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Microsoft seems to be moving fast on a new operating system. The big commerical blitz for Windows 7 assured the consumer that this would be the most user friendly system the company had ever produced. It is easy to navigate, but whether the average user notices is questionable. There is a certain segment of society who knows very little about their computers. They just want to turn them on and have them work. Windows 7 does that. Therefore, is Windows 8 operating system coming too soon? Is it really necessary?

If Microsoft is starting leak rumors about it, then it must be on its way. To computer geeks, this is exciting. It hints at new technologies to come that will be beyond the hardware and systems people are operating today. One bit of internet gossip claims that Windows 8 and its cornerstone Microsoft Office softeware will be something people can just dive right in to. If it’s that user friendly, then it will be great. If it leaves the older computer user in a state of confusion, it could be a customer service problem. For instance, older computer users are confused by the newest Microsoft Office software. The tabbed tool bar is set up under some kind of youth logic that leaves the older user in the dust. To shift something more simple, like Works or Wordpad, will only create more confusion since they aren’t always compatible with other software.

None of the technology is perfect, but it all needs to be as simple and learnable as possible to satisfy the masses. Hopefully, Windows 8 will be a smooth transition that is inclusive of all generations of users. The other scary part is wondering when some of the older operating systems will become obsolete. When does 2000 become unsupported? Should people be replacing computers as fast as Microsoft replaces operating systems? Technology is a great thing, but sometimes it gets a little self gratuitous and forgets to make itself accessible to the people who buy it.