"As far as ProRes being "standard", maybe the better way to describe it is common. It's commonly used on Apple platforms and not used at all on other platforms." Well stated! ;-) I was trying to para-phrase that but you delivered! ;-)

"What I notice with FCP is that all the non-technical people feel much more reassured that "there's an app for that" when they use a Mac and that everything will work out swimmingly." Great summary again! I have noticed a lot of FCP "expert" users are really lost most of the time on "daily" things....... but the security "blanket" phrase "there's an app for that" buys them time. ;-) Its really funny watching a group of very smart and educated "Big Bang" scientists, who trust no ones work even their own but will at like sheep with Apple trying to be "cool". ;-)
Then they finally realized their efforts were in vein, they don't yell but they just stop buying Apple for their serious work. Beginning "P.C." on campuses is just too important .....

I have noticed a lot of FCP "expert" users are really lost most of the time on "daily" things

That is a very good observation.

Unlike most Vegas users, most FCP users are not geeks. They just want to edit (not poke under the hood), and they see that there is an immense ecosystem around FCP, so that whatever needs will come up, there will probably be a plug-in for that, or support for the new codec, or whatever, thanks to the large volume of users.

Even the iPad: it doesn't have a camera, but someone developed an app for that!

Really.

How is that possible?

Easy. The iPad communicates via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to an iPhone, which takes the picture and sends it back to the iPad automagically.

I don't want to get into a Mac/not-Mac pissing contest. Design-wise I really like some of the things that Apple does, and I especially appreciate that they manage to socially engineer people. It's quite an accomplishment.

I recently bought a MB-Pro for my partner. I made a promise when Apple contributed to the No On 8 campaign but it took me a over a year to deliver on it. We bought in an Apple store and I was very impressed with how the sales kid kept saying "we've got a ___ for that". Good training, a good sales experience, and yet the whole environment was making my skin crawl. Really weird experience that I haven't had since my high school friends tried to save me from "Cults". (In their minds that meant Mormonism, Catholicism, or Atheism)

Ideally, you shouldn't need to know what's under the hood of a tool. I never open up a food processor, or a blender. I don't really need to know how the stove works, or the fridge. My philosophy is that an 80 year old should have no problems using software. If they can't get it then it's not a success. If a PC is causing anxiety that's a big obstacle to learning to use it.

Rob

Yes, Apple does excellent consumer product work, especially on their ipods and iphones. Apple's new server farm will be interesting in it's use for "delivery" ADs and media if rumors are correct. I think Apple is actually building Bill Gates service money machine that Bill dreams about.... and most of WallStreet! ;-)

And as my kids say..... "Itouch rules!"

But Sony rules the general consumer market and ....... ;-)

I've been recently been testing 9d and it's looking good. But have not yet approach some of the posted issues yet. I'm mostly interested in 4k workflow or simple family projects video..... ;-(

Everyone has really blown me away with very informative responses. I realize that I need to re-define my original question and perhaps add more details. Because this thread has grown long, forgive me if I start a couple new, and more specific threads.

Much Thanks!

Kevin