Maierstorm.org |

So I’m reading. And Ballmer speaks again about Apple, declaring that the economic downturn is working in favor of Windows.

“Apple gained about one point, but now I think the tide has really turned back the other direction,” Ballmer said, via webcast. “The economy is helpful. Paying an extra $500 for a computer in this environment — same piece of hardware — paying $500 more to get a logo on it? I think that’s a more challenging proposition for the average person than it used to be.”

So. Let’s take this to the next logical step. Your average, straightforward, No-OS PC. About 300 bucks.
Now for comparison:

• MS Office: $133.
• Vista home Premium: $109
• Norton 360: $100 + annual subscription cost

Those are just the applications I would consider “critical for the average user”. So 300 +133 +109 +100 is about 642 total. So now we take that same computer, and look at the prices for some comparison.

• Ubuntu Linux: 59 cents or $0. (1 cd from a bundle of 25 @14.95. Alternatively, you can get a free CD from the manufacturer if you’re willing to wait about 6-10 weeks)
• OpenOffice: Comes with Ubuntu.
• Antivirus/Firewall: Free.

So now we see where we’ve paid 300 for a computer, and an additional 342 to have it working with Windows. We can go back and change the numbers around, scouring the internet for freeware versions of the critical utilities, dropping it down to the point where you’re just paying for Vista. So on the low end of the spectrum, you’re still paying $409 for a $300 computer. When you could…pay $300 for a $300 computer.

500 for an apple logo, 100 for a Windows logo, or 0. I know I need my money more than Ballmer does.

Microsoft is now opening their own stores, kinda like the Apple Store.

The only thing I can think in my little techie brain now is “SWEET JESUS YES!”

Not because there’ll be oodles of hardware. Not because there’ll be kind, helpful people to tell me which of the 6 versions of Vista is right for me…

…but because then I’ll be able to have a face to go with the brand. A kind, loving, generous soul who’s going to get the crap kicked out of them by angry mobs. I can smell the torches already.

So I’d checked out a few of the stations I like, and they appear to be switching over to Silverlight. Not available for my operating system though. Which…well, is damned annoying and amusing all at once.