Actually, I'm pretty pleased with Vista--especially on new hardware. If someone has XP and buys Vista as an upgrade, that's just stupid. Pre-installed on new hardware it should work with all the drivers on the machine. The only thing it might not work with is some old printer or maybe some VPN software. It sounds like the./ crowd is just being anti-new. What was wrong with DOS and the command line anyway.
On a new machine--for consumer and business--I'd go with vista. The DRM seems to be a non-issue for me. WMP plays my CD's and legally ripped music just fine. I haven't noticed any DRM overhead.
I looked into installing one of the phone home tracker on a recent laptop purchase and decided against it.
Even if the device worked and reported the IP address and the IP address could be localized would anyone do anything about it? In most big cities if your car is stolen or your home is robbed you might get a police to come out and look in a day or two. Most likely, you'll just get the answer to file a police report and call your insurance company. Somehow, I doubt if the cops are going to do a dragnet to recover a couple hundred dollar laptop.
Secondly, as a Windows user I've learned that the more crapware and especially drivers that you install the less stable your machine is. I decided that the risk of a crappy driver causing a crash is probably worse than the slight chance of recovering a machine.
If I was really concerned about the data, I'd go with the full TPM encryption route (Vista bitlocker) and maybe the remote wipe.
Although I initially disliked the ribbon, after using it for a couple of months I find the menu bar so 2000's. The ribbon really does expose more commands and make them easier to find. Other features I like about Word 2007 include the live preview and a very smart right click menu. The spell checker and suggestions are pretty dead on, and the new grammer checker is actually useful enough to leave on.
Other features I find valuable in word include macros and really powerful indexes and table of contents. The whole color scheme and master documents (although difficult to learn) really are helpful.
The real problem with word is that it needs to satisfy a large number of users with different expectations. Everyone who uses word says that they only use 10% of the features, yet the 10% selected is always different.
I guess the real benefit to word is complete compatibility with other word documents. For collaborative editing, going around in cycles with different software is a pain.
Given the relatively low cost of office (about $120 for home/student, and about an incremental $200 on the purchase of a new machine for a small business license) makes it pretty difficult to switch. In a corporate environment with software licensing the cost of the full office suite for a new employee is less than it costs for the office chair. Saving money a couple of bucks isn't enough of a reason to switch.
The fact that the music is selected for clean lyrics might actually be a value to some shoppers. Didn't project your value judgements on what all consumers want. Clearly there are many consumers that buy their music at WM so they must be doing something right. It's really about choice. What they are doing isn't illegal or even anti-competitive. If you don't like their policies don't shop there, if you do like their policies (or prices) spend your money at the store. It's not like they have a monopoly on music (or even inexpensive music.)
Stripped squirrels would be too easily confused with chipmunks. Spying chipmunks is a different department... and the chipmunk would need to be named Alvin.
You're right, in many cases excel is used for nothing more than making lists and orginizing information. However, every so often it's used for its right purpose -- such as financial models, forecasting, budgeting and scheduling.
Even if all it's being used for is making lists it's still a very handy program; the formatting options are much better than text editors and for quick sums and formula it beats most other options.
One of the reason excel has lasted so long and become so intrenched is that it usually does the right thing. Programs like 123 tried to force users to think logically while excel just make the right guesses. (And yes, there is a major inconsistancy with how excel handles cut, copy and paste -- but it has always done it that way.)
In office 2007, making pretty looking excel sheets is easier -- and there is a full set of colors (not 8-bit indexed). Office 2007 takes some getting used to, but it is more logically laid out than Office 2003.
If you've ever watch an excel expert their hands almost never leave the keyboard. Excel is really well designed such that almost all the commands are easily accessible from keyboard shortcuts and power users quickly come up to speed on the commands. The interface for excel is extremely well thought out making it easy for beginners to be guided through the options and power users to be able to blaze through. Excel is perhaps one of the best designed and most usable programs ever. (The OSS alternatives for excel are good for basic lists and trival spreadsheets. Excel is one reason that Open Office is unlikely to succeed in corporate environments.)
You claim "paid nothing for this device" -- in general the high-end reviewers pay for the devices -- at least the WSJ claims to. Rather than giving the devices for free to reviewers, some computer^h^h^h^h^h^h^h^h toy companies lets preferred reviewers get early review hardware in exchange for positive reviews. One or two "not the greatest thing since sliced bread" reviews and your executive and pre-release access is cut off. Have you ever wondered why all the interviews with the toy company ceo are puff pieces?
You forgot the ability to remotely wipe a corporate phone. The windows devices have the ability on the next connect to be remotely wiped so sensitive data is protected. Not perfect, but generally better than the alternatives. (I guess the "Jame Bond-like" remote self-destruct would be a better option, but might raise some other concerns.)
