So no one's likely to argue with us if we say that Macintosh has traditionally been the computer platform of choice among the world's so-called "creative types," right? Heck, that's one of the reasons that it's often viewed by non-Mac people as "not a real computer"; after all, any computer that can be operated by a writer, or an artist, or a filmmaker (as opposed to a computer scientist or someone who thinks sorting out IRQ's is a fun way to spend a Saturday night) can't be a real computer. Way back when the useability gap between Macs and PC's was a lot wider, "creative" types who needed a computer embraced the Mac, and for the most part, that loyalty continues today.

Which is why we're not terribly surprised to see that Apple continues to promote QuickTime by posting movie trailers to its web site. Specifically, it's cool to see Apple posting QuickTime versions of the trailers for the Academy Awards Best Picture nominees. It's a neat all-in-one deal: it appeals to those "creative types" (read: the content creation market) while simultaneously attracting the average consumers (i.e. the potential iMac market) who go ga-ga over movies and awards cermonies. And let's not forget how strongly Apple's trying to court Hollywood and the entire broadcasting community-- remember how Steve Jobs addressed the National Association of Broadcasters last year, saying that he wanted QuickTime to be the technology of all broadcasting? Remember, as CEO of Pixar, Steve's not exactly in the dark about the whole Hollywood thing. Well, the NAB gathering is just around the corner, and according to Mac the Knife, Apple's preparing a devastating one-two punch of QuickTime 4 and Final Cut Pro, the nifty as-yet-unreleased video editing software they bought from Macromedia way back when.

So whether you're anxiously awaiting the NAB deal next month or the Oscars ceremony in just a couple of weeks, it's worth checking out Apple's page of trailers. Marvel at the achievements of the filmmakers, sure, but marvel too at the technology that's letting you load those trailers in your web browser and watch them on your computer screen. Plus, don't forget to vote for which film you think should win Best Picture-- we're big fans of Life Is Beautiful, ourselves.