Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

[AvalancheDiode]

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=536

I’m reading lots of complaints about the new iTunes 8 update causing horrific problems on Windows machines, including widespread reports of STOP errors, aka the Blue Screen of Death. My colleague Adrian Kingsley-Hughes has asked readers for reports and Gizmodo has a sketchy post as well. How can this be happening? Assuming that the underlying hardware is working correctly, STOP errors can only be caused by kernel-level drivers or system services. A poorly written program can crash itself but not the entire system. So how can a supposedly simple software update cause a fatal crash?

Maybe because this isn’t a simple software update. Once again, Apple is using its automatic update process to deliver massive amounts of new software to users, including a device driver that has a long and checkered history of causing the Blue Screen Of Death to appear. And it’s delivering this massive payload without even a pretense of proper disclosure and without asking consent from its users.

I was able to reproduce a crash using an iPod and iTunes 8 and fixed it by removing the suspicious driver. I’ve dissected the process and put together a gallery that shows how extensive the infiltration is and where you can find the likely culprit.

I was thinking getting a basic iBook to replace my work laptop. Not anymore!

:rantoff:

More in the end of the article:

An even bigger problem is Apple’s attitude toward its Windows customers. These additional software packages and drivers are being installed with no disclosure and no consent. A pile of software, including the troubled MobileMe service, is also being installed and enabled at startup on Windows machines, even where the user has no MobileMe account and, for that matter, no mobile device.

Apple’s Get a Mac ads love to tweak Microsoft for its frequent crashes. Someone from Apple needs to look in the mirror and realize that they’re the problem in this case.

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

I love my mac, everything on a mac for a mac is excellent!

Anything mac related on a PC - Never ever use, i always use the alternatives.

Dont let this stop you getting a mac because u wont be disappointed (after the few months it takes to get used to it) BUT they still stall & crash, just the same as windows computers often stall and crash. All this macs dont crash is complete nonsense, if you dont know what your doing on a pc no matter who its made by your gunna do something wrong and crash or stall it at some point.

[Vash2051]

Re: Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

People just need to be smart and their Windows machine won't crash. I'm in 64 bit vista and I still only get maybe one or two total lockups a month. I OC, I push games, I push the OS. What's everyone's problem? Quality hardware combined with smart use leads to very little problems.

[megawhompertoo]

Re: Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

i'm not a mac fan at all, but you have to give it to them: they build the only laptop in the world (that i know of) that you can boot into unix, mac, and windows, and it's rock-solid stable in all of them.

invaluable for some IT folks.

back on topic--that doesn't surprise me. they want to be microsoft, only more constricting. i read a cartoon once with bill gates on the panel saying, "We want fair competition, I give you my Word."....

.....

...."Bundled with my Browser."

[=98=]

Re: Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

Macs just look sexy. That is all.

[AvalancheDiode]

Re: Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

i'm not a mac fan at all, but you have to give it to them: they build the only laptop in the world (that i know of) that you can boot into unix, mac, and windows, and it's rock-solid stable in all of them.

invaluable for some IT folks.

back on topic--that doesn't surprise me. they want to be microsoft, only more constricting. i read a cartoon once with bill gates on the panel saying, "We want fair competition, I give you my Word."....

.....

...."Bundled with my Browser."

You do know that their EULA restricting users that they can only install OSX "upgrade" on an "Apple labeled" machine, right? There is no reason other than that Apple Inc's hardware key that OSX can't be installed on any other laptops of same hardware spec. They created this mess, and they are making huge profit out of it. Just look at the stock price ($152.65), and they are higher than Intel ($20.19), Microsoft ($27.34) and DELL ($19.18) COMBINED, even after times 2.

Bundled with browser is only a problem in European Union, and not here in the US. That is hardly justifiable to fine Microsoft based on that, since most linux now come with FireFox, and OSX with Safari. I don't see IE on those platforms. Even though Windows do come with IE, many people still use FireFox and now Chrome, and are ditching IE fast. Among all dirty business dealings of Microsoft that I've known, writing codes to crash opponent's software is (still) not one of them.

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

Macs just look sexy. That is all.

100% Matter of opinion. I have been using Mac OSX for just under a year and i have been building and using windows PCs since god knows when and i already prefer Mac. The build quality of macs is far superior to any of the prebuilt competition and if looking at them for yourself in the shop isnt enough, you can look at customer satisfaction serveys if you dont believe me.

My joy from OSX might have something to my application of the op sys as i do a lot of media and live rendering however even as a day to day workhorse i find it easier and more pleasurable to use.

A lot of the time when i see people bashing macs is cuz they dont own one, never have and tried using their mates once or twice which made them feel completely bong eyed and left handed (just as a genral metaphor here no insult intended) i wil put money on if they had one and used it properly for a month or two they would love it!

