I’m that guy who talks about operating systems. In my latest computer purchase, I chose Linux as my primary OS. I like that I can customize it and make it just what I like. I like what the open source movement means for software. Still, I’m not completely happy with my setup. It works, but it could definitely be easier. That’s why I always try to read up on new features that operating systems provide, why I was excited to test out Windows 7 and why I try out several different flavors of Linux in virtual machines. I’m even nerdy enough to get excited when Apple announces that it’s not focusing on any flashy new features in Snow Leopard, just tweaking a few things under the hood. To me, fixing things under the hood is a feature. Even with all those shiny new toys, the thing that excites me most is the general direction that all of these operating systems are converging to one direction: the web.

When you take away all the buzzwords and hype that come with using the web as a platform, this OS convergence can be simply described, as David Worthington does in talking about the upcoming release of Windows 7:

Windows 7 is a big improvement upon Windows Vista, but the hoopla of days when people lined up to buy OS’s is over. There are simply too many alternatives, and the Web is the great equalizer.

This convergence is bringing back the browser wars and it’s increasing innovation. It should be fun, as soon as I get Skype working properly in Linux.