I work in retail and am already getting asked all the usual questions about
Windows 7 ... Should i be telling people to upgrade when it comes out, or
should we wait a few months for all the 'teething problems' to be ironed
out?

You should probably follow the instructions that your manager issues to you.

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


"Ads" <honour198@internode.on.net> wrote in message
news:ueYsPuw9JHA.5064@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
>I work in retail and am already getting asked all the usual questions about
>Windows 7 ... Should i be telling people to upgrade when it comes out, or
>should we wait a few months for all the 'teething problems' to be ironed
>out?[/color]

On Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:42:19 +1000, "Ads" <honour198@internode.on.net>
wrote:
[color=blue]
> I work in retail and am already getting asked all the usual questions about
> Windows 7 ... Should i be telling people to upgrade when it comes out, or
> should we wait a few months for all the 'teething problems' to be ironed
> out?[/color]


My view is that you're going about this backward. You should never
simply "tell people to upgrade." A change of operating system should
be driven by need, not just because there is a new version available.
Are you having a problem with Windows Vista that you expect 7 to
solve? Do you have or expect to get new hardware or software that is
supported in 7, but not in Vista? Is there some new feature in 7 that
you need or yearn for? Does your job require you have skills in 7? Are
you a computer hobbyist who enjoys playing with whatever is newest?

If the answer to one or more of those questions is yes (and your
hardware is adequate for 7), then you should get 7. Otherwise most
people should stick with what they have. There is *always* a learning
curve and a potential for problems when you take a step as big as this
one, regardless of how wonderful whatever you're contemplating moving
to is. Sooner or later you'll have to upgrade (to 7 or its successor)
because you'll want support for hardware or software that you can't
get in Vista, but don't rush it.

I say all the above despite the fact that I'm a big Windows 7 fan. The
Release Candidate is excellent and runs very well.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

I agree with your sentiments Ken, however, the OP is in the retail trade,
presumably selling Computers and/or software/hardware. Looking at the
question from an individuals standpoint I certainly would be asking all the
same questions that you have asked - yes i do like Windows 7 but it doesn't
bowl me over. In the end, though, as Richard pointed out in his reply, the
decision as to whether the OP should push upgrades etc will be set by
his/her management team.

Looking at the problem from my perspective I would be saying 'No, don't
upgrade, not unless you are totally dissatisfied with your current operating
system or your hardware needs the qualities of the new operating system to
run successfully.' What I suspect the OP's management team will say is 'to
hell with waiting, we need the money so push, push, push.' Having been in
top retail management until I change career I am well aware of the pressure
put on managers, and in turn sales staff, by directors to increase retail
sales. There is only one word they understand Profit!

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: [url]http://www.winuser.co.uk[/url]
Web: [url]http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org[/url]
Web: [url]http://vistasupport.mvps.org[/url]
Web: [url]http://www.silversurfer-guide.com[/url]

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..


"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
news:ajcc45t9m3r044pe7p2e8459gu2s4bh1p8@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:42:19 +1000, "Ads" <honour198@internode.on.net>
> wrote:
>[color=green]
>> I work in retail and am already getting asked all the usual questions
>> about
>> Windows 7 ... Should i be telling people to upgrade when it comes out, or
>> should we wait a few months for all the 'teething problems' to be ironed
>> out?[/color]
>
>
> My view is that you're going about this backward. You should never
> simply "tell people to upgrade." A change of operating system should
> be driven by need, not just because there is a new version available.
> Are you having a problem with Windows Vista that you expect 7 to
> solve? Do you have or expect to get new hardware or software that is
> supported in 7, but not in Vista? Is there some new feature in 7 that
> you need or yearn for? Does your job require you have skills in 7? Are
> you a computer hobbyist who enjoys playing with whatever is newest?
>
> If the answer to one or more of those questions is yes (and your
> hardware is adequate for 7), then you should get 7. Otherwise most
> people should stick with what they have. There is *always* a learning
> curve and a potential for problems when you take a step as big as this
> one, regardless of how wonderful whatever you're contemplating moving
> to is. Sooner or later you'll have to upgrade (to 7 or its successor)
> because you'll want support for hardware or software that you can't
> get in Vista, but don't rush it.
>
> I say all the above despite the fact that I'm a big Windows 7 fan. The
> Release Candidate is excellent and runs very well.
>
>
> --
> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
> Please Reply to the Newsgroup[/color]

On Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:23:45 +0100, "John Barnett MVP"
<freelance@invalid.invalid> wrote:
[color=blue]
> I agree with your sentiments Ken, however, the OP is in the retail trade,
> presumably selling Computers and/or software/hardware.[/color]


You might very well be right. I took (probably mistook) his statement
"I work in retail" as meaning that he worked in an office of a retail
company and the "people" he was asking about were his co-workers.

But if, as you suggest, he was asking about his customers, I don't
think he should be telling them to either upgrade or not. It should be
their choice and they should not care about the opinions of a
salesman.



