Apple Anti-trust

You may have noticed the Money Minute Weekly's recent blog post. We're mostly open source fans, but Apple makes good products, particularly their hand-held devices (i.e. pocket computers). That being said, we strongly believe Apple should be brought up on anti-trust grounds for not opening up their software platform or permitting Mac "clones" to compete with their proprietary PCs. The lack of competition in their product line, while adding to their bottom-line is a barrier-to-entry for competitors who could potentially improve Apple's software and hardware architectures.

However, Linux, and even Microsoft offer feasible alternatives. In the case of Microsoft, their software can be run on virtually any PC and Linux and other open source programs are even better as they serve to engender an online collaborative community to make safe, cost-effective, software that works and is increasingly becoming both user-friendly and accessible to all (e.g. Ubuntu Linux).

This leads us to our next point. Isn't it ironic the U.S. and in particular the EU are constantly fining Microsoft on anti-trust grounds for being, well, "too successful." Is there such as thing? Sometimes, but mostly not. Where there's a need, companies will fill it. Look at Google, for instance, Microsoft at one time completely dominated everything computer software-wise and Google in some senses is beginning to ruin their party, not because of increased regulation, but that of innovative entrepreneurship, better ideas, and often better products. Also, many open source programs such as Firefox and Open Office have become increasingly commonplace among techie crowds and also offer alternatives to the former "big corporate players" as well.

So what do you think? Should Apple be forced to open up its platform? There's an argument that seems to suggest that smaller companies should enjoy less scrutiny than larger players such as Microsoft and Intel, but upon close examination that is hardly the case. In truth, Apple has been around for years and has hence reaped the benefit of their "niche" products. Now, they are even bigger and more dominant. If Microsoft, why not Apple? Aren't we applying a double-standard by regulating one and not the other? But remember, the power is in the code. The future belongs to open source!

Posted via email from The Money Minute Weekly's posterous