Mac mini and iPod shuffle

1/11/05 2:07:00 PM

1/11/05 2:10:59 PM

[link|http://macintouch.com/mwsf2005keynote.html|Macworld SF 2005 Keynote Report]

FW, USB, modem, Ethernet, slot-load optical, analog and digital video, headphones
BYODKM: brign your display, keybd, and mouse
size of HD external HD or even paperback
comes w/ Panther, iLife 05,
$499 - 1.25 GHz, 256/40GB
$599- 1.42GHz, 80GB
avail. Jan 22

Thin / white / slim
smaller than a pack of trident
weighs less than 1-oz
one button - 5 functions
LED lamp feedback
shuffle or playlist
USB-2 connector
lanyard connector for neck
12 hour battery
autofill software capability
new version of itunes
512 MB / 120 songs $99
1 GB / 240 songs $149

I can forsee some iPod Shuffles for my brother & sister's upcoming birthdays.

EDIT - added links to new Apple pages.

Darrell Spice, Jr.                      [link|http://spiceware.org/gallery/ArtisticOverpass|Artistic Overpass]\n[link|http://www.spiceware.org/|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore

Edited by SpiceWare Jan. 11, 2005, 02:10:59 PM EST

Expand All History

Post #189,789

1/11/05 3:04:32 PM

There you go...

That headless is a nice looking setup.

No mouse, Keyboard or monitor. Tis okay by me.

The Shuffle looks interesting.

No matter how much Microsoft supporters whine about how Linux and other operating systems have just as many bugs as their operating systems do, the bottom line is that the serious, gut-wrenching problems happen on Windows, not on Linux, not on Mac OS. -- [link|http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1622086,00.asp|source]

Post #189,792

by bepatient

1/11/05 3:27:32 PM

I think I've found my next computer

Damn nice, affordable.

Wish they could have squeezed the new processor in there, but I'm not beholden to the highest mhz rating any longer...I just don't stress the system enough since I'm not a gamer.

Plus, the kids are still using Apple tech in our school system...and while they are very proficient with the PC, having the same environment as their school system would be fine.

I have a nice flat screen now already...and have a usb>ps2 conversion adapter that I bought for the T40 laptop, only to have another one show up...so I can plug right in.

If you push something hard enough, it will fall over. _{Fudd's First Law of Opposition}

[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]

Post #189,810

1/11/05 4:23:54 PM

I just *TRIED* to pre-order one

Really, I did. I wanted one with a super drive and bluetooth.

I'd really tried to give them money... but the store was so unresponsive that everything timed out once I hit the select for the 1.42GHz machine. Heck the frontpage of the store didn;t even transfer all the graphics.

Looks like it is getting a pummelling.

No matter how much Microsoft supporters whine about how Linux and other operating systems have just as many bugs as their operating systems do, the bottom line is that the serious, gut-wrenching problems happen on Windows, not on Linux, not on Mac OS. -- [link|http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1622086,00.asp|source]

Post #189,811

by Steve Lowe

1/11/05 4:27:43 PM

/.ed

Had the same problem, but eventually got through. Ordered the cheap one for my inlaws in NY, who currently have a 233 pentium with win95...

--
Steve

Post #189,791

by altmann

1/11/05 3:25:20 PM

Hey, that'll fit on top of my PC tower!

I may just have to pick one up. Very nice.

--
Chris Altmann

Post #189,793

by altmann

1/11/05 3:38:46 PM

One sour note

From [link|http://www.apple.com/macmini/specs.html|http://www.apple.com/macmini/specs.html] :
"Memory upgrade must be performed by an Apple Authorized Service provider"

So the usual "buy your RAM from a 3rd party that doesn't overcharge" plan may not work for the Mac Mini.

But I still think I'll get one.

--
Chris Altmann

Post #189,795

by bepatient

1/11/05 3:41:45 PM

They always say that.

It looks like it may be tough to get the top off...but once off the ram is easy to access. There's a top-off pic on the specs page.

If you push something hard enough, it will fall over. _{Fudd's First Law of Opposition}

[link|mailto:bepatient@aol.com|BePatient]

Post #189,815

1/11/05 4:38:37 PM

1/16/05 12:33:34 AM

The trick is in one of the photos.

It snaps apart.

You have to have either 3 pieces of thin sheet metal or the equivalent to a buncha finger with flat head screw drivers on them.

