Hey Charlie. Saying something sucks isn't always childish. It's hard when you are invested in something, especially emotionally, sometimes to admit these things. As much as I love Zooomr right now, there's a lot about Zooomr that sucks. Granted Zooomr is beta and we are a two man team only one of who can code and no giant bank account -- and hopefully it won't always suck (in fact, hopefully very shortly here you will see a much better app with our Mark III release). But I can also be realistic about things when I say that there are bugs in Zooomr today that need to be (and are being) fixed. In fact, one of the things that sucks about Zooomr right now is that it doesn't work very well in IE (this is something being fixed in our next release).

Saying something sucks to me means saying it doesn't work like it should or could.

My recent move from the Mac to the PC as my primary (note not only) computing platform is borne out of years of frustration with hardcore use. I appreciate your thoughts and comments but as you know when I feel strongly about something it typically comes out. Maybe that is passion.

Rather than defending something that has been broken (in my opinion XP) or spending $600 million marketing Vista, Microsoft should just figure out how to make it work better. This type of stuff probably needs to be thought out at very high levels in the company and I have no idea how to just make it work, but Apple seems to have largely figured it out.

A better response here: http://thomashawk.com/2007/02/microsofts-charlie-owen-is-disappointed_28.html

Charlie, I'm sorry I just now notice that you're such a Windows fanboy. My interest for your blog just dipped considerably.

You disregard every reasoning point Thomas uses for his switch to Mac for one (1) of his computers and then calling out Zoomr just because Thomas thinks he's more effective as a person when using a Mac.

I hope you're not very influential for the MCE-team because I'd prefer that it was run by people that want to make us more efficient in our media-consumption rather than saying "we're the best and I'll be disappointed if you use something else, even if you find it better". Well, I'm gonna try out MediaPortal with that shiny new TV-engine that has all the stuff you guys have been neglecting for years.

Ok, you're right, you don't disregard his comments. You say in a few words that he "has some interesting points".

And from what I gather from Thomas response you have not lost him as a resource for testing/using Windows Media Center. He still only has one Mac and still has an HTPC. "I have a HP Media Center PC." As well as another 4 PCs in his home. I don't call that abandoning Windows or Media Center. He simply says that his day to day work is more efficient on a Mac. To me that means that Thomas just became even more valuable to you since he can still provide feedback on what he thinks didn't work for him in Windows but works on another OS. But it's up to you use that feedback or not. If he's still your friend you should be able to talk to him about it, preferably before you guys start swinging at each other in blog posts.

And what part of his time have "you" lost to his Mac? From his blog post I gather he consumes most of his media from his HP Media Center at home.

Then you spend a paragraph saying Zooomr is more or less stupid for using Mac(s). That statement made me tag you as a Windows fan boy. I also think it's pretty narrow minded saying that a web service can't be developed on a Mac or any other platform. Especially considering Microsoft's previously (and still not fully rectified) poor adherence to web standards.

I'm not quite sure why I'm defending Zooomr. I don't even like it. It's probably because you're jumping on them for using macs.

I sincerely hope that you are more open-minded than that and from what you say yourself it would seem that you normally are. I've only followed your blog for a few months so I don't feel I know you as a person though. I'm not unsubscribing yet.

Sure your horse is probably dead about MacOs vs. Windows, but I just recently heard of this report:
http://pfeifferreport.com/Mac_Win_Sample.pdf
which supposedly points out a number of points where MacOS is better than Windows, for example for creative work. Granted I don't know who invested in the research so I can't tell if it's objective or not. I don't have the means to buy this report to read it but it sure sounds interesting as I think productivity is somewhat lacking in the windows environment.

Personally I don't use a mac. But I'm getting more and more curious.

As an avowed ex Mac-addict now Microsoft fanboy who has had the pleasure of meeting Charlie and corresponding with him let me say a few things in his defense.
1. If Charlie had more time you would probably see much more of his thought process, ideas, and opinions here online that would help you better understand that he really is all about improving the eHome experience and someone who takes the competition seriously and is definately open to new ideas no matter from where they come. However, he is verrrrrry busy working on an extremely dedicated, albeit in my opinion understaffed team/org, so we only get an occasional glimpse as to what he is thinking/doing from this blog. That in turn means you might be tempted to jump to conclsions about his thought and motives based on an incomplete picture that hasn't scratched the service.
2. Off the blog-o-sphere over the years Charlie has been one of the most tireless proponents of eHome user needs fighting inevitable internal politics, budget and staffing constraints, etc. He makes it a point to see what others (ie. Apple, and more) are doing well and pushes for Microsoft to not only match but try and go beyond and definately to be thinking beyond that. Charlie is very open minded and does take in and learn from what the industry is doing and where its moving.
3. I have seen Charlie time and time again put himself out there spending his own free time helping others who can even be hostile at first just because it is the right thing to do.
4. Charlie professionally is really a what you see is what you get kind of guy. so if he thinks or feels an ace is an ace, he is going to say so. However, as someone who has drawn the ire of the Mac fanboy base on occassion I think that you will see in any comprison he is definately reserved and thoughtful in his statements. As someone who years ago did a major dunderhead Homer Simpson Doh! in regards to some confidential eHome info. and who Charlie had to deal with I can personally attest to the fact that while there is no doubt as to where he is coming from he is most definately cognizent about throttling back, using self control (most other in his position would have really ripped yours truly a new....) and again in really trying to ultimately do whats right.

So I guess what I am saying is feed Charlie all the ideas and constructuve criticism of the eHome products you want and can (his is an open mind) but don't assume because he doesn't like how something is handled that he is closed minded. As to being a Microsoft fanboy... I wouldn't give two cents for someone who works for Microsoft, especially at his level, and who wasn't a passionate fanboy (same holds true for someone working at Apple, at Google, etc.). There are enough dispassionate MBA's running around this world and what companies like Microsoft need to lite a fire under everyones collective butts are more passionate fanboys.

oops forgot to chage my saved Home page to my new one. Done now....
BTW did I ention that Charlie and the eHome folks rock? ;-)

I think you are the first ever to call me a Windows fanboy. Well, now I can cross that off my list of accomplishments. :-) Thanks!

Great Presentations!

I see. Thanks anyway :)