Criticism of Windows Vista

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Windows Vista, the latest version of Microsoft's desktop operating system, has been the target of a number of negative assessments by various groups. Criticism of Windows Vista has included concerns about the security implications of the large amounts of new code, the inclusion of a number of new Digital Rights Management technologies aimed at restricting the copying of digital media, and the usability of the new User Account Control security technology. Companies that produce security software such as McAfee and Symantec have also lodged complaints that Microsoft has implemented new security measures that prevent their software from being able to access certain parts of the operating system. Additionally, reviewers have noted similarities between the Vista interface and that of Apple's Mac OS X operating system. Concerns have also been raised about many PCs not meeting "Vista Premium Ready" hardware requirements.

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[edit] Security

In a July 2006 report,[1] security software vendor (and recently a competitor to Microsoft's OneCare) Symantec's Advanced Threat Research Team said that the large amount of new and untested code in Vista, especially the new implementation of the network stack, could cause instability and new security flaws.[2] The report claims that "Microsoft has removed a large body of tried and tested code and replaced it with freshly written code, complete with new corner cases and defects". Microsoft responded that they "believe the claims are (...) unsubstantiated", and Symantec admits that all of the bugs Symantec found were fixed by the time Beta 2 was released, but adds that "While it is reassuring that Microsoft is finding and fixing these defects, we expect that vulnerabilities will continue to be discovered for some time. A networking stack is a complex piece of software that takes many years to mature." IPv6 tunnelling and peer-to-peer collaboration technologies were identified as additional potential problem areas. Firewall maker Agnitum and others have argued that the Kernel Patch Protection feature (also known as "Patchguard") for the 64-bit version can be circumvented by hackers and that some security software makers must use similar methods.[3][4]

McAfee has also said that Vista will be even less secure than previous versions of Windows.[5][6]

Pirates have already cracked the security features of Vista which allows pirates to download Vista and a product key and to install it on their systems, only a few days after Vista went gold. However, Microsoft claims this only affected pre-RTM copies. Quote from source: "This unauthorised download relies on the use of pre-RTM activation keys that will be blocked using Microsoft’s Software Protection Platform. Consequently, these downloads will be of limited value." [1]

[edit] Digital Rights Management

Another common criticism concerns the integration of new forms of Digital Rights Management into the operating system, specifically High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) and the Image Constraint Token (ICT), which reduces the quality of high-definition video content if the video card and monitor are not HDCP-enabled.[7] All HD DVD and Blu-ray players must follow AACS guidelines and restrict the resolution for outputs without HDCP to 960×540 provided an ICT flag is given. The decision to set the flag to restrict output ("down-convert") is left to the content provider. The criticism against HDCP may be misplaced, however, as it is still unclear as to whether all high definition media will be subject to HDCP protection.[7] Movie studios are apparently in agreement to not include the ICT flag on any HD DVDs or Blu-ray Discs until at least 2010, or possibly even 2012.[8]

[edit] User Account Control

The new User Account Control (UAC) security technology also causes concern among reviewers. While Yankee Group analyst Andrew Jaquith believes that critical security vulnerabilities may be "reduced by as much as 80 percent", he also noted that "while the new security system shows promise, it is far too chatty and annoying".[9] Veteran Microsoft reporter Paul Thurrott agreed, contending at the time that the implementation of UAC in Vista build 5342 is a "sad, sad joke" given the number of dialog boxes that one must wade through to do simple tasks.[10] However, Thurrott appears to have retracted those comments, claiming in his Windows Vista Beta 2 review, that UAC had been "completely overhauled" and is "less annoying," although he acknowledges that Microsoft is "still struggling to find a balance between security and annoyance."[11] It should be noted that UAC can be easily turned off in Windows Vista Build 5384.

