David Grimes: Is The Term “iTunes” Politically Correct?
I love podcasts. In fact, at one time I had 83 different podcasts that I listened to on a weekly basis. Now, I am down to a paltry 43. I had even talked about doing one myself, but have been unable to due to my busy schedule (let’s face it…I’m lazy).
Now, I know podcasts are free and believe me when I say I appreciate and respect everybody who puts their time in to give us these great shows. But I have one gripe on a very simple thing that grinds me to the core….”The show has now been posted to iTunes.” Or…”Leave us a comment on iTunes.” And my favorite…“We’re having a contest. All you need to do is leave a comment on iTunes.”
Now I know that iTunes is the first, and it is the largest. But it is not the only podcast catcher out there anymore. That’s assuming…and we all know what happens when we assume. I personally don’t use an ipod nor do I use iTunes. So, I cannot go to iTunes to download the show, nor can I leave a comment on iTunes….so I guess it’s so much for the free T-Shirt that wouldn’t fit me anyway (not due to the shirt but due to what my wife calls my odd shape and I call my fat belly). If I had iTunes, I could have a whole wardrobe of clothes that accentuate parts of my body in an unflattering way. But noooooo…since I don’t have an ipod, I can’t take part.
It’s not that I’m anti ipod. I’m sure that it’s a very great MP3 player. It’s just that I’m anti-Apple due to a very bad experience in college. Every school newspaper editor will tell you to get the best software possible and that it is imperative that you have a good computer due to the large files created. Our school newspaper? Yeah we were running Adobe Pagemaker on a Mac II. The big problem with that? This was 1997, not 1987. Despite the constant crashing of the computer that caused multiple rewrites, it could take up to two hours to download article into Pagemaker for formatting. For this, I blame Apple. Yeah, I know that new, better computers have been made since then and it’s really my school’s fault for being such cheapskates, but I will always remember going in a 8 AM skipping all my classes and not leaving the Newspaper office until 330 AM all for a four page basic layout.
So I have my Zune, which I love. But that means I can’t leave a comment on iTunes. Or check the AAC feed. Or go to iTunes to download my show. And that means no ill fitting T-Shirts or $5 movie bin B movie DVD. So what happens to us “Progressives” out there who fought the power and got an MP-3 player that is not an Apple brand? I say, we stand up! Let our voices be heard! Tell them that, we are just as equal as those ipod people! Not just iTunes should be mentioned anymore, but ALL podcast aggregates.
That’s right, just like the dawn of the Political Correctness of the 90’s, the term ipod will become taboo, discriminatory, and will be replaced by correct general term of MP3 player (or Zune as they’re gonna take over the world along with Google). A council will then be set into place to ensure compliance. We will call this new council the Zealots for the Unification of Non-ipod phrasing Everywhere; or Z.U.N.E. for short. Every time iTunes is mentioned withoutthe mentioning of other podcatchers a fine will be levied. Yes, this will of course cause the expenses of podcasting to rise, thus causing podcasters to either go out of business or to have to start charging for their currently free shows. But we will have our equality and the opportunity to win free stuff that the podcasters can no longer afford due to the heavy fines by Z.U.N.E.
People will whine, complain and moan that we had a great thing. That we had this wonderful independent form of communication that anybody could use to express themselves and be heard. But, we can say we were just trying to be politically correct and fair to all MP3 owners and watch ourselves be lauded over by the masses for standing up to this aggrevious offense. And while we are on our way to the White House for dinner to be honored for our work in Z.U.N.E., we can turn on our MP3 players and listen to music and say…this is the day podcasting died (THAT’s how you do it Jack). All in the name of MP3 equality.
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I think the reason and problem with Zune’s and the Zune marketplace is that it is PC Only. Microsoft decided to leave out all non-PC users where as Apple made the iPod and iTunes available on Macs and PC’s its more universal.
Also alot of podcasters use macs because they are far easier in the media creation/software department. I am one of them, I have all macs and no PC’s so I am left of of using a Zune or the Zune Marketplace.
As far as I’m told Zunes can play AAC files as well as MP3 files. If not their is no reason they can’t AAC files are open to anyone who wishes to implement them.
