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When a movie is as successful as James Cameron’s movie Avatar has been, Hollywood takes notice. We can assume that other studios and directors have taken copious notes on how to clone this generation’s answer to Star Wars (or at least we can be sure the movie studios will try). If they’re smart, the operating systems folks in Redmond are also learning from Avatar and are taking lessons on making the next iteration of Windows a blockbuster.

There’s no arguing that Windows 7 is a competent sequel to Windows XP, and much more crowd-pleasing than Windows Vista. Microsoft has done a good job at improving the OS as well as its relationship with its users and the rest of the computer industry. Windows 7 is faster and easier to use than Vista, and includes some significant improvements in the UI. But there’s always room for improvement.

As a Linux user, I often feel as though I’m part of the audience for Windows releases. I’m not taking part in the action, but it’s fun to watch from the sidelines. Here’s a few tips Microsoft could take from Avatar to make Windows 8 (or whatever the next version is called in the end) a hit with users.

Take as Long as Necessary

Cameron originally planned on releasing Avatar in 1999. People like to pick on Microsoft for missing deadlines? Avatar missed it by a decade! But Avatar got it right. Entirely right. Okay, calling the mystery element “unobtanium” was pretty silly if you don’t know its background (it’s engineering slang for any material that’s either non-existent or unreasonably expensive), but the special effects were seamless, the 3D actually delivered, and the characters and plot were just what audiences wanted.

And that’s what Microsoft needs to do with its next OS: Deliver a seamless experience that is just what the audience (and the IT guys) want. The next iteration of Windows is already in design, with Microsoft talking about a 2012 ship date for Windows 8. I’m not sure that’s enough time for Microsoft to turn out a new vision for an operating system.

Even though the company will get ripped in the press over its ship dates, Microsoft would do well to take an extra year or two to nail Windows 8. What does “nailing it” look like? Obviously, Windows 8 will compete in a much different environment than does Windows 7 or did Windows XP before it.

Go Native

First of all, Microsoft needs to go native. Native, in this case, means the Web. Just like our hero in Avatar, Microsoft’s next OS must take a cue from Jake Sully and learn from natives in their environment.

This means Windows 8 should be built to work seamlessly with Web-based applications. Not just Microsoft applications, though I’m sure that Microsoft is working hard at integrating its own Web-based tools into Windows 8.

No, Microsoft needs to find ways to plug into the entire Web-based neural network, even Google’s. While it might seem crazy at first, the best way for Microsoft to stay ahead of the game is to be fully interoperable with its competitors. For instance, using Google’s APIs to build in features to work directly from Windows in Google Docs, or doing more to integrate with popular Web apps like the 37 Signals suite of productivity tools.

A New Approach to Security

Towards the end of Avatar, things looked pretty grim for the Na’vi. The company’s superior firepower seemed sure to overwhelm the Na’vi and lay waste to Pandora’s natural defenses. But a funny thing happened on the way to the apocalypse at the Tree of Souls: The Na’vi changed tactics and pulled off a decisive victory. Why? Aside from the mandatory happy ending, it’s because the Na’vi tried something different.

Microsoft should think hard about revising its security model, rather than relying on third-party anti-virus products and complicated User Access Control nags that teach users to just hit “OK” rather than think about what they’re installing or giving access to.

Though Windows’ security has improved drastically over the years, it still has room for improvement. Most importantly, Microsoft needs to do what it can to simplify security and to lift the burden off of the end user.

Recently, one of Microsoft’s senior vice presidents acknowledged that the current crop of botnets is a major problem, and most (though not all) of those bots are running Windows. It’s going to take a combination of engineering, design, and education to improve the situation. Microsoft is in a place to not only improve the security of its products, but also to include user-friendly education on computer security and how each user can be more secure in their computing habits.

Simplify

And security is not all that needs to be simplified. One thing that lesser film critics hammered Cameron on for Avatar is the fact that the film is, well, predictable. Or as some would have it: simple.

The movie’s plot is, no doubt, as obvious as they come. But that’s what most people want. They want the good guys to triumph. Movie audiences want beautiful scenery and heroes they can love, villains they can despise, and a thrilling ride to a satisfying ending. A few explosions along the way never hurt.

With the exception of the explody bits, that’s pretty much what users want from an operating system as well. Simple, beautiful, and they want to win in the end.

In this case, winning means getting stuff done without too much pain and suffering.

While Windows 7 may be Microsoft’s best offering to date, it still could do with some simplification. Start with the several tiers of Windows versions that are offered to users. Microsoft offers a dizzying number of Windows 7 versions. Home, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, etc. Complexity is the enemy of good.

The same is true of the Windows 7 interface. While Aero is an improvement, Microsoft is still compromising on the design front. The company should radically redesign the Windows interface to make it much, much simpler. Fewer steps to get things done, fewer options to choose from.

Yes, users will say that they need this or that option, but if you look over at the Mac camp they’re getting plenty done in far fewer steps. The corporation exploring Pandora had big bad technology; the Na’vi got it done with what had evolved naturally. Microsoft could learn a thing or two from the big blues, and I don’t mean IBM.

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