Replies

Woody, I was introduced to your writing by the O’Reilly-published “…Annoyances” series (I still have my copies) and have thoroughly enjoyed your wit and insight ever since. I first subscribed to Woody’s Lounge, and your series of newsletters on Windows and the Office Suite around that time (mid-1990’s). In the intervening years, I’ve gone from teaching Microsoft Office to working an IT Help Desk, eventually branching out to support for Mac and Windows desktops, to working as a Project Manager is a non-IT field.

I have to tell you that every time I read one your articles on Windows 8 I want to hug my Mac. No OS is perfect, but in the 11 or so years I have been using Mac OS X on my primary computers at work and home, I have had NONE of the update issues I used to regularly experience with Windows. While I still occasionally use Windows 7 in a VM (current supported version at my workplace), I must say that the ONLY thing I miss about Windows at all are the better written, more full featured versions of the Office suite. The Mac version of Microsoft Office is okay and does what I need done, but it is “poor relations” to its Windows counterpart.

Thanks for your contributions to my knowledge and understanding of the Microsoft world of products. I have learned so much from your writing over the years and truly, truly owe you my entire IT career. You have my undying gratitude and even though I don’t use Windows or Windows-based Office as my primary production tools, what I learned from you about them gave me what I needed to launch a new career. Thank you.

“For Windows 8, Microsoft rethought the concepts of PC backups and created File History, a highly automated, set-and-forget archiving system. The goal was to make backing up a PC so easy and unobtrusive that most Windows users would actually do it.”

I don’t have, nor do I plan to have, Windows 8. I simply don’t see enough compelling reason to upgrade from Windows 7. That said, I am not sure whether Microsoft rethought concepts or “borrowed ideas from” for their File History system. It looks very much like a cluttered, clumsy version of Apple’s Time Machine for OS X. I’m just sayin’.

One more reason I’m so happy with my switch to a MacBook Pro 3 years ago. I now have 3 macs in my business, just wish I could scrap the 28 windows machines. Although I primarily love it for the increased efficiency and productivity, when it comes to new software versions, $29.

I have to agree. Reading about the “convergence of devices” with Windows 8, and the continuing confusion of SKU’s makes me very happy to have switched to Mac as my primary computer a few years ago. I still run Win7 Enterprise at work (as a VM on my Mac) for those rare occasions when certain internal web applications or plug-ins for Outlook (Infuzer, which I love) not available on Mac are needed, but I rarely even start it up.

Like others here, I actually wish MSFT the best because I think marketplace competition is good for everyone…and I still have to use Windows now and then. I think this article illustrates the problem well, though. While Apple focuses on doing a few things very well (not perfect, I understand that) and simplifies as much as possible (two versions total for computer; one for consumer/workstation, one for servers, same iOS for all mobile devices), we have MSFT – again – muddying the waters and confusing customers with a dizzying array of versions. Then they force you to pay for that ONE feature you may need by having to purchase a “higher” version of the product. UGH. They need a Zen Master or something.