I think the problem with crap earbuds with the iPod is that Apple know a large number of their users are going to have their own preference so they just put cheap ones in and save the money. Or do you seriously expect them to ship each iPod with a range of earphones, all high-quality? I have 2 pairs of those earbuds still in their original packaging. I'm glad they didn't put in some better quality ones and charge me more for it.
As for their keyboards, I really like their new, ultra slim ones. They take a bit of adjustment, but I prefer the feel to the average keyboard today, and no, I don't like the IBM model-Ms.
I don't think Apple are too image conscious. They generally have a good balance of form and function. Sure, the hockey-puck mouse sucked, but they learnt from that. Most of the time they are careful that form doesn't compromise function.
Example: I needed to add a user. I bought up the little user management app and didn't see any add user button. After a short Google, I found that to add a user, you click the small plus sign at the bottom. Maybe I should have figured that out without Googling, but it sure didn't seem obvious at the time.
It's quite a common GUI widget. I managed to figure it out, no problems. Go take a look in Mail, iCal, Address Book, iTunes, etc. It's always at the bottom of a column/list where it is used to add a new item. For toolbars, you can have icon, text, or both as an option. In most cases, buttons are clearly labeled with intentions (such as "delete" rather than "yes" for a deletion confirmation etc). Besides -- what did you expect? You switched operating systems, and it is obviously going to take a while for you to become familiar with it if you are serious about giving it a go.
Like finder will remember the view settings for each individual folder.
Only if you tell it to. It used to remember every folder, but now it behaves more like windows. And yeah, it's a bit confusing, but I still find it more versatile than Explorer.
I don't happen to have spare firewire cables lying around
If your computer has Firewire, then it might be a good idea to invest in a Firewire cable. You can get them pretty cheap from non-Apple sources.
I can't imagine why anyone would want to rely on an external drive for a backup mechanism.
Perhaps many photography studios don't have large networks where external drives are considered inconvenient?
USB mouse, plug it in, hope it works, and then use that to right click.
I've plugged many USB mice into OS X and had them work fine. But I generally don't since Apple hasn't shipped single button mouse for a while (unless you want to count laptops and ignore the fact that the trackpad is right below the keyboard).
And yeah, I've had many issues with OS X, too, but most of them have been more annoyances rather than real problems.
Does firewall software that was installed because of a concern over XP's built-in firewall count as malware? Because a recent WinXP update left a laptop with no net connection due to it having Zone Alarm installed. Say what you like about Zone Alarm, but part of the problem was that XP really needed a 3rd party firewall when I was setting this computer up. It's the same with anti-virus software -- much of it is crap and slows the computer down, but you need it because proper security didn't come with the OS. That I have yet to have had a need to install any additional security software on OS X is part of what makes it more reliable -- less things to break.
It's not the fault of the OS that applications don't play nice and don't clean up after themselves upon uninstall.
OS stands for Operating System. And as far as I'm concerned, if the installation of applications can affect the OS, then the OS should be involved in managing that. The OS should be doing all the little jobs such as making sure apps install and uninstall the correct way -- it's all part of keeping the computer operating properly, isn't it?
You bring up a good point about home vs. office use. In a big company, the IT department generally has control over all the systems, so even with potentially buggy or complicated software, things can be fixed and made to work well. And when something packs up, you switch to a spare etc.. But when you're talking about computers at home, then that is quite different. When things go wrong at home, either you'd better be enough of a nerd to fix it yourself, or know someone who is, or you have to take it in somewhere and you might be without a computer for days, and also have to pay for it. It's much more inconvenient than when something goes wrong at work. That's why Macs make so much more sense for home or small office use, IMHO.
First, anyone who can't get Windows to run decently should be turning in their geek card already.
I got Linux to run on a Jornada 680, as well as a couple of normal computers. I used to have a Win2000 box as my main computer which I keep running smoothly for many years. My first computer was an Amiga 500. I can install web servers on different platforms, too. I think I can keep my geek card.
It's not just a question of if people can get Windows running. It's more a question of why should we have to put up with such crap?
