Even if the source code for both iTunes and Windows Vista was available, there was nothing to prevent Microsoft from adding last-minute changes to Vista before releasing it on store shelves. Which I think is what happened, IMHO. Zune, anyone?
Source code would only mean the fix could already be available.
Not only should Apple's software follow the guidelines and the "look'n feel" of other Windows apps, but I'm also tired of the brushed metal look. And I'm on OS X, where even Safari is brushed metal. But not Mail. And Pages still uses the "horizontal lines" look.
I hope Leopard, iLife '07 and iWork '07 fixes all this mess.
Re:Release version has been around for months
on
Vista - iPod Killer?
·
· Score: 1
Because, of course, Apple illegaly downloads software of their biggest competitor from the net, competitors who could sue them and wipe them out of the surface of the planet if they had a chance like that.
It would be suicide for Vista to intentionally block the software of the most popular music device out there. Regular users would blame Vista regardless of the underlying technical reasons.
Exactly. Here's the point of view of the average user, IMHO:
yesterday: I have Windows XP, I have an iPod and iTunes, everything works fine today: I upgrade to Windows Vista and now iTunes/iPod stops working properly
People will usually (and correctly) blame the latest change for the problem, which in this case is Windows Vista. Some will even try to downgrade back to XP, but they won't be able to do so (AFAIK, from what I've read). Another "blame Microsoft" problem in addition to the "my iTunes/iPod doesn't work anymore" problem.
If it's really Microsoft's fault (after all, we keep reading that iTunes/iPod worked fine until the latest beta version of Vista, but the final version has a problem), then it means they're trying to deliberately screw up Apple, but IMHO it can only backfire because they're the ones introducing the new component and breaking things.
And as someone who used computers since the early 80's, do you think I do not know about alternatives either? The fact that people on Slashdot keep commenting on Microsoft stuff makes me wonder: if nerds use Windows so much, how is Linux supposed to take over? Shouldn't Linux have at least 50% users on Slashdot?
People who keep saying "I need Windows for games or development" just don't get it: you're the ones giving marketshare to Microsoft. Stop using Microsoft software already, you're part of the problem you're complaining about.
I don't have any cooling problems with my Mac mini. As for games, I have a Nintendo DS and a Wii, where programmers can max out the hardware because everyone has the same system specs.
- Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) - Updated Mac mini (the only Mac not upgraded to the Core 2 Duo, what gives?) - iLife '07
Since Leopard and iLife '07 are worth at least 1/3 of the price of the Mac mini, it would make no sense not to update the computer at the same time (still using a G4/1.42GHz, which is fine for everything but quite slow with H.264 encoding).
Granted, that option would open doors to small publishers which otherwise couldn't publish their games at all, however that would only lower the distribution costs, not the development costs.
Stop trying to make original games that cost so much to develop that you need a blockbuster success to make it financially viable. Make original games that are low-cost in development so that a few thousands people who are happy to buy and play those games will be enough to continue making such games.
Also, you have to keep the games simple. I've seen Gears of War, and while the graphics really are amazing and all, I gave up trying to play it after 5 minutes. That type of game needs a keyboard and a mouse, not a stupid gamepad with two analog sticks and 10 buttons and endless menus every time you press something.
That might sound obvious to some, but you also have to target the right platform. Making original games for Xbox 360, PS3 or PSP is pretty useless. Most people who buy these consoles want Madden 2008 or the latest Tom Clancy game in HD with surround sound. They only care about specs, not game depth/style/etc.
And last, remember that 2D is not dead, platformers are not dead, and shooters still have a fan base. Einhander, Ikaruga are good examples of games rendered in 3D but with 2D gameplay.
Original games need to survive or else we'll end up with another videogame market crash. IMHO the only thing that can save us is the Nintendo Wii and the Nintendo DS. The last original games I remember that weren't on Nintendo systems was Katamari Damaci and Loco Roco.
OS X is viable, assuming you don't mind paying twice as much for your hardware and software, and having draconian vendor lock-in, the likes of which MS hasn't even attempted.
Yeah. I feel so ripped off having paid 600$CAD for my Mac mini. That's so much more expensive than a 800$CAD mini-PC. I also feel so locked-in with OS X, saving screenshots in 24-bit PNGs, printing directly to PDFs, ripping to plain MP3s with iTunes, managing photos in JPEGs with iPhoto, being able to import and save Microsoft formats like BMP and WAV in other apps.
Apple locks you in by making nice computers and easy-to-use software. How dare they!
You might want to stick your head out of your ass before spewing crap like "draconian vendor lock-in, the likes of which MS hasn't even attempted". Ever USED Microsoft stuff before? Since MS-DOS 3.2?
