The Free Software Foundation's Reaction to the iPad Launch
fsf.org
fsf.org
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/01/27/defective_by_design/
I think they need a nice healthy dose of pragmatism, but I can't think of an effective way for them to get it.
This problem is common to groups of people aligned with more fringe or extreme ideals, and it's really annoying to deal with.
Yeah, I'm sure that's why they dropped DRM from the iTunes store.
edit: formatting.
Some of the most robust, secure, and least-surprise software is free.
Can't have the good without the bad.
I actually see it as a good thing more than bad however. With a PC, every time I run a new program, or get an upgrade, buy a new device, etc, I never know what to expect. With Apple, there's no question. It almost feels "safe".
(I'll probably still wait for the second-generation version, though, just like I did with the iPhone)
As a business owner I'm not going to let an all powerful middleman get in between me and my customers. And as a freedom loving person, I'm not going to let anyone censor my dictionary.
Let's turn your statements on their heads and see what falls out:
So what you're saying is that having a middleman make your technology decisions for you is a bad thing, and that you'll use your position as a middleman who makes technology decisions for others to try to prevent Apple from doing that?
But you're right that I'm acting in my own interest. I'm not making a moral case here. Nobody is forced to buy from Apple, so Apple is free to do whatever nonsense they want.
What I'm saying is simply that it is not in my interest to do business with Apple if they take away the most basic freedoms from me. Neither as a user nor as a consumer, and least of all as a hacker who likes to tinker with stuff.
Yes, open is more 'powerful' and yes, it allows 'more things' to be done, and yes it doesn't piss developers off, but for an average user that just wants to do everyday things Apple's approach might be just better overall user experience.
iPod is not the mp3 player with the most features, its the most polished experience. same for iphone and for almost any of their products.
so .. I'm not at all sure there would be more buyers if it was open then it will be now with its closed nature.
They know what they are doing :)
I really like the ease of use of something like an iPad whilst getting concerned about the long term consequences for my data.
iTunes has a nice way to share your library, and you can basically drag and drop music from other computer onto yours.
"Remotely disable your apps and media" — did that happen to anyone?
In other words: FUD.
Users who downloaded applications which Apple later pulled from the store (e.g, NetShare) specifically reported that the app continued to work on their phone. If Apple does have the ability to remotely disable applications and/or media, they have made a point (so far) of not exercising it.
I'm not really sure why Apple putting DRM on media they sell is an issue as long as they also allow non-DRM'd stuff to work just as well.
All media in the iTunes store (with the one exception of music) is DRM: well, I'd say music is one giant exception, since that's what 90% of its users buy from that store.
All applications must be signed by Apple, an unprecedented level of control for a general purpose computer: that's the point, it's not meant to be a general purpose computer, it's meant to be a device that lets you browse the web, read books and watch movies.
This is the good ol' military industrial complex but in a consumer electronics sense. Companies are competing and innovating, and we have to thank Apple for much of that. In the end we are the people who will benefit, with lower cost devies and better software. Even the carriers are attacking each other now on prices for the best 3G network (VZW & ATT).
However, I'm not sure Android is a good example of your point. I think Android had been in the works for many years before the iphone was released (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)#Hist...). In fact, Apple multi-touch patents are holding it back at the moment.