...Preventing people from casting legitimate votes....
That assumes that it will really make that much of a difference whether the Republicrats or the Democans are elected. The both are beholden to the moneybags that fund them. Until public office and money get a divorce, nothing will be fundamentally different. Some moneybags plump for the Democans and some finance the Republicrats. In items of substance the underlying moneyed interests are pretty much the same. Unfortunately, such a divorce, sometimes called campaign and election reform, is not in the interest of those presently in office nor their moneyed overlords.
....especially now that the hardware is effectively the same....
Most computer failure, both Mac and PC, is due to software, not hardware. Consumer Reports disagrees with you and your friends. Apple's hardware, on average, is also of a higher quality than Dell or Gateway. In most things you get what you pay for. Sony, Lenovo and Toshiba hardware is equal to Apple in build quality and also costs more than a Dell or HP. Most PC failure is due to problems with Windows. Windows, with its registry and other legacy baggage is a kluge. Why do programs like registry cleaners and other software "tuneup" programs, as well as a plethora of anti-virus programs exists for Windows? Even supposedly more secure VISTA reminds me to install and keep anti-malware software updated.
I have never yet seen a Windows system that doesn't get slower and more constipated with time, so as to eventually need a re-install laxative. This is even true of standalone systems that are not connected to the Internet where they might likely acquire some malware infection. That NEVER happens with OSX or Linux. OSX is based on a proven UNIX heritage, as is Linux.
Linux on good hardware also makes for a very reliable computing experience for anyone willing and competent enough to search the net for drivers and other software. The main problem with Linux for consumers is, there is no central support, like there is for Apple systems or even Windows. How many/.ers, having recommended or even installed Linux for others, are now the support department for their non-geeky relatives and friends?
Apple computers have to be and are more reliable simply because only Apple is in a position to design and test their hardware and software as an integrated whole. That approach, other things being equal, by definition will always result in a more reliable overall system. So yes, over all, the commercials are a fact. If they were not, Apple would have been sued long a go for false advertising. Is Apple perfect? NO. Any manufacturer of anything occasionally turns out a lemon.
....Maybe I missed something, but isn't this just more reason for people to switch to linux....
or they find out that in order to run VISTA the have to buy a new computer and mostly new software for it anyway. That's when they whip out their credit card and buy a Mac. That puts an end to activation, WGA, spyware, viruses, spending money on performance robbing anti-malware software. That way they get a working computer with no driver or other hardware hassles. It connects to a wireless network and most modern printers out of the box. Most people buy a computer in order get work done of even just have fun.
Reinstalling and re-activating software on a computer by calling someone in India, spending time on hold and finally getting a drone who can barely speak English, is not what most people, other than some here on/., consider either productive or fun.
If they are geeky/. type, they can learn the innards of OSX and muck around in the UNIX underpinnings via terminal. They can even install Linux in a VM and fool around with that as well. I did that with UBUNTU and after some mucking around, was finally able to get firefox to connect to the Internet in order to get updates. I doubt though, that my sister would have gotten UBUNTU working without my help.
Even XP runs pretty well in a VM on a modern Mac. It actually installed without a hitch and connected to the net automatically. The virtual HD files can even be on an external USB or firewire drive.
....but, everyone is still getting a much cheaper rate compared...
to California electricity users. My sister pays almost double what we pay in Oregon. If there were a way to ship more power to CA, then we would also have to pay more. Yes, our rates did go up and it is not clear to me who is now getting that extra money. The two main power lines between the Northwest and California are loaded to capacity most of the time. In the summer, power flows south and in the winter it comes north. We have no air-conditioning but use electric for heat in addition to a wood stove. In CA lots of power is used to keep cool and not much to keep warm.
...Their wholesale rates are dirt cheap (~$0.04 per KwH)...
That is why power in the Pacific Northwest is much cheaper than in many other places. If there was a way to get more of that power to California, then the present rates would skyrocket. That and NIMBY are the main reasons why building huge transmission lines will be a tough fight.
A better solution to the transmission problem is to generate more power locally, where it is needed. Transmitting electricity over thousands of miles is very lossy compared to pumping a fuel gas.
Fuel cells could be in each house or neighborhood, run by hydrogen made from wind and solar energy. Existing and new high pressure gas lines can transmit way more energy and are cheap to put under ground. Such pipelines would not be nearly as objectionable as ugly 500KV transmission towers marching across the scenic western landscape. Hydrogen made this way can also be stored easily for use when there is no wind or sunshine. Fuel cells in cars would also us this hydrogen made from renewable sources.
