If you’re lucky, this is the last time you’ll hear me mention Windows 7 for a while. But I’ve received a number of queries about my continued use of it for a while now. I have some very excellent reasons that I figured I should put in writing for easy reference.

  1. Proactive non-reason: I don't hate Apple. I think their hardware is beautiful and I think Mac OS X is one of the most usable Operating Systems around (although it's got a learning curve like any OS does). Their prices are on the high end of reasonable, considering the hardware is generally top-of-the-line and well-built.
  2. Proactive non-reason: I am pro-open-source. I think Linus' Law is spot on, and I think that "Release Early, Release Often" is a faster way to quality software. But I'm not an ideologue. I run Linux exclusively at work, but also I use plenty of closed-source applications without complaining. I'll even purchase DRM-ed media without much grumbling.
  3. I like to build my own computers. There's something about the hundreds of interlocking details that appeals to my nature. The challenge of learning (or re-learning) interfaces and chipsets and how memory works is exciting. (Aside: I find the enjoyment that I get from following sports to be somewhat similar. They're complex worlds with details that are almost entirely self-consistent. And its the exceptions and quirks that make them enticing.)
  4. Unfortunately, Mac OS X doesn't work on non-Apple hardware, at least not officially. And I don't feel comfortable applying a delicate hack that will make that work on my every-day machine.
  5. My wife needs Windows for phone syncing and work applications. As a doctor, there are a number of applications she runs on her phone and at home to access charts and medical databases. Some of them have iPhone options, and a couple have cripped web versions, but none of them that I know of yet have a full-featured client that will work under either Mac OS X or Linux client.
  6. I like to play games. I do it less than I did back in college, but I still spend five or six hours a week playing Team Fortress 2 or Trackmania or a number of other games. There are few Mac OS X or Linux versions of most games: Windows is by far the most popular gaming platform. (Gaming works well in Parallels within Mac OS X, but you still need a Windows install/license.)
  7. Dual booting is more trouble than it's worth. I have no problem with Windows. In fact, so far, Windows 7 is really nice and stable and it plays nice with all of my hardware. I have several good reasons to use Windows, but no compelling reason to use something else. So I have no reason to go through the effort to set up a second OS.