Microsoft relied on mountains of user feedback as it was building Windows 7, its newest operating system.
Steven Sinofsky, a senior Microsoft executive in charge of Windows development, spoke at a software developer's conference about how important it was to hear from users, and how their input shaped Windows 7.
For instance, feedback was sent from users to Microsoft 1.7 million times on various Windows 7 issues. In addition, Microsoft got information back from 10 million Windows error reports. All that data resulted in 4,753 code changes that were driven by error features, Sinofsky said. That means Windows 7 was significantly modified during its development, to make sure it was stable and as useful as possible.
"We learned from the data how people use the product," Sinofsky said. I think it shows in how well Windows 7 works. What do you think? Tell me what you like most (and least) about Windows 7.
What I like about Windows 7 is that it captures both the performance of Windows XP with the sleek look of Vista. It’s bridged form and function like no other OS that Microsoft has designed before.
Unfortunately I think this OS came a few years too late to gain the encompassing market appeal. I’m noticing people are holding on to their old computer rather than purchasing new ones. This is probably attributable to the downturn in the economy.
John,
I have to disagree. There’s a lot of evidence that Windows 7 is doing quite well — and I expect sales to pick up as we enter the holiday buying time. I do agree that the economy is having an effect — but a lot of that has meant shifting their buying to cheaper netbooks instead.