I have the critical WinXP software running under Parallels and, thanks to MacPorts, have all the Open Source Linux code running. There is one package that uses old Motif calls that doesn't play well with 24 bit color that has issues, but everything else just runs. It has been amazing to see users in science and engineering move steadily to MacOSX. There is a helpful community to assist new users. I had a great experience at the Apple Store and will continue to shop there.
It pains me to see so many disparaging comments here, especially from a couple of posters who seem to have 'axes to grind' and little to no experience with Apple products. Thank you for your time refuting the FUD.
I do have one observation to add to the debate: my reading tells me that Win7 will not be totally backwards-compatible and will require some legacy software to run in some kind of virtual environment. I don't see that as a bad move by Microsoft. However, having to run legacy software in a virtual environment anyway, it seems this decision will permit MS users to consider virtualization under other operating systems that might suit their need. Virtualization under MacOSX certainly works for me.
Thanks for your appreciation. In a way, we should also thank Blue Highway and Sudetenland for their axe grinding. If it weren't for them grinding away at stuff they know nothing about, I would not have been able to present the facts in an attempt to educate them. At least casual reader will learn the truth instead of the FUD they were spreading.
I do have one observation to add to the debate: my reading tells me that Win7 will not be totally backwards-compatible and will require some legacy software to run in some kind of virtual environment. I don't see that as a bad move by Microsoft. However, having to run legacy software in a virtual environment anyway, it seems this decision will permit MS users to consider virtualization under other operating systems that might suit their need. Virtualization under MacOSX certainly works for me.
Microsoft should have bitten the bullet long ago and put their legacy software compatibility into a virtual machine environment and modernized Windows. Apple did it with OSX. It worked for them and it worked for their developers who were given the opportunity to continue what they had already published while working with an OS that was already in the Wild, developing the next generation of their product. In the MS world, there are still vertical solution specialty apps that run in DOS and their publishers have not made much effort to bring them into compliance with Windows' User Interface.
Again, thanks for the thanks. It is sometimes difficult to keep up the effort in the face of the constant disparagement such as I've been receiving on this thread.