The month ahead: Can Windows 7 close the Vista flop chapter?

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>> Sumi Das: Hello. I'm Sumi Das for ZDNet. As we take a look at the month ahead, it's apparent that conference season is in full swing, but before we get to any of that, the 800-pound gorilla in the room is Windows 7. Joining us now to talk about October is our Senior Editor, Sam Diaz. OK, Sam. So it's going to be a few weeks before the release of Windows 7. It's going to happen later in the month, but there is some early word out there. Tell us what the buzz is so far and really what does this mean for Microsoft?

>> Sam Diaz: Well, the early buzz is all pretty positive actually. The reviews have come in on Windows 7. People tend to like what they see. The security, the stability, the user interface, all getting positive reviews, and you know, that's actually a very good thing for Microsoft. You know, Microsoft has had a rough couple of years. It's no secret that Windows Vista was a bit of a nightmare there -

>> Sumi Das: Just a bit.

>> Sam Diaz: Customers, customers still looking at Windows xp all these years later. So there's a lot at stake. You know, Microsoft used to come out with a top-notch, world class piece of software. They lost a little bit of market share. Apple's gotten some interest out there. The marketing campaigns really haven't taken off, and there's, there's really a lot here for Microsoft to, to bank on, and so far it's looking like this could be a winner.

>> Sumi Das: Even you, a self-professed Mac fan, is excited about this release.

>> Sam Diaz: I have to admit. I am exited about it. I mean, it's been a long time coming. I've been a little bit of a Windows basher, and I'm trying to keep an open mind. Take a look at Windows 7, and, and look at it for what it is.

>> Sumi Das: Well done, Sam. We are in the thick of it in terms of conferences. What are the big events coming up this month, and what can we expect to hear from them?

>> Sam Diaz: Well, we've got several conferences online this month. First of all, the Oracle Open World is a big show here in San Francisco. You know, that's really important because Oracle, of course, has made its bid to acquire Sun Micro Systems, and now that's facing some delay because of the concerns about My S2L over in Europe. So there's some delays there potentially, and so that sort of leads to questions to what it is we're going to be talking about. What sort of offerings will they be showing at Oracle World. Lot of companies that are interested in what the products are as they maybe resume spending in 2010. You know, I'm going to be heading down to sunny San Diego for the CTIA IT and Wireless Show. I mean, it's a big show. Mobile is a big thing right now, and even companies that previous weren't in the mobile space now are. So, for example, you've got keynotes by AT&T executives, which, of course -

>> Sumi Das: crosstalk inaudible depressing

>> Sam Diaz: Absolutely. But then you've also got the Yahoo Mobile executives there, too, talking about apps and sort of their thoughts about mobile. You know, Larry Dignan will be out in Atlanta for the Gartner IT Expo. Always a big deal. Talking about, you know, IT trends. And of course, we've got Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco, and you know, Web 2.0, that's one of those phrases that's sort of become pass?. I'm really interested in seeing what sort of things they're going to talk about at this Expo and how they can sort of elevate Web 2.0 beyond sort of the stuff we've seen already. Some Cloud computing, some social networks. I want to see what they have to say there.

>> Sumi Das: You want to see Web 2.0 grow up and mature?

>> Sam Diaz: Yeah. I want don't want to hear Web 2.0 anymore.

>> Sumi Das: OK.

>> Sam Diaz: laughs

>> Sumi Das: These conferences, the announcements expected from them, the release of Windows 7, the holidays coming up, is this going to provide the necessary momentum that the economy needs to really recover and get back on its feet, at least in the tech industry?

>> Sam Diaz: To a certain extent, I think it is. There's a lot of pent-up demand out there on the Windows side. Consumers, business customers, they've been waiting for Windows 7. So now it's time to spend. Now, of course, that doesn't mean we're going to see an instant turnaround on October 23rd, but all signs sort of point to 2010 for some recovery, some more spending. I think that as customers, both consumers and the enterprise, see some of the offerings at these conferences. As they get their hands on Windows 7, the holiday season comes around, some, some of these things, I think that you're actually going to see a nice little boost in the economy, at least in the tech industry.

>> Sumi Das: So the question is, can Windows 7 be the cash for clunkers for the technology industry?

>> Sam Diaz: You know, I actually think to a certain extent, it can be.

>> Sumi Das: It's a possibility.

>> Sam Diaz: Maybe.

>> Sumi Das: And you will keep an eye on it for us.

>> Sam Diaz: Absolutely.

>> Sumi Das: And you'll be blogging about it, I'm sure.

>> Sam Diaz: Oh, every day.

>> Sumi Das: Sam, thanks so much for being with us today.

>> Sam Diaz: Sure. Thank you for having me.

>> Sumi Das: For more, head to blogs.zdnet.com.

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==== Transcribed by Automatic Sync Technologies ====