You'll be able to change the ring tones soon. And everything else that seemed, well, "obvious" to most smart phones that the iPhone lacks. It'll all be through a software update and Apple will make sure iPhone users know it exists through advertising or iTunes alerts. Naturally, of course, along with all great benefits of upgrading (getting ringtones, sms messaging, etc.) they'll also include a one liner of "Addresses security issues"....
Regarding DVCPRO vs VHS, you completely forgot that most people will recompress the video to put on YouTube...so seriously, what's the point of DVCPRO HD?
trying to sell it on eBay for $5,000 bucks! Unfortunately, I live in Boston (where I'm assuming all mooninites have been rounded up) but if you live in another city, go and steal yourself one! Then sell on eBay for big bucks....
I can run Final Cut Pro 5, DVD Studio Pro 4, Motion 2, LiveType, and Photoshop CS2, all at the same time, without any issues...
I'm sure they're not all processor intensive (I know Motion isn't), but the very fact that I CAN run those apps is why I own a Mac.:)
Honestly though, as long as you're not running XP, I think you should be happy. If I meet someone who is thinking of getting a new computer, I always recommend a Mac, or installing Ubuntu on their old machine.
The thinks that most journalist things are better, typically turn out to be the thinks most slashdotters don't thing is worth the headline space!?!? IMPROBABLE!!
FTA: The biggest winner: Apple, which gained nearly a full percentage point in market share after reporting a 43% increase in unit shipments. The full PC Review: January 2006 report is available from IDC.
It may be lower than 5 years ago, but the future is looking quite good...
To be honest, I think it's Dell that's doing the arm-twisting. With such a large market share, they can basically threaten to go AMD, and Intel will bend over backwards, to accomodate them.
I would say this is more obvious than rumor or speculation.
Seriously, how many slashdotters expected Apple to keep the iPod Nanos at their current size??
In 2002, I helped my dad's friend set up a brand new spanking Dell.
I was a Mac user at that point (PC user prior, but switched...) and suggested a Mac. Although he considered it, he was more concerned about his kids not having a computer that would be compatible (either at school, or with other people.) Plus, he was worried that he wouldn't be able to edit video, edit photos, browse the internet, or check his email, without running into compatibility issues...
After explaining about iMovie, iPhoto, and showing him the iMac, I gave up. I set up a Dell for him and went over to help him set it up once it arrived.
We booted it up, and I kid you not, the thing blue screened.
He looked at me and asked, "What happened?" I couldn't help myself from laughing, and replied: "Windows happened."
So yeah, the BSoD is old and played out...but, it still rears its ugly head every once in a while. I see it as a good thing...one day, you'll be able to tell your kids about the day you tried to argue that BSoD was so 1997...and they'll say, "WHAT?" And you'll say, "Oh, back in 2006, people on slashdot still joked that the 'Blue Screen of Death' was an issue with Windows..." And your kids will reply, "Slashdot? Windows?"
A tear will swell in your eye, and you'll reply, "ah kids, Micrapple Perspective XLNT 2035 was once Microsoft Windows XP and SlashDot...err, well, Slashdot was a tech website, before Cmdr Taco decided it needed more, uh, taco..."
If your music is properly tagged, creating playlists is a drag/drop process. A hundred CDs is a lot, sure, but it's not much work to just click "Browse", and then drag your albums into the left panel. It would take a total of probably five minutes, if that?
As far as dragging in a few hundred tracks called Track XYZ, thats actually how my library is set up. All my files are named: AlbumY_TrackZ.mp3 with Y being the album number and z being the track number. I have over 250 albums, with multiple tracks sharing the same, "Album1_Track01.mp3" file name.
Again, my music is properly tagged and iTunes does not come even close to having an issue on import. And, guess what? All the tags were fetched from CDDB, when I imported the tracks.
The strength of iTunes, at least for me, is in the Smart Playlist feature. I actually keep my music tagged and ranked, and have multiple smart playlists. If I haven't heard a song in three weeks, I'll create a Smart Playlist. If I don't want to listen to music ranked with three stars or less, another Smart Playlist. I wasn't a huge iTunes fan, originally, but once you actually use iTunes (spend some time, and learn how it functions...), you'll start to understand why it's often voted the best music jukebox.
If you attempt to use it, expecting it to work exactly like WinAMP or whatever, you're going to have issues....
Actually, you're right. Staples is extremely liberal with returns. Its one of the few retail stores that will NOT charge you a restocking fee for opening a computer. Thats actually one thing I loved about Staples.
But, there were certain things that our GM would not accept. To be honest, it usually came to the "ease" at which the store would be credited for returned/damaged goods to the vendor...
