First off, unless Apple publishes the source code, they have proprietary file formats, procols, etc.
Yes, they have their own file formats for their own programs. But when available, they use standard formats. Ever noticed that screenshots are saved as PNGs? That iTunes can rip to MP3 and AAC? That you can "print to PDF"?
When we talk about Microsoft, they keep trying to re-invent the wheel for the sake of having "Microsoft File Format XYZ" just to replace existing formats (BMP, WMA, etc)
They have a whole proprietary fricking Windowing System. You can jump through their hoops and use the 'hooks' they provide to develop code for said Windowing System, but just as with Microsoft, the Apple products will always work 'best' because they're coded to the full API, not just the 'top layer' one provided to third parties.
You're just assuming that Apple are acting like Microsoft here. Haven't you seen their whole Core Audio, Core Image, Core Video and now Core Animation stuff? That allows anyone to make the same stuff that Apple does.
Third parties and end users don't have to care about wether the source code is available for it to be in their interest for it to be available to developers who might write apps for them if they didn't have to kiss the ring.
It might be important for end-users, but they still won't care (or even understand), and that was my point.
Besides, if we talk about Linux or OSS, then there's the never-ending KDE vs Gnome debates/wars, problems with different GPL licenses or whatnot. Programmers keep arguing and fighting between themselves, that's not good for the end-user either.
It contributed the same amount as your own reply: regular people don't care about source code just like they don't care about how their car engine works.
I bought my Mac mini based on what Apple means today: OS X based on Unix, iLife, iWork, using industry standards instead of making their own (AAC, H.264, USB2, DVI, PDF, PNG, etc). Yes the "old Apple" was as bad as Microsoft (proprietary file formats, protocols and even connectors) but they've changed.
Yes they could turn bad again, but that's not the direction they seem to be heading into, so for now I'm using a Mac mini and running OS X.
We've had "region-encoding" (you meant "region code" I bet) on DVDs since the beginning. I'd rather not have such a silly thing prevent me from getting a dozen extra GBs on each disc for non-movie uses.
I'd also prefer higher bitrate movies over region codes any day, too.
What I do wish is that they would've thrown away all this interlaced and NTSC/PAL crap out of the window with the new formats.
We keep hearing Sony about how the PS3 is the best game system, but so far the only arguments we hear are that it's a Blu-Ray movie player, a Linux computer and now it's also a PVR. Mind you, if the american PS3 had a PVR to begin with, maybe it wouldn't seem too expensive.
Even as a non-Sony fanboy (I'm a Nintendo fanboy), I do wish Blu-Ray wins against HD-DVD, if only because this isn't a Sony-only attempt at pushing their own crap (Memory Stick, miniDisc, ATRAC, etc) but it's even better than HD-DVD in capacity (especially future potential capacity).
I'm talking about clipping on the CD itself. You could have the best speakers and amplifier in the world and the volume set to 10% and you would still hear clipping. It's the source that's clipped, no the output itself.
Go see the zoomed parts of the graphics linked from people, you'll see. That's why it sucks - the very CD you buy (the only "master source" you can get, 99% of the time) is crap to begin with.
In which user agents can DHTML play a sound whenever the user does something, such as playing a "rustling leaves" sound when the user moves his character next to a tree and presses the use key?
Since you asked, here's the list: - Safari 9 - Firefox 10 - Opera 8 - Internet Explorer 53
One way to get away from the dependency of Office is to pick something else right from the start.
Since I switched to OS X about two years ago, I made the decision not to be locked into MS-only products, so I'm using iWork. If you think I just replaced a monopoly and closed format with another, you're right. But I can also export my files into quite a number of formats from each iWork application, so switching again (to, say, Linux) shouldn't be a problem.
As for Adobe being recognized as a brand to help push their Office suite, I'd say Apple would have a much better chance at that if they were to make iWork available for Windows, like they already did with iTunes and Safari.
Slashdot Mirror
Well, it's not my fault if the local stores didn't get enough copies of it.
The typical reply would probably be something alone the lines of
"It's in HIGH-DEF! W00T! The Wii sucks and is for kids!"
I mean, what can you expect from Xbox 360 owners.
Me? I'm gonna play Metroid Prime 3, as soon as I can find a store that still has it in stock.
Thanks, I was about to ask about that. So I need to pick up one of those 60GB if I want 100% PS2 compatibility?
Yes, they have their own file formats for their own programs. But when available, they use standard formats. Ever noticed that screenshots are saved as PNGs? That iTunes can rip to MP3 and AAC? That you can "print to PDF"?
