One of the very first video formats was released by Apple Computer
Systems way back in 1991. It's still in use and it's called
Quicktime. In those long ago days of computers (pre-web) Quicktime
was hot stuff. Like many of the really great innovations of the
time, Apple was the creator.
Oh you didn't know the little fact that Apple originated much of
the technology that today we take for granted, did you? What, did
you think all of the great inventions of the computer world came
from Microsoft (sarcasm intended)? While Apple didn't always
invent what it sold, it tended to create good solid products of
exceptionally high quality (it's too bad that in those days Apple
didn't have the marketing ability of a wet paper bag). And they
usually created these wonders way before anyone else.
Quicktime was an incredible invention at the time. I remember
when it came out (yes, I admit I loved the old MacIntosh computers,
and I was really upset when I realized how badly Apple had blown
their chances to become the top computer company) and how exciting
it was to be able to see moving pictures on a computer. Wow, that
was in incredible thing.
Quicktime is one of three major competing products: Real (by
RealNetworks), Quicktime and Microsoft Media Player, and it's
dead last in popularity. Personally, I think the technology is
very good and reliable, but Quicktime is suffering from the
problem that it is perceived as a MacIntosh product. Most people
use a Windows platform.
Of course, Quicktime runs on may different platforms. In fact, the
product runs very, very well on Windows and is definitely up their
in quality with it's competitors.
In fact, Quicktime has been chosen to be the base platform for
the new MPEG-4 video standard. The next version (6.0) will support
this format in it's video files. This leads to the distinct
possibility that Quicktime could rise to the top of the pack as
MPEG-4 is potentially a huge benefit to users.
You see, MPEG-4 is an open standard, which means it is not owned
by any particular company and has instead been created by the
internet community and various working groups. I don't know about
you, but I tend to trust this kind of software over that created by
companies with highly commercial purposes and undisclosed (hidden)
agendas.
Visiting the Quicktime web site was an interesting experience.
The site was not extraordinarily commercial and the link for the
free player was right up front (where it belongs). The download
was clean and easy and did not require any information from me at
all (they asked for but did not require my email address). To me,
this is the mark of truly profession software of this type.
You see, if I put a QuickTime video on my web site I want it to
make it painless and easy for them to install the plugin. If the
site asks for too much data, then my visitors have a greater
chance of being annoyed and moving on. Since Quicktime does not
require ANY data from my users, that particular issue never even
comes up.
The installer did not ask me to purchase anything, except for a
brief, well placed question reminding me that it might be a good
idea to purchase the professional version.
I think it's pretty obvious that I like this product. Out of the
big three (Windows Media Player, Real Player and Quicktime) it
was the easiest install of all, it asked the fewest questions and
interfered the least with my computer. I would not have any
hesitation about included a Quicktime video on my web site for my
visitors to watch.
About the Author
Richard Lowe Jr. is the webmaster of Internet Tips And Secrets
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