Our old GM and Sales Manager would return laptops with no hesitation. Even software was returned. He's no longer at our store...:)
I use to work at Staples and have witness first hand what happens when someone tries to return/repair a laptop with a cracked screen. It doesn't happen. To be honest, the best way to get a screen repaired is through Insurance. For instance, some times home owners insurance or renters insurance will cover accidental damage to appliances (such as laptops) - they're MUCH cheaper than an actual "Extended Warranty" through the likes of Apple/Staples/etc. and cover much more. Another way is to check with your credit card company. Some cards will actually cover purchases and will repair anything purchased with the card.
Finally, you can purchase warranties specifically for "Accidental Damage". But, the prices are so high. However, if your kids or your drunken roommates are prone to dropping things, it may be worth it...
I'm a huge "Apple" fan myself. Switched to a PowerBook in 2000 running OS 9. Since then, I've purchased a PowerMac G5 and a PowerBook G4. While I'll be the first to praise OS X, and Apple software (Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, etc.), I've become hesitant to do the same for Apple, the company. Trust me, I would never switched back to a PC running Windows. However, I do like to share a story about the second PowerBook I purchased, and hopefully to get through to the Mac Fans that Apple isn't all holy and mighty...that, they are a company, and their intentions is to make a profit and make stock holders happy.
My second PowerBook, a 12" version, was great from day one. The packaging, from the exterior to unpacking, was a real treat. Got to love Apple in their attention to detail. I ran the Hardware test, and everything passed. I then re-formatted the PowerBook and re-installed all the software (removing fonts, printer drivers, and other things I never would have used...)
From start up, the thing recognized my wireless network, and everything was great.
Well, about three or four months later, I decided to set up the PowerBook as a dual boot with Ubuntu. Getting Ubuntu on the Mac was extremely easy. Everything worked perfectly. However, there are no drivers available for the "Airport" card installed in the PowerBook. No problem! Just hook it up to the Ethernet port.
AND, this is where my horror story begins...
The Ethernet port didn't respond. I thought it was an issue with Ubuntu. So I jump back into OS X, and sure enough, nothing. I ran the hardware test again, and everything passed. Went back into OSX and checked the system preferences, and OS X said the Ethernet port was there, but could not obtain an IP. Okay...
So, after racking my head around this issue, I finally break down and visit a "genius" at an Apple store. He takes the PowerBook, and starts jamming an ethernet cord, wiggling it around and what not. Finally, after he consults another "genius", he informs me that he'll need to send it out. Fine with me. I'm covered through warranty.
After about a week, I get a response from a tech. The problem, it appeared, was the Ethernet port was broken from the Logic board. Cost to repair: $900.00. I paid 1300.00 for the machine. "Okay, repair it..." Well, because it was broken, it was not covered under warranty. Because, it obviously had to be MY fault. I must have did something, as far as the tech was concerned.
After I refused to pay for the repair, they sent it back, where I picked it up. I then went to a local apple store, and talked to a tech there, who agreed that Apple should fix it. So, she sent it back in, with intentions of getting it repaired.
After a month of going back and forth, she finally informed me that they would not budge...that they wanted me to pay for it. And infact, they wanted to speak to me. But, she gave me some advice and what to say.
When I called back the second time, I was again informed that the logic board was damaged, and it would cost near 900.00. I explained that from day one, everything appeared okay. That the Apple Hardware test passed. That the "Geniuses" at the Apple Bar even said the Ethernet Port was fine (the software they ran said it was fine) - and in fact, it could have been the genius, fussin garound with the ethernet cord, trying to get the thing to work, who could have broken it. She finally agreed that maybe, just maybe, it could have been the Geniuses fault, and transferred me to another department.
After explaining my situation again, I was informed that Apple would repair it (but not admit to any wrong - while it COULD have been the Geniuses fault, it COULD have been might fault too) - so, they were willing to compromise. They'd repair it, but I would no longer have a warranty (with four months left...) - I agreed.
After three-four months from finding out I had a bad ethernet port, I finally got my PowerBook back. I opened it up, checked the port, and everything was great. I was happy...un
4) You'll have to open the ipod anyway....a few people (I did) are buying alternative mp3 player because thay want to play open formats, have more interoperability...People won't like the fact that the music they bought can't be played on other places than their ipod (they just don't realize it yet).
Despite looks, a product that can't do half what the concurence does, can't be that cool...
Sorry, but you lost me on this part. A few people you know are buying alternative mp3 players because they want to play open formats? Which formats do they consider "open"? While protected AAC is definitely not "open", the AAC format itself is based on an open standard. WMA? Microsoft proprietary standard.
