No, not at all. Upon rereading, my tone may have been more aggressive than I'd intended, but I was just trying to point out that we all make choices, conscious or otherwise, and that those choices have an impact on other decisions. Plus, the last line was an attempt at humor.
And why are the hardware manufacturers restricting you on your current system? I mean, I understand if certain obscure OSs were unavailable, but surely, as someone who did not go with OS X, you could select a version of Windows, Linux, BSD, or others. Am I missing something?
And how is this different to any of the myriad of MS DRM stores out there? (hint, it's not)
Ever try to burn a CD from music bought/rented from a sight using Windows Media? Ever try to share it with others? Ever try to rip to MP3 using Windows' built-in media software? If you haven't, then try it. Trust me, it's a HUGE difference. Apple assumes that you are honest unless you go beyond certain flag-raising parameters. Microsoft assumes you're dishonest.
Back in 2002, I tried this at my then-workplace, before iTunes was available on Windows. It couldn't be done. I couldn't get the software to convert to MP3; it had to go to WM. Then no one could listen to it, because they were not on the same PC. Now, I could upgrade to a "pro" version of the software for a price that would allow that, but why? So some coworkers could hear some long-out-of-print bits from Nichols and May? I just loaned them my iPod instead. (In doing that, I think I inadevertently sold three of them that day.)
Enough said, indeed. You made the choice of using Linux; I can't imagine how it could be considered a de facto standard in computing purchases. As part of that choice, you also chose not to use iTunes, Microsoft Office, and a lot of other software that is not available to the platform. Just as I did when I chose OS X.
So, if anyone is preventing you from watching, it's you. But that's okay: it's your choice and your right to make those choices on how to use your assets. Just as it's Apples right to decide how to use their assets.
Oh, wait, I'm making an argument for libertarianism and responsibility on the internet. I apologize; don't know what came over me.
The main problem with Apple's DRM is that you can't stray from Apple products.
Really? The only DRM is in media purchased through the iTunes Store (which, BTW, is set at a consistent price). For songs, you can burn them to a CD (thus creating a physical backup at the same time), rip that CD back to a choice of DRM-free formats (including MP3), and then use that DRM-free MP3 file to put it on any bloody device or machine you want.
Granted, that's not complete and absolute freedom of choice, but it's not bad, particularly considering they got the music conglomerates to agree to it.
You are correct if one thing happens: Apple forgets that it is a hardware company.
No, Apple is a *solutions* company. They provide the hardware/software to solve a problem or issue. The mobile music issue is solved by a combination of the iPod, iTunes, and iTunes Store. The issue of professional video production is solved by thecombination of the pro tower with firewire, cinema display, OS X, Final Cut Pro, etc etc etc.
In this case, the issue/problem is twofold: 1) why are cellphones a source of frustration when they are supposed to make life easier, and 2) why am I carrying a phone, MP3 player, camera, etc, at the same time?
It has changed and gotten a lot better for the US, but don't kid yourself into believing that the US has better phones/coverage than the rest of the world. The fact that there are dozens of posts on here about coverage is in itself sort of curiosity to us euros - we just have it everywhere.
A couple points. Part of the reason that cell phones took so long to gain such market penetration in the US is that the US had (and probably still has) some of the best land-line service in the world. Getting your phone service took a few days at most, and sometimes could be done overnight. When SBC took over Ameritech back in 1999/2000, the Ameritech area was soon up in arms that it was taking so long -- more than two weeks -- to get phone service performed because of SBC's idiocies. (I was contracting at Ameritech through that transition, and the customers were right on this one.) Meanwhile, in some places in the world, it would be standard to wait months.
On top of this, the landline network in the US is pretty darn reliable (with the usual caveats for local exceptions, natural disasters, etc). At least here in the Midwest, it's shocking to get no dial tone when you pick up a phone, and has been for longer than this old fart has been alive. When my brother was in Argentina in the 1990s, it was at best a 50/50 crapshoot.
Given these two things, the need for cellular phones was less in the US than elsewhere. Hence, the demand here lagged the rest of the world.
