I like to keep a tight ship with my computers, if only to maximize the amount of time between reinstalls of Windows. Performance on both my tower and my laptop is smooth because I've had quite a bit of time to figure out an exact list of programs I need to install, thus keeping away from any "bloatware".

Being as tech savvy as I am, I like to dabble in new programs that occasionally cross my path, if only to note their merits for future use. I don't mind downloading and installing the program because I know there's something new for me to play with and hey, who doesn't like playing around with free software?

When all the fun to be had has been had, though, THAT'S when I get pissed off. Why would I get angry? Didn't I just sate a bit of curiousity? Sure I did, but after all the fun's done, I have to put up with the bullshit that is FINDING A WAY TO GET THE PROGRAM OFF MY COMPUTER. MOST programs (I'd venture to say 99%) include an entry under All Programs on the Start menu that include links to documentation, the actual program itself, AND THE UNINSTALLER! I don't have a problem with most programs because when the time comes for me to uninstall an application off my machine, I can just look for the program's entry in All Programs and click on the uninstaller. Short, quick, and above all else, INTUITIVE.

"Oh but what about the Add/Remove Programs dialogue?" First off, before I go any further, Microsoft, what's the deal? "Add/Remove"? When was the last time I ADDED a program using that control? Is it even possible? No, its not, thank god you changed it in Vista. How useful is it for removing programs? Its useful alright, if I enjoy WAITING for my computer to compile a list of programs I can uninstall EVERY TIME I RUN IT. How about you have the control generate some kind of flat file that contains all the uninstallers currently on the computer? If you're going to check for EVERY uninstaller on the machine, do you think Windows could stream uninstallers as Windows finds them? That might be a bit quicker. Hell, Spybot compiles a list of programs with uninstallers faster than Add/Remove Programs does. Go figure.

Wow, look how quick this turned into a hate-rant about Windows. I love Windows, though, so let me clarify that my anger is directed to all the application developers who find it best, in their INFINITE WISDOM, to NOT include an uninstaller in their All Programs entry. If you're one of those developers, please, PLEASE, go to Hell and don't come back until you figure out the best interests of the CUSTOMER and not yourself.