Microsoft–A Tribute

I’m told that coffee is an acquired taste, a grown up’s drink of ecstasy to brighten up your day or socialize. The beauty about an acquired taste is that once you start appreciating it, few other things can convince you to get out of the habit. No matter what marketing campaigns you carry out, making headway in such a mind-set is definitely a challenge.

 

A few companies push products by saying they are the best in the world. Few are ready to give you freedom and a few are willing to build whatever you want. A couple of months back, I had written my mind out about Apple and how the world’s most valuable company innovated to give it’s customers amazing products. Today though, we’ll look into my perspectives about it’s arch rival, Microsoft. When we started looking at computers, very few had Macs. I guess that holds good even to this day, at least in my country. We learnt how to type, play games, share media and even go to the extent of developing something personal. For most of us, this was on a PC. Forget the fact that it was probably not a legitimate copy of the software, the moment you mention the word computer and software, the ‘Start’ button and a Windows symbol came to your mind. I’ve been told that a Mac is easier to use and more intuitive, but for someone who learnt his baby steps of computing on a Windows device, nothing matches that experience. Yes it’s a bit clumsy and asks your permission for most tasks. Yes it has two buttons and types of clicks. Once mastered though, there’s nothing like it. It’s an acquired taste.

 

My day consists of a lot of reading, browsing through automotive and technology articles. When I read these so called ‘tech’ sites, they seem to unnecessarily complicate things. I sometimes wonder if they have actually fully used a Windows OS. Maybe I under estimate the penetration of technology in the US, but I honestly feel that so many devices, applications and money are not necessary here. If all you want is to carry out everyday tasks without much fuss, your PC is a lot more powerful than you think. Let me not even get started on the number of gaming titles available. Many argue that Windows is not a secure OS and that it crashes/works at it’s own will. Well, to such critics my answer is that the freedom exercised is a result of all this. How many do you think use authentic copies of software and update PCs regularly. Windows may not be as open as a Linux platform, but there is enough freedom coupled with a reasonably well controlled eco-system built into it. Most of us do not go beyond the usual suite of applications and strongly feel the need to jump into these so called “Post PC” products, but the point is you don’t really need to. Spend a few hours exploring the tools and extras available as standard on your OS, you’ll really be amazed at it’s capabilities.

 

The best thing about technology is to build a temper rather than bias a system. I love my iPod, Playbook and Windows Phone combination. In this era where companies want to lock us down into their eco-system, these devices let me explore new possibilities and rather than be tied down by the limitations of all, each complement the other very well. Let’s not forget my Windows 7, which is helping me maintain all this smoothly and efficiently. Microsoft may not brag about many abilities of their products, but sure do how to make excellent ones. Go on, click that Start icon and go to some of the unexplored tabs that you see, you’ll start wondering why you blame them so much. With tools ranging from media centre, unified mailboxes to live blogging, the acquired taste that it is, it’ll take a lot of time before you move to a different tech world.

 

P.S: Posting this from ‘Windows Live Writer’. Bet most didn’t know it even existed!