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In a previous post on this topic I talked about the overall degradation of the computing experience as a result of loss of control of the Windows platform by Microsoft. It’s okay, these things happen sometimes. You can’t please 3 billion people at once.

But I just have to say I think sight of the customer has been lost. The other day, I went to insert a DVD that I wanted to play into a Windows XP machine where I work. I put it in the brand new computer, in the disk drive that was labeled clearly with the DVD logo, and nothing happened. Except for an error. Said I needed a DVD decoder. So I did what most people would do and went online to find one. And they all cost money. Huh?

It took me 15 minutes to realize that there was an install disc that came with the computer that was buried in the plastic wrapped newspaper print manuals. Then another saga began about loading the software with IT / lockdown, etc. issues.

Here’s the deal - it’s all good, I get it, but I don’t expect that kind of experience, and I’m not really interested in it. For the Mac, you pop the DVD into the DVD drive and it plays. Why ship hobbled hardware and leave it to the user to figure out? If you talk to a customer, they will tell you that they buy a fancy machine so that it will work.

I see that Microsoft has the unenviable task of tuning an OS for both the corporate world (where DVD playing is not the norm) and the home world. But you know what - if you want redefine business communication and free people, you can actually change that. Is Microsoft interested in that? What happened to innovation?

Apple Mac OS X is clearly tuned for personal use and that’s reflected in the apps and design of the machine. I would much rather use a personally-tuned OS in the corporate world than a business-tuned OS. To enjoy work and help people achieve, they need to be able to bring themselves to their work. Windows at times is like a vice. Mac OS X is like a pretty butterfly that you follow around blissfully.

There is something wierd going on here. Like most sentient beings, I am a big fan of Madonna, and eagerly await every musical treasure she brings to the world. However, is it possible that maybe some of the reviews are a little cooked up? Or is there just a lot of lemonade drinking going on? I think the review (link below) sort of calls into question the idea that everything Madge does is 5 stars. It’s all good, don’t get me wrong. But, “What it feels like for a girl” is hard to top. It’s ok, we’ll get there. We really will. No need to push.

link to product on the iTunes music store