Anyone tried Vista?

[Erisianmonkey]

It isn't necessarily just their DRM issues. It has to do with their attempts to force itunes down everyone's throat. If you browse a site that uses quicktime vids, you have to install a quicktime plugin. To install the quicktime plugin, Apple is now insisting that you put itunes on your computer. You can uninstall itunes afterwards, but the damage to your files has already begun. I have purchased files on my computer that I can no longer use because itunes deleted permissions in my windows folder, and I no longer have the accounts that I purchased them with. I had to re-rip music that I own on cd, because itunes recognized it as music that is only sold digitally through the itunes store- never mind the fact that I own the cd and ripped it myself to use on my mp3 player. And as far as mp3 players go, I had to reinstall the drivers for my Creative labs mp3 player because itunes insists that only ipods be installed on a computer that has itunes on it. On top of all that, itunes and quick time stole associations for virtually every type of media file on my computer (despite what I told their installation software-RealPlayer does the same type of thing). I am still fixing problems associated with that, and I installed QT over 3 months ago. Maybe they've fixed it now, but I cussed and swore at apple under my breath for a week and never received a response to the e-mail I sent them about what their software did to my computer.

All that being said, I'm not that happy with the windows genuine program either. But when I shot a letter to them saying I was sick of installing the damn thing month after month, I got an e-mail back from m$ tech support immediately that helped me deal with the problem.

As far as windows not being able to catch up with the touch screen stuff, I think the whole tablet PC phenomenon is where windows is headed, but I really don't think touch screen windows is that far behind.

[Dreadbelly]

Ah, this is why you install the OPEN SOURCE quicktime codecs on your machine and not Apple's DRM infused stuff. Apple is dedicated to the open source movement and offers you a choice. I have chosen to install the open source quick time codecs... And I never have the problems you descrbe. The open source stuff exists for windows too. But I don't know where to get it.

Like an angry housewife, I don't do windows.

[Erisianmonkey]

I don't get the problem anyone has with Apple and iTunes. There is no shortage of services or players to choose from. No one is forced to buy an iPod so maybe the iPod and iTunes just works well?

Itunes steals file associations and damages files that have non itunes permissions. itunes will only allow music purchased through its service to be played on ipods-no third party mp3 players allowed. To be fair, itunes doesn't sell mp3s, they sell mp4s packaged as aac files. However, they won't even allow players that handle mp4 and aac files to work with itunes. They are openly and blatantly attempting to create a monopoly on the digital music scene by entering into contracts with record companies stating that their music may only be sold through the itunes store or on cd/dvd. All the while they are doing this, they are still putting out complaints that Microsoft engages in unfair business practices.

Pot. Kettle.
Blech.

[Dreadbelly]

Itunes steals file associations and damages files that have non itunes permissions. itunes will only allow music purchased through its service to be played on ipods-no third party mp3 players allowed. To be fair, itunes doesn't sell mp3s, they sell mp4s packaged as aac files. However, they won't even allow players that handle mp4 and aac files to work with itunes. They are openly and blatantly attempting to create a monopoly on the digital music scene by entering into contracts with record companies stating that their music may only be sold through the itunes store or on cd/dvd. All the while they are doing this, they are still putting out complaints that Microsoft engages in unfair business practices.

Pot. Kettle.
Blech.

Actually, in iTunes defense, that is only on the Windows side, and it is because of M$ and the agreements made to port iTunes to Windows.

On the Mac, iTunes does none of this sort of behaviour. It remains non intrusive.

Quicktime can be had in several flavours, but I don't think there is anything you can do about iTunes. M$ is in bed with the RIAA, and part of porting iTunes over to Windows was to make it fully compliant with RIAA standards. Mac side, there is still the whole "rip, mix, and burn" thing going on.

So to be fair, this is yet another issue to blame M$ for.

And to point the finger at Apple, I am not pleased with the shift away from mp3s over to acc files and other DRM compliant methods. Easy to beat those though. Record the raw sound files to a CD, rip the CD in to mp3s, and tag the files your self. A pain, yeah. Not something I do personally though. But if you buy something from the iTunes store I believe that you own that file and it should be yours to do with whatever you please, including making multiple copies of it.

[Erisianmonkey]

So to be fair, this is yet another issue to blame M$ for.

Actually, the whole not allowing non-Apple players (creative, m$, generic) is all Apple.

And to point the finger at Apple, I am not pleased with the shift away from mp3s over to acc files and other DRM compliant methods. Easy to beat those though. Record the raw sound files to a CD, rip the CD in to mp3s, and tag the files your self. A pain, yeah. Not something I do personally though. But if you buy something from the iTunes store I believe that you own that file and it should be yours to do with whatever you please, including making multiple copies of it.

I did so with the music I got with a gift card that was given to me a while back. I bought the music on my backup computer, burned it to disc, then wiped the hard drive to get rid of itunes and its residue.

BTW-Haven't said it yet, I love your new avatar Dread.

[Dreadbelly]

BTW-Haven't said it yet, I love your new avatar Dread.

Thanks! I've been told once or twice that we look just a little bit alike. When I went and saw the movie in the theatre, my beard caused quite a sensation!

[Chef]

Actually, in iTunes defense, that is only on the Windows side, and it is because of M$ and the agreements made to port iTunes to Windows.

On the Mac, iTunes does none of this sort of behaviour. It remains non intrusive.

Quicktime can be had in several flavours, but I don't think there is anything you can do about iTunes. M$ is in bed with the RIAA, and part of porting iTunes over to Windows was to make it fully compliant with RIAA standards. Mac side, there is still the whole "rip, mix, and burn" thing going on.

So to be fair, this is yet another issue to blame M$ for.

And to point the finger at Apple, I am not pleased with the shift away from mp3s over to acc files and other DRM compliant methods. Easy to beat those though. Record the raw sound files to a CD, rip the CD in to mp3s, and tag the files your self. A pain, yeah. Not something I do personally though. But if you buy something from the iTunes store I believe that you own that file and it should be yours to do with whatever you please, including making multiple copies of it.

I use mine with a Mac so I am unaware of itunes with windows issues. I certainly agree about owning the music we buy from itunes but all this copy or not bull is mostly from the RIAA and the only thing that is worse is the DVD industry. Fair use says you can copy your DVD for personal use but it is breaking the law to decode the disk to make the copy.

I have alway wondered just how many pirating operations have failed because of these efforts

[Erisianmonkey]

I have alway wondered just how many pirating operations have failed because of these efforts

Not a one. A quick search of usenet or bittorrent trackers on the web will tell you that. At the risk of getting into the political, it is a bit like gun control laws. Any law will only affect those who obey the law.

[Mike1]

OK, OK, howzabout we return to the topic of the original post?

How do you feel about Vista was the question asked, not how you feel about the Micro$oft/Mac debates. We can argue the virtues and shortcomings of Windoze and OSX until the cows come home and not accomplish anything but waste a lot of zeros and ones, so let's get it back on topic.

[Dreadbelly]

Back to the original topic, skip Vista.

Vista is turning out to be such a turd already (Windows ME level turd) that M$ is rushing ahead with the production of Vienna to find a suitable replacement so they can bury the wretched mistake that was Vista. M$ claims that Vienna will be out in two years.

You know something is bad when the parent company calls it a monumental failure. (Windows ME, Vista)

M$ issued a statement saying that Vista was an "expansion" on XP and that Vienna is the next "real" OS. Sounds like the whole ME fiasco all over again to make people desperate for XP. In short, sell something so bad that people will rush out and spend even more money to fix it.