1. The DVD drive is region coded, and has been region changed the max times, so I can only play half of my DVD collection in it.
You should be able to play any DVD with VLC. The region-code is just a flag that Apple's software pays attention to. (Unless it's enforced by hardware now, which would be insane but not surprising.)
It's hardware. The crappy Matsushita drive won't release any data unless the region code matches the code the drive has locked to.
No firmware replacements either.
It's just so ironic that I can burn it to a new DVD as region free, and it'll play fine!
edit: someone downmodded me for stating fact ;) fun fun fun
As for iTunes, I've only ever used it to play music and rip CDs, and even then make sure it encodes as mp3s. Does sound like a pain if you have to use dtrace a lot.
Every 3 days to install iTunes updates???? That is just absolutely false. Don't make completely untrue statements like that, it doesn't help your argument. I have rebooted my macbook maybe 3 times this year so far, each time to install an update. Macports works ok, or just install from source.
I agree every O/S has its issues. For me personally, OS X is the most productive and least hassle. Please try to understand and respect that. Don't just dismiss it and assume that I must have an ulterior motive, or must have been brainwashed.
There are 2 things I do really hate about my MacBook:
1. The DVD drive is region coded, and has been region changed the max times, so I can only play half of my DVD collection in it. 2. I can't buy things from the iTunes US store unless I have a US credit card. Hello??? This is the internet!!!