[color=blue]
> Looking at the
> question from an individuals standpoint I certainly would be asking all the
> same questions that you have asked - yes i do like Windows 7 but it doesn't
> bowl me over. In the end, though, as Richard pointed out in his reply, the
> decision as to whether the OP should push upgrades etc will be set by
> his/her management team.
>
> Looking at the problem from my perspective I would be saying 'No, don't
> upgrade, not unless you are totally dissatisfied with your current operating
> system or your hardware needs the qualities of the new operating system to
> run successfully.' What I suspect the OP's management team will say is 'to
> hell with waiting, we need the money so push, push, push.' Having been in
> top retail management until I change career I am well aware of the pressure
> put on managers, and in turn sales staff, by directors to increase retail
> sales. There is only one word they understand Profit!
>
> --
>
> --
> John Barnett MVP
> Windows XP Associate Expert
> Windows Desktop Experience
>
> Web: [url]http://www.winuser.co.uk[/url]
> Web: [url]http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org[/url]
> Web: [url]http://vistasupport.mvps.org[/url]
> Web: [url]http://www.silversurfer-guide.com[/url]
>
> The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
> kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
> reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
> any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
> use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
> mail/post..
>
>
> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
> news:ajcc45t9m3r044pe7p2e8459gu2s4bh1p8@4ax.com...[color=green]
> > On Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:42:19 +1000, "Ads" <honour198@internode.on.net>
> > wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> I work in retail and am already getting asked all the usual questions
> >> about
> >> Windows 7 ... Should i be telling people to upgrade when it comes out, or
> >> should we wait a few months for all the 'teething problems' to be ironed
> >> out?[/color]
> >
> >
> > My view is that you're going about this backward. You should never
> > simply "tell people to upgrade." A change of operating system should
> > be driven by need, not just because there is a new version available.
> > Are you having a problem with Windows Vista that you expect 7 to
> > solve? Do you have or expect to get new hardware or software that is
> > supported in 7, but not in Vista? Is there some new feature in 7 that
> > you need or yearn for? Does your job require you have skills in 7? Are
> > you a computer hobbyist who enjoys playing with whatever is newest?
> >
> > If the answer to one or more of those questions is yes (and your
> > hardware is adequate for 7), then you should get 7. Otherwise most
> > people should stick with what they have. There is *always* a learning
> > curve and a potential for problems when you take a step as big as this
> > one, regardless of how wonderful whatever you're contemplating moving
> > to is. Sooner or later you'll have to upgrade (to 7 or its successor)
> > because you'll want support for hardware or software that you can't
> > get in Vista, but don't rush it.
> >
> > I say all the above despite the fact that I'm a big Windows 7 fan. The
> > Release Candidate is excellent and runs very well.
> >
> >
> > --
> > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
> > Please Reply to the Newsgroup[/color][/color]

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

"Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
[color=blue]
>On Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:23:45 +0100, "John Barnett MVP"
><freelance@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>[color=green]
>> I agree with your sentiments Ken, however, the OP is in the retail trade,
>> presumably selling Computers and/or software/hardware.[/color]
>
>
>You might very well be right. I took (probably mistook) his statement
>"I work in retail" as meaning that he worked in an office of a retail
>company and the "people" he was asking about were his co-workers.
>
>But if, as you suggest, he was asking about his customers, I don't
>think he should be telling them to either upgrade or not. It should be
>their choice and they should not care about the opinions of a
>salesman.[/color]

WHA?

You have lost your perspective.

Customers ask questions of retail clerks expecting that the clerk
knows more than they do. If you don't know that, then you are clearly
spending too much time at the keyboard and not enough time in the real
world.

On Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:20:11 -0500, Manny Weisbord
<mannyweisbord@crimest.invalid> wrote:
[color=blue]
> "Ken Blake, MVP" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >On Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:23:45 +0100, "John Barnett MVP"
> ><freelance@invalid.invalid> wrote:
> >[color=darkred]
> >> I agree with your sentiments Ken, however, the OP is in the retail trade,
> >> presumably selling Computers and/or software/hardware.[/color]
> >
> >
> >You might very well be right. I took (probably mistook) his statement
> >"I work in retail" as meaning that he worked in an office of a retail
> >company and the "people" he was asking about were his co-workers.
> >
> >But if, as you suggest, he was asking about his customers, I don't
> >think he should be telling them to either upgrade or not. It should be
> >their choice and they should not care about the opinions of a
> >salesman.[/color]
>
> WHA?
>
> You have lost your perspective.
>
> Customers ask questions of retail clerks expecting that the clerk
> knows more than they do. If you don't know that, then you are clearly
> spending too much time at the keyboard and not enough time in the real
> world.[/color]


