I'm old enough to remember seeing Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker during the PTL heyday and subsequent downfall, and I remember watching them on occasion and thinking what an overdramatic phony that crazy lady with the clown makeup must be. The husband seemed like a used car salesman (like many televangelists of the day), but the wife was just too over-the-top to be real.
Turns out I couldn't have been further from the truth. As Tammy Faye went on to prove in her after-PTL life, she was the real deal. As goofy and dramatic and prudish as she was, she was every bit true to herself, and she was consistently so.
I learned to appreciate Tammy Faye during her appearance on the 2004 season of The Surreal Life on VH1, and I'm probably not the only one. She demonstrated time and again her compassion, love, and unwavering principles. While I may not share them, I respect them.
And while it wasn't the case while she was on the air with her ministry, she's probably one of the only televangelists that I can ever say that ended up being someone that I admired.
So, Thank you, Tammy Faye...I hope you find the afterlife you dedicated your life to promoting.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
I have a blog, but nothing to say
It's been a while since I've posted, and with good reason.
As you may have noticed from previous posts, I'm a big-time Mac fan (and well, a fan of Apple Computer in general). I've worked with them for many years, and like many Mac users, I'm a loyal customer and very enthusiastic about Apple's products. So like many Mac fans, I've been posting about Apple stuff here in my blog.
Well, I can't do that any more. I work for Apple now (1).
Don't get me wrong...it's great to actually work for the company I've admired from the outside for so many years (well, at least it is so far...I've only been here a couple of weeks now), but part of the tradeoff of working for "the mothership" is that I'm strongly discouraged from talking about Apple anywhere publicly (2). Since a blog is about as public as it gets, and I'd like to keep my job, that means mum's the word.
I hope that discussing non-Apple stuff will still be OK...I've also been a fan of MacZOT!, and I hope that I'll be able to keep posting about those guys, since I really like what they're doing on the shareware publishing/distributing front.
Just to clarify, this blog is mine and mine alone, and doesn't reflect the opinions or views of anyone but me, ckm.
So, having cleared that up, I'm hoping to start getting back in touch with my more creative side now that my Mac geek side has a compensated outlet.
On the Chaos front, I've been in a hotel for over a week now. While I'm working most of the day, I still haven't trashed my room, and I've been pretty good about not leaving a trail behind me wherever I go. I've not been away from home for this long before, so I was a bit worried that I would discover I had been relying too much on my wife for domestic support. I'm happy to report that I've been somewhat pleasantly surprised by the fact my room doesn't look like a disaster zone. And as a bonus, I haven't even turned on the TV since I left home (although I did watch a couple of shows on my iPod on the plane to kill some time).
(1) That's as specific as I'm going to get; please don't email me asking about anything related to Apple -- you will get no reply.
(2) We all know Apple's a secretive company, so whether this is my own personal policy, Apple's, or just good advice from coworkers, it stands. Again, I know nothing, and even if I did, I couldn't/wouldn't tell you.
As you may have noticed from previous posts, I'm a big-time Mac fan (and well, a fan of Apple Computer in general). I've worked with them for many years, and like many Mac users, I'm a loyal customer and very enthusiastic about Apple's products. So like many Mac fans, I've been posting about Apple stuff here in my blog.
Well, I can't do that any more. I work for Apple now (1).
Don't get me wrong...it's great to actually work for the company I've admired from the outside for so many years (well, at least it is so far...I've only been here a couple of weeks now), but part of the tradeoff of working for "the mothership" is that I'm strongly discouraged from talking about Apple anywhere publicly (2). Since a blog is about as public as it gets, and I'd like to keep my job, that means mum's the word.
I hope that discussing non-Apple stuff will still be OK...I've also been a fan of MacZOT!, and I hope that I'll be able to keep posting about those guys, since I really like what they're doing on the shareware publishing/distributing front.
Just to clarify, this blog is mine and mine alone, and doesn't reflect the opinions or views of anyone but me, ckm.
So, having cleared that up, I'm hoping to start getting back in touch with my more creative side now that my Mac geek side has a compensated outlet.
On the Chaos front, I've been in a hotel for over a week now. While I'm working most of the day, I still haven't trashed my room, and I've been pretty good about not leaving a trail behind me wherever I go. I've not been away from home for this long before, so I was a bit worried that I would discover I had been relying too much on my wife for domestic support. I'm happy to report that I've been somewhat pleasantly surprised by the fact my room doesn't look like a disaster zone. And as a bonus, I haven't even turned on the TV since I left home (although I did watch a couple of shows on my iPod on the plane to kill some time).
(1) That's as specific as I'm going to get; please don't email me asking about anything related to Apple -- you will get no reply.
(2) We all know Apple's a secretive company, so whether this is my own personal policy, Apple's, or just good advice from coworkers, it stands. Again, I know nothing, and even if I did, I couldn't/wouldn't tell you.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
To Sleep -- Perchance, To Dream...(for free, maybe!)
I'm starting to feel like a marketing service for MacZOT!
But they're just doing some really cool things for the Mac shareware scene, it's hard not to want to chip in and play when they ask.
