I do not develop software to impress, or appease, other developers. I develop software to improve business function at my organization, which pleases the bottom line. Microsoft provides a rich set of tools (OS, CASE, Db, etc.) that I like very much, overall, to achieve my aim (plenty of particular complaints, but nothing big enough to make me consider switching).

I challenge any Microsoft hater to race me in a complete application development project. They use pure non-Microsoft tools and I use all Microsoft tools. I cannot guarantee that I’ll win every time, but I’ll bet on it! In the end, that is what matters to the bottom line.

If we could harness the wasted energy of the Microsoft haters (expended on hating Microsoft–and whining about it), we could probably stop using oil. Those people crack me up! While they whine, I develop apps.

Good point. I do tell people often that Microsoft does not get enough credit for providing developers a great tools and a great market.

I’ll admit to being one of those haters from time to time as it suited me, despite being a total lazy ass and using Windows on every machine in my home. I love Linux and the ideals it created and hold regarding the open source movement, but as Lee pointed out there is a harsh bottom line, and people prefer the ease and comfortability given to us by Microsoft.

I have found a small exception to the rule when comparing the open source IDE Code::Blocks v1.0 with Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2007. As with alot of MS vs OSS program issues, the MS alternative is usually always slower and more complicated than it really needs to be (at least when compared with an open source counterpart). This is one instance where my development is actually faster with an open source tool, simply because I can navigate and execute stuff faster with it.

I’m an open source developer at heart, and it was using Linux that introduced me to that world of collaboration and openness. Somehow I don’t see Microsoft spreading good will the same way, in fact quite the opposite in that they clamp down everything and make you pay for each separate component.

If we all need document editing and stuff (who doesn’t these days?), where’s the bundled Office program? Why do I pay AU$800 for an unrestricted copy (by which I mean the Professional edition) of Windows, and then fork out another AU$800 for an unrestricted copy Office, and then another AU$1000 for Visual Studio? Downloading a Linux CD image for free gives you the same tools and more. Granted, this is the cost of my laziness, but as a home power user/developer the costs simply aren’t very practical.

If anything, it’s regular guys like me and you who are the underdog. It’s just we’re an even smaller vocal minority.