I'm a Microsoft guy. I have MSDN, download every CTP and beta they produce, develop in .NET, use SQL Server on the back end -- the full nine yards.

With that said, like you Joe, I'm increasingly frustrated by Microsoft's inability to actually transform user behavior into products that support that behavior. Your scenario of needing to move profiles and data is a no-brainer. Synching PCs should be as commonplace as sending an email -- everyone does it and there's no magic. Instead, we have Apple completely blowing MS out of the water on something that should be as ho hum as email.

Upgrading projects from Visual Studio 2003 to 2005 was incredibly frustrating. Orcas performs its own little changes to solution files.

Microsoft needs to get its usability act together or they're going to find themselves as a carcass on the highway of has-beens a la IBM.

Hi,

In a sentence "because Apple control the OS to a much tighter degree than Microsoft, and this is because they also completely control the hardware."

The rest of your article doesn't reallywarrant a response, but I'd like to know how much Apple paid you to say that the Apple iPod syncs well with an Apple computer....

Joe said "Microsoft chose to squeeze more money from existing business customers by releasing migration tool MDOP (Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack) only through Software Assurance."

Desperate move from Microsoft. Let's see if the trend continues...(next up is Office and the mess with ISO : basically Microsoft has invaded half of ISO national bodies around the world with direct employees or business partners. Sometimes the president of the committee is a Microsoft employee!)

Don't forget we got what we wanted and that was to cripple MS because of thier monoply.

I see it this way, when ever MS comes out with something to help the end user by integrating or adding to the OS they will get sued.

Someone, somewhere will come out of the wood work and claim they have a product to migrate files from one computer to the next or one OS to the next. Or form Vs 2005 to VS 2008.

Or even better yet there will be a patent and MS will get sued but not Apple.

Not to say MS can still do this, but always stop and think could it be that vendor X (apple in this case) can do it and MS can't because of the monopoly? Apple can intagrate and put in as many add-on until they dominate the market then they will have to stop, until then it will be detrimental to MS and that is what we want right.

Joe, now wait for all of those to post that thier OS can do this but Apple OS can't.

Can Apple OS make toast, I bet thier is a Linux toaster out there and you know what it makes toast but can the OS X? I bet Vista can't do that either?

I was close it was BSD OS that did it. And that is 2005. I was hoping to get the perfectly toasted piece of bread and would figure the Apple could it best, damn the thing never break and when the do they fix themselves whit that kind of power I was hoping it could make that perfect piece of toast. Using thermal dynamics to get it just the perfect tempeture and cook it just for the right amount of time to make it nice and brown and crispy. Ohh well guest I will need to rely on that good old BSD OS.

It has long been regarded that the UNIX-like OS NetBSD is portable to every type of machine except perhaps your kitchen toaster. Just in time for the LinuxWorld Conference and Expo in San Francisco in August 2005, Technologic Systems, however, has conquered this last frontier. Using one of its rugged embedded TS-7200 single-board computers housed inside the empty space of a standard 2 slice toaster, Technologic Systems has designed a functional NetBSD controlled toaster. You can find more information on the NetBSD toaster at www.embeddedarm.com/news/netbsd_toaster.htm

Another day, another pro-Apple anti_MSFT rant.

Its all about the architecture. For the most part, Mac apps are self contained packages within the Applications directory with a user pref file stored in the home directory for each user. Both elegant and portable. Windows apps scatter files all over the OS and are considerably more difficult to migrate. One can install/remove hundreds of OS X apps over the years while the OS stays clean & fast as new.

Why should it take as long as 30 minutes?
Linux User Migration Tool, in one line of shell script:
rsync --archive --delete --verbose old_machine:/home/user/ /home/user/
The above will transfer all user documents, settings--everything--from the machine named old_machine to the current machine. And unless you've got gigabytes of data, it shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Possibly even only a few seconds.

Why? Because that transfer function is a responsibility of the IT department. What, you don't have an IT department, then what the hell are you doing with two machines? You're probably one of those #@!%! pirates copying Steve Ballmer's life blood and stealing food from starving babies. WGA will get you pirate scum!

Joe , you are advocating hardware monopoly by adopting Apple .

