Mac App Store: The Subtle Exodus
This is especially interesting for me because I am on the cusp of a technological coup in my own home.  I've been a "PC" my whole life, and have somehow gotten away with never buying an Apple product, and never felt the lack.<p>However, many of the reasons I avoided Apple in the past are now irrelevant, as all but Linux now attempt the same fascist business model (The rings/rules of Apple QA for software, and One store with which to rule them all).  My go-to argument against Apple in the past was:<p>"In order to get an application or piece of software into the Apple ecosystem, you have to go through Apple.  Apple has a strict QA process, every app that gets into the store has to vetted by one of Apples legions of QA staff.  This sounds good; we want quality apps.  However, a great deal of Apple’s QA rules for acceptance aren’t just about app quality, but also nebulous ideas of morality and ethics.  The problem with that is, when only one agency is in control of what is proper and what isn’t, we are left with a situation where one agency gets to control what you see, use, and by environmental influence—think.  Now, imagine everyone exclusively owns an Apple product…”<p>Ironically, this notion is very 1984, and my stance on it was a bit extremish to be sure, but hey, I’m a PC.  Anyway, ever since Windows 8 and Windows Phone, it seems Microsoft has seen how completely Apple controls its own ecosystem, and wants a piece (complete with its own app ecosystem).  Suddenly Babylon had arrived on my desktop.  My initial thought was, “are we going to reach a situation where there are no more open platforms to develop for?  Are we going to get to a point where software can only be deployed through stores run by the same folks who run my OS? Do I have to learn Linux?!”<p>So, long ramble short, I’m thinking of joining the cult.  A few years back I was given an iPad as a present.  I initially resented it, labeling it a glorified TV-ala-Netflix device.  I have since spent hundreds on app purchases. 
Is now a good time to put on my robes and worship at the altar of Jobs?