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Umm no..can you freely redownload your iTunes content that you purchased? Not likely. They may allow it in certain situations but you can't just download it to your hearts desire if it works anything like the music/video sections of iTunes.

Except they explicitly say that you can redownload apps any time you want. Just like you can with the iOS App Store.

The only reason apple is doing this is so they can control another aspect of their products..what software you can or can't use on their macs.

Conspiracy theories aside, how are the controlling anything by providing an additional option? They are not eliminating any third party sources of software.

Edit: Only the naive would view this as a GOOD thing.

Ahh, the old "any one that disagrees with me is an idiot" argument. :rolleyes:
 
I'm taking a closer look at Win7 these days...


for what boxed software?

i run Win7 and use Steam for games. laptops from best buy have the best buy digital software store pre-loaded on them. everyone sells their software as downloads as well.

boxed software is going the way of the dodo bird. i saw a stack of TurboTax boxes at Costco and wonder who buys them when the online is the same price or cheaper depending on if one of your banks is running a special with intuit.
 
Re-Download

Have you used the Mac App Store? You can take a look at your purchase history and re-download anything you bought at any time.

Unless you're talking about software in general, in which case, I'm sure there will be external DVD drives for use for the 3 times people stick discs into them each year.

Can anyone help me, new to the forum, but I can't find how to re-download Apps, it certainly doesn't jump off the AppStore as a function?
 
Can anyone help me, new to the forum, but I can't find how to re-download Apps, it certainly doesn't jump off the AppStore as a function?

There is a button at the top labeled "Purchases." Click on it for a list of apps that you have purchased.
 
There is a button at the top labeled "Purchases." Click on it for a list of apps that you have purchased.

OK I see, if the App isn't there then you can re-download it. Sorry I just wanted to see the process before I consider giving up on Box Software. Cheers
 
Thank you however, how does that help it just shows me a list of my purchases, there is nothing there about re-downloading? I appreciate you taking the time though.

If you've got more than one Mac and log on to the MAS with your Apple ID and an app you've bought on your other Mac isn't installed on that computer, it lets you download it (without paying again).
 
Developers Beware

I think the App Store is amazing, it's good for Mac users and good for Developers (some developers) my only advice, and I think it is true in all cases, is don't put all your eggs in one basket. Retail is not just a way of selling it is also a place to see choice and range and indeed a form of product marketing and awareness. Give your customers choice for how they want to consume your products and where Also don't let Apple or any retailer be your only vendor and thus in the future dictate your pricing/ your revenues.
 
If you've got more than one Mac and log on to the MAS with your Apple ID and an app you've bought on your other Mac isn't installed on that computer, it lets you download it (without paying again).

Cheers, thanks for the heads up!
 
Comment at the Washinton Post: "5GB/month doesn't go very far when the Office DVD is 3.xGB."

It's even more amusing with Adobe Creative Suite. The install is around three hours from a STACK of DVD's. That would blow out the 5GB before you're half-way done. If not for the unlimited bandwidth (at least they haven't hit me up... ) 20/10 fiber optic service, the pure download world would be very challenging.

As a Pro user on older hardware... a freelancers income does NOT justify the newest and shiniest (so I am not a core market for Apple anymore ). I do feel that Apple antagonizes Adobe, at OUR peril.

Despite Apple's full on push at the "consumer" computing market, what about the folk who are PRODUCING content? I still prefer the platform overall - for the most part the OS, while not perfect, just WORKS and stays mostly out of my way. But it's entirely possible Apple could, through their structural and policy changes, drive us away.
 
It wouldn't affect me no matter what Apple does regarding this. I simply don't buy software often and when I do, it's online and only if I can download it.

It's been at least ten years since I last bought a software package at a store just and even longer since buying an actual DVD or music CD. It's all about downloading for me. It's too convenient.

Owning a Mac since July 0f 2007 seems to have really cut down on my desire to buy software for the most part because I have just about everything I need and I can get free versions of apps to do what I want.

