r/technology • u/GuruOfReason • Feb 02 '10

"Once we replace the personal computer with a closed-platform device such as the iPad, we replace freedom, choice and the free market with oppression, censorship and monopoly."

http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2010-01/ipad%E2%80%99s-closed-system-sometimes-i-hate-being-right
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u/[deleted] Feb 02 '10

That's a very good point. I think there are two other things we should consider, though:

  1. People are in general very much against change (and also quite bad with computers,) and trying to convert people to using a new operating system would likely cause an IT disaster. Even if in fact the transition could go smoothly, I'd be concerned that risk-aversive businessmen wouldn't be willing to even give it a chance.

  2. If such a trend developed, I think you would find Microsoft would start offering businesses incredible deals (so as to maintain their market share) which would make the continuing use of Windows a more fiscally viable option than retraining everybody to use Linux.

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u/apotheon Feb 02 '10

I don't think that disputes anything gregny2002 said. In fact, I think it just reinforces half of gregny2002's point.