In a correctly configured corporate network, individual users should not have rights to install any software. Desktop users should be running as "user" without administrator rights. This prohibits them from installing software that modifies windows or programs -- it also protects them against most viruses. In general, users should not be about to install any software other than corporate approved. Most companies have a standard image that does or doesn not include software like itunes. In many environments that isn't any need for itunes so it would not be installed.
Actually on the mac there is the same issue... individual users should not have the "admin" password so they will need IT support to install software like itunes (if not pre-installed).
The general answer is that Apple doesn't get corporate. This is the reason that Macs are so rare in corporate (> 500 employees) environments.
I have to agree that outlook/exchange is the killer business application. For home use, any pop or web-mail client is fine. But there's nothing close to exchange/outlook for businesses with more than 50 (or maybe 150) computers. The ability to deligate, tight calendar integration, company & project address books and a pretty decent mail client is unmatched. The web interface (which works almost as well for non-MS clients) is much better designed and easier to use than any of the alternatives. And, it looks almost the same as the outlook client version.
As a bonus, almost ever other large company is on outlook so the cross-company calendar invites work without any problems (unlike brand X software).
As for developing a version for windows: "There are no shortage of great browsers available for Linux^h^h^h^h^hWindows users, and it would be a waste of money for Apple to devote resources to a small, already saturated market (for alternatives to IE)"
Why is it that Excel (and Office in general) are wonderful mac apps and even programmed following the base platform standards, yet Mac apps that are ported to the PC always stand out like a sore thumb. I'm clearly not the only one that hates QT -- why does this app need to be in the systems tray? Is it possible to uninstall/kill quick time. Either the macs folks don't know how to program for the PC or want to kill the platform with bad software.
I think the difference is that Microsoft needs to SELL office on the Mac whereas Apple has to give away it's PC software.
And by the way, did the PC need yet another browser (beyone IE and Firefox)?
Better shoot-out. Two corporate users; one with Windows installed and maintained by corporate IT, the other trying to use Ubantu on an personal install.
Check your e-mail on the corporate server
Prepare a flawless document in PPT that's going to be emailed to your boss' boss
Update the project schedule that's maintained in MS Project on the server
Go to the corporate web site and install the active-X controll used by the payroll program
Actually... Apple isn't the first to use leds for backlighting the screens. If you notice the wording on the announcement they were very careful to say the first 15" led backlight screen. This will be translated by the public as another apple "first". It's all part of the marketing hype. See Fujitsu Beats Apple and HP to the Punch with LED-backlit Ultraportable for more details. (The Fujitsu machine also only weighs less than 3 lbs).
Actually a fair number of employer now require that employees install anti-virus software on home machines if employees are accessing work resources. Most corporate anti-virus subscriptions include home use, so it's all bundled in the employer's package. Typically these are installed as part of the VPN software so enforcement is easy. It really does cut down on the crap on home computers and could be considered an employee benefit.
Minor problem is that macs are typically not included in corporate VPNs, so evil corporate IT departments have another reason to exclude supporting macs.
Actually, I didn't cite exchange... I said IMAP (which I believe is a standards-based protocol). IMAP (with any server) doesn't work well with the Mac mail application. I cited visio and project as very useful tools for many enterprise uses. If you need to do diagrams or manage moderately complex projects these would be good choices. I was indicating the lack of two critical apps for the mac that makes them less suitable in a corporate environment. (There are other corporate apps that are not available for mac... These are just two examples that I run across frequently.)
Actually, it's IMAP running on EIMS (eudora internet mail server) -- which runs only on the Mac. It really doesn't matter which IMAP server you use, the mac mail application has subtle problems with IMAP--- annoying enough that it frequently doesn't work.
The point of locking down desktops is to improve productivty -- lower training costs, standardized procedures. Same reason why companies have standard templates and document formats. Enabling everyone to develop there own style sheets and docuements formats makes it hard to collaboratively develop documents and for the corporate branding to look consistent.
How far should you let users customize their environment?
I'm guessing that you've never used visio or project extensively. Both are very solid applications and I can't think of alternatives available on the Mac, web-based or linux that are nearly as good.
On the otherhand, if you want to lock into the Mac for a corporate purchase, just specify Garageband. Although, it might be a tougher sell as why you need it at work.
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For more accuracy you can add:
* Proof prints (from a carefully colormatched printer); frequently using a chemical process
* Print runs on test presses (sometimes used for very high volume catalogs printed on gravure presses)
And finally, there is yet another opportunity to fix color on press (mostly for offset, difficult to do with gravure)
Actually, I'm pretty pleased with Vista--especially on new hardware. If someone has XP and buys Vista as an upgrade, that's just stupid. Pre-installed on new hardware it should work with all the drivers on the machine. The only thing it might not work with is some old printer or maybe some VPN software. It sounds like the ./ crowd is just being anti-new. What was wrong with DOS and the command line anyway.
