FFS... I was a Macintosh user from around 1992 to 2005. I then switched to Windows but this year I'm planning to switch back. This sort of behaviour is driving users away and they STILL can't see it.
Interesting - that's around the time I reluctantly bought a MacBook for research, thus using a Mac for the second time. The first time was at work in the 90s, but I really didn't get on with OS 9 so my expectations were low (also because I used Linux at home). I wasn't prepared for how good OS X was, but I've stuck with OSX since, and so have my customers - none want to switch back.
That said, OSX is IMHO strictly a desktop OS, I'm not a massive fan of OSX server when compared to what you can do with Linux and the BSDs.
This is why I sort of understand Microsoft's desperation. By making MSOOXML an ISO standard (OK, a pretend one, but they had to partially open the hatch here) they've opened the door to competition on the Office front. Worse, ODF is already an EU government standard, and you can get free software that does the job just fine unless you're in the minority that uses deep, complex spreadsheets. On the OS side, there are desktops around that are cheaper, and that have a better integration with mobile, both at a better price point. Leaving aside for a moment the price of personal information, you can get by with what Google offers, or you can go to the Apple camp which costs more in hardware, but professional software is far cheaper and far more user friendly (read: more efficient) which makes for a favourable TCO.
Next, they botched their eternal get-out clause. Before that fateful day, if something didn't work it was always you fault for buying the wrong hardware. Linux users already knew that to be a load of baloney, but at the golf course level the excuse worked. Unfortunately, they then brought out a device where they fully controlled both the hardware and the software, at a price point where it would only ever land on the desk of a decision maker - and they STILL couldn't get things to work properly. Oops..
If Microsoft don't get people locked into a subscription model for both OS and Office pretty damn quick they will lose all their victims customers to the more appealing alternatives for the two most important sources of income for the company. In other words, it's now of never. That's also why they're cosying up to Linux - notice that they don't enhance any Linux components, but try to get you to run their stuff on it? The recent .NET offering is a good example of that: abandon established frameworks, please use ours. I'd be very, VERY careful with that.
In summary, Microsoft do not have much of a choice. And thus, neither have you if you want to continue suffering Windows. You will either have to go along with it all - or do what many others have already done. Given the current stress levels, it is unlikely that those who jump ship will ever return to Windows. It's a good thing they still have golf buddies, "friendly" government officials and an advertising budget that can buy favourable press..
Biting the hand that feeds IT
