Media Player City
After a couple of years of swearing not to install Real Networks software because of it's intrusiveness in previous versions, its now back on my PC. I remember an internet radio show commentator likening the Real Player series to a virus because of the in your face approach of the software. The impetus to install it was from seeing the bunch of audio content available on Tech Nation which I found via Guy Kawasaki's Art of the Start web site. So far it's been unintrusive, though any hint of not treating me (the user) with respect will result in its removal. So now my PC has Windows Media 10, Quicktime and Real Player installed. It seems a waste of resources and somewhat annoying to my developer sensibilities (hating repetition) but its the only way of being able to see/hear most of the content thats out there. I did a similar thing with Quicktime and it hasn't been intrusive. Maybe the leopards have changed their spots?
Though I did notice definite web design approaches on the www.real.com web site which attempted to steer me to purchase product. It was always difficult to see the small font links to the free version. Apple did something similar with Quicktime, in that it came with iTunes software when I just wanted the player. Somehow, I think the leopards would change back given half a chance. Or maybe they're just a lot more subtle about it these days.