In the ever changing world of technology, you either keep up or fall behind fast. I have lived in the world of Microsoft for many more years then I care to recount, but can estimate it close to seventeen. I have always put my faith in Microsoft because they have always been the “big dog” on the block. Microsoft always had the products I needed to complete the tasks I intended and I always seemed to find it easy to use their software. Just about all of my training and experience is in some form of Microsoft operating systems, beginning with DOS (Disk Operating System) all the way through to Vista.

At one point in time I had as many as four or five PC’s in my home running one form of Microsoft Windows or another. I ran a webserver on a Windows XP Professional box using an Apache build to serve up the pages and my forums. My wife and I both had Windows laptops for working on the road and keeping in touch with family. My wife also has a home office that she works out of and her main PC is a Windows XP Professional system. I also had a Windows gaming box I put together to entertain myself. You could hardly turn a corner in my home without tripping over some sort of Windows PC or component for one. Oh, and if you needed reading material there was always a copy of a Microsoft training manual available or a trade magazine sitting on the coffee table.

Times change though and with it comes new and exciting opporunities for us all. About six months ago, my family and I moved from North Carolina to Florida to be closer to my wifes mom and her husband. This proved to be a great move for me because I just could not take another winter. We now live on the Gulf of Mexico and the beaches are amazing. This change has broadened my mind as well.

I have sold my gaming machine, sold my Vista laptop, and installed Mandriva Linux on my web server. My wife still has Windows on her office PC and laptop because they are owned by her business. I am writing this blog on her Dell laptop right now because my new toy does not arrive until tomorrow. I have completely removed myself from the Windows world and tomorrow I get my first Mac, a shiney white Macbook!

My next entry will be about my new Macbook and I am as excited about writing it on the Mac as I am about being new to blogging!