Mac Users

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Until this software works on a Mac mini with video out?

Front Row

Atticus, let us know when you've hacked it. Thank you.

It's IR, not BT, so it will only work with computers with an IR receiver (i.e., the new iMac G5). Until someone comes out with an IR to USB bridge, don't buy it for your current Mac.

[baltassoc]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
It's IR, not BT, so it will only work with computers with an IR receiver (i.e., the new iMac G5). Until someone comes out with an IR to USB bridge, don't buy it for your current Mac.

Okay, how long until Apple figures out that this on a Mac Mini is the killer appliance? I mean, the iMac G5 is nice and all, but ultimately a 20in screen ain't doing it in most living room entertainment centers (good size for a dorm, though, but you've got to think past the 18-22 year old set).

RT and I were already discussing a MacMini as a iTunes server and saying one might as well hook it into the HDTV as a monitor since it needs (well not needs to be, but why not) to be need the stereo anyway.

With the integrated software and a custom remote (how hard can a BT remote be?), this would be a done deal instead of wondering whether a PC (with Tivo capability maybe) would be a better choice)

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by baltassoc
With the integrated software and a custom remote (how hard can a BT remote be?), this would be a done deal instead of wondering whether a PC (with Tivo capability maybe) would be a better choice)

1. Remote control is actually a very bad application of BT technology. It was designed for intermittent communication between devices that are often recharged -- not ideal for living room remotes. There are better solutions, like straight-up RF.

2. One of the problems is getting the HD content into the Mac. I think the content providers are opposed to putting out tuners etc. that output non-copy protected content through FireWire. Once it's on a PC, it's crackable. Which isn't to say Apple won't eventually be selling HD content that's protected by FairPlay through the iTMS, but what about television, which is where most content comes from? Even an OTA HD tuner is a license to violate copyright, especially on a machine like the Mac where you can use iMovie to clip out the commercials.

[baltassoc]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
1. Remote control is actually a very bad application of BT technology. It was designed for intermittent communication between devices that are often recharged -- not ideal for living room remotes. There are better solutions, like straight-up RF.

2. One of the problems is getting the HD content into the Mac. I think the content providers are opposed to putting out tuners etc. that output non-copy protected content through FireWire. Once it's on a PC, it's crackable. Which isn't to say Apple won't eventually be selling HD content that's protected by FairPlay through the iTMS, but what about television, which is where most content comes from? Even an OTA HD tuner is a license to violate copyright, especially on a machine like the Mac where you can use iMovie to clip out the commercials.

I am perhaps being naive, but I'm not sure all those capaciies are actually necessary. I just was the functionality on the G5 in a unit that's a) cheap and b) can be hooked up to my DVI monitor (that happens to also be an HDTV). Maybe the answer in putting an IR receiver on Mac Minis. Whatever. The Mini is the key though.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by baltassoc
I am perhaps being naive, but I'm not sure all those capaciies are actually necessary. I just was the functionality on the G5 in a unit that's a) cheap and b) can be hooked up to my DVI monitor (that happens to also be an HDTV). Maybe the answer in putting an IR receiver on Mac Minis. Whatever. The Mini is the key though.

I agree, but there's not much inherent advantage for Apple to compete in the DVR space. As for the future, I think there will be difficulty seeing cable and satellite providers cooperating much on getting HD content onto any Internet connected device. Hell, some of them won't even output HD to DVI because of the copy protection issue --- you have to use the HDMI connector. The HDTivo is an example of this.

[Seven of Nine]

Nobody will ever need more than 640K of memory!

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
RAM is the one thing you're likely to be able to add in the future.

BTW, what's the max for pentium-based computers, 1GB?

The new G5s can go up to 8GB (and I think in theory something much crazier than that, but the 1GB chips currently available are already a few hundred $$)

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
I agree, but there's not much inherent advantage for Apple to compete in the DVR space. As for the future, I think there will be difficulty seeing cable and satellite providers cooperating much on getting HD content onto any Internet connected device. Hell, some of them won't even output HD to DVI because of the copy protection issue --- you have to use the HDMI connector. The HDTivo is an example of this.

Why not on DVRs? An acquisition of Tivo made some amount of sense. Not because Apple has some inherent advantage in providing/creating DVR technology, but because they have proven themselves genius (at least in the last 3 years) of giving consumers what they want in the way of various media appliances. Apple isn't a music company (at least the Apple we're talking about), yet they have the music store. Why wouldn't apple have an interest in making a media box that brings together your photos, itunes, and movies, along with your tv/dvr?

As for HD--it's an ongoing fight well bigger than Apple. But is the problem the Sat/Cable cos. or the content providers? The content cos. have been bitching to the FCC about DRM for broadcast TV, had a proposal that got tossed by the courts, and are back at square one saying "no protection/no content." It's a real problem, because the content folks want to create copy protection well beyond what the copyright laws allow (e.g., no fair use exceptions). And anotehr part of the problem is that there are dueling standards. But I digress.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Seven of Nine
Nobody will ever need more than 640K of memory!

Floppy disks are still useful though.

[Seven of Nine]

Yeah, as coasters.

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
Floppy disks are still useful though.

[pony_trekker]

Any good financial programs out there for mac? Quicken absolutely blows. It's so fucked up I am considering a class action for my fucking money back.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by pony_trekker
Any good financial programs out there for mac? Quicken absolutely blows. It's so fucked up I am considering a class action for my fucking money back.

If there are, I don't know about them. Quicken for Windows and genealogy research software are the only reasons I have a WinXP machine in my house at all.

ETA: And now Google Earth, but that was not a factor when I bought it.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by pony_trekker
Any good financial programs out there for mac? Quicken absolutely blows. It's so fucked up I am considering a class action for my fucking money back.

What do you need it to do? I'm told MoneyDance is good, but it seems to do only banking. There doesn't appear to be much for portfolio management that's any less bad than Quicken.

[pony_trekker]

Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
What do you need it to do? I'm told MoneyDance is good, but it seems to do only banking. There doesn't appear to be much for portfolio management that's any less bad than Quicken.

All I need is reliable electronic check book that can download from banks. I'll try Moneydance, or maybe just revert to the PC when I need to check bills. I tell you, paper checkbook beats Quicken for Mac which absolutely sucks hairy, sweatty balls.

Maybe I troll for classmates in a class action against Intuit.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

If you like comics and used widgets;

wimic

Your choice of comics in a widget--load whichever you want. Sweet.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Cool idea: Plug your iPod into a socket on the plane.. Charges the iPod and you can watch your video on the seatback monitor.