Switching

There had been problems on my XP (Engish) machine and the problems re-occurred more frequent recently and eventually it died down yesterday. It did not die completely after rescue but only not being able to use network facilities. I tested the HD and it was the overheating causing the system corruption. I could reload the backup image onto a new HD and make it revive again. However, XP is a 10 year old OS already. I have the Win7, so I told myself to let it go, otherwise I would never have a chance to use the new Win7 OS (if I dont give up the old stuff). I checked further and confirmed that the HD overheating problem only restricted to that particular HD for my English XP system. In the past, I would be eager to find ways to solve the overheating problem( I know it could only be some parts failure ), now I prefer to take it back to the manufacturer for the repair. So happened, the HD warranty finished 2 months ago. So buying a new one could be more justifiable.


There is not any bitter experiment to switch from XP to Win7. However, there are things I cannot bring them across. The most obvious one is my Chinese Input software Q9. If I dont talk to people from China, I dont really need to use Chinese! I know there are quite some Chinese input methods available nowadays, at least there are 2 coming with Win7. Shall I get a new Q9 Win7 version or learn/use PinYin? For an old guy like myself to learn something new, it may take some time. There is not much problems for young Chinese to use PinYin as they grow up with PinYin. They can use it on their phone with only one finger. It is a different story for a HK Cantonese like myself as PinYin was not part of my education! However, the determination of giving up Q9 and going for PinYin is because my right hand has been diagnosed with muscle strain and the cause, after months of investigation, was identified. It was the prolonged use of a PC mouse! The Q9 software works on a 3x3 square frame and the input requires a lot points and clicks. Prolong use of point and click hurts both the forearm and arm muscles. So I am not going to have Q9 on my Win7 this time. The result is I can completely going to Win7 without looking back.


I guess Microsoft is in a dilemma. I, perhaps quite some people, were bound to Windows OS because there were a lot of software developed/associated with Windows. In the past, they were not able to switch to other platforms because of the close coupled situation. However, nowadays, that coupling is gradually broken. For instance, more input methods are available on Android and Linux. Whatever software/application you have on Windows, you have it on your smartphone as well and some smartphone software may even come out earlier than their PC counterpart. If one could switch from XP to Win7 (or its successor Win8), one could also be able to switch to other platforms as long as they use browsers to surf; the applications connected to the Net with friendly interface. Then, one would ask the question: why pay to have Wins if Android/Linux can do the same and is free. Therefore while Microsoft is urging her loyal customers to upgrade their OS, she is risking to lose them to her competitors.



The good old day of Microsoft has certainly gone!