Once you do that the fingers in the mini look like they slide right out. No screws at all to hold the cover on, from the looks of it.

/me thinks of many ways to mod this thing

To go a bit further, based on the pictures from MacNews.de and the ones on Apples Site (both of which I have mirrored locally) My suspicions are confirmed:

[link|http://www.gregfolkert.net/pics/technical/MacMini/designinsides20050111.jpg|The uncased Picture from Apple.com] and [link|http://www.gregfolkert.net/pics/technical/MacMini/P1020297.jpg|This picture from MacNews.de] show a recipe for easy pickings.

If you look closely you'll see what I mean. The front is visible in both picture. Plus you can see the Fingers in the Apple Pic, and the "Ventilation" holes in the MacNews pic. Betchya the have a "Fingers" setup for them.

Tell ya one thing... these things are easy to put together once apart.

No matter how much Microsoft supporters whine about how Linux and other operating systems have just as many bugs as their operating systems do, the bottom line is that the serious, gut-wrenching problems happen on Windows, not on Linux, not on Mac OS. -- [link|http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1622086,00.asp|source]

Edited by folkert Jan. 16, 2005, 12:33:34 AM EST

Expand All History

Post #189,797

1/11/05 3:48:04 PM

Not too bad for 512 MB

Only $75 for 512 MB, however the $425 for 1GB is more than I paid for 2GB for my iMac G5.

Other upgrades are:

$100 to upgrade to Superdrive (for DVD burning, included Combo Drive can burn CDs and read DVDs)

$50 Bluetooth

$79 Airport Extreme

Darrell Spice, Jr.                      [link|http://spiceware.org/gallery/ArtisticOverpass|Artistic Overpass]\n[link|http://www.spiceware.org/|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore

Post #189,794

1/11/05 3:41:22 PM

Apple has an easy way to migrate from PC to Mac

[link|http://www.apple.com/switch/howto/ipod/|Use your iPod to switch]

Darrell Spice, Jr.                      [link|http://spiceware.org/gallery/ArtisticOverpass|Artistic Overpass]\n[link|http://www.spiceware.org/|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore

Post #189,933

by andread

1/12/05 12:36:17 PM

Just buy a $400+ machine to make it easy

Play I Some Music w/ Papa Andy
Saturday 8 PM - 11 PM ET
All Night Rewind 11 PM - 5 PM
Reggae, African and Caribbean Music
[link|http://wxxe.org|Tune In]

Post #189,944

1/12/05 2:04:47 PM

Halo effect

[link|http://online.wsj.com/public/article/0,,SB110373871528907298,00.html?mod=todays_free_feature|Readers Weigh In on Apple And Possibility of 'Halo Effect']

In Monday's column, we predicted that the combination of the iPod's popularity and the increasing worry over viruses, security holes and spyware in Windows PCs will lead to the second coming of Apple Computer as a home-computing power.

To say that struck a chord would be putting it mildly. Boy, did we ever get mail -- including a significant number of people who said that the iPod, Windows security concerns or a combination of the two had made them switch to a Mac or plan to do so.

There's a good chance that Mac mini purchasers will already have an iPod. It's pretty smart of Apple to show the converts that the iPod is capable of more than just playing music.

Darrell Spice, Jr.                      [link|http://spiceware.org/gallery/ArtisticOverpass|Artistic Overpass]\n[link|http://www.spiceware.org/|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore

Post #189,800

1/11/05 3:55:12 PM

There goes the "macs are expensive" argument

Cheap cheap cheap.

Brilliant.

How long before people realize that this replaces their VCR and CD Player?

"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." --Albert Einstein

"This is still a dangerous world. It's a world of madmen and uncertainty and potential mental losses." --George W. Bush

Post #189,802

1/11/05 3:58:43 PM

Tell me how one records TV shows with it. I'm all ears. :-)

Post #189,804

1/11/05 4:10:27 PM

Via USB or FireWire tuner

Examples I know of:

ElGato's [link|http://www.elgato.com/eyeTV/|EyeTV] (firewire)

Eskape's [link|http://www.eskapelabs.com/myvideo.html|MyVideo] (USB).

Darrell Spice, Jr.                      [link|http://spiceware.org/gallery/ArtisticOverpass|Artistic Overpass]\n[link|http://www.spiceware.org/|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore

Post #189,807

1/11/05 4:18:48 PM

Very interesting.I'll check into this more carefully.Thanks!

