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Apple and where credit is due
#15
Chris Breen 
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- Joined: 11-December 00
Posted 30 September 2008 - 03:18 PM
MultiQuote
#16
mdawson
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Posted 30 September 2008 - 03:52 PM
I definitely have my nigglings about Apple. Some of Apple?s decisions that I am none-too-happy with directly affect me:
bq. iTunes still not translating sorting priorities to organized music folders as of version 8; The removal of certain preferences from iTunes 8; The lackluster approach to updating the help screens for new versions of software if they bother to document new features at all, and; The lack of a pro-level mini tower (although I can always trade up in this instance)
some are indirect and irk me on principle:
bq. While it is not the norm, I have heard of cases where people have had to fight to get warranties honored; Again, while I doubt it is the norm, I have seen complaints about inconsistency in receipt of certain services; Apple apparently blocks discussions on certain matter if they do not agree with the complaint.
Apple is by no means perfect, but it is quite evident that far too many people have quite unrealistic expectations of Apple. I have seen far too many cases of people that have mentioned that they will no longer buy Macs because of a screen issue with 17-inch iMacs and a logic board issue with certain Power Mac G5s in the two threads on these respective matters. These people are reacting as if hardware failures are commonplace for Macs, completely lost any level of objectivity and have in some cases resorted to attacking anyone that rationally views the situation.
On the iTunes forums at Apple.com, and to a lesser extent here, I have seen several posts from people that have declared that iTunes 8 sucks and they wish to go back to iTunes 7. Aside from those that have had serious issues that prevents them from running iTunes (e.g., strange coded errors, lost libraries, etc.) most are making complaints based on their own impatience; that is, in they do not bother to take the time to learn how to make iTunes 8 work as they please. You cannot upgrade to a new version of software and expect to instantly master the new features. Some are actually suffering from the fact that their libraries are in disarray, as many new features in iTunes 8 rely on entries being properly tagged in order to work properly.
That stated, some people seem to be so focused on problems that they are having that they do seem to forget that oftentimes Apple does do things right.
AirTunes and the Remote application. I really could not care less about the iPhone, as it is a cell phone at it heart and I find the omnipresence of cell phone (ab)usage to be the most etiquette-killing practice in modern society. AirTunes on the other hand is cool. The ability to have one?s music on their computer, wherever it may be in the house, and have it played on a stereo system by using a nearby AirPort Express without needing a secondary computer in the loop is just one of the neatest ideas brought to fruition.
Genius playlists. I have no need for this feature, so I abstain from comment here.
Apple TV movie rentals. I do not use this service so I again withhold comment.
The iPod Classic I have a 5th generation iPod and while I do not have video content, I am in full agreement with Chris here. I have an iPod Shuffle for when I am exercising, but when I am on the go, nothing better having my entire collection on hand. No other iPod can accommodate me in the way a hard disk-based iPod can.
AAC. Well as an audiophile I have no issue with AAC files. Granted, I have not yet set up my audio system since moving two years ago?lack of adequate furnishing?but my Altec Lansing FX6021 speakers are nothing to sneeze at and my 160 Kbps AAC music files sound just fine. Some MP3 (typ. 192 Kbps) from others I have heard? not so much.
iTunes Sharing. When I worked for my alma mater, the other grads working in labs in the same building loved having access to my large music library. I typically left my computer running over night and a few undergrads using the lounge in an adjacent building would access my library while studying late at night; apparently they were also having Mariah Carey sing-alongs. It just so happens that one of undergrads on my research team studies with this one group of young women and introduced me to them one day when I walked through the lounge. By their reaction you would have thought Michael Jackson (ca. 1980s before we knew he was crazy) had arrived. They started screaming like they lost their minds and one even called another:
Who knew that iTunes sharing could make someone a minor celebrity. :)
bq. iTunes still not translating sorting priorities to organized music folders as of version 8; The removal of certain preferences from iTunes 8; The lackluster approach to updating the help screens for new versions of software if they bother to document new features at all, and; The lack of a pro-level mini tower (although I can always trade up in this instance)
some are indirect and irk me on principle:
bq. While it is not the norm, I have heard of cases where people have had to fight to get warranties honored; Again, while I doubt it is the norm, I have seen complaints about inconsistency in receipt of certain services; Apple apparently blocks discussions on certain matter if they do not agree with the complaint.
Apple is by no means perfect, but it is quite evident that far too many people have quite unrealistic expectations of Apple. I have seen far too many cases of people that have mentioned that they will no longer buy Macs because of a screen issue with 17-inch iMacs and a logic board issue with certain Power Mac G5s in the two threads on these respective matters. These people are reacting as if hardware failures are commonplace for Macs, completely lost any level of objectivity and have in some cases resorted to attacking anyone that rationally views the situation.
