Windows Vista Ultimate: Plus or Minus?
 Joe Wilcox
Microsoft released "Plus!" packs for Windows 95, 98 and XP. The Plus in Vista is Ultimate Extras. Yesterday, Microsoft released—cough, cough—the first real Ultimate Extra for Windows Vista. |
In a blog post, Barry Goffe, director of Windows Vista Ultimate, announced availability of the long-anticipated, longtime-in-beta "DreamScene." I downloaded the so-called extra this morning.
I don't mean to belittle Goffe, his team or their efforts. But Ultimate Extras are in a sad state of affairs, unconscionable for a product of Windows Vista's caliber. Ultimate Extras should be the showcase of the operating system's capabilities and they should reward customers who paid extra for the ultimate version of Windows.
Plus! packs added real value to earlier Windows versions, allowing end users to further customize the operating system and take advantage of digital media features. Ultimate Extras could have and should have been the Plus! for Vista, but at no extra cost beyond the operating system's price.
Microsoft really needed to deliver on the Ultimate promise. Vista is chock full of new features and an overhauled graphics subsystem. Through Ultimate Extras, Microsoft could have showcased new capabilities to end users and also third-party developers. If Microsoft can't demonstrate the end-user benefits of Windows Vista, how are third-party developers going to do it?
What Vista capabilities have Microsoft really shown off in its other products? Windows Live Messenger 8.5 beta is a good example. The software doesn't look like a Vista native. There is no Windows Presentation Foundation visual whiz bang.
In January, Yahoo demonstrated its messenger for Windows, with the expectation of a beta release in the first quarter. Yahoo Messenger for Windows Vista tapped into WPF and other new operating-system capabilities. Where is the software nine months later? Microsoft could and should pave the way for partners such as Yahoo by releasing truly native Vista versions of its own software.
Ultimate Extras should be the place to show off the best of what Vista offers to end-user customers and to third-party developers. Instead, Ultimate Extras is a bomb when the feature should be "the bomb."
But Microsoft could still fix this problem, by:
- Making Ultimate Extras a distribution mechanism for beta bleeding-edge software or services.
- Letting trusted third-party developers deliver Vista-showcase applications through Ultimate Extras.
My premise is that most Windows Vista Ultimate users, with exception of some small businesses or large enterprises, are enthusiasts. Enthusiasts are a group Microsoft should very much want to have a "WOW" experience with Vista. Enthusiasts tend to be purchase influencers and also risk takers with respect to testing new software. Online forums and newsgroups reveal a clear enthusiast demographic.
Ultimate Extras would be the right place to deliver betas of products and services such as Popfly, Windows Live OneCare or Windows Live Photo Gallery. Microsoft would give users opportunity to opt-in for ongoing beta updates or CTPs (Community Technology Previews) and gain access to some technologies ahead of or even beyond Microsoft Connect. Microsoft should reward its Ultimate Extra testers with free copies of software or services that others pay for. If Windows Live OneCare 2.0 beta were an Ultimate Extra, testers should be given a free one-year license key. Such an approach would allow Microsoft to deliver real value to Vista Ultimate users, engage them in a way beneficial to the customer and Microsoft and deliver the newest stuff tapping into Windows Vista capabilities.
Third-party distribution would be trickier perhaps, but a worthwhile program. Microsoft should make Ultimate Extra distribution something to be sought after by third-party developers. The company could establish guidelines for third-party Ultimate Extras with respect to security and Vista capabilities, and position distribution through Vista as a coveted privilege. There are many smaller, innovative developers that would go for the gold, so to speak. Windows Update distribution could be a boon to their software. Like Plus!, software developers would provide worthwhile, free products. But there would be upsell opportunity to something even better. Presumably, these products would also help showcase Vista capabilities.
Time is long past for Windows Vista Ultimate users to get the "extras" Microsoft promised them. DreamScene is a sleepy addition that is too little, too late.
Update: My "extras" are missing. According to Microsoft's Windows Vista blog, DreamScene should come with four scenes. I got one. Windows Update should offer a content pack with four more scenes. I got none. This user is feeling, ah, extra something best left unsaid.
Related Posts:
- Broken Windows, Microsoft Watch, Aug. 9, 2007
- It's Not Ultimate Enough, Microsoft Watch, July 2, 2007
- Vista's Discount No More, Microsoft Watch, June 28, 2007
- The Vista Contradiction, Microsoft Watch, June 4, 2007
- How Does Windows Vista Rate?, Microsoft Watch, May 20, 2007
- I Shacked Up with Windows Vista, Microsoft Watch, May 10, 2007
- Personal Vista, Microsoft Watch, May 2, 2007
- What Would You Pay for Vista?, Microsoft Watch, April 22, 2007
- The Trouble with Windows Vista Capable, Microsoft Watch, April 4, 2007
- How Ultimate is This?, Microsoft Watch, Feb. 26, 2007
- Microsoft's Ultimate Disadvantage, Microsoft Watch, Jan. 28, 2007
- Windows Vista Family Discount Is No Ultimate Bargain, Microsoft Watch, Jan. 18, 2007
- Windows Ultimate Advantage, Microsoft Watch, Jan. 7, 2007
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Comments (23)
I waiting for the Ultimate Deluxe Enterprise Mogul Ball-Buster pack. And I want it on a gold-colored DVD too!
