Compatibility and Konana’s Software Ecosystem

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One of the biggest criticisms of Vista, especially the 64-bit version, is its general incapability with existing applications. This release greatly impedes outside access to the kernel⁹ – the part of the computer that manages communications between hardware and software.¹⁰ These restrictions mean that products written prior to Vista’s release (i.e. with the assumption that kernel access would remain available) are largely unable to edit the system components necessary for them to run properly, and are thus forced to operate at reduced functionality, if at all.⁹ This has been a particularly challenging problem for the makers of anti-virus software and peripheral devices (both of which rely heavily on kernel access)¹¹, who must rewrite the codes for their respective products (and release these revisions as updates for existing users) should they desire to service customers running Vista.⁹ These complications are a real-life example of Konana’s Software Ecosystem: Microsoft's decision to alter its operating system - shown above as the second innermost ring - has had profound consequences for companies involved in designing and manufacturing products that fall in the rings beyond it.