Apple is any better? It's not like MS sues people for running windows on non-standard hardware. It's not like MS refuses to 'license' applications for windows mobile. It's not like MS requires you to become a paid developer to write applications for their mobile OS either.
msdirection: bill gates has never created a physical device that impacted the machine race
I'm no MS fanboy, but i'm no huge apple fan either. Both do their share of questionable things but I'd have to say that MS is actually the more open of the two.
msdirection: Apple's Software (because software is really all microsoft really is) is more open than Microsoft. can you get me a copy of the source code of microsoft's base kernel?
And really, one look at the prices and specs of the new mini's should tell you that apple's grossly overpriced. I can buy a better specced *laptop* for less than the cost of a mini.
mac mini is a low cost option for the Apple Platform (some say soap box). It's the parfume counter sample. It's the gateway drug. It's hardware is nowhere near as flattering as even some of the Macbook Pro's out there. but it's a shining beacon example of what's it's like to buy an apple and why the $500 is worth it.?
I've always admired the apple system of computing. As a budding technician I remember how seeing a Compaq Presario Performa just really cheapened the brand and the quality that Apple had pain stakenly held in place. I used to call Macs " The Aweful MacInTrash" because i felt very limited and restricted using and repairing the machine. Any of my friends who had a Mac Clone back in those days were my real money makers. By Pulling a Nintendo with 3rd parties and their own developers and holding up their standards was definately proof in the puddin'. (aren't standards worth anything now adays)
It seems the Msdirection is really in what the companies actually provide to the user. Apple provide a guarenteed device (any mac certified device will work regardless of other devices) something microsoft can't provide with their major products.
I used to joke to my tag bbs buddies (life before the intenet kids) I'd by a mac the day the give me a command line. Lo and behold Jobs comes back to apple after creating one of the most technological and one of the most influential systms that had a direct effect on what we we know as the web. (Who's NeXT). Voila in a blink of an eye Apple pulled a "Obama" (ok ok yes Obama pulled an "Apple") designed differently. With only a temporary hold Apple redesigned everything they were. He adapted what he created on his own to the most palatable flavor the *NIX world than any other (and my pc's run Mandriva 2009 W KDE 3.5). There many other things that when i do buy my first "brand new" Macs i will be technically hard that week!
incidently, i've have yet to actually buy a brand new in the box Apple System. But i do own several Macs and still wish i had my Magnesium 1'x1' Cube under my desk.
now i might sound like a Mac-Fanatic but i'm really not i'm just a user of technology that can truly appreciate true innovations and the ability to start all over and bring your fan base with you. Apple done exactly that.
"It is better for civilization to be going down the drain than to be coming up it." -- Henry Allen
