Eric Brodeur's Profile

  • http://www.ericbrodeur.com/
  • Mar 28, 2008
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Latest comments made by: Eric Brodeur

  • Happened to find this: http://www.digitalartsonline.co.uk/news/index.cfm?RSS&NewsID=8968. Story includes lot of stats. Microsoft has sold 88 million copies of Vista thus far. If Apple can sell another 86 million copies of Leopard it will have caught up. OK...I suppose the adoption rate should be calculated on installed user base.
    Eric Brodeur had this to say on Oct 30, 2007 Posts: 23
    Vista Was Doomed 6 Years Ago
  • "Miserable failure" should be quantified by gross sales, not public opinion. There is hardly any product released that doesn't get blasted by disappointed fanboys, angry journalists, or some newbie that didn't open the README before trying to use his new webcam. I suppose Vista could be called a disappointment. At the very least, MS could have deployed a top-notch GUI instead of throwing in translucent windows, the same GUI controls, and the need for 1 GB of RAM to function. It goes without saying Apple has been the worst of updating OS and leaving users by the wayside for drivers. Then again, I'm thinking OS 8 to 9 to 10.2. Things seemed to mellow out with 10.3. I think the biggest obstacle to Microsoft and Apple isn't a lackluster product, it's living up to the hype. In that case no one will ever be satisifed.
    Eric Brodeur had this to say on Oct 30, 2007 Posts: 23
    Vista Was Doomed 6 Years Ago
  • For all the greatness Apple's consumers dish upon it, if Apple does something to tick them off - all that greatness is quickly forgotten. I'm an Apple convert from years and years of Microsoft Windows in home and corporate settings. If Apple was "so much better" years ago then it must have been blissful nirvana because they're looking damn good today. Whatever. I'm feeding the opinion beast and done.
  • Puh-lease, you're complaining about the "iPhone update breaks hacks thing" and for that Apple should hang their head in shame? Apple has a reputation of dependability and usability to defend and opening up a device to APIs that they're not ready for would be worse. Combine iPhone 1.0 _with_ API 1.0 and you know the community would angry when things don't work as expected. With every .x revision of OS X they added features and fixed bugs. You can be sure an upcoming .x rev to the iPhone will do the same. Somewhat off topic but look at VoIP. iPhone may lack it but there's a reason for that: It's too unreliable when you factor in VoIP service providers, client software, and most importantly, consumer routers that don't awlays handle SIP properly. When Apple feels VoIP is ready, it'll happen. Same goes for an API. But really, would you want a device that's unreliable? Don't give me the disclaimer "hack at your own risk" because consumers did just that and walked into the Apple Store saying "it broke." They were warned but did it matter? No. Apple shouldn't be crticized for keeping their devices running as they were designed. They should be commended for it.
  • I share the same opinion as James. Apple is Jobs and Jobs is Apple. Should the two part ways we could have a repeat of Gil Amelio. While we can criticize Jobs for the performance of Apple pre-Amelio, it's not as if Apple rebounded to greatness with Amelio. The point being: there's no replacing Steve Jobs unless he crafts someone to succeed him. The dominance of computer platforms seems to shift every 5-7 years. It happened in the server OS market between the 80s and late 90s with IBM, Novell, and Microsoft and we've seen Linux and Mac gain ground against Windows since the early 2000s. For now let's just enjoy the ride.
    Eric Brodeur had this to say on Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 23
    One Day I Will Switch from Apple
  • Apple's $100 rebate is ludicrous. Rather, that people would be early adopters then cry they overpaid is ludicrous. I'd like to know what OS these complainers are using: Mac or Windows? Windows people are cheap and would not have forked over $600 for an iPhone, let alone any Apple product, out of shear principle. That just leaves Maccies, who in my opinion, cling to idealistic thinking (digital altruism?) with Apple products. "I didn't go to Starbucks at school for a whole year to buy an iPhone and now Apple changed the price and ripped me off. No fair!" This just in: if you can't afford it, don't buy it. It's an economic principle called "capitalism." When the Dodge Viper, new VW Beetle, and new Mini were released they sold for more than sticker due to "dealer premiums." Early adopters as it were. They didn't get a refund. Apple caved and gave refunds because when the first class-action suit hits the judge will see that Apple "did the right thing" by offering the $100. Suit thrown out and Apple shareholders save money. Don't forget, every business is in it to make a profit just as Chris described. Apple is no different just they do it with style.
  • I’ve also noticed of Microsoft users that the more tech savvy ones tend to be more laid back and use their computer for what they need it to do, while enjoying simplicity and flexibility. Not sure what you mean here. I'd say that someone tech-savvy may have the ability to "make it work" but doesn't mean the "it" is simple or flexible. Microsoft has created a simpler and more friendly environment than Apple. Are you talking about Windows? Each OS is different but I'd have to say Apple gets the nod for ease of use. OS X doesn't bog you down with a Start menu, software uninstall, or daily virus updates. Because of this, tons of devices and software will just work and many options will be available. My father recently updated to Vista and had to ditch a number of older PCI cards and other devices that don't have Vista drivers. That might not be Microsoft's fault directly but Vista turns its back on some legacy equipment (probably not a bad idea but irritating if it impacts you).
