Oh, damn, I forgot that part when I started to write my reply. D'oh!

I still believe that one can get by without using them if one is using a personal PC ( ;P ) for work. Then the only important thing should be if the input and output of ones work is correct enough. Now, if the company is supplying a PC with specific software they want you to use I think that's different, because then it's not about you any more. If you get a choice when it comes to work you're lucky IMO. Would've been great if it was normal that people got to choose, but that'd probably be too much work for the IT department compared to just making everything the same.