Hacker News Reader

Which implies that most consumers don't consider them to be dick moves.

Or that most consumers don't have a choice in the matter (especially in regards to MS - I don't have a laptop running Windows & Office because I like Windows & Office).

That's the question, isn't it? If the user feels like they don't have a choice (and especially if it's because any potential choice has been intentionally squelched by the reigning monopolist), then it starts to seem dickish. There are plenty of alternative mobile platforms and thus it's rare to see people complain that they're forced into using an iPhone.

(raises hand) I complained about having to use an iPhone - mostly because of AT&T though. Thankfully, both Verizon moved in and I moved on from that job.

There are so many possible disconnections between the individual purchasing decisions of customers and the moves, dick or otherwise, which large businesses make, that I don't see how there is warrant to connect the one as a passing of any sort of judgement on the other at all.

For instance, a customer can love the output of a supply chain, and abhor some part (or the implications of some part) of that supply chain. This isn't at all like a thermometer measuring temperature here.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com