Windows 8

Windows 8

Perhaps it is just because we are in the heat of a hotly contested political season, but I'm finding myself intolerant of the spin about Windows 8. It's not even out yet and the Internet is all abuzz with flame throwers and defenders. What is it about software that engenders such over-the-top emotional reactions in so many? What ever happened to "live and let live?" To quote a recent ex-president, "Can't we all just get along?"

A few observations from over the years:

• When looking at prints in a gallery setting, I've never once wondered what enlarger was used. Similarly, but with digital prints, I've never once wondered if the photographer was Mac or a PC person. Not once. I tend to look at the finished piece of work and evaluate it on its merits alone.
• Any camera, any lens, any computer, any operating system, any set of tools whatsoever can make interesting artwork if the mind behind it is in control, inventive, and creative. Isn't this obvious?
• How many of you just assume we use Macs to produce LensWork because most photographers do? (This always reminds me of that liberal columnist who was amazed that Reagan won the presidency in a 49-state landslide because she "didn't know anyone who voted for Reagan." Maybe she needed to broaden her social network a bit.) We use PCs, have always used PCs, and have never once found a limitation that held us back. As I often say, perhaps — someday, when we step up to Macs — we might be able to produce a really good magazine. Ahem. The days when one system was "better" than the other are long gone. Work with whatever works best for you and don't look back. It's the old and tiresome Ford or Chevy argument updated for the new millennium.
• Windows 8 may suck. It may be great. I have no idea. One thing that is absolutely certain, however, is that Window 8.1 will be an improvement. Its just the way the world of software works — it evolves, and quickly, to fix and improve capabilities. Every single day of my life I'm grateful that we have moved beyond the GEM operating system and Publish It! — the software we used to produce LensWork #1-4 back in 1993. Yikes.
• Huntington Witherill referred to this as "the hamster wheel of progress" in a article in LensWork Extended #59 back in 2005 — probably written with chisel and hammer in stone, or the Mac functional equivalent, Tiger. Since he wrote that article, there have been Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Lion, Mountain Lion, and the soon to be released Snagglepuss. (Couldn't resist.) Life changes. Get used to it or become a Luddite.
• Complaining about technology has become a pastime. Get used to it or become a hermit.
• Change is hard. In my experience with software, change is worth it. Can you honestly think of a previous version of any software you would willingly go back to — after, that is, you get used to the new one?

Will we immediately jump on Window 8? Probably not — half our computers are still running XP. Will we eventually jump on Windows 8? Undoubtedly, but maybe we'll just wait for Windows 9 or Android Sushi Gummyball, or iOSwhycAntwEleArntokeEPOFFThesHifTKey. (Trivia of the day: this is known as CamelCase punctuation. And yes, here at LensWork we are guilty of it. But we started using it in 1993 before it was a plague.)

We just sent off the press the first issue of LensWork produced with Adobe CS6 software — which Adobe introduced last April. I think back now about all those issues we produced with CS, CS2, CS3, CS4, and CS5 and think, if only . . .

Or not.

Comments

[Chappy Achen]

Why do you bring this up if you don't care what system you are using, I suspect you feel a twinge of regret, or envy, otherwise who cares. Just one thing, LensWork is the best photo magazine out there and I'm glad you are able to produce it with the quality and content that you do, time and again.

[Jim Bullard]

I've been using Windows ever since DOS days. Several times when I was upgrading someone would inevitably tell me I should get a MAC and I'd ask why?. The conversation usually went like this:
Them: You're a photographer, you should be using a MAC.
Me: How is it better?
Them: Most photographers choose MACs.
Me: Why?
Them: They're better than Windows machines.
Me: How?
Them: They are easier to use.
Me: Easier than what I already know how to use?
End of discussion.

Keep your Windows machines Brooks. They obviously work for you. When the output becomes solely dependent on the technology, art will truly be dead.

[Braden Walters]

I consider myself a technological polyglot, in that I use both Windows and OSX--and a few others as well--depending on my needs. Having many years of daily use of all the above, I can only chalk it all up to people having to justify their expenditures.

All these OSes have fabulous features, and they all having annoying quirks and issues. I grew up on Windows, and know it intimately, but it still throws me curve-balls with every new release. And Mac OSX? Well, it just works ... except when it doesn't, which is far more often than Apple's marketing people want you to know about.

But this is all symptomatic of software development cycles and the rush-to-market, not any particular company or technology. Both companies (and the open source movement, I should add) make great products. Is it really any different than the tired old Nikon v. Canon debate?

Personally, am going to immediately buy at least 3 Windows 8 licenses ... but only because they are going to be cheap for the first few months, and it always seems like I need another license ...

[Barry Cunningham]

Actually, I thought the quote was not from an ex-President, but rather from a late King: Rodney King.

[Brooks Jensen]

May be so, but the first time I heard it was Bill Clinton. Unless Rodney King was president for a while and I missed it.

[SEO Birmingham]

As a recent convert to MAC, i can say it seems to work better for me, however there are still little quirks im not to keen on (like the fact you cant just simply maximize the window to fill the screen without losing all of your menu bars etc and going into full movie screen type mode). BUT i do believe over the course of the next year or so ill be compeltely dependent on the mac os and wont look back

[Vitali Prokopenko]

Canon vs. Nikon? Anyone up for that discussion? ;-)

[Joseph @Mozy]

The launch of Windows 8 couldn't have come at a worse time than the middle of an electoral campaign in the United States and a hurricane which destroyed many homes and lives. I have not yet tried Windows 8 and probably won't until some time has passed and I get to read user reviews about it. My perception is that Windows never come up with two quality operating systems in a row. There was XP which was excellent, Vista which was rubbish, and Windows 7 which is very good (I presently work on it and I have nothing to say against it). From the look of it, Windows 8 tries to copy Apple's idea and is good for tablets only.