opinion

Adobe and their Crybaby approach on Flash

April 13, 2010 by chikorita157

Just recently, Apple changed the agreement over how programs can be made on the iPhone OS 4.0, only allowing C, C++ and Objective C to be used. This is obviously a change aimed at Adobe where they have this ability in Flash CS5 that allows one to compile a Flash application to the iPhone. Now they are crying fowl and want to sue Apple.

Excuse me? Adobe, you have treated Mac users as second class citizens. This is evident when they ditch Premiere on the Mac, delayed their transition for the apps on Mac OS X, don’t have Universal Binary of the Applications until 2007… Who is the lazy one now? The problem is that most creative people mostly use Macs and they are not going to ditch a Mac just to use your products on Windows. The problem is that you neglected the Mac and also the Linux platform for Flash just to focus more on catering for the Windows users. Do you think it’s fair? Why does Flash take more CPU on Mac OS X while playing a Youtube video. Why does Flash and Adobe Air suck so much on Linux? How come it took a whole year to fix that Flash crash bug that affected every OS? Because, they don’t care about those non-Windows users and more interested in filling their pockets with money by selling extremely expensive creative suites that are bloated on top of draconian DRM that does absolutely nothing to thwart piracy.

Adobe, the problem is that you can’t just sue Apple because they don’t allow flash. The AppStore is not a monopoly since there are other devices that have an AppStore like Android and Blackberry. Apple also don’t control the majority of the smartphone market share (They only control around 15%) let alone the whole cellphone market share. The problem with Adobe is that you are being a wuss and not fixing your software that has bugs and instead of moaning and say that it’s all Apple’s fault. Go ahead and pull your creative suite, you know that Apple will create replacements to bring more pressure like they did with Final Cut Pro. You aren’t helping yourself by mistreating all the creative professionals who depend on the Mac and also your software. Instead of wasting your time with a lawsuit that would otherwise fail, you should fix your software and make up with Apple. Creative Professionals that uses Macs (not the fanboys) shouldn’t have to be shafted because you can’t put fully functional software without bugs, so do yourself a favor… fix your software and stop whining… or be left behind…

Anime Nano turned to S&$%

April 8, 2010 by chikorita157

Well, if it’s called Anime Nano, shouldn’t there be stuff related to Anime, Manga, Light Novels and Visual Novels… Not this crap like this:
wpid-Safari.KcT7k7rvgZPv.jpg

And this:

I still wonder how many times this was repeated and this… :

They aren’t even related to what I mentioned above… They have no reason to be on Anime Nano and when I scroll through this crap… My blood boils… Anime Nano really needs to separate these blogs that have nothing to do with Anime, Manga, Light Novels and Visual Novels and create a separate section on “Japanese Sensationalism.” That will cut the clutter or better yet… build a BETTER Anime Nano that doesn’t have this crap on it and has the ability to use PuSH. The only reason I only use this is to check stuff on anime and such, but when I see this s%^& spewing over Anime Nano… I feel like I want to punch the crap out of the site and launch my RSS reader so I don’t have to read this crap. Maybe I need to use my RSS Reader instead of using Anime Nano, which the name is ironic since it has this crap on it.

iPhone OS 4 Thoughts

April 8, 2010 by chikorita157

iPhone OS 4 was previewed and yes, the newer iPhone models including the recently released iPad. Now, iPhone now has multitasking capibilities like Google’s Android, Palm’s WebOS and RIM’s Blackberry. One drawback is that the older iPhone models like the 3g and iPod Touch 2G does not support it due to the RAM and slower processor. Also, the new OS will provide Bluetooth Keyboard support, Home Screen backgrounds, Folders, iBooks, Game Center and other stuff, which shoots iPhone OS 4 slightly ahead of Android.

Multitasking is very helpful when I want to IRC chat on the phone while doing other things like browse the Internet. Previously, I used a jailbreak is Backgrounder that allowed me to multitask on my 3GS and it ran pretty smoothly since it had a faster CPU and more memory. Hopefully, it will run just as smoothly when it cones out, but I will still jailbreak so I have more freedom to custmIze my device and use non-appstore apps. The addition of multitasking on the iPad will make the device more desirable and more desirable as a replacement for a netbook on the go.

However, the inclusion of multitasking in iPhone OS 4 can put Windows Phone 7 in jeopardy of being left behind in the competition. Microsoft decided it does not need multitasking and copy and paste, which are present on the competitors mobile platform. By the excluding these features in addition of being a closed garden like the iPhone will limit the success of Microsoft’s platform and eventually Windows Phone 7 becoming a failed platform since they left out those features. They need to step up the game quickly before they are left in the dust pernamently like they did with Windows Mobile 6, the most clunkiest mobile OS ever.

