Battle of the Titans begins
 

No. Because Sony is stubborn.

The reasons that Beta flopped were twofold. 1 - Sony refused to license to ANYONE until the bitter end when you could smell death in the air.

2 - Sony failed to respond to consumer requests to make a machine that would record longer. 5 hours was late and was stupid. Consumers flocked to the 6 hour format like rats to cheese. Sony said no - the Japanese market prefers the better picture, so screw you Americans.

Sony invented Hi-Fi, which was supposed to save their asses and was not supposed to be possible in VHS format. Until JVC invented depth mulitplexing VHS Hi-Fi and that was the end of Beta.

Battle of the Titans begins
 

The CD and 3-1/2" floppy are, I submit, fairly significant developments (I admit the floppy was both introduced and killed by Apple, but I digress), as is Firewire/i.link/1394.

I'm not quite sure what debate we're having here. Is it the "sony's inventions aren't worth shit"? Or is it "closed systems never work"? Because all y'all are using example of each to prove the other.

I challenge you to name a closed system that has ultimately succeeded in the market. and iPod doesn't count, because in time it may well get eroded. Every closed system gets superseded by an open one, because all the outsiders get together, come up with an open standard, sell it cheaper, and ultimately gain acceptance.

Proprietary systems are different, and Sony has succeeded there, sometimes. CD, DV, Firewire, and others. They still sell cameras with memory sticks, just no one else has (and no one else has the standard anyway).

And innovative products are just that. I would put Sony up against most any company on innovation front. I dare say the Walkman was perhaps the most revolutionary consumer electronics device since the television. It's dead now, of course, but the idea of a personal, portable music player was revolutionary.

Battle of the Titans begins
 

I'm not having a debate. I merely said that in the battle of the Titans, Sony's support for one format over another is a point against.

Battle of the Titans begins
 

And your support for that point is Beta.

Battle of the Titans begins
 

And Minidiscs and DAT and MemorySticks.

Battle of the Titans begins
 

That's not what I said. That was your assumption. But whatever.

eta, what Balt said.

podplus
 

Anyone used it to transfer songs from ipod to computer?

I installed a new hard drive, but I'm afraid to install itunes (and then connect my ipod) as I believe it will clear all of the songs on my ipod.

podplus
 

I used Senuti which worked reall well for switching my music from my desktop to notebook.

If you connect the ipod, it asks whether you want to now associate it with the new computer. If you say "no" it doesn't erase the tunes on the ipod, it doesn't sync with it.

podplus
 

I haven't seen anyone gnashing teeth about problems with software that transfers from iPod to computer. Go check ipodlounge if you're worried.

Pony's right, though. You'll have to choose to sync it before the music disappears.

To be safe, install the other program, move the music to your hard drive, then open itunes (with ipod off), make sure your music is there, and then connect ipod.

podplus
 

Yep, that's the way I'm going to do it. Thanks.

podplus
 

Cool. Thanks.

podplus
 

I haven't seen anyone gnashing teeth about problems with software for the mac.

podplus
 

Tiger Woods also doesn't seem to have these problems. I'm guessing his staff handles this sort of mundane task for him.

For the third fucking time
 

Does anyone have a treo and use verizon and does it spit or swallow?

For the third fucking time
 

No. No. No idea. Sorry.

While we are at it, are all the cell phone services the same now? I've had Sprint for a couple of years and I generally think the service is okay, but my phone totally blows. I've been holding off on getting a new phone until I figure out whether to change providers or not. Most of it depends on what Mr Man decides to do (go with separate cell service or just use combined service provided gratas by his work) because I want to be on whatever system he is on since they mainly do those free in-system calling plans and 80% of my cell phone usage is talking to him, but I'll take input on what service is the best (his work system is T-Mobile, I believe) and what new cell phones are good. I just want one with good texting capabilities (my current one is AWFUL for texting) and small size that won't fall apart after a year.