Time shifting is an honored tradition, being able to record TV shows is something that makes time shifting something that you want to do, unfortunately reports are coming in that NBC has started using the broadcast flag, and Vista is obeying it.

This screen cap is coming from justinjas, a blogger who was trying to record “American Gladiator” using his Vista PC. If this had been a regular old TV to Tape, he would not have had this problem, but since he was using Vista, the setting that NBC used “no allowed recording” kept him from time shifing his Television show to a time that he could have sat down and watched it. Justin states:

Since when did over the air NBC start putting broadcast flags on their programs. I don’t know if this is specific to my local station (WNCN) but this is the first time I’ve ever ran into this message. I can pause, rewind, fast foward (and still skip commercials) but no recording for viewing later. Thanks NBC. Source: Justinjas

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This article should probably start with the acknowledgement that ZDNet’s readers don’t represent the average person; a poll of them isn’t the best measure of America (or the world). Still, 48 percent of respondents in a ZDNet poll can see themselves running XP six years from now.

From Microsoft’s perspective, this is disastrous. Hardware failures and changes of heart may keep the stat from coming true, but regardless, the company’s obviously behind in public opinion. It’s as if people would let every aspect of their online and computer-related lives be slow and behind the times just to avoid Vista.

Also, the date of 2014 goes beyond when Windows 7 is due to be released. I’m just trying to make my six-year-old computer (which runs XP) last through that launch; about 2,090 ZDNet respondents seem ready to let it pass, too.

At that rate, it’s hard to believe they’re not considering Macs or Linux as eventual alternatives. People don’t collect operating systems like classic cars, and sticking with XP shouldn’t be taken as a sign of love for Windows or Microsoft.

Hopefully the ZDNet poll will get enough attention within Microsoft that the company will dedicate more time and money to addressing certain issues and winning back a following.