Also, the iPod has compatibility with the most popular open format out there, MP3. It has support for WAV files as well.
Interoperability? So, what you're saying is that instead of being tied to Apple's eco-system of online music, your friends prefer Microsofts solution?? Because, there are only TWO major choices out there right now - Apple and Microsoft. And while you may have a larger "selection" with Microsoft in terms of music players (with 75% of those players being cheap, inferior products compared to the iPod and the 25% remaining WMA-based players), you're still tied down to Microsoft. Look at it this way: Say you're a PC users and you bought music from an online music store like Napster or Real encoded with WMA, and then decided to "switch" over to a Mac, you're fucked. You're stuck with a bunch of proprietary music that won't play on a Mac thanks to Microsoft. Interoperability? As a Mac user, I know my music will play on either a PC or Mac. As far as "online" music goes, it's the most elegant system out there....and the one with the most interoperability.
*sigh* I miss when that was popular...I was in college, dating a total bitch, living off of ramen, playing CS until my grades started to suffer, and getting four hours of sleep a night...good times, good times.
Shit. That's my life right now, and trust me...it ain't good times...
Then again, maybe a few years down the road, when I have a shit job, married to a total bitch, living off of ramen, and still play games till the wee hours in the morning, I'll be able to reflect and think, "yeah...good times...good times..."
Slashdot Mirror
It works fine for me. In both Safari and FireFox. I'm guessing he doesn't have DivX installed.
You'll be able to change the ring tones soon. And everything else that seemed, well, "obvious" to most smart phones that the iPhone lacks. It'll all be through a software update and Apple will make sure iPhone users know it exists through advertising or iTunes alerts. Naturally, of course, along with all great benefits of upgrading (getting ringtones, sms messaging, etc.) they'll also include a one liner of "Addresses security issues"....
I wish I could meet Chen Ing Hau face to face.... /CIH, the only virus that hit me //I got it from a girl I trusted.....
Regarding DVCPRO vs VHS, you completely forgot that most people will recompress the video to put on YouTube...so seriously, what's the point of DVCPRO HD?
Turns out another mooninite was salvaged! This eBay auction actually has bids! http://cgi.ebay.com/Mooninites-Ignignokt-LED-Adver tising-Bomb_W0QQitemZ130075321405QQihZ003QQcategor yZ363QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
trying to sell it on eBay for $5,000 bucks! Unfortunately, I live in Boston (where I'm assuming all mooninites have been rounded up) but if you live in another city, go and steal yourself one! Then sell on eBay for big bucks....
0 078002362QQihZ011QQcategoryZ28009QQssPageNameZWDVW QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Adult-Swim-LED-Ad_W0QQitemZ32
I can run Final Cut Pro 5, DVD Studio Pro 4, Motion 2, LiveType, and Photoshop CS2, all at the same time, without any issues... I'm sure they're not all processor intensive (I know Motion isn't), but the very fact that I CAN run those apps is why I own a Mac. :)
Honestly though, as long as you're not running XP, I think you should be happy. If I meet someone who is thinking of getting a new computer, I always recommend a Mac, or installing Ubuntu on their old machine.
The thinks that most journalist things are better, typically turn out to be the thinks most slashdotters don't thing is worth the headline space!?!? IMPROBABLE!!
Those 300 GB hard drives they bought from Best Buy turned out to only have 279 GB!!!!
FTA: The biggest winner: Apple, which gained nearly a full percentage point in market share after reporting a 43% increase in unit shipments. The full PC Review: January 2006 report is available from IDC.
It may be lower than 5 years ago, but the future is looking quite good...
To be honest, I think it's Dell that's doing the arm-twisting. With such a large market share, they can basically threaten to go AMD, and Intel will bend over backwards, to accomodate them.
I would say this is more obvious than rumor or speculation. Seriously, how many slashdotters expected Apple to keep the iPod Nanos at their current size??
In 2002, I helped my dad's friend set up a brand new spanking Dell.
I was a Mac user at that point (PC user prior, but switched...) and suggested a Mac. Although he considered it, he was more concerned about his kids not having a computer that would be compatible (either at school, or with other people.) Plus, he was worried that he wouldn't be able to edit video, edit photos, browse the internet, or check his email, without running into compatibility issues...
After explaining about iMovie, iPhoto, and showing him the iMac, I gave up. I set up a Dell for him and went over to help him set it up once it arrived.
We booted it up, and I kid you not, the thing blue screened.
He looked at me and asked, "What happened?"
I couldn't help myself from laughing, and replied: "Windows happened."
