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NBC makes new free service Windows Only.

Posted by techfun • 9/20/07 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: download video, nbc, windows only

As described on my blog post resulting from today's NBC press release, at blog.techfun.org/nbc-direct, NBC's new service that will allow users to download new episodes of Heroes, Conan O'Brien, Bionic Woman, and other programs will be available for Windows users only.

Support for Mac and portable devices is planned for some nebulous "later date". It reminds me of Adobe/Macromedia's "later" when it came to Flash support for Linux Firefox users. We are talking YEARS and skipped versions before it finally happened.

As a Linux user, I tend to get a little annoyed about stuff like this. This isn't even a service I would be likely to use. I know how to work my DVR. It's the principal. Have other Mac or Linux users refused to use a service after the roll out of a Mac or Linux version just because it took so long?

User Comments

9/20/07

clioandme

Not refused so much as forgot the service existed.

[reply]
1. 9/20/07
  
  techfun
  
  Yeah that happens to me a lot too.
9/20/07

AppleMan

I hate it when products and services come out only for Windows.

[reply]
1. 9/21/07
  
  techfun
  
  What gets me is that it never happens the other way around. I never encounter services that are geared towards Linux or Mac users first with Windows supoort coming later.
  
  I realize its just basic economics. You want to target the largest market first, but I still hold it against companies who do it.
  
  Does anyone besides me see this as a big part of the reasoning behind the EU's decisions against Microsoft? If Windows Media Player was not bundled with the OS we would see services targeted towards things like RealPlayer or iTunes or Zoomplayer instead of towards a specfic OS.
2. 9/21/07
  
  GrimlyFiendish
  
  Um...excuse me! Linux and Mac users came with natural immunity to viruses. Windows is still waiting for that luxury. (Closes website to go and check other facilities on his new AMD 64 'Plague Pit' with Windows Pista err I mean Vista.)
3. 9/21/07
  
  techfun
  
  I feel for Windows users. Actually, I feel for myself, I have to support about 120 windows users as part of my job, even thought I don't use it myself. I don't think services should be released that exclude Windows. I just don't like the windows first mentality.
  
  Although, if I did run Windows I'm sure I'd appreciate the distraction of things like NBC's new service.
4. 9/21/07
  
  GrimlyFiendish
  
  What gets me about Windows, (all the PC's I use have it in its various incarnations,) is that no matter how good your hardware, everything practiacally grinds to a halt because of all the Virus checks, the spam filters, the firewall etc.
  I have a PC at work that is running XP with the latest McCaffe and we might as well be on 56k dial up. NBC's new service would be great if I didnt have to turn off defensive software just to get steady video streaming. Linux and Mac users may have to wait but at least they dont have to spend hundreds on making sure their PC's dont get fubar'd every time they log on. :S
  Sorry bit of a rant their. New PC at home, compatability issues, whole ball of wax, you know what I mean. :S
5. 9/21/07
  
  techfun
  
  One word: Ubuntu For your home machine I mean.
  
  One nice thing about the new NBC thingie is that its NOT a streaming video product. you actually download the episode and play it from your machine/. It just expires in a week.
  
  And I have no problems with rants like those. I've bene in IT support too long not to know that people need to vent about their PCs and Windows users need to vent loudest.
9/20/07

brigid

Well, I use Widows, so usually I notice when some service or other is Mac or Linux only. It's annoying all around.

[reply]
9/21/07

Manictastic

I hope it won't get limited to US-only, coz that sucks

[reply]
1. 9/21/07
  
  techfun
  
  The press release I read made no mention of it only being available in certain countries so you may be in luck.
2. 9/21/07
  
  Manictastic
  
  I doubt it though, they'll be fearing that local TV stations won't buy their products anymore. They(European broadcasters) are already really being hit by illegal downloading of TV series.