Apple "answers" FCPX Questions

Question

Came across this page here where Apple has directly responded to some of the most common questions/complaints about FCPX:
http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/faq/
Makes me laugh sometimes when I see such transparent deception (maybe that's too strong of a word, but the result is the same).
They are very quick to say "yes" on a few items (even when the answer is "no"), but of course they dance all the way around the courtyard when the answer clearly is "no." There are even some answers where they use 3rd party support as a way to say "yes" (which clearly is not the same thing when the question is "Does FCPX do this?"). So I thought it'd be fun to interpret the document so it reads a bit more clearly. Be sure to read the originals on the link above so you can see how obviously ridiculous some of the Apple responses are.
Import
Can I import projects from Final Cut Pro 7 into Final Cut Pro X?
No, but you can still use Final Cut Pro 7. Hopefully you'll still buy FCPX anyway because it's all-new.
Can I import my video directly into Final Cut  Pro X as I could in Final Cut Pro 7?
No, there are still some formats that aren't supported in FCPX that were supported in FCP7, and some of the camera manufacturers need to get off their butts and work with us (even though we've not provided them with the proper support information) but keep waiting and we'll work on it. Please go ahead and buy FCPX.
Editing
Can I edit my tape-based workflow with Final  Cut Pro X?
No, not really...well, some formats, but probably not the one you're using.
Does Final Cut Pro X support multicam  editing?
No, but if you want to wait a little while, we'll get to it. In the meantime, might we suggest a ridiculously convoluted way of working with more than one camera at a time?
Does Final Cut Pro X support external  monitors?
Yes! Oh, wait, you mean like a "production" monitor? Well, then no, not unless you buy some expensive hardware from a third party. Of course you'll have to wait for that, too, since it's not quite ready for prime time.
Can I save different versions of my project?
Yes, of course...we'd be morons if we left out something so simple as this. So go buy FCPX now, eh?
Are keyboard shortcuts in Final Cut Pro X different from those in Final Cut Pro 7?
Yes, but don't worry...we made sure it's MUCH better than what you were doing before. Learning new shortcuts for basic edits is at the heart of a productive workflow.
Can I use my third-party plug-ins in Final Cut  Pro X?
No, not unless you meant "someday down the road."
Media Management
Can I specify a scratch disk location?
No....BUT, let's say, for the sake of argument, that you always wanted to have your scratch disk specified as the same location of your project file. In that case, yes! You can put it anywhere you like!
Can I share projects with other editors?
Yes! Wow, that felt good. The power of FCPX!
Can I store media in locations other than my system drive?
Yes! Man, 2 in a row!
Can I hide Events that I am not working on?
Sure, but why would you do that? Oh, really? I guess that makes sense. Alright, here's a complicated way to "hide" events.
Export
Can Final Cut Pro X export XML?
No, but we'll tell 3rd parties to figure it out. Then you can pay them if you need this.
Does Final Cut Pro X support OMF, AAF,  and EDLs?
No, but with all that money you saved on FCPX, you can burn it on a 3rd party app.
Can I send my project to a sound editing application such as Pro  Tools?
No, not unless you bought a 3rd party app to do this. Cha-ching!
Does Final Cut Pro X allow you to assign audio tracks for export?
Of course not. You're a video editor, not an audio editor. But I guess we can add this to the list of "things to do" this summer.
Can I customize my export settings?
If by "customize" you mean "use just a couple different presets" then YES! Otherwise, no...but if you pay us a little extra, there's an app for that.
Purchase
Can I purchase a volume license?
No. Why do we have to keep reminding you to wait for stuff like this? Quit being stubborn and just buy FCPX already so you can be ready for all the stuff that's coming later.
LOOK...you waited 2 and 1/2 years for the game-changing update of FCP, can you seriously not just wait a few more (undetermined amount of time) while we get the thing working? In the meantime, please buy FCPX.

Answer 1

The Apple Store...always a good place to experience communism without ever leaving the U.S.
You know, I've definitely had my handful of laughs over this. Part of it has to do with my own ego really...years ago, I predicted this in front of dozens of fellow editors (all FCP users...excepting perhaps one of them). It was when the iPod had become fairly popular and iTunes was ratcheting up, and simultaneously everyone seemed to be jumping on iPhoto and iMovie. I predicted that with the combination of the commoditization of video editing in general and Apple's upward trending hardware efforts, we'd have maybe 3 more years before FCP would either be dumbed-down or eliminated all together.
This came at a time when the iPhone was prepping for launch and it only semed to further argue the point that Apple was not going to be in the software development business any longer than they had to be.
Granted, I was wrong on a couple of things...it took about 5 years, not 3. Also, I was completely wrong about them managing to dumb down FCP or eliminate it altogether...they managed to actually do both with the release of FCPX.
But I do feel sorry for these guys...I know I'd be furious if Adobe started eliminating Premiere Pro as we know it, replacing it with a consumerized version of itself. What I cannot identify with, however, is the relentlessness with which some of these Apple fanboys have towed the Apple line so blindly. I understand there will always be a preference for one tool over another, but with FCP, many of these users did not even realize what was possible outside the world of FCP. I cannot even begin to count the number of fellow editors who recently said "well, I guess I'll try Premiere Pro, I already own it anyway" (which means they bought the Creative Suite but never once thought about opening up Premiere Pro). The flood of praise I'm hearing about Premiere Pro is mainly due to things like Mercury Playback Enging and CUDA acceleration, but there's also other much simpler stuff that has been a part of Premiere Pro for 2 versions now, going back into 2007 or 2008.
I don't wish Apple harm - though I don't care for the company or its products - but I think their egotism was finally made clear to the FCP users and Apple loyalists in general with the release of FCPX. With one product, they finally made it obvious what many of us knew all along, which is "We are Apple. We know what's best for you. You will use this, or you will use nothing at all. We know what we're doing, you need to follow our lead."
Lastly, as has been stated by many others, it's possible that this is actually what Apple wants (and I don't mean it in the "New Coke Conspiracy" sense). Apple probably no longer wants or needs the pro video/film community.