I hate ITunes

[bwana]

It doesn't need to edit photos or anything - just to be able to add them and browse them from a central point.

It does - you just need to select the location for iTunes to import from - that way you can continue to use your default editor/browser/DAM software.

iTunes does a great job with audio and even a passable job with video, but there's no way I want it messing with my photos.

 

[Dolby]

iTunes had the opposite effect on me, it convinced me to stay the hell away from Apple

Well in its current guise, it's putting me off Apple too

But it *could* sway people if it worked properly!

 

[Dolby]

So Dolby, how is your imac hunting going?

I've decided what I want - just the small R12,000.00.

I'd love the large screen, but it's too expensive and I'd rather not the performance to an i3. I have a Core 2 Quad 2.5 now, so getting an 13 would be going backwards.

I'd like to get it early next year if things go well - but I guess pricing would increase in that time :/

 

[Dolby]

It does - you just need to select the location for iTunes to import from - that way you can continue to use your default editor/browser/DAM software.

iTunes does a great job with audio and even a passable job with video, but there's no way I want it messing with my photos.

I'll try when I get home then.

Yea - I don't want it doing anything besides displaying

 

[Zyzzyva]

I've decided what I want - just the small R12,000.00.

I'd love the large screen, but it's too expensive and I'd rather not the performance to an i3. I have a Core 2 Quad 2.5 now, so getting an 13 would be going backwards.

I'd like to get it early next year if things go well - but I guess pricing would increase in that time :/

Probably the best bet for you. Your first mac should be 100% mac hardware. Doing the hackintosh or mini(with a cheap screen)thing might give you a false view of the mac experience.

But be prepared to regurgitate when you first hold a magic mouse. I put mine the cupboard for a few months within 5 minutes of using it. But when lion came out i found i loved the swiping gestures and have gotten used to it. When i game i just use another mouse.

 

[[)roi(]]

Without starting another fight - I really do find that illogical :/

Every other 'library' program that does streaming, sharing etc has media divided into music, movies and photos.

So to stream and get media to my iPad (on my local network), my options are :

iTunes : music 100% - but convert 1,500 movies to iformat
Boxee : no music and no photos - but 1,500 movies work in the correct formats
iPhoto : to view photos

Is iPhoto free?

IPhoto is part of the iLife suite (iDVD, iMovie, ...) which comes as default with every Mac and is not available for Windows, the equivalents are provided by Microsoft or you continue to use whatever package you have been using up till now. Hence iCloud was designed to allow flexibility by including a common folder (consider that not everyone likes everything Apple, and that's ok)

Yes from a Windows perspective this is less than ideal, but ask yourself why Apple should be trying to encourage people to remain with Windows -- the most complete Apple experience is on a Mac and similarly for Microsoft on Windows.

With regards to your Movies, Apple has again accommodated the formats it provides through its store. I believe it specifically avoided the formats that are known to be used for piracy (possibly to keep a healthy relationship with the media houses). Again if one stays in the Apple ecosystem I.e. purchase / rent from them then it's easy, otherwise the solutions are a bit of a mixed bag and you have to pick the one (Convert your files, Boxee, Xbmc, Plex, ...) you prefer.

FYI, in my case since I converted to using Hulu and Netflix I deleted all my video files and that simply solved my problem. Others choose to convert the files and load them into iTunes, and some can't be bothered and use a combination of iTunes, Boxee, ...

 

[[)roi(]]

Well in its current guise, it's putting me off Apple too

But it *could* sway people if it worked properly!

Maybe for you, but let's be honest that there isn't a single piece of software in the world that currently satisfies everyone, which IMO is a good thing (I like choice).

 

[[)roi(]]

I've decided what I want - just the small R12,000.00.

I'd love the large screen, but it's too expensive and I'd rather not the performance to an i3. I have a Core 2 Quad 2.5 now, so getting an 13 would be going backwards.

I'd like to get it early next year if things go well - but I guess pricing would increase in that time :/

Keep in mind that you must choose the processor and graphics spec you want, only HDD and RAM can be changed. Additionally with the iMac you also have choose the correct HDD spec, way to expensive and painful to change later.

...and once you get it, just like with the iPad, understand things are going to be different, so give it some time as you have to learn a lot, more so if you want to change its default behavior.

 

[Dolby]

Yes from a Windows perspective this is less than ideal, but ask yourself why Apple should be trying to encourage people to remain with Windows

Well it was the exact decision (allowing iTunes on a Windows PC) that put them where they are today. An iPod was the first real experience any PC user had with a Mac. If they create a decent piece of software, then perhaps more of us would move over to Macs?

Sadly, with outdated and illogical software like iTunes, they're not going to be winning over many Windows users. Check this for example :

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showfull.php?photo=28213

I've overlaid Windows Explorer, so you can see exactly how my compilations are stored and tags. In this case, you'll see tagged perfectly. However look what iTunes picks up? I can run Winamp, MP3tag, WMP and anything - and it picks it up correctly.

A quick Google shows I'm not the only one with compilation albums and the compilation tag queries.

which IMO is a good thing (I like choice).

... choice? I really do believe you may have chosen the wrong brand

As nice as the Apple is to use at time, 'choice' and 'options' are the very last words I'd use to describe them!

 

[bwana]

Sadly, with outdated and illogical software like iTunes, they're not going to be winning over many Windows users.

Go review apple's computer sales for the last five years.