On a new machine--for consumer and business--I'd go with vista. The DRM seems to be a non-issue for me. WMP plays my CD's and legally ripped music just fine. I haven't noticed any DRM overhead.
Vote me yes on Vista.
I looked into installing one of the phone home tracker on a recent laptop purchase and decided against it.
Even if the device worked and reported the IP address and the IP address could be localized would anyone do anything about it? In most big cities if your car is stolen or your home is robbed you might get a police to come out and look in a day or two. Most likely, you'll just get the answer to file a police report and call your insurance company. Somehow, I doubt if the cops are going to do a dragnet to recover a couple hundred dollar laptop.
Secondly, as a Windows user I've learned that the more crapware and especially drivers that you install the less stable your machine is. I decided that the risk of a crappy driver causing a crash is probably worse than the slight chance of recovering a machine.
If I was really concerned about the data, I'd go with the full TPM encryption route (Vista bitlocker) and maybe the remote wipe.
A good lock is probably a better investment.
Although I initially disliked the ribbon, after using it for a couple of months I find the menu bar so 2000's. The ribbon really does expose more commands and make them easier to find. Other features I like about Word 2007 include the live preview and a very smart right click menu. The spell checker and suggestions are pretty dead on, and the new grammer checker is actually useful enough to leave on.
Other features I find valuable in word include macros and really powerful indexes and table of contents. The whole color scheme and master documents (although difficult to learn) really are helpful.
The real problem with word is that it needs to satisfy a large number of users with different expectations. Everyone who uses word says that they only use 10% of the features, yet the 10% selected is always different.
I guess the real benefit to word is complete compatibility with other word documents. For collaborative editing, going around in cycles with different software is a pain.
Given the relatively low cost of office (about $120 for home/student, and about an incremental $200 on the purchase of a new machine for a small business license) makes it pretty difficult to switch. In a corporate environment with software licensing the cost of the full office suite for a new employee is less than it costs for the office chair. Saving money a couple of bucks isn't enough of a reason to switch.
The fact that the music is selected for clean lyrics might actually be a value to some shoppers. Didn't project your value judgements on what all consumers want. Clearly there are many consumers that buy their music at WM so they must be doing something right. It's really about choice. What they are doing isn't illegal or even anti-competitive. If you don't like their policies don't shop there, if you do like their policies (or prices) spend your money at the store. It's not like they have a monopoly on music (or even inexpensive music.)
Stripped squirrels would be too easily confused with chipmunks. Spying chipmunks is a different department ... and the chipmunk would need to be named Alvin.
You're right, in many cases excel is used for nothing more than making lists and orginizing information. However, every so often it's used for its right purpose -- such as financial models, forecasting, budgeting and scheduling.
Even if all it's being used for is making lists it's still a very handy program; the formatting options are much better than text editors and for quick sums and formula it beats most other options.
One of the reason excel has lasted so long and become so intrenched is that it usually does the right thing. Programs like 123 tried to force users to think logically while excel just make the right guesses. (And yes, there is a major inconsistancy with how excel handles cut, copy and paste -- but it has always done it that way.)
In office 2007, making pretty looking excel sheets is easier -- and there is a full set of colors (not 8-bit indexed). Office 2007 takes some getting used to, but it is more logically laid out than Office 2003.
If you've ever watch an excel expert their hands almost never leave the keyboard. Excel is really well designed such that almost all the commands are easily accessible from keyboard shortcuts and power users quickly come up to speed on the commands. The interface for excel is extremely well thought out making it easy for beginners to be guided through the options and power users to be able to blaze through. Excel is perhaps one of the best designed and most usable programs ever. (The OSS alternatives for excel are good for basic lists and trival spreadsheets. Excel is one reason that Open Office is unlikely to succeed in corporate environments.)
You claim "paid nothing for this device" -- in general the high-end reviewers pay for the devices -- at least the WSJ claims to. Rather than giving the devices for free to reviewers, some computer^h^h^h^h^h^h^h^h toy companies lets preferred reviewers get early review hardware in exchange for positive reviews. One or two "not the greatest thing since sliced bread" reviews and your executive and pre-release access is cut off. Have you ever wondered why all the interviews with the toy company ceo are puff pieces?
But does it run VM 370? (You have to older than 35 to get this.)