This time, it's CollaboZOT....or is it BlogZOT? I dunno -- it's confusing. All I know is that if I mention the latest MacZOT promo on this blog, I have a good shot at getting the Pzizz Sleep Module as part of the latest MegaMyzteryZOT bundle. I got the Pzizz Power Nap Module as part of an earlier MyzteryZOT, and I was surprised at how well it worked. I've been wanting the Sleep Module for a while now; I'm hoping this is the chance to get it.
Now, the obligatory copy/paste bit from the promotion:
MacZOT.com Fans want Pzizz because 'According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep deprivation and its effect on work performance may be costing U.S. employers some $18 billion each year in lost productivity. Another study pushes this cost to over $100 billion.' - link to full article
OK, now that I've done my end of the deal, I do have some friendly comments /suggestions for the good folks at MacZOT!:
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to catch up on my CollaboZOT scavenger hunt....
But they're just doing some really cool things for the Mac shareware scene, it's hard not to want to chip in and play when they ask.
This time, it's CollaboZOT....or is it BlogZOT? I dunno -- it's confusing. All I know is that if I mention the latest MacZOT promo on this blog, I have a good shot at getting the Pzizz Sleep Module as part of the latest MegaMyzteryZOT bundle. I got the Pzizz Power Nap Module as part of an earlier MyzteryZOT, and I was surprised at how well it worked. I've been wanting the Sleep Module for a while now; I'm hoping this is the chance to get it.
Now, the obligatory copy/paste bit from the promotion:
MacZOT.com Fans want Pzizz because 'According to the National Sleep Foundation, sleep deprivation and its effect on work performance may be costing U.S. employers some $18 billion each year in lost productivity. Another study pushes this cost to over $100 billion.' - link to full article
OK, now that I've done my end of the deal, I do have some friendly comments /suggestions for the good folks at MacZOT!:
- Your business model is fun; your promotions are catchy.
- You provide a valuable service to the Mac community.
- Your promotions, while fun, lack organization on the front-end.
- Don't try to do too much at once: currently, there's a MegaMyzteryZOT, a CollaboZOT, and a BlogZOT all going at the same time, tied to the same promotional bundle. That can get a bit confusing for all the new folks we're referring to the site.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to catch up on my CollaboZOT scavenger hunt....
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
The Gloves are Off!
Apple has come out with a new Mac ad campaign, and they've come out swinging this time.
The "Get a Mac" campaign features six television spots that are playful, but notable. But the real blows are being delivered on the "Get a Mac" website. Here are a few excerpts:
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/works.html
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/stuff.html
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/viruses.html
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/macosx.html
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/photos.html
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/websites.html
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/movies.html
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/drivers.html
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/awesome.html
Those are only the most aggressive snippets I found, but there's plenty more where that came from. Personally, I'm happy to see Apple do this. Sure, it's a little candy-coated in places (what marketing isn't?), but it really targets people where it counts: our time is valuable, and we're wasting a lot of it using PCs.
I think it's a strong message; I hope it can sustain for a while.
Apple has gotten rather balls-y since they pulled the Intel ad stunt on the same stage as Paul Otellini during MWSF'06, don'tcha think?
The "Get a Mac" campaign features six television spots that are playful, but notable. But the real blows are being delivered on the "Get a Mac" website. Here are a few excerpts:
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/
- All those reasons you never bought a Mac? Not true anymore.
- How much time have you spent troubleshooting your PC? ... Get a Mac and get your life back.
- Mac OS X was designed with security in mind. Windows just wasn't built to bear the onslaught of attacks it suffers every day.
- Since Mac OS X engineers aren't busy damming a flood of viruses, they have the time to think up amazing new technology.
- Other computers include software, it's true. But once you start using that software, you find that you're hobbled in some way or another.
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/works.html
- Your toaster doesn't crash. Your kitchen sink doesn't crash. Why should your computer? Think of the countless hours you would save if our PC worked on your time -- not the other way around. Then think about a Mac.
- If you spend more of your precious time figuring out why your PC crashes than you spend taking out the garbage every week, you need a Mac.
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/stuff.html
- You can purchase lots of separate programs from different PC developers, and any one of them may have similar features to those you'll find in one of the iLife applications. But how many of those applications work hand in glove together?
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/viruses.html
- By the end of 2005, there were 114,000 known viruses for PCs. In March 2006 alone, there were 850 new threats detected against Windows. Zero for Mac.
- When you get a Mac, only your enthusiasm is contagious.
- To get a sense of just how big the virus problem is, search for "virus" at both Apple and Microsoft. Compare the number of results.
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/macosx.html
- Mac OS X, the most advanced operating system in the world today, delivers a platform of features designed to make the time you spend on your computer a wholly pleasant and entirely productive experience.
Can you say that about your computing life in Windows? - Built into the very fabric of Mac OS X, Spotlight puts lightning-fast search capabilities right at your fingertips, quickly showing search results as you type. And Spotlight searches most of the file types...you have on your drive. ...David Pogue says it's "like Google for your hard drive."
Has Microsoft delivered such functionality yet?
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/photos.html
- Sure, you can create a photo book using a PC. If, that is, you can juggle.
