TourGuideMike Rules!

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

I have to agree.

I can't bring myself to pay for something I can get for free. :

It's funny to me that it seems like people are attacking TGM -- saying I didn't find anything in TGM that I didn't find in UG and DIS, which is a bit of an unfair way to critique TGM's worth. I haven't seen any posts in the reverse -- stating, I haven't found anything in UG that I can't find on TGM. Both have valuable information. It should not be "X is no good because *I* got most of it already in Y", but perhaps more accurately, "If you've already read X you might not need Y" or vice versa!

It is interesting to see the comparisons -- those who don't like TGM seems to say: Why pay for online info when I can get other online info for free?

I don't compare TGM to *free* online sites, I compare TGM to the Passporter BOOK, Unofficial Guide BOOK - each which cost about the same as TGM. I can't get the Unofficial Gudie BOOK for free or the Passporter BOOK for free. I am willing to *pay* for both books, just as I am willing to *pay* for Tour GUide MIke, which to me is an excellent guide BOOK, which is accessible online, providing the added benefit of constant updates --- an added value!

When you think of it this way, why would you be willing to pay for other books, but not Tour Guide Mike? It's like buying a book that constantly updates itself! My 2004 copies of the Passporter and The Unofficial Guide have not updated themselves --- in fact the Passporter and UG are usually outdated by the time you buy them (...didn't have the EMH changes, did the 2005 versions have the MMY changes?....) I know both books offer changes on their sites, but I have to read the book first, then check for changes online -- Tour Guide Mike offers it all in one place.

As for TGM being a bunch of articles, isn't that what travel books are? Articles grouped together in chapters, etc, accessible through a table of contents and/or index...TGM offers info in the same way.

I've bought the 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004 UG & Passporter, and TGM in 2004. For my 2005 trip, I'll use the 2004 UG, Passporter and a new subscription to TGM! Between the 3 resources and these boards, I know I'll be in great shape. However, I also know TGM will provide info that I won't find anywhere else.

I'm not sure TGM is a *must buy* any more than The Passporter or UG...In reality having only 1 of these resources is *probably* enough or just using allears and the DIS boards for free is probably enough, but for Disney Info Junkies like many of us here, it is not unreasonable or a waste to purcahse more than one "guide book" - Passporter, UG and TGM. All 3 or great resources!

A definite TGM fan here! I have most certainly found things on TGM that I have not found in the Passporter or The Unofficial Guide -- both which I have read cover to cover several times, several different years. I am glad to use all three.

 

[Grammy]

Why do you care what I think??

It's not that I care what you think or that I am somehow upset that you do not want to subscribe to TGM. I am aware that there is not one perfect planning guide or tool that is right for everyone. I hace used the UOG in the past and did fine with it. It's my personal opion that TGM is more comprehensive and a better fit for our group. If you are happy with the planning tool you have, great. Say that, don't say that another isn't worth the money. I think it is unfair to say that A BUSINESS is "not worth it" if you haven't actually tried it. If you haven't tried it yourself then you should not be making that statement (that it isn't worth it b/c the info is available for free elsewhere) as fact. You can not know if it is fact or not if you've never checked for yourself. It's not just TGM. It would be unfair of me to say that, for instance, the UOG isn't worth it (which I am not saying, I do own copies from the last 3 years. I think it is a valuable tool as well. I'm just giving an example) or the DIS boards don't have good info (again, just as an example; not how I feel) if I had not actually READ the UOG or at least lurked on the boards.

Fact is, you can not say with certainty that there is nothing that can't be found for free if you haven't actually subscribed. Yes, maybe 2 people here have shared that opinion but they also said they didn't spend much time with it. MANY others who have spent time going through the info, myself included, have said they did find info in TGM not available for free elsewhere.

I object to sweeping generalizations made without fact to back them up. Not just here but in life in general.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I do enjoy the Unofficial guide, but don't like it's comando-type touring plans. This is why TGM works better for us. The Passporter has neat little pockets and maps, but I won't buy it again. I just didn't get that much info from it, IMHO. When we are planning a trip again, I'll stick with TGM and the DIS!
But, I would never knock anyone who prefers the Unofficial Guide. Why is it necessary to knock someone because they prefer one source of information over another?

 

[bdrex95]

Well said, Snow White Rabbitt!

