I think they were being sarcastic, maybe not. Either way, you're right. And this is why WE need to be doing this so that it becomes a viable option.
Now is the time to get the open alternatives shored up, and to start creating a viable and concise pathway and ecosystem that we can recommend to “non-techies” who are looking for an alternative.
That can only happen if we start using this stuff now, and commit to donating some time and effort to take the deficiencies we find in our own use and make them better.
It’s fine to vent, and I hope to see people continue to call big tech out. But putting on a more positive mindset, this is actually an amazing opportunity we have to start creating the change we want to see.
2. Buy the best that exists today (ie System76)
3. Give monthly critical feedback every step of the way to open source hw/sw companies and their competitors about what you really need in the next version
4. Buy a Better world
Ask HN: Do you use Purism, PinePhone, or Fairphone? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28164208
Ask HN: Do you use a Linux-first laptop? (System76, Librem, Dell XPS Dev Ed) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28216287
System 76 are cool, but when the time comes we will build custom PCs for work. The "aura" and "coolness" of Apple is gone.
I admit that my decision to use only Apple computers in the office was irrational and tainted by emotional perception from the past. I almost puled the trigger for M1 Air and was planning to upgrade office Macbook Pro's to M1X. Not anymore.
If, and i doubt it in any reasonable time, you can replace all of apples ecosystem, including buying / renting of DRM media i would switch. until then switching is quite a big step back.
the problem is not lack of software so much as it’s lack of industry support.