"That's why the only place you can buy music for your iPod...." Um ... that hasn't been the case since ... well, NEVER. You can purchase (or download free or CC-licensed) digital music in dozens, if not hundreds, of places, import them into your iTunes-managed library, and voila -- it's on your iPod. Don't like iTunes? No problem, there are several robust third-party media device library tools that do the same, often better, job than the simplistic iTunes app.
I concur with the previous comments, Apple has long been a leader in good industrial design, clever advertising and marketing, and creating a mystique around their products. The stores aren't revolutionary ... if you look at sci-fi films of the past 30 years. The typical Apple store looks like something that Kubrick or Cronenberg would've dreamt up, and already have. When someone goes into Best Buy, one thinks "upscale Walmart ... confusing geography ... too many flashing lights and sounds ... annoying salespeople who aren't well versed in the products." When someone goes into an Apple store, one thinks, "I've stepped into the future. Wow. It's like I'm in a movie." (And visual attention is focused on one thing and one thing only. Aside from the crowds, the stores are invitingly barren of anything that isn't needed.) That's more compelling than discounts, promotions, pushy salespeople, overcrowded (and disorganized) display racks, or other gewgaws.
And Apple does indeed deserve credit for harnessing eclectic design influences to present their product offerings. There's a very deep topic to dive into.
This poll is missing an option. "There are many visible aspects in common with open source projects, but it's not what I'd call an 'open source' movement."
As someone has apparently done, in any activity like this if you dig deep enough you will find an instigator, a driving individual or group. Now, I think good FOSS projects start that way as well. But they eventually become democratic don't they? Sure, what we see on the streets in NYC may seem democratic, but ... is it really?
Authored Comments
"That's why the only place you can buy music for your iPod...." Um ... that hasn't been the case since ... well, NEVER. You can purchase (or download free or CC-licensed) digital music in dozens, if not hundreds, of places, import them into your iTunes-managed library, and voila -- it's on your iPod. Don't like iTunes? No problem, there are several robust third-party media device library tools that do the same, often better, job than the simplistic iTunes app.
I concur with the previous comments, Apple has long been a leader in good industrial design, clever advertising and marketing, and creating a mystique around their products. The stores aren't revolutionary ... if you look at sci-fi films of the past 30 years. The typical Apple store looks like something that Kubrick or Cronenberg would've dreamt up, and already have. When someone goes into Best Buy, one thinks "upscale Walmart ... confusing geography ... too many flashing lights and sounds ... annoying salespeople who aren't well versed in the products." When someone goes into an Apple store, one thinks, "I've stepped into the future. Wow. It's like I'm in a movie." (And visual attention is focused on one thing and one thing only. Aside from the crowds, the stores are invitingly barren of anything that isn't needed.) That's more compelling than discounts, promotions, pushy salespeople, overcrowded (and disorganized) display racks, or other gewgaws.
And Apple does indeed deserve credit for harnessing eclectic design influences to present their product offerings. There's a very deep topic to dive into.
This poll is missing an option. "There are many visible aspects in common with open source projects, but it's not what I'd call an 'open source' movement."
As someone has apparently done, in any activity like this if you dig deep enough you will find an instigator, a driving individual or group. Now, I think good FOSS projects start that way as well. But they eventually become democratic don't they? Sure, what we see on the streets in NYC may seem democratic, but ... is it really?