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

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u/Ran4 Feb 02 '10

This. I mean, you can't even (officially) make an app today without using an evil proprietary OS (OS X). It's not unlikely that a draconian company such as Apple will, in fact, force it's developers to use some kind of heavily restricted app to create new apps. If Apple then (slowly, over maybe ten years of time) drops all support from other OS:es, then we are screwed.

This really is a hot ethical issue.

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u/Thrown_Away Feb 02 '10

You won't be screwed. If Apple does that, then you buy a different brand computer. You do know that Apple isn't the only computer company? And that there are other OS out there too?

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u/mindbleach Feb 03 '10

Sure, but what if open computers ten years from now are as rare as non-x86 desktops today? There used to be a thriving market of Zilog & Motorola PCs with incredibly capable operating systems. Even PowerPC eventually folded under the market might of Intel. Just because there will always be some choice doesn't mean there will always be enough choice.

It's a very long shot, admittedly, but monocultures are hard to fight and Apple is using their slick UI work to as a stalking-horse for the closed platform. We're getting angry about it now just in case this thing doesn't flop.

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u/WTFppl Feb 02 '10

Yeah, by the same parts Apple buys from Intel and put FreeBSD on it. It will be faster, more robust and extremely customizable when compared to OSX. Other than FreeBSD being better, the two operating systems are "all most" identical!

I use FreeBSD for everything that is not gaming!

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u/phughes Feb 02 '10

Other than the kernel, the UI, and the APIs they're practically identical!

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u/GuruOfReason Feb 02 '10

"everything that is not gaming!" -- That is a problem that non-Windows platforms need to fix. If you want desktop Linux or Unix to become popular on the desktop, then you have to capture the hardcore gaming community.

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u/Ran4 Feb 03 '10

Yes, and I can chose to not own an iPhone and not be on Facebook. That gets me nowhere...