[TheHeartSmasher]

Re: Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

Macs are ok but if they are going to develop software for other operating systems they need to make sure it is fully compatible. As quicktime does not operate as it should on Windows Vista 64bit and shows a black bar where the playback menu should be with the solution being users have to change their theme or run quicktime in Windows XP compatibility mode.

Plus when it comes down to comparing Workstation class quality the macs always fall behind as you can always get more for the PC (Windows system) price you would pay for a Workstation class mac.

[AvalancheDiode]

Re: Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

100% Matter of opinion. I have been using Mac OSX for just under a year and i have been building and using windows PCs since god knows when and i already prefer Mac. The build quality of macs is far superior to any of the prebuilt competition and if looking at them for yourself in the shop isnt enough, you can look at customer satisfaction serveys if you dont believe me.

MacBooks are not the best quality laptops I've seen. I remember that I've seen some military grade rugged PC, and those are really top notch quality. None of these run OSX. As for commercial and consumer laptops, IBM used to make top quality ThinkPad, and Lenovo isn't doing that bad since they took over. I have a ThinkPad X31 that I bought in 2004 and still in using. My father used to have a Compaq Presario that run Windows ME (yes, the infamous Mistake Edition, infinitely worse than Vista on the second day after its launch) for 4 years without any hardware malfunction and not even BSOD once. He got it replace not because of hardware or software failure, but because it is obsolete. Yes, this kind of wonder machines do exist. I'm looking forward to replace my trusty X31 next year. Originally I think MacBook could be a good option. I am an old school DOS user and linuxer so I don't give a damn about GUI. My job is mostly about DAQ and numeric computation anyway. What enticed me is built-in POSIX support that 99% of mac users don't even know it exists. Nevermind, I'll just get an Acer lametop and install Fedora for $499.99.

Besides, MacBooks are now made by the same companies that also do OEM for HP and Dell. All the boards they use are designed by Intel, produced by Quanta, Compal or Foxconn, and the same board may just be used in HP and Dell laptops as well. The only thing that Apple did better is design, but otherwise, there isn't much difference.

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

MacBooks are not the best quality laptops I've seen. I remember that I've seen some military grade rugged PC, and those are really top notch quality. None of these run OSX. As for commercial and consumer laptops, IBM used to make top quality ThinkPad, and Lenovo isn't doing that bad since they took over. I have a ThinkPad X31 that I bought in 2004 and still in using. My father used to have a Compaq Presario that run Windows ME (yes, the infamous Mistake Edition, infinitely worse than Vista on the second day after its launch) for 4 years without any hardware malfunction and not even BSOD once. He got it replace not because of hardware or software failure, but because it is obsolete. Yes, this kind of wonder machines do exist. I'm looking forward to replace my trusty X31 next year. Originally I think MacBook could be a good option. I am an old school DOS user and linuxer so I don't give a damn about GUI. My job is mostly about DAQ and numeric computation anyway. What enticed me is built-in POSIX support that 99% of mac users don't even know it exists. Nevermind, I'll just get an Acer lametop and install Fedora for $499.99.

Besides, MacBooks are now made by the same companies that also do OEM for HP and Dell. All the boards they use are designed by Intel, produced by Quanta, Compal or Foxconn, and the same board may just be used in HP and Dell laptops as well. The only thing that Apple did better is design, but otherwise, there isn't much difference.

Ok maybe a military grade laptop will edge it out but that hardly counts as there isnt a shop selling them on the high street and even if there was they would probs cost more than macs anyway.

The reason 99% of most people dont know about it is because they dont really need to.

As for your dads thinkpad... great im glad fo him, hes been damned lucky but compare it to a 4 year old mac... i know loads of mac type people still using their G4s and G5s and they feel no need to upgrade at all, especially those using the powerbook versions. Then you look at the resale values, an old laptop will recieve very little wheras macs tend to hold a bit of value.

Just because they are made by the same people doesn't mean they are made to the exact same standards, just because they use the same boards as other companies doesnt mean they will work the same... etc etc etc. They are made for mac by these companies depending on macs designs... no?

I didn't say all other laptops are complete crap + i didnt say they are good value for money, i said macs are superior build quality and there are consumer serveys with worldwide result which tend to suggest the truth of this, im not quite sure why you are being quite so defensive against them.

Thing is you have made it very clear to everyone that you know lots about computers however a lot of laptop buys don t have this knowledge which is where OSX is much better. The interface is far friendlier to computer noobs.

[Iwantcable]

Re: Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

I'm kind of neutral when it comes to Mac vs. PC for work/school, but obviously a custom built PC is the way to go for gaming.