Post #189,809

by altmann

1/11/05 4:23:21 PM

Look into 5.1 USB audio adapters too.

--
Chris Altmann

Post #189,889

1/11/05 11:53:44 PM

newly announced $149 USB 2.0 Tuner

[link|http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/01/11/eyetvwonder/index.php|MWSF: Elgato, ATI bring EyeTV Wonder to Mac] also includes S-Video & composite inputs and stereo sound input.

Darrell Spice, Jr.                      [link|http://spiceware.org/gallery/ArtisticOverpass|Artistic Overpass]\n[link|http://www.spiceware.org/|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore

Post #189,816

1/11/05 4:39:39 PM

I have no idea

I've banished the medium from my home.

Post #189,917

1/12/05 10:56:38 AM

Slashdot on Linux PVRs. How to make a PVR for $200.

[Dumping some information here for future reference]

Some potentially useful information [link|http://linux.slashdot.org/linux/05/01/12/027210.shtml?tid=129&tid=137&tid=106|here] at Slashdot. As usually, you'll have to filter out a lot of crap and "funny" posts to find something useful.

Last night I found a little how-to - [link|http://www.byopvr.com/Sections+index-req-printpage-artid-10.html|Building a PVR in 3 Or So Steps for About $200] to build a Win-based PVR using [link|http://www.gbpvr.com/|GB-PVR] that uses a PVR 250 and a MediaMVP from Hauppauge. Linux software to drive the latter is under development....

The software requires the .NET v1.1 runtime, MDAC 2.6 and DirectX 9.0b is recommended.

A potential gotcha with this stuff is I don't yet know how well it works with digital cable (if at all).

If there were a similar how-to for similar functionality on the Mac side, it would make the Mac Mini very appealing. Similarly, if the Linux stuff were as easy to get up and running with similar functionailty it would make it much more appealing.

Cheers,
Scott.

Post #189,919

by inthane-chan

1/12/05 11:31:38 AM

If you ever want to do HDTV under Linux...

...get one of [link|http://www.pchdtv.com/|these] cards before June, if you live in the United States. After that, it's illegal to sell them here.

"Here at Ortillery Command we have at our disposal hundred megawatt laser beams, mach 20 titanium rods and guided thermonuclear bombs. Some people say we think that we're God. We're not God. We just borrowed his 'SMITE' button for our fire control system."

Post #189,921

1/12/05 11:52:12 AM

Thanks for the heads-up.

I wasn't aware of the [link|http://www.eff.org/broadcastflag/|broadcast flag] issue. It's certainly something to think about over the next few months.

Cheers,
Scott.

Post #190,015

1/12/05 11:02:51 PM

My order from today...

for this card shipped today.

I should have it Friday or Monday/Tuesday

No matter how much Microsoft supporters whine about how Linux and other operating systems have just as many bugs as their operating systems do, the bottom line is that the serious, gut-wrenching problems happen on Windows, not on Linux, not on Mac OS. -- [link|http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1622086,00.asp|source]

Post #190,307

1/15/05 6:03:55 PM

Let us know how you like it.

[link|http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=128856&cid=10753869|These] comments on /. make it sound a bit dodgey.

The card only works with over-the-air HDTV. While that's understandable, there are only 8 or so HD local stations around here, and much of their stuff isn't worth watching.

Please let us know whether you think the card and software are usable and worth the trouble. If not, as an AC there says, just sending the money directly to the EFF might make more sense.

Thanks.

Cheers,
Scott.

Post #190,320

1/15/05 9:43:53 PM

Nope... that would be the only because they...

Lack the skill.

The card only works with over-the-air HDTV

That would be the HD2000. The HDTV over cable onlyhas to get through the Line Filter at the Splice-in at the street.

The HDTV is held back There. Now, if I were to "order" HDTV from the Cable CO, no problems. It'll still work with traditional signals.

No matter how much Microsoft supporters whine about how Linux and other operating systems have just as many bugs as their operating systems do, the bottom line is that the serious, gut-wrenching problems happen on Windows, not on Linux, not on Mac OS. -- [link|http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1622086,00.asp|source]

Post #195,867

2/21/05 11:47:07 PM

Ed Felten on the Broadcast Flag.

