Gideon MacLeish Gideon MacLeish

And you call MICROSOFT a Monopoly?

And you call MICROSOFT a Monopoly?

I am sick to death of Mac snobs. In variably in any discussion with Mac fanbois, they will cry about Microsoft being a monopoly.

Yeah, uh huh. Keep crying because your computer manufacturer was insanely stupid. The computer company that really brought the idea of upgradeability to personal computing, now puts out boxes that can't be upgraded. The computer company that started serious work on GUI, yet didn't have the foresight to protect it so that Microsoft could use it to create competing operating systems.

But, see, that's only the tip of the iceberg. If you look back at the monopolies that started antitrust legislation, they controlled the suppliers of raw goods, the manufaturing plants, the distribution plants. Basically they controlled costs because all of their suppliers belonged to them.

That doesn't sound like Microsoft, it sounds like Apple.

Quick. Name me three major PC manufacturers. Even the brain dead could come up with HP, Gateway, and Dell. Now, name me three major Mac manufacturers. Apple. (crickets chirp).

Ok, ok, so maybe that wasn't completely fair. Walk into the computer store and ask for a new video card for your iMac (will you crickets STOP that d*** chirping?!?)

Maybe I've given you guys a bum rap. Why don't you just give me the URL of a supplier where I can buy Mac OS/10 to install on my PC (ok, that cricket chirping is getting SERIOUSLY annoying!!!!)

Microsoft may be annoying. Microsoft may engage in less than perfect business practices. But Microsoft is an O/S, they have nothing to do with the BUILDING of my computer, and they don't lock the system from upgrades. I can buy components off the shelf to build a PC, and honestly, the choice of whether to install Windows on that computer is entirely mine. Nobody forced me to do it. I CAN pick from several Linux distros. Yes, I might have to work harder to install them and make them functional, but that's part of exercising choice.

Those choices aren't widely available on a Mac. If Microsoft is the Devil, then Apple is certainly the devil's wetnurse, the evil she demon of an O/S and OEM monopoly combined. But since Mac has a piddly share of the market, nobody seems to give a rat's heinie.

184,144 views 89 replies
Reply #26 Top
10 ? "You Can Skin in DOS. T/F";
20 If 10="T" then goto 30 else gosub 100
30 ? "You are using DOS in Text Graphics mode, select an Alphanumeric on your keyboard now"
40 Blah, Blah, Blah

100 ? "Of course you can't skin in DOS you idiot, what do you think this is an Apple 2e?"


Causing any basic and DOS flashbacks for anyone? ;~D
Reply #27 Top
Ok, ok, so maybe that wasn't completely fair. Walk into the computer store and ask for a new video card for your iMac (will you crickets STOP that d*** chirping?!?)


Depending on the model you can actually get different video cards. There's no guarantee of compatibility unless you buy from a mac store, but the option's there.

Maybe I've given you guys a bum rap. Why don't you just give me the URL of a supplier where I can buy Mac OS/10 to install on my PC (ok, that cricket chirping is getting SERIOUSLY annoying!!!!)


Can you give me the URL of a supplier where I can buy Windows XP to install on my oldschool iBook? Let's face it, Windows is only available on one platform anyway.

Microsoft may be annoying. Microsoft may engage in less than perfect business practices. But Microsoft is an O/S, they have nothing to do with the BUILDING of my computer, and they don't lock the system from upgrades. I can buy components off the shelf to build a PC, and honestly, the choice of whether to install Windows on that computer is entirely mine. Nobody forced me to do it. I CAN pick from several Linux distros. Yes, I might have to work harder to install them and make them functional, but that's part of exercising choice.


Apple doesn't force you to use Mac OS X either. You can use Linux or Windows if your heart desires. But if you want to use OS X you have to use it on the platform that supports it - an Apple. There's lots of good reasons for that, but I think the one most users will recognise is that hardware lock-in allows for much smoother usage.

Apples are made to 'just work'. And most of the time they do. That's the advantage of having a closed hardware line and why they don't pollute their brand by allowing anyone to use it and fail with it. By keeping it to themselves they make it hard for fuck-ups to make them look bad. They don't have to support every machine in existence and therefore be responsible when things don't work.

I don't think there's anything wrong with that approach to be honest. 13% of the market is still pretty profitable.
Reply #28 Top

they make it hard for fuck-ups to make them look bad.

Not when they come out with those Ads....that smarmy, chinless wonder of a dork representing Mac Users....self-deprecating at best.....

Reply #29 Top
Not when they come out with those Ads....that smarmy, chinless wonder of a dork representing Mac Users....self-deprecating at best..


