Remember when Prince actually used a Mac! In the opening scenes of Graffiti Bridge! Prince as The Kid is using an old Mac Plus with Mark Of The Unicorns Performer MIDI sequencing software. You'd think he'd be using the latest super-duper PowerBook G4 or something.

But now, I think he's using a Winblows computer, Dell maybe (shudder), running Internet Explorer or maybe (gasp, NOOO!) AOL and some wacked out Windows Media Player codec thing for his Cyberclips!

Okay, Prince here you go!

http://www.apple.com/switch/whyswitch/

http://www.apple.com/switch/questions/

http://www.apple.com/switch/howto/

http://www.apple.com/switch/press/

No I'm not getting paid for this, I just think it's the best tool for getting work, especially digital work done in the 21st Century!

Would you use pliers to peel a potato?

Let's start doin the Work! Who's next?!




ooooo
[This message was edited Sat Apr 26 10:49:44 PDT 2003 by FlyingCloudPassenger]

FlyingCloudPassenger said:

Prince will NEVER use a Mac. It was with an Apple that Eve tempted Adam ...

Hey from everything I have ever read Prince does use a MAC and the computers that they had sitting out at the first celebrations were all Macs.

But I need to add that Macs are all hype...and aren't worth the money. IMO you are paying for the pretty colors and the cool design.

I love Macs when it comes to recording music or graphics. you know you can trust them not to crash and they'll work perfectly every time you turn them on.

But...it costs more, the programs cost more. it's harder sometimes to find programs for Mac.

For example, in Israel, you have no tech support for Mac, except in Tel Aviv. and finding programs for Man is almost impossible.

When I'll move to the US (soon, very soon) I'll get one, as a second computer, just for music.

p uses imacs, man...

I don't really care what kind of computer Prince uses. I DO CARE about how the site works on my computer and I have a flat screen imac running OSX and my main problem (as it seems to be with everyone) is the video clips. Chant after me:

QUICKTIME QUICKTIME QUICKTIME!!!

sonicfreak said:

Well, actually, I created this post because of that. I just was playfully suggesting Prince use Macs, that's all.

If he uses different computers then maybe he can appreciate them and let the website creators know that his fans also use Macs and to consider ALL platforms when making the website.

So in a way, I do care what Prince uses. Just like I care what guitar or recording board he uses...

MissCute said:

I love Macs not for just recording or graphics, but for EVERYTHING.

Go through these links all you'll see that it can do everything another (Windows based) computer can, easier, stronger, faster, easier, hey wait, yeah, easier, less steps, no driver issues, oh and did I meantin Mac OS X NEVER, I repeat, NEVER crashes? Hhmmm?!

Quote from one of the links:
"Who cares if 30,000 programs are available for Windows, if the five you want most are available only on the Mac?"

Well, they have just as many apps, for pretty much anything you want, even managing your fish tank, to dentistry, etc., etc., etc.

I hardly need tecch support, wait, I haven't used Apple tech support since 1997. There easy to manage. Oh and I'm sure those apps you need are available through the internet. A store is not the end all of getting software.

And if you GET a second computer, just for music, then you have spent MORE money than keeping your all in one Mac...!!

Let me just add that I hope this thread doesn't become one of those silly, "Macs Sucks/PC's suck!" threads. PC stands for personal computer and well, Macs are PC's too...but that's another thread...

I just hope that org Mac users make them selves heard to the NPG Music Club. That way they can consider a borader format for their files.

That way we can all enjoy the site rather than go to another platform or borrow a computer to enjoy the website.

Doesnt Prince use a ZX Spectrum +3?

Well, the bottom line is that, for a pay-only fan site, you'd think they would have tested the videos to make sure they at least work on PCs and Macs. They have even admitted in the "help" forum that they did manage to get the vidoes to work on Macs, but that "it was tricky." I give them credit, though, for admitting this and for working on the issue and for letting us know about it.

For everyday users, I can respect that it's easy to decide that buying a Mac is a waste of money just for something that looks nicer. As a professional designer, however, it is quite clear which platform is better. And I'm typing on it right now.

prince and maceo bought a few 17inch powerbooks a little more than a month ago. dunno what they use them for tho.

FlyingCloudPassenger said:

you already convinced me. no need to continue there

kawikabot said:

Really? How do you know this? Then no need for this thread!

lovemachine said:

I do like the cool design. But I shell out the cash because the OS is sooo muuucchhh beeettteeerr than anything else I've ever used. OSX is beautiful, functional, elegant, and powerful.