[link|http://www.freedom-to-tinker.com/archives/000771.html|Here], (via a post on [link|http://dangillmor.typepad.com/dan_gillmor_on_grassroots/2005/02/a_biased_headli.html|Dan Gillmor's blog]):

The [[link|http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/21/technology/21flag.html?ex=1266642000&en=e286e1f936539c08&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland|NYTimes]] article starts by describing Mike Godwin downloading an episode of the Showtime series "Huff." After some scene-setting, we read this:

The M.P.A.A. has argued that without the broadcast flag rule, content creators would have no incentive to provide digital content over the airwaves, because people could simply pluck video streams out of the air and redistribute them to millions of viewers over the Internet.

"It's very simple," said Fritz Attaway, a vice president and Washington general counsel for the M.P.A.A. "Without the broadcast flag, high-value content would migrate to where it could be protected."

In practical terms, such "protected" places would be cable and satellite systems where digital content can be more easily scrambled, encrypted or otherwise controlled, leaving broadcast networks at a distinct disadvantage in the new digital marketplace.

The fallacy here should be pretty obvious. "Huff" is already distributed only in a "protected" place -- a premium cable channel -- and it's available for infringing downloaders. (Other cable and satellite offerings are similarly available on P2P.) This is not evidence that cable-like protection is needed for broadcast. To the contrary, it's evidence that the "protection" of cable-like DRM is illusory.

Similarly, the article repeats without comment the MPAA argument that they will be forced to withhold high-resolution broadcast service unless the Broadcast Flag is imposed. This argument couldn't be more wrong in its view of broadcasters' incentives.

In fact, P2P infringement gives broadcasters a powerful incentive to offer higher-quality, higher-resolution content. High-res content makes legitimate broadcast service more attractive to viewers. P2P versions can't match these increases in resolution because doing so would make P2P files much bigger, clogging P2P systems with enormous files and making downloads much slower. If broadcasters have to "compete against free" their best hope is to actually compete, by improving their product -- especially when the competitor can't match the improvement.

He's got a very good point. Newer technologies (e.g., optical fiber to every home) will mitigate some of the pain of trying to download everything (like the old geezer who went to a roadside motel with every movie and every TV show ever produced in the old Qwest commercials), but some pain will always exist. If the producers of shows were interested in competing on quality and convenience they would be in a very strong position for a long time even without the broadcast flag.

Cheers,
Scott.

Post #189,962

by admin

1/12/05 5:37:42 PM

Re: Slashdot on Linux PVRs. How to make a PVR for $200.

Similarly, if the Linux stuff were as easy to get up and running with similar functionailty it would make it much more appealing.

[link|http://www.mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html|http://www.mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html]

I'm using a PVR250 under Linux right now. There are some gotchas still, but the drivers are getting steadily better.

Many people have created Linux PVRs with other cards, though. I have a friend here at work who uses one daily.

The nice thing about MythTV, and KnoppMyth in particular, is that you can turn any computer into a client for the main MythTV video repository. Stick the KnoppMyth CD in a machine, reboot it, tell it where the repository lives, and start watching recorded shows.

Regards,

-scott anderson

"Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."

Post #189,976

1/12/05 7:54:32 PM

Thanks. I will have to check it out carefully.

I've got a couple of Compaq Presario machines (1.2 GHz Athlon, 768 MB; 1.67 GHz AthlonXP, 512 MB) that I will probably consolidate onto a new Athlon64 box in the spring. So I'd have some hardware to play with.

We've got Cox digital cable and consequently a (Scientific Atlanta) cable box. I assume that any FOSS PVR software would only work with the analog channels. That's OK, but not ideal. Cox offers a DVR for $13.49/mo (service+box, plus the various taxes). Cox [link|http://www.cox.com/fairfax/digitalcable/dvrfaqs.asp|says] "existing DVRs" can be used with their service, but it might be "confusing" as you'd see 2 channel guides. I assume they mean TiVo and not something like MythTV. Do you use yours with a digital cable service?

I'll check into this some more in the coming weeks. Be prepared for questions. :-)

I doubt that I'll worry about the HDTV issues yet (though I might buy a card just in case...).

Thanks again.

Cheers,
Scott.

Post #189,982

by admin

1/12/05 9:12:06 PM

Depends.

If you get a card with svideo input, that might work. You can't come straight off the digital coax, though. Something needs to convert it to analog.

Regards,

-scott anderson

"Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."

