Quake3World

For the first time in the history of the PC, Microsoft is rolling out a new Windows ecosystem for which they will be the sole software distributor. If you buy Windows 8, the only place you will be able to download software that integrates with its new user interface will be the official Windows Store. Microsoft will have complete control over what software will be allowed there.

Microsoft has stated that applications for the older desktop interface will remain unaffected by these policies. As long as they only use applications that run on the old desktop, users will still be able to buy, sell, develop, and distribute software without interference from Microsoft. Many Windows users have taken this as an assurance that the open distribution model that they enjoy today will still be available in future versions of Windows, and as a result, there has been far less public concern about Windows 8 than there might have otherwise been.

But how realistic is the assumption that the Windows desktop will still be a usable computing platform in the future? And what would be the consequences were it to disappear, leaving Windows users with only the closed software ecosystem introduced in Windows 8?

To answer these questions, this volume of Critical Detail examines the immediate and future effects of Microsoft's current certification requirements, explores in depth what history predicts for the lifespan of the classic Windows desktop, and takes a pragmatic look at whether an open or closed ecosystem would be better for Microsoft as a company.

seremtan wrote:oh yeah, the death of the PC. that was prophesied back in 1995, and also 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and is due to be predicted again next year and in every other year afterwards

Big Kahuna Burger wrote:windows

GONNAFISTYA wrote:One of the commentors also brought up a good point: Microsoft might intentionally be doing this to reinforce it's X-Box brand and try to convince stupid people to give up on PC gaming and get an X-Box.

SoM wrote:what ppl thing of Win8

i like when he asks the fat bastard to try to shut it off

i'd take a sledge hammer to it

GONNAFISTYA wrote:I'm not talking about the death of the PC you moron.

GONNAFISTYA wrote:One of the commentors also brought up a good point: Microsoft might intentionally be doing this to reinforce it's X-Box brand and try to convince stupid people to give up on PC gaming...

If you don't understand the current openness of the PC experience (and the openness for all the years you've listed) then you'll never get what this thread is about.