p.1 #1 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
In my opinion Apple is producing more and more glossy screen macs for the casual user than they used before. Some years ago macs were built for the demands of professionals (no stupid glossy glass screens, no glass trackpads, durability, etc..). Professional users are no longer welcome. Now in Lion - the next OSX coming march - , with the app store for OSX apps, there will be in the near future the app store the only way to install software. It is only a matter of time. Desktop OSX looks more and more like the iPAd OS (which is in my opinion a piece of crap).
With Apples rigid censorship we won`t be able to install whatever we want. Apple wants to take control over everything. Therefore I am leaving the mac OS after nearly 14 years and doing all my wedding photography in Windows 7, wich is a fantastic and very fast OS. Stable and more open then the Mac walled garden.
Do some of you guys think the same way? Is it only me?
p.1 #2 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
Well ... I've been using Macs for a very long time ... glossy screens are nothing new ... once upon a time they were all "glossy" we called them CRT's ... we lived with that just fine ...
I don't think the current App Store "censorship" is as much about controlling content as it is about controlling resources and how they are used in mobile devices ... who wants an app that will drain a battery in a device that was designed for 10 hrs of service ... if it ends up depleting the battery in an hour or so because it wasn't using resources appropriately as they were designed for the device?
In fact, many of the apps that are initially turned down, it was because of coding/programing issues ... not content issues ... and often later received approval once corrected ... by doing so, Apple actually saved the developers and themselves from undue headaches with unhappy users disappointed with the outcome of poorly coded apps ...
With desktop apps ... this isn't as much of a concern ... as the resources are much more vast ... I seriously doubt that we will see the same restrictions as have been placed on iOS apps for mobile devices ...
I haven't seen enough of Lion to know whether or not it is a step up or a step down ... what was highlighted recently by Apple are mere interface and navigation improvements and enhancements ... not any major changes in function and operability as far as I could see ... I think we would have to see the final product to know for sure what it brings to the table ...
There is nothing wrong with making a move to another platform or OS ... but I really do think that we won't see a App Store only method of purchasing and installing software ... nor do I see Apple as turning their backs on professional users ... why else would they develop and continue to improve Aperture, Final Cut Pro, etc ? ... and I seriously doubt hobbyists are the only ones scarfing up the top end Mac Pros ...
What I really would like to see Apple pursue is a middle ground computer somewhere between a Mac Pro and an iMac or Mac Mini ... they have the top end and entry level covered ... but there is a big gap in the middle ...
p.1 #3 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
EOSDNG wrote:
In my opinion Apple is producing more and more glossy screen macs for the casual user than they used before. Some years ago macs were built for the demands of professionals (no stupid glossy glass screens, no glass trackpads, durability, etc..). Professional users are no longer welcome. Now in Lion - the next OSX coming march - , with the app store for OSX apps, there will be in the near future the app store the only way to install software. It is only a matter of time. Desktop OSX looks more and more like the iPAd OS (which is in my opinion a peace of crap).
With Apples rigid censorship we won`t be able to install whatever we want. Apple wants to take control over everything. Therefore I am leaving the mac OS after nearly 14 years and doing all my wedding photography in Windows 7, wich is a fantastic and very fast OS. Stable and more open then the Mac walled garden.
Do some of you guys think the same way? Is it only me?...Show more →
As I've watched the success of the iPod/iPhone/iPad I have always been very concerned about this. The "app store" concept is a very dangerous one, it honestly scares me. I don't mean that on a personal level, I mean for the future of technology and how it impacts our society.
However, I fully realize that most people don't share my view, and might think I'm being too fanatical on this. Still, I honestly believe it, and I keep telling people and getting laughed at . What really scares me is when people don't laugh at it but rather respond with the attitude that it's fine because the app store gives you everything you could possibly want anyway. Remember this is all about money after all .
but I really do think that we won't see a App Store only method of purchasing and installing software
Maybe not yet, but I think we can agree that if they knew they could get away with it, as in not piss off too many people, they would. I think that any company would love to have that level of control over their products.
p.1 #4 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
there will be in the near future the app store the only way to install software
That is an unlikely FUD scenario for several reasons, but hey many people are makign decisions based on irrational fears these days so why not extend that kind of thinking to your choice of tools as well.
