Schechter on 14/6/2010 at 15:22
Actually, Flash causes my wife's PC to crash a few times per week. Mind you, the kids play copious amounts of PBS Kids on there, so it's running some variety of Flash for at least an hour or two per day, sometimes more. It doesn't crash my Macbook. In fact, the Macbook has crashed once since I got it seven months ago, and... I think it is was because I was doing something strange in Live. Video in Flash isn't entirely smooth on it, and I do find it annoying that a system capable of playing HD video butter smooth can stutter every 40-60 seconds on YouTube videos. And of course, owning an Apple means its *always* the other developers' fault.
demagogue on 14/6/2010 at 20:29
I remember studying the Microsoft case in Antitrust, and (obvious I know) this is more than a little familiar.
The arguments in MS were sort of funny. Microsoft had to argue it was bundling IE and booting Java middleware from it not because it had a real possibility to keep other OS's from threatening its market position (that would be anti-competitive) but out of pure speculative paranoia that apps start getting made on Java and aren't tied to any OS anymore, then Windows loses its grip and other OS's can come in -- which is apparently okay. It was just funny; they had to argue a justification for bundling and disallowing Java that had the intention to protect their market position but it be impossible to accomplish that at the same time, it's just preemptive paranoia that won't have a real effect on the market. But if it's really impossible for it to have any effect on the market, than why do it? The argument was sort of self-undermining in a funny way. (Since the case was settled, and the remedies just oversight-stuff or preventative, there wasn't really much of a final answer on what MS actually did .. The EU case had some teeth to it, though.)
Ah, now it's Apple's turn. I agree it's important to distinguish what's actually anti-competitive and what just pisses off dev's who want to use whatever API they want and think any restriction is arbitrary or prejudiced. But the argument has to be it's actually designed to choke them out of their market with Apple's market power squeezing them, which is a different bag. Anyway, sure to be an entertaining case however it turns out.
Koki on 15/6/2010 at 05:17
I put on my pipe and detective hat
Quote Posted by Schechter
Actually, Flash causes my wife's PC to crash a few times per week. Mind you, the kids play copious amounts of PBS Kids on there, so it's running some variety of Flash for at least an hour or two per day, sometimes more. It doesn't crash my Macbook.
Do... your kids play with your Macbook?
The Alchemist on 15/6/2010 at 05:36
Dude i have an awesome idea, lets add a link t o my ipad screenshot gallery in the anti-apple thread! Because i couldn't give less of a fuck why certain people want to deny themselves a great product on the basis of a definition that doesn't apply to it. For whatever this thing is, i love it, and love to share. The rest is utterly moot to me because jaded opinions aren't going to change the devices popularity or my enjoyment of it.
(
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2329459&id=18705319&ref=mf)
Spam, flame, destroy, enjoy, it's all the same to me. :)
Renzatic on 15/6/2010 at 06:05
Hey, I love Apple products....well, I love their laptops anyway. I just like making fun of the Apple crowd because they usually treat their computers as examples of the second coming. Especially the iPad, which, unfortunately, isn't really all that impressive a thing. For years alot of were led to believe that Apple would release some paradigm shifting slate PC that would forever change the way we think about computers and other hyperbole. But after the big hammer was thrown at the screen, and we all shouted FREEDOM FROM TYRANNY I AM AN INDIVIDUAL, what we got when all the little shards of mind controlling TV fell was basically a glorified e-book.
Sure, it's great for checking your email, Twittering up your latest bullshit, or catching up on the news, but I can do that exact same thing on a much less expensive piece of hardware. In the end, all I'd be losing out on by going with a competing product would be the usual Apple quality and style. But in this case, the usual Apple quality and style isn't much better than the up and coming competition.
As an oft toted Media Consumption Device, it does its job well enough. But as a computer type thing you can do computer stuff with, something I'd expect considering the size...uh uh. But whatever. I'm glad you're happy with it, but I ain't getting one.
Matthew on 15/6/2010 at 07:16
Quote Posted by Renzatic
As an oft toted Media Consumption Device, it does its job well enough.
Pretty much the reason why I'm considering one, to be honest. My very first MacBook just arrived yesterday though :D
Chimpy Chompy on 15/6/2010 at 08:40
It's a device for browsing the web or playing casual games whilst slumped on the sofa in front of a TV show you're half-watching. Which would be great, but not at like £500.
I already have devices for the "portable proper computer" requirement (laptop) and the "media\apps in your pocket" requirement (ipod touch). Both of these can be used for sofa-slumping and while they might not be quite as good for that specific niche, their own niches are more important so get first call on my wallet.
Matthew on 15/6/2010 at 08:55
Oh, agreed. Having said that I fully expect the price of the second revision to drop sharply, as the iPhone's price did; that's when I'll look into buying (mostly as a video viewer / ebook device to be honest - due to godawful DRM restrictions I have ebooks spread over about 3 different viewers, so I would need a device that can show them all).
Koki on 15/6/2010 at 09:40
Quote Posted by The Alchemist
Dude i have an awesome idea, lets add a link t o my ipad screenshot gallery in the anti-apple thread! Because i couldn't give less of a fuck why certain people want to deny themselves a great product on the basis of a definition that doesn't apply to it. For whatever this thing is, i love it, and love to share. The rest is utterly moot to me because jaded opinions aren't going to change the devices popularity or my enjoyment of it.
(
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2329459&id=18705319&ref=mf)
Spam, flame, destroy, enjoy, it's all the same to me. :)
I've never seen someone so happy about proving how much of a sad junkie he is, and I deal crystal meth
ilweran on 15/6/2010 at 09:48
I just don't see the iPad as an ebook reader. I've read books on my my iPod Touch. Great in the dark and in winter, no good as soon as the sun comes out. Plus the battery life is nowhere near good enough.
The best use I've seen online for iPads is as a very expensive cat toy, but I think my cats can continue to make do with scrunched up bits of paper and catnip mice.
