Father assembled family's initial Frankenstein-like computer using Apple components, later transitioning to Microsoft; identifies specific instance when 'walled garden' strategy driven him away
From Open Architecture to Closed Systems: A Personal Journey Through Apple's Transition
In the early 1980s, a young family's den was transformed into a bustling hub of technology. This was the era when the writer's father, a broke college student, built his first computer - a Frankenstein's monster of various Apple PC parts.
The computer, a testament to DIY spirit and resourcefulness, was a far cry from the sleek, sealed machines we know today. It was a time when open devices reigned, and the writer developed an appreciation for this approach, preferring to build his own computers to this day.
The writer's father's journey began with an IBM PC, an MS-DOS device that was open and unsealed, serving his needs better than the Macintosh. As he delved deeper into the world of computing, he started preferring Linux due to its customization capabilities.
This era was marked by a thriving community of computer hobbyists and engineers, who were eager to tinker with their devices. However, Apple's approach to its computers was different. The Macintosh computer used SCSI communications, a new proprietary protocol that was different from the known protocols of the time. Apple either wouldn't share its SCSI protocols or didn't know how, making it impossible for hobbyists to upgrade or tweak them.
The writer's father, undeterred, built a wooden case for the computer, which had a flat top to place a monitor on it. He also scoured catalogues and visited Radio Shack to piece together a working machine. To make the Apple II motherboard usable, he made some cuts and soldered jumper wires.
As the 1980s progressed, the family's den was filled with Windows 95 computers, where the writer spent many hours playing games, drawing, and writing stories. However, Apple's transition from open, hobbyist-friendly PCs to more closed systems was a gradual process spanning several decades.
The classic Mac OS era in 1984 saw the launch of the original Macintosh with more closed hardware and software compared to early IBM PCs. Although not fully "open," it had some modifiability and hobbyist appeal early on.
In the early 1990s, Apple moved from Motorola 68k chips to PowerPC processors, allowing some degree of software development flexibility. However, these Macs were still less open than typical IBM-compatible PCs.
The power shifted further in 2005-2006 when Apple transitioned from PowerPC to Intel x86 processors. This change began to close the system more because Intel Macs could run Windows via Boot Camp, but the overall hardware architecture remained more closed compared to generic PCs.
The 2010s saw Apple increasingly controlling Mac hardware and software tightly, making Macs less customizable physically. The rise of proprietary chips and integrated designs limited hobbyist modifications.
In 2020-2023, Apple shifted from Intel x86 processors to its own ARM-based Apple Silicon (M1, M2 chips). This move further closed the system physically and architecturally, but allowed for running iOS/iPadOS apps natively on Macs, a new form of integration.
The writer's family, who experienced the more open computing environment of the early days, felt the impact of Apple's closed system. By the early to mid-90s, Apple released a new Macintosh computer that was sealed, which was a departure from previous Apple PCs that were not sealed. This change turned the writer's family away from Apple computers forever.
The writer found it interesting learning about this moment when Apple's closed system impacted his family and switched his dad from being an Apple PC user to a Microsoft PC user. He believes that people should have control over their technology, rather than it controlling what they can or can't do.
While Windows isn't always the best for customization, it's a lot better than the limited experience Apple offers, and it offers far more widespread software compatibility than Linux. Despite the changes in the tech industry, the writer's father's DIY spirit and love for open systems live on, inspiring a new generation to tinker, build, and explore the limitless possibilities of technology.
