But I Only Want QuickTime!
After seeing the image to your left (click it for the full size) pop up on my screen for the umpteenth time, I decided I'd had enough.
When I set up this PC a few months ago, I made sure I installed QuickTime. I didn't install iTunes or Safari. Every so often since then, the download image would pop up on my screen telling me I needed to upgrade it. Until the last two or three times, it only showed QuickTime and iTunes. In all cases, the checkboxes were always checked. I would have to uncheck the boxes for iTunes and Safari in order to update only what I wanted to update. It's ridiculous.
The QuickTime Alternative
I remembered from a couple of years ago that there were alternatives available, so I "Googled" for "alt quicktime". The results brought up what I wanted as the first choice: Free-Codecs.com : QuickTime Alternative …
Before I did anything else, I made sure to uninstall Apple's QuickTime and then run CCleaner to remove any references to it from my hard drive and registry.
I installed the QuickTime Alternative along with Media Player Classic, which I had forgotten to install. I much prefer Media Player Classic over just about any other player, including Windows Media Player.
The Real Player Alternative
Remembering that I hadn't installed Real Player or anything to play those types of videos, I installed the "Real Alternative" from the Tools menu in their left sidebar, Free-Codecs.com : Download Real Player Alternative ….
This time, I had to tell the installer to ignore Media Player Classic.
Surprising Results
Okay, so I already knew I could install all of these software items and they'd still be lighter (less software bloat) than just having Apple's QuickTime installed. What I didn't know was how much more responsive my Firefox browser had become. At first, I thought a reboot (after uninstalling Apple's QuickTime) was responsible. I must've been wrong.
I've now been browsing without a reboot for more than 12 hours (not including breaks) and I haven't seen the sluggishness that I previously experienced. I can probably attribute that to the original QuickTime browser plugin. I even surfed on over to watch the trailer for Iron Man (due out it May 2008) from Apple's site. The last time I went there, the video loaded slowly and my connection was fine. This time, it loaded really fast and my connection is flaky.
If you should choose to go down this path, your mileage may vary. I don't have a lot of things installed that I see on other people's computers, so I can tell the difference between two different pieces of software designed to do the same thing.
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What I found really funny is that the licence for Safari actually forbids installation on a Windows PC
But this is the real problem with the proprietary end of things – they see your PC as their PC and so feel fully justified in deciding which programs you need to use and how limited you need to be in using t.
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I've gone the route of the alternative for a few years now. I have never had the Quicktime player or plugin be responsive on any computer I've owned. I do like the way Real Player looks and feels, but I don't need yet another player for video. My Windows machine runs VLC and MP Classic for the few files that run better with it (with the codec pack you referred to). WMP, Real Player, and Quicktime cannot run well, so they stay off my slow computers. By the way, the absolute best responding and best sounding audio player that I've found for Windows is the Quintessential Player. It kicks the player that kicks the Llama's ass.
MrCorey's last blog post..Glad THAT is Over!
I'll have to get that player. The only thing I use right now for audio is Windows Media Player and it sucks to no end.
You will notice the improvement in sound quality right away. And the responsiveness is refreshing.
MrCorey's last blog post..Glad THAT is Over!
I installed it, then loaded my music folder from the HD and it says I have 168 hours of music. And that's not all I have!
Great player. Thank you, MrCorey!
That pop-up drives me nuts too. Why would I possibly want Safari installed now? Did I install it earlier and now need a critical update? Nope. Did I check some box that said I wanted to learn more about Apple software? Nope.
Apple is the new RealNetworks. Forcing their unwanted apps on users through spamware.
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I haven't installed the "proper" version of QuickTime for almost 8 years, not since I found out about QT Alternative as well as Real Player Alternative.
I thought Quicktime was the best, I didn't know the alternatives could make your computer so much faster!
I've been using both QuickTime Alternative & Real Alternative.
Its annoying one has to have different players for the different formats.
Real Player is something i would never install on my computer.
Real Alternative – smaller size and imho faster work against QuickTime player.
You will defiantly find that QuickTime Alternative & Real Alternative are substantially less bloated than the official versions. Not to mention they include Media Player Classic which is way lighter on Windows than Windows Media Player & plays more formats.
My latest blog post: QuickTime Alternative 2.90 MSI Installer