If the feds have money to burn, (they don't) they should fund fuel cell and hydrogen storage research. With an inexpensive fuel cell in each home or apartment building, the existing electrical transmission structure would be perfectly adequate. Eventually the wires would disappear in many places.
So where on the car must your sticker be stuck? We also have such colored stickers and they must be put in the right upper corner of the license plate. BTW, I have nothing against paying taxes for the cars. Here all vehicle taxes must be used for automobile or transportation related purposes. Because of that spending mandate, we get good roads, bridges and in some places, rapid transit for our tax money. In many places however, car taxes end up in the general pot and are used for all sorts of expenses that have nothing to do with cars or other transport.
Show me where that law or any other requires anyone to sell anything to anyone. Also if such a law exists Apple could offer to sell their OSX to anyone for $700 and then give them the mini for free. Mac owners would get a BIG discount, being loyal customers.
...So, Psystar and the like has to buy one Mac you mean?...
Yes, one Mac for each of their own systems they wish to sell. Apple in effect sells them one copy of OSX with each mini they buy. Psystar must erase OSX from the HD of each mini. They are free at this point to install Windows or some version of LINUX on these and sell them any way they can. I doubt though, that this is a viable business model for them.
Anyone can buy it right now for a rather paltry sum. They could raise the price to $700 and still let anybody buy it for that amount. Mac owners however can buy ONE upgrade copy for each Apple computer they have at the current price.
..They'll likely have to either stop selling OSX altogether or to sell to anybody that wants to buy it...
There is no court that could stop them from selling it to anyone who wants to have a copy at some outrageous price, such as the selling price of a new Mac. Any bona fide Mac owner would get a huge discount for an upgrade.
...Which is to say that Apple would have to either stop selling copies completely or sell to those that don't buy the hardware...
They could sell to the public at large, anyone at all, at whatever outrageous price they wanted to and then give enormous discounts to registered Apple customers. It has long been standard business practice, to give preferential treatment to loyal customers.
..Great so all Psystar need to do under that idea is buy at least one mac..
Yes, for each computer they wanted to sell. Anyone who does not have their Apple serial number registered with Apple, it is not allowed to buy an upgrade. So, if Psystar buys 10,000 minis, they can sell the same number of their own systems. They can also dispose of the minis anyway they want, as long as they wipe them clean of any software from Apple. I suspect however that they would not be able to make any profits this way.
Why should Apple care if a bona fide Mac owner sells their upgrades rights to someone else? They already have the money from the person who paid for that Apple branded computer.
....Many people have found it takes months or even years to recover from such misappropriations...
That is exactly why the receivers of stolen information, such as banks and merchants, should be made responsible. It is they, who should make sure, that the person applying for money or a loan or merchandise and the information that person supplies really go together.
It is because these entities are NOT held responsible, but almost blindly accept the word of the applicant, that it later becomes such a trauma for the true owner of the information.
Without a license plate, how would the state of California tax a car which I bought from my brother or uncle in Nevada? The cops would have to stop everybody randomly to check the VIN on cars. License plates have other uses of course, such as making it easier to recover a stolen vehicle. Still, the primary reason for a license plate is tax revenue.
...They could just as easily use the VIN (Vehicle identification number) for that purpose...
The VIN is the root number that the license number is tied to. A cop following you cannot see at a glance if you paid your tax on time or at all. Without a license plate someone moving to another state would not be forced to pay, unless the cops stopped them to check the VIN. The main purpose of a license plate is taxation. That is also the biggest reason why boats and airplanes or licensed.
To tax any object, it has to be tracked easily. I suppose in the electronic age, the visible plate could be, and maybe eventually will be replaced with a self reporting electronic device.
....Force the purchaser to enter into an agreement before purchasing the product.....
That is way too much trouble. Simply charge $700, the price of the mini, for each copy of OSX and gives every Mac owner a discount certificate of $571. The cost of doing this should the way cheaper than litigation.
....Apple should just not warrantee the OS on non-Apple hardware....
In addition, Apple could charge say $700, the price of their mini, to anyone who wanted to buy a copy of OSX. Then they could offer $571 discount vouchers with every new Mac and to the existing registered Mac owners. Problem solved, without courts and lawyer costs.
...Too bad this case will take several years before anything is decided and appealed.....
