Nope, they're two totally separate languages. The C language was their common forerunner. Objective-C is older than C++, but the horsepower to really use Objective-C effectively has emerged only in recent years.
In many ways it's cleaner than C++, even though it's just some object-oriented features grafted on C with very peculiar syntax, but it's now a failed language that nobody uses.
Objective-C is hardly a failed language. It is growing in popularity, on Macs and on Gnustep for Linux. When used with a good framework, Objective-C gets the job done with fewer programmers compared to C++. Objective-C is easier to use, and it's a more powerful language for true object-oriented programming.
A couple of other points the author fails to mention - Mac programmers can also use plain old C++ with the Carbon library. And another language - Objective-C++ - combines the two languages. So it's difficult to understand why the author is complaining.
It's all in the XCode development tools, included in every copy of Mac OS X.
I also have serious problems with Apple's proprietary graphics engine. They should have used X11.
Generally, noone wants to run X11 on the Mac - but it's there if needed. Apple's Quartz technology produces far better results for native Mac apps.
If Apple would reconsider its view of networking, MacOS and Linux could happily coexist.
They co-exist together just fine - Mac on the desktop, and Linux on the server. There is no reason for Apple to reconsider its view of networking.
Agreed, I think X11 is a great graphical layer but some competition in the UNIX world is very nice to have. Im pretty happy with quartz but it is a bit of a hog..
I noticed alot of things wrong with the article as well. I got a good laugh about the x11 comment, though he tried to recover through qualifying.
His point about how macs handle a network was a good one though, though I think he misunderstands. They think of them as islands for a reason. They want to sell one copy of software per island, so they purposely make it un-intuitive.
^^^^^^^^^^You are supposed to start all your programs on the workstation in front of you. At most you can use data on other workstations, using an awkward "Connect to server" dialog that is like a flashback to the early days of mainframe networking.^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It's no secret that home networks are becoming prevalent. Ease of use? Linux is the frontrunner here.
How many people do you know with a home network?