Blake Schwendiman's Blog and Blook

As a software developer, I've been a PC zealot since 1986. That was the year that I got my first IBM PC and really started professional programming. I actually got paid to build a collections-agency software application before I finished high school. As all computer nerds of the time, I was aware of the Apple Macintosh -- I had even been an Apple owner back in the days of the //e. However, from my vantage point in 1986, it appeared that everyone was going to be using PCs in business and so all the software opportunities were going to be there. For the most part, that was a pretty good perspective.

Today, though, I'm experiencing Apple Envy. Have you heard about the new Apple OS called Leopard? You should watch this video. There's a lot of eye candy in the demonstration but from my perspective, what's truly amazing is how well integrated everything is. The good news for me is that today the Apple OS runs on an an Intel chip. That means that I can get a Mac, use Leopard for most of my work (it's almost all online now anyway) and if I need Windows, I can install MS Virtual PC and run Windows XP with its applications in a separate window.

I know what I'll be asking Santa for this year.