What Apple could do rather than litigating this issue for years, is that they could immediately increase the price of OSX to the level that MS charges for VISTA ultimate or more. They could then couple that with steep discounts for bona fide Mac owners. Pystar could buy as many copies of OSX as they wanted to at the higher price and install them on whatever hardware they wish. Of course they could never make a profit this way, so that would be the end of the game. Their lawyers of course would not like this, but there is nothing that any lawyer could do about it.
...Toyota can't force me from installing their crate engines into my cars and resell those cars....
True, but Toyota could charge you so much for the engines that you could no longer make a profit. This is what Apple should do rather than litigating this issue for years. They could immediately increase the price of OSX to the level that MS charges for VISTA ultimate or more. They could then couple that with steep discounts for bona fide Mac owners.
...Or they could actually license OSX, and make you sign a contract when you pay a license fee...
That involves a lot of administrative headaches. Apple simply charges at least as much for OSX as Microsoft charges for VISTA Ultimate. Coupled with that, they give huge discounts to loyal Mac customers who want to upgrade their computer's operating system.
....Apple forced to change the licencing restriction so that anyone could legally run OSX on non-Apple hardware....
Apple could change the licensing legalese to whatever the court decreed. Then they could price OSX at least as high as VISTA ultimate. For their loyal Mac customers,they would give large discounts, effectively pricing OSX at what it costs today. That would fix Pystars wagon and there is nothing at all the lawyers on earth could do to fix that.
Baloney! I can rip any music CD into iTunes and download any unprotected music from any website into my Mac and play it. I can also stream it over our network to our Mac connected to the stereo. Apple's DRM is only there because the record companies want their. Steve is on written record that Apple would drop DRM in a heartbeat, if the labels would let them.
It's not Apple's fault when some Microsoft programs are almost impossible to get rid of. On a Mac you don't have to run a special program called an uninstaller to get rid of anything. All you need to do is drag a file, whether that is a program or other file into the trash. If some program got installed on my Mac that I did not want for whatever reason, I can easily get rid of it.
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...Preventing people from casting legitimate votes....
That assumes that it will really make that much of a difference whether the Republicrats or the Democans are elected. The both are beholden to the moneybags that fund them. Until public office and money get a divorce, nothing will be fundamentally different. Some moneybags plump for the Democans and some finance the Republicrats. In items of substance the underlying moneyed interests are pretty much the same. Unfortunately, such a divorce, sometimes called campaign and election reform, is not in the interest of those presently in office nor their moneyed overlords.
....especially now that the hardware is effectively the same....
Most computer failure, both Mac and PC, is due to software, not hardware. Consumer Reports disagrees with you and your friends. Apple's hardware, on average, is also of a higher quality than Dell or Gateway. In most things you get what you pay for. Sony, Lenovo and Toshiba hardware is equal to Apple in build quality and also costs more than a Dell or HP. Most PC failure is due to problems with Windows. Windows, with its registry and other legacy baggage is a kluge. Why do programs like registry cleaners and other software "tuneup" programs, as well as a plethora of anti-virus programs exists for Windows? Even supposedly more secure VISTA reminds me to install and keep anti-malware software updated.
I have never yet seen a Windows system that doesn't get slower and more constipated with time, so as to eventually need a re-install laxative. This is even true of standalone systems that are not connected to the Internet where they might likely acquire some malware infection. That NEVER happens with OSX or Linux. OSX is based on a proven UNIX heritage, as is Linux.
Linux on good hardware also makes for a very reliable computing experience for anyone willing and competent enough to search the net for drivers and other software. The main problem with Linux for consumers is, there is no central support, like there is for Apple systems or even Windows. How many /.ers, having recommended or even installed Linux for others, are now the support department for their non-geeky relatives and friends?
Apple computers have to be and are more reliable simply because only Apple is in a position to design and test their hardware and software as an integrated whole. That approach, other things being equal, by definition will always result in a more reliable overall system. So yes, over all, the commercials are a fact. If they were not, Apple would have been sued long a go for false advertising. Is Apple perfect? NO. Any manufacturer of anything occasionally turns out a lemon.
....Maybe I missed something, but isn't this just more reason for people to switch to linux....
or they find out that in order to run VISTA the have to buy a new computer and mostly new software for it anyway. That's when they whip out their credit card and buy a Mac. That puts an end to activation, WGA, spyware, viruses, spending money on performance robbing anti-malware software. That way they get a working computer with no driver or other hardware hassles. It connects to a wireless network and most modern printers out of the box. Most people buy a computer in order get work done of even just have fun.
