Coming Eventually...
...to a computer near you.
I used to look forward to the 'new car season' when the showrooms would pull the shrouds from the car-shaped forms underneath and we would oooh and aaaahh at the new and daring tail fins or grinning grillwork of the futuristic Fairlanes and shiek Chevettes that gleamed under the bright lights. But then, if I'm remembering right (odd or even years, maybe) when the changes were minor and ho-hum and why bother taking a trip to the motor mile. Same is true with computer software, where 'upgrades' can be all but invisible even if the crash test dummies survived better with version .01b than .01a.
Having said that, it looks like the next jump in Microsoft's major products will be worth going to the showroom to see--which you can already do, sort of.
The operating system, VISTA, is looking more and more like "WoW! I Coulda had a V8" except it's MacIntosh's GUI that we coulda had long time ago. They claim intuitive and secure. We'll see. Take the tour.
And Office 12 has some major rethinks in all the components, but mostly I am interested in Word and particularly, OneNote. The latter program is one I've tried to rely on while it is still missing some obvious pieces. It will get most of those pieces in Office 12.
So, I guess I'll have to go back to teaching next year so I can get the academic discount on these two bundles. The only other way to do that would be to replace the desktop. Hmmmm. With an Apple, maybe?
Comments
So, Phred is shilling for Bill Gates now.
Vista, like too many MS products, will be a virus magnent and most likely unstable and need numerous patches.
Why wait for MS to try and catch up with Mac's interface? Just use a Mac. Most photo and graphics pros do.
Posted by: Doug Thompson | January 6, 2006 8:11 AM
My 2 cents is that Fred's interests seem to fit the Apple rather than IBM. As far as excitement over cars, you may still get that feeling (in an immature kind of way) if the big 3 bring back some retro designs. Ford has been successful with its retro Mustang, and now Dodge is planning on resurrecting a retro-looking Challenger. Practical and efficient it will not be, but possibly fun, fun, fun.
http://automobilemag.com/photo_gallery/0602_dodge_challenger/
Posted by: Jim | January 6, 2006 9:52 AM
Yumm...Apples are tasty and good for overall well-being. I especially love the Macintosh flavor ;-)
Posted by: Marie | January 7, 2006 3:28 PM
I just want to tell you how much I enjoyed your radio essay about your wood stove. Here are my thoughts, generated as I listened:
I too have the same reverence for this family member. Children now gone and husband deceased, the feeding and cleaning of this iron companion brings great comfort. It has been a bit of a bother lately but at least I have 'someone' to warm me and to fuss at every day.
Thanks for sharing your sentiments.
Posted by: Christine Stacy | January 12, 2006 8:12 PM