I went from Air Force to Air Guard, then into civilian life. I've found working in corporations to be more Dilbert than the military. In the military you're not dealing with offshore outsourcing, layoffs, doing stupid stuff to try and improve your stock price and directors trying to destroy your section to prove a point. And don't forget what kind of a deal the grunts at Enron got. I know the military can really suck too, but I'm guessing that an Air Force guy in an IT unit is probably not getting shot at in Iraq.
I've also found that the private sector owns you much like the military. My last job wound up requiring 3 - 4 all nighters a month and working every other weekend. I was also expected to show up for my normal work day. They can always replace you when the economy is bad, and probably get someone cheaper. But that's the good thing about civilian life, you can look for a new job and make changes too. You don't need to stay stuck in a job you hate. I'm on my 3rd job in 5 years (not necessarily a good thing for the resume) but I've found a good place.
Now I'm working for a school district about 8 miles from my house. I ride my bike to work and am able to work pretty much 40 hours a week. There's still some Dilbert-ish things that happen, but I've got my attitude dialed in. I'm content. I could make more money working elsewhere, but doubt it would improve my life.
It just doesn't seem fair. Microsoft is selling software to people that aren't using it and then not letting them resell it.
It's cheaper so what's the problem... I largely agree with you, but I wonder what the market would be like without all the backend deals between Microsoft and sellers like Dell.
Ultimately we have the choice about what we buy, just not who or how we pass on what we buy.
About five years ago I tried to sell the copy of Microsoft Works that came with my Dell on eBay. Never wanted it, would have gladly passed on buying it with my system had that been an option. It was sealed in the shrink wrap with the authenticity sticker still on it (the "opening this package means you consent to the licensing agreement" message sealed inside). Never used... never openend... pulled off eBay.
I now understand that OEM Software is to stay with the machine it was bought with, but when the software is pushed to buyers that don't want it and are not allowed to resell their unused licenses, that's just too great a deal for the software publishers. I want in on that deal, heck, the mob wants in on that deal.
I think Microsoft should provide some sort of refund for their software that has never been licensed. My workplace has several XP licenses never used because those machines are running linux and it was cheaper to buy them with XP and take it off than to buy without.
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I went from Air Force to Air Guard, then into civilian life. I've found working in corporations to be more Dilbert than the military. In the military you're not dealing with offshore outsourcing, layoffs, doing stupid stuff to try and improve your stock price and directors trying to destroy your section to prove a point. And don't forget what kind of a deal the grunts at Enron got. I know the military can really suck too, but I'm guessing that an Air Force guy in an IT unit is probably not getting shot at in Iraq.
I've also found that the private sector owns you much like the military. My last job wound up requiring 3 - 4 all nighters a month and working every other weekend. I was also expected to show up for my normal work day. They can always replace you when the economy is bad, and probably get someone cheaper. But that's the good thing about civilian life, you can look for a new job and make changes too. You don't need to stay stuck in a job you hate. I'm on my 3rd job in 5 years (not necessarily a good thing for the resume) but I've found a good place.
Now I'm working for a school district about 8 miles from my house. I ride my bike to work and am able to work pretty much 40 hours a week. There's still some Dilbert-ish things that happen, but I've got my attitude dialed in. I'm content. I could make more money working elsewhere, but doubt it would improve my life.
...Windows Vista
It just doesn't seem fair. Microsoft is selling software to people that aren't using it and then not letting them resell it.
It's cheaper so what's the problem... I largely agree with you, but I wonder what the market would be like without all the backend deals between Microsoft and sellers like Dell.
Ultimately we have the choice about what we buy, just not who or how we pass on what we buy.
About five years ago I tried to sell the copy of Microsoft Works that came with my Dell on eBay. Never wanted it, would have gladly passed on buying it with my system had that been an option. It was sealed in the shrink wrap with the authenticity sticker still on it (the "opening this package means you consent to the licensing agreement" message sealed inside). Never used... never openend... pulled off eBay.
I now understand that OEM Software is to stay with the machine it was bought with, but when the software is pushed to buyers that don't want it and are not allowed to resell their unused licenses, that's just too great a deal for the software publishers. I want in on that deal, heck, the mob wants in on that deal.
I think Microsoft should provide some sort of refund for their software that has never been licensed. My workplace has several XP licenses never used because those machines are running linux and it was cheaper to buy them with XP and take it off than to buy without.