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ITunes 8 a Real Killer App; Taking Down Vista
CWmike writes "Apple 's latest version of iTunes crashes Windows Vista when an iPod or iPhone is connected to the PC, scores of users have reported on Apple's support forum. Plug in and Vista crashes and shows the 'blue screen of death.' The errors began showing up immediately after updating iTunes to Version 8.0, which Apple released Tuesday as part of its iPod refresh. 'I just installed iTunes 8 over my iTunes 7 on Vista [and] now whenever I plug in my iPod, I get a blue screen death. Three times so far. Even if it is plugged in on boot, I get a blue screen," said a user identified as 'sambeckett' on the support forum about 90 minutes after Apple CEO Steve Jobs wrapped up the iPod launch."
I know someone's going to tag me a fanboy, but believe me, I've only been this way about a week, ever since my Zune arrived and it blew my expectations, which have been kept artificially low by the feature light iPods and iTunes software.
Seriously people, get a Zune. iPods have the edge in marketing and "coolness", but Zunes destroy iPods based on features (FM radio, wireless sharing with friends, etc), ease of use, and the Zune software! iTunes 7 would drag my machine to a crawl, even scrolling up and down in the library was painful. I couldn't believe how snappy the Zune software was. And it was easier to use with better features.
And the best part about the Zune is the way Microsoft treats their mp3 player customers. I know it sounds crazy that someone would say Microsoft treats them well, but seriously, think about it! Apple's iPod batteries were dying right after the warranty was up. Apple's answer? For a long time it was "go buy a new iPod". The iPod shuffle randomly irreperably corrupts itself... for THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of owners, including myself (just google orange and green blinking light issue). Apparently it was caused, at least in some cases, by the iTunes software itself. Apple's answer? Buy a new one. Unlock an iPhone you purchased? Apple bricks it, go buy a new one.
Contrast that with the Zune. I bought it last week, and this week Microsoft announces a new Zune and lots of new features, such as the incredible "buy from radio" feature. If you listen to a song on the Zune's radio and like it, you can just tell the Zune you want to buy it (even if you have no idea what it is or who it is you are listening to), and it will figure out what song it was, and as soon as you get within range of a WiFi hotspot, it will download it and buy it for you. My heart fell when I heard I had bought a Zune a week before the announcement, until Microsoft did the exact opposite of Apple. Their answer was not "buy a new Zune to get this feature". Their answer was, "Everyone gets these features, just download the new firmware when we release it." So yeah, I'm sticking with a Zune, and I will NEVER go back to Apple.
Beware of bugs in the above code; I have only proved it correct, not tried it.
Funny, cause I run vista, and have a personal policy against installing anything that falls out of Jobs' ass, and I haven't seen a BSOD since I killed XP (which felt good). Vista is a GOOD OS. There. I said it. Now get all of those bastard third party software vendors to sort thier shit out and windows might lose the reputation it has.
Windows is a great OS and the only reason it ever fails is because it lets you do what you like. Apple is so DRM locked down that you're unable to make it crash cause they won't let you do anything with it. Linux at least doesn't crash for the right reasons - its stable and third party software is decent.
If you're a sensible person and don't install shit software (such as apples) then you'll find Vista to -shock horror- actually work. Fill it up with the kind of shit DRM bollocks you get these days and what do you know - it falls over. Guess what. Thats YOUR fault, not microsofts.
FYI - I am NOT a MS fanboi, I'm just sick to death of everyone saying vista is shit, when they probably havent tried it, and are probably just saying that because of stories like this where third parties are fucking incompetant.