I just went through the transition to Windows 10 and wanted to share some thoughts on the matter. I am running it like Windows 7, using a laptop and mouse. Our website is Linux based, so I can still keep up the maintenance using this method. We were, earlier, under the MS realm and had to transition for various reasons. Perhaps, at some point, we’ll try that type of ISP arrangement, again. But, it was nice to find Linux which then allowed me to use what I already knew from working with Unix web-servers for so long.
And, so, Win10 being seen as Win7. If you look at the offerings, say by Dell, in the business world (as in, systems that do something to support a business practice), you will see Win7 still being in the mix. Why? MS said that they would support the thing to 2020. But, why haven’t people switched?
Well, functionality is always more important than flash. That is, there is always a style versus substance trade off. And, believe me, when things get going, you want functionality. The first two or three days were spent setting up the look and feel; too, all sorts of crazy (stupid?) stuff had to be removed (say, shopping – commercialization ruined our web).
So, to the point. 12 years ago, I got a new laptop. Back then, Windows Vista was the new thing. And, Windows XP had shown its moxie. So, I ran Vistas as XP and was happy until the inevitable hardware failing. At that point, Windows 7 was ready. So, I had two laptops with that.
In the meantime, I tried two options. One was a small little portable (the mobile variety). Android was nice. But, that did not work out. Then, I tried something a little larger. They were both touch screen capable.
Which brings up another issue. I remember going to a store and seeing people play with Windows 8. Oh yes, touch with its new interface protocol. I looked inside. Same old stuff, though one excited sales guy talked about new metaphors, and such. Oh sure. Thankfully, MS did come out with Win010. My first introduction was a year ago, but I went back to my laptop which failed earlier this month. It’s faster, a little cleaner.
Still, the old adage probably applies: when you type Win, you lose (you have to be a Linux nerd to get that). Yet, functionality? MS Office is great, mainly for Excel and Word. I experienced advanced Excel work in the engineering environment. You would be surprised how that group put Excel through its paces.
Yet, 10 years ago, I found a bug. Didn’t report it, just wrote my own code. It did take the bloom off the rose.
Back to the point, we use computing for more than mere entertainment. It has to work and provide expected results. So, that is a continuing game. Dell, at least, is being proactive in supporting the business user, even more so now that they have EMC. But, the edge keeps advancing which forces continued support for things far beyond what the provider would like to be the case.
The jury is still out here, as I need to look at doing my own web hosting. Now, whether that is via a cloud provider or not is one choice. However, the whole issue of interface, mobility, and such, will need to be tweaked. The IOT, and other initiatives are pushing the envelope, yet we have underlying issues that need attention. Well, the next few years will be interesting.
BTW, webhostinghub has done a good support job. The whole bit of decisions about CMS are still open, though.