I love Apple but need to vent

Benedict

I now can't leave my house until after 5 pm for the next 3 business days, until the courier has turned up. 

Just trying to lighten you up   I am glad they are following up properly as I have heard some horror stories

Windows Vista has me cranky and considering my next desktop OS but I have to say that I don't like the whole proprietary software of the iPods - I feel the same about some of the Sony lines and avoid them.   They have done the same thing with the iPhone and sorry DON'T BOX ME IN. 

Apple makes great pieces of electronics, super cool and the OS apparently is fantastic on the computers but if MS did the same things with exclusivity people would be jumping up and down and claiming monopoly.

My vent over

I hope that your next iPod lasts longer or they fix this one quickly! I don't like to think you are in a bad mood

kpwlee

Windows Vista has me cranky and considering my next desktop OS but I have to say that I don't like the whole proprietary software of the iPods - I feel the same about some of the Sony lines and avoid them.

Actually it's worse with most other brands of mp3 player.  At least iPods can be used with Windows, a LOT of other brands can't be used with the Mac OS at all.  DH's Sandisk player (which is cool for a number of reasons) won't function with my computer at all - and that's not Apple's choice, but various mp3 player manufacturers.  Don't get me started on Vista, there are some very big reasons why I have a HUGE philosophical issue with Microsoft and switched to Macs at the time Vista came out - that was not a coincidence.  

kpwlee

I hope that your next iPod lasts longer or they fix this one quickly! I don't like to think you are in a bad mood

LOL thanks.  I'm sure I will manage to rise above.  

Benedict

Actually it's worse with most other brands of mp3 player.  At least iPods can be used with Windows, a LOT of other brands can't be used with the Mac OS at all.  DH's Sandisk player (which is cool for a number of reasons) won't function with my computer at all - and that's not Apple's choice, but various mp3 player manufacturers.  Don't get me started on Vista, there are some very big reasons why I have a HUGE philosophical issue with Microsoft and switched to Macs at the time Vista came out - that was not a coincidence.  

This is an Apple issue, not a Windows issue.  Windows Digital Rights Management (DRM) is "open", many different companies, mp3 players, products, etc are compatible, NOT just Microsoft products.  Apple uses their own "closed" DRM and have not opened their code to anyone but themselves.  It's not Window's fault that the Apple stuff doesn't work, Apple has never released it to any other developers.  It is Apple's choice because they coded their own DRM and stick to that exclusively, they don't install other products on their OS and don't allow their DRM to work on any products but their own.  There are plenty of software companies and music providers that are itching to have a cross-platform solution but Apple is the one holding them back, not the other way around.  I'm a Mac user as well, so I'm not defending Windows, just wanted to clarify.  We actually use and support a Windows DRM product so I have to be up to date on these things.  We searched for probably a year for a cross-platform solution for our students and found nothing, it all hinges on Apple's DRM.  iPods and iTunes appear to be bringing in enough revenue on their own that Apple doesn't need to use the universal DRM or open it up to developers.

As for the iPod repair, that sucks you have to wait that long.  We are lucky that we have an Apple store a few blocks away so when someone's iPod dies they just give you a new one, fix the old one and sell it as a refurb.  Turnaround time is the main reason I use HP products for home use.  When I needed something replaced on my laptop, it took less than 48 hours for it to be shipped away, repaired, and returned to me.  That was with the "free" manufacturer's warranty, I didn't have to purchase additional care warranty for that service.

As for Vista, I am a laptop technician so I know a thing or two about computers, I've been using Vista for over a year with no big problems.  The main issues stem from people upgrading their machines to Vista.  Microsoft is not responsible for creating drivers for third party hardware, so yes there are plenty of people bitching about their x-hardware no longer working with Vista, but that's not an issue with Vista.  The beta version was out forever and even before that everyone knew it was coming so hardware companies that never coded working drivers for Vista just shoot themselves in the foot.
 

 Blah, I can only imagine how that felt.  I spent months researching Mp3 players, finally settling on a Creative Zen V plus only to have it die within two days worth of usage.  I hadn't downloaded much yet thankfully, but I was miffed and didn't want to take the free replacement and instead got my money back.  Needless to say I am right back where I started with no Mp3 player...

 I swear picking out a music listening device shouldn't be this hard.  One of the reasons I avoid the Ipod, besides the fact I'm not into Apple, was because a saw a lot of issues on them with corruption errors and then the Apple company apparently trying to get out of fixing some of the people's ones by claiming it must be because the user in question was downloading illegal stuff.  I also can't see spending that much money on a music player that doesn't even have a simple radio tuner in it. XP
 

Liesje

This is an Apple issue, not a Windows issue.  Windows Digital Rights Management (DRM) is "open", many different companies, mp3 players, products, etc are compatible, NOT just Microsoft products.  Apple uses their own "closed" DRM and have not opened their code to anyone but themselves.  It's not Window's fault that the Apple stuff doesn't work, Apple has never released it to any other developers.  It is Apple's choice because they coded their own DRM and stick to that exclusively, they don't install other products on their OS and don't allow their DRM to work on any products but their own.  There are plenty of software companies and music providers that are itching to have a cross-platform solution but Apple is the one holding them back, not the other way around.  I'm a Mac user as well, so I'm not defending Windows, just wanted to clarify.  We actually use and support a Windows DRM product so I have to be up to date on these things.  We searched for probably a year for a cross-platform solution for our students and found nothing, it all hinges on Apple's DRM.  iPods and iTunes appear to be bringing in enough revenue on their own that Apple doesn't need to use the universal DRM or open it up to developers.

Maybe it's different here - that's very possible.  But I have a friend who works for Creative (makers of the Zen) and at least here it is their choice that the products don't work with Apple.  Maybe to stay in tune with the American market, who knows.  

