Please take the time to learn where M$ is going with Vista.  The following link is a good start.
 
http://www.fsfe.org/fellows/greve/ [...] starts_now

Hmmm Ho, just another Anti-Microsoft article.
 
Some of that seems to be common sense stuff to me, If you use a vendors proprietiere language or package, then you're locked into that vendor. This goes on every day in teh corporate and Govt world. Look into Medial Imaging. You buy a GE pacs, you can't add AGFA pieces later. You have to use their special workstations to view those medical images, you can't just build your own.
 
Every Company that is in the business of making money, works this way. Microsoft, like IBM before them, just takes it really serious. Of course, Intersystem's OpenM enviroment is the same, they own the MUMPS enviroment and they'll crush anything that gets in their way or threatens them.
 
It's the way of the world

 
Shame isn't it "the way of the world".  
 
Check out the following OS:
 
OS X
ubuntu
openSUSE

But how can you say that ? Apple's would prefer all your music be in AAC format and not MP3. Maybe you ipod works different, but I'm forced to use Apple's Itune software load MP3s to my Shuffle and then it renames the songs on me. My other MP3 players I could just drag and drop music from windows Explorer.
 
And how open has the Mac been in the past ? How much hardware option did you have with a MAC before they finally went to Intel ? And you really believe if Apple ruled the world, they would do whatever the OpenSource enviroment wanted and not make more things Apple centric?  
 
Sure there will always be little guys other there bucking the system. Heck when MS started in the LAN business Novel ruled the world, Where they a completely open enviroment ? Or did they become more open after microsoft took shares away from them ? Is Sun's UNIX open ?
 
I have no doubt that if Linux took over the world, those in control of the kernel and Distros would have more of a Microsoft's style of doing things. At that point there will be a growing number of people who start to hate Linux and the way they do things and someone else will come along that people will like.  Do you really believe Linux will remain free forever ?
It's a never ending cycle. Power corrupts, Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

 
Linux is open source so dificult to pull a M$ sly move.  I would rather be stuck with Apple and their innovative thinking instead of the M$ way of doing business.  If more users left M$ and move to some other OS then there would no monopoly.  People love their Macs; Apple is doing something right.

 
*Snicker*
 
Oh yes, I'm just as locked in (if not more so) than I would be with Windows, I just have a pretty candy shell for a computer!
 
Apple is just as fiendish as MS... they just have so little market share that no one seems to notice.  They've proven it with the iPod.  Being "stuck" with Apple is no better than being "stuck" with Windows.  It's just that for some reason that escapes me, people seem happier about it.  Maybe it's all the hippy commercials and the happy smoke.

 
The difference is that MS has monopoly power.
 
Company that have monopoly power are subject to a different sets of rules/laws. While locking customers to Apple by Apple can be considered legal, it is questionable if similar practice is legal for MS.

 
*Snicker*
 
Oh yes, I'm just as locked in (if not more so) than I would be with Windows, I just have a pretty candy shell for a computer!
 
Apple is just as fiendish as MS... they just have so little market share that no one seems to notice.  They've proven it with the iPod.  Being "stuck" with Apple is no better than being "stuck" with Windows.  It's just that for some reason that escapes me, people seem happier about it.  Maybe it's all the hippy commercials and the happy smoke.
 
Most, if not all Mac users are happy and loyal users, Mac does not have the compatibility problems that currently affect Windows; Vista is the answer to the compatibly issue.  Like Apple, M$ will have full control of what will work with their OS.  
 
It's too bad that M$ must move in this direction as it was nice to configure a PC as I wanted, about the only reason to have M$ OS.  Since M$ is going the way of Apple, better off with the original.  Linux is an excellent replacement for the M$ OS, can tinker and configure to your hearts content. IMO

 
Well, I will agree with you on one thing. It wouldn't be  bad if 30% of all windows user moved to Apple or Linux. I actually perfer Linux, as I'm not a big fan of Apple (I think they are just as ruthless as MS, just not as successful). I do agree that no one company should own 90% of anything, as it's just never good for competion (and thus pricing) and innovation. Which is why I hope AMD comes back with something to answer Core 2 duo
 
Outside of that, if companies choose to use more and more of Microsoft's proprietery products, then that's their decision. Despite some of the griping, I think it's safe to say a fair number of users\customers are happy (or happy enough) with Windows.  
 
