CronoTriggerfan wrote:
...that being said, however, iTunes is a horrible program. Media management is awkward, you have to re-import your library each time a new update comes out, it's a high RAM allocation program, you can only sync your iPod with one iTunes library at a time, the list goes on. I've had it crash on me numerous times, and each time, my entire library had to be re-imported manually. One of these times it even corrupted my iPod's firmware, so I had to format it, re-update the firmware, re-jailbreak it (optional, of course, that one's a personal choice), rebuild my library, and manually re-subscribe to all my podcasts. A bit much, no?
EDIT: Another crappy thing about iTunes I forgot to mention is that it comes with loads of other Apple junk in the install. It makes you install Quicktime, and all new updates of iTunes are now called "Apple Software Packs", which force-install Quicktime if you took it off, as well as Safari. Talk about badgering. Oh, and earlier this year, they came out with this "Software Update" for the iPod Touch that gave it all the functions of the iPhone (which should have been done in the first place, IMO) and then charged $20 for it. If that's not stupid enough, for a month after the release, the update reminder would sit on your screen and not let you sync your iPod until you bought it.
You had to disconnect from the internet to get rid of the message, connect your iPod, sync it, then reconnect. Yeah, stupid. And after all was said and done, Apple said the situation was an "unfortunate error" or some crap like that. Screw you, Steve Jobs!
Not trying to insight any kind of flame-war, but you seem to be a civil person, so I don't think you'll take my following corrections personally.
First of all, you are greatly exaggerating some of iTunes' flaws, especially when it is compared to the alternatives (namely, Microsoft's bloatware Zune software). To address the truth in each of your statements, I will break them down into bullets ... err dashes.
- You are simply wrong about having to re-import your library after updating iTunes, I'm not sure where you're coming from with that, but I'm quite sure I could help you with the issue you are having.*
- As far as RAM usage, I rarely have iTunes using over 100 MB of RAM at the very most, it typically averages around 60 MB. I guess it really depends on how much total RAM you have (I have 1.5 GB) as well as what OS you're running (I'm running Leopard)
-You can
manually sync your iPod with as many iTunes libraries as you want, but you can only
automatically sync your iPod with one library at a time. So that is admittedly an inconvenience, but by no means a deal breaker (the legal reasoning behind it makes it justifiable IMO)
-As far as the crashes go, I'm assuming that those are limited to the Windows version of iTunes, sorry dude, I don't have that problem. However, having to re-import your library sounds like an issue that can be fixed, regardless of the crashing*
-Sorry you don't like Quicktime, but it is the media engine behind iTunes, so therefor a necessary thing. You actually using Quicktime itself is completely up to you, but it's not like the 50 MB it takes up are particularly devastating to your HD.
-Apple instated the use of an auto-updater in order to aid less tech-savvy people such as ourselves, so that when they perhaps bought a new iPod that required the latest iTunes, they would already be updated.
-On that note, however, you are absolutely right about Apple over-stepping their bounds by automatically installing Safari via their software update. Here is my recommendation, from the mouth of a true Apple fanboy: DO NOT USE SAFARI FOR WINDOWS. It is utterly crap as of right now, I have no qualms in saying so.
-You are also right about Apple badgering you about the $20 iPod Touch update, can't defend them there either
*The possible issue that I think you might be having is an issue of iTunes preference setting. Go to the iTunes preference pane, select the "advanced" tab at the top. The first checkmark box should be "Keep iTunes Music folder organized" and the second should be "Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library." If both of these are checked, then iTunes can operate much more smoothly, by way of keeping all of its own files organized so that as long as you don't modify the designated iTunes music folder, iTunes doesn't randomly annihilate your library. The second box, if checked, automatically copies anything you add to your iTunes library to the designated iTunes Music Folder. That way, if you were to open an MP3 from the desktop in iTunes, you could then trash the file from the desktop, knowing that iTunes has already put a copy in its designated folder. A bit of a strange system, but it works quite smoothly if you're willing to comply. Oh, and if up until this point you HAVE NOT had iTunes organizing all your media into its own file structure, and you are taking my advice, you'll want to "consolidate your library" after clicking those checkmark boxes. If you have any questions, PM me!
On the subject of the iPod/Zune debacle, aside from their respective software counterparts, they are quite similar in features, with the clear advantage of the Zune being that if you want a subscription service, the Zune offers that. The advantage of the iPod Classic is its phenomenal battery life (better than Apple's estimates, surprisingly), and its popular (and patented!) interface/clickwheel that people largely seem to enjoy. Other than that, color choice only seems to be a selling point with teenage girls, so I think that's a rather moot point
Bit bulky though, but I have big pockets so it doesn't matter.
). I got it for $230 from