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/websites.html
- With a Mac, you can create your very own website -- complete with video, podcasts, and photo galleries -- in the time it takes a PC to churn out a single text-only blog entry.
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/movies.html
- Any computer can play movies. But only one comes with all the software you need (to) make blockbusters. Every new Mac features iMovie HD, iDVD, and iWeb -- three easy-to-use essentials for importing, editing, and sharing mouth-watering masterpieces. Part of the iLife '06 software suite, these applications work seamlessly together. Try finding that on a PC.
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/drivers.html
- When you bring home a new hard drive, printer, or gamepad, it's probably because you have something you'd actually like to do. Back up your photos. Print the proposal you just finished. Play a few games.
You shouldn't have to waste your time trying to banish a nasty error message from your screen. You shouldn't have to restart your computer simply because you connected a new printer. And you shouldn't have to go off on a scavenger hunt, searching doggedly for device drivers, so that your computer can see and get along with that shiny new peripheral.
You should simply be able to connect that camera, printer, gamepad, camcorder, or phone to your computer and use it. That's certainly the experience you'll enjoy on a Mac. Millions do now. And you can join them.
SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/getamac/awesome.html
- Sure a new PC comes with software. It's just not software you'd ever want to use. A new Mac, on the other hand, comes with lots of really great stuff. So you can make lots of really great stuff.
- Unpack your new PC and you'll be amazed at what it offers. A bundle of mismatched software and that nagging feeling that your desktop has just been sold to the highest bidder. Of course, it does have that cool calculator. Oh, and a clock. That'll come in handy when you're ticking off the hours it takes you to uninstall all the software you don't want and buy all the software you do.
- So forget the fine print. With a Mac, fun is not sold separately.
Those are only the most aggressive snippets I found, but there's plenty more where that came from. Personally, I'm happy to see Apple do this. Sure, it's a little candy-coated in places (what marketing isn't?), but it really targets people where it counts: our time is valuable, and we're wasting a lot of it using PCs.
I think it's a strong message; I hope it can sustain for a while.
Apple has gotten rather balls-y since they pulled the Intel ad stunt on the same stage as Paul Otellini during MWSF'06, don'tcha think?
Monday, May 01, 2006
Apple: Back in Mac
On Monday night, May 1, two new Apple commercials debuted on prime time network television. The big surprise? They weren't iPod or iTunes ads, they were Mac ads. And they were actually pretty good.
Both ads feature two actors: one is the "stuffy" type -- clean-shaven, bespectacled, in a business suit -- playing the part of a PC, and one is more casual -- unshaven in t-shirt and jeans -- playing the part of a Mac (I believe the actor portraying the Mac is Justin Long; it was pointed out that the actor playing the PC is John Hodgman*).
The first ad focuses on viruses and touts the Mac's "resistance" to the thousands of viruses plaguing "PCs" (the word "Windows" is never used in either ad). The PC is sneezing uncontrollably, lamenting his viral infection, when the Mac offers the PC a handkerchief (nice touch), which the PC then uses to wipe and blow his nose repeatedly in between whining about viruses. He warns the Mac to stay away, but Mac says, "I'll be fine." PC then rattles off big-number statistics about viruses affecting PCs, and Mac says, "...PCs, not Macs." He assists with the handkerchief to demonstrate his resistance, then puts it back in his pocket, while the PC "crashes" (falls down backward out of frame).
The second ad is a bit more reserved, and starts off with Mac reading a paper, when PC asks him what he's reading. When Mac states it's the Wall Street Journal, PC snatches it from his hands and starts reading a Walt Mossberg review of the Mac, proclaiming it to be the "finest desktop PC on the market at any price." PC smirks in envy as he hands the paper back to Mac, and snaps, "very nice," to which Mac modestly responds, "It's just one man's opinion" (as if to cushion the blow). PC then proceeds to crow about his own glowing reviews, and when Mac asks for the source, PC unconvincingly makes up a name on the fly.
There is no direct mention of operating system (either Windows or Mac OS X) in either ad, and in the WSJ ad, the review implies the Mac is the finest PC available anywhere, suggesting the Mac is just as capable as a PC, if not more so. Nearly a month ago, Apple released Boot Camp, which as you know (unless you've been in a vacuum for the past month) allows Intel-based Macs to install and boot Windows XP with Service Pack 2. While I don't think Apple would go as far as to advertise a beta product like Boot Camp, I can certainly see this campaign continuing into the fall and winter, with a future ad featuring either dual booting or a virtualized solution for running Windows XP inside Mac OS X, and touting it as the "safe way to run Windows."
I didn't think Apple would have been so bold as to drop the gauntlet on the virus issue. They have to know that touting virus invulnerability is essentially a challenge to malware coders everywhere to start their engines and aim for Mac OS X, so Apple must be very confident in their system security at this point. The only other reason I could see Apple playing the virus card would be in an act of desperation, but today's Apple is the strongest ever (well, strongest in about fifteen years, anyhow), so I don't see grasping for straws as the game plan here. I'm surprised to see this bold move by Apple, but at the same time, I'm quite relieved they did it; it's time to stop playing it safe in their advertising.