Apple is having monopoly on hardware while Microsoft monoplise software.

There is not difference between them. Your argument and logic is weird

You mentioned that you are going to use open-source OS on your old Apple machine, then why you still need to buy a new Apple ?

You good in talking only

If you are tired of this fucking hog, visit the site:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/

My simple migration method:

1: install my favorite programs on new computer

2: using syncback or robocopy or xxcopy or even plain old MS xcopy, copy personal files over to new computer.

3: have coffee, congratulate myself and get to work.

Time used; about a half hour.

In other words, keep it simple and ignore the useless MS file transfer and settings bugware. -never worked, never will.

For my desktop "look" simply copy my favorite theme over to the new machine, and make a few adjustments to Appearance.

I blame the transfer issue on the use of the Windows Registry and app developers use of umpteen file directories and shared DLL's. It's nearly impossible to guarantee that everything transfers properly.

If the system registry went away (except for Windows' own use for file-type associations and hardware/service associations) in favor of .ini and .xml configuration files (old-school, but effective) things would be much easier... if developers could also keep their files in a single set of application folders.

Open source apps, like FileZilla, seem to be getting this right. If I want to migrate my FileZilla install or Trillian messenger app, I simple drag and drop the app folder to the new PC.

--Aaron

"Microsoft is really fussy about software piracy, even though I know developers who expect about a 20 percent theft rate, which they chalk up to marketing. The people that aren't going to pay aren't going to pay. So rights management mechanisms, like Windows Activation, really penalize the majority of users."

Exactly! I've always been puzzled by Microsoft's aggressive campaign to fight piracy. What is their ultimate goal? To increase their bottom line? To protect their market share? Ain't gonna happen.

People who aren't going to pay aren't going to pay. Ever. Rather than expending so much energy and resources on anti-piracy, focus your efforts on wooing consumers the way Apple does. That's where your next market lies.

Their obsession on piracy is completely pointless, and even detrimental to themselves. They're still making money hand over fist, after all. Their anti-piracy efforts will have zero effect on their bottom line...

I agree that there are many things on XP and Vista that are just too damn difficult, or more difficult than they should be.

With that being said...you know what stops me from buying an Apple Mac?

PRICE/COMPETITION - It's hard to find Macs at something other than list price. What's the point of going to CompUSA, an Apple Store, or online... if the price is more/less the same everywhere, why bother shopping around?

I can easily afford any Mac. That's not the point. The point is that with no competition, you're paying too much.

SALES RESOURCES - Not everybody feels comfortable buying a computer from a kid wearing a nose ring, wearing a black t-shirt, and more interested in what's "cool" vs. what's useful.

I went to buy a Mac last year. I tried it out, played with most of the applications that were installed on the store demo MacBook Pro, and fiddled with the settings. Nobody even asked me if I needed assistance, had questions that could be answered, or basically showed any interest in making a sale. Instead, all the store employees were more interested in hanging out around the iPod accessories rack with their other goth friends.

I went home and ordered a Dell.

SUPPORT RESOURCES - There are far more resources for Windows/PC support than Apple/Mac. Yes, I realize this is because more people use Windows than Apple... but when you need help with Windows, you can find a friend, search online, or even find a book at Borders. You can't find as many similar resources for Macs.

Don't even mention the Genius Bar.

MARKETING - Yes, Apple is a master of marketing. 1984 was great, and the first few "I'm a Mac...and I'm a PC" commercials were funny. It's too bad that Apple decided to throw facts and truth out the window with their subsequent commercials and just lie about things like interfacing digital cameras. After all, when was the last time you could interface something with a Mac but NOT a PC?

I will no longer support Apple's misleading marketing through purchases of their products. My iPod purchase from 2 years ago was the last one.

SUMMARY - In the end, my Vista and XP machines aren't perfect...but they work. My iPod syncs with iTunes. Office 2007 works. IE and Firefox work. E-mail works. IM works.

Even my digital camera works...and it's from Japan.

