What is the most important application on my machine? What are the most important files? Apparently, Microsoft thinks that Microsoft Office is the most important application that could ever be on my machine and that word, excel, and powerpoint files must be kept securely locked down. How do I know this?

Up to a week ago, I had been exclusively using “openoffice”:http://www.openoffice.org and I highly reccommend it! I also have my windows machine setup without a password on my user account and I like it that way. I also don’t need to log back in whenever my computer goes to sleep and had set my settings accordingly. (I work at home…and anyone that steals my computer will easily get around these little security measures.)

Last week I had to install Office for a client project that used a third party plugin for powerpoint. I hated to do it…but I had to. After installing Office, my computer suddenly started requiring a log in after it awoke from slumber. (Even though I have a blank password!) This is just annoying and arrogant. Why the need to “secure” my machine now that it has Office installed?

I don’t know…and don’t care…I’ll change it back and keep saving for my mac.