By not mentioning Windows specifically, Apple is essentially baiting Microsoft to go on the defensive...but as soon as Microsoft does that, they tacitly acknowledge their own OS's security nightmares. By referring to the Mac as "the finest PC," Apple is also suggesting that a Mac is the smart choice for the consumer. When this message blends with the viral buzz surrounding Boot Camp, it's sure to attract a notable number of first-time Mac buyers eager to see what Macs are all about, since they know they'll have their Windows "safety net" available (although we all know in short order it'll be more of a chore than a safety net).
Another notable issue Apple is tackling in these ads is the perception of the typical Mac user. We are stereotyped as being the weird cult-like followers or snooty prima donnas of the computing world. We're typically smug about security and snobby about interface design. The Mac in the ad is a modest, helpful, concerned acquaintance. A friend, even. He looks on the PC with pity and compassion, not arrogance or self-righteousness.
I think Apple has come up with a good mix in these ads. It's certainly refreshing to see Apple pushing the Mac again, and I'm looking forward to seeing this campaign develop.
UPDATE: Well, I didn't have to wait very long...there are currently six commercials, and they can be found on Apple's website. I'll post my thoughts on the remaining four ads in my next entry.
UPDATE 2: * thanks to "Surfungus" on MacAddict Forums for identifying the PC actor.
Both ads feature two actors: one is the "stuffy" type -- clean-shaven, bespectacled, in a business suit -- playing the part of a PC, and one is more casual -- unshaven in t-shirt and jeans -- playing the part of a Mac (I believe the actor portraying the Mac is Justin Long; it was pointed out that the actor playing the PC is John Hodgman*).
The first ad focuses on viruses and touts the Mac's "resistance" to the thousands of viruses plaguing "PCs" (the word "Windows" is never used in either ad). The PC is sneezing uncontrollably, lamenting his viral infection, when the Mac offers the PC a handkerchief (nice touch), which the PC then uses to wipe and blow his nose repeatedly in between whining about viruses. He warns the Mac to stay away, but Mac says, "I'll be fine." PC then rattles off big-number statistics about viruses affecting PCs, and Mac says, "...PCs, not Macs." He assists with the handkerchief to demonstrate his resistance, then puts it back in his pocket, while the PC "crashes" (falls down backward out of frame).
The second ad is a bit more reserved, and starts off with Mac reading a paper, when PC asks him what he's reading. When Mac states it's the Wall Street Journal, PC snatches it from his hands and starts reading a Walt Mossberg review of the Mac, proclaiming it to be the "finest desktop PC on the market at any price." PC smirks in envy as he hands the paper back to Mac, and snaps, "very nice," to which Mac modestly responds, "It's just one man's opinion" (as if to cushion the blow). PC then proceeds to crow about his own glowing reviews, and when Mac asks for the source, PC unconvincingly makes up a name on the fly.There is no direct mention of operating system (either Windows or Mac OS X) in either ad, and in the WSJ ad, the review implies the Mac is the finest PC available anywhere, suggesting the Mac is just as capable as a PC, if not more so. Nearly a month ago, Apple released Boot Camp, which as you know (unless you've been in a vacuum for the past month) allows Intel-based Macs to install and boot Windows XP with Service Pack 2. While I don't think Apple would go as far as to advertise a beta product like Boot Camp, I can certainly see this campaign continuing into the fall and winter, with a future ad featuring either dual booting or a virtualized solution for running Windows XP inside Mac OS X, and touting it as the "safe way to run Windows."
I didn't think Apple would have been so bold as to drop the gauntlet on the virus issue. They have to know that touting virus invulnerability is essentially a challenge to malware coders everywhere to start their engines and aim for Mac OS X, so Apple must be very confident in their system security at this point. The only other reason I could see Apple playing the virus card would be in an act of desperation, but today's Apple is the strongest ever (well, strongest in about fifteen years, anyhow), so I don't see grasping for straws as the game plan here. I'm surprised to see this bold move by Apple, but at the same time, I'm quite relieved they did it; it's time to stop playing it safe in their advertising.
By not mentioning Windows specifically, Apple is essentially baiting Microsoft to go on the defensive...but as soon as Microsoft does that, they tacitly acknowledge their own OS's security nightmares. By referring to the Mac as "the finest PC," Apple is also suggesting that a Mac is the smart choice for the consumer. When this message blends with the viral buzz surrounding Boot Camp, it's sure to attract a notable number of first-time Mac buyers eager to see what Macs are all about, since they know they'll have their Windows "safety net" available (although we all know in short order it'll be more of a chore than a safety net).
Another notable issue Apple is tackling in these ads is the perception of the typical Mac user. We are stereotyped as being the weird cult-like followers or snooty prima donnas of the computing world. We're typically smug about security and snobby about interface design. The Mac in the ad is a modest, helpful, concerned acquaintance. A friend, even. He looks on the PC with pity and compassion, not arrogance or self-righteousness.
I think Apple has come up with a good mix in these ads. It's certainly refreshing to see Apple pushing the Mac again, and I'm looking forward to seeing this campaign develop.
UPDATE: Well, I didn't have to wait very long...there are currently six commercials, and they can be found on Apple's website. I'll post my thoughts on the remaining four ads in my next entry.