Some might think I'm navie for not caring so much what MS does, but I think some people are naive to think only MS is evil. Plus, if history repeasts itself, Microsoft days are coming to an end, just like for all other giant monopolies

 
*Snicker*
 
Oh yes, I'm just as locked in (if not more so) than I would be with Windows, I just have a pretty candy shell for a computer!
 
Apple is just as fiendish as MS... they just have so little market share that no one seems to notice.  They've proven it with the iPod.  Being "stuck" with Apple is no better than being "stuck" with Windows.  It's just that for some reason that escapes me, people seem happier about it.  Maybe it's all the hippy commercials and the happy smoke.
Agreed, the iPod really does prove they are just like Microsoft. I wouldn't think Apple is "innovative" because like Microsoft, most of the ideas in their OS has been done before they have implemented them...

 
*Snicker*
 
Oh yes, I'm just as locked in (if not more so) than I would be with Windows, I just have a pretty candy shell for a computer!
 
Apple is just as fiendish as MS... they just have so little market share that no one seems to notice.  They've proven it with the iPod.  Being "stuck" with Apple is no better than being "stuck" with Windows.  It's just that for some reason that escapes me, people seem happier about it.  Maybe it's all the hippy commercials and the happy smoke.
Agreed, the iPod really does prove they are just like Microsoft. I wouldn't think Apple is "innovative" because like Microsoft, most of the ideas in their OS has been done before they have implemented them...
 
My daughter has an Ipod and really likes it. At least the Ipod is authorized on 5 computers. Ridicules yes, acceptable maybe.  
 
I hate where the PC is heading.  Apple has a nice loyal following as the Mac works without most of the problems that plagues the PC; Vista maybe the answer to the compatibility problems in exchange for another problem, DRM plus other nonsense required in this day and age.  
 
M$ activation is a turd, totally takes the fun out of PC configuration which at times requires new hardware thus invoking re-activation; So annoying.  DX10 will be Vista's strength that’ll help M$ stay the course, but for how long? Hopeful any games I want will play on XP/Linux/Mac for the years ahead without the need for Screwa.

This whole MS mess is going to/already has a lot of people up in arms.  I for one am not too happy about it.  But that is the way of the world.  And sadly, I and a lot of other gamers like me will probably fold and cave in to the Vista war machine once that shiny Golden Ticket in the form of a must-have game comes out for it- FORCING you to upgrade if you want to play it in all its glory.  In order for this to change the programmers need to get wise and give us an alternative platform to game on.  But from the current course this probably won't change any time soon (sheds tear for future) unless something drastic happens, e.g. antitrust case that will result in the breaking up of MS.
 
Until game developers wake up and realize that you can just-as-good-if-not-better performance out of a Linux distro, Ubuntu, per se, we will be stuck with Wintel madness.  The path of least resistance of course says this will not happen outside of the occasional porting.
 
Most people won't even care since almost all my friends are computer illiterate - and their take on comps is like a toaster.  They buy it and take it out of the box and expect the thing to work.  Once the box kicks the bucket they go and buy a new one.  Guess which OS is going to be on that box?  Windows Vista, of course.  Windows is windows to these people and they just don't care about DX10 being exclusive to Vista or the DRM infection that is choking your PC's performance.  As long as they can download the newest Hinder or Fergie tracks to their iPod and use their AOL they don't give a flying prick.  IT'S THAT SIMPLE.  Period.
 
And once again the intelligent few of us are dragged down into the water like drowning rats by the ignorant and outright stupid masses into using Vista.  Glug.  Glug.

 
That is the truth no doubt about and M$ knows it too, which is the reason why I'm kicking and screaming while drowning.  I refuse to give in easily and hoping that there is a very slight chance M$ will change Vista to the better and soon.  Zoron’s idea of Vista Lite Edition for gamers would be nice.

 
Do all Mac users have a different view of reality or is it truly a lack of knowledge of Microsoft products?  Since when has Mac OS9 or X not had compatibility issues?  You speak as though OSX is the Holy Grail of computing.  My dad is or was an avid Mac fan but I continually heard things like "product A only works on OS9 and not OSX, I had to buy an upgrade to OSX", or "this piece of hardware isn't compatible with Mac but works on Windows", that's not compatibility.  Up until Vista I've been able to run about 99% of my legacy hardware and software on XP.  That is compatibility.
 

 
Once again, where do you get this information from?  Do you only read the biased opinions and rantings of the anti-Microsoft press-machine?  How are PCs not going to be completely configurable just because of Vista?  I can buy whatever piece of hardware I want, same with software.  I have complete control over how the OS is configured.
 