I am very happy with the results of my TGM subscription. I will admit, that some of the information I already knew or had seen on these boards or other free sites. But there was also plenty I didn't know, or hadn't thought about. We were at WDW 2 weeks ago and my itinerary was based primarily on TGM. We were at MGM on Monday, MK Tuesday, Epcot Wednesday, MK Thursday and AK Friday. We rarely waited in lines of over 10 minutes, even though we saw many lines that were well over 45 minutes, some even over 60 minutes! We had already done those attractions, or had planned to FP them. The reason for this was TGM.

Initially, I was disappointed in TGM. I wanted to be able to input my info, and 10 minutes later have a detailed itinerary for my whole trip. It didn't work that way. The way it actually works is much better, but much more involved. I was able to learn the theory behind touring the parks, so when we got off track (which happened regularly with DS6, DD3, and DS1) I knew how to get back on track without being a maniac!

TGM worked extremely well for us. If you don't want to use it, nobody is making you. If you are not sure, I would encourage you to give it a try. Just make sure you give it a fair chance - take some time to really use it and you will probably be impressed. If not, then get a refund. No harm done.

Have fun everybody!

 

[Cara]

I may not be the norm, but I get something from EVERY guidebook I use. I like TGM because of the article and itinerary planning advice. I like the UG for their suggested itineraries and honest reviews. I like Birnbaum's for the pictures. I like Passporter for the pockets and maps. (Uh, yeah, I am a tourguide addict. I have issues, OK?)

 

[jpeltier]

I agree with bdrex. In fact,last year I purchased TGM. After glancing over it,I thought Phooey I already know this stuff and requested a refund. The refund was prompt. This year I've learned alot about discounts (thanks DIS!!!) and figured ok I don't know everything about WDW. So,I revisited TGM and I knew that I could get a refund,well let me tell you-its been an eye opener. Once I committed to spending some time reading through it - my gosh, I've learned tons of stuff. This is coming from an obsessive reader of everything about WDW planning since 1984.
Cara is right onthe money as well. Open your mind and you can learn from every source available to you. Here's hoping that everybody can find the right fit!!!

 

[dirtnap101]

As a TGM subscriber for our May trip, and a buyer of the 2005 UG, and a visitor to the DIS, I've got to say that TGM is worth it.

I can dig it if someone is really into planning and spends every waking hour leading up to their trip of free message boards gathering as much info as possible. If you want to do the legwork and spend the time, you can find everything for free and plan a great WDW vacation.

TGM, for the $18 or $19 I paid for it, was well worth the money. My 2005 UG (purchased in the Fall of 2004) has some completely useless sections with all the changes that have been made since the end of 2004/beginning of 2005. TGM is totally up-to-date on those changes. Like the UG, it condenses a lot of info nicely for you and you don't have to do so much legwork, especially if you are a WDW newbie. The added benefit is that it is up-to-date and you know that Mike is cosntantly in the parks himself as it is his business. To me, that's a big thing.

There's one other advantage to TGM - the money-back guarantee.

I feel a lot better about my trip because of stuff I learned from TGM and the way he presents it, so I definitely think it's worth the price of a guidebook. It's not some magic pill that will plan your WDW trip in 10-15 minutes, but it's no more work than reading a guidebook and it's certainly less than spending every waking hour on free sites and message boards (although as I said some people enjoy that and I think it's fine to want to do that).

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I may not be the norm, but I get something from EVERY guidebook I use. I like TGM because of the article and itinerary planning advice. I like the UG for their suggested itineraries and honest reviews. I like Birnbaum's for the pictures. I like Passporter for the pockets and maps. (Uh, yeah, I am a tourguide addict. I have issues, OK?)

I'm with you Cara... I really like them all and get a little something different from each one.
I have a few issues also...... i'm a planning addict..... but what can I say I LOVE IT!!!!!

 

[DonnaDuck]

Another Tour Guide Mike fan here...

I LOVE the Dis boards and have been coming here for years. I visit each day to lurk although I don't post a lot. This place is home...

I have lots of PassPorters and UGs...they are great too.

But I must say, after all the reading that I have done and trips to WDW, I thought I knew it all...until TGM!!