UPDATE 2: * thanks to "Surfungus" on MacAddict Forums for identifying the PC actor.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
ZOT! goes the world...
Okay, okay...I haven't posted here in a while. I'll get around to it, I promise!
However, today I must pay homage to two truly cool things:
1. SubEthaEdit from CodingMonkeys, and
2. BLOGZOT 2.0 on MacZOT.com.
Yes, this is a shameless plug on my part to get really cool software really cheap. But the cool thing is: you can, too!
What is SubEthaEdit?
It's a really cool collaborative text editor. I'm no coder, and I probably don't have a really good use for it, but I've used it in earlier incarnations, and it's just kick-butt cool.
What is MacZOT?
It's a relatively new Mac shareware outlet that mixes things up a bit to bring the Mac community great shareware at great prices. Each day, MacZOT! features one shareware title and offers it at a great discount (some better than others). Sometimes, they'll offer a MyzteryZOT, which is a grab bag of shareware (which is how I discovered MacZOT), and sometimes they'll do these BlogZOTs, like I'm pimping right now. The way this works is, the more feedback they get from blog comments, the cheaper the price of the software goes (it could go down to $0!) -- so effectively, MacZOT and TheCodingMonkeys are giving away about $105,000 worth of software! GIVING! As in FREE! As in "w00t!"
So, check out both SubEthaEdit and MacZOT and let me hear what you think!
However, today I must pay homage to two truly cool things:
1. SubEthaEdit from CodingMonkeys, and
2. BLOGZOT 2.0 on MacZOT.com.
Yes, this is a shameless plug on my part to get really cool software really cheap. But the cool thing is: you can, too!
What is SubEthaEdit?
It's a really cool collaborative text editor. I'm no coder, and I probably don't have a really good use for it, but I've used it in earlier incarnations, and it's just kick-butt cool.
What is MacZOT?
It's a relatively new Mac shareware outlet that mixes things up a bit to bring the Mac community great shareware at great prices. Each day, MacZOT! features one shareware title and offers it at a great discount (some better than others). Sometimes, they'll offer a MyzteryZOT, which is a grab bag of shareware (which is how I discovered MacZOT), and sometimes they'll do these BlogZOTs, like I'm pimping right now. The way this works is, the more feedback they get from blog comments, the cheaper the price of the software goes (it could go down to $0!) -- so effectively, MacZOT and TheCodingMonkeys are giving away about $105,000 worth of software! GIVING! As in FREE! As in "w00t!"
So, check out both SubEthaEdit and MacZOT and let me hear what you think!
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Will Apple Boldly Go...?
This is a momentous year for anniversaries for geeks like me. In less than a month, on April 1, Apple Computer will turn 30. Like many thousands of other Mac geeks worldwide, I'm expecting something big to be announced by Apple...maybe something having to do with the mysterious touch screen iPod-like device that was conspicuously missing from the "Fun New Products" event last week (if it does indeed exist). That would be enough in and of itself -- I believe that such a device would be the next step in the evolution of consumer media technology, and could revolutionize the way we interact with our digital content (purchased or otherwise).
But, as fate would have it, 2006 marks another anniversary: it's the 40th year of Star Trek. Although there are no current Star Trek series in production, there is an archive of over 700 television episodes syndicated in some form or another in seeming perpetuity. But aside from some conventions and some standard self-promotional (low key) campaigns, the Star Trek people seem to be keeping below the radar. Unusually so, considering the occasion.
Why would this be? 40 years of any TV brand is a big deal. And given the fact that Star Trek's new owner is one of the oldest TV broadcast networks, this seems just a bit odd. CBS, you ask? Why, yes...Star Trek was under the Paramount Television banner for its entire modern existence until early 2006, when Paramount Television was folded into CBS (out from under the Viacom family of brands).
Now, these two anniversaries, separately, are cause enough for the geek in all of us to celebrate. But what if something -- somehow -- tied these two cultural icons together?
Something like, say, the iTunes Music Store.
This seems a natural fit: if the full-screen iPod is indeed a reality, it would very much resemble Star Trek-like technology. CBS is rumored to be in negotiations with Apple for an iTunes Music Store distribution deal. With one of the largest episodic television libraries ever, and a cultural fan base of millions, Star Trek on iTunes would be the ultimate foray into portable content distribution. At a few episodes a time, purchasing the entire Trek library would ensure a steady stream of revenue to the iTMS (and CBS) at a higher return than the DVD box sets (note: this is purely a guess on my part).
A combined launch of a full-screen iPod and a CBS content distribution deal (featuring the Star Trek license, initially) would virtually guarantee the top position for Apple, at least in the short term, in the digital video content distribution wars that are just ramping up.
[note: edited to correct the typo in the title, as pointed out by the first commentator below...(thanks!)]
But, as fate would have it, 2006 marks another anniversary: it's the 40th year of Star Trek. Although there are no current Star Trek series in production, there is an archive of over 700 television episodes syndicated in some form or another in seeming perpetuity. But aside from some conventions and some standard self-promotional (low key) campaigns, the Star Trek people seem to be keeping below the radar. Unusually so, considering the occasion.
