Frank feedback about Windows Server 2008
Posted
Monday, April 28, 2008 12:37 AM
by
sdeming
Q: (from John)
Follow-up from Philadelphia Heroes presentation.
Well, Server 2008 is almost as frustrating as Vista, but not entirely. Basic maintenance tasks are hidden away. Servers are meant to be easier to IT managers not more difficult.
We really need a task converter. You enter the clicks or menu items in 2003 or XP and it tells you where the same task is in Vista or 2008. THAT should be part of the standard install, not IE Enhanced Security or password policy set for complex passwords.
For example that irritating IE Enhanced Security Configuration goes in by default. But Add/Remove Programs no longer even gives a hint as to where you remove Windows components. It should at least give you a hint. And it's not under IE options. Why is it in the Server Manager in an obscure security setting?
Windows 2008 and Vista needs to give you a choice on first login to show everything in Explorer. I don't know how many thousands of times I've had to change Explorer features to not hide extensions, show everything, show Details and don't Arrange in Groups and always give me the Explore view for folders.
Explore mode for Folders is also hidden. IT managers want information, not pretty icons.
Users want SPEED. I still feel that Vista is a great leap backwards in usability. Server 2008 is nearly as bad.
Why in the world do you have an icon on the Start bar to close all programs and SHUTDOWN computer. It's a server for crying out loud. It never gets turned off. Same with Install Updates and SHUTDOWN. On a server it should always be RESTART.
Entire Network or Search for Computer is missing (or hidden) I do a lot of cross VPN connections and I usualy search fora computer based on IP since local DNS nows nothing of the remote private domains.
Also trying to login to an FTP site is well hidden, even if you say Open In Explorer, there is no dialog to login, nor a menu item to "Login As.."
A:
I'm sorry to hear that you are frustrated with both the new changes to Windows Server 2008 and some of the "features" that remain un-modified after several versions. I can confirm that some of your points ring true to me as well.
Microsoft now has a feedback site for you to express your opinions/requests/frustrations direct:
http://connect.microsoft.com/WindowsServerFeedback
In addition, if you don't mind, I will forward this internally as well.
Thanks your partnership and your continued persistence in making our products better.