From El Reg's article "
Apple more closed than Microsoft"
some quotes from readers' replies, which are not at all untrue
?Poor tech docs."
"Ever tried getting an API definition out of them?"
?MS appears more willing to provide good documentation for APIs, SDKs, etc.?
"Lack of transparency and constant denial of obvious problems."
"Apple never admits to mistakes/vulnerabilities (even MS does that)."
"At least MS admits security flaws in the software instead of brushing it under the carpet!"
"Policies and attitude - their way or the highway."
"It wants ultimate control over everything done by or with its products."
?Not only closed but also most arrogant.?
"It operates 'brand control' on its developer network - bizarre."
"Microsoft doesn't ban competing products from running under Windows."
"They legally dictate the hardware too."
?No virtualisation allowed.?
"They have not been *forced* to start opening"
"It?s not yet big enough for the authorities to prize it open"
"It is now bordering on a religion."
"They can afford [to be closed] and don't suffer image problems for that."
"Microsoft never pretended to be anything else, Apple sells a lie."
So, don't let their cool designs and functionality fool you - Apple are a corporation and in business to make money. They are not Linux.
BTW, Apple will do their last Macworld expo in Jan - an end to an era. And Jobs will not be presenting it.
Where will Apple go without Jobs at the helm?