A headline from a news article on AppleInsider, FCC investigates Apple, AT&T for Google Voice app rejection, reminded me of my secret wish. I wish Apple would lose some anti-competitive lawsuits. I don’t wish lawsuits on anyone, but sometimes it is the only way to shake a company loose. So here are the questions of a Mac fan boy:
1) How is it legal for Apple to refuse any stand alone 3rd party browsers or mail clients for the iPhone? Would Apple redo how they allow software to be sold for OS X now that most software is downloadable? An app store for OS X maybe so they could keep any programs from duplicating their own functionality? Hmm.
2) How can a company that has it’s OS foundation built on an open-source technology, be so stinking proprietary? “Hey everyone we think you all should adapt the open-standard mini display port! It will help all the consumers.” “No, you cannot install our open-source core Unix software on any hardware but a mac.” “No we will not license out the Magsafe power adapter to other companies for their products.” Why do that? It would only make you more money, while saving the electronics of the families you say you serve. Time to release the death grip.
I must admit that on days like this I really want Apple to lose an investigation. Not so that big government tells free businesses what to do, but so they begin to act fairly and openly. Turn the corner Apple, play it straight. Open up the company, release developers, license out the technology that people need.
I upgraded one of my network file servers, yesterday. I replaced a hard disk that was setting off occasional error notices, and, while while I was at it, I replaced the current operating system (Mandrake Community 10.1) with Knoppix 3.7. Knoppix is the Linux distribution that I use in class to demonstrate how simple Linux is to use, because Knoppix is a fully-functional operating system with common applications that can boot from a single CD. So, with the bootable CD, I can quickly convert any computer to Linux without the risk of deleting any existing files from the Windows operating system.
Read the rest of this entry »
The State of Massachusetts has implemented a policy toward software purchases that favors open-source applications and open standards for state-owned computers.
When evaluating both new purchases and system upgrades, the state will now give preference to open-source applications, such as those that make use of XML (Extensible Markup Language). The policy’s goal is to take advantage of interoperability and minimize the limitations imposed by proprietary applications and file formats.
When proprietary products are clearly superior, they may continued to be purchased.
Dave’s Opinion
Following in the steps made by Munich, Germany, Massachusetts joins a growing list of governments that are opting to no longer rely on Microsoft applications for all computing applications. Interestingly, Microsoft says that Massachusetts’ policy could discriminate against software makers. How so?, I wonder.
Call for Comments
What do you think? Leave your comments below.
