The Microsoft Image Makeover---successful?

[Fritzo]

Notice that Microsoft has done a complete 180 in the last year and went from complete disappointment to generating "Apple" like buzz? There must have been a complete culture shakeup over there. In the last year we've had:

- Windows 7 getting praise, even having people generating excitement anticipating it's arrival (even though it is really just a fixed version of Vista with an OSX interface on it)
- Zune HD - a real contender for the fabled IPOD killer. I've never actually "wanted" an IPod. With the ZuneHD's HD radio tuner, beautiful OLED screen, mobile browser, and ZunePass for $14.99/month with unlimited song downloads (10 of which you get for keeps per month), I'm set to buy. It's even supposed to sync with your Xbox.
- XBox is the console to have right now, and they're coming out with a lot of awesome interface and content upgrades that started in August 2009.
- Microsoft Security Essentials is coming out, which is free antivirus and malware protection for Windows users. I've been using the beta at home and work, and it kicks ass!
- Bing is actually a cool search engine. I still have to use Google for more obscure searches, but Bing's interace is so slick I've been using it as my default search.
- IE8 is now one of the fastest browsers out there, and (who would have thunk it) the most secure browser available: NSS Labs Report (see page 3)

I'm by no means a Microsoft fanboy, but for a company to go from complete flops like Vista, the last gen Zune, and IE7 to their current products in such a short period of time is really a commendible feat. I might actually consider picking up some of their stock again

 

[Schadenfroh]

- XBox is the console to have right now, and they're coming out with a lot of awesome interface and content upgrades that started in August 2009.

Microsoft controls the best gaming platform, but it is not the xbox franchise.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Yes, something fishy is going on here.

It's almost like they listen to their customers or something..

 

[Kev]

Sorry but IE8 is still garbage, and I don't understand the need for search engines other than google.

 

[krylon]

Originally posted by: Kev
Sorry but IE8 is still garbage, and I don't understand the need for search engines other than google.

You don't understand how competition is good?

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: Scholzpdx
Yes, something fishy is going on here.

It's almost like they listen to their customers or something..

^this

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: krylon

Originally posted by: Kev
Sorry but IE8 is still garbage, and I don't understand the need for search engines other than google.

You don't understand how competition is good?

Yeah, it sounds some of the old people I support. "I have what I need- everything else sucks!"

Please explain why you think IE8 is garbage. They've fixed and enhanced nearly every problem that IE7 had and then some.

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: Scholzpdx
Yes, something fishy is going on here.

It's almost like they listen to their customers or something..

I have been to a number of the MS events for partners and have spoken with many MS reps, the Northeast regional director, etc. From what I gather the free Linux option scared the crap out of them. If you recall when Vista bombed everyone was thinking and talking about going to Linux. MS spent a fortunate fighting that. I used to get a call every three weeks from the MS rep. offering to help with "competitive advantages" In other words, help to keep my clients from going to free open source.

 

[DougK62]

IE8 is awful. It displays pages incorrectly constantly because they STILL won't follow standards, and many websites just won't work with it for no apparent reason. They can't even get their own Outlook Web Access (03) to work properly with IE8. It's a mess, and I still tell everyone to not install it.

EDIT: Oh, and it's really slow.

 

[swanysto]

Personally, I have the first generation crap colored Zune, and I love it. The battery is starting to lose its ability to hold a charge, so it might be time for a new one. I always liked it cause of the FM radio tuner and the fact that you could use software to make it like a hard drive if you didn't feel like using the Zune software.

As far as the XBOX 360, I think it is a crappy system and wouldn't ever own one, but I am sure they will take their time and do it right for the next one.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Please explain why you think IE8 is garbage. They've fixed and enhanced nearly every problem that IE7 had and then some.

Just look at their standards support, or lack thereof.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh

- XBox is the console to have right now, and they're coming out with a lot of awesome interface and content upgrades that started in August 2009.

Microsoft controls the best gaming platform, but it is not the xbox franchise.

He said it's "the console to have," not "the best gaming platform." Obviously he was talking about console gaming.

And presumably he's looking at it from the perspective of a... non-Wii gamer.

 

[ViviTheMage]

The only thing great about bing, is bing cashback, otherwise google is still the best search engine imo.

I prefer my PS3 over my xbox 360

and I will never use IE as my fulltime browser, when FF/Chrome are doing fine.

 

[Deeko]

I'm still not a big fan of IE (although 8 is a big improvement over 7), but yea, the latter half of 2009 is huge for Microsoft. Lots of stuff coming out, and most of it is very well received so far.

 

[mugs]

Re: Zune HD - it looks great, but unfortunately great products don't always sell well. We'll see how well it does. We'll see what MS does with their app store. They opened up Xbox development to everyone, surely they'll do the same with the Zune.

