In XP, there is software to write files to a CD, un-zip files, and browse the net. But, like a lot of people, I never use them, I use Nero, I use Winzip, I use Firefox.
If I write a letter, I use OpenOffice, not wordpad. Anyone using Paint? And the list goes on and on, and how much of this is tied to the OS?
Just look at how Messenger is fixed to Outlook, and how IE6 is fixed to the OS, open a web page with it, then open a folder on your computer and click on Tools – Folder Options – View, then select Show hidden files and folders. Click OK and watch the Web page refresh. That doesn’t happen in Firefox.
Give me the platform and let me build on it. I will pick what’s important. And a small, tightly run OS would be screaming fast, and those clock cycles could be used to make games run faster too.
Now that would be innovation.