Well, I hate to do this. But you've left me with no choice...
I must:
Go Off-Topic in an Off-Topic thread!
JaFO said:
eDonkey and practically any other p2p-program pretty much prove that Apple isn't the "sole supplier of downloadable media"
You know, I figured it would've been self-explanitory. For a second, I guess I forgot where I was posting...
Look,
fuckstick,
obviously there are
questionable (i.e. 'illegal') means of obtaining various forms of media. However, should one
choose to
pay for their downloadable content - one would find it difficult to disagree that Apple is the most successful and most practical choice (especially when it comes to DRM). Not to mention the fact that they offer the most
variety found in
one place. Again, I'm saying 'legally', of course.
JaFO said:
So far the only people that consider a Mac to be "practical" are those that are (1) new to pc's and (2) have no friends whatsoever. You really need to be a dedicated fanboy if you want to survive with a Mac (never mind that you'd need to be pretty damn wealthy to own one).
Yes, and those 'n00bs' at Peter Jackson's company, 'WETA' and 'Pixar', etc. I agree. Those guys totally suck ass. They must be new to PCs.
Wow, you and
Paul Thurrott must be good pals. He compares the price points of top-end Apple hardware to low-end Gateway PCs and complains that Apple hardware costs too much. He complains that Apple doesn't have 'integrated video', which lowers the cost of computers. Yes, because we all
love 'integrated video'. What a guy.
I'm neither new to PCs, nor short on friends. I'm not a fanboy either. I've been using Windows just as long as I've used MacOS. So I suppose that rules out your theory.
I would argue that the 'new-to-PCs' market goes for companies such as 'HP' or 'eMachines'. Most of those people go to Best Buy and pick up a bare-bones with XP Home, take it home,
fuck it up, get a virus and go back to Best Buy to pay the Geek Squad $500 to 'fix' their computer (run Norton). Those computers are
built to break. That's the whole idea.
Apple's computers are
essential to any performing audio professional. They have better latency for MIDI syncing. Apple also owns 'eMagic', the makers of 'Logic' - a great alternative to 'Pro Tools' - which many musicians have stopped using. Mostly because, 'Pro Tools' requires an expensive, dedicated rig (and isn't as efficient as 'Logic' when it comes to MIDI).
The next time you go to a concert, where there are electronic instruments being used - let me know if the band is using a Gateway computer or a Powerbook.
Not to mention the pro-video market. Apple created the industry standard 'firewire', which is present on
all digital video cameras. They also make some great high-end video production software. For example, 'Shake' - the compositing software used in practically
every Hollywood film or major television commercial with special effects.
In both fields, the
only competitor Apple has is Avid. Avid owns digidesign - which in turn - creates 'ProTools', for both platforms. Ironically, the Apple programs (eMagic's 'Logic', etc.) are a much more affordable choice - regardless of exclusivity.
Your argument is the standard 'I-don't-understand-or-use-so-me-not-worry-about-fact' complaint. You suggested that Apple is 'practically dead' and I proved you wrong. Their stock value is worth more than that of Dell Computer, the largest PC manufacturer in the world. Again, I'd hardly call them 'dead' (which is the whole point of this argument).
Regardless of how you feel about the iPod or the format of the songs from iTunes - the strategy was
extremely effective, and no other company has been as successful. iTunes holds an 83% market share, has the best pricing strategy (Apple says that consumers will simply go back to illegally downloading if they raise the price above $.99), a simple interface and the best consumer rights out of all the services. And say what you will - at least you're not
renting songs. Again, hardly a failure. As for the format playing only on iPods. Well,
obviously. Apple makes their money off of the hardware. The song sales make money for the RIAA. Apple supplies the bandwidth. Whether you use the iTMS or not, you should be
thanking Apple for having the market share and balls they do to stand up to the RIAA. On various occasions, major labels have threatened to pull their music unless Apple allows them to jack the prices of songs on iTunes. Apple has
always told them to
fuck themselves, and as a result, you have the $.99 price point instead of the $2.00+ price point. And cheer up, 'DVDJon' of 'DeCSS' fame is on the case...
For the record, I don't use the iTMS - although I have, simply to test it out. And I must say, aside from the 'FairPlay' DRM and the proprietary format, it is quite a nice experience.
Besides that, they've added television shows, which have been selling well. People expect them to start distributing films in the near future. Once that happens, expect that 83% market share to rise again.
Like them or not, you're avoiding the facts and throwing your personal bias into the mix to accomplish, well,
nothing. In most rational places,
you are the fanboy.
Regardless of which OS you prefer, you have to admit that Apple offers some pretty incredible creative tools
for free with their OS. At least give them that much credit.
Unless you're
really into 'Windows Movie Maker'...
Also, I am posting this from my PC, running XP Pro. I also don't need a skin to help myself pretend that I'm not using Windows. Old-fashioned 'classic' grey wasteland. Fancy that.
edited: fixed typo