Why would this be? 40 years of any TV brand is a big deal. And given the fact that Star Trek's new owner is one of the oldest TV broadcast networks, this seems just a bit odd. CBS, you ask? Why, yes...Star Trek was under the Paramount Television banner for its entire modern existence until early 2006, when Paramount Television was folded into CBS (out from under the Viacom family of brands).
Now, these two anniversaries, separately, are cause enough for the geek in all of us to celebrate. But what if something -- somehow -- tied these two cultural icons together?
Something like, say, the iTunes Music Store.
This seems a natural fit: if the full-screen iPod is indeed a reality, it would very much resemble Star Trek-like technology. CBS is rumored to be in negotiations with Apple for an iTunes Music Store distribution deal. With one of the largest episodic television libraries ever, and a cultural fan base of millions, Star Trek on iTunes would be the ultimate foray into portable content distribution. At a few episodes a time, purchasing the entire Trek library would ensure a steady stream of revenue to the iTMS (and CBS) at a higher return than the DVD box sets (note: this is purely a guess on my part).
A combined launch of a full-screen iPod and a CBS content distribution deal (featuring the Star Trek license, initially) would virtually guarantee the top position for Apple, at least in the short term, in the digital video content distribution wars that are just ramping up.
[note: edited to correct the typo in the title, as pointed out by the first commentator below...(thanks!)]
The revolution has already started...
[note: I originally wrote most of this on March 2 (last Thursday), but I thought I had lost it...it was, in fact, in the Drafts folder, so I finished it up and posted it today. Sorry for any confusion.]
OK, so maybe my knee-jerk reaction to Apple's "Fun New Products" event was a bit negative.
Apple is going exactly the route I was expecting. Not that I'm any sort of prophet; everyone seemed to be expecting some sort of media center Mac mini and an "iPod boombox." I think it's just that most folks (me included) were expecting a more radical change for the mini.
And I think that's why we don't run Apple, and Steve Jobs does.
Where anyone of the "Fun New Product" event's critics would have taken a bold new direction, Steve has made a slight alteration in course. Steady as she goes, so to speak.
The Mac mini is the most important product Apple has at the moment. Before you ask me to pass the crack pipe, let me explain: yes, the iPod is a juggernaut, and it shows no signs of slowing. The iPod has shown the world that people actually care about their portable media, and they're not afraid to spend more money on a good product to help them transport and enjoy that media. However, the iPod as it currently exists (in its various incarnations) is approaching the top of its arc in popularity. The iPod is about to undergo a fundamental shift in architecture, and when it does, the world will once again have to adjust its perceptions on how to interact with personal information and media.
More than any other product currently in Apple's portfolio, the Mac mini has the potential to change the way we experience the wealth of digital information we are so quickly collecting. It is poised as the progenitor (along with the iPod) of a new class of computing and portable media device. Along with the infrastructure of iTunes and AirPort Extreme, the Mac mini is set to partner with the iPod to provide a home digital content management system that will take consumers by storm. The iPod HiFi is testament to this.
Remember, the Mac mini is essentially just a reconfigured laptop. Imagine having a portable power source for it...like, say...a car? Imagine a standard docking solution integrated in an automobile -- heck, people have already started integrating minis into vehicles.
When I first heard of that phenomenon, I was a bit taken aback...I mean, how can you drive and use your Mac at the same time? But let's go to the land of imagination once more:
You're getting set for a family trip. You make sure to pack the digital camera, the DV camcorder, and your Mac Media mini (mobileMe, anyone?). Since the mini is so small, you just grab it from its power base on the entertainment center, carry it to the minivan, and plug it into its dock in the console. You know you have plenty of music and video for the trip, because your iTunes library is on the HD. The fold-down displays and headphone jacks in the back seats for the kids (and optionally, for the front passenger) are already integrated into the digital content management system. If the kids don't want to watch the same movie or listen to the same music, that's OK...you're bringing the iPod along, too...little Johnny or Suzie can just plug the iPod into the dock next to his or her headphones and enjoy something else.
Additionally, you've already planned the trip, and you've saved some reference files for various stops along the trip. Part of the digital system in the car allows you to toggle a heads-up display on the windshield in front of you to view quick reference visuals (thankfully, rich media content is filtered from that display to prevent distractions from driving).
You also remembered to pack your iBook, since you or your spouse (whoever is sitting in the passenger's seat), may want to pass the travel time putting together the family photos and videos while the vacation is still a fresh memory. By the time you get home, you'll have a complete (or near-complete) home video of the trip; all you'll need to do is burn the DVD (if you didn't already do so in the van).
I can see that scenario playing out within the next 24 - 36 months. And the thing is, the foundation has already been poured with the iPod / iTunes combo. Airport Express is another key element in this strategy, and the Mac mini is evolving into one of the last key pieces of this infrastructure.
Steve Jobs is reigniting the platform wars. He has been for the past five years; it's only just now becoming clear. Apple has already claimed our personal space and our vehicles with the iPod. It's now taking our homes with the current iPod / Mac mini combo. In appealing to our passions and our intellects, Apple is harvesting the consumer's mindshare in scores. This, in turn, will raise consumer awareness of Apple branding and quality, which will eventually spill over into the office.