Some of the info and "secret" tips that I have learned from him are worth double the money that I paid and then some. I will continue to subscribe to his site even if I am not planning a trip to WDW that year...It is great!! I am now a fan for life. The work that goes into that site and the time that he spends updating it is amazing!

Come on those of you that haven't tried it...give it a shot. All the info can seem overwhelming in the beginning...but just keep reading and searching. You might be surprised at what you will find.

 

[mill4023]

Why do you care what I think??

TGM isn't worth MY money. Like I said before, I have no desire to spend money on something that I can get for free. I also said I wouldn't use TGM, but I'm glad the service is there for those that will.

LOL. You don't KNOW if all of the information in TGM can be found elsewhere for free. Because you've never tried it. If you aren't interested, that's fine. I don't care in the slightest whether or not you subscribe to TGM. But you are assuming things you have no way of knowing. It's just a silly statement. It would be like me claiming that all of TGM's advice is 100% accurate when I haven't made my trip yet and obviously don't know for sure whether everything he says is true.

Last summer, I bought the UG for Disneyland and it was great. It was the first time I had used a guidebook for DL and it made a big difference. We got to ride everything we wanted even on a busy summer day and we had great meals for lunch and dinner because we followed the author's recommendations. Our first trip to WDW is in 12 days. I bought the UG, Fodor's WDW and Universal for Kids, and subscribed to TGM. All of them have had helpful information. To me, it's not a matter of the guides being the only place to find answers, it's the fact that they provide answers to questions I wouldn't have otherwise thought of even asking. Yes, I love the DIS and I've gotten a ton of great advice here. But the guidebooks and TGM can't be beat for providing so much well-organized information all in one place. The thing I love about TGM is how he explains the reasons behind all his advice. Because of this, you can adapt your plans when Disney does things out of the ordinary, like close Epcot at 3pm or change the days of EMH's.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

It's funny to me that it seems like people are attacking TGM -- saying I didn't find anything in TGM that I didn't find in UG and DIS, which is a bit of an unfair way to critique TGM's worth.

I don't think that is unfair at all to compare a paid service to those that are free elsewhere (including travel books - which are available for free at local libraries).

People always talk about all this wonderful advice at TGM - and I just didn't find it. As some people have either implied or outright said, "oh, then you must not have read closely enough!" or "you didn't know how to use it".

Well, I'm a voracious reader, and very tech savvy - I have gone to school for website design, so yes, I know how to navigate a website. In fact, unlike some who may be blinded by some of the fancy (read:confusing) menus at that site may not realize how redundant what is there really is.

I read virtually every article on that site. I found absoultely nothing new or notable. Every time I'd see an article I thought would be of use, it turned out to just be a copy/paste or a rewording of something he already said. I resubscribed a few weeks ago just to make sure, and went through the process again - so many people on these boards are part of the TGM cult, I figured I'd give it another shot.

This time, I not only found the same level of information (i.e. common sense or things available elsewhere) but I also found a lot of INACCURATE information. Not all of the site has been updated regarding MYW and EMH - and before someone points out how tough it must be to update it, I have to say when you charge what he does for access you better be able to update things in a timely manner.

As to an "AVP" there is no such thing at his site, and I also feel his site doesn't advertise itself for what it is. There is nothing "automatic" about it - it's simply a collection of articles. When you call something an "automatic vacation planner", well, I assume there is something automatic, at the very least automated. Nothing of the sort at TGM - just redundant articles "recommended" by the questionaire he gives you to start with. In reality, it just is a filter for his articles - and not a very good one at that.

Finally, personally I cannot stand his style of writing, [insert name]. Something you learn when you build public websites, [insert name], is that while a conversational tone is great you shouldn't over-use personalization. You see, [insert name], it's worse than no personalization at all than to do it in every other sentance, [insert name]. It actually makes you appear less genuine and defeats the purpose, know what I mean, [insert name]?

However, if you have already read UG, not so much the touring plans but the descriptions of how rides load/unload and traffic patterns, have been to WDW before, and/or read this site and AllEarsNet, there is really no use for TGM in my opinion.

I am basing this on the content of his website, not his forums. I don't use Internet Exploiter and am behind a firewall, and am unable to access his forums because of the ancient way he has it set up. I am willing to bet, from conversations I've had with other TGM-heads, that most of the pro-TGM people are people who continually subscribe and spend most of their time at the message boards. They must - otherwise, how often can you read the same cut and pased sections of articles, simply rearranged?