Along those lines I hear that Canon, Nikon, Hasselblad, Mamiya/PhaseOne, and Sony are moving to a proprietary size for tripod mounts so you can only buy tripod heads and quick release systems that they approve.
p.1 #5 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
hyst wrote:
Maybe not yet, but I think we can agree that if they knew they could get away with it, as in not piss off too many people, they would. I think that any company would love to have that level of control over their products.
I know it upsets a lot of people that Apple restricts the software used with their devices ... as in only using the App Store for their mobile devices or only licensing OS X for use with Apple hardware ... while I might not be a big fan of those methods in general principle ... in the end I think I get better performance and reliability from a system using a matched set of hardware and software ....
Would Steve Jobs prefer to control the Desktop App Store? Possibly ... if that were the case ... why is iTunes still a relatively open system? Sure you can only buy content from the iTunes Store using that app ... but there is nothing preventing the importation of content acquired via other means ...
I do have concerns ... but I am not living "fear" of what may or may not occur ... for if the sky truly does fall ... I like the OP could just move on to other options ... While I currently prefer Apple ... there is nothing to stop me from going elsewhere for my computing needs ...
p.1 #6 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
EOSDNG wrote:
In my opinion Apple is producing more and more glossy screen macs for the casual user than they used before. Some years ago macs were built for the demands of professionals (no stupid glossy glass screens, no glass trackpads, durability, etc..). Professional users are no longer welcome.
RE displays. I am not a fan of Apple's mirror-like displays either, but I think Apple is simplifying product lines at the expense of any professional who would like to purchase an Apple display. If you don't like the displays Apple is selling, you can always buy from someone else. Apple displays are generally overpriced anyway.
Now in Lion - the next OSX coming march - , with the app store for OSX apps, there will be in the near future the app store the only way to install software. It is only a matter of time. Desktop OSX looks more and more like the iPAd OS (which is in my opinion a piece of crap).
The company does seem interested in developing interfaces for neophytes. That said, I seriously doubt that iOS interface will dominate Apple's MacOS interface paradigm. It might be an optional implementation in-line with something like "At Ease," which they introduced in the early 1990s.
With Apples rigid censorship we won`t be able to install whatever we want. Apple wants to take control over everything.
I have my doubts that Apple will incorporate an App-store approval model to the Mac. It makes more sense on their fledgling mobile platforms, which appeal to a customer base looking for simple devices with long battery life. Since the Mac is currently quite profitable, I don't see Apple importing structural restrictions from iOS to MacOS.
Therefore I am leaving the mac OS after nearly 14 years and doing all my wedding photography in Windows 7, wich is a fantastic and very fast OS. Stable and more open then the Mac walled garden.
Do some of you guys think the same way? Is it only me?
If Windows 7 offers you functionality today that you can't get on MacOS, or if the "end-of-the-line" has been unambiguously announced for certain software or functionality you need, it makes sense to move to Windows 7. Further, if Windows 7 opens up hardware options that can improve your workflow, migrating over is a reasonable plan. However, I don't think an abstract fear of MacOS become iOS is a very good reason to switch. There are switching costs, and I personally don't think that Windows 7 is any better than the current MacOS. Further, Apple's commitment to media professionals is quite visible in its software catalog, where the company continues to upgrade and support a number of professional-grade applications that are only available in MacOS.
Those reasons are compelling to be sure. Computers are generally not a growth industry anymore, and the margins are very low. I agree that Macs are not as important to the post-iPhone Apple as they were to the pre-iPhone Apple. But as long as they are still profitable, I don't think Apple will drop the product, or ignore it into oblivion.
They're never going to enjoy HP's or Dell's volume, but their margins per sale are higher. And they still have a fairly loyal following of users. Win7 makes it harder to justify the Mac, but there are still aspects of the product that keep Mac users loyal.
p.1 #9 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
Well said: "Win7 makes it harder to justify the Mac any more". Apples laptops are overpriced and they work no longer than Laptops from other manufacturers like HP, Dell, Acer....
