| > | | | | platform forthe new MPEG-4 video standard. The |
| One of the very first video formats was released by | | | | next version (6.0) will supportthis format in it's video |
| Apple Computer | | | | files. This leads to the distinctpossibility that Quicktime |
| Systems way back in 1991. It's still in use and it's | | | | could rise to the top of the pack as |
| called | | | | MPEG-4 is potentially a huge benefit to users. |
| Quicktime. In those long ago days of computers | | | | You see, MPEG-4 is an open standard, which means |
| (pre-web) Quicktimewas hot stuff. Like many of the | | | | it is not ownedby any particular company and has |
| really great innovations of thetime, Apple was the | | | | instead been created by theinternet community and |
| creator. | | | | various working groups. I don't know aboutyou, but I |
| Oh you didn't know the little fact that Apple | | | | tend to trust this kind of software over that created |
| originated much ofthe technology that today we | | | | bycompanies with highly commercial purposes and |
| take for granted, did you? What, didyou think all of | | | | undisclosed (hidden)agendas. |
| the great inventions of the computer world | | | | Visiting the Quicktime web site was an interesting |
| camefrom Microsoft (sarcasm intended)? While Apple | | | | experience. |
| didn't alwaysinvent what it sold, it tended to create | | | | The site was not extraordinarily commercial and the |
| good solid products ofexceptionally high quality (it's | | | | link for thefree player was right up front (where it |
| too bad that in those days Appledidn't have the | | | | belongs). The downloadwas clean and easy and did |
| marketing ability of a wet paper bag). And | | | | not require any information from me atall (they |
| theyusually created these wonders way before | | | | asked for but did not require my email address). To |
| anyone else. | | | | me,this is the mark of truly profession software of |
| Quicktime was an incredible invention at the time. I | | | | this type. |
| rememberwhen it came out (yes, I admit I loved the | | | | You see, if I put a QuickTime video on my web site |
| old MacIntosh computers,and I was really upset | | | | I want it tomake it painless and easy for them to |
| when I realized how badly Apple had blowntheir | | | | install the plugin. If thesite asks for too much data, |
| chances to become the top computer company) and | | | | then my visitors have a greaterchance of being |
| how excitingit was to be able to see moving pictures | | | | annoyed and moving on. Since Quicktime does |
| on a computer. Wow, thatwas in incredible thing. | | | | notrequire ANY data from my users, that particular |
| Quicktime is one of three major competing products: | | | | issue never evencomes up. |
| Real (by | | | | The installer did not ask me to purchase anything, |
| RealNetworks), Quicktime and Microsoft Media Player, | | | | except for abrief, well placed question reminding me |
| and it'sdead last in popularity. Personally, I think the | | | | that it might be a goodidea to purchase the |
| technology isvery good and reliable, but Quicktime is | | | | professional version. |
| suffering from theproblem that it is perceived as a | | | | I think it's pretty obvious that I like this product. Out |
| MacIntosh product. Most peopleuse a Windows | | | | of thebig three (Windows Media Player, Real Player |
| platform. | | | | and Quicktime) itwas the easiest install of all, it asked |
| Of course, Quicktime runs on may different | | | | the fewest questions andinterfered the least with |
| platforms. In fact, theproduct runs very, very well on | | | | my computer. I would not have anyhesitation about |
| Windows and is definitely up theirin quality with it's | | | | included a Quicktime video on my web site for |
| competitors. | | | | myvisitors to watch. |
| In fact, Quicktime has been chosen to be the base | | | | |