care to give specifics?

@Shio

I played the XBOX GotY version of Morrowind. To ME that game had a general lack of direction and completing the missions was much harder than Oblivion. I can see where some would say that Oblivion was "dumbed down" but I believe that it definetly had more direction than Morrowind and a much better storyline also (Well in Morrowind's defense, it didn't have voice acting [actually, that's to Oblivions defense] and it had a general lack of a storyline, Pac-man's storyline was better). Also, Morrowind moved slowly, controlled sloppy, and the combat was not fun (I would literally spend two minutes to kill a rat because of the sword missing). Oblivion fixed all that, and I couldn't have been happier in the end.

If you don't bother about the graphics Morrowind is the better game by quite a margin. Get the PC version so you can get all the mods aswell. they make a big difference to both games.

Morrowind's story is far superior, but it's hard to overlook the graphics and voice acting in Oblivion. I'd start with Oblivion since its likely to make a better first impression. If you really like the experience, pick up Morrowind.

 More direction?

Do you mean that it gave you more instructions and was less open? If so then that is what everybody else is complaining about, it was 'dumbed down' in that you weren't as free to do what you want.