On January 21st, Microsoft hosted a huge event to show off their upcoming operating system, Windows 10. The event itself was much-anticipated because Microsoft was expected to confirm many details about Windows 10, including the price Microsoft would be asking. For the last few months, there have been strong rumors that Windows 10 would even be offered for free. Yet, despite eagerly awaiting the confirmation about the price of the new software, many of the news outlets (including tech news) simply reported it wrong.

They kept suggesting that while Windows 10 would be free for awhile, the party would end and then Microsoft would have you paying extra money to use your own computer through a subscription.

To be honest, I think much of the reporting on the Windows 10 event was simply lazy. Reporters got the part about Windows 10 being free correct; in fact, they shouted that part from the digital rooftops to get people to read their article. But things got fuzzy when it came down to who it was free for and what limitations might be a part of that offer. That kind of reporting is sad; too many people depend on the news for information for reporters to not get it right the first time.

As low as the quality of the reporting was, I don’t think it is why so many reporters missed the mark on the Windows 10 event.

I think they just couldn’t wrap their minds around it.

I can just imagine them thinking: “brand new version of Windows, plenty of new features, better user interface than Windows 8, and you are going to offer it for free?”

“How will Microsoft make money?”

Reporters were waiting for the catch; the proverbial other shoe.

This is probably why more than a few articles connected Windows 10 to Windows as an ongoing and paid subscription. There is no evidence Microsoft intends to make Windows 10 a service where Microsoft can lock you out of your computer if you don’t keep giving them money.

Microsoft in the past might have done that, but the question in tech circles over the last year or so is “do we have a new Microsoft?”

I don’t know, but I absolutely would like to find out and I can’t do that if I am locked in the past. You know…those old thoughts and old patterns that we keep on repeating, leading us to the same old results.

Wisdom, discernment, and analysis are good. Cynicism and assumptions can leave us locked in a box we will not break free from.

What else might we be keeping in a box?