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> however, that the world should have open computers and not closed ones because that creates a better experience for consumers in the long run. I'm pretty neu
by mishmash 17y ago
> however, that the world should have open computers and not closed ones because that creates a better experience for consumers in the long run.
I'm pretty neutral about the iPad at the moment, but just wanted to point out that the world has had "open" computers for nearly 30 years and so far, I would argue they have not been better for the consumer.
Just look at Linux on the desktop. :)
- stanleydrew 17y agoLinux on the desktop is still irrelevant (although I do love it, so it's been great for this consumer). But what fraction of the web wouldn't exist today if not for Linux servers and Apache? Are you willing to say consumers aren't better off because of those open systems?
- mishmash 17y agoNo, you have a point about open systems in general, to which I agree wholeheartedly, I simply referring to consumer-facing devices. And if the consumer really wanted an open system, again Linux on the desktop (Ubuntu?) should be have much more market share than it does.
- JulianMorrison 17y agoThe consumer doesn't have to want an open system. The importance is that they're there, keeping the others honest.
- papachito 17y ago> And if the consumer really wanted an open system, again Linux on the desktop (Ubuntu?) should be have much more market share than it does. Not really, the thing is that MS has a monopoly on the desktop, hard to reverse that trend. Look at Apple, even with their billions of dollars in revenue, they only get 5% of the desktop, Linux is at 1-2% with $0 in campaigning, so not that bad really.
- lurkinggrue 17y agoThe internet was based on open technologies and we wouldn't be where we are without that. Companies want to reverse that trend and close it up and we do need to fight that. We don't want the future to be AOL.
- GHFigs 17y agoAre you willing to say consumers aren't better off because of those open systems? I'm willing to say that consumers are better off because Linux and Apache are used in places where they are the best tool for the job. I am not convinced that being open is inherently the best thing for anybody. How much of the web wouldn't exist if not for people just trying to make a buck? Would Y Combinator?
- stanleydrew 17y agoOpen systems and making a buck aren't mutually exclusive. See e.g. the MacBook.
- GHFigs 17y agoMy point exactly.
- billybob 17y ago<blockquote>... just wanted to point out that the world has had "open" computers for nearly 30 years and so far, I would argue they have not been better for the consumer.</blockquote> Then again, the world has had open browsers for just a few years, and they kicked off a flurry of innovation on the web - which itself is built on open technologies. Imagine if Windows web sites would only load on Windows computers.
- GFischer 17y agoWhat, you mean like the piece of VBScript crap we have on the company intranet? :) I can imagine it just fine, thankyouverymuch.
- wmf 17y agoJust look at Linux on the desktop. Picking a bad example doesn't help your point. Just look at Lotus 1-2-3, Photoshop, Skype, etc.
- mishmash 17y agoI was replying to the "open computers" statement of which I took to primarily mean operating systems. Which unless you call Mac OS or Windows open, IMHO my point re: linux still stands.
- wmf 17y agoMac and Windows are open compared to the App Store; they're just not open source. The market needs openness to foster innovation, but it doesn't necessarily need open source.
- fakelvis 17y agoI feel that this is the key point: distinguishing between open and open source. Openness, in terms of economic freedom, allows choice and therefore increases competition. As you say, this leads to innovation and is better for the consumer.
- elblanco 17y agoExactly, the problem is that I, as a hobbyist, can't scratch personal itches by writing and giving away little programs that run on such a device. Most of the software I ran on my first few computers was freeware, downloaded from BBSs at 2400baud. The barriers to entry for hobbyists to get little itch scratching programs up on the app store at $0 makes it not even worth the effort. And the shame of it is that the iPad is the perfect kind of hobbyist platform, small, constrained, knowable. An organization putting millions of dollars into a piece of software for it isn't likely to make something really that much better than one or two teens banging out code in the bedrooms over a few weeks.
- aswanson 17y agoI put Linux on my nephews and mother's desktop. They have had a malware free responsive computing experience ever since.
- papachito 17y ago> Just look at Linux on the desktop. :) I use it everyday, make a nice living out of it and love it, so good point.
- CapitalistCartr 17y agoI prefer Target, and local independent shops to Walmart. I am extremely glad, and grateful, however, that Walmart exists. It is a major driving force behind improvements in the stores I do like.The same is true of Home Depot versus Lowes (and versus any other similar store). The competition is what keeps things serving me well. Without Linux, Microsoft, et al. wouldn't have done nearly so much.