The truth behind Vista’s latest delay is much bigger than just an odd patch here and there. Forget what you hear about “Microsoft’s decision to prioritise quality” – that just doesn’t wash if a roll out for the volume license spenders is still on schedule. To keep them happy, at least the fundamentals for the OS kernel and a basic interface must be in place. But to make the big splash that’s required for the rest of us, the whole concept of what an OS should be is more likely under review.

Microsoft needs the public to not just buy into Vista, but to also buy into the concept that this is the only OS shell they’ll ever need, and the easiest way to do this is to segment the feature set as much as possible. As each area of operation becomes out-dated, it can be swapped with the cutting edge version using a Live service download or other method of bolt-on. We already know that plans to unlock components via the Internet have been built into the new release: buy the most basic version and you also get some installed but inactive features, ready to be activated on demand for a small charge.

Vista needs to be the bees knees release if it’s to be the last ever full release of a Windows OS before MS uses the Vista foundation to move over to the bolt-on approach for computing … but the current model has suggested that ‘just another Windows release’ is on the cards.

Blame it on the long gestation period if you will. A decision made at Vista’s inception – possibly as far back as the Millennium – could have polarised all the developers, product managers, marketeers and, ultimately, Bill into one direction. But the market’s moved beyond the original conception requirements – especially for the home – and ‘just another OS’ just won’t do.

Once we’ve gone through the full-blown Vista release, those users and new users could be paying for Vista as an access system. New users would receive a Vista core on a reduced-cost consumer electronics type system, tailor made for the initially required functions, but all the while able to accept micro payments for bolt-ons to increase functionality. Existing Vista users would continue to receive updates and patches but any release as equivalent in substance as Media Center would be a paid for bolt-on.

Of course, Microsoft has dabbled with extending Windows to other devices for some time, but dedicated coding for different form factors brought its own problems for consumers. The difference now is that the form factors in question are different computer platforms atop similar hardware being used around the home for any number of technological reasons. Importantly, these devices all feature broadband access, which of course is required for the micro payment update model.

The argument for extending this model over to a pure subscription-based OS forevermore is compelling – the consistent revenue stream will be more than the sum of all license seats for Windows XP. At last count, roughly six and a half million people pay a £10 monthly World of Warcraft subscription. Windows XP has existed for over five years now – applying WOW’s figures would have raked in over £600 per copy, compared with the off-the-shelf price of around £250 for the Pro edition. And quite a few more people use Windows than pretend to be orcs!

So forget any smokescreen Microsoft comments about security fixes and entertainment patches; computing needs a completely new approach if an OS is to be vital and relevant again. Much of this model is visiting old territory, but the business shift of MS finally devolving its OS to these levels will be far more radical than the mere technology … and will take more time to get right.