I'm not writing this to be argumentative, simply to provide what I feel is an honest assessment of a paid service that members of this board may be considering. While I am sure TGM has helped some of you, I do not think it is the holy grail some people work it up to be. If you don't know to hit Space Mountain when the park opens, or that if you are up late one night you shouldn't plan something early the next morning, or that the AM after a parks EMH at night is quieter, then maybe TGM is for you.

As someone who wouldn't consider myself an expert but just well-informed, I have to say I didn't find a single piece of advice at TGM that I needed, or hadn't seen elsewhere. The only thing I would have liked was help with Dining but TGM is very weak in that area - but then again, who could compete with a site like AllEars where you get reviews and a complete menu.

This is not to demean anyone who has gotten use out of TGM, I'm just pointing out that personally, no matter how hard I tried (and subscribing twice I really did try) I didn't. Since he does give refunds, I see no harm in giving him a try - but just don't expect much.

N.E.D.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I don't think that is unfair at all to compare a paid service to those that are free elsewhere (including travel books - which are available for free at local libraries).

People always talk about all this wonderful advice at TGM - and I just didn't find it. As some people have either implied or outright said, "oh, then you must not have read closely enough!" or "you didn't know how to use it".

Well, I'm a voracious reader, and very tech savvy - I have gone to school for website design, so yes, I know how to navigate a website. In fact, unlike some who may be blinded by some of the fancy (read:confusing) menus at that site may not realize how redundant what is there really is.

I read virtually every article on that site. I found absoultely nothing new or notable. Every time I'd see an article I thought would be of use, it turned out to just be a copy/paste or a rewording of something he already said. I resubscribed a few weeks ago just to make sure, and went through the process again - so many people on these boards are part of the TGM cult, I figured I'd give it another shot.

This time, I not only found the same level of information (i.e. common sense or things available elsewhere) but I also found a lot of INACCURATE information. Not all of the site has been updated regarding MYW and EMH - and before someone points out how tough it must be to update it, I have to say when you charge what he does for access you better be able to update things in a timely manner.

As to an "AVP" there is no such thing at his site, and I also feel his site doesn't advertise itself for what it is. There is nothing "automatic" about it - it's simply a collection of articles. When you call something an "automatic vacation planner", well, I assume there is something automatic, at the very least automated. Nothing of the sort at TGM - just redundant articles "recommended" by the questionaire he gives you to start with. In reality, it just is a filter for his articles - and not a very good one at that.

Finally, personally I cannot stand his style of writing, [insert name]. Something you learn when you build public websites, [insert name], is that while a conversational tone is great you shouldn't over-use personalization. You see, [insert name], it's worse than no personalization at all than to do it in every other sentance, [insert name]. It actually makes you appear less genuine and defeats the purpose, know what I mean, [insert name]?

However, if you have already read UG, not so much the touring plans but the descriptions of how rides load/unload and traffic patterns, have been to WDW before, and/or read this site and AllEarsNet, there is really no use for TGM in my opinion.

I am basing this on the content of his website, not his forums. I don't use Internet Exploiter and am behind a firewall, and am unable to access his forums because of the ancient way he has it set up. I am willing to bet, from conversations I've had with other TGM-heads, that most of the pro-TGM people are people who continually subscribe and spend most of their time at the message boards. They must - otherwise, how often can you read the same cut and pased sections of articles, simply rearranged?

I'm not writing this to be argumentative, simply to provide what I feel is an honest assessment of a paid service that members of this board may be considering. While I am sure TGM has helped some of you, I do not think it is the holy grail some people work it up to be. If you don't know to hit Space Mountain when the park opens, or that if you are up late one night you shouldn't plan something early the next morning, or that the AM after a parks EMH at night is quieter, then maybe TGM is for you.

As someone who wouldn't consider myself an expert but just well-informed, I have to say I didn't find a single piece of advice at TGM that I needed, or hadn't seen elsewhere. The only thing I would have liked was help with Dining but TGM is very weak in that area - but then again, who could compete with a site like AllEars where you get reviews and a complete menu.

This is not to demean anyone who has gotten use out of TGM, I'm just pointing out that personally, no matter how hard I tried (and subscribing twice I really did try) I didn't. Since he does give refunds, I see no harm in giving him a try - but just don't expect much.

