[alphasubzero949]

Is it only me, or do others out there also feel that Apple's behavior of releasing half-assed, bug-laden software is reprehensible of them to say the least?

Take, for instance the following bugs:

- iTunes 5.0.1 still does NOT fix XML playlist exports where playlists do not end up in the correct folders. Yes, it's a trivial bug, but there is no excuse for not having it fixed.

- Backup 3.0, where scheduled iDisk backups do not occur at the time specified because of a bug where "iDisk servers are busy" appears and iTunes purchased music backups fail to complete. This despite numerous builds where these bugs weren't fixed. Not to mention the other obvious cosmetic bugs. On top of all that, AppleSeed testers weren't even notified of the final release.

- Mail.app does not hide correctly if included as a startup item and the option to hide is checked. This bug has been around since 10.4.0 and I know for sure I'm not the only one who reported it through the feedback channel.

Obviously, these are just a few of the numerous bugs all over Tiger, iLife, and other Apple apps.

In the case of Backup, it's quite obvious that Apple had to meet a deadline to make .Mac worthy of an "upgrade" to satisfy the large contingent of October renewers and to prove that Backup 3 wasn't vaporware since rumor sites have been reporting on it since January. And we all know that Tiger was rushed out the door as well.

Personally, I'd rather see the software come out later, when thorough QA has taken place. Especially Tiger. It wasn't like MS was going to do something before the end of June.

We all know the rule about x.0 software, but it is inexcusable for such software to be so half-baked as a final release. What about those who do not have an internet connection to use software update? What about those in IT who have to constantly apply these updates on every machine, sometimes showing up in Software Update a few consecutive days in a row? It can be cumbersome.

If it were another company, especially Microsoft, they would be crucified on this forum.

So tell me, why we are letting Apple off of the hook as end users? Serious discussion please.

[JoshuaZ]

blah, small fries. Really, does any of this really cause you problems?

[alphasubzero949]

When I have to manually remember which folders I put playlists into in my guest account because iTunes can't properly save the XML exports, yes. It's annoying.

When Backup cannot restore any of my files from other media after a potential major crash because all of the attributes for restoring the files are in ~/Library/Application Support/Backup in the first place, yes. Apple doesn't see this problem? For an application that has been in development for over a year?

I could go on and on but I'm sure others will chime in with their issues with annoying bugs.

Get your head out of the sand and hope that they do a decent job with Leopard.

[Millennium]

Apple seems to have had serious problems with its QA process ever since the release of Mac OS X (and arguably since the release of Mac OS 9). I've been saying that all along. I don't claim to know what the problem is, but I hope they get their act together soon.

[Randman]

Any software is going to have bugs, It sounds like you're an early adopter, Backup 3 and iTunes 5, for instance.

I do hope you send Apple feedback rather than just ranting.

[alphasubzero949]

I have been submitting feedback, for the record.

[Weyland-Yutani]

Originally Posted by Millennium

Apple seems to have had serious problems with its QA process ever since the release of Mac OS X (and arguably since the release of Mac OS 9). I've been saying that all along. I don't claim to know what the problem is, but I hope they get their act together soon.

Hmmmmm almost ever since Steve Jobs took over.

I do agree with you though that ever since OS X was released and arguably OS 9 Apple's QA has been less than stellar.

Point being,, it used to be heck of a lot better.

cheers

W-Y

[olePigeon]

Let's compare Apple's severely crippled software to Microsoft's:

First, Apple:

Does iTunes let remote attackers take over your computer? No.
Does Backup let remote atackers take over your computer? No.
Does Mail let remoate attackers take over your computer? No.

OK, let's compare to Microsoft:

Does Windows Media Player let remote attackers take over your computer? Yes.
Does Windows Backup let remote attackers take over your computer? Yes.
Does Outlook, Entourage, and/or Exchange server let attackers take over your computer? Yes.


Looks to me that Apple's done a smashing job versus Microsoft's high grade, professional software.

[paul w]

Well, Apple could go open source...

[TETENAL]

Originally Posted by JoshuaZ

blah, small fries. Really, does any of this really cause you problems?

Backup 3 does not restore files to another location while at the same time deleting the originals at the original location. Which means you end up with nothing!

This did cause me problems.

[TETENAL]

Originally Posted by alphasubzero949

When Backup cannot restore any of my files from other media after a potential major crash because all of the attributes for restoring the files are in ~/Library/Application Support/Backup in the first place, yes.

You can use the "Restore from Backup" command in the "Plan" menu. I don't see a problem here.

[Spliffdaddy]

Don't fret.

Only 4% of computer users will ever encounter the bugs you describe.

[Salty]

Odds are they're focusing more effort on bugs that they didn't catch with iTunes 5 on Windows before they get to that small one. And are you sure it doesn't work for everyone? Maybe you have a bad install?

Those are pretty small things... how many people set mail.app to auto hide? And besides how often are you actually starting up... and why so often?

[Brass]

Unfortunately the entire software industry seems to have gone this way. In order to rush out new products they don't do adequate QA. It's apalling, but it's everywhere.

[Salty]

Well also keep in mind software no longer has to be perfect, you just patch it.

[11011001]

It seems to me there is also a lot of pressure form users these days to have software out the door as quickly as possible.