Don`t misunderstand me, I was a loyal Apple user for a very long time, but Apple did change. I still believe, that iPhones and iPads are more important to Apple than Macs.
p.1 #10 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
Some fear of future Apple corporate/customer "control" is no good reason to switch. The fact that you can work just as fast on a MUCH more affordable Windows-based workstation with more hardware and software options is a GREAT reason to switch.
p.1 #11 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
Apple's most recent quarterly report would indicate that their computer sales are not dwindling or necessarily taking a back seat ... in fact computer sales were up 27 percent over 2009 for the same quarter ... Granted, the cash cows are the iPhone, iPad and iPod ... but they haven't cut staff or resources for development and design of Macs or OS X ... though they did temporarily re-direct a few developers to iOS 4 to get it out the door on time ...
p.1 #12 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
"However, I fully realize that most people don't share my view, and might think I'm being too fanatical on this."
You're definitely being too fanatical about this, because Apple has never disclosed, hinted, suggested, or implied that they would like to lock down Mac OSX so that it can only install Apple-approved software. It is only meant to supplement, not replace, other methods by which users can install software onto the system. If you have a different impression, you're just plain misinformed.
Those who are opposed to the App Store concept that locks down software on iPhones, iPads and iPod touches represent a very vocal, but very small minority of users and developers. Sales of these iDevices are skyrocketing, app submissions to the Store are skyrocketing, and revenue is skyrocketing. And nobody is being forced or coerced into buying these products or services. So maybe the model is flawed in some sense, but tens of millons of people are downloading billions of apps under this model. This is a product that people want more than they don't want.
Apple still makes plenty of computers and monitors that have matte screens. They also happen to make glossy screens now. If you want a matte screen, then buy a computer with a matte screen. Practically every major computer manufacturer has jumped on the glossy screen bandwagon, so why aren't those companies being accused of neglecting professionals?
p.1 #13 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
For once we agree mdude85!
If Apple really wanted to control software sales for Macs and OS X ... why is it that you can buy Snow Leopard, Aperture, iLife, Final Cut, etc. from other retailers like Newegg, Amazon and large number of other retailers ... often for less than you can buy the same software directly from Apple ... I think it has more to do with offering a convenient service ... and the opportunity for Apple to pick up a commission on the software sales via an OS X App Store ... sounds more like business savvy than taking control ...
p.1 #14 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
I will take a different stance on the matter. Apple has stated that it is not going to take away from someone installing from a DVD. If you could image being a small time developer and trying to sell your product or plug-in. With the App Store, users will have a central location to search for applications. A user will have the satisfaction of knowing that the app is better tested. There will be a log of applications purchased. The user will not have to worry about storing applications. The developer might actually sell more of his/her product.
p.1 #15 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
If anything, the Mac App Store may be an indication that in the future Apple will support the idea of having more than a single source for apps-- on the iPhone and iPad.
The App Store in Lion will be a "Safer" place for people to buy stuff that passes certain workability standards, and certain content-suitability standards. Those standards will be arbitrary, and set by Apple, but for many consumers they will make the experience of finding, buying, and managing applications easier/safer.
But Apple won't prevent you from installing apps not offered through the App Store in Lion.
As the concerns regarding battery-life/resources slacken on the iPhone and iPad-- I imagine apple's policy towards apps on those platforms will actually open too.
p.1 #16 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
I love my Macpro, I love my Macbook, I love my iPhone. I switched several years ago after being very frustrated with the PC platform. I cut video in FCP, composite in Motion, and edit stills in Lightroom. All work flawlessly every time I fire them up. I haven't upgraded since I switched and have no plans to in the future unless something stops working. I don't need the latest and greatest, nor do I spend much time looking at new software or trying to improve something that works for me. I'm far to busy trying to make money then spend it.
If something doesn't work for you, switch!! But don't try and make it into an us or them issue. There's far too much of that already in the world.
