maybe iTunes won't suck now

13

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  • DJ-S1DJ-S1 Registered Users Posts: 2,303 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2006
    Andy wrote:
    I never had Dell, Sony, HP, or any other PeeCee maker do that.

    Apple just excels in so many ways.

    What's that got to do with Windows or Microsoft? I've had local shops custom build me PCs and the service was phenominal. I don't see the point. headscratch.gif
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2006
    DJ-S1 wrote:
    What's that got to do with Windows or Microsoft? I've had local shops custom build me PCs and the service was phenominal. I don't see the point. headscratch.gif
    The point is that his new Mac Mini's power supply has already failed. deal.gif

    lol3.gif
    Sid.
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  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2006
    wxwax wrote:
    The point is that his new Mac Mini's power supply has already failed. deal.gif

    lol3.gif
    Oh and it's not new - at least 9 months old. And so what? Power cords break all the time, anyhwere. The point is, Apple to the RESCUE :D

    I wonder how fast Microsoft would ship a CD if needed? I don't hear stories about HP, Dell, Sony, Toshiba shipping out stuff like this so fast, so speedily, and so Apple-y! Do you?

    My Mac Mini is fine, since 830am this morning (oh yea, Apple shipped priority first A.M. delivery, DHL).

    Apple Rocks. Marital bliss once again envelops the household. Wife really was having shopping withdrawal!
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2006
    DJ-S1 wrote:
    What's that got to do with Windows or Microsoft? I've had local shops custom build me PCs and the service was phenominal. I don't see the point. headscratch.gif

    See above in my resp to the waxed-wonder :D
  • DJ-S1DJ-S1 Registered Users Posts: 2,303 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2006
    Yes, I know - 60282085-O.gif

    I guess my question was, what does a hardware service call have to do with MS- and/or Windows-bashing? They don't make the hardware, nor do they service it.

    Which brings up a point; most software that only runs on proprietary hardware has gone the way of the dinosaurs. My work background is CAD and there are tons of companies that no longer exist because they weren't open. Computervision, Intergraph, etc. Most of the remaining CAD packages have to port out to several platforms.

    Microsoft got so huge because they separated the hardware from the software and can run on computers from lots of different companies. (a simplification to be sure, but it has some validity) Apple has avoided this, but maybe not entirely since they have now switched to Intel?

    I wonder what the future will hold and if one day you could go to BestBuy and pick up a CompaqMac? Or an AlienwareMac? Or if you will be able to buy a computer and buy the OS separately, either Mac or PC as you wish? Competition is heathy, IMO.
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2006
    DJ-S1 wrote:
    Yes, I know - 60282085-O.gif

    I guess my question was, what does a hardware service call have to do with MS- and/or Windows-bashing? They don't make the hardware, nor do they service it.

    Which brings up a point; most software that only runs on proprietary hardware has gone the way of the dinosaurs. My work background is CAD and there are tons of companies that no longer exist because they weren't open. Computervision, Intergraph, etc. Most of the remaining CAD packages have to port out to several platforms.

    Microsoft got so huge because they separated the hardware from the software and can run on computers from lots of different companies. (a simplification to be sure, but it has some validity) Apple has avoided this, but maybe not entirely since they have now switched to Intel?

    I wonder what the future will hold and if one day you could go to BestBuy and pick up a CompaqMac? Or an AlienwareMac? Or if you will be able to buy a computer and buy the OS separately, either Mac or PC as you wish? Competition is heathy, IMO.


    Apple's strength is that they haven't done that and that they've avoided all those BIOS running around for all those different systems. They control the hardware, software and the customer benefits from that. It has it's drawbacks, as well, but the benefits are that everything works better together with less hassle. Changing their processors has nothing to do with that. Switching to Intel processors does not change the fact that they are vertically integrated, or whatever it's called.

    Competition IS healthy, and Apple has competition from the entire Windows world. Sure, it's market share is small compared to all those companies put together, but it's doing really well as a company.

    CompaqMac would not be a win for anybody, IMO.
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  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2006
    Andy wrote:
    Oh and it's not new - at least 9 months old. And so what? Power cords break all the time, anyhwere. The point is, Apple to the RESCUE :D

    I wonder how fast Microsoft would ship a CD if needed? I don't hear stories about HP, Dell, Sony, Toshiba shipping out stuff like this so fast, so speedily, and so Apple-y! Do you?

    My Mac Mini is fine, since 830am this morning (oh yea, Apple shipped priority first A.M. delivery, DHL).

