Vista Compatibility: What? When? Where?

Microsoft is launching a Windows Vista compatibility center in beta? Seventeen months after Vista shipped everywhere?

Oh, yeah, and the Windows Vista Compatibility Center is one of the big announcements from Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference in Houston. Isn't this the kind of thing you do before an operating system ships? Release compatibility tools for real, not in beta?

I planned to write about what's in the beta. But I went to the Windows Vista Compatibility Center and all I got was this lousy screenshot (see below). That sounds like a T-Shirt slogan, doesn't it? There's nothing there. Poof. Pure vaporware.

Geez Louise, Microsoft, you can't change negative Vista perceptions like this. You can't announce a new tool, even in beta, but then instruct people to "please check back soon."

From Microsoft's press release: "Through this new compatibility tool, Microsoft will work to solicit continuous feedback from consumers and partners to ensure that their purchase and adoption experience remains positive long after their migration to Windows Vista."

Blah, blah, blah. How about giving customers a little confidence and satisfaction before they switch to Vista rather than find that their favorite game or needed application doesn't run?

Break my broomsticks, Vista compatibility problems really frustrate people. I've got a friend who does Japanese translation for a camera manufacturer. He bought a new notebook with Windows Vista, only to find the translation software is incompatible with the operating system. Solution: He went to Fry's Electronics and bought Windows XP. He has no Vista experience for which to remain positive. Vista isn't even an option.

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[Via Windows portal]