So yeah, the BSoD is old and played out...but, it still rears its ugly head every once in a while. I see it as a good thing...one day, you'll be able to tell your kids about the day you tried to argue that BSoD was so 1997...and they'll say, "WHAT?"
And you'll say, "Oh, back in 2006, people on slashdot still joked that the 'Blue Screen of Death' was an issue with Windows..."
And your kids will reply, "Slashdot? Windows?"
A tear will swell in your eye, and you'll reply, "ah kids, Micrapple Perspective XLNT 2035 was once Microsoft Windows XP and SlashDot...err, well, Slashdot was a tech website, before Cmdr Taco decided it needed more, uh, taco..."
If your music is properly tagged, creating playlists is a drag/drop process. A hundred CDs is a lot, sure, but it's not much work to just click "Browse", and then drag your albums into the left panel. It would take a total of probably five minutes, if that?
As far as dragging in a few hundred tracks called Track XYZ, thats actually how my library is set up. All my files are named:
AlbumY_TrackZ.mp3
with Y being the album number and z being the track number.
I have over 250 albums, with multiple tracks sharing the same, "Album1_Track01.mp3" file name.
Again, my music is properly tagged and iTunes does not come even close to having an issue on import. And, guess what? All the tags were fetched from CDDB, when I imported the tracks.
The strength of iTunes, at least for me, is in the Smart Playlist feature. I actually keep my music tagged and ranked, and have multiple smart playlists. If I haven't heard a song in three weeks, I'll create a Smart Playlist. If I don't want to listen to music ranked with three stars or less, another Smart Playlist. I wasn't a huge iTunes fan, originally, but once you actually use iTunes (spend some time, and learn how it functions...), you'll start to understand why it's often voted the best music jukebox.
If you attempt to use it, expecting it to work exactly like WinAMP or whatever, you're going to have issues....
Actually, you're right. Staples is extremely liberal with returns. Its one of the few retail stores that will NOT charge you a restocking fee for opening a computer. Thats actually one thing I loved about Staples.
:)
But, there were certain things that our GM would not accept. To be honest, it usually came to the "ease" at which the store would be credited for returned/damaged goods to the vendor...
Our old GM and Sales Manager would return laptops with no hesitation. Even software was returned. He's no longer at our store...
I use to work at Staples and have witness first hand what happens when someone tries to return/repair a laptop with a cracked screen. It doesn't happen. To be honest, the best way to get a screen repaired is through Insurance. For instance, some times home owners insurance or renters insurance will cover accidental damage to appliances (such as laptops) - they're MUCH cheaper than an actual "Extended Warranty" through the likes of Apple/Staples/etc. and cover much more. Another way is to check with your credit card company. Some cards will actually cover purchases and will repair anything purchased with the card.
Finally, you can purchase warranties specifically for "Accidental Damage". But, the prices are so high. However, if your kids or your drunken roommates are prone to dropping things, it may be worth it...
I'm a huge "Apple" fan myself. Switched to a PowerBook in 2000 running OS 9. Since then, I've purchased a PowerMac G5 and a PowerBook G4. While I'll be the first to praise OS X, and Apple software (Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, etc.), I've become hesitant to do the same for Apple, the company. Trust me, I would never switched back to a PC running Windows. However, I do like to share a story about the second PowerBook I purchased, and hopefully to get through to the Mac Fans that Apple isn't all holy and mighty...that, they are a company, and their intentions is to make a profit and make stock holders happy.
My second PowerBook, a 12" version, was great from day one. The packaging, from the exterior to unpacking, was a real treat. Got to love Apple in their attention to detail. I ran the Hardware test, and everything passed. I then re-formatted the PowerBook and re-installed all the software (removing fonts, printer drivers, and other things I never would have used...)
From start up, the thing recognized my wireless network, and everything was great.
Well, about three or four months later, I decided to set up the PowerBook as a dual boot with Ubuntu. Getting Ubuntu on the Mac was extremely easy. Everything worked perfectly. However, there are no drivers available for the "Airport" card installed in the PowerBook. No problem! Just hook it up to the Ethernet port.
AND, this is where my horror story begins...
The Ethernet port didn't respond. I thought it was an issue with Ubuntu. So I jump back into OS X, and sure enough, nothing. I ran the hardware test again, and everything passed. Went back into OSX and checked the system preferences, and OS X said the Ethernet port was there, but could not obtain an IP. Okay...
So, after racking my head around this issue, I finally break down and visit a "genius" at an Apple store. He takes the PowerBook, and starts jamming an ethernet cord, wiggling it around and what not. Finally, after he consults another "genius", he informs me that he'll need to send it out. Fine with me. I'm covered through warranty.
