I have been reading post on Apple Developer Network about how to access the
file system on my iDevice. I have read several post which a user explained to
another user that iOS doesn't have a file system like a normal computer. This
is patently untrue, not only is it untrue it's deceptive. I'm sure that apple would
like for all of it's users to believe this to be the case but it is simply, not
so. The iOS file system is like any other file system you have experienced it contains a directory structure as well as a Master Boot Record and other various attributes
you would normally associate with a Linux based files system. iOS like OSX is
based on Darwin a branch of Berkeley Linux The reason you don't get to access
this file system is because apple seems to not want you to. The user that paid
hard earned money for a device and associated software.
I remember a different time in Apple history, in the Mid
90's and late 80's when Apple products were a joy to have, I would boot my Mac
Plus (decked out with 4Mb of ram and an 80mb external hard drive). I would load
MUBBS and the lights on my external 14.4 USRobotics would dance with incoming
commands and then settle into awaiting call. Then I power up my 6116
PowerMac running the latest OS of the day. (Went through several versions with
apple starting with 6.0.1). I would work all day at designing things and
developing things. You see, Apple Macintosh computers at this time were largely
owned by creators and artist. They were more activist than the main stream and
we used to be called Mac Evangelist. We would relish the opportunity to
explain how our beloved Mac was far superior to any PC. No matter what we
attempted to do with our Macs it worked. Installing new hardware was a breeze.
Simply pop open the case, plug in and mount the new hardware and press the power
button and listen for the happy mac boot up sound. Everything was simple and
easy to do I had access to all things, I could load and unload extensions and
control panels from the system to change how I wanted the mac to run. You
wouldn't need the same extensions or control panels for running the latest
BUNGiE game as you would for running large projects in Photoshop. Everyone was
happy to pay for their software because they knew it would work.
Why am I writing this? Why am I upset with apple? Typically apple
users are more tech savvy than your general population and I fail to understand
why Apple has chosen to close their system so very much. I spent half an hour
attempting to transfer a file I created with one app to another app so that I
could use it. I had to e-mail the file to myself copy it out of the e-mail,
because there is no method of downloading attachments as there is no access to
the file system and paste it into a third app which was my destination. This is
ridicules and is contrary to everything I have ever known about apple products
of the past. Yes I have heard all about the argument that the closed system
reduces malware and protects the user. This too is a lie. It prevents third
party developers for making effective tools to deal with such problems. I'm
sure McAfee would love to release an app for your iPad to scan your file
system for suspicious programs and malware. The truth is that they cannot do
it. McAfee was basically born from Mac users. In my monthly copy of Mac Format
There would be a CD and every CD of shareware games and other application there
would be a fresh new shiny copy of McAfee's virus scanner. Now apple has chosen
to lock them out of the entire iOS market along with everyone else.
The legal issue. I have heard it said several times that you
cannot do this or that with your device legally. This too is a lie and untruth. There is no legal precedent in which a software or hardware
distribution company could dictate to their customers a specific way in which
the product, they paid for, may or may not be used. True Apple retains copyrights
to their software and patents on their hardware. These regulations only cover
methods of distribution and profit.
I’m reminded of an
incident with a Lucas Arts product "Star Wars Knights of the Old
Republic" Now I was an active Modder during the heyday of this game. I was
a regular poster on the forums and one day while modding I was wondering how I
could make the game load one of my modded levels, initially, because every mod I
had seen up until that point were modifications based on the games story line.
I wanted to make a total replacement mod. A new game in essence so as I was
looking through the various scripts and files I noticed that all the levels
were referenced in a specific way and that one level would load the next and it
would chain its way through the whole game. So how did the first level get
loaded. I loaded my hex editor and cracked open the main EXE file and there in
the midst of pure hexadecimal chaos was my golden nugget. The string of text
that was responsible for loading the first map file in the game. I saved a copy
of the current run time and made my edit, and saved a copy of the modded version. Back
in the directory I swapped file names so my modded version would act in place
of the original. I frantically launched the executable and "BING" it worked
like a charm. After making this discovery I quickly pounded out a
post to Lucas forums about my discovery. I would be hailed as the King of
Modding KOTOR!!!!
It was not to be so, almost immediately my post was flagged
and locked. Why what had I done?? I emailed the moderator and asked politely
for an explanation. The reply I got set me back I could not believe what he was
saying. "It is not legal to modify and distribute the binary, it says so in the
TOS you got with the game." Yes I know this. I cannot distribute the binary in
any form modified or not I only own the copy I paid for and distributing more
copies of it would clearly violate the distributors rights and profits. I'm
doing no such thing. I learned how to modify my copy and attempted to
disseminate this information to other legal owners. In no way dose this even
affect the rights and abilities of the distributor to make profit. The admin
and I came to and agreement that the post would remain on the forum with the
condition it was locked so there could be no discussion about it.
Maybe it's just me, Maybe I'm the stupid one. It's my
thought that if you spend your money on something it's up to you how you
utilize it. I totally agree that companies have an obligation and even a
right to protect there intellectual property. I totally agree that if you use
information to circumvent security emplacements to adversely affect or collect
information you have no right to than you should be held accountable. What I do
not agree with is any one company or entity dictating to it's community of
customers what they can and cannot do. The main purpose for Apples closed
system is to control and profit from all media distribution on its devices.
Here is where I have a real problem. I'm a software developer who wants to
write awesome new apps for iOS devices but I have to adhere to cretin
guidelines and I can only collect profits for my work using a payment system
that is propitiatory and owned by Apple. They collect a profit from each of my
sales and they disperse the funds to me at their will and discretion.
I feel heavy in my heart that company they started in such a
renegade fashion as the home brew computer club and on the funding a Volkswagen
beetle that this same company is making draconian dictations of its own
customers users and developers alike.
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