N.E.D.

I've noticed that you respond to many of the threads about tourguidemike.com and in no uncertain terms do not like his site.
In fact since I have seen so many responses from you I would assume you are quite passionate in your dislike for his site. I'm not saying that is not ok... everyone has their favorites etc... Just something I've noticed.

I've been to WDW quite a few times, I have every guidebook and most people would say that I go a little overboard in my planning and preparing.
I see Tourguidemike.com as another guide. Another form of information that is quite helpful. I also enjoy his forums just like I enjoy the passporter forums. They are smaller communities and can be just as helpful as the Disboards.
He has taken quite a few VIP's on tours and has been doing his thing for a while now so I think he knows his stuff. Also, his advise has never been wrong for ME.
And HEY...... I've recently discovered TourguideMike Radio!!!!! I love it. Ohhhhh...... and it IS free!!!! I have it playing as background right now.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I don't think you should flame NewEnglandDisney for his dislike of TGM. This is a forum, please let's not attack everyone whose opinion differs.
Now, I subscribed to TGM, so I guess in a way, my opinion counts. I'm not so sure I think it's going to be useful to me. It's laid out in a very confusing manner, and all the material I've gotten so far is information I already had from other sources. I value his opinions (for really, that's all they are...informed opinions), but I'm not so very sure his opinions will work for my family. I think I'll continue with the subscription until I'm more sure, but as it stands now....I'm getting my money back.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I don't think you should flame NewEnglandDisney for his dislike of TGM. This is a forum, please let's not attack everyone whose opinion differs.
Now, I subscribed to TGM, so I guess in a way, my opinion counts. I'm not so sure I think it's going to be useful to me. It's laid out in a very confusing manner, and all the material I've gotten so far is information I already had from other sources. I value his opinions (for really, that's all they are...informed opinions), but I'm not so very sure his opinions will work for my family. I think I'll continue with the subscription until I'm more sure, but as it stands now....I'm getting my money back.

I'm very sorry if I was misunderstood but I was not flaming anyone here and I truely do not want anyone to think I'm attacking them in any way.
Sorry to all that felt i was doing so.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

I'm very sorry if I was misunderstood but I was not flaming anyone here and I truely do not want anyone to think I'm attacking them in any way.
Sorry to all that felt i was doing so.

It's NP, I understood what you meant.

The reason I have posted in several TGM threads is simply because they all seem to say "It's great! Lots of good stuff!" and I just have a different view of it and don't see it represented very often. Like anything, I believe that a variety of opinions before you purchase is good.

It also irks me when someone tries to make money off of people's love of Disney. It just doesn't sit well with me when I don't think the service lives up to it's billing. From things people had said about TGM on these boards I was expecting something much different than was there - and from re-reading them and his advertisements I don't think I was terribly wrong to expect what I did.

I guess I'm just a bit jaded. I'm a huge WDW park freak and the place just makes sense to me. There are 2-5 big attractions in each park that you need to make sure you hit really early or really late (or during a parade), and the rest of the attractions you can take as they come, avoiding crowds as you watch them. Even on a busy day, crowds aren't equally everywhere - they tend to rove in packs so pre-planned orders of attractions aren't super reliable (especially when you factor in food and potty breaks). When it's unavoidably busy, ride continuously loading rides (Haunted Mansion) or shows instead of cycle rides (Dumbo) or slow-loading (Peter Pan).

My apologies if I offended anyone, but I tend to be critical of paid services on the Internet. I've been using the internet for more than 15 years (before the term "world wide web" was coined) and because of this I have a very skeptical view of anyone who charges for textual content - it goes against the original spirit of the Internet, freeing information. In this case, I just didn't see much information - just common tips wrapped in a blanket of super-casual conversational tone with too many, <insert name>'s and repeated eight different ways from Sunday.

As I said above, though, he does seem to honor the money back guarantee, so people should feel confident in trying it - but I simply hope to save them the frustration that I had trying to find things that weren't there.

N.E.D.