Liesje

As for Vista, I am a laptop technician so I know a thing or two about computers, I've been using Vista for over a year with no big problems.  The main issues stem from people upgrading their machines to Vista.  Microsoft is not responsible for creating drivers for third party hardware, so yes there are plenty of people bitching about their x-hardware no longer working with Vista, but that's not an issue with Vista.  The beta version was out forever and even before that everyone knew it was coming so hardware companies that never coded working drivers for Vista just shoot themselves in the foot.
 

It has nothing to do with Vista itself, as a product.  It's a philosophical issue I personally have with how Microsoft handled the introduction of Vista - again, maybe a thing exclusive to here, or at least that did not occur in the US.  

The best thing I can say about the iPods is make sure you buy the extended warranty. My dh and 3 kids all have them and I have been to the apple store I don't know how many times returning them. I make my appointment at the Genius bar ahead of time on the computer and still have at least an hour wait when I get there at my appointed time. The place is so backed up with people with broken computers and ipods it is unbelievable.

The good thing is they always replace the ipods, but it so inconvenient to always be bringing them in and waiting around for them to finally call my name. I have seen so many arguments there with people complaining about their laptops that I myself decided not to purchase one from there.

Benedict

Maybe it's different here - that's very possible.  But I have a friend who works for Creative (makers of the Zen) and at least here it is their choice that the products don't work with Apple.  Maybe to stay in tune with the American market, who knows.  

It's a choice between which DRM to use.  Zen doesn't use their own, it uses Windows, so those songs will work on a Sansa, Zune, etc. but not on an iPod b/d iPod/iTunes only understands Apple's DRM.  The Windows DRM based mp3 devices often come with their own players/software, but in the back end ALL those players are customized Windows Media Players using the Windows DRM (for example, we market Ruckus which has it's own "Ruckus Player" and licensing, but it's essentially Windows Media Player and the DRM is Windows, not unique to Ruckus.  They don't want to use the more universal DRM and don't want anyone else using theirs (not that I blame them).  I don't think Creative could make their products work with Apple's DRM even if they wanted to, at the very least they'd have to use the iTunes platform because Apple has not opened their code to any other companies or developers but themselves, and at that point they'd basically be making iPods.

Luckily, there's plenty of freeware that converts formats and strips DRM so no one is really stuck using one device and not being able to load songs with the other DRM.  I've got iTunes store songs on my Sansas and Ruckus (Windows DRM) songs in my iTunes.

ETA:  I should say, Sony has their own DRM as well.  So all the players either use Apple (FairPlay), Windows, or Sony (OpenMG).  Apple and Sony use their own DRM, everyone else is using Windows or no DRM at all.

 thanks Lies for the tech side - I have a laptop that came with Vista Home pre-installed and I don't like the interface as much as XP (and don't know it as well so get frustrated when doing things I can do in a millisecond on XP) additionally I have had it crash, forget that it has a soundcard on a windows update, and get regular explorer not functioning must shut down or restart.  It does run Office 2007 much more smoothly than XP though   I have no issue with drivers et al.

Oh and it a power hog - I've got a dual core and 3GB and it still is lethargic.

Kate I didn't realize about the Zen and Mac OS, my issue is with being stuck to iTunes.  And with the iPhone there is one company that offers it with really just one plan. That to me is monopoly - they charge what they like and if you want it you will pay it.

My experience with Sony was with a PDA I had, a digital projector, and a video cam - all of which you had to use Sony software.

I'm just into choice 

Karen, I've been using Vista Business and also uninstalled all the CRAP that came pre-installed on my laptop, plus some tweaking of what I allow to run when to maximize power, speed, and efficiency.  The problem with many laptops is typically not that the OS is slow or unstable but that the computer companies sell them pre-loaded with tons of crap that slows everything down.  Like I said, I installed Vista Business from MSDN so it did not come with all that HP, Dell, or Toshiba crap and I haven't had any problems with this laptop that are caused by the operating system.  Again, I'm not here to defend Windows or Microsoft (my iMac is my main computer, hehe), but I just want people to understand what actually happens, who to blame for what.  Also, I've seen too many PC vendors selling computers with too little gas behind the OS.  IMO, a Vista computer should have 2GB RAM minimum, regardless of whether Aero is running, but I see plenty for sale with only 1GB.  And again, all the pre-installed crap that runs on startup really gets in the way of using the computer efficiently.  That is a problem you will never have with Apple.  I mean, they load iLife (which is  cool) and a few other programs I don't like that I remove, but since they all come FROM Apple, it's not like with a PC where Dell is adding their crap, Toshiba is adding their crap, etc, etc.

Liesje

also uninstalled all the CRAP that came pre-installed on my laptop, plus some tweaking of what I allow to run when to maximize power, speed, and efficiency. 

and yea this is better with 3GB but it wasn't the improvement I expected, and I don't run Aero. It does boot up quick from sleep mode and that is great. My laptop isn't for heavy use so it's not a big deal but there are enough things about Vista I find a PIA so when I have to replace my desktop I will consider all options.

My laptop is my favorite computer b/c of portability and how customized I have it, but I am quite pleased with this desktop.  I have the 20" and it seems HUGE especially considering the resolution!  I can't imagine the 24".  I love the new keyboard.  I hated the other iMac keyboard.

Windows Vista

talk about being boxed in by a proprietary nightmare!

i jumped the MS ship about a year ago and have not looked back. i wont deal with DRM whether it be MS or apple.

at work we have to use MS for the CAD software we use, but luckily we can still get computers pre-installed with XP (albeit for an extra cost... thanks bill).