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.

April 13th, 2008 By RT Cunningham | Categories: Computers | Tags: alternatives, Apple, browsers, Firefox, Media Player Classic, plugins, QuickTime, Real Player, software |

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Ray from lostaddress.org on April 13th, 2008 at 8:35 am (Reply)

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.

Ray's last blog post..Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2007

MrCorey on April 13th, 2008 at 10:12 am (Reply)

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!

RT Cunningham on April 13th, 2008 at 4:39 pm (Reply)

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.
2. MrCorey on April 13th, 2008 at 10:30 pm (Reply)
  
  You will notice the improvement in sound quality right away. And the responsiveness is refreshing.
  
  MrCorey's last blog post..Glad THAT is Over!
RT Cunningham on April 13th, 2008 at 11:03 pm (Reply)

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!

Matt on April 14th, 2008 at 10:00 pm (Reply)

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.

Matt's last blog post..Weekend Movie Box Office Earnings: April 11 - 13, 2008

Lorna on May 9th, 2008 at 1:38 pm (Reply)

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.