Clive At Five
Oct 19, 02:20 PM
With each and every release of a new OS (going back beyond Windows), Microsoft has made hyperbolic claims about how good it was going to be. As anyone who's followed this for a while knows, Microsoft's claims rarely live up to reality.
I don't doubt this, but from someone who has been using Windows since 3.1.1, take my word that Vista is a gigantic improvement over XP. While I agree that MS's claims of grandure aren't justified, there's no denying that Vista is a noteworthy upgrade (rather than an 8-month downgrade until SP1 surfaces).
Unfortunately for Microsoft, their "good enough" philosophy also works for a lot of their customers. They're used to not being motivated by newer and theoretically better.
You're half right and half wrong. Some people wouldn't even consider upgrading (whether it's because they don't know what Vista is / how it's different or due to apathy). More people, however, will (one way or another) become convinced that an upgrade is necessary. They're also convinced that whatever slop MS puts on their plate is good enough (as you suggested). They say, "This upgrade from XP to Vista is good enough for MS so it's good enough for me. No need to explore the other options."
All that being said, Microsoft will sell a zillion copies of Vista. Most of those will be through the OEM pipeline. The OEMs will buy it because they don't have a choice. This is how each and every version of Windows has become a "success." It's Microsoft's dirty little secret.
And sadly, it doesn't matter how they're sold. Once people start using Vista and see that it's an improvement over what they've been using. They won't consider a switch to the Mac. People talk often about iLemmings, but it really goes QUITE understated the number of MS Lemmings there are. (Think "1984" ad.) MS has great power over those who are unconscious to the computing world. Vista is not going to change that. The only thing that will drive people to the Mac is their becoming "conscious." That is much harder to do and Apple deserves MUCH applause for the amount of waking up they've done to the MS Lemmings.
-Clive
I don't doubt this, but from someone who has been using Windows since 3.1.1, take my word that Vista is a gigantic improvement over XP. While I agree that MS's claims of grandure aren't justified, there's no denying that Vista is a noteworthy upgrade (rather than an 8-month downgrade until SP1 surfaces).
Unfortunately for Microsoft, their "good enough" philosophy also works for a lot of their customers. They're used to not being motivated by newer and theoretically better.
You're half right and half wrong. Some people wouldn't even consider upgrading (whether it's because they don't know what Vista is / how it's different or due to apathy). More people, however, will (one way or another) become convinced that an upgrade is necessary. They're also convinced that whatever slop MS puts on their plate is good enough (as you suggested). They say, "This upgrade from XP to Vista is good enough for MS so it's good enough for me. No need to explore the other options."
All that being said, Microsoft will sell a zillion copies of Vista. Most of those will be through the OEM pipeline. The OEMs will buy it because they don't have a choice. This is how each and every version of Windows has become a "success." It's Microsoft's dirty little secret.
And sadly, it doesn't matter how they're sold. Once people start using Vista and see that it's an improvement over what they've been using. They won't consider a switch to the Mac. People talk often about iLemmings, but it really goes QUITE understated the number of MS Lemmings there are. (Think "1984" ad.) MS has great power over those who are unconscious to the computing world. Vista is not going to change that. The only thing that will drive people to the Mac is their becoming "conscious." That is much harder to do and Apple deserves MUCH applause for the amount of waking up they've done to the MS Lemmings.
-Clive
Hovey
Jul 21, 12:58 PM
Even if Rim, Palm, etc. exhibit the same antenna problems as the iPhone 4, Apple is acting like a cry baby by trying to shift the discussion to include their competitors. �Teacher, the other kids are being bad too, don�t punish me alone�.
So if another car company was hiding the same problem Toyota had, and Toyota pointed it out, that would be wrong? Why are the other companies denying it?
So if another car company was hiding the same problem Toyota had, and Toyota pointed it out, that would be wrong? Why are the other companies denying it?
swy32x
Sep 8, 09:45 AM
Waaah
What about Madonna being there? What a stupid skank. What an absolute, no-talent whore, wannabe religious wack job.
