Vista Capable class action stripped

[PrntRhd]

The judge ruled the MS actions did not cause inflation in PC prices, and stripped the Class Action from the suit. If you want to sue Microsoft on this you have to do so as an individual.
This likely means Microsoft will walk on this one.

http://www.techflash.com/microsoft/Judge_strips_class-action_status_from_Vista_Capable_lawsuit_39810607. html
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/02/judge-pares-back-vista-capable-suit-no-longer-class-action.ars

[julie20099]

In sum, Microsoft engaged in bait and switch–assuring consumers they were purchasing ‘Vista Capable’ machines when, in fact, they could obtain only a stripped-down operating system lacking the functionality and features that Microsoft advertised as ‘Vista.’”

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[saphalline]

Several things bother me about the "Vista Capable" fiasco.

First and foremost, M$ really needs to take responsibility for the root of the issue. They let the marketing department go crazy on an ad compaign without checking with the developers! A seriously botched case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand was doing! What? Did their Exchange server go down and lose a bunch of "hey what does this mean?" emails!?

Secondly, I think some resonsibility needs to be taken on behalf of consumers. Caveat emptor and all that. The mere fact that "Vista Capable" existed alongside "Vista Ready" should have raised some red flags! I mean, come on! If everyone is really going to be as gullible as all that, then what do you expect!?

Thirdly, I believe the "big box" stores need to fry right after M$ on this one! I know for a fact that at least a few people on this planet really did question the "Vista Capable" vs "Vista Ready" cr@p, and they really did ask questions. Unfortunately, they asked employees who worked at the "big box" stores and relied on their "expertise" to help them form decisions. Now yes, technically this could fall under caveat emptor as well, but if M$ is partnering with its distributors to roll out a new OS, I would expect them to all take responsibility together! I've heard that in some stores, M$ employees or contractors were actually the ones who set up new displays for Vista. In which case, how hard is it to corner a few sales people and ask "hey, you understand this, right?"? Or better yet, the store manager!