You forgot the ability to remotely wipe a corporate phone. The windows devices have the ability on the next connect to be remotely wiped so sensitive data is protected. Not perfect, but generally better than the alternatives. (I guess the "Jame Bond-like" remote self-destruct would be a better option, but might raise some other concerns.)
In a correctly configured corporate network, individual users should not have rights to install any software. Desktop users should be running as "user" without administrator rights. This prohibits them from installing software that modifies windows or programs -- it also protects them against most viruses. In general, users should not be about to install any software other than corporate approved. Most companies have a standard image that does or doesn not include software like itunes. In many environments that isn't any need for itunes so it would not be installed.
Actually on the mac there is the same issue... individual users should not have the "admin" password so they will need IT support to install software like itunes (if not pre-installed).
The general answer is that Apple doesn't get corporate. This is the reason that Macs are so rare in corporate (> 500 employees) environments.
I have to agree that outlook/exchange is the killer business application. For home use, any pop or web-mail client is fine. But there's nothing close to exchange/outlook for businesses with more than 50 (or maybe 150) computers. The ability to deligate, tight calendar integration, company & project address books and a pretty decent mail client is unmatched. The web interface (which works almost as well for non-MS clients) is much better designed and easier to use than any of the alternatives. And, it looks almost the same as the outlook client version.
As a bonus, almost ever other large company is on outlook so the cross-company calendar invites work without any problems (unlike brand X software).
For home use or a 5-person firm, it's overkill.
But the problem is identifying the 0.1% from the 99.9%.
As for developing a version for windows: "There are no shortage of great browsers available for Linux^h^h^h^h^hWindows users, and it would be a waste of money for Apple to devote resources to a small, already saturated market (for alternatives to IE)"
Why is it that Excel (and Office in general) are wonderful mac apps and even programmed following the base platform standards, yet Mac apps that are ported to the PC always stand out like a sore thumb. I'm clearly not the only one that hates QT -- why does this app need to be in the systems tray? Is it possible to uninstall/kill quick time. Either the macs folks don't know how to program for the PC or want to kill the platform with bad software.
I think the difference is that Microsoft needs to SELL office on the Mac whereas Apple has to give away it's PC software.
And by the way, did the PC need yet another browser (beyone IE and Firefox)?
- Check your e-mail on the corporate server
- Prepare a flawless document in PPT that's going to be emailed to your boss' boss
- Update the project schedule that's maintained in MS Project on the server
- Go to the corporate web site and install the active-X controll used by the payroll program
- Connect to the printer down the hall
Step 3 (this isActually... Apple isn't the first to use leds for backlighting the screens. If you notice the wording on the announcement they were very careful to say the first 15" led backlight screen. This will be translated by the public as another apple "first". It's all part of the marketing hype. See Fujitsu Beats Apple and HP to the Punch with LED-backlit Ultraportable for more details. (The Fujitsu machine also only weighs less than 3 lbs).
Funny, I find the the open office always crashes if I remove the ram in the middle of anything. Must be buggy.
The computer-based MPG aren't that accurate because they don't account for evaporative loss. E
Actually a fair number of employer now require that employees install anti-virus software on home machines if employees are accessing work resources. Most corporate anti-virus subscriptions include home use, so it's all bundled in the employer's package. Typically these are installed as part of the VPN software so enforcement is easy. It really does cut down on the crap on home computers and could be considered an employee benefit.
Minor problem is that macs are typically not included in corporate VPNs, so evil corporate IT departments have another reason to exclude supporting macs.
Actually, I didn't cite exchange... I said IMAP (which I believe is a standards-based protocol). IMAP (with any server) doesn't work well with the Mac mail application. I cited visio and project as very useful tools for many enterprise uses. If you need to do diagrams or manage moderately complex projects these would be good choices. I was indicating the lack of two critical apps for the mac that makes them less suitable in a corporate environment. (There are other corporate apps that are not available for mac... These are just two examples that I run across frequently.)
I believe that correct answer is, "next year is going to be the year of linux". Thus you can always be right.
Actually, it's IMAP running on EIMS (eudora internet mail server) -- which runs only on the Mac. It really doesn't matter which IMAP server you use, the mac mail application has subtle problems with IMAP--- annoying enough that it frequently doesn't work.
The point of locking down desktops is to improve productivty -- lower training costs, standardized procedures. Same reason why companies have standard templates and document formats. Enabling everyone to develop there own style sheets and docuements formats makes it hard to collaboratively develop documents and for the corporate branding to look consistent.
How far should you let users customize their environment?
I'm guessing that you've never used visio or project extensively. Both are very solid applications and I can't think of alternatives available on the Mac, web-based or linux that are nearly as good.
On the otherhand, if you want to lock into the Mac for a corporate purchase, just specify Garageband. Although, it might be a tougher sell as why you need it at work.