Machines were actually built to advcocate proper form and safety.But without knowing it, machines are very bad for your joints as they force a very stiff movement as compared to freeweight.
I can safely tell you that many people's rotator cuff is f*cked up after benching on the smith machine.
Besides machines do not even train the stabilizing muscles at all.
The only machines that are okay in my opinion are cable pulley machines.They allow a more free movement and are more flexible.
Think of this situation:Would you rather shift furniture that can only move straight(like most machines) or shift furniture that can be moved in any way(free weight).
Forget about all the hyper mumbo jumbo rubbish new age gizmo machines.Its back to the basics...
any place with more machines then freeweight is called a fitness centre not a gym.
i consider machine loaded places gyms.. and free weights "weight rooms" at least thats what im being taught here