[mdlug] Is Vista going to be the new Windows ME?

[Ingles, Raymond]

> From: Jeff Hanson
> An ongoing forum thread at CNet brings up an interesting question:

 Maybe. It's hard to see how Vista could possibly be particularly
reliable.

 1. The codebase is huge and closed. They already scrapped major parts
of it and started over. The thing is objectively too large to be manageable.

 2. The security model is basically patches and repairs on top of a broken
foundation. They have no real history of security and the applications reflect
that - they aren't written with separation of privileges in mind. MS can't
break too many applications so their security model is full of holes and
cumbersome besides.

 3. Their DRM work is attempting an impossible goal. Not just impractical,
physically impossible. So it *can't* work, but it *can* be a massive headache
and inconvenience.

 MS can throw billions at the problem, and they have, but I still think
they'll be in trouble. Then there's the issues with 64-bit Vista - it's
Not Ready For Prime Time. If a 64-bit "killer app" appears soon, MS is
going to be in *major* trouble.

 Sincerely,

 Ray Ingles                                     (313) 227-2317

 "The whole principle is wrong; it's like demanding that grown
    men live on skim milk because the baby can't eat steak."
             - Robert A. Heinlein on censorship.
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