I used to hate Macs. I thought they were stupid and toy-like -- I laughed at them. Then I was forced to use one for a year and eventually I admitted that I found them to be much better to work with. The other thing that happened was that I actually had to start working on computers, not just tinkering with them for fun. Pissing around in the Windows registry looses its fun when all you really want to do is fix the damn problem so you can get on with something else.
Yeah, Apple isn't perfect. Name one computer company or community that is. But in my experience, they've been much better to work with than anything with Windows installed on it. Your mileage may vary. But I won't stop putting Windows down until they release something that is better than OS X. Vista certainly isn't, so far.
For the most part the people who get locked up for crimes are the ones who deserve it.
So you admit then that some people shouldn't be locked-up. So then, how do you know the exact circumstances on this case? As for your antics, if you are so much about following the law, then why don't you turn yourself in? And what about people who use cannabis to medicinally? Are you saying they should just sit back and suffer, because the law is so absolute that it's morally wrong for them to break it? I could be decades before the law gets changed -- some of those people waiting will be dead by then.
As far as I can see, anyone who says that this case sets a bad example is being naive. Sure, it doesn't look right, but things are often not what they seem when you don't really know much about the situation (that includes most people not involved in the case). He has, after all, had to pay a large fine and seems to have learnt his lesson, and isn't a danger to society. You still think that some form of punishment is necessary? What would you hope it achieves?
Since when was this kids metal disorder the defining point in the decision not to put him in jail, anyway? People who break laws often don't get locked up, and sometimes for very good reasons. If you think that criminals are all bad and need to be locked up, or that all crimes must be punished, then you must be very naive to have such a black and white view of the world. Do you think this kid would be better off locked up in jail? How will that solve his problems? And unless you can solve his problems, then you haven't solved the crime problem, either.
So people who steal once to survive should be put in prison forever? And people who self-medicate? Where would the funding come from even if it was a smart idea?
No, you are still using black and white thinking. Criminals are not inherently bad -- what about someone who stole from a pharmacy to save a persons life? There are many examples you can find that are all shades of gray. You think those people who where inherently trying to do something good (even if it was actually bad) should be punished, or corrected?
Yeah, some people just don't get taxes. NZ is quite a poor country compared to someplace like Norway. I don't get all these rich people complaining about taxes while at the same time expecting the government to solve all these problems -- we just don't have the resources, and if you're so well off that you're getting taxed at a higher rate, you should be thankful that you're well off and are contributing back to the society you live in. Oh well...
Yeah, because criminals are evil people who need to be locked up! Not fellow humans with issues. I'm not saying compassion absolves a person of their responsibility, it doesn't, but too many people seem to have this black and white view on justice, crime, and human nature.
Really? To some of us, that's the appeal, because it seems to be a good business model when it comes to making a reliable computer system. My data isn't locked down, and that's all that matters to me. When I had a PC, I was locked into whatever bus, CPU, or RAM systems I had at the time. And more importantly, some of my data was locked down (luckily, not too well).
The iMac is a conventional desktop as far as Apple is concerned. They just have different ideas about what should be conventional. Unless you think the status quo should always be the defining guide? We'd never get much progress that way.
I have an iMac. The LCD is not low quality and the GPU is fine unless you want to work with 3D stuff such as games or CAD, etc. As for people hating all-in-one computers, that's a new one to me. Plenty of geeks who design their own systems sure do hate them, but that's generally it.
It does both:) -- press enter to finish, too. And yeah, it is a bit weird that there is no context menu, or even something from the main menu. It would be nice of Apple to ship a small card with common keyboard shortcuts. I know they hate big manuals because no one reads them, but a small reference card is a bit different.
I have a nice 24" iMac. If you find Gnome perfectly usable, then good for you, but I'm more talking about people who want Linux to be more popular on the desktop.
You do know that to rename a file, you simply press enter. You can also rename it by clicking on two different places just on the text -- not the icon then the text -- like Windows.
Slashdot Mirror
I think the problem with crap earbuds with the iPod is that Apple know a large number of their users are going to have their own preference so they just put cheap ones in and save the money. Or do you seriously expect them to ship each iPod with a range of earphones, all high-quality? I have 2 pairs of those earbuds still in their original packaging. I'm glad they didn't put in some better quality ones and charge me more for it.