And when I'm looking for some uber rare item that it would take years and thousands of dollars in gasoline to find by scouring every used record store, book store, person's home, etc., ebay comes in very handy.
And even so, sometimes the item in question is so rare that eBay probably never even had it in its listings. Ever.
I'm talking about the ISA soundcard Innovation SSI 2001, based on the SID 6581 soundchip. Nope, not the HardSID.
If you have, know someone who has, or know where to find the Innovation SSI 2001, please contact me. Thank you.
But people are going into stores and looking at $250 for a Wii (which is still hard to get), $300 for an Xbox360 (even if that price is deceptive), and then $500/600 for the PS3.
If that's the prices in the USA, no wonder people are buying the Xbox 360 instead of the PS3.
No wonder people are buying the Xbox 360 instead of the PS3 in the USA at these kinds of price differences if the prices you wrote are correct.
Here in Canada, the Wii is 280$, the Xbox 360 (Core) is 400$, the Xbox 360 (20GB) is 500$, the PS3 (20GB) is 550$ and the PS3 (60GB) is 700$.
So if you have 500$ to spend on an Xbox 360 (20GB), simply adding 50$ allows you to get a PS3 (20GB). It becomes a much tougher sale for Microsoft.
What's wrong with Sony's prices in the USA?! And is Microsoft losing more money on the Xbox 360 in the USA than in Canada?
Isn't the Microsoft-IT world already based on the problematic software coming from Redmond?
Compared the number of IT support teams in Microsoft shops, Apple shops, and OSS shops. I'm betting it's a ratio along the lines of 50 vs 5 vs 2.
Re:Not so much that you need an iPod to listen
on
Norway Outlaws iTunes
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· Score: 2, Insightful
I don't see any real difference there. Do you?
Yes I do. All music tracks bought on the iTunes Store can be burned to CD. With "PlayForSure", you never know since the DRM can vary from file to file.
As for being "lock in Microsoft-approved vendors", you're also out of luck (ex: "PlaysForSure vs Zune").
1. It would probably be better for them to control all the hardware, just like Apple (thus making Windows more stable) 2. It would destroy (even if only partially) the market for single parts (motherboards, etc) 3. Destroying (if only partially) the market for single parts means it's more difficult to build your own box and put OSS on it, thus lowering the OSS threat 4. They've already started, with the Xbox, Xbox 360 and Zune. 5. Profits!
How bout the fact that iTMS videos are in 480p and yet this thing _requires_ an hdmi connection?
How does a box with component connectors require an HDMI connection?
The only thing that seems weird is the "widescreen" requirement. I have a 5-years old 36" 4:3 TV which can do 480p via component. I hope the Apple TV has a 4:3 option, even if it means letterboxing the GUI too.
Slashdot Mirror
News for "Weird Al" Yankovic.
Even if the source code for both iTunes and Windows Vista was available, there was nothing to prevent Microsoft from adding last-minute changes to Vista before releasing it on store shelves. Which I think is what happened, IMHO. Zune, anyone?
Source code would only mean the fix could already be available.
Not only should Apple's software follow the guidelines and the "look'n feel" of other Windows apps, but I'm also tired of the brushed metal look. And I'm on OS X, where even Safari is brushed metal. But not Mail. And Pages still uses the "horizontal lines" look.
I hope Leopard, iLife '07 and iWork '07 fixes all this mess.
Because, of course, Apple illegaly downloads software of their biggest competitor from the net, competitors who could sue them and wipe them out of the surface of the planet if they had a chance like that.
Yeah, right.
yesterday: I have Windows XP, I have an iPod and iTunes, everything works fine
today: I upgrade to Windows Vista and now iTunes/iPod stops working properly
People will usually (and correctly) blame the latest change for the problem, which in this case is Windows Vista. Some will even try to downgrade back to XP, but they won't be able to do so (AFAIK, from what I've read). Another "blame Microsoft" problem in addition to the "my iTunes/iPod doesn't work anymore" problem.
If it's really Microsoft's fault (after all, we keep reading that iTunes/iPod worked fine until the latest beta version of Vista, but the final version has a problem), then it means they're trying to deliberately screw up Apple, but IMHO it can only backfire because they're the ones introducing the new component and breaking things.
And as someone who used computers since the early 80's, do you think I do not know about alternatives either? The fact that people on Slashdot keep commenting on Microsoft stuff makes me wonder: if nerds use Windows so much, how is Linux supposed to take over? Shouldn't Linux have at least 50% users on Slashdot?