 

[Dolby]

Oh - scrap my query ... user error *blush*

bwana - I'm not saying you're one, but there are plenty of users that'll just buy any 'i' product at all without thinking - flaws and all. That actually seems the vast majority of Apple users ... so sales can't really dictate how good it is :/

Look at the original iPhone ... no copy/paste, no multitask, no 3G, no MMS and just a bleh phone. How many sold?

 

[[)roi(]]

Well it was the exact decision (allowing iTunes on a Windows PC) that put them where they are today. An iPod was the first real experience any PC user had with a Mac. If they create a decent piece of software, then perhaps more of us would move over to Macs?

Sadly, with outdated and illogical software like iTunes, they're not going to be winning over many Windows users. Check this for example :

http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showfull.php?photo=28213

I've overlaid Windows Explorer, so you can see exactly how my compilations are stored and tags. In this case, you'll see tagged perfectly. However look what iTunes picks up? I can run Winamp, MP3tag, WMP and anything - and it picks it up correctly.

A quick Google shows I'm not the only one with compilation albums and the compilation tag queries.



... choice? I really do believe you may have chosen the wrong brand

As nice as the Apple is to use at time, 'choice' and 'options' are the very last words I'd use to describe them!

Dolby,
No company can make everything they do perfect or simple enough for everyone, hence we have multiple OSs, multiple search engines, ... Which as I said is good for me (I like choices).

Your music tag situation is easy to fix (for me at least), so as I have done in the past I'll extend an offer to assist you in fixing this I.e. correctly tagged, art work and even lyrics if you want.

PM me if you'd like to take me up on my offer, all I ask is that you honestly represent the outcome.

 

[Dolby]

Your music tag situation is easy to fix for me, so as I have done in the past I'll extend an offer to assist you in fixing this I.e. correctly tagged, art work and even lyrics.

PM me if you'd like to take me up on my offer, all I ask is that you honestly represent the outcome.

You'd doubt me? :/

 

[[)roi(]]

You'd doubt me? :/

This won't be my first time and each time it was a success. Sometimes all you need is someone else to show you how.

./edit this is an honest offer, all it'll cost you is your time and the cost of fuel to Parkhurst.

 

[[)roi(]]

Go review apple's computer sales for the last five years.

To add to Bwana's comment:
Apple's not perfect but their sales and successes are beyond this being only a fad -- clearly they are doing something right -- not perfect, yes there is a distinction.

 

[sand_man]

To add to Bwana's comment:
Apple's not perfect but their sales and successes are beyond this being only a fad -- clearly they are doing something right -- not perfect, yes there is a distinction.

Was going to add to that. I for one don't believe that in an age where information and masses of it are so readily available through the internet that Apple's success is built on the back of millions upon millions upon millions of ignorant, uninformed, brain washed users.

The tech industry is ruthless, so incredibly dynamic and murderously unforgiving of poor form, as a manufacturer of both hardware and software you have to be on top of your game and then some to stand any chance of making it to the end of the week, let alone create a brand as powerful as the Apple brand.

 

[[)roi(]]

Was going to add to that. I for one don't believe that in an age where information and masses of it are so readily available through the internet that Apple's success is built on the back of millions upon millions upon millions of ignorant, uninformed, brain washed users.

The tech industry is ruthless, so incredibly dynamic and murderously unforgiving of poor form, as a manufacturer of both hardware and software you have to be on top of your game and then some to stand any chance of making it to the end of the week, let alone create a brand as powerful as the Apple brand.

Well said!

 

[cerebus]

Look at the original iPhone ... no copy/paste, no multitask, no 3G, no MMS and just a bleh phone. How many sold?

Wow....you really don't remember what smartphones were like back then do you? I remember seeing the iPhone video for the first time, I'd never even owned an iPod before but I just knew this was going to change everything.

Just to refresh your memory:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4321-6452_7-6600061.html
A smartphone was practically defined as a PDA hybrid, and business utility was top of list. Screens were horrible, multitouch was nonexistent, UIs were awful. The N95 was considered the absolute pinnacle of must-have smartphone design.

Steve Jobs managed to demolish the entire paradigm of smartphones in 1 hour at Macworld. So who cares about the features it didn't have? Nobody had ever seen a capacitive screen before. Nobody thought that you could dispense with a stylus. I remember being blown away by swipe-to-unlock. The UI was organic and tangible and future-y. It was what you suddenly realized you had been waiting for a smartphone to be.

So basically, you are wrong. Apple products sell because they are intensely desirable, not because there is a legion of Apple fans who will buy anything.

 

[Zyzzyva]

Thanks for typing the post i had in my head yesterday when i read Dolby's comment but failed to actually write.

Quite amazing how much the iPhone changed things. Its hard to believe so many billion dollar companies were doing such a shocking job when you look at the N95. I remember browsing this forum as people were discussing how brilliant they found the N95. Hah, odd to think we were willing to sign ourselves into expensive 2 year contracts to get that phone - the mind boggles.

How far the market has come.

 

[sand_man]

Quite amazing how much the iPhone changed things. Its hard to believe so many billion dollar companies were doing such a shocking job when you look at the N95. I remember browsing this forum as people were discussing how brilliant they found the N95. Hah, odd to think we were willing to sign ourselves into expensive 2 year contracts to get that phone - the mind boggles.

How far the market has come.

Very good post cerebus. Well put into context....

Regarding the N95 that was possibly the best Nokia phone ever made. I personally loved my N95 to bits...