Is the desktop metaphor dead, replaced by Web services like Google and Facebook? Or is Vista so bad that it’s not worth buying?

New data points to the latter suggestion, leaving Microsoft with two options. It can either view its sagging Vista sales as a testament to the incredible work of art that is Windows XP (gag). Or it can concede that Vista is a pile of potty.

(Via Does Vista’s stunted growth hint at the death of the desktop? | The Open Road - The Business and Politics of Open Source by Matt Asay - CNET Blogs.)

I don’t think Vista sucks and the desktop is definitely not dead.

Vista’s slow adoption is a simple business issue, Microsoft over-promised and under-delivered. Its that simple.

Coupled with a confusing pricing scheme and bungled Vista Capable vs. Vista Ready hardware marketing and you get slow adoption.

Nothing terribly difficult to understand, deeply revealing or impossible to fix.

They should release service pack 2 for Vista along side a new marketing campaign that replaces all the different versions with the Ultimate version for $99.

Everyone gets the same package, which would make it a no brainer for users and simplify support requirements.

One message. One product. One choice. Affordable. Win, Win for everyone.