August, 25 2003

In order to provide some balance on my blog, I hereby point out that there is plenty to like about Microsoft Windows:

• Windows – especially XP – often just works, even on hardware that is a little dodgy.
• MS do usability testing, and the results show in better and better UIs with each release.
• The individual releases are well defined and publicised ahead of time.
• Binary compatability between releases is pretty good.
• With a minimal amount of training, most users know enough to be able to do all the basics: edit a file, save it and email it.
• NT/2K/XP is a solid Java platform.
• More software available than any other OS. Most new software appears on windows first.
• Runs on the PC, the most popular computing platform in the world. In fact, windows is largely responsible for the popularity of the PC.
• Windows XP brings multi-media functions to more users than
• The bundled web browser Internet Explorer is full featured and extendible with plug-ins. Almost every web site in the world is Internet Explorer compatible.
• Better than MS-DOS for almost any given task.