On the iTunes forums at Apple.com, and to a lesser extent here, I have seen several posts from people that have declared that iTunes 8 sucks and they wish to go back to iTunes 7. Aside from those that have had serious issues that prevents them from running iTunes (e.g., strange coded errors, lost libraries, etc.) most are making complaints based on their own impatience; that is, in they do not bother to take the time to learn how to make iTunes 8 work as they please. You cannot upgrade to a new version of software and expect to instantly master the new features. Some are actually suffering from the fact that their libraries are in disarray, as many new features in iTunes 8 rely on entries being properly tagged in order to work properly.
That stated, some people seem to be so focused on problems that they are having that they do seem to forget that oftentimes Apple does do things right.
AirTunes and the Remote application. I really could not care less about the iPhone, as it is a cell phone at it heart and I find the omnipresence of cell phone (ab)usage to be the most etiquette-killing practice in modern society. AirTunes on the other hand is cool. The ability to have one?s music on their computer, wherever it may be in the house, and have it played on a stereo system by using a nearby AirPort Express without needing a secondary computer in the loop is just one of the neatest ideas brought to fruition.
Genius playlists. I have no need for this feature, so I abstain from comment here.
Apple TV movie rentals. I do not use this service so I again withhold comment.
The iPod Classic I have a 5th generation iPod and while I do not have video content, I am in full agreement with Chris here. I have an iPod Shuffle for when I am exercising, but when I am on the go, nothing better having my entire collection on hand. No other iPod can accommodate me in the way a hard disk-based iPod can.
AAC. Well as an audiophile I have no issue with AAC files. Granted, I have not yet set up my audio system since moving two years ago?lack of adequate furnishing?but my Altec Lansing FX6021 speakers are nothing to sneeze at and my 160 Kbps AAC music files sound just fine. Some MP3 (typ. 192 Kbps) from others I have heard? not so much.
iTunes Sharing. When I worked for my alma mater, the other grads working in labs in the same building loved having access to my large music library. I typically left my computer running over night and a few undergrads using the lounge in an adjacent building would access my library while studying late at night; apparently they were also having Mariah Carey sing-alongs. It just so happens that one of undergrads on my research team studies with this one group of young women and introduced me to them one day when I walked through the lounge. By their reaction you would have thought Michael Jackson (ca. 1980s before we knew he was crazy) had arrived. They started screaming like they lost their minds and one even called another:
Quote
Oh my god! Oh my god! He?s here. I met Mike D. screams hysterically
Who knew that iTunes sharing could make someone a minor celebrity. :)
#17
NOW4REAL954
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Posted 30 September 2008 - 05:56 PM
chris...i think im confused about what you want to do with airtunes and your iphone/touch...do you want to stream your itunes from those devices into your airtunes in the house just like you can from you macs? or what...cuz im lost as to what it is you want to do with that...cuz we really want you to be happy...lol...just kidding...but its interesting to find out what the experts like you...find you want to work differently...and i prob dont have the answer you need...someone else prob will...and i dont understand what you want to do
you say Simplify Media isnt what you want to do...even tho you can stream your content to anyone you invite anywhere in the world including your self...as i have a number of macs in my house and for some lazy reason i have not combined them yet to have one library connected to my airport extreme...not that i havent wanted to do it ...it just seems like so much work to do...lol...anyway please enlighten us as to what it is you want to do with airtunes (which i love...adore and Airfoil)
help us help you
you say Simplify Media isnt what you want to do...even tho you can stream your content to anyone you invite anywhere in the world including your self...as i have a number of macs in my house and for some lazy reason i have not combined them yet to have one library connected to my airport extreme...not that i havent wanted to do it ...it just seems like so much work to do...lol...anyway please enlighten us as to what it is you want to do with airtunes (which i love...adore and Airfoil)
help us help you
#18
Chris Breen
- Advanced Member
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- Group: Moderators
- Posts: 3,909
- Joined: 11-December 00
Posted 30 September 2008 - 06:25 PM
NOW4REAL954 said:
>.do you want to stream your itunes from those devices into your airtunes in the house just like you can from you macs?
Right, that's it. I'd like to take my iPod touch, pull up an iTunes-like application that shows the contents of my iTunes library downstairs, and select tunes -- very much like I can with the Remote app -- and play them. BUT, I don't want to stream them over the Internet because my Internet connection gets wonky sometimes (I stream Rhapsody and lose it too). So, direct music streaming via my LAN without intervening Internet.