She annoys me with all her whining and she is no good at what she does ...
^^
Replace Madonna with Kanye and that is exactly how you guys sound ...
What about Madonna being there? What a stupid skank. What an absolute, no-talent whore, wannabe religious wack job.
She annoys me with all her whining and she is no good at what she does ...
^^
Replace Madonna with Kanye and that is exactly how you guys sound ...
jaw04005
Apr 21, 09:57 PM
The biggest problem with Windows is Microsoft doesn't design Windows for consumers. The biggest chunk of their cash-cow comes from the enterprise. And the Windows desktop platform reflects that.
That didn't change with Windows 7. What's sad is they have a lot of innovative consumer-focused product teams (Media Center, Zune, XBOX, Live, Bing, Auto Collage, Windows Home Server, etc) that don't work together and don't have enough clout to make their projects prominent. They should let those guys develop the next consumer version of Windows instead of just throwing their different projects into Windows sporadically or in most cases optionally.
Take the Windows Live components:
Windows Live Family Safety - Should be integrated into 7's Parental Controls
Windows Live Mail, Mesh (Backup), Messenger, Movie Maker, Photo Gallery - Should be included on the default "home" version of 7
Windows Live Writer - Should be included as an optional install
http://explore.live.com/
Then you have the optional Zune jukebox, which should be the default media player in 7 instead of Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player in 7 has a really neat "remote media" feature (think Back to My Mac meets your iTunes library), but no one knows about it or how to use it. And it's not present in the optional Zune jukebox software and isn't compatible with Windows Phones or Zune devices (obvious oversight there).
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Stream-your-media-over-the-Internet-using-Windows-Media-Player
http://www.zune.com
Then there's Media Center, which really should be updated to use the newer Metro UI and adopted to be the front-end media experience on both the XBOX 360 (and I'm not talking RDP-like Media Center Extender functionality), PC (for DVD/Blu-ray playback, etc) and possibly tablet UI.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-media-center/get-started/default.aspx
There's Microsoft Research's Auto Collage, which should be included as a plug-in for Windows Live Gallery instead of a $20 separate program that no one knows about.
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/cambridge/projects/autocollage/
The "Drive Extender" technology that Microsoft recently pulled from Windows Home Server should have been how future versions of Windows handle hard drives (no more drive letters).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Home_Server#Drive_Extender
Why Bing photos/themes aren't prominent in Windows 7 or the default wallpaper in 7 I'll never know.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/personalize/themes
Don't get me started on the lack of Security Essentials being pre-installed as part of the default "home" version of Windows.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
The list is endless. It's like someone is asleep at the top. And the rest of Microsoft takes the attitude of "We make that? OK. Well, let's just throw it up on the Web site."
That didn't change with Windows 7. What's sad is they have a lot of innovative consumer-focused product teams (Media Center, Zune, XBOX, Live, Bing, Auto Collage, Windows Home Server, etc) that don't work together and don't have enough clout to make their projects prominent. They should let those guys develop the next consumer version of Windows instead of just throwing their different projects into Windows sporadically or in most cases optionally.
Take the Windows Live components:
Windows Live Family Safety - Should be integrated into 7's Parental Controls
Windows Live Mail, Mesh (Backup), Messenger, Movie Maker, Photo Gallery - Should be included on the default "home" version of 7
Windows Live Writer - Should be included as an optional install
http://explore.live.com/
Then you have the optional Zune jukebox, which should be the default media player in 7 instead of Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player in 7 has a really neat "remote media" feature (think Back to My Mac meets your iTunes library), but no one knows about it or how to use it. And it's not present in the optional Zune jukebox software and isn't compatible with Windows Phones or Zune devices (obvious oversight there).
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Stream-your-media-over-the-Internet-using-Windows-Media-Player
http://www.zune.com
Then there's Media Center, which really should be updated to use the newer Metro UI and adopted to be the front-end media experience on both the XBOX 360 (and I'm not talking RDP-like Media Center Extender functionality), PC (for DVD/Blu-ray playback, etc) and possibly tablet UI.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-media-center/get-started/default.aspx
There's Microsoft Research's Auto Collage, which should be included as a plug-in for Windows Live Gallery instead of a $20 separate program that no one knows about.