Post #189,988

by drewk

1/12/05 10:02:48 PM

Seems stupid

I'm not saying there's any other way with the current tools, but to convert a digital signal to analog, only to re-encode back to digital to store it ... Does this seem like a good ida to anobody?

===

Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats].
[link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]

Post #189,996

1/12/05 10:29:31 PM

Sure.

but to convert a digital signal to analog, only to re-encode back to digital to store it ...

It comes off the wire as digital, but most TVs are analog (that's why a cable box is needed for digital cable). So you must have a D/A conversion in there somewhere. The storage is digital because that's the best way to preserve fidelity while minimizing storage space.

I do get your point - it would be good to be able to feed digital cable into a PC, do the processing/storage magic, then send digital to the TV. Those days are coming, but will likely be encumbered with DRM baggage.

To get digital video from cable into the PC, you'd need something similar to the cable box. If it could have been put on a PCI card for a reasonable amount of money, it might have been done already. But with the DRM stuff coming, I doubt that unencumbered stuff will be easily available in time.

Since nonHD TV is rather low resolution anyway, the D->A->D->A conversion train shouldn't really cause much of a problem (if the PC can keep up). Once HD takes over, then digital inputs to the PC will probably be required. So you'd go: HD receiver/cable-box -> digital PC input -> digital PC output -> HDTV.

My guess, anyway.

Cheers,
Scott.

Post #189,999

by admin

1/12/05 10:36:41 PM

Re: Sure.

That d->a->d->a train is what a PVR card helps with, since the conversion is done in hardware.

Regards,

-scott anderson

"Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."

Post #189,989

1/12/05 10:11:00 PM

At least around here, digital and analog are the same wire.

The digital signal rides "on top of" the analog signal (for lack of a better term for it). We only get the digital channels at sets that have a digital set-top box; we get analog cable at the other sets.

From browsing around [link|http://losdos.dyndns.org:8080/public/mythtv-info/MythTV_DISH_IR_LED_TX_via_Modified_LIRC.html|here], it sounds like the issue is having an appropriate connection from the PC to the set-top box. Thus, one would select the appropriate channel with the IR remote controlled by the PC, the analog signal from the cable-box would to to the MPEG-2 card, the PC would do its magic and display the result on the TV (from a video card with TV out). Similarly with a satellite-box, etc.

I'm thinking that a PVR-350 card would be a better choice than the 250 as it has the MPEG-2 decoder. Is that not necessary? I see mention of nVidia (especially GeForce4 mx440) cards a lot. Is that the best choice for MythTV as far as the drivers go? Do you have 2 capture cards?

What hardware are you using?

Thanks.

Cheers,
Scott.
(Who several times has thought about moving this to Hardware or somewhere else, but figured it would be best to keep it in one place.)

Post #189,995

by admin

1/12/05 10:28:51 PM

I have a 350

The decoder essentially lets you display video without taking much CPU. However, the drivers weren't entirely there back in February or so. They've come a long way and I'm going to try them again. I had bought a NVidia card to do the display out in the meantime. I think the PVR's display is cleaner.

I only have the one capture card. PVRs are really the only way to go if you want more than one capture card and want to watch TV as well, as the CPU usage will be minimal. Just be aware that there can be stability issues.

Don't use a VIA chipset mobo either. I don't know about NVidia chipset mobos.

Be warned: this is NOT an easy project. If you're not comfortable fiddling kernel and module settings, endlessly recompiling things, and generally mucking about with the innards, you won't like doing this at all.

That said, KnoppMyth is supposed to solve all of that. I Haven't Tried KnoppMyth (I rolled my own with Debian). I'll let you know in a month or so when I get the time, though. :-)

Start reading the mailing list for a while to get a feel for what the better configurations are. I haven't been keeping up; it's very high traffic.

Regards,

-scott anderson

"Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."

Post #189,801

1/11/05 3:55:27 PM

Only fly in the Mini ointment - RAM

256MB ain't really enough.

Post #189,819

1/11/05 4:57:40 PM

up to 2GB in mini

[link|http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/01/11/macmini/index.php?lsrc=mcrss-0105|MWSF: Apple introduces Mac mini]

The Mac mini can be expanded with up to 1GB of PC2700 RAM as well. Apple representatives on the Expo show floor confirmed plans to certify 2GB PC2700 RAM for the system, as well.

Hmm - wonder if the same will happen for the iMac G5.