Posted by Ed T | September 26, 2007 12:43 PM
I agree that ultimate extras should showcase the new wow capabilities of the OS. And there's a lot of things they could deliver on here, simply with WPF, not to mention a whole host of other things that comes with vista.
I couldn't disagree more though with the suggestion that delivering bleeding edge beta software, or show case apps from third parties is the answer. I have ultimate, deserve the extras, but don't want beta software of any kind. Secondly I think showcase apps from third parties will simply end up being crippled versions of third party apps you can purchase at an additional cost. I don't think that ultimate extras should be a delivery system for third party vendor advertisements. I think getting no extras is better than delivering on your two suggestions.
Posted by Jeremy | September 26, 2007 12:59 PM
After installing dreamscene you must re-run windows update to get the extra pack.
With that said, I built a computer to specifically run Vista--I tried to give Vista a chance. But I grew tired of apologizing for MS, grew tired of making excuses. I installed Linux Mint and have not looked back.
I put Vista dual boot on my Mac Mini...I boot it when there is no Linux or OS X solution to my needs.
Windows Vista Ultimate can be translated as Windows Final View. At least that is how it translated for me.
Posted by john | September 26, 2007 3:07 PM
Right now, the Ultimate Extras have the feel of a end-of-term project handed in by a slacker college student that realized the deadline was tomorrow, so he slapped something together at the last minute. I mean, come on. A version of Texas Hold-em? Language packs? Video wallpaper (which, I might add, has been available for free on the Mac for a while now) ?? The only Ultimate Extra that is worth a darn is the Bitlocker tools, and those could be replaced with TrueCrypt without too much effort.
The entire Ultimate Extras fiasco thus far should be seen as an embarrassment by Microsoft. As it is, it perfectly symbolizes the entire Vista project.
Posted by phil | September 26, 2007 3:55 PM
Ultimate Extras would be the right place to deliver betas of products and services such as Popfly, Windows Live OneCare or Windows Live Photo Gallery
Don't forget the DOJ and the bundling issue...
Posted by evan | September 26, 2007 5:44 PM
There needs to be a class action lawsuit against Microsoft for this. This is ridiculous.
Posted by robert | September 26, 2007 6:51 PM
Anyone who bought Ultimate because of the promise of freebies, has deluded herself. You either had a good business reason to buy Ultimate, or you didn't.
Posted by Roger | September 26, 2007 7:50 PM
DRM troubles drive ex-Microsoft employee to Linux
http://www.news.com/DRM-troubles-drive-ex-Microsoft-employee-to-Linux/2100-1016_3-6210131.html?part=rss&tag=2547-1_3-0-20&subj=news
Quote; "After Johansson's 5-year-old child complained that cable network Comcast's On Demand video system was not working with Windows Media Center, Johansson wrote, he attempted to resolve the problem.
"Upon inspecting the problem I found that the video would turn on, the screen would flicker for a second each of black and the video a few times, and then the Blue Screen of DRM came up. It also wouldn't play any premium channels," he wrote.
Johansson said the recommended work-around involved several convoluted steps, including installing Windows Media Player 10, which crashed, and then being advised to troubleshoot the problem with Windows SharePoint Services. A subsequent Microsoft DRM update then caused the Internet Explorer browser to crash."
Posted by chips | September 26, 2007 8:59 PM
Joe , you see , less than a week , you talk about Vista again .. I think I can read your mind ..
" Ron :
Joe, you have repeated the topic of "Live Search " few times
You seem exhausted .
I predict your entries for this week will be :
1) Microsoft Server 2008
2) Microsoft/EU ruling (again)
3) Microsoft WGA and Microsoft Update (again, coupled with some conspiracy theories )
4) Windows Vista SP1 (You happy to mention that Vista SP1 will be delayed)
5) Windows XP SP3 ( You will recommend to us to wait for XP SP3 and drop Vista )
6) Windows Live Search (Of course, you will not spare this topic and keep hammering)
Posted by Ron | September 25, 2007 4:05 AM
"
Posted by Ron | September 26, 2007 9:41 PM
Joe , you see , less than a week , you talk about Vista again .. I think I can read your mind ..
" Ron :
Joe, you have repeated the topic of "Live Search " few times
You seem exhausted .
I predict your entries for this week will be :
1) Microsoft Server 2008
2) Microsoft/EU ruling (again)
3) Microsoft WGA and Microsoft Update (again, coupled with some conspiracy theories )
4) Windows Vista SP1 (You happy to mention that Vista SP1 will be delayed)
5) Windows XP SP3 ( You will recommend to us to wait for XP SP3 and drop Vista )
6) Windows Live Search (Of course, you will not spare this topic and keep hammering)
Posted by Ron | September 25, 2007 4:05 AM
"
Posted by Ron | September 26, 2007 9:43 PM
French court says non to pre-loaded Windows on Acer laptop
"A French man has won a lawsuit against computer maker Acer over a laptop he bought that came pre-loaded with Microsoft's Windows XP and other applications he didn't want."