People who keep saying "I need Windows for games or development" just don't get it: you're the ones giving marketshare to Microsoft. Stop using Microsoft software already, you're part of the problem you're complaining about.
My point was that a lot of people keep complaining about Microsoft, Vista, etc, etc. Just stop using Microsoft already, you have the choice.
I don't have any cooling problems with my Mac mini. As for games, I have a Nintendo DS and a Wii, where programmers can max out the hardware because everyone has the same system specs.
I'm just waiting for three things:
- Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
- Updated Mac mini (the only Mac not upgraded to the Core 2 Duo, what gives?)
- iLife '07
Since Leopard and iLife '07 are worth at least 1/3 of the price of the Mac mini, it would make no sense not to update the computer at the same time (still using a G4/1.42GHz, which is fine for everything but quite slow with H.264 encoding).
ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD!
Text-to-binary converter (and vice-versa)
Granted, that option would open doors to small publishers which otherwise couldn't publish their games at all, however that would only lower the distribution costs, not the development costs.
Stop trying to make original games that cost so much to develop that you need a blockbuster success to make it financially viable. Make original games that are low-cost in development so that a few thousands people who are happy to buy and play those games will be enough to continue making such games.
Also, you have to keep the games simple. I've seen Gears of War, and while the graphics really are amazing and all, I gave up trying to play it after 5 minutes. That type of game needs a keyboard and a mouse, not a stupid gamepad with two analog sticks and 10 buttons and endless menus every time you press something.
That might sound obvious to some, but you also have to target the right platform. Making original games for Xbox 360, PS3 or PSP is pretty useless. Most people who buy these consoles want Madden 2008 or the latest Tom Clancy game in HD with surround sound. They only care about specs, not game depth/style/etc.
And last, remember that 2D is not dead, platformers are not dead, and shooters still have a fan base. Einhander, Ikaruga are good examples of games rendered in 3D but with 2D gameplay.
Original games need to survive or else we'll end up with another videogame market crash. IMHO the only thing that can save us is the Nintendo Wii and the Nintendo DS. The last original games I remember that weren't on Nintendo systems was Katamari Damaci and Loco Roco.
Apple locks you in by making nice computers and easy-to-use software. How dare they!
You might want to stick your head out of your ass before spewing crap like "draconian vendor lock-in, the likes of which MS hasn't even attempted". Ever USED Microsoft stuff before? Since MS-DOS 3.2?
I'm talking about the ISA soundcard Innovation SSI 2001, based on the SID 6581 soundchip. Nope, not the HardSID.
If you have, know someone who has, or know where to find the Innovation SSI 2001, please contact me. Thank you.
So why don't you rip the CD again instead? That's one step instead of two, with guaranteed metadata.
- great TurboGrafx-16 port of the arcade game, but still pales in comparison to the real thing
- sucks
- sucks BAD
- sucks
I wish Nintendo would have REAL ARCADE GAMES in their library. R-Type, Rygar, Slapfight, Raiden DX, etc.
No wonder people are buying the Xbox 360 instead of the PS3 in the USA at these kinds of price differences if the prices you wrote are correct.
Here in Canada, the Wii is 280$, the Xbox 360 (Core) is 400$, the Xbox 360 (20GB) is 500$, the PS3 (20GB) is 550$ and the PS3 (60GB) is 700$.
So if you have 500$ to spend on an Xbox 360 (20GB), simply adding 50$ allows you to get a PS3 (20GB). It becomes a much tougher sale for Microsoft.
What's wrong with Sony's prices in the USA?! And is Microsoft losing more money on the Xbox 360 in the USA than in Canada?
Isn't the Microsoft-IT world already based on the problematic software coming from Redmond?
Compared the number of IT support teams in Microsoft shops, Apple shops, and OSS shops. I'm betting it's a ratio along the lines of 50 vs 5 vs 2.
As for being "lock in Microsoft-approved vendors", you're also out of luck (ex: "PlaysForSure vs Zune").
Worst than that. They'll send Dr. .no after them!
1. It would probably be better for them to control all the hardware, just like Apple (thus making Windows more stable)
2. It would destroy (even if only partially) the market for single parts (motherboards, etc)
3. Destroying (if only partially) the market for single parts means it's more difficult to build your own box and put OSS on it, thus lowering the OSS threat
4. They've already started, with the Xbox, Xbox 360 and Zune.
5. Profits!
The only thing that seems weird is the "widescreen" requirement. I have a 5-years old 36" 4:3 TV which can do 480p via component. I hope the Apple TV has a 4:3 option, even if it means letterboxing the GUI too.