For those who think there is no software for the mac - try this link

http://guide.apple.com/index.lasso

and "Browse the software section for over 16,000 Macintosh applications."

I have two machines on my desk - a PowerMac G4 running MacOS X and a pentium 4 machine running windows XP - there is no question that I am far more productive on the Mac - being a software developer, I even write my windows software on the Mac and just use the windows machine when I'm debugging using 2 machine debugging.

The only other things I use the windows machine for are running my stock streamer and unfortunately now viewing videos at the NPGMC.

Only a small percentage of those surfing the web use Mac. It wouldn't make sense to tailor any web site for Mac compatibility first.

I've run Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator, etc on both computers, and they perform equally well. Though some people are falsely convinced they run better on a Mac.

What amuses me, are those who buy Macs, feel the need to become volunteer salespeople, as if to justify the purchase of their computer.

If you're designing for the web, first and foremost, you wanna make sure it runs smooth in Windows.

FlyingCloudPassenger said:

my friend takes orders for apple and told me that he got an order for a high profile client, prince. he talked to maceo to get his specific order info, dunno if he talked to prince tho, but they said they need the powerbooks immediately.

kawikabot said:

Wow. Cool. Then that pretty much stops my thread, great!

Tom said:

Just have to respond to this one.

First, I'm not a big platform biased person. I just use what's the easiest. Sure Premiere and all those fancy apps pretty much run the same, but when it comes to actually USING a computer in a smooth, less steps to get something done, more common sense type thing, then Macs get the award.

I don't justify my purchase, which is actually a USED laptop to feel good about it. I just like the easiness of it. No hassles. I'll take that over Megahertz anytime.

And as a webdesigner and this definetly goes for ecommerce businesses, why would you just consider Windows over any other platforms just because there are more. It makes sense to service ALL platforms so you have maximum sales appeal and possibilities. It's just tunnel vision to design webpages for Windows only. Especially when you use those Windows only HTML tricks.

And you know, it's really an issue with browswers most of the time and how each handles web standards, etc.

And a small percentage of Mac users, is a pretty large number if you actually count all the Mac users in the world. We're talkin' millions!

As I always say, design, code, create on ANYTHING you want, you choose your axe, just give me something awesome that EVERYONE can experience without problems.

Give me the art and idea first over technology. If you design on a Windows computer, fine! Just do it great! I don't care! If you use markers, glue, paint, or an old printing press and the work is fantastic, fabulous!

Would it not be hillarious to see Prince do a switch commercial.

Like:

well I started this music club thing and...
It just made everyone so...

(Flash to face rolling eyes)

Then I started using a Mac server to host the site and Mac based designers to re-design it and then...

(famous prince "awhoo ah!")

All these technical problems went away, and I had more time to be creative!

And now I'm back to being #1 at the bank!

Tom said:

Actually, what makes sense is to design web sites with industry standards, which ensures it runs smoothly on all platforms.

The whole issue here has been that the club adopted a microsoft propriatary file format knowing full well Microsoft's support for this file format on the Mac is lacking instead of using the industry standard MPEG4 file format. Had they just gone with the industry standard, there would be no need for this thread because the problem playing the videos on the Mac wouldn't exist.

If NPGMC used industry standards throughout, then any problems for Mac users would be Apple's fault. By not using industry standards, the problems are in the design of the site.

alandail said:

There are also some differences in color, font size, and resolution when jumping between a Mac and a Windows machine, particularly with older models. Also, IE for the Mac behaves a little differently than IE for Windows.

As for the video files, they should have followed in the footsteps of other media related sites like CDNow that have been offering streaming content for years, and put both Windows Media and RealPlayer versions of the files. Perhaps even Quicktime.

Both Microsoft and Real provide free production tools that walk you through every step of the process, it's a no brainer. I'm kinda confused why they are having so much trouble with it.
[This message was edited Mon Apr 28 8:10:19 PDT 2003 by Tom]

Yeah, it's not that hard to follow standards. I can't believe that there are professional web design companies who don't.

And HOW FUCKING LONG DOES IT TAKE to get vids up in Quicktime? Geezus. They could have given them to me and I could have had them up in an hour. I don't get it.

tackam said:

I thought about converting them to a few different formats and temporarily posting them on my web site, but then they would be available to non members as well and I would probabbly get sued.