The US probably still lags, but as for coverage area, it's not surprising the US has big areas with no coverage. Have any of you people in Europe ever driven from LA to Kansas City? You have no idea of the word "isolated" until you do. In the western US, there are big cities, empty spaces, and not a lot else. It takes about 20-24 hours to drive from LA to Denver, IIRC, and if you look at a map, you see that the only city of note along the was is Las Vegas. There are big stretches of NOTHING in the western US. And I know one gentleman from Yorkshire who described Nebraska as the "biggest bloody sandbar in the world". Who is going to purchase cellular service away from the interstates? Not enough to make it worthwhile to build the infrastructure there. Wild horses and antelope are notoriously slow adopters of communication technology.
Nobody should pay $500 for something as infinitely losable / breakable / disposable / temporary as a cell phone.
Yeah. Try explaining that when you ask a woman to marry you with the ring you got out of the gumball machine.
I'm just sayin'...
All seriousness aside, this thing looks sweet, and it's enough to make me consider staying with Cingular. (Fewest dropped calls, huh? Don't count the drops before the other party answers, apparently.) I would never pay more than $100 for another cell phone; their interfaces, charges, etc, are crap and are not worth $100. All I want is a phone. This, however, changes things.
1. Apple's stock price will flake out in 2007 with constant pressure from Microsoft products.
Um, care to name those products? Zune is a dog, Vista doesn't look much better, the XBox 360 is in a market that Apple doesn't even notice, and as for competing with Apple's iTV, Microsoft hasn't even had a "me, too" vaporware announcement.
I think my old friends at The Mac Observer did a great thing when they came up with the Apple Death Knell counter. It's interesting, for those of us who follow this sort of thing, what some of the Death Knells involve and who makes them and why. Heck, I think the editor-in-chief even included himself once.
Like how you should accept people, whether they be black, white, Klingon or even female. What, even lawayers? My word, Jeeves, these chaps know how to push the envelope too far.
So here is a question, what does an IPOD have (other than after market accessories) that the Zune does not?
iTunes and the iTunes Store, to start. It also has a very simple, clean interface, a smaller physical size, and is well-built. Plus an iPod has a variety of styles/sizes (shuffle, nano, video) to better meet your particular need.
And don't forget: 4) recorded off of old 78s and never converted to CD, not even by Document Records. My dad has some old jazz 78s from back when he was stationed near Kansas City. They were by little-known local local musicians on obscure local labels. The music is hit-and-miss, but some is really great (if you like jump blues) and now Dad is as happy as a socialist spending other people's money.
Also, in Indianapolis, the dump is across White River from a few factories and plants. They have a pipe running under the river to deliver the methane to those facilities for very cheap energy and chemical resources. It eliminates a problem for the waste facilities people (big methane buildups are not a good thing) and makes the factories and plants more economically viable. This is a particularly big deal since they are in an area of town that, over the last 100 years, hasn't stayed in the economic forefront.
More importantly, where will I be able to get a replacement set of headphones in shit-brown?
Talk to someone with a puppy.
Or maybe you can cut a deal with the people who buy paint for government buildings, because that seems to be their favorite color, next to polluted beige.
Slashdot Mirror
What the hell does that have to do with the law in America, or indeed, anywhere?
Besides, as Abe Martin said a century ago, "Ther hain't nuthin' as uncommon as common sense."
"That's profiling, and profiling is wrong." - Ron White
And why are the hardware manufacturers restricting you on your current system? I mean, I understand if certain obscure OSs were unavailable, but surely, as someone who did not go with OS X, you could select a version of Windows, Linux, BSD, or others. Am I missing something?
Ever try to burn a CD from music bought/rented from a sight using Windows Media? Ever try to share it with others? Ever try to rip to MP3 using Windows' built-in media software? If you haven't, then try it. Trust me, it's a HUGE difference. Apple assumes that you are honest unless you go beyond certain flag-raising parameters. Microsoft assumes you're dishonest.
Back in 2002, I tried this at my then-workplace, before iTunes was available on Windows. It couldn't be done. I couldn't get the software to convert to MP3; it had to go to WM. Then no one could listen to it, because they were not on the same PC. Now, I could upgrade to a "pro" version of the software for a price that would allow that, but why? So some coworkers could hear some long-out-of-print bits from Nichols and May? I just loaned them my iPod instead. (In doing that, I think I inadevertently sold three of them that day.)
