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Are End Users to Blame for OS Flaws?
tomsHH writes to mention OSWeekly author Brandon Watts claims that really it is end users who should be blamed for many OS flaws. "Believe it or not, as users, we also have a large role to play in the evolution of an operating system. We use what's been created, and this means that we're the best people to turn to for judging what works and what doesn't. Passionate communities that are supportive aid development, and when users join their efforts to make their voices heard, this benefits everyone. Have you ever thought that if you wanted something to be improved, then maybe you should just speak up and offer a solution instead of quietly or publicly venting without offering any input? Nothing changes by staying the same. Companies are listening, and as taboo as it may seem, most of them want to make their users happy, so if you shout loud enough, you're bound to be heard. If you need proof of this, then just look at how Linux has progressed in its development."
Huh? The forums of a UI blog shouldn't be the official place to give feedback on beta versions. I didn't beta-test Vista, but I'm sure there would have been an official way to submit feedback and bug reports.
What's purple and commutes? An Abelian grape.
Or could anyone tell me why a user of the product would want DRM, [...]
So they can view/listen to media that is DRM-encumbered.
[...] or would want to have the parts of the system so intermingled that you can't replace or remove the parts you do not want or you want from a third party?
I'm not quite sure what you mean, but the advantages of top-to-bottom control over, and integration of, the software stack should be blatantly obvious. Look at ZFS, if you want a concrete example of the benefits.
Microsoft, like Apple, Sun, and dozens of others, aren't selling you a bunch of spare parts, a tool belt and some badly written written instructions on a coffe-stained napkin. If that's what you want, Microsoft don't have a lot of interest in you as a customer.
The forum was opened with the express purpose of getting feedback on pre-release versions of Vista. The topic categories range from "Windows User Experience", where the bulk of the posts are, including complaints that were definitely relevant to the Windows Experience (TM), "Windows Developers", the website itself, and misc.
I wasn't an official beta tester, either. I'm sure they had an official feedback method, and IDK if it was given more credence. Still, the Shell: Revealed forums were certainly an appropriate and official place to voice concerns.