I habe yet to buy anything from the Mac App Store. Nothing really interests me there.
 
Comment at the Washinton Post: "5GB/month doesn't go very far when the Office DVD is 3.xGB."

It's even more amusing with Adobe Creative Suite. The install is around three hours from a STACK of DVD's. That would blow out the 5GB before you're half-way done. If not for the unlimited bandwidth (at least they haven't hit me up... ) 20/10 fiber optic service, the pure download world would be very challenging.

As a Pro user on older hardware... a freelancers income does NOT justify the newest and shiniest (so I am not a core market for Apple anymore ). I do feel that Apple antagonizes Adobe, at OUR peril.

Despite Apple's full on push at the "consumer" computing market, what about the folk who are PRODUCING content? I still prefer the platform overall - for the most part the OS, while not perfect, just WORKS and stays mostly out of my way. But it's entirely possible Apple could, through their structural and policy changes, drive us away.

most adobe customers are on corporate licenses where the IT has the DVD's and installs the software. this is the reason why they aren't on the mac app store. the license is 1 per computer, not 1 per apple itunes account

even then a lot of games are in the 10GB to 20GB range and Steam is doing just fine
 
Don't forget that there will usually be a market for left-for-dead technology.

The resurgence of record players is a perfect example, although I suppose in this case, it's related to what I and many other people consider bringing back a better sound.

It's funny that you mention killing of music cd's and video dvd's - but remember that these distribution technologies replaced music cassettes and VHS cassettes and before that vinyl records, 8 track tapes and betamax tapes. In every case, you had people making the same argument. What happens when...what will we do if...you shouldn't change because...

Technology keeps moving forward and generally improvements happen with each subsequent change.

You know, it seems many people don't like change or are afraid of change. They rather stick to what they know and are not open for new improved things.

change is fine. evolution is great. flash drives or thumb would be fine. but eliminating physical media is awful.

this will promote going away from dvd/cd's more. back up to a dvd? am i totally alone on this? if the discs are axed here, next they'll pull the drive, and you won't be able to burn. externals will become rare then disapear. the problem is not a short term or a work around. EVOLVE physical media, don't axe it.

this is much bigger than not making install dvd's. it the implications of this move.

the nazi's made little moves like this and then all of a sudden people realized all the small things the did added up to quite a lot. not to compaire our beloved apple to the third reich!
 
change is fine. evolution is great. flash drives or thumb would be fine. but eliminating physical media is awful.

this will promote going away from dvd/cd's more. back up to a dvd? am i totally alone on this? if the discs are axed here, next they'll pull the drive, and you won't be able to burn. externals will become rare then disapear. the problem is not a short term or a work around. EVOLVE physical media, don't axe it.

this is much bigger than not making install dvd's. it the implications of this move.

the nazi's made little moves like this and then all of a sudden people realized all the small things the did added up to quite a lot. not to compaire our beloved apple to the third reich!

dvd's are too expensive to burn data on them except in a few instances. most people use external hard drives for backups
 
even then a lot of games are in the 10GB to 20GB range and Steam is doing just fine

yeah but steam doesn't sell productivity apps where it impacts your business to have to wait a few hours / overnight for a download. games aren't high priority:)
 
So let me get this straight, pretty soon:

* You can no longer sell or buy used software since there is nothing physical to transfer to another person.

* You can no longer buy software anonymously with cash, since it's all done through your Apple account.

* You can no longer backup the software installers to DVD or Hard Drive for the future convenience of installing anytime versus having to re-download for hours and days.

* Software like Logic Studio 9 with its 50GB size can only be downloaded, which means paying extra on top to your ISP if they have a data cap.

* If you don't have broadband and have to go to an Apple Store to purchase and download, you have to drive hundreds of miles if one's not near you.

* You can't install software without a connection to the net, which is a security risk for some who have their dedicated "off-grid" computers.

