The Search for Alternate Fuels (aka Microsoft Rant)

As of late, I have been slowly straying away from Microsoft and towards alternate methods of computing.  I already have been primarily using iTunes for quite a while now instead of Windows Media Player (*shudder*).  I downloaded Google Chrome when it first came out but I did not use it primarily until recently, when I completely stopped using Internet Explorer and even deleted all the shortcuts and quick-tabs for it.  If I want to use IE now, I need to search for it in my Start Menu.  When I started video editing a few years ago, my main tool was Windows Movie Maker.  Now, I don’t touch that program unless to look at it in nostalgia or to teach my mother some basic video-making.  (Seriously, I bought a program from Wal-Mart for $20 that was better than Movie Maker.)  Even at this very moment, I am in the process of making sure that all my music has been converted to an iTunes-compatible format so that I can delete all of my WMA (Windows Media Audio) files.  I suppose that my inspiration for moving away from Microsoft is from my friend Allan, who is self-declared anti-Microsoft.  His passion against Microsoft runs on an even deeper and more passionate level. 

The problem with being against Microsoft is that they have had primary control over the computing world for too long of a time.  It is only in the past 5 years or so that companies such as Google and Apple have been making innovations that are putting Bill Gates in his place.  (I laughed when I heard that Gates was momentarily no longer the richest man in the world.)  Something that simply would have not been needed even 3 years ago is Microsoft advertising.  They actually need to make an effort now.  The ever-expanding alternate tools to Microsoft are bringing the company to its knees.  An empire can only last so long.  (Parallel to Rome anyone?) 

I must make it clear that I do not boycott Microsoft in any way.  Reasons why include: the longstanding infusion that it has made in the computing world (which make it hard to get away from); I am not completely displeased with everything they make (after all, I am still content with Messenger, Hotmail, and the wonderful wireless mouse that I have); and seriously, I am too cheap or wary of making a serious conversion away from Window, such as buying a Mac or switching my OS to Linux.  After all, Microsoft isn’t the only one that has flaws.  Even king-of-the-web Google has its flaws (see this story for details on its latest crash http://bit.ly/CxQ1h)

Just like petroleum, there are just not enough options for alternate fuels for Microsoft’s presence, but slowly we are getting there.

Quote of the day:

The only place where success comes before work is a dictionary.

   -Vidal Sassoon-

Word of the day: assiduous:

\uh-SIJ-oo-uhs\ , adjective:

1. Constant in application or attention; devoted; attentive.

2. Performed with constant diligence or attention; unremitting; persistent; as, "assiduous labor."