Open-software what??

Following the readings on Mark's blog and his class on open-sofware I have to say I now posess a few more tools to familiarize myself with this incredible world that is Internet. It seemed like these softwares, programs and others are easy to use, good, without viruses and all the advantages said before. However, all these Microsoft things are the ones I'm using right now!! Since I'm not really familiar with this world, i used what I knew and now every readings I make are telling me to switch for Mac, or Mozilla, or to forget Vista, wich is what I have. I'm use to use Explorer, Microsoft and all that software 'junk' full of bogs and viruses as they call it, should i now change?? Do I have to ajust and learn about all these other new things? Are they really better?.... Or is their lobby only more organized and well paid so we get that information about their product being better?? Hum, wich sources are really truthful....

TIC's

Personnaly, I've never been a huge tech fan... I just don't get it! If there's a trouble with my computer, I'm screwed! Recently though I've been using some of them and I have to admit it's quite convenient. Easy access to my bank accounts, msn and web cam, facebook, text messaging on my (new) cell phone, and I must say I enjoy it! However, I feel archaic because I still have a cd player and not an ipod yet! The things is, watching these videos made me realize my future students are already using techs I didn't even know existed! Technologies develop very quickly, in 4 years from now, when my degree is finished, what will it be? I know we must use these as tools to get into their world and understand their reality but are they really the future? How can we always stay up to date? And by doing everything on our little machines aren't we losing real face to face contacts with one another? I was surprise to be so interested in Mark's classes, I've learned a lot so far but it scares me a lot!