Thank you 5th Gear from a Mac user
Discussion
Aaaaaaaarrrrrgh!!!
And that goes for Micro$oft as well.
Why the bluddy f
ing hell do I even bother trying to download stuff legally?!
There they are, the 5th Gear reviews neatly listed and available for download, yours for 99p, sir. Great, thinks I, will be handy to have another review of the new MX-5 as I may be getting one in the future, sometime, though not yet. WMV file, no probs.
So I hand over my 99p and down comes the file. Try to open it using Quicktime with the Flip4mac wmv plugin - doesn't work. Try to open it with VLC - still doesn't work. Try to open it with the latest version of MS Windows Media Player available for Mac which is version 9 and I'm directed to a website which states: "In order to play this file, you need to upgrade your media player to a version compatible with Windows Media Rights Manager V7. Select View Compatible Players below to see a list of compatible media players". So I click on the link which takes me to Windows Media Player Version 10 - only available for Windows XP. A Google search seems to indicate that these types of files are unplayable on a Mac for this reason.
So I have just been charged money for a file that I can't play!
The amount is not of concern, it's the principle. FFS, it's possible for websites to recognise the platform you're using, how about warning me beforehand you btards?! 
And this is for Micro$soft - are you satisfied now, seeing increasing amount of content on the Web available for viewing on 'any platform you choose - as long as it's fing Windoze'? 
And... breath.
BTW I don't intend this as a Mac versus PC debate, each platform has its strengths, but I really would like the freedom to use the one I like.
And that goes for Micro$oft as well.
Why the bluddy f
ing hell do I even bother trying to download stuff legally?! There they are, the 5th Gear reviews neatly listed and available for download, yours for 99p, sir. Great, thinks I, will be handy to have another review of the new MX-5 as I may be getting one in the future, sometime, though not yet. WMV file, no probs.
So I hand over my 99p and down comes the file. Try to open it using Quicktime with the Flip4mac wmv plugin - doesn't work. Try to open it with VLC - still doesn't work. Try to open it with the latest version of MS Windows Media Player available for Mac which is version 9 and I'm directed to a website which states: "In order to play this file, you need to upgrade your media player to a version compatible with Windows Media Rights Manager V7. Select View Compatible Players below to see a list of compatible media players". So I click on the link which takes me to Windows Media Player Version 10 - only available for Windows XP. A Google search seems to indicate that these types of files are unplayable on a Mac for this reason.
So I have just been charged money for a file that I can't play!
The amount is not of concern, it's the principle. FFS, it's possible for websites to recognise the platform you're using, how about warning me beforehand you btards?! And this is for Micro$soft - are you satisfied now, seeing increasing amount of content on the Web available for viewing on 'any platform you choose - as long as it's fing Windoze'? And... breath.
BTW I don't intend this as a Mac versus PC debate, each platform has its strengths, but I really would like the freedom to use the one I like.
simpo two said:
Well, it's a bit like communicating with the world when you only speak Albanian. For best results you need the commonest language...
Exactly. Most Mac owners are evangelical about the brand. Despite the fact that it severely limits them in cyberspace...
My missus is an ardent Mac user, yet half of the files she tries to send me don't work, and vice versa...
magic torch said:
Shouldn't be the case.
The new Macs with Intel processors can run Windows anyway.
Whats the point in buying a mac to but bloody windoze on it? OS X on a pc would be better. Personally I find theres more compatibilty between mac and nix/nux. Still have to use a windows pc for other stuff though
eharding said:
Some people may argue that using a hairdresser's laptop...to download a video of a hairdresser's car, makes you a hairdresser....
Still - install Linux, and buy a Griffith - and remain naturally hairy
Pass me my scissors.
[MeepMeepNeeaaar
past with faultless reliability and 
at eharding shivering on the hard shoulder] 
You're right though - a V8 burble would be rather pleasant!!
tinman0 said:
Aaaaaaaarrrrrgh!!!
email 5th wheel and complain. and get your 99p back as well.
they have been sold a solution that doesn't work and if they don't get back bad feedback they will never pressurize MicroSatan to do anything about it.
I think I'll do that tomorrow. Too tired now to work up the necessary head of steam!
