ON LIFE AFTER WINDOWS VISTA

PATIENCE

Well, Microsoft it shooting for having a successor to Windows Vista out by 2010, and it's code-named Windows 7.  As this piece by CNET explains (via Techmeme):

"The company discussed Windows 7 on Thursday at a conference for its field sales force in Orlando, Fla., according to sources close to the company.

While the company provided few details, Windows 7, the next client version of the operating system, will be among the steps taken by Microsoft to establish a more predictable release schedule, according to sources. The company plans a more "iterative" process of information disclosure to business customers and partners, sources said.

Windows Vista, the oft-delayed most recent release of Windows, shipped to businesses in November and to consumers in January after more than five years of development. Vista's gestation period was marked by shifting product details as internal priorities changed and problems arose with development.

Like Vista, Windows 7 will ship in consumer and business versions, and in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. The company also confirmed that it is considering a subscription model to complement Windows, but did not provide specifics or a time frame."

It's been over six months since the launch of Windows Vista, and I've yet to get a PC with the operating system.  As I outlined in a post back in January, I'm still waiting for Windows Vista drivers to be optimized enough to provide meaningful improvements over Windows XP.  Not to mention waiting for Vista laptops to be released that have hardware features that take advantage of some of the possibilities that Vista offers, like Sideshow.

But if Windows 7 is "only" three years away, (and it's a BIG IF), then maybe, just maybe I can hold out with my Windows XP machines, and skip Windows Vista altogether.

After all Apple's Leopard version of OS X is out in October, and it has cool features to last me for at least a couple of years.  And with it's integrated Bootcamp feature, I could install Windows XP on it (before Microsoft stops selling it by year-end), and I'd have my Windows programs all set to go when needed.

Maybe it is possible to get to Windows 7 directly from Windows XP and step over Windows Vista (cool Vista games notwithstanding).

Tempting.