After about a week, I get a response from a tech. The problem, it appeared, was the Ethernet port was broken from the Logic board. Cost to repair: $900.00. I paid 1300.00 for the machine. "Okay, repair it..." Well, because it was broken, it was not covered under warranty. Because, it obviously had to be MY fault. I must have did something, as far as the tech was concerned.
After I refused to pay for the repair, they sent it back, where I picked it up. I then went to a local apple store, and talked to a tech there, who agreed that Apple should fix it. So, she sent it back in, with intentions of getting it repaired.
After a month of going back and forth, she finally informed me that they would not budge...that they wanted me to pay for it. And infact, they wanted to speak to me. But, she gave me some advice and what to say.
When I called back the second time, I was again informed that the logic board was damaged, and it would cost near 900.00. I explained that from day one, everything appeared okay. That the Apple Hardware test passed. That the "Geniuses" at the Apple Bar even said the Ethernet Port was fine (the software they ran said it was fine) - and in fact, it could have been the genius, fussin garound with the ethernet cord, trying to get the thing to work, who could have broken it. She finally agreed that maybe, just maybe, it could have been the Geniuses fault, and transferred me to another department.
After explaining my situation again, I was informed that Apple would repair it (but not admit to any wrong - while it COULD have been the Geniuses fault, it COULD have been might fault too) - so, they were willing to compromise. They'd repair it, but I would no longer have a warranty (with four months left...) - I agreed.
After three-four months from finding out I had a bad ethernet port, I finally got my PowerBook back. I opened it up, checked the port, and everything was great. I was happy...un
OmG! WuTZ uR PrObleM!? U r SooOOo ToTaLLy needIng MoRe PonEys In UR LiFE!!! Dey R SoOoOooooo~~~~!!!! cUtteeeee!! Kawaiii!!!!!!
/lameness filter asploded first time.....
tOtaLLy!!!
omg poNies!!
Woe is me, err, us. I, too, mentally call it "S-Q-L". Now I'm afraid that PHP may be something like, "FFIIPP", and XML "XEMUL"??
RISC is good
This feels more "Flaimbait" than "Insightful", but oh well...no mod points. :)
4) You'll have to open the ipod anyway....a few people (I did) are buying alternative mp3 player because thay want to play open formats, have more interoperability...People won't like the fact that the music they bought can't be played on other places than their ipod (they just don't realize it yet). Despite looks, a product that can't do half what the concurence does, can't be that cool...
Sorry, but you lost me on this part. A few people you know are buying alternative mp3 players because they want to play open formats? Which formats do they consider "open"? While protected AAC is definitely not "open", the AAC format itself is based on an open standard. WMA? Microsoft proprietary standard.
Also, the iPod has compatibility with the most popular open format out there, MP3. It has support for WAV files as well.
Interoperability? So, what you're saying is that instead of being tied to Apple's eco-system of online music, your friends prefer Microsofts solution?? Because, there are only TWO major choices out there right now - Apple and Microsoft. And while you may have a larger "selection" with Microsoft in terms of music players (with 75% of those players being cheap, inferior products compared to the iPod and the 25% remaining WMA-based players), you're still tied down to Microsoft. Look at it this way: Say you're a PC users and you bought music from an online music store like Napster or Real encoded with WMA, and then decided to "switch" over to a Mac, you're fucked. You're stuck with a bunch of proprietary music that won't play on a Mac thanks to Microsoft. Interoperability? As a Mac user, I know my music will play on either a PC or Mac. As far as "online" music goes, it's the most elegant system out there....and the one with the most interoperability.
A lot of people think Asimov's laws are real, and don't get it that he was a sci-fi writer
For some strange reason, Scientology just popped in my head...
*sigh* I miss when that was popular...I was in college, dating a total bitch, living off of ramen, playing CS until my grades started to suffer, and getting four hours of sleep a night...good times, good times.
Shit. That's my life right now, and trust me...it ain't good times...
Then again, maybe a few years down the road, when I have a shit job, married to a total bitch, living off of ramen, and still play games till the wee hours in the morning, I'll be able to reflect and think, "yeah...good times...good times..."
Wow. That just made me even more depressed.
*SIGH*
Visiting the link you mentioned, the one thing that REALLY stood out to me was the "Sweet Sounds" image.
Did they pluck that from a "$19.99 -500,000 clip arts + 10,000 Fonts" 8 Disc CD-ROM collection from 1998?!?!
As far as the player goes - reminds me of an iRiver. Except, with the center "strip" wider.