[AvalancheDiode]

Re: Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

Thing is you have made it very clear to everyone that you know lots about computers however a lot of laptop buys don t have this knowledge which is where OSX is much better. The interface is far friendlier to computer noobs.

My dad did have a ThinkPad, and that was a 486SX ThinkPad 720. That one was really nice. The X31 is mine. I paid it with my hard-earned money.

My brother bought an iBook a few years ago and only ceased to use it about a year later. I told him that one was crap and he conceded. So what's his next laptop? IBM ThinkPad X28. Look, I personally know people in the industry, and I guarantee you that the quality control standard doesn't matter as long as they are the same bunch of people. As for resale value, I call that a myth. For example, I pay $2200 for an iMac and 4 years later I sell it for $500, while the same stuff from HP worth only $100. However, the HP crap costs only $800. So how much I lose during the period? -$1700 compare to -$700. On percentage, iMac looks better, but the real fact is that I pay more and I lose more.

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

you quoted a comments then discussed a completely different part of my post...

Why exactly did your brother not like it? the OS or the actual device? or both?

Missed the point about the fact that people using a 4 year old mac probs wouldnt need to upgrade but ok...

You can say what you want about people you know, im goin of what i have seen (il say it again) from customer satisfaction and the many many people i kno who use macs (il say again, maybe its to do with the purpose its being used for ie media + live performance)
Dont forget about the is the rising price of apple stocks along with the increase of people actully buying macs... its not all down to their advertising im sure.

As for the cost... maybe your right i have only recently really got into the this mac stuff after bashing them myself for years but yout lucky to get 100 of any western currency for a 4 year old laptop, i know i wouldnt knowing i could get a recent refurb which would be near enough new for another 100 - 150.

Im not even massively pro mac i just hate seeing aimless mac bashing and people seeming to think they are nothing but fashion accessories when either they havent tried one properly or they love microsoft soo much!

[AvalancheDiode]

Re: Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

Im not even massively pro mac i just hate seeing aimless mac bashing and people seeming to think they are nothing but fashion accessories when either they havent tried one properly or they love microsoft soo much!

I am anti-Apple_Corporation, not anti-Mac. Mac, to me, is just another personal computer sold by Apple. To be honest, I do think Mac is all about fashion. Given most of the day-to-day job being down on not-Mac computers, the choice is rather based more on feeling than function.

My brother's iBook was a G4 or something like that. The quality of Mac from that era is horrendous, and they were losing market fast. It couldn't take his beating, though his IBM survived until obsolescence. Apple was only on the slaught in PC market for a couple of years since the change, and I predict it can only last as long as Steve Jobs lives.

Nowadays Apple's strategy, or can we say Steve Jobs strategy, is mostly about Windows bashing and hype generation. Part of the "feeling" that Apple Inc tries to instill is to make the user feel superior with Apple product. They didn't bring anything to advance personal computing since 1984. Instead of offering different platform as they did with 680x0 and PowerPC, they now sell Intel-based machine that made by the same OEM partners of HP, DELL, Lenovo, Acer and probably eMachine. Instead of design their own OS structure, they went to open source community, grabbed what they can hold, contributed nothing in return, and make the worst *nix ever implemented since year 2000. Actually, it is the only *nix that crashes on regular bases. The original Mac vs PC commercial was funny. However, the more they did it, the more disgust I feel against them. Their whole campaign is becoming dissemination of lie plus prejudice and their user group growingly become cult-like. Die Apple Inc must, said I. This odd ball of personal computing has been around for too long.

[jesus]

Re: Is this how Applie Inc conduct competition?

you quoted a comments then discussed a completely different part of my post...

Why exactly did your brother not like it? the OS or the actual device? or both?

Missed the point about the fact that people using a 4 year old mac probs wouldnt need to upgrade but ok...

You can say what you want about people you know, im goin of what i have seen (il say it again) from customer satisfaction and the many many people i kno who use macs (il say again, maybe its to do with the purpose its being used for ie media + live performance)
Dont forget about the is the rising price of apple stocks along with the increase of people actully buying macs... its not all down to their advertising im sure.

As for the cost... maybe your right i have only recently really got into the this mac stuff after bashing them myself for years but yout lucky to get 100 of any western currency for a 4 year old laptop, i know i wouldnt knowing i could get a recent refurb which would be near enough new for another 100 - 150.

Im not even massively pro mac i just hate seeing aimless mac bashing and people seeming to think they are nothing but fashion accessories when either they havent tried one properly or they love microsoft soo much!

Apple's stock doesn't necessarily have to do with their computers. You seem to forget that Apple dominate the portable music/video device market. If it wasn't for their ipods, they wouldn't be as successful as they are now.