One more reason for .net. which does not use registry when installing and most apps can be xcopy.

computer guy, the .net is from VCSY the question remains will Microsoft settle and sign licensing agreements or if the Magistrate Judge approves 'injunctive' relief for VCSY...Microsoft is pretty much out of the software business for anything .net...and that is a lot of Microsoft products...and those of their partners in crime. Microsoft is about to get flattened by the VCSY steamroller...unless they settle NOW!!

Centerfield;
so you gave yourself the trouble to write all that, just to say in the end that your machines work. Then why didn't you just simply say it: "I don't buy Apple Mac because the machines I have run Windows and they work." Now that's a hell of a good reason.

I find your "sales resources" argument quite lame. Usually, when I go to a store and I need assistance I ask for it.

'Upgrading projects from Visual Studio 2003 to 2005 was incredibly frustrating. Orcas performs its own little changes to solution files.'
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat???????????????????
I migrated about 100 projects (fairly complicated) with the press of a button...

vista sucks monkyes. I got a coppy of vista. Installed the upgrade one. then noe of my apps worked or drivers. Cant even read .exe
says no ram pls reset runs like it's retarted
If you bought vista and like it your crazy
I'm going with mac

Computer Guy,

No, Apple does not make Toast, but Roxio does.

And it only runs on a Mac. :)

Joe;

Yup, you're right and PC Magazine and others made the same mention but offered some excellent alternatives, third party that is, and the real good ones so a variety of folks commented on costs some money to purchase the software.

I cannot defend (nor care to) Microsoft on this issue. The cost of the Operating System is very high in comparisions of others. However, I would of expected far better on this. A Microsoft wizard to EASILY tranfer personal files on the fly.

I also think that the Vista "Backup" service is rather lackluster and maintain my Symantec Ghost for Vista (I purchased 12.0).

I found a cleaver and easy way to transfer just your personal files through Vista and if you want them backed up and encrypted, and it is only these files. Try using WinZip 11.0 -- You can zip these files and tranfer them to another vista machine. And if you are talented enough, you can tranfer them to an XP machine -- Yes, I know, this is all third party too.

However, if you would like to tranfer your desktop look and feel, Outlook settings, and the like without digging and rooting around, might I suggest Genei Backup Manager Pro Edition 7.0

I do not know if non pro 7.0 works, but I have the Pro and successfully backed up and tranfered the new setting to the new machine with great success -- 30 minutes all together across a network. It would of been less if I didn't use compression.

Anyway these are just my suggestions based upon the things I use to get around the Vista issue.

BTW I use Genei Backup Manager for all my daily critical files and Ghost for my System image weekly -- Like someone said on one of these posts already, "There are two types of PC Users, those who have lost data, and those about too..."

In response to "Ryannoyed"...

The message was long enough, so I didn't want to go into detail about my efforts to get assistance. Of course, I asked for assistance.

There was one person at the register, and s/he said s/he'd get somebody for me as soon as "they were finished", with "they" being the sales staff who were hobknobbing around the iPod accessories with their friends.

The Apple store here in my city is NOT professional, and I've seen/heard of similar behavior elsewhere. Of course, there are some good stores, too.

I wrote a long posting to describe all the hassles and shortcomings with Apple and Macs. It sure isn't nearly as bad as Joe W having a published blog dedicated to doing the same thing about Microsoft.

whispering winds:
In therory If VCSY wins then would all object frawmework based platforms will die.

If everyone says .net is like java then would java be subjet to the same claims as to being:

"a system and method for generating computer applications in an arbitrary object framework."
- sumerized quote by fud -

Why is it when ever there is a percieved threat against one they just throw out the latest lawsuit against MS. Like that will kill them off.

Like the VCYS lawsuit will kill off MS after settling a Monoply Lawsuit what could be worse? Go read the FUD postings. - fud - EVERYONE STOP PROGRAMMING FOR .NET ACCORDING TO THE ALL MIGHTY AND ALL KNOWING whispering winds HAS SPOKEN .NET IS A DEAD PRODUCT. - fud -

The company I work with has something similar to VCYS generic patent am I going to be sued. This is like the Amazon ClickOnce check out technology patent revisted.

Centerfield;
A bad experience at a store sure is enough to leave someone with a bitter taste about that store and their product. I totally agree with that since we all experience it one time or another.

