Back in the 1990s, I remember a phrase that circulated. It's memorable because at the time it rang so incredibly true. It was a remark about how the market and industry regarded the Titan Microsoft, and went: "Whenever Bill Gates throws a dart at a wall, everyone races to the wall to paint a target around that dart". Yes, M$ had gained such stature, and Bill such celebrity, that many a blind eye was turned toward their technology, marketing practices, and other less-than-wonderful aspects.

Today, Google (peer'd by Apple) is the new Microsoft (IBM is the new General Motors, but that's a different topic). And yes, everyone again seems to be racing to draw targets around the arrows they've shot.

It's not amazing (though bitterly disappointing) to see consumers accept limits from vendors: changes in rules of 'ownership', accepting lock-in with cell carriers, etc....but it _is_ amazing to me how developers accept (and even embrace) Apple's re-definition of software development and platform control. Maybe it's a generational thing -- but, a _vendor_ decides if you get to write/sell software?!!?