When we talk about Microsoft, they keep trying to re-invent the wheel for the sake of having "Microsoft File Format XYZ" just to replace existing formats (BMP, WMA, etc)
You're just assuming that Apple are acting like Microsoft here. Haven't you seen their whole Core Audio, Core Image, Core Video and now Core Animation stuff? That allows anyone to make the same stuff that Apple does.
It might be important for end-users, but they still won't care (or even understand), and that was my point.
Besides, if we talk about Linux or OSS, then there's the never-ending KDE vs Gnome debates/wars, problems with different GPL licenses or whatnot. Programmers keep arguing and fighting between themselves, that's not good for the end-user either.
It contributed the same amount as your own reply: regular people don't care about source code just like they don't care about how their car engine works.
And why would regular people care about source code again?
Most people only want to use the damn things, not learn how they work.
And that's because they look ahead, innovate and push the whole industry forward. I don't mind using a computer and OS from such a company.
I bought my Mac mini based on what Apple means today: OS X based on Unix, iLife, iWork, using industry standards instead of making their own (AAC, H.264, USB2, DVI, PDF, PNG, etc). Yes the "old Apple" was as bad as Microsoft (proprietary file formats, protocols and even connectors) but they've changed.
Yes they could turn bad again, but that's not the direction they seem to be heading into, so for now I'm using a Mac mini and running OS X.
I just took a different route and told the RIAA/MPAA to go fuck off by buying a Mac mini.
Say what you want about Apple but at least they're not bending over every time the RIAA/MPAA asks them to do something.
Indeed, what a moron. The answer is, obviously, 4.
Would've been even funnier with the title above... Especially given the fact that they say "300 monkeys" in the article.
We've had "region-encoding" (you meant "region code" I bet) on DVDs since the beginning. I'd rather not have such a silly thing prevent me from getting a dozen extra GBs on each disc for non-movie uses.
I'd also prefer higher bitrate movies over region codes any day, too.
What I do wish is that they would've thrown away all this interlaced and NTSC/PAL crap out of the window with the new formats.
We keep hearing Sony about how the PS3 is the best game system, but so far the only arguments we hear are that it's a Blu-Ray movie player, a Linux computer and now it's also a PVR. Mind you, if the american PS3 had a PVR to begin with, maybe it wouldn't seem too expensive.
Even as a non-Sony fanboy (I'm a Nintendo fanboy), I do wish Blu-Ray wins against HD-DVD, if only because this isn't a Sony-only attempt at pushing their own crap (Memory Stick, miniDisc, ATRAC, etc) but it's even better than HD-DVD in capacity (especially future potential capacity).
I'm talking about clipping on the CD itself. You could have the best speakers and amplifier in the world and the volume set to 10% and you would still hear clipping. It's the source that's clipped, no the output itself.
Go see the zoomed parts of the graphics linked from people, you'll see. That's why it sucks - the very CD you buy (the only "master source" you can get, 99% of the time) is crap to begin with.
"Engineers at the University of California, San Diego have built a 220 million pixel display across 55 high-resolution tiled screens."
And we get to see a 300x150 picture of it.
It's nice to see they're keeping their bandwidth for the ads instead of the actual content...
Except that you can easily hear clipping on almost any headphones.
The studios are destroying the very music they are trying to sell.
- Safari 9
- Firefox 10
- Opera 8
- Internet Explorer 53
The american internet is made of a series of tubes, right? Well, then we can guess that the Japanese version will be a series of tentacles.
Actually that $130 is for a new software license. Apple doesn't sell upgrades for OS X, iWork, iLife (and probably others).
Okay, off-topic, but it makes sense.
Ninjas win, of course. I mean, have you seen Kasumi in a bathing suit?
Especially if you call this cable guy.
Indeed, what would happen to our beloved Darwin Awards without these idiots?
One way to get away from the dependency of Office is to pick something else right from the start.
Since I switched to OS X about two years ago, I made the decision not to be locked into MS-only products, so I'm using iWork. If you think I just replaced a monopoly and closed format with another, you're right. But I can also export my files into quite a number of formats from each iWork application, so switching again (to, say, Linux) shouldn't be a problem.
As for Adobe being recognized as a brand to help push their Office suite, I'd say Apple would have a much better chance at that if they were to make iWork available for Windows, like they already did with iTunes and Safari.
What about Pepsi and RC Cola drinkers?
Don't worry, as soon as you put the .mp4 online I'm sure someone else will complain it's not in .ogg Theora+Vorbis. ;-)