 

[goodferry]

I am a planaholic too! I have them all, the UG, the Passporter, I read the Dis, allears, Mousesavers, you name it, and I have found very useful info on TGM. For some reason, the layout makes sense to me, although I know that other people find it confusing. I think if you follow the steps he gives you without trying to jump ahead, it makes more sense. When we make our annual trek to WDW we spend A LOT of money, so I think twenty dollars spent towards making that trip more enjoyable is money well spent! I think his advice on AK touring in itself is worth the money. I have four kids, impatient kids, and waiting in line is not my idea of fun. TGM helps me eliminate that.

 

[DisneyMama629]

so many people on these boards are part of the TGM cult, I figured I'd give it another shot.


N.E.D.

Is it really necessary to refer to the TGM users as a cult? I understand that you don't like TGM, but we don't call the DISers a cult over on the TGM forum. Just because we like something doesn't make us a "cult."

Also,I wanted to let anyone who is considering purchasing TGM, that he is updating his dining info. This includes menus.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

Is it really necessary to refer to the TGM users as a cult? I understand that you don't like TGM, but we don't call the DISers a cult over on the TGM forum. Just because we like something doesn't make us a "cult."

Also,I wanted to let anyone who is considering purchasing TGM, that he is updating his dining info. This includes menus.

a good chunk of the TGM members ARE DISers

One of the things I enjoy about the TGM forums is the complete absense of flaming.

Mike is a great guy. I have met him. We spent a couple hours talking last week cruising around Epcot. He really just wants to help people, and of course make money. He IS in business, and his business IS Disney touring. If you don't need his advice I am very happy for you. 100% of the people I have urged to join his service like it very much and appreciate the advice and help.

I am also a fairly frequent poster here on the DIS. I think I am a Pop Century thread addict Anyway... where was I going?...

Oh yeah! I finally saw CoP!

Later!
Stephen

 

[Selket]

It also irks me when someone tries to make money off of people's love of Disney.

The Disboard folks probably make money off this site somehow - through sponsors or the Dreams Unlimited or something. Travel agents certainly make money off Disney. Hotels and restaurants all over Orlando make money off of Disney. Certainly folks who put out travel guides for WDW make money - like the UG or Passporter. I am all for folks making money off my love of WDW if they have a good thing I want to buy - which I think TGM does.

I really like TGM and I've found things there I've not found elsewhere. I can't say it hasn't been said at some time some where here on the Disboards (we are like a million monkeys typing here you know ). He puts all the info together well and I have no trouble navigating his site.

Nothing wrong with not liking it either - I think the way he puts things together doesn't work for some and some people want to be handed a complete plan of where to go and what to see exactly when. You do have to piece that together yourself based on your interests.

I encourage folks to try his site because he offers a money back guarantee and it costs the same as your typical travel guide - like a UG or Passporter, etc. If you are spending thousands on your vacation you owe it to yourself to check out his info IMHO.

 

[mill4023]

N.E.D.
I'm not sure why you have issues with the TGM forums, but they work perfectly fine for me behind a firewall using Firefox. One of the nice things about the TGM forums is that Mike reads the posts on a regular basis to answer questions personally.

I don't think anyone is trying to deny you your right to have a different opinion. I just think your posts make it sound like you have a lot of anger towards TGM. You say things like "it irks me" and "it doesn't sit well". I really don't understand why you are so offended that someone would try to make money. With the amount of work Mike puts in to TGM, who can blame him for charging for the service. Yes, the internet is about information and there is plenty of that. The other wonderful thing about the internet is that it provides a marketplace where ANYONE can offer a product or service without requiring a huge investment in a storefront or office. The internet has made it possible for millions of people to own their own business. TGM is one of these businesses and the great thing about it is the money-back guarantee. Mike is obviously confident enough in his product to think that most people will not ask for a refund because they will feel like they got their money's worth.

You seem to be implying that those of us who are TGM fans are stupid. I don't think any of us were "blinded" by his menus and somehow tricked into thinking there was information than there really was. We simply read the articles, followed his planning advice, and felt like we learned something.

I will agree with you that the Automated part is a bit misleading. The only thing automated is the filtering of articles, attraction info, dining info, etc. based on your questionnaire. I knew ahead of time what to expect because I read about TGM on the DIS, but I would have been disappointed if I was expecting an automatic itinerary builder. I also agree with you that his site is a bit confusing to navigate at first, but once you get the feel for it, it makes sense.

Tell me if I'm right.
You use a Mac, hate Microsoft, and are a big fan of open-source?