Customers vs. Users
While we all are sitting and waiting on the release date of Windows 7 I got to think about one of the biggest differences between Linux and Windows and it is that Linux got users while Windows have customers.
Microsoft always have to take the customer feedback and requests into consideration and that was why Vista was released prematurely while the entire Linux community is built up on a few peoples idea and what they want and might take a proposal in consideration but when there is a request they get offended and instantly goes in to defensive mode.
I never liked XP from the day it was released but I was forced to live with it and it was the only option at that time but I had the option to give my opinions and feedback while I was a paying customer and I done the same with Vista that I actually like since I rather upgrade my hardware once and a while.
I tried to give some feedback within the Linux community and that is a thing I will never do again unless there is a better understanding for the user and the opinions have substance. At this point the developer gets offended and understated and tells the user to shut up and never contact the developer again since it is his idea and vision.
The Linux developer-user relationship goes as high up in the development hierarchy to Linus Torvalds and still refusing to let go of the kernel. The kernel should have been put in an interest group of companies, gurus etc to secure a reliable development and dropping of depreciated hardware support. But this will never happen unless someone get a spark from clear sky.
Microsoft for that matter has to drop hardware support for never operating systems and software since the hardware will never be capable of running the newer software and they follow the flow.
Look what is actually happening on the scene right now with Windows 7 where most people love it but there is some “grumpy old men” that still refuse to believe that there actually can be a better operating system than Windows XP.
Microsoft had to listen to their customers and they did listen even more with Windows 7 but they tried to do it with Vista as well even if you never will believe it.
Believe it or not but having customers is far more powerful than just having users since the customers rightfully can make requests and leave their opinions on something the paid for to use.