* 5-8 years from now, when your Mac becomes an old secondary computer running old software, will you still be able to download the software you bought 8 years earlier from the Mac App Store?

* You sell your Mac with its installed software suite as an added bonus. Will the buyer be able to re-install that software?​

If Apple gives you a DMG or ISO to download as an option, that can be activated with a key, then the above issues are non-issues. Is that already the case with the Mac App store? I haven't used it so I don't know.

Right now this move to digital-only is like going from gold-coins in your safe to fiat paper money or digital IOUs that can become inaccessible or valueless in a heartbeat. The difference between this move, and vynil -> cassette -> DVD is that the latter were physical media you OWNED and could access instantly at any moment without dependence on a third party. Here, Apple has you on a leash.

Yes on all, except for the age or transfer of software.

The software will now be tied to a user. So if you sell your computer, it's only as from the factory. This will enable you to install the software you own on your new computer.

It's up to Apple when they decide to "pull old software" from download availabilty.

Isn't DRM lovely?
 
Cost of a 2011 Mac Book Pro: $1,199.00

Cost of Broadband Internet: $24.99

If you can afford a Mac, I'm sure you can afford internet. If someone purchases a Mac, I'm hoping they researched that purchasing most apps come via the App Store. With this they should know that they need broadband. Although people in general tend to disappoint my expectations, my point still stands.
 
Cost of a 2011 Mac Book Pro: $1,199.00

Cost of Broadband Internet: $24.99

If you can afford a Mac, I'm sure you can afford internet. If someone purchases a Mac, I'm hoping they researched that purchasing most apps come via the App Store. With this they should know that they need broadband. Although people in general tend to disappoint my expectations, my point still stands.

portion of US where you can get broadband: not all
percent that have caps: some and rising
US broadband rating: poor (use google)

i dont know what you qualify 24.99 broadband internet as, but here that would get you 1mbit. thats barely broadband, and isnt according to some definitions
 
Future is Digital DL - but not through Mac App Store

The future is digital download, but through sites that offer downloads with far less DRM than Apple. I have been buying all my software digitally for years, but from the developer's websites (Microsoft, Ambrosia, Sillysoft, etc...). I also use Steam, which while restrictive doesn't even approach the levels of restriction the Mac App store has. The Mac app store is a joke to anyone who knows how to go under the hood of a Mac. It severely limits the ability of programs to function to their full capacity. For that reason I only use it as a guide now. If I see something there I like (i.e. Call of Duty Modern Warfare) then I go to a separate site (i.e. Direct2Drive (IGN)) and buy it. For example, with COD MW there is still DRM, but at least I can play multiplayer with no problems and change settings using more advanced features of the program, and I have a separate data folder with the program so I can add mods. Mod Warfare is NOT available to people who pay the same or more money to buy this particular product on the App Store. And I read with horror the comments people have on all types of different products they have bought from the store. Terrible memory management, more tuned for the iOS and ported over to Mac, worthless product that would never be sold through another distribution channel in this way, or entire parts of the program eliminated or not working. The lack of root access is the real killer. OS Lion reminds me of the "Launcher" Apple pushed on us way back in the classic days. Made for and used by the computer-illiterate.
 
portion of US where you can get broadband: not all
percent that have caps: some and rising
US broadband rating: poor (use google)

i dont know what you qualify 24.99 broadband internet as, but here that would get you 1mbit. thats barely broadband, and isnt according to some definitions

What state do you live in? I know the US has garbage broadband, but it is not that bad. Worse comes to worse you let something download in the background and do some work while you wait.
 
yeah but steam doesn't sell productivity apps where it impacts your business to have to wait a few hours / overnight for a download. games aren't high priority:)

There are SO MANY sites that do offer productivity apps. Go to the individual developers website if you have to. Not everyone is going to be doing this switch over to exclusive digital, just Apple. So some might ship you a CD. More than likely you will be able to get it digitally though. The number one productivity app in the world has been available digitally for years for Mac - and not through the "App Store." Its called Microsoft Office.
 
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