As for their keyboards, I really like their new, ultra slim ones. They take a bit of adjustment, but I prefer the feel to the average keyboard today, and no, I don't like the IBM model-Ms.
I don't think Apple are too image conscious. They generally have a good balance of form and function. Sure, the hockey-puck mouse sucked, but they learnt from that. Most of the time they are careful that form doesn't compromise function.
Example: I needed to add a user. I bought up the little user management app and didn't see any add user button. After a short Google, I found that to add a user, you click the small plus sign at the bottom. Maybe I should have figured that out without Googling, but it sure didn't seem obvious at the time.
It's quite a common GUI widget. I managed to figure it out, no problems. Go take a look in Mail, iCal, Address Book, iTunes, etc. It's always at the bottom of a column/list where it is used to add a new item. For toolbars, you can have icon, text, or both as an option. In most cases, buttons are clearly labeled with intentions (such as "delete" rather than "yes" for a deletion confirmation etc). Besides -- what did you expect? You switched operating systems, and it is obviously going to take a while for you to become familiar with it if you are serious about giving it a go.
Like finder will remember the view settings for each individual folder.
Only if you tell it to. It used to remember every folder, but now it behaves more like windows. And yeah, it's a bit confusing, but I still find it more versatile than Explorer.
I don't happen to have spare firewire cables lying around
If your computer has Firewire, then it might be a good idea to invest in a Firewire cable. You can get them pretty cheap from non-Apple sources.
I can't imagine why anyone would want to rely on an external drive for a backup mechanism.
Perhaps many photography studios don't have large networks where external drives are considered inconvenient?
USB mouse, plug it in, hope it works, and then use that to right click.
I've plugged many USB mice into OS X and had them work fine. But I generally don't since Apple hasn't shipped single button mouse for a while (unless you want to count laptops and ignore the fact that the trackpad is right below the keyboard).
And yeah, I've had many issues with OS X, too, but most of them have been more annoyances rather than real problems.
Does firewall software that was installed because of a concern over XP's built-in firewall count as malware? Because a recent WinXP update left a laptop with no net connection due to it having Zone Alarm installed. Say what you like about Zone Alarm, but part of the problem was that XP really needed a 3rd party firewall when I was setting this computer up. It's the same with anti-virus software -- much of it is crap and slows the computer down, but you need it because proper security didn't come with the OS. That I have yet to have had a need to install any additional security software on OS X is part of what makes it more reliable -- less things to break.
It's not the fault of the OS that applications don't play nice and don't clean up after themselves upon uninstall.
OS stands for Operating System. And as far as I'm concerned, if the installation of applications can affect the OS, then the OS should be involved in managing that. The OS should be doing all the little jobs such as making sure apps install and uninstall the correct way -- it's all part of keeping the computer operating properly, isn't it?
You bring up a good point about home vs. office use. In a big company, the IT department generally has control over all the systems, so even with potentially buggy or complicated software, things can be fixed and made to work well. And when something packs up, you switch to a spare etc.. But when you're talking about computers at home, then that is quite different. When things go wrong at home, either you'd better be enough of a nerd to fix it yourself, or know someone who is, or you have to take it in somewhere and you might be without a computer for days, and also have to pay for it. It's much more inconvenient than when something goes wrong at work. That's why Macs make so much more sense for home or small office use, IMHO.
First, anyone who can't get Windows to run decently should be turning in their geek card already.
I got Linux to run on a Jornada 680, as well as a couple of normal computers. I used to have a Win2000 box as my main computer which I keep running smoothly for many years. My first computer was an Amiga 500. I can install web servers on different platforms, too. I think I can keep my geek card.
It's not just a question of if people can get Windows running. It's more a question of why should we have to put up with such crap?
I used to hate Macs. I thought they were stupid and toy-like -- I laughed at them. Then I was forced to use one for a year and eventually I admitted that I found them to be much better to work with. The other thing that happened was that I actually had to start working on computers, not just tinkering with them for fun. Pissing around in the Windows registry looses its fun when all you really want to do is fix the damn problem so you can get on with something else.
