App-V 4.5 is Here
As you may have seen by now, Microsoft Application Virtualization, which now goes by the
cool moniker of App-V, has been relased to manufacturing (RTM) (note that RTM used to have more meaning. It meant that product would be available in a month or so; nowadays, with downloads the main distribution method, it's normally a day or so before availability. Not too much "manufacturing" in the process anymore.)
The latest version, App-V 4.5, is the first rebranded name for what was SoftGrid. And it looks good, too. What continues to rankle me, however, is that it's only available as part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) for Software Assurance (SA). In other words, you need to buy into SA to get App-V. What if you don't want the MDOP or SA? Why should you have to pay a monthly fee to get a program that you should be able to buy as packaged software? It's the fact that Microsoft is taking away your right to choose, forcing you into supporting its steady revenue stream, that chafes me.
Does it do the same to you? Let me know.
Posted by Keith Ward on 09/05/2008 at 12:48 PM