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/cambridge/projects/autocollage/
The "Drive Extender" technology that Microsoft recently pulled from Windows Home Server should have been how future versions of Windows handle hard drives (no more drive letters).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Home_Server#Drive_Extender
Why Bing photos/themes aren't prominent in Windows 7 or the default wallpaper in 7 I'll never know.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/personalize/themes
Don't get me started on the lack of Security Essentials being pre-installed as part of the default "home" version of Windows.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
The list is endless. It's like someone is asleep at the top. And the rest of Microsoft takes the attitude of "We make that? OK. Well, let's just throw it up on the Web site."
ipacmm
Sep 25, 11:05 AM
Glad to see an update but I wish they made it a little more professional over now becoming a consumer product....but a free upgrade is always nice.
SilentPanda
Apr 21, 11:50 AM
If I want to revert to apathy from a previously engaged stance, I can't. I have to actively disapprove or actively approve.
That is true. Just make sure you never want to revert to apathy and you'll be fine.
It's also a system that currently serve no purpose whatsoever on these forums. People are worrying about it way too much.
That is true. Just make sure you never want to revert to apathy and you'll be fine.
It's also a system that currently serve no purpose whatsoever on these forums. People are worrying about it way too much.
Inkling
Aug 1, 03:51 PM
DRM should be unified - one DRM standard for ALL devices.
While I'm no great fan of DRM, this makes about as much sense as making all home, car and office locks use the same key. And making files DRM'd under one system transferable to a different DRM (what France was attempting) simply means that no DRM will be stronger than the weakest.
Like it are not, if we want to buy legit music, we've got to have a fairly effective DRM or those who own music have no incentive to release it. Would any of us leave a brand-new MacBook Pro unattended on a park bench while we went into a store? Well, these people have far more invested in their music than we have in our computers.
In short, we shouldn't demand of others different standards than those we live by ourselves.
While I'm no great fan of DRM, this makes about as much sense as making all home, car and office locks use the same key. And making files DRM'd under one system transferable to a different DRM (what France was attempting) simply means that no DRM will be stronger than the weakest.
Like it are not, if we want to buy legit music, we've got to have a fairly effective DRM or those who own music have no incentive to release it. Would any of us leave a brand-new MacBook Pro unattended on a park bench while we went into a store? Well, these people have far more invested in their music than we have in our computers.
In short, we shouldn't demand of others different standards than those we live by ourselves.
benbow
Aug 11, 12:27 AM
The 23" display is now $999
The 30" display is now $1999
Apple could fill that $1000 hole with a nice 26" cinema display. It would be perfect in our household.
Are there "25-27" LCDs out there that Apple could sell for say $1499? Has Dell or HP filled this hole yet?
The 30" display is now $1999
Apple could fill that $1000 hole with a nice 26" cinema display. It would be perfect in our household.
Are there "25-27" LCDs out there that Apple could sell for say $1499? Has Dell or HP filled this hole yet?
LightSpeed1
Apr 10, 05:41 PM
Working on my new setup. Just ordered a Dell Ultrasharp 24" and a set of Swan M10's.
dethmaShine
Apr 12, 02:42 AM
+1
I've been telling this to people for awhile now...if Microsoft *truly* wants a killer OS, then they're gonna have to do what Apple did a decade ago -
Leave the cruft, even if it breaks stuff for awhile, get RID of the registry (this was a good idea...coming from DOS, and being used in Windows 95), use a Linux or UNIX kernel as the base OS, and make applications self-contained, like Apple's are.
It may be copying, but they've copied everything ELSE, why not copy something that *might* have a shot at making the apps easier to install, and viruses harder to get in?
Besides, the apps were *almost* self-contained back in Windows 3.1 - anyone remember .ini files? If MS had let people keep those, there never would've been much use for a registry to begin with.
Do you really think MS will ever do that?
