Clayton Christensen talked about this idea as integrated vs. modular. He actually used the example of unix as modular and Windows as integrated (though he there was talking about the ability to create different distributions of unix, mix-and-matching components).
BTW: I like his use of "IDE" to convey his point succinctly. Though I had the same reaction as you, he's using it as a word, not an acronym. Also, there's a category error of application vs. OS which I think adds to the wry quirkiness.
BTW: I like his use of "IDE" to convey his point succinctly. Though I had the same reaction as you, he's using it as a word, not an acronym. Also, there's a category error of application vs. OS which I think adds to the wry quirkiness.