I've been looking at the upcoming Windows Vista OS - the reason I went for Mac originally was because of all the horrific security flaws on pre-SP2 Win-XP, but it seems this should be less of a problem in the future. The next machine upgrade could be to a PC rather than an Apple, not something I really want to do but as a previous poster points out, I feel as though I'm incompatible with a large proportion of cyberspace. Three-quarters of the video links on here that cause general hilarity amongst other posters, either cause my browser to crash or result in a blank screen because of crippled WMV implementation. I have to use two browsers (Safari and Camino), some websites won't work properly in Safari so have to be opened in Camino, but things like the BBC radio player only work properly in Safari.
I love the Mac OS look and feel, but having to put up with this sort of thing, (PLUS the fact there is STILL no button in the Mac application window that sizes it to full screen), is beginning to p*ss me off, especially when you look at the comparative hardware costs. If I can be convinced that I won't have to spend 3 hours a week protecting my Wintel box from malware, then I could jump ship.
I hate Apple. They’re worse then Microsoft. IMO: Buy a PC (you know, that standardized architecture) and use Microsoft if your a non geek and Linux/Gnome, UNIX/Gnome if your a geek. If you want some fancy looking hardware like Apple go for an matx system or even itx and a nice LCD (actually Apple LCD's are pretty nice) but what do macs offer apart from aesthetics....
/mini rant over.
>> Edited by polus on Wednesday 17th May 01:06
/mini rant over.
>> Edited by polus on Wednesday 17th May 01:06
tinman0 said:
Aaaaaaaarrrrrgh!!!
email 5th wheel and complain. and get your 99p back as well.
they have been sold a solution that doesn't work and if they don't get back bad feedback they will never pressurize MicroSatan to do anything about it.
5th gear web site said:
about video
Here you can download specially edited full-screen, near DVD-quality video downloads of the best bits of Fifth Gear including Supercars, Road Tests, Shoot-outs and Features.
You'll need a PC with Windows Media Player 10 and a broadband connection
polus said:
I hate Apple. They’re worse then Microsoft. IMO: Buy a PC (you know, that standardized architecture) and use Microsoft if your a non geek and Linux/Gnome, UNIX/Gnome if your a geek. If you want some fancy looking hardware like Apple go for an matx system or even itx and a nice LCD (actually Apple LCD's are pretty nice) but what do macs offer apart from aesthetics....
/mini rant over.
Well, standardised format of Quicktime rather than WMV using eleventy twelfth different damn codecs. Oh, and a media player that doesn't beachball when you fast forward or rewind. Oh, and HD using the industry adopted OPEN standard of H.264.
And......well, you get the drift.
Meanwhile, back on topic - how hard would it have been for spare wheel to have made a quicktime version? Oh no, that'd have involved spending money on a Mac and a Quicktime Authoring license. Imagine the cost! VBH gets more spent on her makeup and hairdressing.
Nothing I cant stand more - pricks burying their heads in the sand pretending Mac users don't exist outside of the graphics industry.
Hmmph....I'll bet they've spend sh!t loads on an AVID system for their editing, when they could've spend a sh!t load less on a Final Cut Pro set-up.
>> Edited by pjskel on Wednesday 17th May 03:39
magic torch said:
Shouldn't be the case.
The new Macs with Intel processors can run Windows anyway.
Nope, the dual core computers require new players...which are not out yet. Probably will be ok in a few months, but for now you are out of luck if you buy the latest hardware. Don't ask me how I know.
MeepMeep, it's annoying and inconvenient for now. But if you must see the file, stick it on a USB drive or CD, and wait till you are around a PC. And some of the latest DVD players (fairly cheap) also play a variety of computer format files--burn it on to a CD and you should be good to go. Or you could buy the new iPod or any decent media player. Neighbor's or coworker's PC is prolly your best/cheapest bet.
orgasmicliving!! said:
Don't ask me how I know.
Ask me how I know, well I'm Apple Qualified and I've done it.
You can run windows now www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/ on the Intel machines.
>> Edited by magic torch on Wednesday 17th May 07:55
magic torch said:
Don't ask me how I know.
Ask me how I know, well I'm Apple Qualified and I've done it.
You can run windows now www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/ on the Intel machines.
>> Edited by magic torch on Wednesday 17th May 07:55
My god, that really is the best combination...
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff