iTunes pretty much handles all my music--even songs I get from other sources. I didn't even realize that was a problem. Then again, I use iTunes on a Mac, and considering this is PCWorld I can understand the confusion.

I dunno. I don't understand the hate on for iTunes that some folks have. It works pretty well, it's recockulously searchable--and with better than a month and a half of music, that's an important feature.

iTunes is absolutely great for its Song/Artist search and song sampling. This feature alone has been able to make me expand my music taste from hip-hop to rock and alternative.

For God's sake, use Linux. You can do what you want, with whatever you want.
Mac and Windblows suck.

///flame on

Oh yeah, and you don't, I repeat don't have to use that bloated pig ware iTunes.

earth: For God's sake, use Linux. You can do what you want, with whatever you want.
Mac and Windblows suck.

///flame on

Someone's cranky.

I was surprised they did not mention how slow it ran.

The biggest minus about ipods is having to use itunes to get the most out of it. I tried other tools and they could not work well with my ipod.

I just want to use a file manager to drag and drop stuff, why add this extra layer?

iTunes video library playback is awful at times (on XP) - hard to get the black boundaries removed and size the window properly, stuttering on playback.

I'm hoping that XBMC or boxee will be serviceable. I haven't been a fan of MythTV either - anyone else have a handy way of managing large amounts of video files?

No I just have dealt with many ppl who have lost all thier hard earned stuff with that crappy software. Poor miserable souls IMHO. Sorry for being so brash.
It's late and I guess I am a bit cranky.
Sorry folks.

//humble

But ... but ... but ... but ... it just works!1!!@@2!!11


/ Macintosh, blah

"4. 'Pushing' of Other Programs by iTunes Installer"

That #4 is one that Apple has been doing for a while now with OSX's software update.

I think it's funny that the article doesn't mention the real point of DRM- trying to convince people that it's too much hassle to ever leave ipod. Think about it, if you didn't know about the DRM (apple doesn't really describe this to you) and you purchased a lot of songs through itunes, you're screwed if you are too afraid or incapable of removing the DRM. Considering itunes sells 25% of all music last I heard, this is clearly a sales tactic.

Itunes was good for awhile but the bloat is just becoming too much. It installs so much crap without asking you and goes ahead and ads precious seconds to your startup as well.

Been using Winamp again lately and learning to love the llama.

66dvlbrd68: But ... but ... but ... but ... it just works!1!!@@2!!11

Yawn. It works very well on a Mac. Sucks on Windows.

Don't like it? Don't use it.

At least one of those items is out of the hands of Apple, DRM. They were targeted for DRM because of their market share in the download sector (from another article, too lazy to linky). Due to the amount of download potential they have, RIAA wanted to have more control over them, thus required DRM for deals to be finalized.

DeathByGeekSquad: At least one of those items is out of the hands of Apple, DRM. They were targeted for DRM because of their market share in the download sector (from another article, too lazy to linky). Due to the amount of download potential they have, RIAA wanted to have more control over them, thus required DRM for deals to be finalized.

DRM may have started because they were forced, but at this point Apple keeps it because they want it. Apple is just as evil as Microsoft. Don't think they didn't learn a lesson or two about running and forming a monopoly.

While I agree that iTunes runs like shiat on Windows, it runs great on my Mac. I mostly use it for it's organizational features...I use my own MP3s for music and convert my videos for use on my iPod with freeware, hence no DRM to contend with.


iTunes hate is the new nerd zeitgeist.

Oh, I completely agree with #1! I have iTunes only because it's bundled with quicktime. A couple times a week, it shuts everything down to try and install a new version of iTunes that I don't even want!

FTFA

We all use iTunes.

Not.

Malachilenomade: Oh, I completely agree with #1! I have iTunes only because it's bundled with quicktime. A couple times a week, it shuts everything down to try and install a new version of iTunes that I don't even want!

I had to install Quicktime in order to see the HD version of the Watchmen trailer. After having done so, about three days later, Quicktime wanted me to update, and of course, by default, install iTunes and Safari as well. (And I guess that would include automatically making Safari my default browser, as well as automatically associating all "relevant" files with iTunes.)

After that, Quicktime ended up the same place as RealPlayer.

datafox: I was surprised they did not mention how slow it ran.

The biggest minus about ipods is having to use itunes to get the most out of it. I tried other tools and they could not work well with my ipod.

I just want to use a file manager to drag and drop stuff, why add this extra layer?

this. I've got a bog standard Creative Zen MP3 player and all I have to do is drag and drop the albums I want and I'm away. The rest of my family use iPods and as the only vaguely technical person in the family it comes down to me to load their iPods, clear each play list, restore them, sync them.... it's just throwing in extra steps for no real reason

Is iTunes as good as Amarok? I don't see how that's possible.

/can't wait for Amarok2

Malinki: FTFA

We all use iTunes.

Not.

My Creative MP3 player has no complaints about me just finding a file having fallen of the back of the internet by means of for instance MyTorrent, and simply drag-dropping it to my player through a regular file manager. Neither does it mind if I rip an album I already own to MP3, and do the same thing.

I think that my MP3 player's indifference about the origins of a file is one of its finest features. We wholeheartedly agree that the only thing that matters is file format, and you know the best thing about it? It just works.

They don't know about the checkbox.
There's a lot of things that Itunes (windows version in particular) is crap for. But that's not one of them.

Itunes blows.

Posted from my iphone

Cornwell: Malinki: FTFA

We all use iTunes.

Not.

My Creative MP3 player has no complaints about me just finding a file having fallen of the back of the internet by means of for instance MyTorrent, and simply drag-dropping it to my player through a regular file manager. Neither does it mind if I rip an album I already own to MP3, and do the same thing.

I think that my MP3 player's indifference about the origins of a file is one of its finest features. We wholeheartedly agree that the only thing that matters is file format, and you know the best thing about it? It just works.

Heh, I use a Rio too. But I don't even go so far as torrents. Too much out there that's too easy to find. Ninjas are sneakier than pirates ;)

In other news, PCWorld is still in business? After I return from Radio Shack buying some new 5.25" floppies I'll have to look them up.

Why just 11?

Interesting as I don't use iTunes. However, on a more general note, I have to say I never really cared for the library feature of any music program. The first boot when they scan the drive is my personal pet peeve. I usually have my files organized pretty much how I want them already.

It's sort of like saying we know you worked really hard organizing your crap, but we're going to show it all to you in a completely different manner anyway. Uh, thanks I guess? Then if you have more than one program they all have their own view when they could just be sharing the view you've already laid out on the drive. Just stop popping it in my face and give me a good file browser.

Anyway, I've noticed most people like the library features though. It's just a personal preference.

strafe: Interesting as I don't use iTunes. However, on a more general note, I have to say I never really cared for the library feature of any music program. The first boot when they scan the drive is my personal pet peeve. I usually have my files organized pretty much how I want them already.

It's sort of like saying we know you worked really hard organizing your crap, but we're going to show it all to you in a completely different manner anyway. Uh, thanks I guess? Then if you have more than one program they all have their own view when they could just be sharing the view you've already laid out on the drive. Just stop popping it in my face and give me a good file browser.

Anyway, I've noticed most people like the library features though. It's just a personal preference.

Bingo. Of course the fans will basically say 'submit to the assimilation and you'll be happy'.

iTunes music is garbage, but it's easy for passive sheeple to understand, so the corporate machine can feed them the garbage they think is music while it picks their stupid, passive pockets. Just another amusement for the human cattle as they are marched to the slaughterhouse.
Die, sheep, die.

Why was that stupid? The article did have some valid points.

jso2897: iTunes music is garbage, but it's easy for passive sheeple to understand, so the corporate machine can feed them the garbage they think is music while it picks their stupid, passive pockets. Just another amusement for the human cattle as they are marched to the slaughterhouse.

It. Is. Just. A. Piece. Of. Software.

Get over yourself.

Malinki: strafe: Interesting as I don't use iTunes. However, on a more general note, I have to say I never really cared for the library feature of any music program. The first boot when they scan the drive is my personal pet peeve. I usually have my files organized pretty much how I want them already.

It's sort of like saying we know you worked really hard organizing your crap, but we're going to show it all to you in a completely different manner anyway. Uh, thanks I guess? Then if you have more than one program they all have their own view when they could just be sharing the view you've already laid out on the drive. Just stop popping it in my face and give me a good file browser.

Anyway, I've noticed most people like the library features though. It's just a personal preference.

Bingo. Of course the fans will basically say 'submit to the assimilation and you'll be happy'.

Oh no. I'm set in my ways now. I'll just keep my music folder open on the taskbar until further notice.

I can't stand iTunes on a mac. Consequently, I do not use it.

Furthermore I can't stand any mac product on a PC.

Fortunately the only mac product I need is Quicktime and I have a hacked version so it runs flawlessly on my PC.

7. The Mystery Check Box

huh? Im pretty sure I figured that out the first time I used iTunes.

Why do people keep demanding a subscription service from iTunes? People seem to forget that the thing that was so revolutionary about the iTunes store back in 2003 was that it was the first solution that wasn't subscription-based, and that's why it became so popular. Sure, there are some people out there who'd prefer a subscription service, but they're vastly outnumbered.

jso2897: iTunes music is garbage, but it's easy for passive sheeple to understand, so the corporate machine can feed them the garbage they think is music while it picks their stupid, passive pockets. Just another amusement for the human cattle as they are marched to the slaughterhouse.
Die, sheep, die.

This post is so moronic it has to be a troll. I'm not going to extol iTunes as the mecca for music, but there's a hell of a lot of music on there that you are dismissing as garbage. You're making a large, dismissive generalization and I can assure you that you don't know half of what's available there. Yes, Britney's on iTunes. But so are artists like Lustmord.

Now go back to your basement, troll.

jso2897: Die, sheep, die.

Bite me, IndividuO.

Yukon Cornelius: Why do people keep demanding a subscription service from iTunes? People seem to forget that the thing that was so revolutionary about the iTunes store back in 2003 was that it was the first solution that wasn't subscription-based, and that's why it became so popular. Sure, there are some people out there who'd prefer a subscription service, but they're vastly outnumbered.

Yukon it's because people are stupid. End of discussion.

Yukon Cornelius: Sure, there are some people out there who'd prefer a subscription service, but they're vastly outnumbered.

Subscription systems make people nervous (new window)

I know neither of the linked scenarios ended up as bad as they could have, but still....

sloppy shoes: DeathByGeekSquad: At least one of those items is out of the hands of Apple, DRM. They were targeted for DRM because of their market share in the download sector (from another article, too lazy to linky). Due to the amount of download potential they have, RIAA wanted to have more control over them, thus required DRM for deals to be finalized.

DRM may have started because they were forced, but at this point Apple keeps it because they want it. Apple is just as evil as Microsoft. Don't think they didn't learn a lesson or two about running and forming a monopoly.

Well I suppose they would need a monopoly first.

strafe: Interesting as I don't use iTunes. However, on a more general note, I have to say I never really cared for the library feature of any music program. The first boot when they scan the drive is my personal pet peeve. I usually have my files organized pretty much how I want them already.



Make sure these are unchecked and your pet peeve is gone.

theurge14:
Well I suppose they would need a monopoly first.

Yea you have to love how people will tear apart Apple for being the "crap alternative to a real PC that only grandmothers and homosexuals use" or whatever, then minutes later point a finger and scream that they're controlling an industry and ruining everything.

Also homosexual grandmothers. Don't want to be a bigot.

strafe: Interesting as I don't use iTunes. However, on a more general note, I have to say I never really cared for the library feature of any music program. The first boot when they scan the drive is my personal pet peeve. I usually have my files organized pretty much how I want them already.

It's sort of like saying we know you worked really hard organizing your crap, but we're going to show it all to you in a completely different manner anyway. Uh, thanks I guess? Then if you have more than one program they all have their own view when they could just be sharing the view you've already laid out on the drive. Just stop popping it in my face and give me a good file browser.

Anyway, I've noticed most people like the library features though. It's just a personal preference.

Well, these are the complaints I have against other media players. iTunes is great for organization, and if you listen to music that's off the beaten path, it's very useful.

1. I have two artist fields. Enables me to file DJ mix compilations under one DJ instead of just being "various artists." Also keeps the normal artist field.

2. Odd track titles using symbols. They always display correctly in iTunes. Usually it just confuses the hell out of other media players.

3. Imbeds album art in the files. I can't use all the fancy cover art widgets and whatever, nor can I rely on AMG. I am a religious Discogs zealot, where I can grab and drop 12" vinyl cover scans into the player.

4. Organizes all your music automatically. A godsend.

5. Cover flow. Hands down still awesome, and will always be awesome. A virtual crate digging experience.

6. iPod. This one is obvious. It's still the best MP3 player out there.

sloughtown4ever: datafox: I was surprised they did not mention how slow it ran.

The biggest minus about ipods is having to use itunes to get the most out of it. I tried other tools and they could not work well with my ipod.

I just want to use a file manager to drag and drop stuff, why add this extra layer?

this. I've got a bog standard Creative Zen MP3 player and all I have to do is drag and drop the albums I want and I'm away. The rest of my family use iPods and as the only vaguely technical person in the family it comes down to me to load their iPods, clear each play list, restore them, sync them.... it's just throwing in extra steps for no real reason

And here come the Creative Zen owners extolling the virtues of being limited to the file system paradigm.

iTunes can do both. You can drag and drop individual tracks, albums, artists, genres, etc to whatever device you want. Add that on top of the automatic syncing, smart playlists that autofill based on any criteria, iTunes already does more than what you can from the filesystem. So there isn't any possible argument that your method is better except that you find applications complicated.

don't like iTunes on a PC? get a mac.

If I want to take songs from iTunes and put them on my non-iPod - I always had to burn them to a CD then drag them onto my desktop then to my other MP3 player - so I stopped bothering.

At least the article linked to a couple programs that circumvent this.

Waahh, iTunes is a bloated POS.

Waahh, iTunes does do exactly what I want.