Reinstalling and re-activating software on a computer by calling someone in India, spending time on hold and finally getting a drone who can barely speak English, is not what most people, other than some here on /., consider either productive or fun.
If they are geeky /. type, they can learn the innards of OSX and muck around in the UNIX underpinnings via terminal. They can even install Linux in a VM and fool around with that as well. I did that with UBUNTU and after some mucking around, was finally able to get firefox to connect to the Internet in order to get updates. I doubt though, that my sister would have gotten UBUNTU working without my help.
Even XP runs pretty well in a VM on a modern Mac. It actually installed without a hitch and connected to the net automatically. The virtual HD files can even be on an external USB or firewire drive.
...they'll just label you as asses and go back to MS..
Unless they were smart and bought a computer that "just works" a Mac.
....but, everyone is still getting a much cheaper rate compared...
to California electricity users. My sister pays almost double what we pay in Oregon. If there were a way to ship more power to CA, then we would also have to pay more. Yes, our rates did go up and it is not clear to me who is now getting that extra money. The two main power lines between the Northwest and California are loaded to capacity most of the time. In the summer, power flows south and in the winter it comes north. We have no air-conditioning but use electric for heat in addition to a wood stove. In CA lots of power is used to keep cool and not much to keep warm.
...Their wholesale rates are dirt cheap (~$0.04 per KwH)...
That is why power in the Pacific Northwest is much cheaper than in many other places. If there was a way to get more of that power to California, then the present rates would skyrocket. That and NIMBY are the main reasons why building huge transmission lines will be a tough fight.
A better solution to the transmission problem is to generate more power locally, where it is needed. Transmitting electricity over thousands of miles is very lossy compared to pumping a fuel gas.
Fuel cells could be in each house or neighborhood, run by hydrogen made from wind and solar energy. Existing and new high pressure gas lines can transmit way more energy and are cheap to put under ground. Such pipelines would not be nearly as objectionable as ugly 500KV transmission towers marching across the scenic western landscape. Hydrogen made this way can also be stored easily for use when there is no wind or sunshine. Fuel cells in cars would also us this hydrogen made from renewable sources.
If the feds have money to burn, (they don't) they should fund fuel cell and hydrogen storage research. With an inexpensive fuel cell in each home or apartment building, the existing electrical transmission structure would be perfectly adequate. Eventually the wires would disappear in many places.
...A colored sticker would be enough...
So where on the car must your sticker be stuck? We also have such colored stickers and they must be put in the right upper corner of the license plate. BTW, I have nothing against paying taxes for the cars. Here all vehicle taxes must be used for automobile or transportation related purposes. Because of that spending mandate, we get good roads, bridges and in some places, rapid transit for our tax money. In many places however, car taxes end up in the general pot and are used for all sorts of expenses that have nothing to do with cars or other transport.
...Sherman antitrust act for starters...
Show me where that law or any other requires anyone to sell anything to anyone. Also if such a law exists Apple could offer to sell their OSX to anyone for $700 and then give them the mini for free. Mac owners would get a BIG discount, being loyal customers.
...So, Psystar and the like has to buy one Mac you mean?...
Yes, one Mac for each of their own systems they wish to sell. Apple in effect sells them one copy of OSX with each mini they buy. Psystar must erase OSX from the HD of each mini. They are free at this point to install Windows or some version of LINUX on these and sell them any way they can. I doubt though, that this is a viable business model for them.
...anyone should be able to buy it..
Anyone can buy it right now for a rather paltry sum. They could raise the price to $700 and still let anybody buy it for that amount. Mac owners however can buy ONE upgrade copy for each Apple computer they have at the current price.
...Probably less. Heck, Apple was willing to sell them a copy for USD129...
Maybe Apple will have to raise the upgrade price dramatically for everybody and then turn around and give a huge discount to registered Mac owners.
..They'll likely have to either stop selling OSX altogether or to sell to anybody that wants to buy it...
There is no court that could stop them from selling it to anyone who wants to have a copy at some outrageous price, such as the selling price of a new Mac. Any bona fide Mac owner would get a huge discount for an upgrade.
...Which is to say that Apple would have to either stop selling copies completely or sell to those that don't buy the hardware...
They could sell to the public at large, anyone at all, at whatever outrageous price they wanted to and then give enormous discounts to registered Apple customers. It has long been standard business practice, to give preferential treatment to loyal customers.
