Day 4 on a Microsoft Software only computer

I mentioned in a previous post, that I had decided to take a spin on using a computer running nothing but Microsoft software. To qualify that, only Windows 7, Microsoft Essentials/Live free software and Microsoft Office. The computer is running the final retail build of Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows Live Essentials (Mail, Messenger, Writer, Movie Maker and Photo Gallery) as well as Windows Security Essentials, Windows Live Mesh, Zune and Microsoft Office 2010 Technical Preview.

What’s Not to Like?

I like objective journalism, so I’ll start with the problems. There are a couple, nothing that can’t be solved with some free non-Microsoft software. To be fair, these same holes also exist on OS X from Apple.

The first problem is FTP software. Sure Windows has a command line FTP tool, and you can technically FTP with Internet Explorer, but that will never compare to FileZilla. For the un-initiated, I run this blog, and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is how you upload and modify files on the server. When doing software upgrades, adding plug-ins or doing theme changes, it’s a must have utility and one that has to be rectified with non-Microsoft software. I’ll install FileZilla and call it a day.

The second problem is image editing. Not photo editing, Windows Live Photo Gallery does just fine for your image adjustments, cropping and red-eye adjustment types of things. I am talking about creating blog images, doing actual photo manipulation, etc. I have a license for Adobe Photoshop CS4 for Mac, and I won’t buy another for this computer, so I will probably install gimp or Paint .net. Both applications are admirable at the basic stuff, neither can come close to even Photoshop 7, but they will get the job done for my purposes on this laptop.

The last one is bookmark syncing. Windows Live toolbar is good for syncing across Windows computers using only IE, but I use Macs and Firefox a lot. I like keeping the sites I am working on in sync, so I use X-Marks for it’s ability to sync across all browsers on Windows and Mac.

Three applications, so far.

What is Rockin’?

It’s not something you spend time looking at usually, but I have to say first I am loving Windows Security Essentials. It’s anti-virus software just how I like it, invisible. It doesn’t nag me or constantly tell me it’s downloading updates.

I’d love to say all of it’s rocking, and it is, but that’s not a very fun read now is it? The details you really need to know are that Mail works fantastic with Gmail via IMAP, I was quite happy to see that. Mesh is of course awesome, Zune I love, and this handy app Windows Live Writer is just beyond awesome.

What’s Next?

I’ll try to keep this up for the rest of this month, dropping in to tell you which holes I found and what I chose to fill them with, but the idea here is on this machine, I’ll use Microsoft Windows, it’s family of free applications and Microsoft Office, filling in any holes I find with free software along the way. I am a pretty heavy need user, so I would imagine if I can pull this off, any average user can do the same easily.

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