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Will Brocklebank · 08:00 AM

Ok folks - as Panther gets ready to pounce I looked at Apple's current OS X software strategy and thought I'd see what others think they should do from here...

When I was thinking about the questions I had the iPod/iTunes suite and of course the iTunes Music Store particularly in mind. The issue is that the very best Mac things seem to be being ported to Windows which means that they are therefore not incentivised to switch..

Should we keep all these goodies to ourselves?

mitchell_pgh · Oct 15, 2003, 08:09 AM

I say that we should give them only a handful of the best applications. The applications are only the tip of the iceberg. The OS integration with the applications is where things start to shine.

In my opinion, we need to show them what Apple is capable of developing without giving them everything.

I think if people see just how easy we have it... they will make their own decision.

mitchell_pgh · Oct 15, 2003, 08:13 AM

PS The option "Develop apps and charge Mac users for dev cost, then give them to Windoze users for free" is so biased it's ridiculous!

We made QuickTime. you don't see anyone bitching about that. We made rendezvous open source... you don't see us bitching about that. we gave code back with the Safari updates and fixes.

The application has already been made, we are only porting it, not re-developing it.

mitchell_pgh · Oct 15, 2003, 08:14 AM

We also made an iPod for Windows!!!

SomeToast · Oct 15, 2003, 09:37 AM

Originally posted by mitchell_pgh:
PS The option "Develop apps and charge Mac users for dev cost, then give them to Windoze users for free" is so biased it's ridiculous!

So is option #2. There's really only two possible answers for the poll.

ShadowKatana · Oct 15, 2003, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by mitchell_pgh:
PS The option "Develop apps and charge Mac users for dev cost, then give them to Windoze users for free" is so biased it's ridiculous!

We made QuickTime. you don't see anyone bitching about that. We made rendezvous open source... you don't see us bitching about that. we gave code back with the Safari updates and fixes.

The application has already been made, we are only porting it, not re-developing it.

I am sorry - who's "we"? Did *you* make QT, design the ToolBox, write out the specs for rendezvous, design the little light that pulsates when you close your TiBook

.

My point is - you claim unfounded *ownership*.

- - e r i k - - · Oct 15, 2003, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by ShadowKatana:
I am sorry - who's "we"? Did *you* make QT, design the ToolBox, write out the specs for rendezvous, design the little light that pulsates when you close your TiBook .

My point is - you claim unfounded *ownership*.

Hey, it's a team thing! You know: We win, but they lose

Will Brocklebank · Oct 15, 2003, 10:45 AM

Re the bias - sorry... I know but I am fed up with my Windoze-using brother telling me there is no point switching as all the best Mac things come to Windoze eventually!

Of course I agree with SomeToast there are only really 2 choices on this poll but hell it's only a bit of fun

Actually the broad-minded response really has to be option 3 as the more $ Apple can make the better they can compete and the more resources they have to make 'our' lives better, and 'theirs'

- - e r i k - - · Oct 15, 2003, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by Will Brocklebank:
Re the bias - sorry... I know but I am fed up with my Windoze-using brother telling me there is no point switching as all the best Mac things come to Windoze eventually!

By that logic, he might as well switch seeing as all good things about Windows come to Mac eventually

z10n · Oct 15, 2003, 02:37 PM

I voted that Apple should make apps equally good on both platforms, but there's not a chance in hell of that happening. For one, apple is too stubborn, and Steve is too proud. For two, apple's software design is just not that great that it could honestly compete against the vast hords of PC developers. I might be in the minority here on that one. I feel apple is good at making consumer apps that look slick and have the basic, core functionality done pretty well. But apple has repeatedly over the last few years missed HUGE chucks of functionality on many of it's apps. A perfect example is iCal, which was so broken at version 1.0 that I honestly couldn't believe how bad it was. Now you might be saying "it's a 1.0 app". Well I've USED 1.0 apps- many of which were not nearly as bad.

I don't mean to get on an apple-bashing kick. I just feel that apple has a way of making people believe that their software is much better then it actually is. For getting the basic stuff done, generally speaking, apple's apps work well. But as soon as you want "more" functionality, prepare to be disappointed (not in all cases, just an overall opinion.) If you don't believe me, just browse around apple's support forums, and look at all the people with problems or requests for functionality which IMHO, apple shouldn't have missed.

DeathMan · Oct 15, 2003, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by z10n:
I voted that Apple should make apps equally good on both platforms, but there's not a chance in hell of that happening. For one, apple is too stubborn, and Steve is too proud. For two, apple's software design is just not that great that it could honestly compete against the vast hords of PC developers. I might be in the minority here on that one.

You need to use Final Cut Pro. I agree that Apple has not done a 1.0 job on some of the free apps, but their pro products are solid. There is nothing wrong with Apple's ability to engineer software. Maybe they don't always polish the freebies, but when its important, it gets done.

mitchell_pgh · Oct 15, 2003, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by ShadowKatana:
I am sorry - who's "we"? Did *you* make QT, design the ToolBox, write out the specs for rendezvous, design the little light that pulsates when you close your TiBook .

My point is - you claim unfounded *ownership*.

Ummm, no, I didn't write the apps, but I helped pay for them...

nobitacu · Oct 15, 2003, 07:13 PM

The more profit Apple makes, the better it is for us in the long run.

Ming

pwolfe1 · Oct 15, 2003, 07:17 PM

here's one to spark a little controversy. And I'll tell you, this one irritates me.

How about develop open source applications, since lets face it, thier hardware sells itself.

or how about releaseing QT for linux for gods sake. all this worrying about giving windows users this and that...screw em.

With the release of an open source mac OS, they have opened thier arms to a whole other striving community that is willing and ready to help apple grow.

I voted option 3 btw. I don't expect nor want apple to go all cuddly-sharing. And thier best strategy would be to write killer apps for everyone. Show them the quality you get with apple, not release shotty code like microshaft.

just my 0.02
paul