Thank you Steve Jobs

[highoctane]

I am glad to see some Apple downloads on the DVC site.

 

[dwelty]

Where exactly can we find these?

 

[highoctane]

1. Log into WWW.dvcmember.com
2. click view all Perks (it is toward the bottom of the page)
3. on the left side in the Member Privileges click on member widget Gallery

They are not that big but at least its a baby step into admitting The Apple is out there. You know how us Mac users love our widgets.

 

[gjw007]

I don't know about thanking Steve Jobs as he had nothing to do with the widgets programs showing up on the DVC member site. As an owner of a Steve Jobs made obsolete G5 PowerPc iMac, I don't go singing the praises of a company or a CEO that has numerous times shown an indifference to its base. It ignored its base in the Apple II when it designed the Mac. It also then move away from the 6502 to the Motorola processor. It then moved away from the Motorola to the PowerPC prompting a complete change in programs that can run on the system a few years later. Roughly a year ago, there was a switch from the PowerPC to the Intel processor (probably a good move as when Steve Jobs prompts a change again, these machines can still run Windows-based programs knowing that they won't run the latest Mac software). At least programs written under the universal should work under both processors but if written for the PowerPC or the Intel won't work for the other processor-powered machine. Thinking that it is only hardware, look at the operating system change from the Apple II to the Mac OS and then about 4 years ago or so, the switch from OS9 to OSX on the Mac. In each case, the previous software wouldn't work on the new operating system.

There are positives and negatives to be said about the need to make the changes, so I'll not argue that but in each case, there has been a disregard for the existing Apple base. Think about the number of cars that you probably have owned since 1976 when Apple was found. How pleased would you be if every few years you bought a car but found that it needed to run on a new fuel that wasn't currently readily available? Sure, over time, given market pressure, some company will step up to fill the void but it doesn't induce loyalty to the company especially since at the time that it was purchased, there may not be the fuel (programs) needed to make the equipment operational. Changes and upgrades need to be done but Steve Jobs history of draconian-style changes don't give me much faith that the company takes its consumer interest at heart. Steve Jobs is a wonderful marketer and the new changes give him a new product to market.

As an aside, a few years ago as part of a MBA program, I was in San Francisco and got to meet many of the executives from Apple. It has an interesting history and Steve Jobs is clearly a master at Marketing. Most of the executives stated that what they learned most from Steve Jobs was marketing.

 

[highoctane]

I was not trying to bring up sore spots, but I was just puting together that since Steve Jobs now has a share in Disney and we are now getting MAC downloads, by the way hows Vista working for you

 

[gjw007]

I was not trying to bring up sore spots, but I was just puting together that since Steve Jobs now has a share in Disney and we are now getting MAC downloads, by the way hows Vista working for you

Its not a sore point, just a reality of owning a Mac. Various Mac lovers don't like to recognize it or minimize it as unimportant. You can expect Mac to make your OS and machine obsolete by company decisions sometime in the future based on the companies history of doing. I also have a Mac 512 as well as the G5 iMac.

My Vista-based (and Xp) machines run fine. If that was cut toward Vista and Windows, it was misplaced. I use them when I need to get something done. For all the flaws of Windows, it has kept, for the most part, the ability to migrate programs (not all but most) over from its previous versions of the OS. The reality is that if you take a business class or have work that needs to be done in a business environment, it will be Windows-based, for better or worse. I simply don't go for the cult of Steve Jobs (or Jack Welsh, Bill Gates, Lee Iacocca, etc.).

Steve Jobs may have shares of Disney, like many other individuals and companies, but Steve Jobs only owns a small share of Apple, which I think is being used interchangeably with being Steve Jobs when in reality they are two separate entities, is a owned by a multitude of owners who have purchased shares in the company.

I do think that it is good that the widgets are up there for the Mac. DVC needs to be congratulated for recognizing that there are other operating systems other than windows. Since the Mac OSX is at the core, a Unix system, there should also have programs that are Unix-based such as Linux.

 

[disney54us]

MY MAC!!

 

[iteachlit]

I'm sorry, but I have to jump in here. There are a few things you should know:

I don't know about thanking Steve Jobs as he had nothing to do with the widgets programs showing up on the DVC member site.

Really? I have had two personal instances where Steve has directly acted on emails I have sent him. The very next day. If he is willing to help me, a sole individual, why would he not take the time to influence a Disney-run site. After all, he's the single largest Disney shareholder.

