iTunes - new levels of rubbishness

[pk]

I've praised Apple's products enough times recently, so perhaps you want to get that iChip off your shoulder!

Must have missed that post. Apologies if so.

Tarannau was - as usual - trying to shine a highly selective positive light on Apple's restrictive practices (apparently DRM and all the fucking about that goes with it was only a "little annoying") and I was simply pointing out that they were in fact were one of the last major distributors still hanging on to a DRM-only music format.

I think he was highlighting the fact that they were the least fussy about copy-protection. You can blame the record companies for restrictive downloads, not the supplier.
Personally I have never bought anything from iTunes in my life, don't have an account there, so I am in agreement with you in terms of thinking DRM restricted media isn't worth shit.
I have managed to de-encrypt my mate's DRM library though, in entirety.
So it's not a huge issue.

Even Tesco got in there before Apple, offering DRM-free downloads six months ago.

But go on. Tell me how that's a good thing for punters, or are they The Company Who Simply Must Not Be Criticised About Anything?

Look, there's plenty to criticise Apple about.

But I think you're unfairly overcritical of Apple, to be honest.

No doubt I'm just a "fanboi" to you for saying that, mind.

 

[cybertect]

It's still not for me though. I don't want my computers 'authorised' just to play MP3s where and when I damn well want.

Strictly speaking, you can play your MP3s (and DRM-free AACs) anywhere you like whenever you like with iTunes.

Jesting aside, I agree entirely about the principle, which is why I only have tracks that I've ripped from CDs that I own in my iTunes music library.

 

[editor]

Look, there's plenty to criticise Apple about.

But I think you're unfairly overcritical of Apple, to be honest.

If I produce ten posts from, say, the last four weeks where I'm praising Apple's products, will you shut the fuck up with this 'I hate Apple' bullshit?

I know you and a few others can get strangely defensive over the brand, but while there is an awful lot to like about some of their products, I do find it a tad odd how normally sussed people are happy just to shrug off some of their dodgy, restrictive practices.

If it was Microsoft employing the same tactics, I'd wager that you'd be quick to question what was going on, but it sometimes feels like you're completely bedazzled by the shiny gizmos.

 

[Orang Utan]

If you downloaded illegally, you wouldn't give a shit about all the above

 

[tarannau]

I know you and a few others can get strangely defensive over the brand, but while there is an awful lot to like about some of their products, I do find it a tad odd how normally sussed people are happy just to shrug off some of their dodgy, restrictive practices.

If it was Microsoft employing the same tactics, I'd wager that you'd be quick to question what was going on, but it sometimes feels like you're completely bedazzled by the shiny gizmos.

So far, you've misrepresented what I've said, shown an entire lack of knowledge about Apple's offering (claiming Tescos were earlier with DRM free for example), finger waggling from a position of ignorance and now you've the temerity the try and claim the moral high ground by spouting 'normally sussed people are happy just to shrug off some of their dodgy, restrictive practices'

For the last time I've done nothing of the sort. I'll defend Apple's record in negotiating and offering some of the least restrictive DRM terms when labels insisted on DRM - indeed there's a strong case that the success of itunes, with its ease of use, less restrictive protection and the fact that it blew much more protected record-company favoured DRM formats out of the water that it cleared the way for unprotected mp3s to be the norm. They needed mp3s to work on the dominant mp3 player - the ipod - because noone would play ball on WMV formats. I suspect things would have been very different if MS had become market leader with its much more restricted protected WMV formats - indeed MS even tried to ban other formats (including mp3s) from working on approved WM players at one time (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/10/27/accidental_music_monopoly_bid/)

And now Apple offers unprotected mp3s as a choice wherever it can, one of the first to persuade a major (EMI) to offer unrestricted mp3s . Cor blimey, the bastards.

Instead of accusing others of being 'bedazzled by the shiny gizmos,' perhaps you'd be better advised to do a little research into the market first. I"m all for criticizing Apple where' it's merited, but your default attack and slur position is more than a bit tiresome.