I read David Weinberger's account of PC woe today, and a smile ran across my face. Not because I wish ill on David; I most certainly don't (and I feel his pain). I smile because his account of having to reinstall software on his Windows machine coincides with my re-reading for the second time David Coursey's Macintosh OS X for Windows Users: A Switcher's Guide.
You see folks, I can now admit it. I am deep into the planning stage of making my next computer purchase, which will be an Apple 15" Powerbook with OS X. I'm not going to get into the Windows bashing. I like Windows 2000 and Windows XP. They're pretty stable and it's not Microsoft's fault that it has to make its products compatible with every grain of sand on the beach.
But I have several computers in my home and it's not my fault that they require constant rebooting and reinstallation of software. Or that they attract viruses like horses attract flies. Even when they work as they are supposed to they require tweaking and configuring.
Of course, all computers require maintenance, and I'm glad for the very thorough education in this process that the various versions of Windows have afforded me. So now I stand before you today a very technically savvy man, with a great respect for Microsoft engineers, as I say: I don't have the time or inclination to do it any more. I'll always have at least one computer that has Windows in my home, but starting soon I'm going to have at least one that has OS X and I suspect that will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
And I will always feel a tremendous sense of loss for the poor souls who will have chosen to remain behind, toiling in the fields of configuration and reinstallation. I'd stay behind and help, but I just can't. I'm lazy and I don't want to fight my computer anymore. When I put it to sleep I want it to go to sleep and when I open the case I want it to wake up quickly.
I have the feeling that switching to Mac OS X will be an awakening of sorts for me too. The switch to Apple is not a panacea, but I know that I won't be rebooting my computer as often as I do now. I'll let you know how it goes.
Major ephiphany going on in my life. Whassup? Well, I have previously mentioned that TiVo changed my life; but my new 15 GB iPod is even more amazing. With my new iPod, I have created my own radio station. You should get an iPod and start your own radio station.
9:36:04 AM