[edit] Similarities with Mac OS X

Another criticism is a claim by some that Windows Vista emulates specific features in Apple Computer's Mac OS X. Scott Spanbauer of PCWorld jokes about a perceived "striking similarity" between Vista's Aero visual effects, icon design, buttons and those of Mac OS X's Aqua.[12] Paul Thurrott of WindowsITPro made similar comments in his review of build 5308, while also suggesting that some of the new applications "appear to be directly, ahem, influenced by similar applications in OS X."[10] John Rizzo of eWeek has noted that Vista is incorporating features which OS X has had for some time, such as fast searching and Smart Folders functionality.[13] This has led some to the conclusion that Aero is an imitation of Aqua.[14] Apple was keen to highlight the similarities during the keynote presentation at the Worldwide Developers Conference in August 2006, with Bertrand Serlet showing screenshots of Vista and OS X side-by-side.[15] [16] [17]

[edit] Hardware requirements

Considerable speculation and questions about the hardware required to run Vista were eventually dispelled when Microsoft revealed its own requirements and recommendations in March 2006.[18] However, controversy and concerns have arisen over how the increase in hardware specifications required to take advantage of many of Vista's new features may impact both personal and business users.[19] Elizabeth Judge of The Times stated that “the system’s full range of tools would be available to less than 5 per cent of Britain’s PC market” and that it “would run in full only on super-advanced PCs”. This has raised concerns that users wanting to enjoy the full experience would be forced to buy expensive new equipment, even though the minimum hardware specifications for Vista indicate that it will run on most PCs sold over the last three years. A Microsoft spokeswoman countered these claims by denying that current PC users would be unable to use Vista, stating, “A recent analyst report states that nearly all PCs on the market today will run Windows Vista.”[20] While most PCs purchased over the last three years will be able to meet Vista’s minimum “Windows Vista Capable” requirements, many laptops and low-end to midrange desktops with integrated graphics will not be able to meet “Windows Vista Premium Ready” requirements and will therefore not be able to run advanced features such as the Aero Glass interface.[21] In addition, the Windows Vista Premium logo requirement for a hybrid hard disk incorporating flash memory that is intended to help reduce overall power consumption and extend battery life has also emerged as a significant issue for laptops, which are often more difficult and expensive to upgrade than desktops. Very few laptops are currently available with this type of hard disk.[22][23]

[edit] Anti-trust controversy in Europe

The European Union Competition Commission has raised questions with Microsoft about Vista concerning compliance with EU rules intended to allow competition between security providers on the merits of their products. Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd stated, "If business and home users are deprived of choice, a security 'monoculture' based on Microsoft products may lead to less innovation and could harm all computer users. Security risks could increase, and not decrease." Todd also stated that, "it is Microsoft's responsibility as a 'near monopolist' to abide by EU competition rules - in particular, those that prohibit abuse of a dominant market position." Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer met with EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes in August 2006 to discuss EU concerns. Responding to EU concerns, Jack Evans, a Microsoft spokesman, stated, "We still have not received the guidance we're seeking. In July, we received a formal list of questions, but no answers about what specific concerns the Commission has, or how we should address them. We need answers, not questions." Evans went on to state "The bottom line is that we want to launch Vista in a fully lawful manner, and we want to avoid regulatory decisions that could increase security risks for European consumers." There has been speculation that this issue may delay the release of Vista in Europe, but as of September 2006 the Europe release date has not been affected.[24]

[edit] Pricing and license restrictions

Microsoft's pricing of Vista has been criticized by some as too expensive. A majority of users in a poll said that the prices of various Windows Vista editions posted on the Microsoft Canada website in August 2006 make the product too expensive.[25]