Chris Beveridge, Asinine remarks and the Anime Mafia

April 6, 2010 by chikorita157

Pete Zaitcev over at アニ・ノート in this particular post criticizes Chris Beveridge outrageous, despicable and elitist remark. He compares what Chris Beveridge refers to as “my family”, the anime industry at large to the likes of a mafia in these two statements:

Firstlly, the level of the buy-in and mental association with the industry is seriously unhealthy. Chris is equating a bunch of soulless corporations run by avowed fan-haters like Kadokawa (in Japan) and Ledford (in America) to his family. Unreal.

Secondly, you know who else conflates business and family and then promises to hurt those who cross “the family”? The mafia, of course. They are very cool on the silver screen, but in real life I know whom I choose between to sympathise between gangsters and their victims.

Let’s take away from the Anime Industry and take a close look at companies in general. In a business, the purpose for the firm is to make money, not to bend down to the fans and give what they want. If the fans don’t like it, they can vote with their dollars and don’t buy anything from them and thus cause them to go out of business. Chris Beveridge seems to be flirting with the Anime Companies and don’t give a damn about the fans nor the fansubbers he hate so much… He wants a closed garden approach where companies like Crunchyroll and company stream with subs lacking in quality and no other options for the viewers to use. The problem with pure streaming approach is that it takes the viewers control away completely. With fansubs, viewers are free to convert to any portable device or view it later. If they like the series and becomes licensed, they will buy it or even buy related merchandise. Chris Beveridge obviously wants a closed garden approach since it will protect the interest of the Anime companies and give little freedom to the customers.

Let’s compare this approach to the iPhone, AT&T’s Android Phones and Windows Phone 7 platforms. They only allow you to install any apps they approve in the app store and does not give any freedom for the user to install unsigned applications that are not in the appstore, modify the hidden settings or other stuff on the phone. Sure, there is stuff like Jailbreaking and stuff, but companies who provide these devices don’t like users to take full control of these device…

Another example… Supposed that Microsoft decides to close the Windows operating system with Windows 8 and where you can only obtain desktops and laptops that have the OS preinstalled without the ability to install other operating systems like Linux and control what approved applications you can install from their App Store. Do you think this is right? Sure it will reduce the chance of malware being installed to the system, but at the same time, it takes the user’s freedom away and introduce Digital Rights Management which is viewed as a technology that takes fair use rights away and giving in to the interest of companies.

Why did I compare unsigned applications to Fansubs? Fansubs are like unsigned applications, giving viewers more freedom and quality to what they can do with the content. With unsigned applications, they give more capabilities like customization, tethering and other sort of things that the device or the service provider fears the most.

From the examples I shown, these are the well known examples where a closed garden takes away the user’s freedom. I didn’t mention Sony’s taking away of OtherOS in their firmware update or Nintendo’s hostile approach against Wii Homebrew, but they also examples where they take a user’s freedom, but not as well known as the closed garden approach on mobile devices.

We have to know that the Anime Industry will sue anyone… not just fansubbers. Take a look at BayTSP and sending DMCA letters for select anime titles? They know that they don’t like that because they are resisting change. The main reason people are downloading fansubs because they provide better quality subs and the freedom to use on any device, which streaming cannot do. Unless they up the quality of the subs, provide karaoke for OP/ED and translation and provide downloadable episodes (DRM-free) for people to use on their devices to subscribers, I think streaming will never be a viable alternative to fansubs until licensed DVDs are released. Also, region locks are another problem with some countries as well, which can alienate viewers on countries where the stream isn’t allowed.

Pete Zaitcev is right in his criticism of Chris Beveridge’s remarks. I only care about the content, not the company it comes from. I don’t see why people should protect the companies with a passion when you damn well know that they are after your money. They don’t care what you think about them or their policies, even at the expense of the fan’s freedom. I think Chris Beveridge is wrong in his asinine comments he made on Twitter and he should rethink what he thinks about the Anime Industry before he gains a large number of enemies of disgruntled anime fans at large who clearly don’t agree with him and his despicable remarks approving a Anime Industry “walled garden.”

Notes: Even though I’m against streaming entirely because of the issues I mentioned, I urge people still to support their favorite Anime by buying the DVDs and/or related merchandise. It is only fair…

RAEGing about the Anime Industry… doesn't solve anything.

April 5, 2010 by chikorita157

This article is obviously a immature and unprofessional rant on everyone and the industry. The author of this article pretty much attack fans and the industry for reasons I rather not get in, but the way the editorial is written is unprofessional and has flaws… Why? It doesn’t leave for real solution to the problem except constant whining and RAEGing. Sure, there are going to be fans that are going to be unsatisfied, but that is life. Anime has always been a niche, but nothing will change that… If what I can only see is shows like Naruto and One Piece and if that is the only shows you can buy, I would stop watching anime… Let’s get real… one person cannot dictate what titles that licensing companies should license… It depends on the fanbase… I’m sure be outraged if a certain show that has a good amount of fanbase I want licensed never get licensed. It happens.