As an owner of a Steve Jobs made obsolete G5 PowerPc iMac, I don't go singing the praises of a company or a CEO that has numerous times shown an indifference to its base.

Why can't I use the air cleaner from my 1966 Mustang in my 2007 Freestyle? Why doesn't my great grandmother's cast iron stove fit in the opening made for the oven in my new house? Why can't I use the memory from my three-year-old DELL tower in the brand new system? Progress.

It ignored its base in the Apple II when it designed the Mac. It also then move away from the 6502 to the Motorola processor. It then moved away from the Motorola to the PowerPC prompting a complete change in programs that can run on the system a few years later.

I had an Apple //c. When I first used a Mac, I knew that the GUI was the future of computing. My first Mac was an underpowered LC with 2MB of RAM. I still loved it more than my Apple //c. When I bought a PowerPC-based Mac, all of my old programs ran, as the PowerPC was able to emulate the earlier Motorola processors.

Roughly a year ago, there was a switch from the PowerPC to the Intel processor (probably a good move as when Steve Jobs prompts a change again, these machines can still run Windows-based programs knowing that they won't run the latest Mac software). At least programs written under the universal should work under both processors but if written for the PowerPC or the Intel won't work for the other processor-powered machine.

Guess what? You're wrong here, too. While you correctly state that Universal applications will run on both PowerPC and Intel-based systems, you incorrectly claim that software written specifically for one will not run on the other. Applications written for PowerPC Macs run just fine on Intel-based systems. This is thanks to a feature called Rosetta.

Thinking that it is only hardware, look at the operating system change from the Apple II to the Mac OS and then about 4 years ago or so, the switch from OS9 to OSX on the Mac. In each case, the previous software wouldn't work on the new operating system.

Sorry to call you on something else, but this is also not true. From the earliest days of OS X, software written for the previous OS could run in Classic mode. This was abandoned when the Intel systems shipped, as it would have required a massive rewrite of the Classic OS.

Sure, over time, given market pressure, some company will step up to fill the void but it doesn't induce loyalty to the company especially since at the time that it was purchased, there may not be the fuel (programs) needed to make the equipment operational.

Yay capitalism!

Changes and upgrades need to be done but Steve Jobs history of draconian-style changes don't give me much faith that the company takes its consumer interest at heart.

Yes... Apple is really hurting. Since Jobs returned in the mid-1990's, Apple's shares have risen from around $4 to nearly $190 at the close today. They have dominated the digital music space (iPod + iTunes). Their market share (yes, it's small, I know) is rising while others fall. The iPhone has revitalized the cell phone industry.

The computer industry is one of change. If you expect to use the same computer for more than two years without massive innovation and change happening around you... well... OK.

Steve Jobs is a wonderful marketer and the new changes give him a new product to market.

Finally! I agree with you!

I realize that this will likely start a flame war -- which I wouldn't normally get involved in -- but your information is way off. I just had to set the record straight. As a long-time Apple user, I must defend my platform of choice.

If a Mac vs. PC battle breaks out here it could get very interesting.

By the way, I think Steve Jobs also pool hops and uses his refillable mug from six years ago.

 

[kikiq]

I do think that it is good that the widgets are up there for the Mac. DVC needs to be congratulated for recognizing that there are other operating systems other than windows. Since the Mac OSX is at the core, a Unix system, there should also have programs that are Unix-based such as Linux.

WHICH is what the OP was talking about...DVC recognizing that there people who use macs and own dvc...and the OP was just thanking Jobs.
I don't know that she expected or wanted a dissertation on Jobs.

Mac/PC...it's just a personal preference and sometimes business preference. My DDs own macs, but can do pcs without a moment lost.

And I'm also happy that FINALLY there's something for macs...I have an "obsolete" ibook G4...just plugging away here, works for me.

 

[gjw007]

WHICH is what the OP was talking about...DVC recognizing that there people who use macs and own dvc...and the OP was just thanking Jobs.
I don't know that she expected or wanted a dissertation on Jobs.

Mac/PC...it's just a personal preference and sometimes business preference. My DDs own macs, but can do pcs without a moment lost.

And I'm also happy that FINALLY there's something for macs...I have an "obsolete" ibook G4...just plugging away here, works for me.

Ah, the cult of Steven Jobs. I would prefer to give recognition to DVC for realizing that there are other users than Windows-based systems. This is probably more a result of Mac owners comments to DVC. Nothing more, nothing less and highly unlikely to because of Jobs.

