OStatic

by Dave Lyon on Nov. 18, 2011

Steve Jobs is right- people are busy and we don't want to deal with integrating different devices. I completely agree with that. But both Microsoft and Apple take that compatibility and sell that to you as a feature while using compatibility against competitors (and therefore customers of competitors).

A great company innovates on features and Apple has done a lot of that. But if Steve really wanted to help busy people, the way Apple products interoperate would be set out as open standards. Any vendor would be able to provide cables, etc. I understand why Apple does that- it's a business. Just like Microsoft is a business. And to those that thought Apple was better than Microsoft, you're right. Apple is much better at market domination than Microsoft ever was. Yes I know Windows is still on more computers. But Apple owns its customers better than any company ever has before. See http://tuxrocket.com/archives/apps/1669

And so I spend a bit more time getting things to work together than I should have to.

by lefty.crupps on Nov. 18, 2011

Apple is not a friend of FLOSS and it saddens me when FLOSS promoters buy Apple hardware and software. That said, it also saddens me that FLOSS can't get our act together to surpass Apple and make our stuff work seamlessly. But, FLOSS is an ecosystem, and no other business ecosystem works seamlessly either, without some up-front setup. FLOSS at least CAN be set up to work; Apple only works if the overlords allow it.

by bozo on Nov. 18, 2011

"many fans of Linux and open source technology are also fans of Apple's products"

i'm yet to meet *one" such fan. you're full of it.

and this "article" is pointless.

give me back the minute of my life i spent here.

by Jack Gunt on Nov. 19, 2011

@bozo, that's exactly what you are. I use Linux. Have been using it for almost a decade. And, I use a Mac. Have been using one since the Intel processor macs came out. And I'm not the only one. Stop trying to start a flame war. Frikkin' troll.

by Anna Medlin on Nov. 19, 2011

Bozo needs a hug. Bozo also needs more friends who have a clue. +1 for Mac user using Linux.

by an anonymous user on Nov. 21, 2011

Would never use a Mac...too locked down and proprietary. Plus the UI/UX is terrible. I'd use Windows over OSX any day of the year.

by an anonymous user on Nov. 21, 2011

"Many times here on OStatic, we've taken note of the fact that many fans of Linux and open source technology are also fans of Apple's products."

What in the world are you on about? Free software fans utterly despise companies like Apple: they are exactly what brings people to the world of FOSS by taking proprietary software from just stricter licensing to an Ingsoc-esque attitude from pricks that feel that they should be able to tell you what you want to do. I disagree with Stallman, the GPL, and the FSF as a whole on their staunch attitude regarding licensing, but they are completely correct when they say Apple is the "enemy of your freedom."

Now, I know that Linux isn't all about freedom, and some projects like Ubuntu have seen great success by being lenient about proprietary software, but you have to be able to differentiate the real members of a group or demographic, and the trendy kids looking for the new thing to rave over.

by an anonymous user on Nov. 22, 2011

Im a Linux user and its not that I don't Linux Apple products, I just don't think I should have to pay such an enormous price for the same software when its free to download...

Seriously, Apple doesn't innovate anything different than what I have used for years with Linux. In fact, with some small code changes, its practicably the same software - minus all the DRM crap :-D.

My iPod touch connects just fine with Amarok and so did my iPhone - Until I got an Android that is :-)

by nerd with a conscience on Nov. 22, 2011

Forget Apple, Microsoft and, oh yeah, Google. Forget Dow, Exxon, J&J, & Wells Fargo. Forget supporting the oligopolies. I use Linux because it's free as in freedom and not because it's free as in beer. And while you're at it, occupy something.

by John on Nov. 22, 2011

"we've taken note of the fact that many fans of Linux and open source technology are also fans of Apple's products."

This one sentence really irked me. Agree with the other posters who also pointed this out. Apple is the antithesis of what the Open Source crowd stands for. This is the same company that's supporting SOPA, that uses proprietary data as a means to hold users hostage, won't allow dragging data from iDevices to other machines but will institute cloud-storage to insure continued lock-in. Seriously... why the BS?

by BT on Dec. 08, 2011

Both companies make some good products, and sometimes provide some value. However, both are also monopoly-seeking corporate machines (Apple is almost worse than M$ now).

And in the case of M$, the stuff is notoriously hit-and-miss.

And I have no trouble with private enterprise, and paying a reasonable price for quality. When I find a Linux distro (or piece of software) that I like, I almost always donate to them by PayPal.

What I DO have a problem with ... is paying $700 for M$ Office, or some candy-colored Apple product.

Thanks, Linux, for giving us choice. And thanks, Linus.

by rp on Jan. 02, 2012

I hope M$ will lose in the end. It's not fair what they do. Thumbs down Microsoft!

by an anonymous user on Jan. 25, 2012

@BT "What I DO have a problem with ... is paying $700 for M$ Office, or some candy-colored Apple product"

Then get iWork (Pages, Numbers & Keynote). I can personally vouch for Keynote. It's easy to learn and is VASTLY superior to PowerPoint. And when converted to QuickTime, will run on Windows. You have to know what you are doing in that regard, however... I did my homework and got my presentation to run beautifully on a client's PC laptop, running Vista.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

@Dave Lyon "Any vendor would be able to provide cables, etc"

Do you mean vendors like OWC (Other World Computing), Newer Technology, etc?

I just took delivery of a NuPower battery for my PowerBook G4 15"

I could go on... Logitech Marble Mouse, Kensington Turbo Mouse, OWC Storage Drive. etc etc

It's just that you make it sound that everything you use with a Mac has to be Apple-branded.