OK, so maybe my knee-jerk reaction to Apple's "Fun New Products" event was a bit negative.
Apple is going exactly the route I was expecting. Not that I'm any sort of prophet; everyone seemed to be expecting some sort of media center Mac mini and an "iPod boombox." I think it's just that most folks (me included) were expecting a more radical change for the mini.
And I think that's why we don't run Apple, and Steve Jobs does.
Where anyone of the "Fun New Product" event's critics would have taken a bold new direction, Steve has made a slight alteration in course. Steady as she goes, so to speak.
The Mac mini is the most important product Apple has at the moment. Before you ask me to pass the crack pipe, let me explain: yes, the iPod is a juggernaut, and it shows no signs of slowing. The iPod has shown the world that people actually care about their portable media, and they're not afraid to spend more money on a good product to help them transport and enjoy that media. However, the iPod as it currently exists (in its various incarnations) is approaching the top of its arc in popularity. The iPod is about to undergo a fundamental shift in architecture, and when it does, the world will once again have to adjust its perceptions on how to interact with personal information and media.
More than any other product currently in Apple's portfolio, the Mac mini has the potential to change the way we experience the wealth of digital information we are so quickly collecting. It is poised as the progenitor (along with the iPod) of a new class of computing and portable media device. Along with the infrastructure of iTunes and AirPort Extreme, the Mac mini is set to partner with the iPod to provide a home digital content management system that will take consumers by storm. The iPod HiFi is testament to this.
Remember, the Mac mini is essentially just a reconfigured laptop. Imagine having a portable power source for it...like, say...a car? Imagine a standard docking solution integrated in an automobile -- heck, people have already started integrating minis into vehicles.
When I first heard of that phenomenon, I was a bit taken aback...I mean, how can you drive and use your Mac at the same time? But let's go to the land of imagination once more:
You're getting set for a family trip. You make sure to pack the digital camera, the DV camcorder, and your Mac Media mini (mobileMe, anyone?). Since the mini is so small, you just grab it from its power base on the entertainment center, carry it to the minivan, and plug it into its dock in the console. You know you have plenty of music and video for the trip, because your iTunes library is on the HD. The fold-down displays and headphone jacks in the back seats for the kids (and optionally, for the front passenger) are already integrated into the digital content management system. If the kids don't want to watch the same movie or listen to the same music, that's OK...you're bringing the iPod along, too...little Johnny or Suzie can just plug the iPod into the dock next to his or her headphones and enjoy something else.
Additionally, you've already planned the trip, and you've saved some reference files for various stops along the trip. Part of the digital system in the car allows you to toggle a heads-up display on the windshield in front of you to view quick reference visuals (thankfully, rich media content is filtered from that display to prevent distractions from driving).
You also remembered to pack your iBook, since you or your spouse (whoever is sitting in the passenger's seat), may want to pass the travel time putting together the family photos and videos while the vacation is still a fresh memory. By the time you get home, you'll have a complete (or near-complete) home video of the trip; all you'll need to do is burn the DVD (if you didn't already do so in the van).
I can see that scenario playing out within the next 24 - 36 months. And the thing is, the foundation has already been poured with the iPod / iTunes combo. Airport Express is another key element in this strategy, and the Mac mini is evolving into one of the last key pieces of this infrastructure.
Steve Jobs is reigniting the platform wars. He has been for the past five years; it's only just now becoming clear. Apple has already claimed our personal space and our vehicles with the iPod. It's now taking our homes with the current iPod / Mac mini combo. In appealing to our passions and our intellects, Apple is harvesting the consumer's mindshare in scores. This, in turn, will raise consumer awareness of Apple branding and quality, which will eventually spill over into the office.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Are we having "Fun" yet?
Mac minis with Intel processors and a slightly revamped version of Front Row. For $100 and $300 more than the previous base model.
A $350 boom box that you can plug an iPod into.
This is "fun"?
Maybe I'm missing something, but these seem quite overpriced. I thought the whole idea of a Mac mini was that it was supposed to be the cheapest Mac ever. It's starting to resemble the Power Mac Cube more and more, from a marketing standpoint. Apple needs to remember that it's fighting for the dollars of people who are used to walking home with an entire system (keyboard, mouse, display and all) for less than what the Mac mini now costs.
And who thought that a $350 add-on to a $300 - $400 product would be at all appealing? It's portable...great. For $350, it had better be the best sounding boom box EVER. I'm glad they made it portable, because at that price, I certainly won't be buying one for each room of the house.
I'm fairly disappointed that we didn't see more. I was certainly expecting more from the revamped Mac mini. Maybe Apple's saving the good stuff for their 30th anniversary on April 1.
I sure hope so.
A $350 boom box that you can plug an iPod into.
This is "fun"?
Maybe I'm missing something, but these seem quite overpriced. I thought the whole idea of a Mac mini was that it was supposed to be the cheapest Mac ever. It's starting to resemble the Power Mac Cube more and more, from a marketing standpoint. Apple needs to remember that it's fighting for the dollars of people who are used to walking home with an entire system (keyboard, mouse, display and all) for less than what the Mac mini now costs.
