CNET Community Hot Topics weekly newsletter
June 13, 2007
Dear CNET members,
Set your alarm clocks, because I have some great news! Starting tomorrow, each Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon PT, we will host a CNET live chat event right here in the forums called "CNET Ask the Editors Live!"--where you'll have the opportunity to ask our CNET editors your burning tech questions. We'll cover a new topic each week, from cell phones to TVs. So get those tech questions ready and join us! First up for June 14 at 11 a.m. is CNET Senior Editor Donald Bell, who will answer all your MP3 player and audio questions. Have fun and see you during the live event!

Now let's hit on this week's hot topic. Earlier this week Apple released a beta version of its Safari Web browser for Windows. Now, you're either pumping your fist with excitement or you're rolling your eyes, saying, "Who cares?" Whichever your position is on this announcement, I wanted to bring your attention to a Daily Download blog entry by CNET Editor Rafe Needleman titled "Mac apps on Windows suck. Here's why." Rafe goes on to explain why he thinks Mac apps like iTunes and now Safari are a good marketing platform to sell more Macs, but less-than-desired Windows apps. I know what Rafe has to say, but what do you think? This blog entry has our members lined up to give Rafe either a piece of their mind or to praise him for such a post. So check out what our members are saying. And when you're ready, post your opinions. I know he's reading your comments. This topic is getting pretty heated, but please, folks, keep your opinions civil and explain exactly why you agree or disagree with Rafe. Thanks!

Cheers!
Lee Koo
Manager, CNET community

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This week's hot topic:
What do you think of Mac apps on Windows?
In one of CNET Editor Rafe Needleman's latest blog entries, he brings to our attention the reasons why he thinks Mac apps on Windows stink. When this entry was published, a number of members were quick to get on the saddle to speak their minds with him.

"Yet another post about Apple products..."
"I would like to thank you, Rafe Needleman, for pointing out the obvious flaws of a program that is still in BETA, which I am currently using to type this post. Now I know you are relatively informed on a diverse array of subject matter due to your appearances on the Real Deal podcast, but I still don't understand why you are so 'upset' with the shortcomings of Apple..." (Read more)
--Submitted by: CNET member GPcorey25
"Precisions..."
"First of all, there's something which seems to have been forgotten here: There's no need to insult each other. So, the problem submitted here is (to my humble opinion) quite a global problem. I've rarely seen any port of software run half as well as the core version. Now, I don't say there aren't any, just not many. This is true for any release, as much for Apple..." (Read more)
--Submitted by: CNET member erelwin
"Don't fight"
"Honestly, being exposed to both OS for over 5 years now, I find it that both platforms have their own advantages and disadvantages, and sometimes these things do overlap. With some exceptions like the iPod, the PC requires iTunes since it's the only efficient way to sync the iPod with the computer. If ever Windows gets to produce a similar Windows..." (Read more)
--Submitted by: CNET member alvansonso
Speak up!
Now it's your turn to voice your agreement or disagreement with Rafe. Do you think Mac apps on Windows are pure junk, or do you think they are great and give you another reason to consider moving to Mac in the near future? Whatever your reasoning, share it with us in this discussion. (Please keep your opinions civil. Thanks!)
CNET blogs:
• Crave

• The Daily Download

• News.com blogs

• Webware

• ShopGrok: shopping blogs

Quick hits
Here are some interesting comments you've recently submitted on CNET. Read up on it and talk about it.

• Should you wait for an OLED TV?
SED, the flat-panel of the future, is DOA. But OLED is poised to take its place. Should you hold out for one? What do you think the chances are of OLED unseating LCD and plasma as the flat-panel champ? Tell us what you think.
• Cheap gas (but there's also a catch)
Often some deals are too good to be true. A company offering to use your driver's license to pay for gasoline is really asking to create a rich marketing profile of who you are, right down to the biometric details of height, weight, and eye color. Where have you been asked to scan your driver's licenses lately? Did you? Why or why not?
• Will you use Safari?
A couple of days ago Steve Jobs announced the beta for the Apple Safari 3.0 browser for Windows XP and Vista. Yes, another browser for Windows, but this time from Apple. Now the question is do we need it? Will you be using Safari, now that it will be available for you to run on Windows?
 
Weigh in on this week's poll:
Will you be trying Apple's Safari (beta) Web browser for Windows?
(Please click on button to vote)

 Yes, soon. (Why not now?)
 Maybe (What's holding you back?)
 No, I don't do betas. (Why not?)
 No, I don't touch Apple products.
    (Please explain.)
 Never! (Why not?)
 I'm already using it. (How do you like it?)
Last week's poll results 
Do you do online financial transactions (online purchases, paying bills, banking, and so on)?

Crave blogs
Crave is our new blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crush-worthy stuff. Check out some of the latest blogs and comment on this cool gadgetry.


Hot products
Along with discussing Mac apps on Windows, CNET members had plenty of new tech products to talk about this week.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W200
CNET member keberts says:
"Pros: Good build quality (far superior to the W90) with an almost entirely metal case, manual mode a huge plus, other exclusives to the W200: accessory lens mounting ring and Sony's DR Optimizer (it works IMO) Cons:Absolutely pointless to pack 12MP into a camera of this size, image noise issue at times, ISO6400 also a gimmick IMO, lens could be better, but what do you expect? (at least it's..." (read more)
Read all user opinions | Compare prices

iRiver Clix (4GB, second generation)
CNET member pyungwonlee says:
"The Sound: I've followed iRiver for so long because of its deep bass whilst maintaining clear high frequencies or what people like to call treble; SRS WOW is divine audio-candy as well. In comparison to the Ipod, and all its predecessors, this thing is king and Ipod slave. But the D2 puts..." (read more)
See all user opinions | Compare prices

Nokia N75
CNET member jharv92 says:
"Now that I have beat up the phone, I will say that Nokia's quality and reception do make it worth considering. My expectations are just too high apparently. I do think Nokia makes a great phone and in some aspects, this is one of them. But it also could be a lot better..." (read more)
See all user opinions | Compare prices


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