Motorcycle Thoughts

Just read another perspective on the Safari Browser. According to a PC Magazine article, the reasoning behind Apple porting Safari to windows is a matter of survival. I did not think about this angle, the rage lately with computing is centralized software or services, think Google Docs. Apple is simply looking to make itself relevant, no small feat for a company that has always been boutique.

I am not a security expert, but just an off the cuff observation; if they make themselves more relevant don’t they risk getting mainstream as well? Wherein this may seem like a good idea on the surface, perhaps it exposes the companies existing holes. The holes that I am talking about include; holes in the company structure (always been a very tight lipped company) software and OS vulnerabilities (iTunes has shown Apples inability to test their software 100% - Still haven’t gotten the Movies to play on my computer.), also holes include the companies reputation (look what success has done to the evil Microsoft).

On the other hand, if well executed, it has the potential to push apple further ahead. Show the windows crowd that Apple can do Windows better than Microsoft can do Windows. Again, I point to iTunes, very well executed, despite the problem that I am having with my computer. The problem I am having with my computer is not necessarily Apples fault. iTunes on windows (in my opinion) works better and is easier then Windows Media Player in all aspects.

I still think that Safari has a ways to go before it becomes a default browser on any of my computers. I will keep an open mind never the less. Heck, I may just go get me a Mac, I am absolutely fed up with Vista.

Recently found out that Apple has developed a version of Safari for Windows. I cannot help to ask one simple question: “why?” this makes no sense. Look at the ads that Apple has, they clearly are not very happy dealing with Windows. The have iTunes for Windows for market share. Safari itself (despite their claim that The worlds best browser, Now on Windows too) is not very well liked by the Mac users that I know, most of them stick with Mozilla’s excellent Firefox browser.

As for the browser itself, I downloaded the beta 3 version to my work computer. I am a Webmaster by trade and feel the need to see what my work will look like on the browser. The browser has a nice Apple look and feel (ala iTunes), well laid out. What I am not impressed with is how the browser renders my work. For example fonts do not not look right it is not sharp and crisp. Seemed that their are still some general CSS issues plaguing the browser, as well as some W3C compliancy issues. I am trying to keep in mind that the browser is in beta and hopefully these type of things will be addressed in the final release.

Still cannot help but wonder why Apple would bother with this my iTunes is still not fixed and they are still not addressing that issue, would love to watch my iTunes movies on my computer without having to jump through stupid hoops.

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Well, it has been almost a week and other than the email from nVidia pointing to Apple, I am no closer to solving the problem than I was before. I did get on Apples site and put a topic in the discussion board. No response to anything, thanks Apple, thanks nVidia. Another example of poor customer service.

This is what I hate, this is the nightmare.
I like HP computers for the most part this is my second. Honestly, I do not know why I bought another. I fear/despise vista, and the other one worked well. I really liked the looks of the special edition HP DV6258 SE. So I bought it, darn thing came with the Vista pig. Looking back on things should have gotten the Apple that I had my eye on. The trouble started when I attempted to install iTunes.

Initially I installed itunes 7.0 installation went fine despite the warnings that iTunes is not Vista compatible. Played music fine iPod sync went off more or less without a hitch. The problem was when I attempted to play a video or movie on the computer. The movie would start out OK, then stop and start sound out of sync etc. Worse yet the friggin computer would crash, yes, Crash BSOD baby. I figured this was a Vista compatible issue, looked all over the web for information regarding this problem. Apples site has a page dedicated to the problem. Originally, the page did not have the additional information at the bottom of the page. I followed all the instruction, no dice, same problem.

I waited patiently for iTunes 7.1, anxiously downloaded it, installed it, tried it. Music -fine, iPod - no different, movie playback - same problem. Searched the Internet, same pages, same worn out information. Apparently others are having worse problems tho.

Finally, not long ago iTunes 7.2, downloaded, installed, tested. Same problem, this sucks. Searched the Internet again. A few days ago I noticed the Additional Information on that page finally, I light at the end of the tunnel… or so I thought.

The Nightmare

I posted a message on the customer support board at nVidia’s web site. I will post the question and the quote below.

My question:
according to apple.com you are investigating a problem with the controller that is causing a BSOD during video playback using iTunes. Could you tell me the progress of this investigation and when an fix is expected?

Their answer:
Hi Greg,
NVIDIA Engineering has found this to be a application problem and not an issue with nForce SATA drivers as Apple has reported to them. Moreover, the issue also happens on Intel chipset’s such as i975. These types of chipset are found in Apples own computers.
Best regards,
NVIDIA

I would be really happy to hear a resolution to this issue. I am going to email both of them and see if they will duke it out amongst themselves. I love my iPod and more or less like the computer.