Darrell Spice, Jr.                      [link|http://spiceware.org/gallery/ArtisticOverpass|Artistic Overpass]\n[link|http://www.spiceware.org/|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore

Post #189,820

1/11/05 5:01:00 PM

interesting ad idea

[link|http://www.macworld.com/forums/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=newsthread&Number=286340&page=0&view=collapsed|News Story Forums] by Tau_Myx

This ad wrote itself:

:: Showing a older-looking windows box with monitor. ::

"At last you can put the power and stability of Mac OS X on your existing windows computer!"

:: Hands put the Mac Mini on top of the PC - the monitor switches to Mac OS X. ::

"The iMac Mini, just $499."

Darrell Spice, Jr.                      [link|http://spiceware.org/gallery/ArtisticOverpass|Artistic Overpass]\n[link|http://www.spiceware.org/|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore

Post #189,887

by static

1/11/05 11:21:53 PM

Very interesting.

And enticing.

I've been considering an iBook or a PowerBook for my next PC. Two things stopping me are 1) I don't really need another PC 2) my fiance is anti-Mac for some reason. But the iMac Mini is very enticing... Apple is upping the ante. That can only be good.

Wade.

Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed

Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please

-- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne.

Post #189,926

1/12/05 12:22:31 PM

I'd rethink the engagement

but that's just me.

Post #189,928

1/12/05 12:26:00 PM

Especially as it's to his fiance...

...as opposed to his fiancee.

Post #189,930

1/12/05 12:30:36 PM

You mean, of course ...

[link|http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=fianc%E9e|fianc\ufffd] versus fianc\ufffde.

Or maybe vice versa.

Cheers,
Scott.
(Who is just trying to save CRC some work.)

Post #189,935

1/12/05 1:03:36 PM

Well pardon me for remaining within 7-bit ASCII :-)

Post #189,975

by static

1/12/05 7:47:42 PM

I wanted to make the distinction.

But she's not that fussy. :-) As far as she's concerned, "fiance" (with or without the accent!) will do for either direction. But technically, yes, she's my fianc\ufffde.

Wade.

Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed

Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please

-- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne.

Post #189,903

by Ashton

1/12/05 5:38:18 AM

Manjoo / Salon's take

One hopes each time, another nail in the pussywillow coffin for [link|http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2005/01/12/macworld/| The Beast].
Excerpt -

Jobs also said that the iMac G5 did well last year; it's now the company's most popular Mac. But that's not saying so much, because the truth is -- and here's where the Mac fanatics press Send on their hate mail -- nobody buys Macs. Sure, if you live in San Francisco or New York, you've probably seen a Mac or two around (maybe that time you went to the Apple shop to buy your iPod). You may have used a Mac in school. Perhaps you even know someone who owns a Mac. But as wonderful and storied as it is, the Mac is just about irrelevant today. Apple has a minuscule 3.5 percent share of the American computer business. And worse than that, the Mac could be losing its place at Apple, too: If iPod sales continue to rocket as they are, where do you suppose Apple will commit its future R&D resources? (The answer may already be clear: The biggest announcement at today's Macworld was not the Mac Mini but instead yet another new iPod, this one a tiny, 512 MB model that starts at $99. Called the iPod Shuffle, the entry-level player lacks an LCD display and is meant to play songs in random-play mode.)

All of this is by way of saying that the Mac Mini may be the thing to save the Mac from forever languishing in obscurity, or at least to save it from the wrath of iPod. The computer is, for starters, beautiful. But it's not beautiful in the same way that other Macs are beautiful, for it doesn't include many of the components we all associate with Macs -- a well-designed flat-panel screen, an elegant keyboard and that vexing one-button mouse.

Post #189,907

1/12/05 7:52:11 AM

When...

...iPod sales start talkin' the numbers in terms of revenue and margin that the Mac sales do, call me.

I anticipate a long wait for the call.

This is just another one of those "Apple is dying" gags that pops up every now and again.

It's a good way of getting ad impressions, but it's hardly cutting-edge reportage.

In next week's Salon: "FreeBSD Is Dying, Netcraft Confirms"

Post #189,932

1/12/05 12:33:34 PM

Color me surprised

This eliminates the standard "macs are expensive" complaint.

This device is clearly the beginning of the home media center convergence. It replaces a lot of crap like your dvd/cd player, radio tuner (most radio is net streamed now too - along with a lot of great stuff not on the "air"), that kokopelli cd rack, the wireless access point (add airport extreme card), home file server, host your website/blog, and brings the web to your sofa (get a bluetooth keyboard).