..Great so all Psystar need to do under that idea is buy at least one mac..
Yes, for each computer they wanted to sell. Anyone who does not have their Apple serial number registered with Apple, it is not allowed to buy an upgrade. So, if Psystar buys 10,000 minis, they can sell the same number of their own systems. They can also dispose of the minis anyway they want, as long as they wipe them clean of any software from Apple. I suspect however that they would not be able to make any profits this way.
Why should Apple care if a bona fide Mac owner sells their upgrades rights to someone else? They already have the money from the person who paid for that Apple branded computer.
....Many people have found it takes months or even years to recover from such misappropriations...
That is exactly why the receivers of stolen information, such as banks and merchants, should be made responsible. It is they, who should make sure, that the person applying for money or a loan or merchandise and the information that person supplies really go together.
It is because these entities are NOT held responsible, but almost blindly accept the word of the applicant, that it later becomes such a trauma for the true owner of the information.
...A VIN would suffice...
Without a license plate, how would the state of California tax a car which I bought from my brother or uncle in Nevada? The cops would have to stop everybody randomly to check the VIN on cars. License plates have other uses of course, such as making it easier to recover a stolen vehicle. Still, the primary reason for a license plate is tax revenue.
...They could just as easily use the VIN (Vehicle identification number) for that purpose...
The VIN is the root number that the license number is tied to. A cop following you cannot see at a glance if you paid your tax on time or at all. Without a license plate someone moving to another state would not be forced to pay, unless the cops stopped them to check the VIN. The main purpose of a license plate is taxation. That is also the biggest reason why boats and airplanes or licensed.
To tax any object, it has to be tracked easily. I suppose in the electronic age, the visible plate could be, and maybe eventually will be replaced with a self reporting electronic device.
....Force the purchaser to enter into an agreement before purchasing the product.....
That is way too much trouble. Simply charge $700, the price of the mini, for each copy of OSX and gives every Mac owner a discount certificate of $571. The cost of doing this should the way cheaper than litigation.
....Apple should just not warrantee the OS on non-Apple hardware....
In addition, Apple could charge say $700, the price of their mini, to anyone who wanted to buy a copy of OSX. Then they could offer $571 discount vouchers with every new Mac and to the existing registered Mac owners. Problem solved, without courts and lawyer costs.
...Too bad this case will take several years before anything is decided and appealed.....
What Apple could do rather than litigating this issue for years, is that they could immediately increase the price of OSX to the level that MS charges for VISTA ultimate or more. They could then couple that with steep discounts for bona fide Mac owners. Pystar could buy as many copies of OSX as they wanted to at the higher price and install them on whatever hardware they wish. Of course they could never make a profit this way, so that would be the end of the game. Their lawyers of course would not like this, but there is nothing that any lawyer could do about it.
...Toyota can't force me from installing their crate engines into my cars and resell those cars ....
True, but Toyota could charge you so much for the engines that you could no longer make a profit. This is what Apple should do rather than litigating this issue for years. They could immediately increase the price of OSX to the level that MS charges for VISTA ultimate or more. They could then couple that with steep discounts for bona fide Mac owners.
...Or they could actually license OSX, and make you sign a contract when you pay a license fee...
That involves a lot of administrative headaches. Apple simply charges at least as much for OSX as Microsoft charges for VISTA Ultimate. Coupled with that, they give huge discounts to loyal Mac customers who want to upgrade their computer's operating system.
....Apple forced to change the licencing restriction so that anyone could legally run OSX on non-Apple hardware. ...
Apple could change the licensing legalese to whatever the court decreed. Then they could price OSX at least as high as VISTA ultimate. For their loyal Mac customers,they would give large discounts, effectively pricing OSX at what it costs today. That would fix Pystars wagon and there is nothing at all the lawyers on earth could do to fix that.
....Apple products have pushed DRM....
Baloney! I can rip any music CD into iTunes and download any unprotected music from any website into my Mac and play it. I can also stream it over our network to our Mac connected to the stereo. Apple's DRM is only there because the record companies want their. Steve is on written record that Apple would drop DRM in a heartbeat, if the labels would let them.
It's not Apple's fault when some Microsoft programs are almost impossible to get rid of. On a Mac you don't have to run a special program called an uninstaller to get rid of anything. All you need to do is drag a file, whether that is a program or other file into the trash. If some program got installed on my Mac that I did not want for whatever reason, I can easily get rid of it.