In a new job offering Microsoft is looking for a Marketing Manager. The job description mentions the requirement to “communicate and generate Partner excitement for Windows Vista Business, Windows 7 for Small Business (future), Office Ready, Server channel programs, and new Server launches with Windows Small Business Server & Essential Business Server 2008″.
This seems to indicate that Microsoft is planning to release a new Windows 7 edition called Windows 7 For Small Business. In Windows Vista two editions were catering to the needs of companies: Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Enterprise. Microsoft seems to have made the decision to divide the Windows 7 equivalent of Windows Vista Business into two products: Windows 7 Business and Windows 7 For Small Business. It can be seen to create a match for the Windows Server products Windows Small Business Server and Essential Business Server.
Many users will argue that the addition of new Windows 7 editions will cause even more customer confusion. What’s your take on the issue?
I feel that yes, the continued splitting of different versions of Windows will just replicate the entire Vista fiasco.
meh vista had 3 versions a home user could buy… get the fuck over it already…
I would like the small business version to come with Office 14, it would make deployment that tiny bit easyer
I hope no more than 2 versions are released. One for business and one for everyone else. Make life a bit easier MS, dont do what you did with Vista.
This isn’t really like the version splitting of vista, small business version used to be a windows server version, this only emphasis that windows 7 and windows server 7 (Windows server 2008 R2) are the same OS.
well,i must say that all vista’s editions didnt confuse me so much…but i did get very confused between vista home basic and home premium ,i wasnt sure if vista basic had aero or not
Seems like a smart move on MS part. Every Hardware Vendor is selling mainly Business Editions with Vista pre-installed.
BTW I am running Window 7 in a VM under Linux as I typed. Maybe I should apply for the job. Will MS  HR contact me about this.
Marty Felker
President/Owner
Black Ridge Computer
Floyd, VA 24091
(540) 593-2117
Look they should only make 1 version to avoid all confusion. What was wrong with 2000. Nothing!!!!! If you arent on a domain with 2000 you can just use it as a workgroup computer. Now dont get me wrong, I love XP and feel its a great OS but that is where they started going wrong. How many times have you had to set someone on a domain just to find out they decided to try and save money and went out and got a computer on their own, only to find out that they now need to purchase xp pro and spend more money to have you upgrade it for them. Funny how these people think they are saving money and wind up spending more for support because they dont know the difference between HOME and PRO. MS should do themselves a favor and make one version, Windows 7 Pro 64bit. (no need for retarted kindergarden names… Super spectacular Ultimate unbeatable edition) They need to make it better backwards compatibily then other 64bit os’s they released in the past. Come on now if they keep making 32bit no one will ever move on. Make the 64 bit only and make it work with older apps.