    Apple Rocks. Marital bliss once again envelops the household. Wife really was having shopping withdrawal!
    9 months? :uhoh Quality Apple product. lol3.gif
    Sid.
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  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2006
    wxwax wrote:
    9 months? :uhoh Quality Apple product. lol3.gif


    Troll.
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  • DJ-S1DJ-S1 Registered Users Posts: 2,303 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2006
    DavidTO wrote:
    Apple's strength is that they haven't done that and that they've avoided all those BIOS running around for all those different systems. They control the hardware, software and the customer benefits from that. It has it's drawbacks, as well, but the benefits are that everything works better together with less hassle.
    True, being a monopoly has it's advantages. It makes Apple's software job much easier. But it also means the consumer has fewer choices, and Apple can and does set any price it wants to charge. The customer has to take it or leave it. Until recently, that meant paying a lot more for a Mac than for a similarly spec'd PC.
    Changing their processors has nothing to do with that. Switching to Intel processors does not change the fact that they are vertically integrated, or whatever it's called.
    It doesn't change it NOW, but shortly that may not be the case. How long did it take for a repeatable hack to be found to boot Windows on an Intel Mac? Not very long. If Dell decides to make a machine that can run Mac OS and sell it for $300 less than an iMac, what happens?
    Competition IS healthy, and Apple has competition from the entire Windows world. Sure, it's market share is small compared to all those companies put together, but it's doing really well as a company.
    It is doing very well as a company. Not because of their computers, but mostly because they sell bazillions of iPods. That division is carrying the rest of the company at the moment. It wasn't too long ago that Apple was almost dead, so they have come a long way which I think is a good thing. We agree, competition is healthy.

    Thing is, Microsoft doesn't want any software competition. Apple doesn't want any hardware competition. Either way, it's a monopoly and it isn't good for the consumer.
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2006
    DJ-S1 wrote:
    True, being a monopoly has it's advantages. It makes Apple's software job much easier. But it also means the consumer has fewer choices, and Apple can and does set any price it wants to charge. The customer has to take it or leave it. Until recently, that meant paying a lot more for a Mac than for a similarly spec'd PC.

    Well, they're not a monopoly, and they can't charge whatever they want. Market pressures still come to bear on them.
    It doesn't change it NOW, but shortly that may not be the case. How long did it take for a repeatable hack to be found to boot Windows on an Intel Mac? Not very long. If Dell decides to make a machine that can run Mac OS and sell it for $300 less than an iMac, what happens?

    Then you're breaking the law.
    It is doing very well as a company. Not because of their computers, but mostly because they sell bazillions of iPods. That division is carrying the rest of the company at the moment. It wasn't too long ago that Apple was almost dead, so they have come a long way which I think is a good thing. We agree, competition is healthy.

    iPods have a LOT to do with their success, but so does OS X and their design. They've been fighting an uphill battle as the PPC has lagged in development behind the Intel/AMD chips, and they're setting that right.
    Thing is, Microsoft doesn't want any software competition. Apple doesn't want any hardware competition. Either way, it's a monopoly and it isn't good for the consumer.

    It's not only that they don't want hardware competition, but that the platform gets definite benefit from the vertical structure. Hardware and software designed around the user, instead of the hodge-podge of the Windows world that puts the hardware/software package at the center. The Windows world is getting better about that, but they're playing catch up with Apple, and I don't see them catching up in that area.
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  • DJ-S1DJ-S1 Registered Users Posts: 2,303 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2006
    Well, they're not a monopoly, and they can't charge whatever they want. Market pressures still come to bear on them.
    True, but the pressures are limited somewhat. I didn't mean to imply that they could charge $5,000 for a MacMini. But they don't have to compete with a $400 entry level Dell either. If you want MacOS anyway.
    Then you're breaking the law.
    I'm not trying to be flippant here, but what law is that? If I buy a copy of Photoshop for Windows, and I get it to run on BeOS what law am I breaking? As long as I paid for the software, I can do what I want to with it.
    iPods have a LOT to do with their success, but so does OS X and their design. They've been fighting an uphill battle as the PPC has lagged in development behind the Intel/AMD chips, and they're setting that right.
    Agreed. Their design is the major reason they didn't die way back when, IMO.
    It's not only that they don't want hardware competition, but that the platform gets definite benefit from the vertical structure. Hardware and software designed around the user, instead of the hodge-podge of the Windows world that puts the hardware/software package at the center. The Windows world is getting better about that, but they're playing catch up with Apple, and I don't see them catching up in that area.
    I agree that the platform benefits in stability. No question. But to my mind, no monopoly can be good. When there is no choice for the consumer, there is less innovation.

    There is no doubt that Apple is an innovative company making very good products for their customers. BUT, what innovation has not been achieved? There's no way of knowing.

    If Microsoft had control of all hardware, would video standards have progressed from ISA to PCI to AGP to PCIexpress all in the last 10 years, or would it have taken 20? Or would they still be at AGP2x, which was pretty damn fast and innovative? After all, it's not like there would have been anyone else out there trying to push the envelope. There would be no PCIexpress and we would never miss it, because we wouldn't know any better.

