From 3feaa30320284c73e2d490784ea54c358c372d78 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Blog Creator Date: Thu, 21 Aug 2025 20:50:26 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] 'Fix: Apple dev experience awful' --- src/content/apple_the_anti_dev_platform.md | 44 +++++++++++++--------- 1 file changed, 27 insertions(+), 17 deletions(-) diff --git a/src/content/apple_the_anti_dev_platform.md b/src/content/apple_the_anti_dev_platform.md index 9a3a3c6..16504c0 100644 --- a/src/content/apple_the_anti_dev_platform.md +++ b/src/content/apple_the_anti_dev_platform.md @@ -1,31 +1,41 @@ -```markdown -# Apple. The anti dev platform. +# Apple: The Anti-Dev Platform -## Introduction: A Developer's Worst Nightmare +## Introduction -This week has been a significant trial. I have had to use MacOS in my day job. It has helped reinforce my existing disdain of the platform. In fact, in the 10ish years since I have used an Apple based platform I can safely say one thing. It got worse. Here's how. +This week has been a significant trial. I’ve had to use MacOS in my day job, and it’s reinforced my existing disdain for the platform. In the 10ish years since I last used an Apple-based platform, things have gotten worse. Here’s why. -## Forced Obsolescence: A Lesson in Futility +## The Hardware Problem: Forced Obsolescence -My loan device was from 2020, apparently this is too old to run the latest macOS. I needed Xcode, apparently if I can't run the latest macOS I can't run the latest Xcode. Therefore, to run the latest development tools on a Mac you need to use very, very new hardware. This is ridiculous. I understand MS are doing this as well given that Windows 11 now *needs* a TPM 2.0. This is bullshit as well. This is forced obsolescence. I am lucky enough to have the skills to use Linux and so can put secure and updated OS's on these devices, but these skills are not common and this forced obsolescence should be called out for what it is: wasteful and silly. +My loan device from 2020 was apparently too old to run the latest MacOS. To run the latest Xcode, I needed the latest MacOS, which meant I had to use very new hardware. This is ridiculous! It feels like Apple is pushing developers to upgrade their devices every year, creating a false economy. -## The "New" Hardware Trap +Imagine if we had to replace our cars every five years—absolute folly! I use a 15-year-old machine with an 8-year-old graphics card in my lounge room to play games and run AI workloads. It runs the latest Linux swimmingly. Why can’t developers do the same? -The MacBook I've been loaned, once coaxed, was able to do the development I needed. Fuck me, most developers are using cloud backends now anyway and only need this device to write code (text editor) and then push to remote build pipelines. Game developers and developers who need real compilers are not using these machines. The idea that a machine is “obsolete” after 5 years needs to be stopped. Can you imagine if we *had* to replace our cars every 5 years… absolute folly. I use a 15-year-old machine with an 8-year-old graphics card in my lounge room to play games and run AI workloads. I use a 4-year-old machine as my main gaming computer. I have just set up a 10-year-old all-in-one to act as our kitchen hub computer. These computers run the latest Linux swimmingly, give me access to the latest and greatest AI tools (albeit slowly) and more than adequately perform their function as required. The idea that as a dev I can't possibly run on hardware older than 12 months is beyond stupid. This creates a false economy and means that to develop on Apple you basically have a $2k to $3k AUD cost every year… that's not ok. On top of the $150 AUD entrance fee to be an Apple developer. +## The Software Problem: Xcodegate -## The Apple Developer Tax: A Hidden Cost +To develop on Apple, I need Xcode. But without the latest MacOS, I can’t run the latest Xcode. This creates a Catch-22 situation. Developers are using cloud backends now anyway, so why do we even need powerful hardware? -On top of that, they charge you a “Apple Developer License” to actually do anything useful and give it to other people. These company is toxic and I now feel completely justified in my opinion that they are the most anti-consumer company in the world… and if someone says “BUT MUH SECURITY” I think I'll scream… if you use a cloud service you're already compromised. SHUT THE FUCK UP. Can someone please explain why I need to triple sign in and enrol everywhere just to build MY OWN APP ON MY OWN DEVICE? Seriously, who owns the device? It seems that forking out $1k for a phone, $2k for a laptop means I don't actually have the freedom to use them. This ecosystem is the worst I have ever encountered and should die in a fire. And fuck general consumers for using them. My god, you all suck. Learn how to use a fucking computer instead of asking for “big tech” to look after you. +Most of us just need a device to write code and push it to remote build pipelines. The idea that a machine is “obsolete” after five years needs to be stopped. Developers shouldn’t have to spend $2k-$3k AUD every year on hardware just to develop on Apple. -## The "Security" Farce +## The Cost Problem: Apple’s Hidden Fees -My God, to be an 'Apple Developer' I need to upload my ‘government issued ID’. The fuck is the platform it makes me sick. Jesus Christ, you suck. The cloud isn't free. The cost of an Apple Developer license is approx $150. There is no license cost to macOS but you need an Apple to use it. +On top of the hardware costs, there’s the Apple Developer License fee of approximately $150 AUD. And don’t even get me started on the enrollment process—you need to upload your government-issued ID to enroll in Apple’s developer program. What’s the point? -## A Call to Action: Developers, Wake Up! +If I buy an iPhone or Mac, shouldn’t I own it outright? It seems like forking out $1k for a phone or $2k for a laptop doesn’t actually give me freedom—it just gives Apple more control over my devices. -As developers we should be disgusted by this practice. This is anti-consumer, anti-user and makes me sick. If as a developer you feel this ecosystem is acceptable you should take a good long hard look in the mirror. This goes against everything we should be. In future jobs I will advocate for an Apple tax be ase $5k for new equipment and 25% extras and hour for wasting my time with unnecessary Apple hurdles. Thank you for your time. +## The Security Argument: A Red Herring -## Final Thoughts: She'll Be Right, Mate +When people defend Apple’s security measures, I want to scream. If you’re using a cloud service, you’re already compromised—so stop bringing it up as if it’s a solution. The idea that I need to triple-sign in and enroll everywhere just to build my own app on my own device is beyond stupid. -If you're a developer and you're not already screaming into the void about this, you're doing it wrong. Apple's ecosystem is a trap, a money grab, and a complete affront to the principles of open source and user freedom. She'll be right, mate. But not for long. -``` \ No newline at end of file +Who owns the device? It seems like Apple does—if they want to restrict what we do with our devices, maybe they should sell us a manual instead of hardware. + +## The Cloud Problem: Not Free + +The cloud isn’t free, and it’s definitely not secure. Developers on other platforms don’t have to deal with these restrictions. Why is Apple making things so complicated? If you’re lucky enough to have the skills to use Linux, like I do, you can put secure and updated OSs on older hardware. But most developers aren’t that skilled—Apple’s ecosystem is toxic for them. + +## The Developer Experience: Anti-Consumer + +As a developer, I’m disgusted by Apple’s practices. This isn’t just anti-consumer; it’s anti-user. It goes against everything we should stand for as developers—freedom, choice, and innovation. If you’re okay with this ecosystem, take a long, hard look in the mirror. We need to advocate for change. Maybe include an “Apple tax” of $5k for new equipment and 25% extras per hour wasted on unnecessary Apple hurdles. + +## Conclusion + +The Apple ecosystem is the worst I’ve ever encountered, and it needs to die in a fire. Learn how to use a fucking computer instead of relying on big tech to hold your hand. Thank you for reading—now go forth and embrace freedom with Linux or other platforms. Your devices (and wallet) will thank you. \ No newline at end of file