3 ms·

The only common thing in all of those is Microsoft. I think the solution to the problem is obvious.

nikanj 5y ago
There's another common thing in all of those: Computers. For many people, "Just stop using Microsoft" is about as useful as "Just stop using computers"
- AnthonyMouse 5y ago
  > For many people, "Just stop using Microsoft" is about as useful as "Just stop using computers" For many people, it isn't. All of those people should "just stop using Microsoft." That not only helps them, it's an act of solidarity with the people who are still stuck. Because then alternatives have more market share and vendors have to support platforms that aren't Microsoft, which helps the stuck people extricate themselves tomorrow. Do it if you can. Even if it's a little bit of work.
  - dotancohen 5y ago
    I've used Open Office, Go Office, and LibreOffice exclusively since 2005. It used to be a real hassle, but today it is far less so. MS Office's Excel is better than LibreOffice Calc, and Powerpoint is far, far better than LibreOffice Present. But LibreOffice Writer is much easier to use than MS Office Word. That's not just my opinion - everyone who tries it and does not need some esoteric Word-only functionality agrees. Except for one thing: collaboration. MS Word is, from what I'm told, still better for collaboration.
- squarefoot 5y ago
  > For many people, "Just stop using Microsoft" is about as useful as "Just stop using computers" Absolutely true, but the SaaS/cloud tendency is to turn all computers into terminals (Chromebook/box anyone?), so that one day they'll be a lot cheaper, but sadly all software will have to come off a server on which the user logged in, and all user data will be stored on that or another server as well. Microsoft aims at this, as do Google and others, so for many people sticking with Microsoft and other SaaS pushing companies might really mean one day to stop using real computers anyway.
bryanrasmussen 5y ago
go on welfare because the people telling you what applications to use as part of your day to day work want Microsoft!

There's another common thing in all of those: Computers. For many people, "Just stop using Microsoft" is about as useful as "Just stop using computers"

AnthonyMouse 5y ago
> For many people, "Just stop using Microsoft" is about as useful as "Just stop using computers" For many people, it isn't. All of those people should "just stop using Microsoft." That not only helps them, it's an act of solidarity with the people who are still stuck. Because then alternatives have more market share and vendors have to support platforms that aren't Microsoft, which helps the stuck people extricate themselves tomorrow. Do it if you can. Even if it's a little bit of work.
- dotancohen 5y ago
  I've used Open Office, Go Office, and LibreOffice exclusively since 2005. It used to be a real hassle, but today it is far less so. MS Office's Excel is better than LibreOffice Calc, and Powerpoint is far, far better than LibreOffice Present. But LibreOffice Writer is much easier to use than MS Office Word. That's not just my opinion - everyone who tries it and does not need some esoteric Word-only functionality agrees. Except for one thing: collaboration. MS Word is, from what I'm told, still better for collaboration.
squarefoot 5y ago
> For many people, "Just stop using Microsoft" is about as useful as "Just stop using computers" Absolutely true, but the SaaS/cloud tendency is to turn all computers into terminals (Chromebook/box anyone?), so that one day they'll be a lot cheaper, but sadly all software will have to come off a server on which the user logged in, and all user data will be stored on that or another server as well. Microsoft aims at this, as do Google and others, so for many people sticking with Microsoft and other SaaS pushing companies might really mean one day to stop using real computers anyway.

bryanrasmussen 5y ago

go on welfare because the people telling you what applications to use as part of your day to day work want Microsoft!