 

[gjw007]

I'm sorry, but I have to jump in here. There are a few things you should know:

Really? I have had two personal instances where Steve has directly acted on emails I have sent him. The very next day. If he is willing to help me, a sole individual, why would he not take the time to influence a Disney-run site. After all, he's the single largest Disney shareholder.

Why can't I use the air cleaner from my 1966 Mustang in my 2007 Freestyle? Why doesn't my great grandmother's cast iron stove fit in the opening made for the oven in my new house? Why can't I use the memory from my three-year-old DELL tower in the brand new system? Progress.

I had an Apple //c. When I first used a Mac, I knew that the GUI was the future of computing. My first Mac was an underpowered LC with 2MB of RAM. I still loved it more than my Apple //c. When I bought a PowerPC-based Mac, all of my old programs ran, as the PowerPC was able to emulate the earlier Motorola processors.

Guess what? You're wrong here, too. While you correctly state that Universal applications will run on both PowerPC and Intel-based systems, you incorrectly claim that software written specifically for one will not run on the other. Applications written for PowerPC Macs run just fine on Intel-based systems. This is thanks to a feature called Rosetta.

Sorry to call you on something else, but this is also not true. From the earliest days of OS X, software written for the previous OS could run in Classic mode. This was abandoned when the Intel systems shipped, as it would have required a massive rewrite of the Classic OS.

Yay capitalism!

Yes... Apple is really hurting. Since Jobs returned in the mid-1990's, Apple's shares have risen from around $4 to nearly $190 at the close today. They have dominated the digital music space (iPod + iTunes). Their market share (yes, it's small, I know) is rising while others fall. The iPhone has revitalized the cell phone industry.

The computer industry is one of change. If you expect to use the same computer for more than two years without massive innovation and change happening around you... well... OK.

Finally! I agree with you!

I realize that this will likely start a flame war -- which I wouldn't normally get involved in -- but your information is way off. I just had to set the record straight. As a long-time Apple user, I must defend my platform of choice.

If a Mac vs. PC battle breaks out here it could get very interesting.

By the way, I think Steve Jobs also pool hops and uses his refillable mug from six years ago.

Let's see, a Model T can drive up a to a gas station today and still fill up and run The wood stove from two hundred years ago will still burn wood today. I do agree there should be progress; I don't agree that I should have to start from scratch ever two years. Usually progress is evolutionary but there are times when it can be abrupt. Apple does use both but has shown a willingness to be abrupt with it changes.

I should have included Rosetta as well. Some programs will run as you mentioned but not all. Even Apple doesn't make the claim that you have. From http://www.apple.com/rosetta/, "Behind the scenes, Rosetta dynamically translates most of your PowerPC-based applications to work with your Intel-based Mac." It claims, most, not all. It is interesting to read under various Apple forums as well as software developers about programs that don't run under Rosetta. It also doesn't address new programs written to work under the Intel processor to work with the PowerPC. My experiences with these type of emulations (it really is what it is) have been less than satisfactory. The same was true with Classic mode, some, but not all would work. I have had problems with programs not running using this mode so I base this on experience. Your experience may be different.

I do find it interesting that Apple has been recently been successful because of audio (iTunes, iPod) rather than computers. Apple's hope (and it seems to be reflected in the marketplace recently) is that its success with iPod will result in a greater presence in the computer world. I give Steve Jobs a lot of kudos for his marketing savvy and the faith that the Apple faithful have in him. Clearly he has shifted the direction of Apple.

No, there should be no flame war as I think the Mac is a good choice for some people, the Windows-based machines for other, Linux for others, etc. I think that Apple is more than Steve Jobs, Microsoft is more than Bill Gates, GE is more than Jeffrey Immelt, etc. I am actually looking at getting a new iMac even though my experience with Mac's have been less than stellar. I had a eMac that died after 14 months (the screen died, the hardware worked fine - I used another monitor instead of the built-in unit)) and my current iMac died after 18 months (I learned my lesson from the eMac, I bought the extended warranty).

The acquisition of Pixar by paying $7.4 billion in shares to Pixar with Jobs owning 50.6% of Pixar with a place on Disney board for Jobs. Good for him but the board can only influence the company as a whole, not as an individual being on the board. A board member doesn't have the influence by themselves to set or change the direction of a company (the decisions of the board as whole can do this). But by being there, his suggestions may be taken up by the CEO (who has influence on daily activities) and acted upon. Still, this may have been what the OP had originally intended rather than my initial view. IF so, then his presence may have helped Disney recognize there are other computer systems out there although I still believe that the driving force is the consumers.

