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When first computers came up, only the government and big business had monopoly on them. It took 50 years until people were able to have their own independent (
by js8 4y ago
When first computers came up, only the government and big business had monopoly on them. It took 50 years until people were able to have their own independent (networked) computer in their homes.
Yet, the world didn't fall apart. (Actually, it almost did due to nuclear ICBMs, which were enabled by computers.) So I think we're gonna be fine.
- ktta 4y agoI don't think that's a cogent argument. The quote "Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM” is as close as I can get to without writing a long response. That kept them in business to the detriment of the industry even if the world didn't fall apart. First mover advantage is real, even in consumer market; Zune was better but iPod won. Think of how different the world is today because of that.
- js8 4y agoI work on IBM mainframes, and as you can see, they didn't win, although they easily could have. But the success of System/360, as well IBM PC, owes to their openness, contrary to your claim.
- ktta 4y agoIt's not all or nothing forever. It look a long time before IBM came down. I would call domination for as long as they did a win. Openness of the platform has nothing to do with what I'm talking about, it is their prevalence as a company on many areas even when there were perfectly good alternatives.