George Graves <gmgraves2@comcast.net> wrote
> Rod Speed wrote
>> Michelle Steiner <michelle@michelle.org> wrote
>>> Rod Speed <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote

>>>>>>> Most have a lousy UI.

>>>>>> Yep. But the ipod UI still leaves quite a bit to be desired anyway.

>>>>> Only because nothing is perfect and everything can be improved.

>>>> Nope, iTunes particularly has a pretty poor UI,

>>> OK, exactly what are iTunes' failings?

>> Its not very intuitive when loading the ipod with mp3s
>> you already have on the computer for example.

> Yeah, that is really difficult. Plug the iPod into the computer
> (it automatically launches iTunes, that's a daunting task) when
> iTunes launches pull down the file menu and select "Sync iPod".

There's more involved than that, you pathetic excuse for a bullshit artist.

> Boy that's sure hard and non-intuitive, yessir.
> I don't see how anybody ever figures it out!

And it would be much more intuitive if it was just another drive,
like all the other media players, cameras, phones etc are.

>>> And what applications do those things better?

>> Its rather more intuitive to just drag and drop those mp3s
>> etc you already have to a drive which is the media player.

> Yeah, I can see where that might be easier in some cases.

Corse it is if you do that with all the devices you plug into the computer
like the media players, cameras, phones, USB keys, etc etc etc.

> But with works with lots of related cuts, that could be a disadvantage.

Not clear what you mean by the first half, presumably a word is missing or something.

>>> And how do they do them better?

>> See just above.

>>>>> But the iPod has the best UI of any portable
>>>>> media player extant--until Friday, that is.

>>>> Nope, plenty of cellphones leave it for dead, essentially because
>>>> they integrate the media player with other capability.

>>> The iPod isn't a cell phone; how can you compare the two?

>> Those others combined those functions long before the iphone ever showed up.

>> Apple was very slow to see the need for that.

>>>>> Why do you think that the iPod has that recognition factor?

>>>> Essentially because its an Apple product.

>>> And all those Windows users flocked to the iPod because it's an Apple product?

>> Nope, because of the brand recognition, they recognised
>> the brand when they decided they needed a media player
>> and a superficial look showed that its a viable product.

> It's more than just superficially viable.

Sure, but that isnt obvious until after you own it. I was talking there
about the purchasing decision. Most just have a quick look and maybe
a salesfool showing them how to select tunes etc and decide that it
looks like its a very neat design and buy it and return it later if they dont
like the fine detail like whats involved in installing it on their computer etc.

> Every test of players that's ever come down the pike has placed
> the iPod above all others. Many have cited the GUI as one reason.

Sure, but only a tiny subset of buyers buy from that sort of test.

Must just buy on gut instinct, brand recognition and a quick look at the actual
product in the store or at one that someone else has just bought and is raving
about. Thats why it took off, the right mix of decent design, brand recognition
and something about the design that appeals to all but complete technoklutzes.