I've done very little Windows programming, but I am amazed how few tools it has "out of the box". If they want me to push my customers to use a new OS, they could ensure it comes with a good set of primitives: preferably the GNU tool set, as well as perl/python/tclsh/ruby/sh in predictable locations. They should also have networking tools of the caliber of PuTTY (or maybe just make a deal to have PuTTY available).
Thankfully, at work, we at least ship a build of Perl to our internal customers; otherwise I'd lose my mind trying to get anything done on Windows! Yes, there is CygWin, but there's definitely value if people can Just Work without downloading a bunch of stuff to their PCs first.
Thankfully, at work, we at least ship a build of Perl to our internal customers; otherwise I'd lose my mind trying to get anything done on Windows! Yes, there is CygWin, but there's definitely value if people can Just Work without downloading a bunch of stuff to their PCs first.