The VAR Guy

It’s not the final nail in the coffin, but it’s yet another sign of Windows XP’s decline. Microsoft is officially dumping Windows XP support in the next iteration of Internet Explorer. Here’s the why and how and what’s next from Microsoft…

Windows XP is getting closer to kicking the bucket. According to Microsoft, July 2010 is when support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 ends. Plus, a note to all those using Windows 7 RC build 7100, your freebie is about to end. Here’s the scoop on the Microsoft executions — as the software giant seeks accelerate migrations to Windows 7.

When Newsweek predicted Microsoft will oust CEO and industry fixture Steve Ballmer in 2010, I tried to ignore the story. Then, ZDnet’s Mary-Jo Foley fired back, saying there’s no way Microsoft’s board will boot Ballmer. Now, I offer my two cents — the case for (and against) Ballmer in 2010.

A lot of folks are quick to bash Windows Vista. But few people actually take the time to describe what went wrong with Windows Vista — and how Microsoft (and PC partners) hope to mitigate those problems with Windows 7. During a briefing Oct. 20, Lenovo Director of SMB Jay McBain walked us through Vista’s weak points and specific R&D steps Lenovo took to assist Microsoft with Windows 7. Here’s a  quick rundown:

As Microsoft pumps up Windows 7 for a potential Fall 2009 release, the operating system has received generally favorable buzz. But now, some folks are starting to wonder if Windows 7 will somehow save IT sales. The VAR Guy thinks not. Here’s why.

The cartoon above pretty much summarizes how badly Microsoft’s marketing team botched the positioning of Windows Vista. As The VAR Guy has stated, there are 10 Reasons Why Windows Vista hasn’t been a hit. Reason Number 1: Too many versions of Vista.

Gas is expensive … inflation is rising … yada, yada, yada… where should solutions providers focus their efforts amid the economic turmoil? Finally, some answers from OnForce, the online marketplace for IT service providers. OnForce has analyzed recent trends within its marketplace, and spotted some key areas of opportunity for solutions providers.

Jimmy likes Elaine Benes, but The VAR Guy no longer loves Seinfeld. The reason: Apparently, Jerry has signed on to pitch Microsoft’s Windows Vista, reports The Wall Street Journal. Wasn’t that a Macintosh sitting on the Seinfeld apartment set for a decade? Seinfeld should keep buying relatives Wizards and stay clear of PCs.

Too little too late? Or right on time? Microsoft has launched the Windows Vista Small Business Assurance program — which aims to help partners (and their customers) “Move to Windows Vista with Confidence.” Shockingly, The VAR Guy actually likes the idea. Here’s why.

Microsoft is scheduled to bury Windows XP today — basically forcing Windows customers to buy Vista instead. Yet, Dell’s channel blog actually has the guts to show VARs how to continue offering XP to customers. Don’t underestimate the significance of Dell’s move.

Officially, Microsoft isn’t saying much about Windows 7.0, the forthcoming successor to Windows Vista. But Mary Jo Foley’s All About Microsoft blog has compiled an interesting list of potential Windows 7.0 features, functions and design goals. Take a look.

The VAR Guy has read some rather misleading headlines about Windows XP in recent weeks. While thousands — perhaps millions — of customers try to avoid Windows Vista, a myth about Windows XP seems to be spreading rapidly. And frankly, the XP myth is false. Here’s the scoop from The VAR Guy.

PC makers and their customers continue to push back against Windows Vista. Software as a service (SaaS) and open source are giving Microsoft fits. Yet, it’s far too early to bury Microsoft. Here are seven reasons why the software giant’s empire won’t completely fall anytime soon.

Question: What is a consultant? Answer: Someone you pay to look at your watch and tell you the time. The VAR Guy thought of that old yarn while reading all the coverage about Gartner stating Windows Vista is too monolithic. Memo to Gartner: Thanks for telling the world what it already knew. Windows has become too big, too complex and too much of a headache for corporate IT.

At first glance, Novell’s desktop Linux goals are humble. Novell insiders tell The VAR Guy they’d be pleased if SuSE Linux eventually captures 1 percent of the overall global desktop market. So, how is Novell’s desktop strategy performing so far — especially vs. Red Hat and Ubuntu? Here are key clues from two top Novell sources on the subject.