Re: Windows 7 - I think this is the best ad Microsoft has ever made: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssOq02DTTMU :laugh: They also made some smart moves by offering a family pack and by letting you pre-order super cheap (though sales of the retail version are a miniscule percentage of Windows sales, almost everyone gets the latest version of Windows when they buy a new PC)

 

[blinblue]

I agree, something is going on at Microsoft. However, I would argue that last gen's zune was actually pretty good. I got my an 8GB one myself, and I think it is quite good (especially for the price I got it at ~$80 about 6 months ago)

Bing is also pretty good, the cashback is the best feature thought . Oh, and their flight finder part of it is actually very good and is my tool of choice for looking for airline tickets

 

[oogabooga]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
I'm by no means a Microsoft fanboy, but for a company to go from complete flops like Vista, the last gen Zune, and IE7 to their current products in such a short period of time is really a commendible feat. I might actually consider picking up some of their stock again

I actually didn't hate vista, and I really like my first gen Zune. I don't have a second gen one, but I imagine it's as competent a player as my first gen one is (with squircle?)

I agree though, they've certainly made a real effort to improve their image release products that it seems people want. I don't think it's just in the last year, I'm sure that has been in process over a longer period of time... say since vista was released


I'm sold on Windows7 and the Zune HD (even though I don't really like touchscreens all that much). Excited to see what MS Security Essentials is like.

I'd rather have a PS3 over an Xbox (for my entertainment value dollar - the ps3 advantages like blueray, built in wireless, free online play [despite having a smaller onlinesystem/arguably weaker game library])

I still use google over IE - years of habit are hard to break

I still use FF over IE - Xmarks which i think offers IE support now, but I'm used to and know firefox pretty well. I do use IE on my work computer though

But I agree they are stepping up which is nice.

 

[Krynj]

I'm glad that they're reclaiming the OS industry they've built.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: DougK62
IE8 is awful. It displays pages incorrectly constantly because they STILL won't follow standards, and many websites just won't work with it for no apparent reason. They can't even get their own Outlook Web Access (03) to work properly with IE8. It's a mess, and I still tell everyone to not install it.

EDIT: Oh, and it's really slow.

Are you sure this isn't just you, or maybe you were using the buggy beta from the beginning of the year? We have about 30000 people using Outlook Web Access with IE 8 that are not having this problem.

 

[frostedflakes]

Yeah, IE8 is an improvement over 7 for sure, but in terms of speed and compatibility, the competition still leaves it in the dust. Have to hand it to MS, though, they are doing a lot of stuff right. Their new Windows/PC ad campaign is actually pretty good, and they have a great product (Win 7) to back it up.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
Please explain why you think IE8 is garbage. They've fixed and enhanced nearly every problem that IE7 had and then some.

I have IE8 on my work computer and I refuse to put it on any other computer until numerous problems are fixed.

1) Half of the important websites won't work on IE8. True, it isn't Microsoft's problem, but it is quite annoying.

2) About 1/3rd of the time that I click on a link the entire IE8 goes down. I really like the feature to reload all of your tabs when you restart IE8, but I shouldn't have to use that feature every 10 minutes!

I am anticipating Windows 7 (waiting to get a new computer until it is released).

 

[drinkmorejava]

Definitely PS3 over xbox. I have multiple friends that have even sold their 360s to get a PS3, none have looked back. I hate to use shitty buzz words, but the immersive media experience of the PS3 is simply epic. Just purchased a slim, and while no longer prettier than the 360, I couldn't image ever liking the xbox again.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: DougK62
IE8 is awful. It displays pages incorrectly constantly because they STILL won't follow standards, and many websites just won't work with it for no apparent reason. They can't even get their own Outlook Web Access (03) to work properly with IE8. It's a mess, and I still tell everyone to not install it.

EDIT: Oh, and it's really slow.

Are you sure this isn't just you, or maybe you were using the buggy beta from the beginning of the year? We have about 30000 people using Outlook Web Access with IE 8 that are not having this problem.

What version of OWA? We're using 2003, and there is a known bug where because of IE8 users are unable to open email attachments that are in the new Office xml (docx, pptx, etc) formats. It's a real pain in the butt, and it's been like this since IE8 came out.

 

[speg]

They've had a good year for sure. Is it enough to change the past? Time will tell...

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: drinkmorejava
Definitely PS3 over xbox. I have multiple friends that have even sold their 360s to get a PS3, none have looked back. I hate to use shitty buzz words, but the immersive media experience of the PS3 is simply epic. Just purchased a slim, and while no longer prettier than the 360, I couldn't image ever liking the xbox again.

Netflix on Xbox live alone pretty much blows anything the PS3 can do out of the water, IMO

What does the PS3 have that xbox cant do better and cheaper? Blue-Ray? meh, not interested. How cheap are blu-ray players now?

A shit ton of movies and TV shows instantly streamable? for only $8.99 a month? shit I might as well cancel cable. Netflix FTMFW