3 ms·

We're talking about a friend passing you a link that leads to page that redirects you to download some software to view that page. At the level of "consumer goo

We're talking about a friend passing you a link that leads to page that redirects you to download some software to view that page. At the level of "consumer goods" the technical pedantry of www. being on the address can hang. Even AllOfMp3 had a web AND client side application to view their store.

pohl 17y ago
This is certainly not the first time in history that a non-browser application has embedded a browser rendering engine for its own purposes. If you have ever used a kiosk, you've probably seen it yourself. In fact, I believe the Outlook mail client uses Trident for HTML email. This is also not the first time in history that a vendor has used the human practice of exchanging URLs to promote downloads of special client software. Flash rose to dominance based upon people sharing links to amusing cartoons with each other, for example. Microsoft heavily promotes Silverlight URLs, and there has been no "hell to pay". Nor is this the first time in history that a special URL scheme or content type was used to launch an external application. In fact, this has been a browser feature from the dawn of time.
- Quarrelsome 17y ago
  Flash plugs into my browser (and I can choose my browser) as does Silverlight. ITunes does not, it is a completely different application. Basically the joke still stands. In 2009 the largest online supplier of music does not have their catalogue on the world wide web.
  - pohl 17y ago
    Their content is available over the internet, and individual pieces of content can be refered to by URL. What remains to induce laughter in you is the distinction between launching an external program versus writing said program within the confines of browser plugin prison. To each their own. I'm a fan of Mitch Hedberg, myself. http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=31177950&s=143441 http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?... I realize that some people want the browser to replace the operating system, but I'm not one of them.
    - Quarrelsome 17y ago
      I'm all for thick clients, as I said before AllOfMp3 was awesome and it had both thick and thin clients. I just find it bizarre that Apple don't have a store on the web that you can walk into using standard tools. If I want to just see how much ITunes is say charging for a piece of music or if I want to see if they stock a particular album then I can't unless I install ITunes. I think that's wrong. Oh and Mitch Hedburg owns. Or rather owned. :(
  - GHFigs 17y ago
    It seems to have escaped you that you need iTunes (the software) to make purchases from iTunes (the store).
    - Quarrelsome 17y ago
      Er.... I've ordered from lots of different music stores without needing a thick client. It's not a technical necessity, sure its ITunes' necessity but that's a hurdle they've intentionally placed there. Whether thats because they can't be bothered to make a web app, have made some strange technical decisions that mean it can't be a web app or are just being mean (lock-in!), I don't know. But I do know that I don't like it.
      - GHFigs 17y ago
        I think it has more to do with the fact that integration has been instrumental to their success. If it's a hurdle, then it's a hurdle that customers have been very eager to cross. That they've become the largest music retailer in the world without a web-accessible interface is a good indication that it isn't very important.

pohl 17y ago

This is certainly not the first time in history that a non-browser application has embedded a browser rendering engine for its own purposes. If you have ever used a kiosk, you've probably seen it yourself. In fact, I believe the Outlook mail client uses Trident for HTML email. This is also not the first time in history that a vendor has used the human practice of exchanging URLs to promote downloads of special client software. Flash rose to dominance based upon people sharing links to amusing cartoons with each other, for example. Microsoft heavily promotes Silverlight URLs, and there has been no "hell to pay". Nor is this the first time in history that a special URL scheme or content type was used to launch an external application. In fact, this has been a browser feature from the dawn of time.

Quarrelsome 17y ago
Flash plugs into my browser (and I can choose my browser) as does Silverlight. ITunes does not, it is a completely different application. Basically the joke still stands. In 2009 the largest online supplier of music does not have their catalogue on the world wide web.
- pohl 17y ago
  Their content is available over the internet, and individual pieces of content can be refered to by URL. What remains to induce laughter in you is the distinction between launching an external program versus writing said program within the confines of browser plugin prison. To each their own. I'm a fan of Mitch Hedberg, myself. http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=31177950&s=143441 http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?... I realize that some people want the browser to replace the operating system, but I'm not one of them.
  - Quarrelsome 17y ago
    I'm all for thick clients, as I said before AllOfMp3 was awesome and it had both thick and thin clients. I just find it bizarre that Apple don't have a store on the web that you can walk into using standard tools. If I want to just see how much ITunes is say charging for a piece of music or if I want to see if they stock a particular album then I can't unless I install ITunes. I think that's wrong. Oh and Mitch Hedburg owns. Or rather owned. :(
- GHFigs 17y ago
  It seems to have escaped you that you need iTunes (the software) to make purchases from iTunes (the store).
  - Quarrelsome 17y ago
    Er.... I've ordered from lots of different music stores without needing a thick client. It's not a technical necessity, sure its ITunes' necessity but that's a hurdle they've intentionally placed there. Whether thats because they can't be bothered to make a web app, have made some strange technical decisions that mean it can't be a web app or are just being mean (lock-in!), I don't know. But I do know that I don't like it.
    - GHFigs 17y ago
      I think it has more to do with the fact that integration has been instrumental to their success. If it's a hurdle, then it's a hurdle that customers have been very eager to cross. That they've become the largest music retailer in the world without a web-accessible interface is a good indication that it isn't very important.