    Apple customers believe for some reason that yes, Apple has a monopoly on hardware, but they are a good company, a moral, righteous company that is making every decision solely for the benefit of their customers. So when MS sends out 3 security fixes in 3 days, they laugh and jeer. When Apple does the same thing, it's "great service and wonderful responsiveness." When the new Apple laptop comes out with a loud processor whine, it's no big deal, just run an app in the background constantly and it'll go away. If that happened on a PC, it would be "I don't know how you people put up with poor quality like that."

    That's the part I don't get. I understand loyalty, but I don't understand blind loyalty.

    I don't want to keep going on and on about this, but I did enjoy this discussion David. thumb.gif

    And like BWG, if the price and features and my needs all match at some point, I won't hesitate to buy a Mac myself. At which point I'll take you up on the lifetime tech support offer! deal.gif
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2006
    DJ-S1 wrote:
    Apple customers believe for some reason that yes, Apple has a monopoly on hardware, but they are a good company, a moral, righteous company that is making every decision solely for the benefit of their customers. So when MS sends out 3 security fixes in 3 days, they laugh and jeer. When Apple does the same thing, it's "great service and wonderful responsiveness." When the new Apple laptop comes out with a loud processor whine, it's no big deal, just run an app in the background constantly and it'll go away. If that happened on a PC, it would be "I don't know how you people put up with poor quality like that."

    That's the part I don't get. I understand loyalty, but I don't understand blind loyalty.

    I don't want to keep going on and on about this, but I did enjoy this discussion David. thumb.gif

    And like BWG, if the price and features and my needs all match at some point, I won't hesitate to buy a Mac myself. At which point I'll take you up on the lifetime tech support offer! deal.gif

    Just for myself, I want to say that I don't believe that Apple is looking out for my best interests, I only believe that they have the better product and the best service. And I don't fault Windows for sending out security updates, I fault them that their OS is so much less secure.

    Also, as a last note, I'll tell you a secret, if you promise not to tell anyone else. I know that I overstate the case for Apple by a *little*. Not much, mind you, because it is a much better platform in so many ways. But yes, I have fun with it.
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  • Shay StephensShay Stephens Registered Users Posts: 3,165 Major grins
    edited March 18, 2006
    DJ-S1 wrote:
    Microsoft got so huge because they separated the hardware from the software and can run on computers from lots of different companies. (a simplification to be sure, but it has some validity) Apple has avoided this, but maybe not entirely since they have now switched to Intel?
    And now Microsoft is also moving toward locking down the hardware with "trusted computing". Pretty soon you won't be able to tell the difference between Apple or Microsoft, they both will own you mwink.gif.

    You'll have to call them to get permission to boot, permission to type a letter, permission to shut down. And then they won't allow you to shut down, that way you can recieve their precious security updates 24/7. And then Max Headroom will come. Help us Max Headroom-Kenobi, your our only hope! hahahaha.
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  • Shay StephensShay Stephens Registered Users Posts: 3,165 Major grins
    edited March 18, 2006
    You *are* human
    DavidTO wrote:
    I know that I overstate the case for Apple by a *little*.

    Glad to see there is still a glimmer of reality flowing through you hehehe
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  • bwgbwg Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 2,119 SmugMug Employee
    edited March 18, 2006
    DavidTO wrote:
    I know that I overstate the case for Apple by a *little*.

    and i secretly love internet explorer.

    BWG + IE 4eva!
    Pedal faster
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited March 18, 2006
    bigwebguy wrote:
    and i secretly love internet explorer.

    BWG + IE 4eva!


    I think I detect sarcasm.
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  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited March 18, 2006
    Glad to see there is still a glimmer of reality flowing through you hehehe


    Remember I said just a *little*. So, yeah, I guess glimmer would be appropriate...I think "flowing" is going a bit overboard, though...
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  • Shay StephensShay Stephens Registered Users Posts: 3,165 Major grins
    edited March 18, 2006
    DavidTO wrote:
    Remember I said just a *little*. So, yeah, I guess glimmer would be appropriate...I think "flowing" is going a bit overboard, though...
    I stand corrected mwink.gif
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  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited March 18, 2006
    Hey, to get back on topic....