Any customer who asks a technical question of a retail clerk is making
a very serious mistake. It's a rare computer sales clerk who knows
much of anything technical. Most computer sales people get their jobs
because they are willing to accept something very close to minimum
wage. If they had any real technical skill, they could very likely get
a much better paid job.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Ads wrote:[color=blue]
> I work in retail and am already getting asked all the usual questions
> about Windows 7 ... Should i be telling people to upgrade when it comes
> out, or should we wait a few months for all the 'teething problems' to
> be ironed out?[/color]


Actually, you should be telling them that, as you "work in retail,"
you're not qualified to offer advice on a technical subject, and that
they should seek such advice from someone more qualified. I don't say
this to sound mean or insulting, but if you were one of those rare
retail workers with the requisite technical knowledge, you'd not have
felt the need to ask the question.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
[url]http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html[/url]

[url]http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375[/url]

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

Manny Weisbord wrote:[color=blue]
>
>
> You have lost your perspective.
>
> Customers ask questions of retail clerks expecting that the clerk
> knows more than they do.[/color]


Where in the world would they ever get such an idea? Their very first
purchase would disabuse them of such misconceptions.




--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
[url]http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html[/url]

[url]http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375[/url]

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

On Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:21:02 -0700, "Ken Blake, MVP"
<kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Any customer who asks a technical question of a retail clerk is making
>a very serious mistake. It's a rare computer sales clerk who knows
>much of anything technical. Most computer sales people get their jobs
>because they are willing to accept something very close to minimum
>wage. If they had any real technical skill, they could very likely get
>a much better paid job.[/color]

But you're still not living in that "real world" he mentioned. People
are still going to ask the OP the question, well advised or not.

To the OP: Tell them that initial review of Win7 show that it cures
many flaws in Vista and that it's generally faster - but that some
experts advise waiting for the first service pack with any new OS.

>but that some experts advise waiting for the first service pack with any new OS.

What experts?
--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"+Bob+" <nomailplease@example.com> wrote in message
news:pmed459188mbkjq0q6is7st1n5mukg7vse@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:21:02 -0700, "Ken Blake, MVP"
> <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
>[/color]

On Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:17:52 -0400, +Bob+ <nomailplease@example.com>
wrote:
[color=blue]
> On Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:21:02 -0700, "Ken Blake, MVP"
> <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
>[color=green]
> >Any customer who asks a technical question of a retail clerk is making
> >a very serious mistake. It's a rare computer sales clerk who knows
> >much of anything technical. Most computer sales people get their jobs
> >because they are willing to accept something very close to minimum
> >wage. If they had any real technical skill, they could very likely get
> >a much better paid job.[/color]
>
> But you're still not living in that "real world" he mentioned. People
> are still going to ask the OP the question, well advised or not.[/color]


Yes, people will ask him the question. But that doesn't mean he should
pretend to be an expert and give them an answer that he doesn't know
is correct.

[color=blue]
> To the OP: Tell them that initial review of Win7 show that it cures
> many flaws in Vista and that it's generally faster - but that some
> experts advise waiting for the first service pack with any new OS.[/color]

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

useless answer, as usual from MVP

Or alternatively, the OP can study his customer types and their interests
and concerns (since he said "all the usual questions" so he should have
known some), and in the mean time, also study/test the product and compare
it against older versions and competitive offers (e.g. Linux and Apple) and
ask technical professionals for any technical questions or issues that don't
make sense to him or intended users, and collect and study as many reports
and reviews as possible from reputable and neutral sources, and then
integrate all his knowledge to make well-founded recommendations tailor to
his customer types, interests/needs, and concerns.

So the OP has at least three options:

(1) A simple and quick "Yes" or "No" answer to his customers,

(2) Say "I don't know and ask someone else" as some suggested, or

(3) Do his homework at least as suggested like any top notch sakes/marketing
would have done.


"Bruce Chambers" <bchambers@cable0ne.n3t> wrote in message
news:uoNF1j49JHA.200@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> Ads wrote:[color=green]
>> I work in retail and am already getting asked all the usual questions
>> about Windows 7 ... Should i be telling people to upgrade when it comes
>> out, or should we wait a few months for all the 'teething problems' to be
>> ironed out?[/color]
>
>
> Actually, you should be telling them that, as you "work in retail," you're
> not qualified to offer advice on a technical subject, and that they should
> seek such advice from someone more qualified. I don't say this to sound
> mean or insulting, but if you were one of those rare retail workers with
> the requisite technical knowledge, you'd not have felt the need to ask the
> question.
>
>
> --
>
> Bruce Chambers
>
> Help us help you:
> [url]http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html[/url]
>
> [url]http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375[/url]
>
> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin
>
> Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand
> Russell
>
> The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
> killed a great many philosophers.
> ~ Denis Diderot[/color]

My big question for those NOT upgrading: why would anyone wanting to buy a
FULL install want to DOWNLOAD it - then burn it?? - for the same price ?
[url]http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-7-Professional/product/B985134B[/url]