Before I get started taking well-deserved jabs at some fucking consumerist idiots, let me go ahead and let everyone know that I am pretty much a computer nerd. With that said, I know articles regarding computers (unless it’s something about the “new thing” that you can buy so the skank down the block can fuck you, or your buddy, who you rub dicks with, will think you’re cool) are mostly boring for the casual user. And by “casual user”, I mean someone who doesn’t care what the computer acts like or looks like, and the only things they are concerned about is checking e-mail and keeping in touch with loved ones. For many of us though, the computer (and the Internet) is our gateway to the world. Without computers, we would not have a fraction of the amenities we enjoy today, and as it sits right at this second if all the computers in the world shut down, so would the societies. With that said, it’s obvious that computers and the Internet are more than just toys, they are tools and extensions of ourselves. And since all humans, and all living things are born as sovereigns, and are entitled to inalienable rights (freedom of speech, expression, beliefs, etc), then this should apply to all extensions of ourselves. And since your extensions fall under your inalienable sovereignty, then you should be able to manipulate and control them to your exact wants and needs inside the confines of available technology.

The Monopoly of Microsoft and the Ignorance of the General Consumer: The unfortunate thing is that many people do not realize that this is an issue, let alone an issue of freedom of speech and expression. The general population is so used to using software which is already loaded on a computer that they purchase at their store of choice (i.e. Microsoft Windows), that they believe this is the only choice or at least the main one. The problem with software like Microsoft Windows is that although you have paid for the software and it is yours, you can only do with it as they allow you. You cannot see the source (the “nuts and bolts” of the software) to change, or have changed, anything from a security flaw to certain aesthetic modifications. Think of buying a car, but not being able to raise the hood or look under the car before you buy it, or ever for that matter. You have no idea what is going on, and worse yet, you can’t fix it. Although you own it, the people who sold the vehicle to you built it intentionally so that you cannot see their parts or replace anything. Obviously you wouldn’t buy the car. With that same thought process, why would you buy an operating system that doesn’t allow you to see the nuts and bolts, or change it for the better? Although Microsoft is a monopoly, and they make shoddy software and operating systems, at least most programs written are written for their software, so compatibility is more than a reasonable choice-maker.

Enter Linux: To keep this easy to digest, Linux is an open source and free (as in free speech, and most of the time, as in free beer as well) operating system that you can not only see the “nuts and bolts”, you have the right granted to you to legally modify the software as much as you like and distribute it freely. Also, Linux is a highly stable operating system that is more secure and hardware-friendly out-of-the-box than any other popular operating system on the market. And again, in most cases Linux is free of charge. There are only a few downsides as of right now for Linux, the main one being compatibility with certain programs. With that said, you can easily setup a “dual boot” situation so that you can keep your Windows installation to use Photoshop (currently Photoshop CS2 and before will run in Linux) or play certain games.

With the aforementioned “introduction” and explanation of the application of free speech and expression, we can now get to the real issue:

Enter the Apple (Mac) Fandom: Apple is a company that makes Macintosh computers. They are marketed as the “answer” to Windows, or the guru’s alternative to Windows. Both are not true. Windows is an operating system which is made available to virtually all computer companies to preload in their hardware. Microsoft does not make computers, they only make the operating system Windows. Apple, on the other hand who is highly monopolistic and proprietary, makes the Mac OSX (Mac operating system), the Mac hardware (to an extent), the bundled software, and most of the available software to purchase for the Mac. Also, where Windows is engineered to run out-of-the-box for PCs (and when I say “PC” I mean virtually any personal computer that is available to the consumer), Mac OSX is only available for Mac hardware and is only supported as such. A huge misconception of Apple’s Mac computers is that the software is the best for any kind of studio (audio, video, graphic, etc) application, or for that matter, any other professional application. The truth is for every great piece of production software made for Mac, there is at least an equal made for Windows. Mac OSX is also “closed source” and non-free (as in free speech) just like Windows. They also try to tie in all of their other products into one monopolistic, non-free bundle (like Mac computers, Apple iPhones, Apple iPods, iTunes, and even their own proprietary wireless network routers). Apple has been able to successfully create a cult-like social meme for their products which ignorant consumerists of their fandom snap up at the first opportunity to purchase. Apple’s products are very overpriced and their prices are generally head and shoulders above in comparison with other equal or better hardware or software. And as far as the only big issue that Linux has, which is compatibility, Mac has the same issue. The exception is that Linux can emulate and run many more Windows programs than Mac, and there are more added almost on a daily basis. The one thing that Mac does have over other operating systems and hardware is aesthetics, and only aesthetics. An interesting fact is that much of their iPhone software which runs the phone and certain aspects of the Mac OSX operating system has been “borrowed” from the K desktop environment (Linux) and applied to their proprietary software, then closed the source (which is in violation of the GPL license, the license which grants all Linux users the right to freely edit and distribute the software), which contributes to the software’s visual appeal.

In closing, both Windows and Mac are garbage to the fullest extent. At least Windows does have one thing going for it, compatibility. So if you take your rights as a sovereign seriously, or in more simpler terms, if you take the operation, functionality and security of your computer seriously, give Linux a try. I have been using Linux in one form or another for about a decade, and have never run any anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-malware, etc. programs on it, because it is just that secure. Also, the server that hosts this site is 100% Linux and free software (even WordPress which powers this blog is free software – as in free speech and free beer). You can’t lose, it’s free. If you are an Apple fan, you really need to ask yourself why you are.