I've been telling this to people for awhile now...if Microsoft *truly* wants a killer OS, then they're gonna have to do what Apple did a decade ago -
Leave the cruft, even if it breaks stuff for awhile, get RID of the registry (this was a good idea...coming from DOS, and being used in Windows 95), use a Linux or UNIX kernel as the base OS, and make applications self-contained, like Apple's are.
It may be copying, but they've copied everything ELSE, why not copy something that *might* have a shot at making the apps easier to install, and viruses harder to get in?
Besides, the apps were *almost* self-contained back in Windows 3.1 - anyone remember .ini files? If MS had let people keep those, there never would've been much use for a registry to begin with.
Do you really think MS will ever do that?
GeoffRuth
Oct 19, 11:29 AM
Why on earth would anyone mark this as negative, unless they were a troll?
Chef Medeski
Nov 25, 05:57 PM
$100 off MacBook. I wish I had bought.
SavMan
Oct 11, 09:42 PM
Jetson, I'm glad I'm taking your word, as someone who doesn't even own a 5G iPod, over my own, someone who sees 50-60 iPods a day. I couldn't possibly know better.
The fact remains: The acrylic used on the 5G is the same as the 4G.
The fact remains: The acrylic used on the 5G is the same as the 4G.
Edge100
Oct 23, 12:26 PM
New investments in technologies and products would be by far the best use of the money. With Apple's cash, they could set up a research arm similar to Xerox PARC or the old Bell Labs and place themselves in the forefront of new technology for a long time. Instead, they seem to be notably stingy with their R&D dollars. Purchasing technologies by buying out smaller companies could also be advantageous, and Apple does do some of this, but not much -- not enough to make even a dent in their cash hoard.
I'm not so sure that Apple needs to re-invent the wheel all the time. It seems to me that Apple is (historically) pretty good at introducing new features, long before other PC manufacturers.
While I agree that a dedicated research arm could, in the long term, create a lot of great, innovative products and technologies, I think they have the possibility, if not properly run, to become cash cows that produce little or nothing of any profit-making value. Researchers have a way of remaining focused on research, not profits.
I still think that buying up other small, but influential companies such as Digidesign would be a great thing for Apple. Think of all the products that Apple currently sells that were bought, rather than developed in-house:
iTunes
Final Cut Pro
Shake
Logic (and, by extension, Garageband)
LiveType
Heck, even MacOS X was, in many ways, 'bought' rather than developed by Apple.
I'm not so sure that Apple needs to re-invent the wheel all the time. It seems to me that Apple is (historically) pretty good at introducing new features, long before other PC manufacturers.
While I agree that a dedicated research arm could, in the long term, create a lot of great, innovative products and technologies, I think they have the possibility, if not properly run, to become cash cows that produce little or nothing of any profit-making value. Researchers have a way of remaining focused on research, not profits.
I still think that buying up other small, but influential companies such as Digidesign would be a great thing for Apple. Think of all the products that Apple currently sells that were bought, rather than developed in-house:
iTunes
Final Cut Pro
Shake
Logic (and, by extension, Garageband)
LiveType
Heck, even MacOS X was, in many ways, 'bought' rather than developed by Apple.
markw10
Nov 24, 07:09 PM
and now it just came up and I don't see any sales. Am I wrong? It seems they are gone and had the idea this is a 24 hour sale. I wasn't going to cut my order close to midnight but it's 6PM mountain time now.I never expected it to end this soon. I'm hoping this is a mistake. I was going to order some products anyway so that won't stop me but yet I don't want to order and see the prices back in 10 minutes.
jowie
Apr 29, 03:53 PM
Great news. Glad to see Apple taking a leaf out of their own guidelines... A touch OS has a different interface for a reason.
Chundles
Sep 12, 03:06 AM
well, I can see that it wouldn't be fast enough for unbuffered video, but if the receiving piece of hardware could decode h.264, then it would be fast enough, right? I can stream h.264 from apples website wirelessly.
Yeah, but that's buffered on your computer, it loads a bit into memory before playing so that the rest of it comes in while your watching. Streaming means it's coming straight in - no buffer.
