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More iTunes Math
markmcb writes "OmniNerd once again digs into the math behind iTunes. The 5-star ratings in iTunes are actually stored in a variable allowing values from 0 to 100, with 20 = 1-star, 40 = 2-star, etc. Known to few, if you set a rating to 30 (manually), it will show up as 1 1/2 stars in the program's GUI. Matt Schinckel provides interesting statistical evidence showing that not only do non-whole, non-half values (e.g., 47) not increase the amount a song will play, but neither do the half-star ratings (with the exception of .5 star)."
Itunes. But I'll tell you what I don't hate, The spicy italian sandwich from Subway. 2 layers of salami and Pepperoni topped off with 4 slices of american cheese. Put a little mayo on there, some lettuce, tomatoes, and black olives, and you've almost got yourself a sandwich. Next, have them cover the sandwich in salt and pepper, then spray some oil and vinegar over the top, wrap it up and there's dinner. I think we can all give thanks for a sandwich that good. mmmmm mmmmm
"This shows the beauty of scripting systems like AppleScript. They allow you a level of interaction with a system that is hardly seen on Windows, and only vaguely available on UNIX."
This shows the level of brainwashing only possibly seen in apple zealots.
Goodness, just how many top-level comments can you post in a single discussion in rapid succession? It *is* possible to write more than one sentence in a comment, y'know. :)
quidquid latine dictum sit altum videtur.
Whatever it is the editors were smoking.
iTunes? Is anyone still using that old thing? I now exclusively use Songbird, even though it's still alpha.
Tsk, and I thought this was Slashdot... bleeding edge, people!
I doubt they're smoking anything. And if they are, it's likely a substance that enhances one's journalistic abilities.
This story has everything to do with what this site stands for. It directly involves Apple, mathematics, software design, software analysis, software realiability, and so forth.
Remember, one of the traits of the true, traditional hacker was to experiment with systems in order to better understand them. That holds especially true of proprietary software systems, where the source code cannot be easily or readily viewed.
Indeed, this is a very interesting story that should appeal perfectly to the general Slashdot audience.
Cyric Zndovzny at your service.
And you'll note all of those posts contain something like "Apple really understands how to do integrated systems right" or "iTunes is realy what we should be looking at as a shining example of desktop consumer software." I would buy an Apple if only I didn't have to become one of them.
"that not only do non-whole, non-half values (e.g., 47) not increase the amount a song will play, but neither do the half-star ratings (with the exception of .5 star)."
I know this article is about DRM-filled software, but do we really have to be this negative towards it?
Move Sig.