Amazing level of value.

And yet - the posters at CNET are panning it on the basis that Dell sells a lame celeron with fewer interfaces and a really crappy glass screen for $399. Or that there is no software (mini comes with more software than most people use). Or that you *have* to have a KVM switch to use it alongside your PC (where did that come from?).

There is a tremendous lack of *vision* as to what this little gem can be made to do and a lot of carping about what has been left out. The processor is described as "underpowered" (1.25 GHz!).

I don't get the lack of enthusiasm and tremendous negativity shown. Its a great product. Plus the PC crowd always neglects to add in the recurring cost of virus control.

Maybe its Billy and Bally doing the shill dance.

Post #189,934

1/12/05 12:53:27 PM

A lot of the press doesn't understand it.

It could be a very important product for Apple, but they need to connect the dots.

If someone jumps out and shows the average Joe how to make a decent TiVo box out of this thing quickly and easily, I think it'll really take off.

"It'll let you record TV shows! It'll let you send e-mail to your grandkids! It'll save your digital pictures! It'll save all of your music! You can surf the web and not worry about viruses and spyware! ..." A TiVo won't do all that, a regular PC won't do all that.

I haven't seen this much "excitement" about an Apple computer in a long time. But it needs to find its niche in the home quickly before the MS/Dell duopoloy brings out a lame pseudo-clone and steals Apple's thunder.

Cheers,
Scott.

Post #189,945

1/12/05 2:28:49 PM

That new USB tuner includes what's needed.

[link|http://www.macworld.com/news/2005/01/11/eyetvwonder/index.php|MWSF: Elgato, ATI bring EyeTV Wonder to Mac]

EyeTV Wonder features a 125-channel analog TV tuner and an S-Video and composite video input that can connect to cable television, VCRs and gaming consoles. It also sports stereo analog inputs. You can schedule and record programs using TitanTV, an online programming guide that also supports remote programming over the Internet.

ElGato's web site isn't responding at the moment, wonder if they're being bombarded by people interesting in doing this.

Darrell Spice, Jr.                      [link|http://spiceware.org/gallery/ArtisticOverpass|Artistic Overpass]\n[link|http://www.spiceware.org/|SpiceWare] - We don't do Windows, it's too much of a chore

Post #189,947

1/12/05 2:36:20 PM

Could be! Thanks.

Post #189,977

by static

1/12/05 7:56:25 PM

I can't the find the article I saw about that...

There was someone I read semi-regularly who pointed out that Apple could lose money on the MacMini and still stay out in front. Why? Apparantly, Apple has a large cash surplus. If they're willing to lose $1billion subsidising the MacMini, they'll find out if such a relatively cheap device will sell in quantity. If it does, they've made a considerable dent in the Wintel market. If not, well, it was an experiment anyway.

Wade.

Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed

Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please

-- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne.

Post #189,978

1/12/05 8:08:52 PM

Cringely?

[link|http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20050107.html|Here] - see #3.

Cheers,
Scott.

Post #189,984

by static

1/12/05 9:19:40 PM

Yes! I thought it was Dave Winer... )

Is it enough to love
Is it enough to breathe
Somebody rip my heart out
And leave me here to bleed

Is it enough to die
Somebody save my life
I'd rather be Anything but Ordinary
Please

-- "Anything but Ordinary" by Avril Lavigne.

Post #189,963

by admin

1/12/05 5:41:47 PM

Boggle...

I think we are just at the beginning of the curve. People don't buy PCs that often, and it takes a while for expensive habits to change.

The next computer I buy will be an iMac for my wife and son to use on the kitchen desk. Probably within the next few months, because they're currently using an aging Inspiron with a dying keyboard and fussy USB connector.

Regards,

-scott anderson

"Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."

Post #189,966

1/12/05 6:09:20 PM

Really...

People don't buy PCs that often

Mkay. Sure. How many people here DO buy PCs very often?

I'll raise my hand first.

at $1200 surplus a month (average and not always) I can.

No matter how much Microsoft supporters whine about how Linux and other operating systems have just as many bugs as their operating systems do, the bottom line is that the serious, gut-wrenching problems happen on Windows, not on Linux, not on Mac OS. -- [link|http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1622086,00.asp|source]

Post #189,968

by Steve Lowe

1/12/05 6:37:57 PM

Really.

