Gunnar, interesting article. The question I'd ask is if you or other readers see any parallels between Apple's closed architecture and the organizations that populate the American educational system below university level.
It seems to me what they have in common -- generalizing very broadly -- is a desire to control and cement lock-in on the part of their customer base. What they don't have in common, of course, is execution. Apple is an admired force in the business world and has an envious global franchise. American primary and secondary education have been saved from extinction by successfully managing to largely avoid any meaningful competition, and by our excellent universities.
So if that's the case, it seems to me the flavor of IT they use is a moot point if the overarching system can't take advantage of it.
I agree with the earlier posts suggesting that there is no "war", per se -- or at least not from the point of view of there being a deliberate desire in most organizations to squelch new ideas or creativity. (To be fair, it doesn't feel that way if your idea is the one being quashed.) RonW's middle point is particularly good. To paraphrase a former U.S. president, "It's the people, stupid." Empower them within the construct of whatever the organization's mission is, and you'll see great results. Stifle that, and you'll get mediocrity.
Now if only it was as easy to do that in the "real world" as it is to suggest it here!
Gunnar, interesting article. The question I'd ask is if you or other readers see any parallels between Apple's closed architecture and the organizations that populate the American educational system below university level.
It seems to me what they have in common -- generalizing very broadly -- is a desire to control and cement lock-in on the part of their customer base. What they don't have in common, of course, is execution. Apple is an admired force in the business world and has an envious global franchise. American primary and secondary education have been saved from extinction by successfully managing to largely avoid any meaningful competition, and by our excellent universities.
So if that's the case, it seems to me the flavor of IT they use is a moot point if the overarching system can't take advantage of it.