    Eric Brodeur had this to say on Jun 08, 2007 Posts: 23
    Apple Culture vs. Microsoft Culture
  • Apple is about style and like it's been mentioned, their devices aren't necessarily designed with ergo being a priority. It must be a tough market for 3rd parties to deliver on peripherals. You want tried and true ergo and build quality. One vendor I really liked closed up shop in 05 or 06 - Fingerworks. They were the only (?) manufacturer of a trackpad that measured over 2 inches by 2 inches. It makes a great replacement for the mouse.
    Eric Brodeur had this to say on May 29, 2007 Posts: 23
    Where Are the Third Party Ergonomic Peripherals?
  • I've been avoiding the MM for the very reason you (and countless others) have described. Too bad, because the rollerball is a good idea. Just wish someone would release a fully Mac compatible scroll wheel mouse with Bluetooth.
    Eric Brodeur had this to say on May 04, 2007 Posts: 23
    Mighty Mouse Must Die!
  • Ha! What timing... Just last night I found webhostingunleashed.com and submitted a review. The reviews and ratings are laid out in a fasion that's eaiser to use than scouring through a message forum.
    Eric Brodeur had this to say on Apr 09, 2007 Posts: 23
    AAM: Web Hosting Question
  • I do wonder the longevity of the Palm OS but it's nice to know there's Missing Sync. It's a solid app. I've since upgraded to a Nokia device which is iSync native.
    Eric Brodeur had this to say on Mar 30, 2007 Posts: 23
    The Missing Sync List
  • For me, switching from Windows to Macintosh was more about re-thinking how I work. I discovered I didn't really need all the bloat of Outlook or many of the other apps I had grown accustomed to using under Windows. So what if I could extend and customize Outlook if I never (or hardly) did? While many argue that iCal and Address Book could do more, there's something to be said for simplicity. And it syncs to my Nokia mobile without issue or a 3rd party tool.
  • But ultimately, it’s like arguing whether you’d get kicked in the nads five times or six. No matter who it is, it’s all bad and it all needs to go. Yeah, no joke. A colleague of mine reminded me that iTunes is cross-platform for Win and Mac. Has anyone confirmed their Mac-bought content plays under an authorized Windows machine (or vise-versa)?
    Eric Brodeur had this to say on Mar 19, 2007 Posts: 23
    The Not So Great Future Of The iPod
  • I should have broken that paragraph in two. "Draconian" wasn't intended to be MS-specific, rather it varies by vendor. Apple allows burning to CD seven times and authorization of five other Apple devices for playback. Wal-Mart allows burning onto 10 CDs and any number of portable players (don't know if there's a hard limit). CinemaNow offers some movies for burning to DVD while others must be watched via a PC; their FAQ states iPod and PSP devices are not supported but don't mention which are; another satement on their site mentions "Purchase any BUY movie marked 'Plays on 3 Devices including Portable Players' and download to your PC" but not every movie has a portable player license. MS decided the Zune isn't a PlaysForSure device so anyone with a PFS library will need to burn CDs and import those tracks for use with Zune. Same goes for the MSN Music Store. Your Zune Marketplace purchases won't play on a PFS device. One Zune can be synced to a PC and I'm not sure how many PCs can be authorized for playback. Some Zune Marketplace content cannot be shared with others even though Zune offers 3-day/3-play sharing. Xbox Live Marketplace movie rentals expire within 24 hours of pressing Play. Make sure your calendar is wide open should something come up and cause you to miss that 24 hour window. Even Blockbuster allows you a few days to rent a DVD (with all the extras). I'll drop "draconian" and substitute it with "inconsistent" and "confusing" for Windows DRM. In any event, anyone buying DRM content and later switching OS platforms is in for a real headache.
    Eric Brodeur had this to say on Mar 19, 2007 Posts: 23
    The Not So Great Future Of The iPod
  • Every product "runs its course" and the iPod is no exception. I thought you were going to say that battery power + video + wireless is the downfall of the iPod but suggesting that Apple's relatively loose DRM isn't what I expected. I've never owned a Windows portable device but it seems MS can't make up its mind about music download outlets and flavors of DRM between retailers. As long as there are draconian forms of DRM, Apple's is the best of what we're stuck with. It would be great if the iPod had Bluetooth and wi-fi but, honestly, wired connections are fine for most of us. What makes the iPod easy to use is the lack of complicated setups and wireless connections inevitably give us trouble at some point. Wired always works. We're all envisioning the meld of iPod + moible phone but the non-Apple solutions have been found lacking. I recently met someone who owned an LG Chocolate and she _never_ loaded (or bought) any music onto her "music" phone. My Nokia E61 load and play music wirelessly but its faster (and easier) to grab my 1st-gen Shuffle and earbuds. What will end the iPod is a lack of vision. But that's not something Apple is short on.
    Eric Brodeur had this to say on Mar 18, 2007 Posts: 23
    The Not So Great Future Of The iPod