Been thinking a bit about technology of late. More in the broader field than anything specific and in the context of attitudes towards it and particular brands.

It’s been a long-held gripe in IT about what has at times been referred to as the ‘Evil Empire’ of Microsoft and not necessarily without justification regarding some of their practices. However I’ve often found that some of these people turn into avid Mac users as a means of, for the lack of a better phrase, rebellion against Microsoft. I’ve got plenty of friends who are Mac users and most seem to love their machines, particularly that it’s not Microsoft but I’ve been pondering on this ‘Mac’ culture and why its brand has seemed to adopt a near trendy rebellious non-conformist persona.

I can only conclude that it’s simply a case of “it’s not Microsoft” so therefore it’s good. A bit of the old “two legs bad, four legs good” and just like that analogy from George Orwell, the actual case isn’t necessarily so.

We all know Microsoft has a preeminent position in the marketplace, for software anyway. It guards its secrets well and isn’t adverse to resorting to legal action against those it is in competition with. It’s a corporate entity, a massive company with vested interests in maintaining its position.

However, is Apple really any different? I’ll just run through a few examples.

First up, a computer. Now in the case of Apple, they actually make the machines themselves, which means to use their software, you’ve already had to buy into their hardware which to be frank is overpriced for what you actually get. It also has the problem of there being no inter-changeable aspect in that within a PC, if said card or drive breaks, it’s a quick nip to the shops to pick up a fresh one to replace it. You can’t do that with a Mac, the component structure is designed to exclude the user from tinkering meaning no home fixes or upgrades, it will all have to be done by a certified Apple person.

Microsoft don’t really do hardware so in their case, the software, lets stick to operating systems for a moment, will pretty much run on any PC which you can purchase from a massive array of vendors or build yourself out of various components. (Note, before some uber techie picks up on it, yes there are a myriad of issue regarding hardware exclusivity drivers and code but we’re trying to keep it simple here).

On software, well despite Microsoft’s best efforts to control and dominate the software that runs on their machines, many other companies provide it and there’s also lots of open source free stuff available. On Macs there’s a lot less choice straight off and even though the software for Windows machines can be pricey, those for Macs can be even worse. So pretty much there’s not a lot to choose between them.

On to peripherals and we’ll use MP3 players as the example because both Microsoft do the Zune and Apple the iPod. Both are stacked with DRM but in Apple’s case with their iTunes site, not only are we talking about restriction of copyright infringement to protect artists/music companies, take you pick, but Apple specifically designed their downloads so that they could only be used on their iPod players precluding their use or transfer to another branded player. So basically if you’ve spent you money downloading songs from their site then you are automatically in a position where you would be disinclined to buy another brand of player because you’ll lose all your music. (Note: I think they’re stopping this but it does show their approach). That doesn’t sound like some cutting edge anti-establishment company, in fact it’s a lot worse than even some of the extents that Microsoft go to.

Yes, Apple’s look good, they’ve got the whole style thing well done that makes them look funky but behind it is equally, if not in some cases a worse corporate control mentality than Microsoft. I’m just bemused why Apple users who openly take the position that they choose Macs because they don’t like Microsoft and its practices don’t spot that.

Anyway, for me, I don’t want an iLife, or to become a corporate branded iPerson. I’m quite happy to enjoy the far greater freedom and control I have over the digital aspects of my life. Takes maybe a little more perseverance and time but I have this strange desire not to have aspects of my life under the control of American Corporations of whom I have no power over whatsoever.