So if Zune users are upset that they are left out of what podcasters are doing, maybe the Zune-ites should tell Microsoft to let Mac users in.
iTunes and iPods are more universal no one is left out operating system wise. So we are going to go with the system that is open to everyone.
Oh, I completely agree Jay and I truly understand.Zune as well as Creative and other sites all have work to do to catch up. The reason why i went to Zune is because I could no longer get AAC on my Zen. I can get AAC on my Zune, but I cant look at the files dropped in the feed. I’ll have to get in touch with you privately on how to do that.
But, for real, I’m not really an Apple or iTunes hater that much. It’s all tongue and cheek really. A play on all the stupid political correctness rules that ruined radio, tv and newspapers. I just say don’t forget about us poor zhlubs who may not use iTunes. Hopefully I did it in a humorous way. Still finding my groove on writing these thing. And I totally respect Apple and iTunes for one great thing…without them….there would be no podcasts and I would actually have to listen to music..so keep it going. And I’m sincere when I say to all of you Podcasters out there. Thank you!
Oh no worries, I just feel bad when Zune users get upset we don’t cater to them like we do iTunes. It’s really nothing against it, its just that I cant even go onto the Zune marketplace and see whats up. In fact I have never been on the Zune marketplace.
Then, be prepared for my next blog…”Why I believe my Zune is better than the iPod..” I’m sure i’ll be destroyed on that one. But it’s all in good fun.
They’re also called “Podcasts” which of course is lifted from the name iPod. No one seems to care about that one.
dave i can see the problem you state. personally i have both pc and mac computers. and like Jay said the fact the Zune can’t work with a mac was a big turn off.
it will be nice to read your next blog ”Why I believe my Zune is better than the iPod..” i’d like to see how you think its better then my iPod
1. MS did not just leave the PC market. they left the entire world.
the Zune was and still only officially sold in the United States.
2. For the longest time Zune sites were blocking non US IP address from visiting. or downloading the software
3.MS is paying 1$ per Zune to Universal? NBC did admit that they wanted a cut from Apple’s profit: http://legacy.macnn.com/articles/09/05/28/nbc.apple.negotiations/
if I ever need to buy a non iPod it will probably be something from SanDisk, Creative, Sony, Archos or iRiver.
I don’t see why not having iTunes is a problem for these “contests” mentioned. Get it. Not that hard.
As a podcaster and Zune owner, I have to say I agree … with both Dave and Jay.
On the one hand it’s kind of like when I called every portable cassette player I had from 1985 - 1997 a “Walkman.” All together, my family has a shuffle, a nano, and two Zunes (as well as about three 1 GB or less mp3 players we paid way too much for back in the day). They all get called “iPods.”
I use Itunes as my main PC podcast download and listening source, because I find the Zune interface to be a bit cumbersome. I find the Zune marketplace in particular to be a beast. I also listen to a lot of streaming radio on Itunes - again, more easily than I can through WinAmp or the Zune software.
One thing I do like about my Zune interface is that (I think) I don’t get the duplication of files on my PC that I get from Itunes as it makes its own version sometimes.
I wish Zune were more mainstream. I like the product itself better than the iPods, and I feel like it was a more practical purchase GB/$ at the time.
And, now that you point it out, David, I’m ashamed to admit I am probably inhibiting the Zune’s popularity by referring to only Apple products when I talk of portable audio.
I will make a conscious effort to reference the Zune marketplace more, and I look forward to checking out your next blog post - ‘cuz I agree: my Zune is better than the iPod.
Zune and progressive should not be used in the same sentence.
I’m in the non-Apple camp as well. I listen to most podcasts on my PC, with a few being loaded to my Sansa Clip for when I’m not using it for audiobooks in the car.
It frustrates me to no end when I have to dig around on a site to find a non-iTunes feed link. Sometimes sites don’t even have this anywhere at all! I have to go to google which will sometimes take me straight there.
I know I’m in the vast minority of podcast listeners, but I hate how iTunes gunks up my PCs and constantly fights for control of various codecs, so I will not install it. I admit it’s probably the best podcatcher out there, but it’s not worth the effort for me.
