Very interesting. Personally I think Apple should start selling OSX for IBM-clone computers officially just like Windows is if they really want to expand and become a non-flea-sized competitor to Microsoft. Apple's hardware is just too expensive to compete with PC hardware, and for most people, this means they'll be stuck with Windows whether they like it or not.
For example in my ongoing research for the best portable / powerful laptop, I wouldn't mind choosing a MacBook (in fact I'd like to see what all the hype about OSX is all about), but the fact is, you get much better hardware for less money when you buy a PC.
Sounds good to me. This way the car, bicycle, fridge, house, etc. can have matching color schemes and be integrated perfectly!
Of course there are those who like to buy a big stack of wood and nails and build the house for themselves, carefully buying each bracket, pipe, and doorknob from their favorite brand, but the fact is bundling an OS with integrated applications is not only handy, but in some cases necessary.
Apps like calculator / notepad are simple yet very important - without notepad for example you can't edit anything. I have nothing against replacing the software on your computer with 3rd party versions, but that doesn't mean there shouldn't be a basic version there by default just because it helps.
As for the argument that Internet Explorer shouldn't be included in Windows by default - that's ridiculous. In this age a lot of the great free applications like Firefox, Winamp, etc. aren't really availible on CD. Guess where they are? Yes - the internet. How do you download Firefox without any internet software? Think about it for a minute :). I don't like IE either but I thank Microsoft for giving me IE for the one purpose I use it for: Downloading Firefox :)
For example in my ongoing research for the best portable / powerful laptop, I wouldn't mind choosing a MacBook (in fact I'd like to see what all the hype about OSX is all about), but the fact is, you get much better hardware for less money when you buy a PC.
Imagine a company being virtually the only ones selling houses but they bundle it with furniture, a car with a tv, a fridge, a microwave, a set of tools, a bicycle, a caravan, a set of spare tires and a new wardrobe full of clothes, all made by same people. Would that be fair??
Sounds good to me. This way the car, bicycle, fridge, house, etc. can have matching color schemes and be integrated perfectly!
Of course there are those who like to buy a big stack of wood and nails and build the house for themselves, carefully buying each bracket, pipe, and doorknob from their favorite brand, but the fact is bundling an OS with integrated applications is not only handy, but in some cases necessary.
Apps like calculator / notepad are simple yet very important - without notepad for example you can't edit anything. I have nothing against replacing the software on your computer with 3rd party versions, but that doesn't mean there shouldn't be a basic version there by default just because it helps.
As for the argument that Internet Explorer shouldn't be included in Windows by default - that's ridiculous. In this age a lot of the great free applications like Firefox, Winamp, etc. aren't really availible on CD. Guess where they are? Yes - the internet. How do you download Firefox without any internet software? Think about it for a minute :). I don't like IE either but I thank Microsoft for giving me IE for the one purpose I use it for: Downloading Firefox :)