14 DAY TRIAL // I have to make a confession. I have been using Windows for almost 15 years, of course back in those days, the operating system came on a few floppies and didn't have a "fancy" name. Despite all these Windows encounters, I still can't say it's my favorite operating system.
Only God knows (because I doubt that Bill Gates has heard my "prayers") how many nights I've spent all these 15 years reinstalling my operating system which had been put out of commission by some unknown virus or by an unknown (there's always some error you haven't seen before) error.
Over the years I've tried some Linux distributions and even some Mac OSs, but every time I came back to my old, unpredictable and full of restrictions Windows.
Why? Because, fortunately or not, it was the only operating system I could work on, browse the Internet, see a movie, play Starcraft and so on. Yes, I don't deny that with Linux I had the highest efficiency, but I wasn't able to play. The same goes for Mac OS X's elegant interfaces (and nothing compares to Photoshop running on Mac) but it wasn't quite the same without Start, Programs and so on.
Like all power users, I've been "hunting" every Windows Vista announcement and I have installed all the available beta versions. And I can't say that I'm overwhelmed by Windows Vista, but most certainly it will be the best Windows Microsoft has ever made.
Since Windows 3.1, this is the first version where Microsoft is trying real hard and in almost every aspect, ranging from the way in which the translucent windows will work to the way in which the workspace is organized.
If versions like Windows Millenium emanated a sort of "I'm number one on the market" arrogance, Windows Vista is an amazing change in concept.
Windows Vista is trying to offer every user what he/she needs and it's the version where Microsoft has finally understood that it can't ignore forever the desires of the majority and if it wants indeed to maintain its leading position, the Redmond giant will have to change some things.
The fact that Microsoft has changed the concept because it has Linux and Apple breathing in its neck and that it has finally realized it's time to come up with something revolutionary, theses are all subjects which can be endlessly debated.
If Microsoft will stick to its promises, at least a few of them, Windows Vista will become a revolution, if not, then it will be just another Windows version.
This week, Softpedia would like to know your opinion on gaming consoles. What is your favorite console you either own or you are planning to buy? Are you an Xbox fan or a Playstation fan? Has Xbox360 convinced you it's time to buy one? Or you'll wait for the PS3? Express your opinion here.