Enough said, indeed. You made the choice of using Linux; I can't imagine how it could be considered a de facto standard in computing purchases. As part of that choice, you also chose not to use iTunes, Microsoft Office, and a lot of other software that is not available to the platform. Just as I did when I chose OS X.
So, if anyone is preventing you from watching, it's you. But that's okay: it's your choice and your right to make those choices on how to use your assets. Just as it's Apples right to decide how to use their assets.
Oh, wait, I'm making an argument for libertarianism and responsibility on the internet. I apologize; don't know what came over me.
You should add: "syn. Vista, Zune, Danica"
Granted, that's not complete and absolute freedom of choice, but it's not bad, particularly considering they got the music conglomerates to agree to it.
No, Apple is a *solutions* company. They provide the hardware/software to solve a problem or issue. The mobile music issue is solved by a combination of the iPod, iTunes, and iTunes Store. The issue of professional video production is solved by thecombination of the pro tower with firewire, cinema display, OS X, Final Cut Pro, etc etc etc.
In this case, the issue/problem is twofold: 1) why are cellphones a source of frustration when they are supposed to make life easier, and 2) why am I carrying a phone, MP3 player, camera, etc, at the same time?
A couple points. Part of the reason that cell phones took so long to gain such market penetration in the US is that the US had (and probably still has) some of the best land-line service in the world. Getting your phone service took a few days at most, and sometimes could be done overnight. When SBC took over Ameritech back in 1999/2000, the Ameritech area was soon up in arms that it was taking so long -- more than two weeks -- to get phone service performed because of SBC's idiocies. (I was contracting at Ameritech through that transition, and the customers were right on this one.) Meanwhile, in some places in the world, it would be standard to wait months.
On top of this, the landline network in the US is pretty darn reliable (with the usual caveats for local exceptions, natural disasters, etc). At least here in the Midwest, it's shocking to get no dial tone when you pick up a phone, and has been for longer than this old fart has been alive. When my brother was in Argentina in the 1990s, it was at best a 50/50 crapshoot.
Given these two things, the need for cellular phones was less in the US than elsewhere. Hence, the demand here lagged the rest of the world.
The US probably still lags, but as for coverage area, it's not surprising the US has big areas with no coverage. Have any of you people in Europe ever driven from LA to Kansas City? You have no idea of the word "isolated" until you do. In the western US, there are big cities, empty spaces, and not a lot else. It takes about 20-24 hours to drive from LA to Denver, IIRC, and if you look at a map, you see that the only city of note along the was is Las Vegas. There are big stretches of NOTHING in the western US. And I know one gentleman from Yorkshire who described Nebraska as the "biggest bloody sandbar in the world". Who is going to purchase cellular service away from the interstates? Not enough to make it worthwhile to build the infrastructure there. Wild horses and antelope are notoriously slow adopters of communication technology.
It also makes a great window smasher.
Yeah. Try explaining that when you ask a woman to marry you with the ring you got out of the gumball machine.
I'm just sayin' ...
All seriousness aside, this thing looks sweet, and it's enough to make me consider staying with Cingular. (Fewest dropped calls, huh? Don't count the drops before the other party answers, apparently.) I would never pay more than $100 for another cell phone; their interfaces, charges, etc, are crap and are not worth $100. All I want is a phone. This, however, changes things.
Um, care to name those products? Zune is a dog, Vista doesn't look much better, the XBox 360 is in a market that Apple doesn't even notice, and as for competing with Apple's iTV, Microsoft hasn't even had a "me, too" vaporware announcement.
iTunes and the iTunes Store, to start. It also has a very simple, clean interface, a smaller physical size, and is well-built. Plus an iPod has a variety of styles/sizes (shuffle, nano, video) to better meet your particular need.
</big10joke>
Apparently a rare element called violentium
And we blame Ron Artest.
Sincerely,
The Detroit Piston Fan Association
Why, you'll be claiming that politicians can't be trusted, next.
You ever travelledon public transportation? I propose that something tantamount to Beer and Beer Goggles existed back then.
According to Mencken, Bierce, Saki, Twain, etc, it's been that way for over a century.
Talk to someone with a puppy.
Or maybe you can cut a deal with the people who buy paint for government buildings, because that seems to be their favorite color, next to polluted beige.