It's a different story if you say that you asked for assistance but didn't get any. In fact, your story is completely different now. In your first post you sound like you just played with the computer, desperately waiting for somebody's attention. And what's with the "s/he" thing? Are you saying there was one person at the register and you're not sure whether it was a he or a she?

Anyway, it's not as if it was important. I'm not saying that your points againt Apple are not valid. And no, it's not as bad as Joe. This guy is a professional at seing everything as a Microsoft flaw, lie, conspiracy or FUD. He's entertaining and that's why I like his articles.

Did you ever try to use Windows Easy Transfer?

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/easytransfer.mspx

Why don't you go work for Apple, you douche bag! I am about sick of your anti-Microsoft rants.

A couple of points, one of which Richard has already mentioned, piracy, as a reason that its so hard to transfer applications, data and settings in XP and Vista.

It was actually a lot easier back in previous version of Windows, Windows 2000 and before. The "locking down" of XP, and even more so with Vista, to prevent piracy is part of the problem. The other part now, is the end license agreement, which really doesn't want you to transfer your OS from one computer to another without a re-activation. This has caused many back up your computer to your new computer programs to fail, although they sometimes work if the hardware in the new computer is close to the old one. About all those types of programs are good for anymore is when you install a bigger hard drive into the same computer.

It is possible a one commenter said, to copy and paste directories (and desktop links) out of C:\program files to the new windows computer, and about 80% of these will work, except for the ones that need to write to the registry, or ones that needed to overwrite system files.

Did I not get something here? The author is comparing the transfer of applications, data, and settings from a Macbook running OSX to a Macbook Pro running OSX with the same transfer between two unnamed computers running XP and Vista. It isn't the hardware that matters, it's the operating system difference that made it harder. This guy doesn't seem to know what he's talking about.

yea;
Gabriel Unger;
you are missing something, maybe a thinking process.

Two things:
1. Apple doesn't sell it's OS without selling hardware. So users will ALWAYS have to transfer their stuff of an older box. Either that or not transfer anything.
With a MS OS you will most likely upgrade. Wether this is more difficult or not it's different. So no even comparison.

2. When I do a fresh install of any MS OS I like it not transferring my clutter of applications. But that's just a personal preference.

Do you not realize that if you had a old XP PC and a new Vista PC that you could use Windows Easy Transfer and Windows Easy Transfer Companion you would be able to transfer Files and Settings and Even your Programs from your old PC and it would take around the same amount of time.

Come on you are a tech blogger do a little more research before you write something like this. Next Time Compare Apples To Apples or at least the same features. Its bad enough the Traditional media thinks Bloggers are a bunch of jack a**s who spout off without research. Don't prove them right!

Lawrence - moving Gb of data is pretty typical in upgrading machines. Especially if you're dumb enough not to remove all the Gb of video and audio files you'd already backed up onto an external drive (doh!).

To everyone seeing this as some pro-Apple rant - OK, there does seem some pro-Apple bias on Microsoft Watch. What's dumb is seeing that as a reason to embrace repeatedly hammering yourself on your thumb, rather than the simple fact that MS should be getting this right - they have far larger resources than Apple.

Christopher is pretty much right that it stems from the recommended app architecture, and other comments note that some Windows apps adopt a similar self-contained structure. Disk space for application code now being pretty much irrelevant compared to data, it's better to duplicate non-OS libraries, than .dll hell.

Centrefield : You could have skipped the Apple Store and gone directly on-line, as you did with your Dell. In my experience I'd largely agree with your criticism of staff at Apple Stores, but then I don't feel they're aimed at me either.

However, I find MOST salemen in PC stores to be equally ignorant and focused on selling the PC brand offering the highest commission (i.e. Acer) / talking meaningless technical rubbish to try and blind customers with science. Which is just as bad as being slightly more concerned with your haircut.

It's a lot easier to run Windows on the MacBook Pro (all reports I've seen of ..... this might be a low-cost option

Wow.

Most comments here seem to think Joe is being unreasonable for expecting a application that ships with Windows to actually perform the task it's advertised to do - and do it well.

Obviously, this isn't rocket science since other operating system can do this out of the box.

Is this really too much to ask from Microsoft?