*nix
Since I changed jobs, back in April of this year, I've started using Macintosh computers, and have virtually quit using PCs, or any variety of Microsoft operating system. I've wanted to estrange myself from M$ for some time now, and had even attempted to convert to Linux about a year and a half ago. I managed to accomplish most of my regular computer tasks on the Linux box I had set up for myself, but never had the time, the drive, or the understanding to completely replicate the tasks I did in Windows in the Linux environment.
One application I grew very fond of in my time as a M$ user was Macro Scheduler, a program I'd highly recommend to anyone who still chooses to (or is forced to) work in a Microsoft OS. Macro Scheduler allows you to automate virtually any task by authoring macros with it's own custom scripting language. These macros can be run on a schedule, in response to the presence of a window (such as a "you have been disconnected" box), or by the use of shortcut keys. I became heavily dependent on automating tasks and spent a great deal of time writing macros, and then assigning them to keyboard combinations that I memorized. I was able to do quite a bit of repetitive and mind-numbing work very quickly by utilizing macros to do the parts that were the same every time, so that I only had to think about the parts that were different.
Once, just for fun, I wrote a macro that would log in to a Vegas site every day (at pseudo random times) and play a virtual slot machine game several hours a from my home computer while I was at work. This little macro earned me enough prize points for two free nights stay for me and a guest at the Bellagio, as well as a free buffet meal for each day of my stay. Unfortunately, within a few weeks of me running the macro, they changed the terms of the site, disallowing any further prizes, and putting a very short deadline on redemption of the prizes I'd already earned. I never got to use the free nights and free meals. Still, it's satisfying to know that I was able to earn the prizes.
Back to the point... the scariest thing about giving up my microsoft OS in favor of Linux was giving up Macro Scheduler. Fast-forward to this weekend, after having a few months using Mac OS X (built on Unix), and interacting with my computer and several servers through a Unix shell, it finally hit me. As I read a borrowed book on sed & awk (an awesome pair of Unix power tools), I realized that the *nix OS itself IS Macro Scheduler. I'm sure anyone who has used *nix for any length of time would hardly raise an eyebrow over this minor realization, but for me it was huge. I feel like I've graduated to a whole new level as a computer user. It's the first time I really see why people rave so much about the wonders of *nix. I am excited about what is to come as I continue to learn more about *nix. I'm already happy with what I'm able to accomplish. However, I just had a brief glimpse at how much more there is to be done. I know I will enjoy the process of getting there.