7. Innovate, truly innovate, with both the user interface (UI) and the user experience (UE) from a consumer standpoint, not the staid/stale enterprise viewpoint; steal a play from the iPhone playbook for goodness sakes. From stuff I have seen (under a permanent NDA), Microsoft can be truly innovative when it comes to virtually everything to do with user interfaces and bringing a luxurious and breathtaking user experience to everyone. However, something gets lost in the translation from the designs to the delivered product, with the innovations being shed for conformal acceptance with the enterprise. The loops at #1, Infinite Loop nice up the very same product, and wow, a new paradigm is born.
8. Integrate application virtualization (SoftGrid) into every version of Vista. File this under no-brainer! This would mitigate the applications compatibility hassles for both this version of Windows Vista and the next.
9. Improve the usability of the default applications. Windows Mail. WordPad. Need I say more? While it cannot be on the same level as retail programs, basic default programs need to be useful.
10. Sign OEM distribution deals for Windows Live applications. Apart from the current shipping version of Windows Live Mail, the Windows Live family of programs deserves to be the default programs for Windows. Due to antitrust concerns, I understand why Microsoft cannot make them the default programs; however, I do not see why Microsoft should not aggressively pursue distribution deals with systems OEMs for the Windows Live products.
11. Make a definite push towards native 64-bit applications for Microsoft products. There is nothing more disconcerting than seeing that version 2007/2008 Microsoft applications are 32-bit only.
12. Stand fast on signing requirements for 64-bit apps. Another plus for Microsoft.
13. Make Home Premium the most basic model of Vista, killing Home Basic most unmercifully. This should be carried out with immediate effect! Right now, and with #15 below, Microsoft is getting killed on delivered features. I don’t see the business case for Windows Vista Home Basic, not from a consumer or IT pro’s POV.
14. Truly create a family pack for Vista, not the short-lived pseudo two-fer BS crap. Multiple households are the norm in the US of A. why isn’t there a family pack a la OS X?
15. On-demand paper manuals. For long-lasting consumer goodwill and reducing tech support hassles, restart sending out paper user manuals gratis; in this case, a truly useful manual. To save trees, the offer could/should be limited to a one-time offer mail-in or online redemption