I advocated this concept for many years but I think it's becoming progressively less relevant in the current marketplace. Microsoft has not proven an ability to successfully leverage Windows into new markets for quite some time, they are watched very closely by regulatory agencies when they try, and their forays into new product markets have been essentially unsuccessful. I don't worry about Microsoft nearly as much as I did ten years ago.
Honestly, I find this funny. You advocated for Mac users to universally stop buying Microsoft products? Really? You had nothing better to do? This, along with the fact that you "worry" about Microsoft [being successful] shows the quite paranoid and egotistical attitude about Microsoft/Apple some people possess. I swear Fanboys (or Mac Zealots if you prefer
) worry more about Microsoft than the people at Microsoft do. Too many people on this forums, notably AppleMacTheBest, are caught up with some childish mentality concerning the existence and competition of Apple and Microsoft.
As for the "fanboy war," I think the use of this word should be banned from discussions on this forum, in the same way as the use of other insults are banned. Calling someone a "fanboy" is not an argument, it is a complete lack of an argument. Calling someone a fanboy is an effort to be dismissive of what someone is saying, without actually responding to their points in any substantial way. This no better than calling someone an idiot. It is a miserable excuse for an argument. Insults are childish and needlessly provocative -- and for that reason, not allowed here.
Fanboy -
a term used to describe an individual who is devoted to a single subject in an emotional or fanatical manner, or to a single point of view within that subject, often to the point where it is considered an obsession.
Really? That, truthfully, is the
perfect way to describe some people on these forums. Unlike "idiot" or other insults, it doesn't degrade another person, but provides a quite accurate way of describing people. Honestly, I couldn't think of a better word to describe some people on these forums (although I choose not to). To each his own I guess...
I've never been accused of complacency, so that accusation goes nowhere. But you do need a better understanding of how Microsoft achieved its dominance in operating systems. In short, it was an enormous historical fluke. It won't be repeated. This occurred before the Mac was even on the scene. Microsoft's illegal activities were related to their exploitation (leveraging) of their existing market power and their protection of that market power in operating systems. These are powers they lack in any other market, and they have thus far failed to make much more than a dent in any other market no matter how much cash they have poured into it. Sony and Nintendo are fully capable of competing with Microsoft in the game console market. There's simply no evidence to suggest otherwise.
Ok, none of Microsoft's products have reached the market-share and profits of Windows. Big deal, what has? Besides Oil, there's not another product on the face of the earth as profitable as Microsoft Windows. Lastly, I wouldn't call Windows Mobile and the Xbox "dent's". While they may not be leading their industries, they both play
major roles respectively. Truthfully, you need to work on your definition of "success". Success is accomplishment of a goal relative to their industry. Not everything has to fall back on comparison to Windows. (Or EVERYTHING would be a failure)
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Bottom Line:
Microsoft's failure is
NOT a requirement of Apple's success, and vice-versa.
Don't want to use Microsoft stuff? That's a personal preference - not a cause to hate. Don't be sucked in to the latest Hate Fad™.