Got this email from them. :)
(http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3093/bunny0vl.th.jpg) (http://img520.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bunny0vl.jpg)
thats rather nice of them, theyre getting to be very like google.
Personally I think Microsoft is doing very well lately, I like all of the Live stuff and I like Vista too, Windows Media 11 managed to convert me from a hardcore winamp fan, heck it makes me listen to music more too. Windows Live Messenger is fab, the little features like searching contacts are ace.
I think the days of everyone hating microsoft are near over, their new software is fab, and WMP11 and WLMessenger havent crashed yet in the months ive had them. Vista was buggy, but its an operating system its bound to be.
Before you linux boys jump in, yes its not linux, its not as stable or customisable, but its a damn sight easier to use.
having been on both sides of the fence.
their about the same really, just microsoft spending a lot of money trying to get everything right for a change. they have some good ideas, but essentially they wont be able to keep up with the likes of gnome an xcfe because they advance every 6 months. im not just talking about toys im talking about everything.
Ive warmed a lot to MS recently too, its easy to see them as a faceless corporation, but get to the guys doing the work and there seems to be a lot of people who genuinely want to make good stuff for the public.
Listen to the Major Nelson podcast, everyone he interviews is excited about their products, the possibilities and making things better for the user.