I do not necessarily have an issue with using proprietary software; I have an issue with being forced to use proprietary software. I do not think a valid comparison can be drawn to being forced into using a specific textbook.  There is nothing &quot;active&quot; about a textbook unlike software.  There is nothing hidden away from me that I am unable to see in the textbooks. Any biases or malicious activity will be visible and avoidable. In proprietary software this is not the case.