14 DAY TRIAL // Back in December 2006 Microsoft debuted an initiative designed to permit end users to participate in the shaping of upcoming editions of Windows. With Windows Seven lined up to succeed Windows Vista in 2009, Microsoft welcomed feedback designed to impact the development process of the upcoming edition of Windows. Activewin posted at the end of 2006 information related to the Microsoft program created to collect input for Windows Seven. The initiative was initially opened to all the participants of the Windows Vista Technical Beta Community.
And the result speaks for itself, the Redmond company received no less than 800 new feature requests for Windows Vista, reported Mary Jo Foley. The feedback is actually divided between in excess of 500 features that users would want added or altered from Vista as well as over 400 issues that have to be resolved in the next release. From the massive volume of items submitted, Microsoft eventually built a top of the most popular 70 features requested.
The fact of the matter is that Microsoft, in its usual abstract manner has failed to point out a specific Windows release that would include the new features. The input could be taken into consideration for Windows Seven, but also for Windows Vista Service Pack 1. And in this regard implementation of the user requested features could be stretched as far as the Windows platform to follow Windows Seven.
Among the top features that users would want to see in the next version of Windows are items that illustrate the obvious shortcomings of the operating system as it is today. Taskbar Button management, Internet Explorer 7 system restore and the evolution of the cryptic error messages into something more comprehensive. However, there is no guarantee that Microsoft will actually take into account feedback. On the other hand, with Vista, the Redmond company did prove an increased focus on user experience, but it is possible that Microsoft will only implement suggestions as long as they manage to fall into its general development strategy for future Windows releases.