Apple iOS has become like Windows Vista

Remember Microsoft’s Windows Vista? PC users hated that computer operating system in part because it kept interrupting them with annoying alerts and prompts.
Apple’s iPhone operating system lately has become like Windows Vista with all its damn alerts and prompts. Turn on your iPhone and the iOS software flashes alerts about needing to buy iCloud storage space or to reconfirm your email or iTunes password. It’s really annoying.
I don’t know why my iPhone 5S keeps asking me to type in my passwords. It should remember those after I type them in once. Maybe each iOS version install wipes out the passwords. It shouldn’t, but that’s my best guess.
Here are a few of the many iOS messages I’ve gotten on my phone recently.

Not Enough Storage.
This alert comes with a handy button to buy some iCloud storage. Thanks, but no thanks.

iPhone Not Backed Up.
I know, I know. I’ve been meaning to do that.

iCloud Backup: This iPhone hasn’t been backed up in 3 weeks.
Probably because I don’t have enough iCloud storage.

Cannot connect to iTunes Store.
Why not? I’ve got Wi-Fi and cellular data service.

Location Accuracy: Turning on Wi-Fi will improve location accuracy.
It will also drain my battery when I’m out and about. So, no.

Photo Stream cannot be accessed.
Why the hell not?

Sign in to iMessage.

Sign in to iCloud.

Sign in to iTunes Store.

Software Update.
Here we go again.

Some music still not available for download or streaming

More than a decade after the launch of Apple’s iTunes download store, you’d think every modern commercially released music album and song would be available for purchase online.
But you’d be wrong.
Among big artists, there are only a few holdouts from iTunes, including Garth Brooks and Tool. But with lesser known artists, including those from the 1980s and ’90s, omissions are more common.
Here’s a sampling of albums I like that are not available today on iTunes.

“Cat Dancer: (1983), the only solo album from singer-songwriter Sandy Stewart, who often collaborated with Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks.
I complained in May 2009 and July 2009 about the album not having been released on CD. The record company apparently heard my demands and released it on CD in November 2009, according to Wikipedia.
But the record still isn’t on iTunes.

“Little Robbers” (1983), the fourth studio album by new wave rock band The Motels. It included the hit single “Suddenly Last Summer.” (See Wikipedia article.)

“Shock” (1985), the fifth studio album by The Motels, before their breakup. It includes the single “Shame.” (See Wikipedia article. Album cover up top.)

“White City: A Novel” (1985), a solo concept album by Pete Townshend of The Who. (See Wikipedia article.)

“Bonk” (1988), the debut album from percussion-heavy Australian rock band Big Pig. (See Wikipedia entry.)

“Debravation” (1993), the fourth solo album by Deborah Harry, the lead singer of Blondie. (See Wikipedia entry.)

“Pretty & Twisted” (1995), a project album by Concrete Blonde singer Johnette Napolitano and Wall of Voodoo guitarist Marc Moreland. (See Wikipedia article on Johnette Napolitano.)

“Blue Wonder Power Milk” (1998), the second album by the Belgian pop-rock band Hooverphonic and the first one featuring lead singer Geike Arnaert. (See Wikipedia article.)

I have found hit-and-miss availability for these artists on streaming services like Pandora, Spotify and Grooveshark.
But there’s always hope.
Two albums I complained weren’t available back in 2009 are now available for download from iTunes: “No More Jinx” (1986) by Chicago pop-rock group Wild Blue and “House of Schock” (1988) by House of Schock, a group fronted by Go-Gos drummer Gina Schock.