DevBlog

Lots and lots of tools listed here. I actually use some of them and intend to try some that I don't use.

There is a petition about to get Microsoft to change their minds and change .Net 3.0 back to WinFx. I've seen it before with VFP and VB6. It didn't work there and it won't work here. I suspect the next one will revolve around ASP.Net 7.0, which apparently will be the official name for Atlas. How about if instead of wasting time on things like this that will have no affect, that we spend time creating great solutions for our customers.

Sorry about the update, but I intended to click "Save As Draft", but hit "Post" instead...
There is no battle. There is no OS war. At least according to this article in the New York Times. I agree with most of what the author says. So, what don't I agree with?

I think Windows is better than Mac. But this is personal preference, nothing more.

I also think the author misses an important point when explaining that OSX had security built in from the beginning. Compare the history of OSX and that of Windows, keeping in mind the interoperability between applications both running on the same box and on the server, and you'll see why Windows is full of holes.

I also don't agree that if you were to rank sales based in individual preferences that Apple would win. For the most part, people want to interoperate between the office and home. That means Windows. These people buy what they are familiar with. That means Windows. People buy what is easier to acquire. That means Windows.

A couple of years ago, my brother bought a new Windows PC for home. Why Windows? He was used to it. It works better with the Windows PCs in his office. His kids were used to it because that's what they have in school. But, he also said his next computer will probably be a Mac because he thought they were groovy. (I hope he does buy a Mac because he won't be able to call me any more for tech support. It's not an easy to trouble shoot when he's in Virginia and I'm in Utah.) And that's why most people buy a Mac. They're groovy. They're cool. They're sleek. They're sexy. I agree with all that. But, it isn't enough to get me to buy one.

I do agree with the main premise of the article. There is no OS war. I've stated several times that Windows, Mac, and Linux are all great platforms, each one doing some things better than the others and each one doing some things worse.

Bottom line, buy what makes the most sense for you.

I was delayed a few days in posting this, but I have posted a new article, "Using Windows Component Services (COM+) with Visual FoxPro" in the Articles section of my web site. This article was presented as double conference sessions last year at DevTeach, Southwest Fox, and German VFP DevCon. It is an updated version of my 2001 FoxTalk articles that are now on the MSDN web site.

In old western movies, it seems you could always tell who the bad guy was...he wore a black hat. So, it seems appropriate that a computer hacker conference be called "Black Hat". It's going on in Las Vegas. Surprisingly, Microsoft is a big sponsor. OK...in truth it's a computer security conference, not a hacker conference, but it's an interesting mix of attendees. Computer security professionals, hackers, and law enforcement (ie FBI) are there.

Todd Bishop is there and blogs about one demo where a Mac was hacked and controlled through it's wireless connection...contrary to what Apple tells you can happen. I predict this will be another big deal that most, if not all, Microsoft bashers will fail to mention. This is a group whose mantra seems to be, "Let's blow the trumpets and make lots of noise when Microsoft has security problems, but not say anything about non-MS products".