"The court of Puteaux in France ruled that the PC giant, which is the world's third largest computer vendor, should refund Gutzwiller €311.85 to cover the full cost of software loaded on his machine."
http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2007/09/26/acer_laptop_microsoft_windows_french_ruling/
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This might be an english link of a story that Marco gave us before.
This could be the start of major problems for Micro$oft in France and Europe. If PC makers are forced to "give back" the money that MS "taxes" consumers, this could be a big problem for the monopoly.
Posted by chips | September 26, 2007 10:27 PM
Usage of Windows Vista without activation.
http://tunevista.net
Posted by Alexander | September 26, 2007 11:56 PM
Joe
Please make up your mind ... is Vista good or bad ??
"I don't mean to belittle Goffe, his team or their efforts. But Ultimate Extras are in a sad state of affairs, unconscionable for a product of Windows Vista's caliber."
I take by this statement that Vista is NOT train wreck as some people have put it, and that YOU feel that it is a good OS.
Posted by Neil | September 26, 2007 11:57 PM
Joe
Please make up your mind ... is Vista good or bad ??
"I don't mean to belittle Goffe, his team or their efforts. But Ultimate Extras are in a sad state of affairs, unconscionable for a product of Windows Vista's caliber."
I take by this statement that Vista is NOT a train wreck as some people have put it, and that YOU feel that it is a good OS.
Posted by Neil | September 26, 2007 11:58 PM
Jeo, can you proof to us that you are typing with Linux or Mac but not Vista ?
I am dying to wait for your evidence.
Rememeber walk the walk
You are so negative .. Everytime when I read you column , I feel like throwing myself out of the tower
Posted by Eder | September 27, 2007 1:59 AM
Joe, what are the comments from your mom, your 16 years old daughter and the girl scouts about Windows Vusta Ultimate ?
Remember Live Messanger Teen sensation ?
Posted by Mark | September 27, 2007 2:01 AM
Is there a name for vid9898.mpg? It's really cool!
Posted by Roger | September 27, 2007 9:59 AM
Time to end the Bloatfarm bloat.
MSFT has produced a dung heap of inoperable, tedious, and irritating nonsense.
There really is no there, there when it comes to the WOW.
MSFT has thought, because of its lazy, stupid monopoly mindset that it can foist whatever trivial trash on the public.
Sorry but it does not work that way any longer. The world has moved on from being forced to buy yet another MSFT product that did not, does not, will not and cannot work properly. In the case of Vista, a downgrade is the upgrade because the design is truly junkware.
The best course of action is Full Abandonment of the Bloatfarm Bloat and a clean start. (See: http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9785337-7.html)
Perhaps in a few years, after MSFT has learned how to compete, it can produce something of useful substance instead of tooth grinding frustration.
Posted by Jeremy W | September 27, 2007 4:04 PM
http://www.istartedsomething.com/20070923/ultimate-extras-con/
The Ultimate con
"Ultimate Extras were suppose to be frequent and free premium products and services delivered to the customers who “wanted it all”. And the truth is, customers are getting near to nothing"
"Ironically a whole lot of nothing is exactly what you’re getting."
Posted by Marco | September 27, 2007 6:53 PM
Uh, Ron, why should Joe *NOT* talk about Vista when he has a legitimate complaint? If you don't want to read about the mistakes of Micro$oft with Vista, try reading Linux.Com. Oh, wait, you might hear something abou Vista there too.
This latest con job from Micro$oft isn't really surprising. That company stopped relying on innovation a long time ago. Now it resorts to dirty marketing tricks, FUD, and outright theft to stay on top.
But the M$ fan boys keep on attacking Joe because they really can't find any good arguments for their continuous brownnosing. Oh well...
Posted by Maddog | September 28, 2007 9:17 AM
I know the reason for your disappointment! You have incorrectly remembered previous versions of Plus! as being something of "high value." IMO, Plus! has always been a smorgasbord of overpriced junk that only a sucker would actually pay for. Sorry to be so harsh, but it's true. To but the current version of Plus! and expect anything more than the usual crap would leave anyone disappointed.
Posted by Randy Bryan | October 1, 2007 2:38 PM
extras? i don't even use sidebars and other ram devouring stuff and look how fast my pc is on vista
Posted by porkyV2 | October 3, 2007 3:45 PM
In this report from [every-one] it sounds like ms said hurry up and wait - wait that is to let the consumer figure out the problems and never mind our frustration's. I'll wait for another year if possiable, to get vista. xp-sp3 would be better? Sorry guy's, I'm just geting the ins and outs of xp. thanks for listening-- mi
Posted by mi | January 16, 2008 10:58 AM