For those using a modern desktop computer, you would usually fall under one of two camps, the Mac user or the Windows user. For those using one or the other, you likely started with one, either upgrading to the latest version or not, or you are a convert having switched your allegiance at some point. If you’re someone in tech, you likely use not one, not two, but possibly three to four operating systems daily depending on your tasks. If you haven’t guessed by now, I’m one of those tech guys that use them all.

I’ve been using Windows since version 3.1 when it was just a clunky user interface layer of the “windows” boxes with mouse clicks interpreting commands via MSDOS (simplified). Since then, I’ve used all consumer and server versions of Windows right up to the launch of Windows 10. Windows has been plagued by stagnant, antiquated code. If you ever used internet explorer, you may or may not know what I mean. Enter Windows 10, a new era for the flying color squares. Between Vista and 8.1, it suffered an identity crisis, wanting to be new and young and hip but offering the same old same old. It confused many people, myself included. The confusing elements are gone, and they somehow managed to unify the several disparate versions into a vibrant, intuitive experience for the next generation.

Just so you know that I’m not just a card-carrying Windows-only user, I’ve also been using Macs since before there were fanboys–you know, the folks that worship Apple as if everything they produce is pure gold? I remember the color Macintosh computers and playing Oregon Trail and Number Crunchers. Not long after high school, I got my first laptop, the iBook g4. To catch you up, that’s two operating systems at least, OS 9 and OS X (10).

Now that you know I’ve been around the block, here’s why the new Windows is gold: it caught up with and possibly might surpass the Mac operating system with intuitive controls. You can now control many things without having to install some random application as you would have in the Windows of yore. We got a taste of the full screen and touch-based Windows of 8 and 8.1. They’ve been nicely melded with the classic Windows start button that we’re all familiar with. The new desktop browser, Edge, is fast, modern, and web developer friendly. Although a firm sever with internet explorer would have been preferred, it certainly is a welcome new entrant. Microsoft has also reportedly enabled automatic updates for all users. Whether you’re against getting regular updates due to the impending robot-pocalypse, or of yore just paranoid, it’s always a good idea to update your software’s systems. Just know that most systems can be hacked, regardless of the operating system.

I was expecting some user interface changes to the control panel, but I’m also grateful it’s all still exactly where I left it. Still, the interface could use an update there. Under the hood, Microsoft has opened Windows up so to speak to software engineers, allowing third party integrations, and making the development process more friendly altogether. Still there are things that make me wary of ditching my Mac or Linux box completely, so I probably never will. For most tool chains, you will need some interpreting software in order to compile source code in the Windows environment. This has always been my issue–that and a lack of native ssh due to the lack of a Unix like shell. I guess DOS will still do. Despite its shortcomings, the fresh and invigorating ideas for the new OS is inspiring, and I believe that Windows will be a regular driver for my daily routine.