What's it like to be Apple-free?
In a word? Fine.
Just like everyone else that uses a computer, it’s a tool to get things done. What’s that mean? Well, as long as I can do what I do, how I know how to do it, and quickly, then there isn’t a need to pony up and fanboy a company at will, just to have an integrated solution.
Kettle, black
With the seamless integration I already enjoy between my Windows Servers (I have 2), Windows Workstations (I have 3), and my Nokia cell, which runs all sorts of stuff (you can read about in my fanboy press-like blog posts raging about how awesome my experience is with these devices in general at enrique-gutierrez.com someplace) – there’s no need to Apple-fy my network or computer experience, and personally, I think it’s more controllable, more contained, and that makes it “better”.
Music
Amazon Music is the only way to buy music, in my opinion. It’s fast, it’s priced well, and it’s simple. For me, iTunes is just this weirdly automated, and completely “dumb” piece of software that tries to be too smart. I use computers to serve my needs, and I don’t want them serving my needs to me. I’ve seen what iTunes does to some people at times, and it’s awful. Granted it works great for others, and I’m sure people LOVE the seamless experience it provides for their iPod, iPhone and AppleTV products… I thankfully don’t own a single one, and believe those that don’t use iTunes should continue to do so, and make a point about it – to ensure “other” services are continually available for us.
Television/Movies
I’ve been streaming media to my television for 5 years now from a dedicated media server appliance called a LinkTheater from Buffalo. It’s a robust device that displays Photos, Music and Videos, sometimes streaming (but “eh” I have no need for that typically). When you mix it with Nokia PC Suite and Home Media Server, you truly do get an integrated experience that you can micromanage if needed, and alter any way you choose. Love it. AppleTV? I heard it’s neat, I’m sure it is. But I’m also sure it’s too controlled, and too automated for my tastes.
Computing
Simply put, my experience is superior within the configuration I’ve created, hands down. I have a network though, and home-based networks with VPN, web-services, and media-services will trump most computing experiences in general. But because most people aren’t nerd enough to want to pull this kind of thing off, it probably sounds like a bit “much”. I do believe that everyone should run a server in their house, and I do believe that everyone should have at least one media host/server system set up to some form of home theater system, but that’s just me I think.
Overall, I never complain. I patch my systems, use them and abuse them at will, and rarely run into issues, never issues I can’t fix. Again, most people that use computers never worked as a Network Engineer or a Systems Administrator either, but I think most people should at least have the knowledge to “change a tire, if they’re going to drive a car”, in my opinion.
Apple
Apple takes the tire changing need away from the driver, and provides them with mechanics and service departments for their finely tuned machine. These are great mechanisms, and I love that they do it, for others. It will never be for me, and I’m glad it won’t. This whole mentality probably comes from my car-fixing background, or the whole “how’s this work” take it apart” mentality. Anyhow, like I said in the beginning, as long as you use computers, as long as you can get things done, and as long as it takes little to no effort to do so, you’re doing it right, regardless of how it is done.
This is just another post in light of the hype surrounding the marketing engine that is Apple with their special releases and that turtleneck guy people flock to because … I have no idea why, but hey! He makes what most people do easy. Gotta love a guy that can do that, no?