Yeah, not exactly one of their best. But I've always thought it was utterly impossible for a computer to be advertised well. I mean has there ever been TV advertising for a computer of any sort that isn't retarded, hopelessly technical or ridiculously patronising? It's enough to think the industry is under a gypsy curse of marketing awkwardness.
Reply #30 Top
Let's face it, Windows is only available on one platform anyway.


One platform with MULTIPLE manufacturers, cacto. That's the difference.

Anyone who knows me knows I am not an MS fanboi. When Vista Ultimate costs as much as a damn low end computer, that's nuts. But in the case of Mac, everything that is true of Windows is true of it...PLUS you have to buy the hardware to match...hardware that THEY manufacture!
Reply #31 Top
PLUS you have to buy the hardware to match...hardware that THEY manufacture!


Yes, very shiny, very attractive hardware. I really don't see what the problem is. If you want Mac 'quality' and software, you buy a mac. If you don't care about looks or Mac-style 'quality' you make your own, buy a beige box or buy one of those hideously garish neon-studded monstrosities.

After all, Compaq used to have their own software. You couldn't get that on any other system and no one complained so far as I'm aware. Apple's just more successful.
Reply #32 Top
Proprietary = Limitations. Aftermarket hardware = freedom of choice. Build as only one
vis a vis Building as big or as little as you please. NUFF SAID!
Reply #33 Top
Personally, I like Windows compared to Apple. Mainly because you can upgrade software and hardware, and because, generally, it supports more stuff. People say that Windows has more viruses (virii?), but i have had very few. Virus scan, my friends.

Then people are saying that there's hardware problems. Consider this. Windows was created for a variety of configurations, from the basic beige box to the hard core, 12 CPU, 1 TB RAM, neon, platinum rims, hydraulics mod-strosity. (12 CPUs? hey, there's an idea!) Whereas, Mac was designed to work on very few hardware configs. But, I'm sure each has their own advantages.

My advice? Stick to what works for you.

EDIT: Also, those Mac commercials... I'm still waiting for the PC Casemodding one, it'd be like the PC would be this huge hulking monster, totally badass, and he'd say stuff about casemods.
Reply #34 Top
I own a sleek brushed alumium Lian Li(case) with matching Rom drives/floppy, etc....very conservative. It doesn't look like a "neon-studded monstrosity" or a FRANKENSTEIN!! There is a choice between beige & garish...      
Reply #35 Top

I own a sleek brushed alumium Lian Li(case) with matching Rom drives/floppy, etc....very conservative. It doesn't look like a "neon-studded monstrosity" or a FRANKENSTEIN!!

Ditto.....though it's pretty old...so I replaced all the case fans....and now I'm a wee bit 'blue'....

Reply #36 Top

Similar - black case blue dials and fans. You can see where the idea for my latest skin comes from

Damn...and I thought I was the 'most condescending, pompous piece of shit'.

You'd better get used to taking second place   

Reply #37 Top

There's a huge difference between debate and asshattery, Fuzzy. Yours wasn't a debate, it was your typical snooty condescending insults.

A debate would have been you offering counterpoints, not using your time to put me down because I don't hold to your point of view.

This isn't the first time you've done this, Fuzzy. You've made it pretty damn clear for awhile that you consider yourself my intellectual superior, and I'm tired of the shit. I don't want you on my blog. I don't demand your respect, but I'd prefer if you just let me live in my world and you live in yours. I don't comment on your articles for this very reason.


time for babys bottle and a nap
Reply #38 Top
What are you talking about?

Apple are a PC maker. Dell are a PC maker. Neither have a monopoly.

Microsoft are an OS maker. Apple are an OS maker. Neither have a monopoly, but Microsoft enjoys monopoly powers.

Personally, I oppose anti-trust law and don't care whether Microsoft have a monopoly, whether they have monopoly power, or whether they "abuse" it. But the fact that Apple have a monopoly over their own product is not a useful comparison to Microsoft's situation.

In fact, I advocate that the government uses its monopsony power (as the single largest customer) to influence the market from within the system. Just make it law that government agencies must not by from the market leader (except in matters of health care and defence etc.) and we would always have a stable competition going on.

Reply #39 Top
and Linux denies you the "full package" that both offer


Can you expound on this one a bit? What exactly do you mean by "full package"?
Reply #40 Top
Apple 2e

Ah...them was the days...my very first, w/3 ext. drives & printer, c.1994   
Reply #41 Top
Fuzzy, you're an asshole. Goodbye.

You talk about life being about having fun, yet you're the most condescending, pompous piece of S*** I've seen. Welcome to the blacklist.

It shouldn't bother you anyway. You obviously don't think much of my blog in the first place.


Wow, I was inclined to agree with your original post until I saw this. In one fell swoop you've managed to destroy any credibility you might have had and have demonstrated that as a person you leave a lot to be desired.

Next time try keeping your immaturity and personal failings hidden if you are trying to make a case for something.
Reply #42 Top
Keith,

You are unaware of the full history of me and fuzzy. The guy makes a habit of dumping on everything I say. It's drawn on. Unfortunately, blacklist on this site doesn't work as well as it should and fuzzy can still post to my blog.

Want to disagree with me? Fine. But it IS possible to do it without being an asshat about it.

Can you expound on this one a bit? What exactly do you mean by "full package"?


Mason,

I'm referring to the "plug and play" functionality where you can take it out of the box and be up and running with very little prerequisite knowledge. Linux is easy enough to handle, but it's not the system "your grandma could use".

Of course, I'm beginning to think neither is Vista.
Reply #43 Top
The topic of the post was a comparison of Apple and Microsoft as corporations and I will offer my opinion that history shows Apple the more evil of the two.

Back in the day....

In 1985, Steve Jobs had resigned from Apple to found NeXT Computer and Apple decided to compete directly with Microsoft, to produce an OS and license others to resell that.

"By 1995, Apple Macintosh computers accounted for about 7% of the worldwide desktop computer market. Apple executives decided to launch an official clone program in order to expand Macintosh market penetration. Apple's clone program entailed the licensing of the Macintosh ROMs and system software to other manufacturers, each of which agreed to pay a royalty for each clone computer they sold. From early 1995 through mid-1997, it was possible to buy PowerPC-based clone computers running Mac OS, most notably from Power Computing. Other licensees were Motorola, Radius, APS Technologies, DayStar Digital, and UMAX. In terms of exterior styling, Mac clones often more closely resembled generic PCs than their Macintosh counterparts, but they frequently offered better performance at a lower price than true Macs."

Now cue the Evil Empire music....

"Soon after Steve Jobs returned to Apple (1996), he attempted to re-negotiate the clone manufacturers' license agreements to raise Apple's royalty. Jobs proposed to raise the per-computer royalty by an amount that would render all the clones unable to compete on price. When the clone makers refused, Jobs in turn refused to license later versions of Apple hardware and operating system software to the clone vendors. The initial OS license was valid only for the 7.x series of the Mac OS; at the time these contracts were signed, Mac OS 8.0 was expected to be the next-generation Copland OS. Jobs exploited this loophole by declaring the imminent version of the Mac OS (which would otherwise have been numbered something like 7.7) to be 8.0, leaving the clone manufacturers without the ability to ship a current Mac OS version and effectively ending the cloning program."

Quoted from WWW Link

Companies that had entered into a partnership with Apple, in good faith, lost their shirts. In the meantime, companies that were selling Windows-based PCs (Dell, HP, Compaq) continued to do well.

Use whichever OS you prefer. But history has shown that Gideon's point has validity.
Reply #44 Top

The initial OS license was valid only for the 7.x series of the Mac OS; at the time these contracts were signed, Mac OS 8.0 was expected to be the next-generation Copland OS. Jobs exploited this loophole by declaring the imminent version of the Mac OS (which would otherwise have been numbered something like 7.7) to be 8.0, leaving the clone manufacturers without the ability to ship a current Mac OS version and effectively ending the cloning program."


I have read that story before. Somehow my own experience never confirms the stories I read. There was the story about Microsoft Windows coming with every PC at a time in the 90s when I bought all my computers with either OS/2 Warp Connect or no OS at all.

My UMAX S900 Mac clone which I bought to run BeOS came with Mac OS 8.

I don't know where people get the information they use for these stories. Unfortunately these stories are then soon used as sources and their claims become known facts.

Reply #45 Top

Reply By: PhoonPosted: Friday, March 23, 2007
Uh-Oh..
Phoon waits quietly for the shitstorm to hit..

Me as well- oh wait!  I am too late!

Reply #46 Top

Windows is only available on one platform anyway.

Uh, no.  Still on 3.  Not for long, but you do lose.

Reply #47 Top
didn't some clone makers ship BeOS with their PowerPC clones?
Reply #48 Top

Quoted from WWW Link

No wonder not anyone believes Wiki any more.  Close, but no cigar.  Apple blew it, but long before 96.  I just cant understand why people cant read history.

Reply #49 Top
"didn't some clone makers ship BeOS with their PowerPC clones?"

Yes, on an extra CD but not pre-installed. Apple, like Microsoft, had arrangements with OEMs that didn't allow them to install a dual-boot system.

BeOS was available as a CD (rather 2 CDs if I recall correctly) with some PowerPC and x86 systems, but never as a dual-boot system. The user had to install BeOS (and re-install Mac OS or Windows) himself.
Reply #50 Top
he, he, ALF. Loved that show.