I bought 3 machines in '04, 2 new iBooks and a used tray-loading iMac for my son. A 14" iBook replaced an aged K6-2/500 desktop that my wife was using, that was handed down from me when I got issued a laptop from my employer. A 12" iBook is mine, which I intend to hand down to my son in the fall of 06 when he starts Middle School. Prior to this year, I can't remember the last whole computer I bought.

That K6 machine was something that evolved over time, upgrades here and there. In fact, I still have it, it's running Sarge headless as a local fileserver. Still have the wife's old computer, too. It's a K6-300 running IPCop, also headless, as my internet gateway/firewall/router, and I have another K6-300 that my brother gave me as an internet server sitting on the DMZ, also running Sarge. (these three are what I wanted that KVM from Joe for, btw)

So yes, there are people (even geeky people) that don't buy computers everyday.

--
Steve

Post #189,971

by inthane-chan

1/12/05 6:58:03 PM

Can I have your job?

Post #189,994

1/12/05 10:27:30 PM

I only work part-time.

And so does the wife.

My rate might be higher than some here... but still.

And, I have done a few Consulting job resulting in me having a better year than I ever had at the GRCC, or Genzink or GFS or... well I guess I had a better year than I thought.

History of performance does not guarantee future performance. But, I seem to pickup side jobs.

Sometimes, companies feel I don't respond quite as fast as I need to. I offer that, even though I might take a bit longer to respond, I usually get the stuff done before the faster responders... ehh.

And, Thane, if you want my job... I am guessing you'll have to ramp up.

No matter how much Microsoft supporters whine about how Linux and other operating systems have just as many bugs as their operating systems do, the bottom line is that the serious, gut-wrenching problems happen on Windows, not on Linux, not on Mac OS. -- [link|http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1622086,00.asp|source]

Post #189,983

by admin

1/12/05 9:17:34 PM

You (and we) are hardly the typical PC-buying public.

My parents have had two machines only since forever. One of them is 3 years old, the other a bit older.

One set of in-laws has had a single computer for about 3 years. That was their first. The other picked up one 2 years ago, also their first.

My sisters each have one. Most people that I know who aren't computer hacks only have one. I would suspect that people buy new computers on pretty much the same timescale as a new car.

Regards,

-scott anderson

"Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."

Post #190,002

1/12/05 10:39:37 PM

Yeah... I know.

I renew my machine nearly twice a year now.

No matter how much Microsoft supporters whine about how Linux and other operating systems have just as many bugs as their operating systems do, the bottom line is that the serious, gut-wrenching problems happen on Windows, not on Linux, not on Mac OS. -- [link|http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1622086,00.asp|source]

Post #190,008

by admin

1/12/05 10:44:36 PM

You are DEFINITELY not the average PC-buying public.

I touch my machines every 1-3 years.

Regards,

-scott anderson

"Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."

Post #190,023

1/13/05 1:39:38 AM

I'm now on a 3-year cycle

Because that's the length of the finance deal on this here Dell thinger.

It's a G5 after that, I wot; probably not new but rather a couple of years old, given the same financial conditions in 2 years time that I have now.

Post #190,027

by FuManChu

1/13/05 2:52:11 AM

Looking for a missionary to support? <:)

Post #190,048

1/13/05 10:32:22 AM

That is after giving my 10% and...

before giving direct support to our(my church's) own Missionaries, who were recently held hostages by a group of men who usually stop vehicles at make shift passages and kill the people after jacking them out of the vehicle and take everything including the vehicle and clothes leaving the bodies to be ravaged by the hyenas and vultures and other carrion eaters.

They basically nego'd with the group after telling them they were missionaries. They agreed to drop them 2 miles from a town, but kept everything they had. Bad thing is they were moving from one town to another at the time. Losing EVERYTHING.

Henry Hoogeterp is our missionary. I have been sending money into their account monthly ~$100-300 of that surplus a month. initially last year (November when it happened) the wife and I were tapping that entire amount to them.

No matter how much Microsoft supporters whine about how Linux and other operating systems have just as many bugs as their operating systems do, the bottom line is that the serious, gut-wrenching problems happen on Windows, not on Linux, not on Mac OS. -- [link|http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1622086,00.asp|source]

Post #190,063

by FuManChu

1/13/05 11:13:22 AM

Wow.

Post #190,076