The six versions of Windows 7!

Yes, you read that right. From a PCPro story today, it looks as if Microsoft is wasting a massive opportunity to simplify a confused market.

Starter Edition: "A lightweight version for netbook computers, that will only be capable of running three applications concurrently. It will lack the vast majority of the advanced features, such as Media Center and touchscreen support, but will include the new Taskbar and Home Group feature."

So netbook owners are not expected to want to watch media, use a touch screen or do more than 3 things at once! How will Windows stop you running more than 3 things at one time, with a helpful error message? Sorry, but what a crock of crap. I'll stick to Ubuntu.

Home Basic: "For emerging markets only. Microsoft has, bizarrely, appeared to swap the meaning of Starter and Home Basic. Intended to "access the internet and run basic productivity applications"."

erm, so all this OS does is allow you to access the internet and run basic apps? Again, a crock of poo! Give me Ubuntu any day.

Home Premium: "The mainstay version that Microsoft will put the majority of its marketing weight behind. Will include Media Center, touchscreen support, full Aero glass graphics, improved media format support and streaming, and the option to easily share files across a home network with the new Libraries feature."

Ok, so this combined with Windows 7 Ultimate should be windows 7 home. I don't see why this would not run on a netbook since the Windows 7 Ultimate beta already works fine on many netbooks. However, I would like the windows installer to allow you to choose which bits of the OS you would like to install if you don't have much hard disk space on your netbook, like windows used to do. Unfortunately this version of Windows is unlikely to be included in any purchase of a netbook. Sorry, but this is another example of Microsoft missing a massive opportunity to cash in on the netbook craze!

Professional: "A business version for home workers and small businesses not operating on a volume licence. Will include features such as advanced network backup and Encrypting File System. However, BitLocker encryption is once again reserved for the Enterprise and Ultimate editions."

So home business users are not expected to want to use an encrypted file system? And the (finally) easy to use BitLocker encryption is excluded. Sorry, but I can't believe this is happening!

Enterprise: "For volume licence customers. Will include all the Professional features, plus BitLocker protection - including the new option to encrypt USB flash drives and external hard disks. Will also include DirectAccess, which allows remote workers to securely access a company network without a VPN."

So DirectAccess would not be usful for home business users that cannot take advantage of volume licences? Pathetic, I am growing more and more tired of technologies such as BitLocker and DirectAccess because they are not cross platform.

If somebody bitlockers a drive with a video on it to edit, then gives it to a Mac user, they just get an unreadable disk. It would be far better to use an open standard such as PGP which could be decrypted by all platforms and allow governments to not lock their precious data into a proprietory encryption scheme.

I am sure DirectAccess enabled servers for home working would not be usable with any other computer. Why not ignore DirectAccess and use open standards for remote working, or at least a third party proprietory cross platform solution. Struth!

Ultimate: The all-encompassing version of Windows 7, although there's no repeat of Vista's much-maligned Ultimate Extras. Branded as the "no compromise SKU for tech enthusiasts" it will include every single feature available in Windows 7.

What is wrong with having Windows 7 home, Windows 7 business, and Windows 7 server? Put all SKU's of Windows 7 on one disc, if you install it on a 64bit processor you get a 64bit version, likewise for 32Bit. Include an option for the user to do an advanced install and choose the components they would like.

Am I mad and completely alone in wanting Windows 7 ultimate to be Windows 7 Home, Windows 7 professional and Enterprise to be just Windows 7 business available to both home business users and as a volume licence, and Server 2008 to be Windows 7 server.

Microsoft seems to think they can charge a premium for Windows 7 Ultimate, which contains features that should be in all versions of Windows 7 home. Home users have different priorities than business users, fair enough, that's why there should be just two versions to cover this Windows 7 Home and Windows 7 business.

And there I was thinking Microsoft were actually improving and listening to their customers! Confused? You will be, this is looking closer and closer to a joke I was sent the other day. Enjoy!