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Vista The New Coke Of Software

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by Kevin Maney
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Apr 24 2008 12:00am EDT

Vista: The New Coke of Software

The last time so many customers said they preferred the older version of a product was -- what? The 1985 New Coke fiasco?

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer today said Microsoft may reconsider its decision to stop selling XP in June because of customer outcry. About 160,000 people have signed a Web petition to keep XP alive until the next version of Windows comes out. Many users (including me!) consider the current version, Vista, a disaster of an operating system.

Ballmer had the gall to tell reporters today that "most people who buy PCs today buy them with Vista. That's the statistical truth." Well...yeah. Despite still selling limited numbers of PCs with XP, it's pretty hard to buy a new computer that doesn't have Vista -- unless you go to a Mac. Which increasing numbers of people are doing.

new-coke-1.jpg ...

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