Yeah, but that's buffered on your computer, it loads a bit into memory before playing so that the rest of it comes in while your watching. Streaming means it's coming straight in - no buffer.
mahonmeister
Oct 19, 02:45 PM
How does one go about buying stock? Never done it before, except in Economics class and I lost a bunch of fake stock. :p
I was thinking of buying a couple hundred bucks worth. Any advice? I just want to get my feet wet here and have some fun watching it go.
I was thinking of buying a couple hundred bucks worth. Any advice? I just want to get my feet wet here and have some fun watching it go.
Warbrain
Sep 12, 08:21 AM
It really looks like movies may be hitting the iTunes Store. I also am wondering....could they also be integrating the Apple Store into iTunes?? It would be cool to buy a new iPod right from within iTunes and maybe....possibly have it shipped with all of your iTunes purchases on the device.....that would of course require a firmware/iTunes update? Anyway I am sure we will probably all be disappointed.
Just make it an option upon checkout if people use the shopping cart feature...
But I doubt it'll happen.
Just make it an option upon checkout if people use the shopping cart feature...
But I doubt it'll happen.
iliketomac
Nov 23, 06:01 PM
I got mine last Back Friday and it was discounted.. so maybe.
Not sure about the AP Express (it's not on Apple's printed "Joy to the Wallet" sale list) ... Here it is again:
"Joy to the Wallet" sale only on black friday '06:
iMac: $898-$1958
MacBook: $998-$1398
.Mac: $68
iPod Nano (except Reds): $138-$228
iPod: $228-$318
Wireless Mighty Mouse: $58
Shure earphones: $78-$238
Contour iPod Cases: $14-$24
Belkin TuneBase FM: $58
JBL On Stage Micro: $78
JBL Spot Speakers: $108
LaCie Hard Drives: $148-$888
Incase Sling Pack: $48
Xtreme Mac Micro Memo Voice Recorder: $48
Sonic Impact Video-55 Display: $238
Nike+iPod Sport Kit: $24
The "red" iPod nanos and the new ipod shuffle remain at the same prices...
Not sure about the AP Express (it's not on Apple's printed "Joy to the Wallet" sale list) ... Here it is again:
"Joy to the Wallet" sale only on black friday '06:
iMac: $898-$1958
MacBook: $998-$1398
.Mac: $68
iPod Nano (except Reds): $138-$228
iPod: $228-$318
Wireless Mighty Mouse: $58
Shure earphones: $78-$238
Contour iPod Cases: $14-$24
Belkin TuneBase FM: $58
JBL On Stage Micro: $78
JBL Spot Speakers: $108
LaCie Hard Drives: $148-$888
Incase Sling Pack: $48
Xtreme Mac Micro Memo Voice Recorder: $48
Sonic Impact Video-55 Display: $238
Nike+iPod Sport Kit: $24
The "red" iPod nanos and the new ipod shuffle remain at the same prices...
Don't panic
Apr 27, 04:10 PM
am I the only one to think that separate restroom from men and women are an obsolete relic of the past?
put stalls in. that should be enough for privacy. full separate facility don't make any sense logically, technically and economically.
put stalls in. that should be enough for privacy. full separate facility don't make any sense logically, technically and economically.
longofest
Oct 17, 09:06 AM
I'd rather see Blu Ray win this. It's clearly the better product on paper.
However, as history shows us, this doesn't mean it will win :(
Apple supporting both? I think it's a good option to give the customers - it's us who'll decide... But a hybrid drive will be the best bet.
Bluray is clearly better, and TDK (I think) is definitely doing an incredible job of pushing disk capacities through the 200 GB roof (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/28/tdk_200gb_blu-ray_disc/) (with multiple layers, and increasing the single-layer capacity to 33 GB). But I heard in this forum that the content creators are still using MPEG-2, which while H.264 and WM9 is fully supported in both Bluray and HD-DVD, only HD-DVD is using the advanced codecs. So, the end result is the studios aren't using Bluray to its full capacity.