Yeah, Apple isn't perfect. Name one computer company or community that is. But in my experience, they've been much better to work with than anything with Windows installed on it. Your mileage may vary. But I won't stop putting Windows down until they release something that is better than OS X. Vista certainly isn't, so far.
Perhaps he's just hard on the brakes as well as the accelerator.
For the most part the people who get locked up for crimes are the ones who deserve it.
So you admit then that some people shouldn't be locked-up. So then, how do you know the exact circumstances on this case? As for your antics, if you are so much about following the law, then why don't you turn yourself in?
And what about people who use cannabis to medicinally? Are you saying they should just sit back and suffer, because the law is so absolute that it's morally wrong for them to break it? I could be decades before the law gets changed -- some of those people waiting will be dead by then.
As far as I can see, anyone who says that this case sets a bad example is being naive. Sure, it doesn't look right, but things are often not what they seem when you don't really know much about the situation (that includes most people not involved in the case). He has, after all, had to pay a large fine and seems to have learnt his lesson, and isn't a danger to society. You still think that some form of punishment is necessary? What would you hope it achieves?
Since when was this kids metal disorder the defining point in the decision not to put him in jail, anyway? People who break laws often don't get locked up, and sometimes for very good reasons. If you think that criminals are all bad and need to be locked up, or that all crimes must be punished, then you must be very naive to have such a black and white view of the world. Do you think this kid would be better off locked up in jail? How will that solve his problems? And unless you can solve his problems, then you haven't solved the crime problem, either.
So people who steal once to survive should be put in prison forever? And people who self-medicate? Where would the funding come from even if it was a smart idea?
Sure as hell would mean your soft-drinks would taste better, though.
No, you are still using black and white thinking. Criminals are not inherently bad -- what about someone who stole from a pharmacy to save a persons life? There are many examples you can find that are all shades of gray. You think those people who where inherently trying to do something good (even if it was actually bad) should be punished, or corrected?
Yeah, some people just don't get taxes. NZ is quite a poor country compared to someplace like Norway. I don't get all these rich people complaining about taxes while at the same time expecting the government to solve all these problems -- we just don't have the resources, and if you're so well off that you're getting taxed at a higher rate, you should be thankful that you're well off and are contributing back to the society you live in. Oh well...
Perhaps that's because the NZ system knows that punishment doesn't really do much to prevent crime?
Yeah, because criminals are evil people who need to be locked up! Not fellow humans with issues. I'm not saying compassion absolves a person of their responsibility, it doesn't, but too many people seem to have this black and white view on justice, crime, and human nature.
Really? To some of us, that's the appeal, because it seems to be a good business model when it comes to making a reliable computer system. My data isn't locked down, and that's all that matters to me. When I had a PC, I was locked into whatever bus, CPU, or RAM systems I had at the time. And more importantly, some of my data was locked down (luckily, not too well).
The iMac is a conventional desktop as far as Apple is concerned. They just have different ideas about what should be conventional. Unless you think the status quo should always be the defining guide? We'd never get much progress that way.
I have an iMac. The LCD is not low quality and the GPU is fine unless you want to work with 3D stuff such as games or CAD, etc. As for people hating all-in-one computers, that's a new one to me. Plenty of geeks who design their own systems sure do hate them, but that's generally it.
Apple just keeps getting more obnoxious.
How so? Apart from nasty lawyer tactics, of course. I mean, how has Apple's products been getting more obnoxious?
It does both :) -- press enter to finish, too. And yeah, it is a bit weird that there is no context menu, or even something from the main menu. It would be nice of Apple to ship a small card with common keyboard shortcuts. I know they hate big manuals because no one reads them, but a small reference card is a bit different.
Anyone experts on this subject?
I have a nice 24" iMac. If you find Gnome perfectly usable, then good for you, but I'm more talking about people who want Linux to be more popular on the desktop.
They differ somewhat in the quality of their interaction design
That's what I'm talking about, not just aesthetics.
You do know that to rename a file, you simply press enter. You can also rename it by clicking on two different places just on the text -- not the icon then the text -- like Windows.