Posted by jan kowalski on 11/29/06 06:24

On Mon, 27 Nov 2006 16:49:13 GMT, Craig wrote:
> It is just as likely that the OP does know how to use iTunes and is
> simply reporting what others have been saying about v7.

I think the main point is that it's dangerously easy to lose all your songs
with iTunes. And a secondary point is that iTunes v7 is very obviously
badly written software (see glaring proof below).

WANT CLEAR PROOF ITUNES IS BADLY WRITTEN SOFTWARE?

Worse than losing songs is iTunes craving for "phoning home". I have
neither the need nor desire to connect to the Internet which iTunes seems
to constantly pester my firewall for even though I turned off every option
I could find that seemed to want to connect to the Internet. The hallmark
of badly written software is software that constantly attempts what you
don't want it to try.

Even worse is that iTunes always installs crapware such as QuickTime which
I have neither the need nor the desire for. The hallmark of badly written
software is software that won't allow you NOT to install an unwanted
product. Therefore iTunes is badly written bloatware at best.

Another indication that iTunes is badly written crapware is the fact that
it insists on creating an idioticly dumb "Program Files" directory which I
keep deleting (it does this for the QuickTime bloatware). I simply can't
believe Apple thinks EVERYONE has a silly "C:\Program Files" directory! I
don't. Yet iTunes insists on creating one for Quicktime. Every time. A
crystal clear indication of badly written software is one that assumes a
hard-coded path every single installation of that software!

There's more but just the fact that iTunes has so very many obvious and
glaring flaws is proof to anyone with half a brain that the software is
badly written and should be avoided at all costs.

Having said that, the goal isn't to bash iTunes. The goal is to find a
suitable alternative that meets the following simple requirements:
A. It doesn't automatically delete your songs ever! (manual deletion is ok)
B. It doesn't ask to connect to the Internet
C. It doesn't install crap on your computer
D. It doesn't require a silly "Program Files" directory tree
E. It allows drag and drop FROM the PC to the iPod
F. It allows drag and drop from the iPod TO the PC

I've tested most of the suggested software but I haven't finished testing
yet but it's clear that freeware alternatives to iTunes that aren't as
badly written as iTunes obviosly exist.

The only matter is choosing the best which I am in the process of doing as
we speak.

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