If true, I'd like to see studios stop being stupid and start using the better technology. But another BIG problem I see with bluray right now is that it is so darn expensive. There is a 2:1, and sometimes a 3:1 price difference between them and HD-DVD. I don't have over a grand to spend on a Bluray player, and I don't want to wait a decade to get one either...
No they won't.
If (I said IF) everyone can end up buying a player that plays both formats, why would they have to release both formats?
Maybe all Sony movies are on Blu-Ray and all Warner Brother's movies are on HDVD. Everyone can buy either and play them in their dual-player.
That's it. Easy.
I have lots of doubts that it will work out this way, but hey...that WOULD be best, wouldn't it?
Warner looks like they will put movies out on the hybrid disks, so if you have a blu-ray player, you can play it, and if you have an HD-DVD player you can play it. Same end game. The problem comes when you have a studio like Universal that only puts out stuff on HD-DVD or Fox that just puts out on Blu-ray. Then you need the universal player.
NEC has developed a chip that can decode both, as you have hinted at. The optical technology is coming along (I saw something on Digg a little bit ago that noted some progress in that arena), but still not there yet.
However, as history shows us, this doesn't mean it will win :(
Apple supporting both? I think it's a good option to give the customers - it's us who'll decide... But a hybrid drive will be the best bet.
Bluray is clearly better, and TDK (I think) is definitely doing an incredible job of pushing disk capacities through the 200 GB roof (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/04/28/tdk_200gb_blu-ray_disc/) (with multiple layers, and increasing the single-layer capacity to 33 GB). But I heard in this forum that the content creators are still using MPEG-2, which while H.264 and WM9 is fully supported in both Bluray and HD-DVD, only HD-DVD is using the advanced codecs. So, the end result is the studios aren't using Bluray to its full capacity.
If true, I'd like to see studios stop being stupid and start using the better technology. But another BIG problem I see with bluray right now is that it is so darn expensive. There is a 2:1, and sometimes a 3:1 price difference between them and HD-DVD. I don't have over a grand to spend on a Bluray player, and I don't want to wait a decade to get one either...
No they won't.
If (I said IF) everyone can end up buying a player that plays both formats, why would they have to release both formats?
Maybe all Sony movies are on Blu-Ray and all Warner Brother's movies are on HDVD. Everyone can buy either and play them in their dual-player.
That's it. Easy.
I have lots of doubts that it will work out this way, but hey...that WOULD be best, wouldn't it?
Warner looks like they will put movies out on the hybrid disks, so if you have a blu-ray player, you can play it, and if you have an HD-DVD player you can play it. Same end game. The problem comes when you have a studio like Universal that only puts out stuff on HD-DVD or Fox that just puts out on Blu-ray. Then you need the universal player.
NEC has developed a chip that can decode both, as you have hinted at. The optical technology is coming along (I saw something on Digg a little bit ago that noted some progress in that arena), but still not there yet.
nosen
Sep 25, 04:24 PM
It still is pretty poor with compatibility when it comes to RAW. For example, it still can't read white balance from the meta data on RAW files off Canon cameras. Great!
Um, really? I use a Canon camera and Aperture seems to preserve the camera WB setting fine...
Aperture's development also is going slow. Apple pulling out the software?
They've updated it twice, and I'm pretty sure its only been out a year. Not too shabby....
Perhaps all the developers are spending too much time on Leopard and Logic 8 at the moment.
Perhaps you don't have all the facts?
Um, really? I use a Canon camera and Aperture seems to preserve the camera WB setting fine...
Aperture's development also is going slow. Apple pulling out the software?
They've updated it twice, and I'm pretty sure its only been out a year. Not too shabby....
Perhaps all the developers are spending too much time on Leopard and Logic 8 at the moment.
Perhaps you don't have all the facts?
bedifferent
Apr 29, 08:05 PM
"About This Mac" System Information now shows HDD content by type as opposed to just "other" (orange)
I've been looking for best friend quotes and i saw this post. Thanks for sharing!
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