[Cicero]

Well, one of the reasons why Macs work pretty smoothly is that they use proprietary software on proprietary hardware. Apples makes both. For a while they considered licensing the computers out, but they repented that thought.

If Apple had more than 10% of the market, this would be seen as more monopolistic than anything Microsoft has done up to now. Since it's only a small share, they can get away with it.

I disapprove of some of the things Microsoft has done to prevent copying and enforce licensing, especially with Office 2000 and Office XP. Maybe Longhorn will have similar problems. But so far, Microsoft is more open to a variety of hardware makers and software makers than Apple is.

[BoomerBob]

You make an excellent point, Cicero. Mac users constantly belittle the performance of Windows and toot the horn of Apple. Yet when Microsoft, possibly, makes a move to tie its software to the hardware we hear the usual cries of, "Monopoly!". Apple is what it is precisely because they choose not to interface with thousands of different hardware and software vendors. Great, good for Apple... but don't whine and complain when Microsoft goes the same route.

[Brad C.]

I really chuckle at most of the Mac user's when they rant and rave about what a controlling nazi Bill Gates is, and how they will never use his products. While Bill has done many questionable things in the course of his career, the Mac folks apear to have taken it to an extreme with their hardware. I can buy a power supply for my AMD machines just about anywhere, but try and find one for a Mac in my little town, forget about it.

While OS-X maybe a wonderous thing, it is just about all that can be run on a Mac, while my AMD machines can run any number of OS, except of course the OS-X.

Bottom line is that the Mac really limits its user, though they swear otherwise. I suppose one never notices the chains after one becomes used to them.

As a final thought, it is a good thing that the "My comments" section is not functioning well, as I forgot my flame retardent underwear.