Until fairly recently ago, I would have been a staunch supporter of the Windows platform over all others, in especial Apple and Linux. Apple for the poor handling of proprietary -- and sometimes downright monopolistic -- applications and source, and Linux for the difficulty in making it work.
However, my life was brightened, and my world corrected by the recent discovery of Google. Now, some people fear that Google is taking over the world. Quite honestly, I must say that I wish they would hurry up with it, so I could consolidate my credentials to Google-only, and use that to get into my house. Of course, then I'd have to encrypt the encryption for the encryption of my password, but that's beside the point.
I have discovered the power of Google, and am fast moving to view Google as my favorite company, ever. The power of a distributed web service is not to be understated, and I am falling in love once more with Google. I've used GMail for years, but never as my primary account. Now, I exist in a weird blend of Windows, Apple, and Google.
My favorite applications are probably -- and this list ignores what some might define the application rule size and distribution, but we'll ignore that -- Google Chrome, Google Talk, Google Mail, Google Search, Google Desktop, Yahoo! Mail, Facebook, Google Docs, Google Code, Netbeans, and a host of others that leave the scope of this blog post.
The reason I say my life is a confused muddle of providers is because my computers -- desktop and laptop -- both run Windows XP, but the majority of the utilized software is not Windows specific -- indeed, it is either Google, or Netbeans [we'll ignore Warcraft as a red herring ;) ]. I most frequently check my email from my (Apple) iTouch, which runs all my many email addresses [so many, have to track Yahoo!, Gmail, UMass Lowell, and Vincanet [personal company address]]. I will soon add my DInc -- Droid Incredible -- running the Android 2.1 OS to the mix, further diversifying my portfolio. Windows, Apple, Google -- I use them all. However, Google is the most pleasant to interact with, and the one that truly excited me. I tolerate Windows, and complain about Apple frequently.
Let's go Google. You're keeping me waiting.
