Ever since the Windows 8 release date has been uncovered, so has the cloud of rumors. Most users and computer experts expect a late 2011 / early 2012 release of the operating system, and hopefully again, that will be a beta or so, cause we don’t want a half-assed OS (just look at Vista ). I also found some information online  about a recently leaked Windows 8 product cycle chart that provides the answers needed to determine the release date of the next Windows OS by Microsoft.

Please notice that I do not host this image, but you can take a look at the direct image here, but I suggest you do, so you’ll know what the hell I’m talking about. Looking at the chart, you can tell that it lists the planning, development and readiness product cycle of Windows 8 and related Microsoft products such as Internet Explorer 9, Windows Live Wave 4, Windows Live Wave 5 and Windows 7. It also lists all the major events.

There have also been a lot of talks and some events and products have already been held / released and it is possible to pinpoint the release date of Windows 8 by making the remaining calculations. From the image link above, it shows Forum I and Forum II have been major events, the former held in December 2009, most likely at the Professional Developers Conference, the latter in April 2010. The listing lists four additional events, Forum III to Forum VI and the next two events fall into the development phase of Windows 8, the remaining two into the readiness phase.

Windows 7 was confirmed to be released sometime around 2010 at the earliest or possibly 2011, according to engadget. While some geeks might be eager to try out the new Windows 7, some of us (including myself) still think that Windows 7 is being brought out too fast, and anything that is brought out too fast is expected to have problems, if you want some proof, just take a look at your Windows Vista desktop (if you’re using it, that is).  I for one, think that Windows 7 should be given more time despite it “fantastic view” of its improved desktop effects and more shortcut features, Windows 7 should have been given more time to work out its full issues (oh yeah, it has issues) before it hits the market.

A security flaw not too recent ago that has been getting some attention even though the situation has been somewhat fixed by Microsoft’s security research team which involved a bookit that allowed hackers to fully control your Windows 7 operating system, scary at first, but it was actually gone quite fast when Microsoft security researchers released a fix, but if Microsoft is going to be acting like Windows 7 is going to be the s*** when it comes out, why are cracks are already starting to show in Windows 7?

Others don’t even think that’s not really the case here, they think the case is that many of who have just have gotten Windows Vista or have been hyped about Windows Vista since its first release, it comes to mind about “What will happen to Vista after Windows 7?” And that indeed a good question, was Microsoft just trying to milk Vista? I don’t know exactly what will happen to Vista, but I am pretty sure that XP will sure survive longer than we expected beacuse Microsoft has committed to continue selling Windows XP Home to netbook makers for at least 12 months after the launch of Windows 7, or through October 2010.

Something that also gets me, is that there will also be different versions of Windows 7 just like Windows Vista. Not as much, but there will be a Home Premium,  Professional, and Ultimate version of Windows 7. Prices are also half price on some retailers if you preorder, but I don’t know about Windows 7 yet….

Windows 7 Improved GUI

Windows 7 might be too early to release but there have been some good outcomes from it. There are some upsides to Windows 7, the GUI (Graphical User Interface) has been modified to suit our needs (especially those of us who have like 100 windows open all the time), it was quite a mess in XP and somewhat in Vista, but the new GUI doesn’t show the title (mainly the icon), and it just takes a few days before we start remembering what each icon is.

The Aero feature also has been made…. pretty…er on Windows 7. Allowing you to view many windows in one just like in Windows Vista thumbnail preview feature on your taskbar. I wouldn’t be too surprised if all of us have to go through another hardware upgrade just to see those beautiful graphics in Windows 7 and to get the speed we want using the operating system. But the system requirements don’t differentiate too much from Vista system requirements.

While many users might not agree 100% on the release of Windows 7 (there will always be two opposing sides no matter what of course), do you think that Windows 7 could be released a little early to the market? I would like to see some comments from current Vista users on what would happen to Vista after the release of Windows 7, it’s only a matter of time before the time comes Vista users…..