I used to have an Apple //e many years ago, and I was a big fan of Apple. The //e came with the schematics for the motherboard in the user's manual. How's that for open? Can you imagine seeing a schematic when you open a box now?

When Apple went to the Mac, they lost me. Too closed.

Some people like their computers to be 'gizmos', like their cell phone. They don't want to mess with it, they just want to USE it. This is computer as means of enjoying hobbies (such as music) and doing work.

Other people like to program and reconfigure their computers. This is more of computer-as-hobby, even if we also use it to accomplish tasks. To me, half the fun of a computer is the computer itself. Many people consider that aspect a terrible chore.

I don't see any loss of rights. You make your choice when you choose what kind of system you get. Obviously if people seek to limit choices in order to coral everyone into the USER position, then that's denial of freedom.

From a business perspective, I think there are businesses that like to keep their customers USERS (and I would actually put Microsoft in the same boat with Apple on this). There are also businesses that excel at providing wide varieties of choices.

People often whine about Windows (or sometimes Apple) but continue using it regardless of the nasty things Microsoft does. That's just lazy. Change the channel or quit your complaining. You do have choices - no one if forcing you to line Bill Gates pockets so he can further hamper computing freedom.