frequency and sophistication of malware attacks. Read this 2 page white paper now to learn how you can protect your Linux environment with real-time protection that is certified by all major Linux vendors.
Download now »
Ensuring acceptable application delivery will become even more difficult over the next few years. As a result, IT organizations need to ensure that the approach that they take to resolving the current application delivery challenges can scale to support the emerging challenges. This handbook elaborates on the key tasks associated with planning, optimization, management and control and provides decision criteria to help IT organizations choose appropriate solutions.
Download now »
A common misconception is that mid-range storage requirements are dramatically different than that of a larger enterprise. Mid-range storage users may require less capacity, but they have similar functionality and management requirements. This ESG paper examines mid-range storage needs and reviews a new solution that adjusts size while retaining value, performance and functionality.
Download now »
Sign up to receive InfoWorld Resource Alerts
33 Recommendations