 

[Doug7856]

Let's see, a Model T can drive up a to a gas station today and still fill up and run The wood stove from two hundred years ago will still burn wood today. I do agree there should be progress; I don't agree that I should have to start from scratch ever two years. Usually progress is evolutionary but there are times when it can be abrupt. Apple does use both but has shown a willingness to be abrupt with it changes.

I should have included Rosetta as well. Some programs will run as you mentioned but not all. Even Apple doesn't make the claim that you have. From http://www.apple.com/rosetta/, "Behind the scenes, Rosetta dynamically translates most of your PowerPC-based applications to work with your Intel-based Mac." It claims, most, not all. It is interesting to read under various Apple forums as well as software developers about programs that don't run under Rosetta. It also doesn't address new programs written to work under the Intel processor to work with the PowerPC. My experiences with these type of emulations (it really is what it is) have been less than satisfactory. The same was true with Classic mode, some, but not all would work. I have had problems with programs not running using this mode so I base this on experience. Your experience may be different.

I do find it interesting that Apple has been recently been successful because of audio (iTunes, iPod) rather than computers. Apple's hope (and it seems to be reflected in the marketplace recently) is that its success with iPod will result in a greater presence in the computer world. I give Steve Jobs a lot of kudos for his marketing savvy and the faith that the Apple faithful have in him. Clearly he has shifted the direction of Apple.

No, there should be no flame war as I think the Mac is a good choice for some people, the Windows-based machines for other, Linux for others, etc. I think that Apple is more than Steve Jobs, Microsoft is more than Bill Gates, GE is more than Jeffrey Immelt, etc. I am actually looking at getting a new iMac even though my experience with Mac's have been less than stellar. I had a eMac that died after 14 months (the screen died, the hardware worked fine - I used another monitor instead of the built-in unit)) and my current iMac died after 18 months (I learned my lesson from the eMac, I bought the extended warranty).

The acquisition of Pixar by paying $7.4 billion in shares to Pixar with Jobs owning 50.6% of Pixar with a place on Disney board for Jobs. Good for him but the board can only influence the company as a whole, not as an individual being on the board. A board member doesn't have the influence by themselves to set or change the direction of a company (the decisions of the board as whole can do this). But by being there, his suggestions may be taken up by the CEO (who has influence on daily activities) and acted upon. Still, this may have been what the OP had originally intended rather than my initial view. IF so, then his presence may have helped Disney recognize there are other computer systems out there although I still believe that the driving force is the consumers.

I have lots of PC software that doesn't work on my current PC. It's called change. But what does this have to do with the OP and DVC?

 

[CarolAnnC]

Just a reminder - for this thread to continue here it will have to return to the topic of DVC. Thank you.

 

[rocketriter]

Back to the subject, has anyone else actually tried these DVC widgets? I downloaded the Mac game widget and was disappointed. Whoever created it is clueless about the Mac interface. The "installer" set it up as an application, not an actual Mac widget, so it looks like a widget on the desktop with the black frame and the x in a circle, but you have to go into your application folder to launch it. When it opens, the buttons are unresponsive until you click them several times. When you play the falling banana game you can only use your arrow keys like you're playing on a Commodore 64. And after a very simple interaction that only a young child would enjoy for more than a minute, the game turns into a commercial for AKV. I felt suckered rather than entertained and I don't think this adds value to the DVC member web site.

 

[gjw007]

Back to the subject, has anyone else actually tried these DVC widgets? I downloaded the Mac game widget and was disappointed. Whoever created it is clueless about the Mac interface. The "installer" set it up as an application, not an actual Mac widget, so it looks like a widget on the desktop with the black frame and the x in a circle, but you have to go into your application folder to launch it. When it opens, the buttons are unresponsive until you click them several times. When you play the falling banana game you can only use your arrow keys like you're playing on a Commodore 64. And after a very simple interaction that only a young child would enjoy for more than a minute, the game turns into a commercial for AKV. I felt suckered rather than entertained and I don't think this adds value to the DVC member web site.

I downloaded the countdown and stationary marker 'widgets'. You are right in they are not what I expected but I still think is great that DVC puts up something besides just software for the PCs.