The introduction of restrictions on retail buyers legally transferring their copy of Vista was criticized. Microsoft had changed the licensing terms for Vista to allow buyers of retail copies of Vista to transfer their software to a new machine only once.[26] If they wanted to move their software a second time, they would have had to buy a new copy. Since then, Microsoft has responded to the complaints and has changed the terms to allowing buyers to uninstall it from a PC and install it on another multiple times.[27] As with Windows XP, separate rules still apply for OEM versions of Windows pre-installed on new PCs. In most cases, copies of Windows Vista purchased on a new PC will not be able to be legally transferred.[28]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Friedrichs, Oliver (2006-07-18). Windows Vista: Network Attack Surface Analysis. Symantec Security Response Weblog. Symantec. Retrieved on 2006-08-13.
  2. ^ Evers, Joris (2006-07-18). Symantec sees an Achilles' heel in Vista. CNet News.com. Retrieved on 2006-08-13.
  3. ^ Agnitum analyzes latest Microsoft security initiatives. Agnitum (2006-07-26). Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  4. ^ Evers, Joris (2006-08-10). Windows defense handcuffs good guys. CNET News.com. Retrieved on 2006-08-13.
  5. ^ Samenuk, George (2006-09-28). Microsoft Increasing Security Risk with Vista. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
  6. ^ Montalbano, Elizabeth. "McAfee Cries Foul over Vista Security Features", PC World India, 2006-10-06. Retrieved on 2006-11-29.
  7. ^ a b Dowler, M. (2005-10-21). Windows Vista, HDCP and Digital Rights Management. PC Stats. Retrieved on 2006-05-08.
  8. ^ Fisher, Ken (2006-05-21). Hollywood reportedly in agreement to delay forced quality downgrades for Blu-ray, HD DVD.
  9. ^ Joris Evers (May 2006). Report: Vista to hit anti-spyware, firewall markets. PC World.
  10. ^ a b Thurrott, Paul (2006-04-19). Windows Vista February 2006 CTP (Build 5308/5342) Review, Part 5: Where Vista Fails. SuperSite for Windows. Retrieved on 2006-05-19.
  11. ^ Thurrott, Paul (2006-05-20). Windows Vista Beta 2 Review: Part 1: The Big Picture. SuperSite for Windows. Retrieved on 2006-05-24.
  12. ^ Spanbauer, Scott (April 2006). Windows Hacks: Vista Comes Into View. PCWorld. Retrieved on 2006-05-08.
  13. ^ Rizzo, Juan (2005-07-31). Apple's Tiger vs. Windows Vista: Who Comes Out Ahead?. eWeek. Retrieved on 2006-05-08.
  14. ^ Windows Vista resembles OS X. MacNN (2006-03-09). Retrieved on 2006-05-08.
  15. ^ WWDC 2006 Keynote transcript. macrumors.com (2006-08-07). Retrieved on 2006-08-08.
  16. ^ Apple takes shots at Vista. Cnet news.com (2006-08-10). Retrieved on 2006-09-01.
  17. ^ Video of WWDC. YouTube (2006-09-17). Retrieved on 2006-09-21.
  18. ^ Thurrott, Paul (2006-03-29). Finally, Microsoft Releases Windows Vista Hardware Requirements. WinInfo. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.
  19. ^ Wagner, Mitch (2006-03-01). Microsoft Will Stumble On Windows Vista And Office 2007. Informationweek.com. Retrieved on 2006-08-16.
  20. ^ Judge, Elizabeth (2006-05-20). Windows revamp 'too advanced for most PCs'. The Times. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.
  21. ^ Spooner, John G. (2005-08-05). Will Your PC Run Windows Vista?. eweek.com. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.
  22. ^ Peters, Luke (2006-07-18). How Vista will affect notebooks. Personal Computer World. Retrieved on 2006-08-15.
  23. ^ Rosado, Jeff (2006-09-15). Microsoft opens up Customer Preview Program (CPP) for Vista public testing on September 15th, 2006. PRO-networks.org. Retrieved on 2006-09-15.
  24. ^ Evers, Joris (2006-09-18). Vista's European battleground. CNET News.com. Retrieved on 2006-09-19.
  25. ^ Beer, Stan (2006-08-30). Windows Vista too expensive says users. ITWire.com. Retrieved on 2006-10-19.
  26. ^ http://www.boingboing.net/2006/10/13/vista_license_only_l.html
  27. ^ White, Nick (2006-11-02). "Revision to Windows Vista licensing terms. Windows Vista Team Blog. Retrieved on 2006-11-02.
  28. ^ Fried, Ina (2006-10-16). Microsoft limits Vista transfers. CNET News.com. Retrieved on 2006-10-19.
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