tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9904986.post339456617101777660..comments2023-05-25T05:12:07.166-07:00Comments on Getting it Right: Apple, the bullyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9904986.post-33852937884385925622007-09-08T22:43:00.000-07:002007-09-08T22:43:00.000-07:00Hi Alberta,First off, this article was written by ...Hi Alberta,<BR/><BR/>First off, this article was written by Mike Elgan from PC World, not by me. I've added his name to the top of the post now. <BR/><BR/>I do endorse the "spirit" of the post, that's why I put some of it up on my site. And the spirit of the post is that Apple is working hard to become the next Microsoft. <BR/><BR/>Yes, Apple "make[s] a good product, solid and usable software", but so does Microsoft. Yes, Apple's not half as bad as Microsoft (I do see them as inventors of the <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embrace,_extend_and_extinguish" REL="nofollow"> embrace, extend and extinguish</A> tactics), but Apple is onto the same path.<BR/><BR/>"Bundling", "unwilling to follow standards", they're both symptoms of the same practices; shutting healthy competition out. <BR/><BR/>Fortunately, the future is wide and open. <BR/><BR/>Except from the OS, I've stopped using many (if not all) Microsoft programs on my computers. I use OpenOffice for text and database, Firefox and Thunderbird for the web, LAMP on my servers, MoinMoin for collaborative projects (and their Desktop version for personal use; recommended), and so on.<BR/><BR/>I never bought into the Apple-mania, and given the abundance of open-source software (=real choice) currently out there, I don't think I ever will either. <BR/><BR/>Go ahead, my latte sipping friends, go buy that sexy, but severely overpriced new laptop or desktop. Go ahead, fall for Apple's "designer" iphone or ipod. <BR/>And sure, feel good about it, if that makes you happy. <BR/><BR/>You'll have my blessings.Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15012567844101960274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9904986.post-74147784806789586172007-09-08T15:28:00.000-07:002007-09-08T15:28:00.000-07:00Itunes is the supporting software for the hardware...Itunes is the supporting software for the hardware produced by apple. You liken it to internet explorer, however either you are too young to remember, or not technically knowledgable enough to understand the difference between "bundling" software, and integrating your browser directly into the operating system such that it cannot be removed, which is what Microsoft has done. Since the antitrust lawsuits have ended, Microsoft has continued down this road. In addition, they have also heavily integrated their inferior and non-standards compliant office suite into its server products and has quietly been changing other products such as vista so they become difficult to manage with competing technologies.<BR/><BR/>I would agree with you that Apple is now flexing more of its muscle, however it pales terribly in comparison to Microsoft, or even other former rivals like Novell. Apple does make a good product, solid and usable software. Microsoft has its merits as well but is far more unwilling to follow standards that open technology up for everyone. I am, by the way, both a PC and a Mac user and have been since my first MacII and XT boxes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com