 
I've been building systems for 16 years and in the 6 or 7 years of using XP, I've only needed to re-activate it once (and I had 4 systems using it.)  Furthermore, making a quick 10 or 15 minute phone call really isn't that painful.  Would I prefer Windows without activation?  Of course, but Microsoft has done a surprisingly good job of minimizing the impact of its activation scheme.
 

 
I hate to burst your bubble but why would programmers write games for a hideously small user base?  Game developers want to make money, just like you and me, and therefore they develop for the largest audience.  If Linux is so superior and fabulous why aren't open source developers making awesome games?  You'll probably respond that it is the lack of hardware and drivers, well, that too could be rectified by open-source developers.    
 

 
You just summed up basically what everyone dislikes about Mac/Linux/open-source zealots - the "I'm better than everyone else because I use an esoteric OS that really isn't that superior to Windows".  You're the type that decries the faults of Windows but conveniently ignores the limitations and problems with your OS of choice.  I guess the "ignorant and outright stupid masses" that are innovating and actually delivering multi-million dollar solutions using Microsoft products are clearly beneath your crowd .  Now where did I put that rat trap...
 
Disclaimer: While I admit that I am pro-Microsoft and have been developing large-scale solutions with their products for the last 10 years, I do not blindly follow the fold.  If there are products from other companies that do a better job, I'll definitely use them.  If a better development environment than VS2005 comes along, I'll use it.  I've found numerous faults and issues with Microsoft products while working on various projects and I've stuck it to them (through their Premier Support.)  What I do not do is fall into the trap of believing the great deal of anti-Microsoft propaganda that circulates the internet.  A lot of it is poorly written and much of it incorrect or misleading and typically authored by people with limited knowledge or experience with the subject material.  It's sad that people hate Microsoft so much yet truly don't understand why, other than that they "read something somewhere..."  

 
Do all Mac users have a different view of reality or is it truly a lack of knowledge of Microsoft products?  Since when has Mac OS9 or X not had compatibility issues?  You speak as though OSX is the Holy Grail of computing.  My dad is or was an avid Mac fan but I continually heard things like "product A only works on OS9 and not OSX, I had to buy an upgrade to OSX", or "this piece of hardware isn't compatible with Mac but works on Windows", that's not compatibility.  Up until Vista I've been able to run about 99% of my legacy hardware and software on XP.  That is compatibility.
 

 
Once again, where do you get this information from?  Do you only read the biased opinions and rantings of the anti-Microsoft press-machine?  How are PCs not going to be completely configurable just because of Vista?  I can buy whatever piece of hardware I want, same with software.  I have complete control over how the OS is configured.
 

 
I've been building systems for 16 years and in the 6 or 7 years of using XP, I've only needed to re-activate it once (and I had 4 systems using it.)  Furthermore, making a quick 10 or 15 minute phone call really isn't that painful.  Would I prefer Windows without activation?  Of course, but Microsoft has done a surprisingly good job of minimizing the impact of its activation scheme.
 

 
I hate to burst your bubble but why would programmers write games for a hideously small user base?  Game developers want to make money, just like you and me, and therefore they develop for the largest audience.  If Linux is so superior and fabulous why aren't open source developers making awesome games?  You'll probably respond that it is the lack of hardware and drivers, well, that too could be rectified by open-source developers.    
 

 
You just summed up basically what everyone dislikes about Mac/Linux/open-source zealots - the "I'm better than everyone else because I use an esoteric OS that really isn't that superior to Windows".  You're the type that decries the faults of Windows but conveniently ignores the limitations and problems with your OS of choice.  I guess the "ignorant and outright stupid masses" that are innovating and actually delivering multi-million dollar solutions using Microsoft products are clearly beneath your crowd .  Now where did I put that rat trap...
 
Disclaimer: While I admit that I am pro-Microsoft and have been developing large-scale solutions with their products for the last 10 years, I do not blindly follow the fold.  If there are products from other companies that do a better job, I'll definitely use them.  If a better development environment than VS2005 comes along, I'll use it.  I've found numerous faults and issues with Microsoft products while working on various projects and I've stuck it to them (through their Premier Support.)  What I do not do is fall into the trap of believing the great deal of anti-Microsoft propaganda that circulates the internet.  A lot of it is poorly written and much of it incorrect or misleading and typically authored by people with limited knowledge or experience with the subject material.  It's sad that people hate Microsoft so much yet truly don't understand why, other than that they "read something somewhere..."  
Where have you been all my life?