I can't be fussed about who likes Shimano and who does'nt. The facts are :
They make the best hubs $ for pound.
Their shifters are better than anything lese out there.
Their Derailleurs are by far the best SRAM included
Their Crank sets are the best value for money
Their BB's outlast everything else offroad. ISIS? what a load of crap!

Their chains are crap though.

Rapid Rise is the most logical thing they have invented and I hope it never dies. Absolutley brilliant stuff.

Right so you don't want to be locked into using Shimano components. Then don't. buy bits from everywhere else.
Personally I like to be able to walk into any bike shop anywhere in teh world and buy a similar component to the one which has just broken. Who else offers that?

Long live Dual Control
Long Live Rapid Rise
Long live Octalink
Long ive Shimano.