Should it have been titled Windows Wasteland?

Microsoft recently announced the name of its next version of Windows, to be called Windows Vista. Previously codenamed Longhorn, it has been a huge disappointment to reviewers who obtained advance copies.

Longhorn build 5048 is hugely disappointing from an end user perspective because it shows how far behind Microsoft is in delivering the next client version of Windows. — Paul Thurrott

Focusing on user interface improvements, and not even managing to get those right, Microsoft has dropped several previously planned technologies from the release, such as WinFS.

It’s unclear just what exactly Windows Vista will provide as major improvements over previous versions of Windows. Supposedly you will be able to better organize and search your files, for one, but nobody seems to be too impressed with this feature. But isn’t it so pretty?

Microsoft says, “In today’s digital world, you want the PC to adapt to you, so you can cut through the clutter and focus on what’s important to you.” But Windows has been forever focused on removing users’ control over their own computer. Microsoft says, “[Windows Vista] enables a new level of confidence in your PC and in your ability to get the most out of it.” But Windows inspires much more fear and loathing than confidence.

If you really want control of your computer, and confidence in it, you have to dump Windows.

Update: XeroCool reports that Windows Vista may be facing legal trouble already. Vista, a Redmond, Wash., company, has stated they may sue Microsoft over the name Windows Vista. You’d think someone would have noticed that company just down the street.