Now with simulcasts… People wouldn’t complain as much if these companies who are responsible for translating the subs for the show wasn’t so bad. The problem with them at the moment is that there is the lack of subs for the OP/ED, one of the biggest issues on top of the grammar and translation mistakes on the simulcast. What these companies should do is commission a fansub group to do all the sub work and then apply it to the simulcast with all the flashy fonts and stuff. If you compare simulcast subs to fansubs, there is a clear difference in technology advancement… Close that gap, up the sub and video quality and make it more accessible! Add more ads if you must! Offer downloadable episodes for subscribers to put on their portable devices without DRM. If that happens, there would be a less of a need for fans to use fansubs if the show is simulcasted.

With “no dub, no buy” or no blu-ray, I have written about that previously on the blog and yes, there was a list of 12 lame excuses as RyanA puts it. We know that if fans like the anime, they should support it by buying the DVD or related merchandise. However, the editorial fails to mention how lowly paid Japanese Animators to make the anime in the production company.

Overall, this editorial did not convince me at all or bring any new points that I already knew. I buy the DVDs and stuff… What else you want me to do… Jump off the bridge… Okay, I’m done with this editorial. Overall, he made a fool of himself for well the immaturity and also the unprofessional impressions he made by his rant…

Netbooks are Stupid

April 5, 2010 by chikorita157

Netbooks are nothing really new. All they are is ultraportables shrinked with slower processors, less RAM and HD space, cramped keyboards, slow Intel graphics (unless they use nVidia) and small trackpads. I think Netbooks are dumb because they have even less performance and myself that doesn’t have good eyes, I would probably have eye-strain after looking at the very small fonts on the Netbook screens and have trouble typing on the very cramped keyboard. Add Windows, the most difficult OS when you add malware problems and other stuff (again, depends on the user and how he/she maintains the computer), well, I think it’s less viable than a regular and more powerful laptop. I would never consider using a netbook over a regular laptop or a CULV laptop, which have more power and battery life compared to a netbook and are not so expensive.

People complained about the iPad being stupid because a Netbook because it can’t run nearly all the off the shelf software or it doesn’t run Windows. iPad is a good example of what the netbook should be, besides the closed garden. Netbooks should get rid of the keyboard and trackpad and instead replace it with a multi-touch screen that uses either Touch oriented Linux like Maemo, Ubuntu Mobile or Android. Windows is not suitable for a touch screen device since the interface is more geared for the mouse and keyboard. The reason the iPad is popular because the user experience. People don’t have to deal with small keyboards and trackpads and use the screen for something more useful. Heck, I have been using my iPhone as my on the go surfing device and works pretty well. Multitasking may be the main cause people complain about the iPad, but probably in future versions of iPhone OS will add multitasking support and once the iPad is jailbroken, you know that multitasking will be added. Most I do when I’m on the go is surf the internet, update Twitter, listen to music and IRC chat, and I think the iPad can do this and also double as a eReader (I was planning to get one so I can get cheaper college textbooks on it since they are so freaking expensive).

Netbooks overall brings absolutely nothing new to the table, except that its a more portable computer but underpowered! If I really need a laptop on the go, I rather carry a few more extra pounds and haul my Macbook Pro around then use a netbook that would give me a absolutely horrible computing experience with strain eyes. Netbooks are just the trash of portable computing… and unnecessary in my opinion.

The harsh truth with blocking and taking criticism

April 4, 2010 by chikorita157

I won’t mention names, but someone complained that he/she block them off Twitter since he/she did not agree with his/her comments. I think this is very immature. People shouldn’t take criticism so seriously and accept it even if he/she doesn’t agree. Blocking someone just because you don’t agree with him/her is very immature, and just shows that you can’t take any criticism of some sort, which will eventually hurt your reputation and your creditability. It’s just like not allowing comments on your blog… this means no one can make comments, positive or negative on your blog, and that is just wrong.

Just keep this in mind when you have a blog and see comments that you don’t agree with…

Yet again, CNN puts more fuel on the Anti-Eroge fire…

April 2, 2010 by chikorita157

Yet again, they posted another article days after they post the first one. Are they putting more fuel on the put out fire? The picture above is the only picture to describe it… They simply don’t understand. You simply can’t tell other countries to stop producing content you don’t like because it offends you. If you don’t like it, take my suggestion in my last post. SELF CENSOR IT and stop bothering everyone else with these pointless articles. I have nothing else to say in their pointless article.

And yes, they are beating a dead horse here… and the Media these days, exaggerating and overblowing everything