Over the past couple of years, I have learned a bit about openness, and what makes a business model succeed.

I have been greatly disappointed.

Apple devices and computers are more about consuming whatever feature's it may have, and that is it. Their OS baffles me, as it tends to stifle functionality by going out of their way to remove features. What you see, is basically what you get. They spend more resources and time removing features, that should exist, than they do at giving the user the chance to be open. This is why their products are so appealing to your average consumer (yet they don't even know). They aren't looking for a platform that lets them be free (we are typically an ignorant, instant gratification people), they are looking for the easy to use, standard feature solution that has A,B,C features.

With the patents, and the restrictions, it just baffles me that people don't see why buying an Apple product is one of the most "keep you in a box" solution out there. Ignorance and assumptions are a terrible mix for a consumer, for said consumer. It is infinite profit for a large company with profit in mind. If customerX needs to buy a computer, why wouldn't they research the market, and actually understand every bit of information about the decision they are going to make. Not to say that decision is "well, I need a computer so I can have one", but that you should buy a computer that is affordable, that lets you create, and doesn't limit anything. (taking everything into consideration). As progressive humans, we should never be limited, ever. Sure there isn't a one-size-fits all model or OS yet, but open source sure is paving the way.

I hate seeing companies succeed because they present themselves as a product that makes you think you are not limited.

Yeah, having an internet connection requirement is lame. We get that. Doesn't really put that much of a damper on the actual game IMO, though LAN is sadly becoming more and more taboo. My main concern is the stupid real-currency auction house. This game's spam is going to be unbearable. WoW was a subscription based gamed that fell victim of years and years of nearly un-counterable spam...In-game! I feel as if this move by Blizzard will somehow amplify a problem that was never really solved in the first place, by changing the entire incentive of the game. No longer do people want to play for fun, lore, or that feeling Vanilla WoW gave us back when a game wasn't catered to casuals. They will be even more tempted to play for the wrong reason of, "If I could just make $5 more bucks...". To me, seems like another method of "replay value" that is a disguised timesink element that really shouldn't be added to this type of game. Diablo was about exploration and grinding; sure, but the incentive was making your character better by the time you spent on them. This is already a timesink/replay method. We don't need money involved. It changes the incentive and doesn't bring anything to the table.