New Software Developments

People often ask the clichéd question, "What's in a name?" And I always say, "A lot! Deception, intrigue, lust, vowels, etc." Asking what's in a name can be as dangerous as asking – while pressing it – "What does this button do?"

And just as a name can conjure strong images and reactions, so can that little (usually not-so-little) box of software you just bought.

But not so fast, Pandora!

Before you go opening things so carelessly, it pays to do a little investigating about the latest software developments. You and your PC will be glad you did. Do not let the name SOFTWARE fool you; there is nothing soft about them.

For instance, Microsoft (or, as I like to call it, Micro-jack-up-my-system-every-month-and-then-ask-m e-to-update-while-my-PC's-on-fire) has just made a new and exciting software development to its Internet Explorer. They give you (unfurl large red velvet curtain) Internet Explorer 7. Yes, count them – one, two, three, four, five, six, seven – there have been seven software developments to Internet Explorer.

That should tell you something – hell is repetition! Except, this time, the seventh circle of Hell is sans violent offenders; instead, you will receive this neat little toolbar, tabbed Web pages, search bars with options and site feeds. Hmm, sound familiar? That’s right; it sounds like every Web browser available right now! Also, this latest software development boasts, "Makes everyday tasks easier. Dynamic security protection. Improved platform and manageability." All of the features a Web browser should have anyway...

With software developments like this, I will take my chances with those violent offenders, thank you very much.

Seeing as the software developments for Microsoft are a little...well...soft, I think it is time for something less tame. 'Hey, babe, take a walk on the wild side. And the [mouse] goes [point and click, p-p-p-p-p-point, c-click...]."

The latest software development in Mac OS's feline family is the – stand back from the cage people! – OS X Leopard. And this software development is every bit as ferocious as it suggests: 64-bit, Intel Duo Core upgrade (good for advanced graphics and animation), a Spotlight program capable of accessing anything on your Mac and other networked Macs, and – my personal favorite – spaces. Spaces segment your screen into four equally proportioned quadrants and allow you to do a different task in each sub-screen. Now that is a really sexy software development. Uh-rroarrrrrrr...

Actually, I don't mean to show favoritism for one brand over another. The software developments speak for themselves, and they mostly speak to individual users' needs. New software developments are designed to meet the specific needs of various markets, whether they are perfecting a current product or adding to an existing line.

But beware of the box. Beware of the cardboard flap or the square shaped download prompt because you can buy software online. However, unlike Pandora's box, which could not retract all of the plagues we still face – war, pestilence, famine, hangnails – you can easily put the horrors of Hell back into the belly of the beast, simply by clicking “Uninstall.”

Too bad that can't happen with your ex.


Sources:
Apple.com. 19 October 2006.
Microsoft.com 19 October 2006.