    How's iTunes working for you now?
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  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited April 10, 2006
    BWG:

    Have you tried iAlertU?
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  • mercphotomercphoto Registered Users Posts: 4,550 Major grins
    edited April 10, 2006
    DJ-S1 wrote:
    I agree that the platform benefits in stability. No question. But to my mind, no monopoly can be good. When there is no choice for the consumer, there is less innovation.
    Be careful about broad sweeping statements. "No" monopoly can be good. I'd hate to see competition with my water supply or sewage vendor for example. ;) There are certain aspects of society that truly are best served by monopolies, but those are always overseen and regulated.
    There is no doubt that Apple is an innovative company making very good products for their customers. BUT, what innovation has not been achieved? There's no way of knowing.
    True, you can't know that. However, I don't see where competition in the PC arena has led to any serious innovation at all. That industry competes on price, not on innovation. And when you compete on price there is little budget for R&D. Little budget for R&D leads to less innovation.
    If Microsoft had control of all hardware, would video standards have progressed from ISA to PCI to AGP to PCIexpress all in the last 10 years, or would it have taken 20? Or would they still be at AGP2x, which was pretty damn fast and innovative? After all, it's not like there would have been anyone else out there trying to push the envelope. There would be no PCIexpress and we would never miss it, because we wouldn't know any better.
    There is a dark side to rapid change. Like all things, anything can be taken too far (change too fast can be just as bad as change too slow).
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  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited April 10, 2006
    DavidTO wrote:
    BWG:

    Have you tried iAlertU?

    :uhoh can you image having that go off in an office ? Ewww. 'course, being unsweetened like you are, (bwg, too) you guys probably dig it lol3.gif
  • dragon300zxdragon300zx Registered Users Posts: 2,575 Major grins
    edited April 10, 2006
    Andy wrote:
    :uhoh can you image having that go off in an office ? Ewww. 'course, being unsweetened like you are, (bwg, too) you guys probably dig it lol3.gif

    Hell if they come out with one of those I am going to buy a mac laptop just so I can do that to people.
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  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited April 10, 2006
    Andy wrote:
    :uhoh can you image having that go off in an office ? Ewww. 'course, being unsweetened like you are, (bwg, too) you guys probably dig it lol3.gif


    I would.

    For a few minutes, prolly. I *HATE* car alarms. The novelty of the Mac thing would prolly wear off pretty quick.
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  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited April 10, 2006
    Hell if they come out with one of those I am going to buy a mac laptop just so I can do that to people.


    But they have...
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  • dragon300zxdragon300zx Registered Users Posts: 2,575 Major grins
    edited April 10, 2006
    DavidTO wrote:
    But they have...

    I wanna see it work in person.
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  • NHBubbaNHBubba Registered Users Posts: 342 Major grins
    edited April 10, 2006
    Andy wrote:
    I never had Dell, Sony, HP, or any other PeeCee maker do that.
    Meh, I did. I've got a Dell laptop. It arrived w/ its mouse-port DOA.. for all I know I zapped it taking it out of the packaging. At any rate, I called one day.. three days later they had a tech in my kitchen replacing the mobo in the laptop. .... Fast forward three (3) (yes, THREE years!) from then. I'm experiencing HDD problems. I get on the yapper w/ them. They have me DL and run a diagnostic. The next day I'm looking at a branzy-new HDD sitting in a fedex overnight box w/ a prepaid label for me to return the other one.

    Dell's service blew my mind. Given, that was years ago, I've heard they've fallen from grace. But it has happened..
    DavidTO wrote:
    Apple's strength is that they haven't done that and that they've avoided all those BIOS running around for all those different systems. They control the hardware, software and the customer benefits from that.
    Tight HW/SW intergration maybe nice from that angle, but it is also the sole cause of one of the platforms biggest weaknesses in my opinion: the cost!
    DJ-S1 wrote:
    If Dell decides to make a machine that can run Mac OS and sell it for $300 less than an iMac, what happens?
    Sadly they can't do this.. not from a technical perspective.. but from a legal perspective. Although I'll keep holding my breath..
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited April 10, 2006
    NHBubba wrote:
    Tight HW/SW intergration maybe nice from that angle, but it is also the sole cause of one of the platforms biggest weaknesses in my opinion: the cost!


    See, that's the difference. I think that the tight integration and the fact that the hw/sw work better together and are designed with the user in mind...all that adds value and means that it's actually worth more.
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  • MPerdomoMPerdomo Registered Users Posts: 28 Big grins
    edited April 12, 2006
    DJ-S1 wrote:
    True, being a monopoly has it's advantages. It makes Apple's software job much easier. But it also means the consumer has fewer choices, and Apple can and does set any price it wants to charge. The customer has to take it or leave it. Until recently, that meant paying a lot more for a Mac than for a similarly spec'd PC.


    Apple isn't a monopoly. They don't control the market for computers.

    Apple only has a monopoly on making Apple computers, the same way Maxtor has a monopoly on making Maxtor hard drives, or Pepsi has a monopoly on making pepsi
  • dragon300zxdragon300zx Registered Users Posts: 2,575 Major grins
    edited April 12, 2006
    It still sucks.
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