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Windows 7 Won't Have Compact "MinWin" Kernel
An anonymous reader points us to an interview Microsoft's Windows 7 development chief, Steven Sinofsky, did with CNet. He reveals that Windows 7 will be a further evolution of Vista, and will lose the rumored MinWin kernel. "We're very clear that drivers and software that work on Windows Vista are going to work really well on Windows 7; in fact, they'll work the same. We're going to not introduce additional compatibilities, particularly in the driver model. Windows Vista was about improving those things. We are going to build on the success and the strength of the Windows Server 2008 kernel, and that has all of this work that you've been talking about. The key there is that the kernel in Windows Server 08 is an evolution of the kernel in Windows Vista, and then Windows 7 will be a further evolution of that kernel as well."
...now, what exactly?Not only could the average user not find an advantage in Vista over XP (remember, users rarely care what's under the hood, they just want to use the system), now even geeks won't see a difference between the old and the new system?
Ok, let's be constructive. We heard now what will not be different between Vista and "Windows 7". So what will? Because, well, if it's the same... I'm no marketing guru, but I guess even the marketing guys in Redmond might have a hard time selling the same product again.
... is the wrong answer.
The marketing spin is, 'yes, we know Windows Vista was a dog. But this all new all singing all dancing VistaRebadgedWithNewDesktopTheme will solve all your IT problems!'
And the sad fact is people will buy it.
People will buy it because they don't understand what an operating system is or how it works. They think that if the desktop looks different that means that fundamental things are different. All Microsoft need to do is change the name and repaint a few icons, and the suckers will come rolling in again.
And the even sadder fact is that because that's all Microsoft needs to do, that's all Microsoft will do.
I'm old enough to remember when discussions on Slashdot were well informed.