I have no sympathy. If I had a dime for everything that I wanted to buy or download that didn’t offer support on a Mac, I would have enough money to buy another Mac. I don’t complain though. I knew how it was when I switched to Macs. I just think the better operating system and having things 5 years before Microsoft rips it off is worth it. =)
Also, sorry if you think the Zune really is going to take over. That is a good “crack pot theory”, but at this point iPod is like Kleenex. But, I also think as iPhones and iPhone type phones evolve, the idea of an iPod or MP3 players in general will fade away.
Have you even tried an iPod or itunes?
Good luck with your Zune takeover however.
I agree with you. iTunes is to MP3s as Xerox was to copiers. It’s just the jargon that people use as shorthand.
The zune is quite cool and has a number of advantages:
#1: A subscription model which iTunes does not. It’s foolish, no outrageous, to spend money on songs you don’t want.
#2: I own an iPhone (love the apps), but still use Rhapsody subscription for music and buy my MP3s there because they are DRM free. iTunes is DRM hell.
However, iTunes makes it very easy to subscribe to podcasts, which then automatically sync with my iPhone, and so on. It’s convenience. Additionally, iTunes has a crappy interface. Case in point: right-click on any subscribed podcast…now look for he settings/properties option. Oh wait, it’s a button at the bottom of the screen. Gee Apple, so intuitive.
Tim
Having never tried to download podcasts to my Ipod (I’m technologically challenged!), I can’t really comment on the good or bad of Apple and Mac. But I guess I also don’t understand why podcasts can’t be broadcast universally - is the technology present to do that? If so, then anyone could get what they wanted no matter the brand of their player… or is that too simple a solution???
Is there really a surprise that a device and software that has lasted 10 years actually has dominance over other platforms that have been around for far less?
Is it worth the energy to debate this? Maybe hulu vs. tv.com? Or YouTube vs. Vimeo? Too much time expended on my end already.
Wow! This thing kind of blew up. I knew it would be a firecracker, but not this big. Although I am not a fan of Apple, I have no issues with Apple, ipod, or iTunes. Only the phrasing when it comes to other podcatchers, not even just Zune. I agree that Zune has a loooong way to go especially with it’s marketplace. I have also used iTunes before when Zune did not have a podcast section (ironic isn’t it?)and there were some great things about it and some things I didn’t like about it such as it would stop downloading my shows after a while because it’s thinking I’m not listening to them. My hope is that Zune will work to emulate iTunes more and I hope they go in the way to submit reviews for podcasts there too because I’d love to give my feedback to all those that do the work and give them the credit they deserve. And, I know their not going to take over the world…but Google will…;)
I’m not patient enough to read through all the responses but… do you know that iTunes is totally free to download and use? You don’t HAVE to buy anything to use it. It works on both Macs and PCs, and I think it works with any MP3 player, doesn’t it?
iTunes is just a personal jukebox with access to an online store and an online catalogue of podcasts. The podcasts are free. All you have to do is make an account on iTunes. It’s free. It costs nothing. You can do this. Today. Now. Right now. Go ahead. Go to http://www.itunes.com - like, right now. Just go. It’s easy.
I’m afraid you’ve gone and made some big assumptions in this blog and they’re wrong. I think you have a non-issue on your hands.
P.S. iTunes songs are all DRM-free now.
P.P.S. Your 1984 Apple II did it’s job for over 10 years and you still refuse to look into what the new Macs can do based on your bad experiences with a 13-year old machine? You gotta be a little more curious about advancing technology, man. I made the switch to Macs 6 years ago and I have no desire to go back to PCs for any reason other than the price. Macs are awesome. But if ignorance stops the masses from even trying a new Mac, then I’m happy to be one of the loyal minority.
I have to say as a Zune user I definately perfer it over the ipods that are out. I know personally for me when I first got my Zune I found it to be very easy to use compared to the ipod that I helped my aunt setup. To me there were to many steps to putting music on her ipod. Not to mention it was very easy to get duplicates in her play list, whereas the zune lets you know if you have that song in your collection already so it helps to cut out the duplicates. But that is just my say.
You’re basing your opinion on macs because you had a bad experience in 1997? I couldn’t care less if you didn’t own a mac or not, but it’s time to at least form an updated opinion.
The pod in podcast does not come from iPod, pod means small or narrow so a podcast would be the opposite of broadcast, because most people erroneously confuse podcast to mean iPod some people like Leo Laporte have chossen to instead use the term “netcast”
Great use of wikipedia Michael
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