It's nice to make a point about Apple's history of steamrollering 3rd party developers, but you are only presenting one side of the history:

How about Apple dropping MacBasic for Microsoft in order to extend AppleSoft Basic's license? (You remember that pile of trash that was Microsoft Basic, right?)

How about Apple letting MacPaint and MacWrite languish because developers said that bundling was hurting sales?

How about Apple giving up 4th D to Kawasaki and Acius because developers complaints?

How about Apple spinning off Claris to develop applications? Don't we remember that HyperCard was released by Apple and all the prognosticators (including Pournelle) were saying they were undercutting their new foundling?

And, if I don't think the developers of Final Cut for Macromedia or SoundJam for Cassady and Green feel their lunch was eaten. The former actually got to finish their product; the latter are still making iTunes rock.

Or should we feel safer in the Windows world where a company has been proven in the court of law of wiping out companies (see Stack v. Microsoft) and whole industries (ask Netscape or read the legal decision) through their monopoly of the OS (as any PC vendor), their brand name, dirty tactics (ask IBM about OS/2), and coercion (as Apple about Mac Office and IE bundling)? Please.

Developers have done a good job of holding Apple's steamroller in check by threatening to jump to DOS (and now Windows). The problem is such a threat to Microsoft is laughable. Apple's problem is not the ominous FUD spread by sore losers (Adobe Photoshop, Yes! Adobe Premiere? Puh-leez, it stinks even on Windows), it is the fear that they will drop support of OpenDoc, Data Detectors, QuickDrawGX, (and a zillion other technologies) to chase the NEXT BIG THING.

Hmm Apple releases Developer Tools for free and is improving XCode. I guess we should all lament the downfall of MetroWorks and REAL Software. Oh yeah, and Karelia--they MUST be out of business after Sherlock 3 came out...

Hmm, this sounded more negative than I meant. I do think you have a valid point. It's just that when you pick up one end of the stick, you have to pick up the other end too.

Take care,

terry chay