PS. The only things that have failed on any of my systems have been 3rd party peripherals....a hard drive by Seagate, a DVD drive by Pioneer, and a video card by Nvidia. Everything Mac designed is still kickin' flawlessly after 3 years.
p.1 #17 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
I think you are probably overreacting a bit much. But even if you aren't, if Apple/OS X gets to that point one day, just don't buy it then. They aren't there as of now, so if you currently like OS X and Apple, continue to use it.
Getting all worked up about the OS X walled garden, etc, is silly if it hasn't actually happened. Remember Sherlock and how that was supposed to change EVERYTHING on Macs? What about Opendoc? Both gone the way of the dodo.
iTunes certainly did back up the hype Apple was giving it at the time - yet I can still load in music to my Mac (and iTunes) without buying it in the iTunes store, despite people's fears to the contrary.
p.1 #18 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
I have been shooting Canon for years now and have always been happy with them. I heard that in a couple years they will release a new camera that I won't like so I'm going to go ahead and sell all my Canon gear now and switch to Nikon.
If you phrase it like that does it sound more or less ridiculous. If you've been happy with Mac for 14 years, why switch because of something you fear may or may not happen. If you tried Windows 7 and liked it more than OSX and wanted to switch because of that, it would be more reasonable.
I switched from Windows to OSX two years ago and haven't thought once about going back. If Apple one day decides to not let me run the programs I want to run on my computer I will decide where to go from there, but not before it.
p.1 #20 · Future of Mac OS, Apple censorship and Windows 7
mdude85 wrote:
"However, I fully realize that most people don't share my view, and might think I'm being too fanatical on this."
You're definitely being too fanatical about this, because Apple has never disclosed, hinted, suggested, or implied that they would like to lock down Mac OSX so that it can only install Apple-approved software. It is only meant to supplement, not replace, other methods by which users can install software onto the system. If you have a different impression, you're just plain misinformed.
Apple has done a fair amount to lock their computer down from certain software. For instance, you can't install XCode with iPhone development tools on a Mac that has a PowerPC processor. What does this mean? The really expensive (at the time) Power Mac G5 in my office is useless as far as developing applications for an iPhone or iPod Touch (and you can only develop iPhone/iPod applications on a Mac).
OS X Server also makes it very difficult to escape the pre-configured software in lieu of another, better software. I'd love to replace Cyrus as the MTA on my OS X server machine, but I'm fairly hesitant as I don't know how many programs will be broken if I were to make the switch. Chances are, if I were to dump Cyrus and go for Courier or DoveCot, a large quantity of the server maintenance GUI for the mail service would probably cease to function (which begs the question why I'm not using Linux instead, but I digress). Of course, the GUI is the whole reason to use OS X server. Otherwise, it's just a BSD machine running FOSS server software.
There are plenty of other examples of how restrictive OS X's OS is, but these really stuck in my mind.
mdude85 wrote:
Apple still makes plenty of computers and monitors that have matte screens. They also happen to make glossy screens now. If you want a matte screen, then buy a computer with a matte screen. Practically every major computer manufacturer has jumped on the glossy screen bandwagon, so why aren't those companies being accused of neglecting professionals?
The other brands that cater to professionals and have professional lines (not just called "pro") tend to have matte screens on all of their business and professional lines. Lenovo, for instance, has matte screens on their upper-echelon ThinkPads and Dell has matte screens on their professional laptops.
Carlton Beener wrote:
I have been shooting Canon for years now and have always been happy with them. I heard that in a couple years they will release a new camera that I won't like so I'm going to go ahead and sell all my Canon gear now and switch to Nikon.
If you phrase it like that does it sound more or less ridiculous.
Depends. Probably a more rational reason is that Canon's current business model suggests that they're making lenses in two tiers anymore: High-end L lenses and EF-S lenses. If you realize that you're not going to be able to keep up with Canon's prices, but you'll be able to keep up with a competitor's prices, you may want to jump ship toward a more economical system.
. What really scares me is when people don't laugh at it but rather respond with the attitude that it's fine because the app store gives you everything you could possibly want anyway. Remember this is all about money after all 
Along those lines I hear that Canon, Nikon, Hasselblad, Mamiya/PhaseOne, and Sony are moving to a proprietary size for tripod mounts so you can only buy tripod heads and quick release systems that they approve.