Less is More – The Microsoft Spin

Less is more.  Less trouble equals more value.  Lower learning curve equals increased value.  That would be the theory of Microsoft in the recently leaked training notes for their operating system (as covered by www.appleinsider.com).  To install Microsoft Windows 7 means that the PC user has less to learn compared to switching to a Mac, making it is more valuable.  Switching to Mac OS X involves a steeper learning curve so stay with what you know.  It’s worth it.  Ok.  Sort of.  Isn’t that like saying, “Stick with the old.  Stay with what you understand. Change is too difficult.”  Washington’s premier spin-masters and New York’s newsrooms should be proud

Let’s talk straight.  Investigate and choose an operating system and applications that will best fit your present and future. In learning to drive a car I took part in a driving class.  I drove for several months with another adult driver.  I was monitored by my parents for several years. And now for 20 years I have driven cars.  The training was worth it.  Now I’m living in a developing country and learning to drive all over again.  Learning is inevitable.

In my former job I often worked in Photoshop.  The tasks involved cropping, resizing, adujsting, and re-coloring photos for publication.  For every photo I would do many of the same exact steps which involved several dozen clicks and commands.  One afternoon I decided to train myself in Photoshops ability to record and automatically apply those steps.  It took me several hours and much failure, but in the end I reduced my labor by 75%.  The hours of training were more than worth it.  Less to learn does not mean increased value.  Learning the features increased the value for me.  It may be that switching to another operating system, Linux, OS X, or Windows may do the same for you.

If a person has little to gain in terms of functionality then stay with the familiar. If your current operating system and portfolio of applications has everything you need while offering efficient productivity, then stay with the familiar.  Value is based on price, need, ability, and finally time available for learning.  When I see a person will gain ability and increase their enjoyment in working on their computer then I recommend a switch.  Even though I love Macs, based on the previous criteria, I do not recommend them to everyone.  But of course we can’t expect Microsoft or Apple to be that balanced now can we?