So Shoot Me

Scott McCollom, over at IMAO, asked for some feedback about what format the readers requested future soundbytes be posted in. A snippet of Scott's comment:

To make the audio experience best for all fans everywhere, I'd like to know what media player everyone is using to listen to the IMAO for the Non-Deaf.

Someone said they were using WM10 & that the clips also worked with QuickTime. Scott says:

Good feedback, Dave—thanks.

I may start encoding these audio bits in Windows Media format since most people use Microsoft Windows and the WMA format creates smaller sound files than comparable quality MP3 sound files.

Anyone object to that? Please let me know!

And to which I replied,

*breaks out the wooden cross*

Back demons of Windows! I would recommend not using a WMP-exclusive format. This is because users have started switching over to the Linux operating system(s) and jumping off the sinking M$ ship. By using MP3 or a similar format, you won't be alienating certain readers (or listeners, in this case).

Since IMAO is known for their exaggeration and jovial attitude, I added some of my own with my above comment about the sinking MS ship (which, in the long term will come to pass). Well, Scotty didn't like that. He replied back:

Okay, reality check:

IDC's most recent figures, published in October 2003, shows Microsoft Windows clients installed on 93.8 percent of the world's desktop computers—numbering well over the 1,000,000,000 mark since Gartner Dataquest ran the numbers back in 2002.

By contrast, Linux desktops accounted for just 2.8 percent worldwide. While Linux, UNIX, and Apple computers' numbers are sizable, to say that allying with a company that has its software installed on over 930,000,000 computers worldwide and characterizing said company as a "sinking ship" is myopic at best.

However, if I find that a majority of IMAO fans are Linux users, I'll stick with MP3. Unless I hear otherwise, it's looking more like WMA will be the best format for future installments of "IMAO for the Non-Deaf."

Thanks,

Scott

Well sorry for crunching your little pro-Microsoft Windoze toes! You're the one that asked for feedback. I gave it. You're numbers are all fine and dandy, but don't forget the entire idea of the internet - a place where any computer system in the world can connect to and properly interpret media. The point to the internet is that there should never be a "This page is best viewed in X resolution using X browser." It is meant to be universal.

Though the numbers you cited about operating systems may be correct, you cannot ignore the fact that many users have switched web browsers from IE to Mozilla. In the last year alone, Mozilla users have more than doubled (7.2% to 19.3%). This is the beginning of the end for M$.

Software aside, if you ask for feedback, take it. Don't get in a huff because you don't like what someone offered up as something that you should consider. If you're not willing to hear responses that you might not like, don't ask for them. And by the way, since you have all these numbers, why did you ask for feedback?

Crispy