Jeramy Kufahl It's a bit better now that we've got it under control (and have over 90% compression now). It's only triple the normal rate as of now, which is more tolerable on the hardware (rather than going from 2500 a day to 50,000 in 3 hours).

That is one of the unfortunate side effects!

I see that. Our server crashed for 3 hours or so... we've sorta got things under control now. Appreciate the support. Thanks.

then stick with android, apple is only in it for the aesthetics and money

Justin Davis I don't know if I'd go as far as to say they are unified. There is a lot of segmentation in the market, even from device to device made by the same manufacturer.

android is a unity of many different companies, apple is the one standing alone.

My laptop is running almost as well as it did day 1, and it's just running Vista. But I'll concede that most don't, especially since most people don't do the regular maintenance you're supposed to do (such as occasional defragmentation). And Macs ARE better about keeping themselves maintained, the user isn't as responsible for taking care of those processes. As I said... Okay, looking back, meant to say, and say to people in person when I have this conversation... Macs and others both have their uses, based on the person, Macs just aren't for me.

Evan Mainord I actually don't even use any of the built in programs, I guess perhaps aside from Garageband every now and then to mix a simple loop for a commercial. I see what you mean though. I suppose paying an additional $400 for a computer that'll last longer than 3 years and never get a virus, or slow down, wear out much on you, and is lighter and thinner than any of it's competitors, isn't worth it to some. I found it appropriate though.

I forgot nothing, just phrased my comment improperly. I was referring to the Mac OS, not the product itself. As far as the hardware goes, it's pretty good, but still overpriced. That's my only complaint with the hardware, the price. Also, yes, Mac OS is often easier for artistic types to use. It has built-in programs that are easy to work with right out of the box. The more you work with them, as with anything, the better you get. However, I'm not the artistic type, so that never drew my interest...

Evan Mainord The part you're forgetting though, is that Macs are compatible with everything. There is not one single thing I cannot do on my Macbook Pro. Not one program in existence that I cannot run. Perhaps some games can't have 100% settings maxed out or something, but I can play them all. This is because, despite Mac OS X being exclusive, the Mac itself is able to run any operating system. It's the most diverse piece of mobile computing there is so far. - PC Magazine has also ranked Macbook Pro as the best laptop to run Windows XP, Vista, and now Windows 7 as well. The OS... true, it's not for everyone. The computer itself, and the quality in engineering... That's a different matter IMO. I'm a filmmaker and animator though, so I'm a bit on the artistic side of things, and a Mac feels as though it was built for me.

Good point. That's where my "something big" phrase also applies, it's not just Apple products that do that. As for me, personally, I don't like working with Apple products. The interface is different than the interface I'm used to and I don't feel like working around that, especially when Apple products always seem kinda locked down to me. I'm used to Windows (and a bit of Linux, which is more similar to Mac, being a Unix-based system) where I can manipulate more settings in the back end to my liking. My parents both have iPhones, though, and love them, mainly for the apps. (It's a simple design and the apps are effective.)

I think you make an interesting point here, and it's likely true that those who haven't used the product, but simply know of it's popularity wouldn't light up. But than again, we can apply that to anything in today's culture. Cars look amazing, and people love them, but if you drive it and don't like it, you'll trade it in for what's comfortable. The same is true for other things. Going off the wall here, Woman. Pretty girls are great at attracting the attention of men. We all want them, based on aesthetics automatically (unless the person is more interested in men, in which case, we can apply it to men for the purposes of the example). After dating them, or spending time with them in any way though, the personality is what makes you stick with them. The same is true for electronics, so to speak. The buzz, aesthetics, advertising, and popularity of Apple products make them interesting to invest a bit of time into off the start. You won't, however, get repeat customers out of ads. You have to bring a pleasant experience as well, and once a user gets that, they don't want to change. Why change what works, especially if you've experienced the alternatives to it?. This "cult" following, IMO, is less of a cult, and more of a group of people that have found what meets their needs as individuals, and have decided to stick with it. Nothing more.

oh ok well fuck life.

David Powell Yeah, I seen that it's on Reddit. It's quite a surprise as well, considering it's 10 months old. It also killed our server for 3 hours. :( Honesty, I'm humbled by this. I didn't expect this type of daily traffic to ever hit our site (over 50,000 today alone) until years from now. Not sure how long it'll last, but I think the server issue is under control, so I welcome it all with open arms all the same. :D Also, as an added note to respond, Apple can't be blamed for any misconception of a cult following. They just do what they do. It's the people who are to blame for anything that happens like this. I personally don't believe that they resemble a "cult" following anymore (again, this is an old post) because you simply don't sell this many devices, and gain this many users, and get that incredible customer following, satisfaction, and loyalty out of being a religious entity (okay, well maybe you do).... Backfired. Point is, they're obviously doing something right, and it's better than their competition.

Charlie Pryor Well its on the front page of the Technology subreddit on reddit.com, so I think thats why its getting some extra attention right now. It also makes sense that Apple fans would have a "cult" mindset. Unfortunately, the word "cult" has a very derogatory connotation. Its only natural to feel something when you are surrounded by people who are all interested in the same thing. You could make the same equivalent to a sporting event and it would hold true. People tend to see Apple as a communistic company (again, very negative diction). And while its true that Apple holds your hand while you use their products, their guidance never gets in the way and makes you feel like you are being restricted. But because they control it so well, their products are solid, have incredible integration within itself and with other Apple products, and they have a seamlessness that really makes you enjoy using their products.

David Powell Appreciate the feedback, and thanks for stopping in. You know it's surprising to me that I wrote this post very quickly, over ten months ago, and only now does anybody really see it. This was written back when not a lot of people followed this site, and I was the only writer. I was tipped of the CNN article by a roommate, and said "oh what the hell, let's blog about it" Some people believe it's an anti-Apple post. In reality, I love Apple's stuff, and while I can't say I agree with everything the company does, I'm under a sound and (IMO) fair mindset to know that no corporation in the 21st century is perfect, and that they'll do what they have to do to make a buck. Apple is simply better at making money, and Tim Cook is largely to blame for that. He's the reason they're so efficient in business, after all. The design is likely going to suffer just a little bit (AppleTV is a prime example), but they'll likely be even more profitable with him at the helm, since he's the efficiency expert.

Charlie Pryor and you might not know it, but that is EXACTLY why Apple products stand above everyone else's. It isn't about how much speed you but in, or the RAM, or the processor. Its about the experience, the software, the feeling you get when using it. I love hearing stories like yours.

The first time I bought an Apple product, I bought it because what I had wasn't working for me. I had a Palm Pre, and had previously tried Windows Mobile. The phones didn't fit me. I wanted something that would be fluid, and seamless. Something that had compatibility with my needs, and supported an enhanced experience in the aspects of mobile interaction that mattered most to me. It had to feel good to use it. It had to feel as though it knew what I wanted, and "just worked." I wasn't getting that from my other devices. Truth is, I had a friend who had an iPhone, and they seemed to like using it. I decided, based on a few opinions from friends, that i would try it as well. My contract had expired, and I took that opportunity to check it out. Sure enough, I seen right away what they loved about it. Nobody told me to buy it. It wasn't because it was the cool thing. It was because, instantly, I understood it. Instantly, it was functioning well for my lifestyle. I could spend less time moving things around and customizing how it looked, and more time using it to accomplish the goal. In the end, it's the experiences that we live for, not the destinations. It doesn't matter than you can do something. It matters how it's done, and what it means to the person that does it.