ON THE ONLINE EVOLUTION OF WINDOWS & MAC

HORSE RACE

Gizmodo has an interesting post highlighting an image that shows the evolution of the Windows and Apple Mac operating systems from 1995 to now, side-by-side.  It makes for a ridiculously large image, that I couldn't help but show below (I'm a geek, forgive me).

While the two columns of images, make for a great trip down memory lane, they don't quite capture the dramatic evolution that's occurred for both operating systems online.

For one, both OSes have a seamless, updating mechanism from the "cloud", that make it easier for users to keep their systems up-to-date. 

This seamless upgrading has been controversial for some, particularly in the case of Windows (which upgrades and reboots the user's PC without asking, sometimes resulting in lost work on the desktop that's left unsaved). 

But generally, it goes a long way to providing a uniform, upgraded environment for millions of computer users.

Both operating systems have taken advantage of the online cloud to provide additional applications like file storage, synchronization, and other modest conveniences.

Windows of course is available in versions across all these environments, including cellphones, PDAs, and even your car.

In terms of a useful, seamless environment, that allows a lot of a user's environment to be accessible across multiple devices, Apple's Mac OS X is potentially taking a lead in that the guts of the operating system now span from it's PCs and laptops, to the iPod and iPhone. 

Here, Apple making available two of it's applications on both Windows and Mac computers, is a differentiating advantage.  I'm speaking of course of, iTunes and the Safari browser, which allow more synchronized services across these platforms.

Despite, this good start, both environments have a long way to go in terms of adding a lot more online services off it's core operating systems.  Maybe the next ten year side-by-side image from Gizmodo, will show that in another decade.

Comments

[Alex Tolley]

"Despite, this good start, both environments have a long way to go in terms of adding a lot more online services off it's core operating systems. Maybe the next ten year side-by-side image from Gizmodo, will show that in another decade."

It is arguable that Windows cannot reasonably evolve from where it is and needs a complete rebuild.

I would argue that we need a web centric OS, built from the ground up, rather than Windows/MacOS rather than trying to add these features on top of these existing OSs. Some early attempts have been made as a layer, but I think we have a long ways to go before this new OS arrives in a version that is obviously going to replace desktop OSs.

[Alex Tolley]

"Despite, this good start, both environments have a long way to go in terms of adding a lot more online services off it's core operating systems. Maybe the next ten year side-by-side image from Gizmodo, will show that in another decade."

It is arguable that Windows cannot reasonably evolve from where it is and needs a complete rebuild.

I would argue that we need a web centric OS, built from the ground up, rather than Windows/MacOS rather than trying to add these features on top of these existing OSs. Some early attempts have been made as a layer, but I think we have a long ways to go before this new OS arrives in a version that is obviously going to replace desktop OSs.

[Alex Tolley]

"Despite, this good start, both environments have a long way to go in terms of adding a lot more online services off it's core operating systems. Maybe the next ten year side-by-side image from Gizmodo, will show that in another decade."

It is arguable that Windows cannot reasonably evolve from where it is and needs a complete rebuild.

I would argue that we need a web centric OS, built from the ground up, rather than Windows/MacOS rather than trying to add these features on top of these existing OSs. Some early attempts have been made as a layer, but I think we have a long ways to go before this new OS arrives in a version that is obviously going to replace desktop OSs.