iLounge

1

Don’t these people realize that the only reason I use Windows is because of gaming?
Oh, and there’s fact that I hate working on Macs.
Apple computers are a taste thing. If all the games that the PC had were available on Apple computers, I would still probably use the PC. Apple is NOT a ‘stunning combination of design, technology, and usability’ for everyone.
Hell, if it weren’t for my 20gb iPod, I’d be a resident Apple hater. I was still thinking about getting “I bought a product from the one-button-mouse people” laser inscribed on my iPod when I bought it.

Posted by Mark Prokop on May 28, 2004 at 9:37 AM (PST)

2

This mp3 player is gonna suck. Microsoft will never be as good as apple.

Posted by uhit2 on May 28, 2004 at 9:42 AM (PST)

3

Saw this on Slashdot.

A) There is NO WAY that M$ can make a HD based player for 50 dollars. 

B) Nowhere does it state that this will be an MP3 player.  Knowing M$, it will likely only play *.wma. 

C) If M$ synchronization tool for the Pocket PC (ActiveSync) is any indication, the music software used to organize this will be terrible. 

Posted by Cameron on May 28, 2004 at 9:55 AM (PST)

4

I think MS can sell a $50 knock-off. What they spend making the thing is another story.

As everyone knows, the iPod has a pretty fat profit margin (as well it should). It costs Apple maybe $150 to manufacture an iPod, which is then sold for $300. MS takes exactly the opposite strategy, as illustrated by the Xbox, which still hasn’t made a dime. MS will manufacture a bizarroPod for around $75 and then sell it for $50. Their cash reserves can take the hit until the competition is forced out of the market, and then any losses can (hopefully) be recouped.

This strategy, however, is not yet fully proven. Perhaps the Xbox 2 will turn a profit, but it remains to be seen whether it can make up for the losses incurred in bludgeoning the PS2 and Gamecube to death.

Posted by Big Jim on May 28, 2004 at 10:09 AM (PST)

5

Mark,
You are defending an OS whose central feature is the Start button, made for users whose hands must be held for the most basic tasks. Go to [url=http://www.xvsxp.com]http://www.xvsxp.com[/url] This site compares OSX and XP in a myriad of ways. One section compares the dialog boxes. In XP, in the Save Dialog Box, the buttons are labelled, “Yes,” “No,” and “Exit.” The author of the review claims that Windows does a poor job at keeping info. simple. To know which buttons to press in this case, one needs to read the sentence above the choices.

By contrast, the buttons on OSX are labelled,
“Don’t Save,” “Cancel,” and “Save.”

Clearer, no? All the info is provided by the buttons themselves. Great site. Highly recommended.

Posted by Questioner on May 28, 2004 at 10:12 AM (PST)

6

If OS choice is simply a “taste thing,” then you have sh—ty taste.

Posted by Questioner on May 28, 2004 at 10:18 AM (PST)

7

This is not true, Microsoft has not said they will make a $50 “iPod killer”. These stories are being started from a Dener Post article which wasn’t researched very well:

http://www.gizmodo.com/archives/microsofts-50-ipod-is-bunk-010045.php

Posted by tbdean on May 28, 2004 at 10:30 AM (PST)

8

beat me to it, tbdean…

It was just a very bad misquote blown way out of proportion.

Posted by JC on May 28, 2004 at 10:43 AM (PST)

9

Questioner: first you say XP hold the hands of users to much, then you say it doesnt enough since it forces them to read a message box 1) make up your mind 2) if you cant read a message box, get off the computer

Posted by chicago on May 28, 2004 at 10:55 AM (PST)

10

Hmmmm..

Posted by bababooey on May 28, 2004 at 11:29 AM (PST)

11

So, MicroSOFT is going to turn into MicroHARD?

What a joke…

Posted by Alex on May 28, 2004 at 11:38 AM (PST)

12

Exactly my feelings, Mark. Was about to write just the same after reading this article.

For the rabid mac-lovers who already flamed him - this is NOT a discussion what is the better OS. Such one is pointless, because that matter is highly subjective.

What annoyed him (and me) is the authors belief that everyone is a latent mac-lover, it’s just that the evil m$ empire is forcing windows on them.
Newsflash: other peoples opinion and preferences can differ from yours.

Posted by Shrike on May 28, 2004 at 11:50 AM (PST)

13

If this doesn’t prove that Micro$oft is a pure monopolist….i don’t know what else is…..Something seriously needs to be done about this.

Posted by ililililil on May 28, 2004 at 11:53 AM (PST)

14

Please see the article correction @ [url=http://www.engadget.com]http://www.engadget.com,[/url] Microsoft comments were blown out of context…...

Posted by BOB on May 28, 2004 at 11:57 AM (PST)

15

can’t (and shouldn’t)  compare apples to oranges (or lemons for that matter) hehehe. . .

Posted by ceo on May 28, 2004 at 12:16 PM (PST)

16

If Microsoft makes a ipod killer for $50 then they will never make any money from it.

This stiry is pure VAPOURWARE - Microsoft always announces products it will probably never make.

What this does is unerves people into thinking that they will wait for the Microsoft product even though the Microsoft product will never arrive.

Posted by Pete Burrows on May 28, 2004 at 12:43 PM (PST)

17

This is also ILLEGAL - it’s called ‘Dumping’.

Posted by Pete Burrows on May 28, 2004 at 12:45 PM (PST)

18

i don’t believe MS has ever “Made” a product, only stole ideas.. . .

Posted by peter mcsquareliz on May 28, 2004 at 1:40 PM (PST)

19

Peter,
You are SO right!

Posted by Rhomboid on May 28, 2004 at 2:02 PM (PST)

20

Are you guys forgetting the Xbox? They lose money on those systems too. Selling a $50 mp3 player shouldn’t be much different to MS

Posted by Dave on May 28, 2004 at 2:23 PM (PST)