And who thought that a $350 add-on to a $300 - $400 product would be at all appealing? It's portable...great. For $350, it had better be the best sounding boom box EVER. I'm glad they made it portable, because at that price, I certainly won't be buying one for each room of the house.
I'm fairly disappointed that we didn't see more. I was certainly expecting more from the revamped Mac mini. Maybe Apple's saving the good stuff for their 30th anniversary on April 1.
I sure hope so.
Monday, January 09, 2006
A SteveNote Eve Frame of Mind
I've learned over the years that it's pointless to try to guess what Steve Jobs is going to announce at any given Macworld keynote address. I don't know how ThinkSecret manages to get 90% of its predictions correct, but my track record is somewhere hovering around 5% (and that's being a bit generous). The only think I do know is that whatever is announced will be impressive, even if it initially seems anti-climactic. Case in point: the latest iMac G5. When I was keeping up with the product announcements (via a live source feeding text information), I wasn't terribly impressed...until I saw the video stream later and saw just how much potential the Front Row software had.
Regardless, I woke up this morning in a "SteveNote Eve" frame of mind, so I thought I'd discuss some of the rumors that are floating around regarding Apple's forthcoming product announcements.
Intel laptops
I think it's been all but confirmed that the new Intel-powered Apple laptop will be announced tomorrow. And it would seem to follow that the Mac mini will also get the Intel treatment, since the mini is essentially a headless iBook in a small box. I have no doubt we'll see the first production Intel Macs at MacWorld Expo tomorrow; I'm just a bit anxious to see their specs. I just bought my first PowerBook last February, and I'd hate to think it's going to get blown away by a consumer model so soon.
iPod Shuffle revamp
It will be interesting to see what happens to the iPod shuffle. I haven't yet taken the iPod plunge yet, and the shuffle as it stands wouldn't be my first choice; let's see if Apple is paying attention to the post-nano low-end iPod crowd.
Front Row 2.0
I actually managed to get Front Row 1.0 installed on my PowerBook, and it's pretty darn sweet. Of course, since I don't keep much in the way of music or photos on my PowerBook, it's rather limited in functionality, but it is a great supplement to the Mac interface. I could definitely see myself using it quite a bit on a home-centered Mac.
Media Center Mac mini
A Mac mini + Front Row + AirPort combination seems to be a natural progression. The mini is diminutive enough to fit inconspicuously near a TV or entertainment center, but the main question in my mind is this: how will such a product will be positioned in the market? If the iPod is the portable multimedia device, what will the Mac mini be? If the iPod carries the content, then the mini will have to be the device that delivers that content, as well as relaying various other information (think regular computing). Will we see a Mac OS X interface redux in the form of a return to 640 x 480 resolution support (for those who aren't yet on the HD bandwagon)? I doubt it, but we'll see.
iLife '06 with iWeb
The thing that annoys me about the iLife line is the naming scheme: as soon as the current year is over, the product seems obsolete. Of course, that's also the brilliance of Apple's marketing, since iLife is typically priced reasonably enough that most people don't mind buying it year after year. If iWeb is included (and is compelling enough), this will be a no-brainer for me. Some of you may know that I tried to launch a few Mac communities back in 2004, but my limited technical knowledge doomed the projects from the outset. A product like iWeb may allow me to revisit those projects with renewed zeal.
.Mac enhancements
I haven't heard a whole lot on this front, aside from a huge increase in bandwidth limitations that is supposedly intended to be tied to a new streaming service. I would love to see PHP and mySQL support on .Mac, as well...since I'm paying for it anyway, it would be nice to have that flexibility. Of course, as indicated by the previous item, they would have to provide an easy way for me to work with those technologies if I am to take full advantage of them.
That's all I have time to post this morning; I may follow up with more thoughts a bit later (then again, I may not). I just thought it was kind of funny how I woke up this morning with the giddy anticipation that I used to feel as a kid on Christmas Eve. I wonder how many other Mac geeks feel the same way....
Regardless, I woke up this morning in a "SteveNote Eve" frame of mind, so I thought I'd discuss some of the rumors that are floating around regarding Apple's forthcoming product announcements.
Intel laptops
I think it's been all but confirmed that the new Intel-powered Apple laptop will be announced tomorrow. And it would seem to follow that the Mac mini will also get the Intel treatment, since the mini is essentially a headless iBook in a small box. I have no doubt we'll see the first production Intel Macs at MacWorld Expo tomorrow; I'm just a bit anxious to see their specs. I just bought my first PowerBook last February, and I'd hate to think it's going to get blown away by a consumer model so soon.
iPod Shuffle revamp
It will be interesting to see what happens to the iPod shuffle. I haven't yet taken the iPod plunge yet, and the shuffle as it stands wouldn't be my first choice; let's see if Apple is paying attention to the post-nano low-end iPod crowd.
Front Row 2.0
I actually managed to get Front Row 1.0 installed on my PowerBook, and it's pretty darn sweet. Of course, since I don't keep much in the way of music or photos on my PowerBook, it's rather limited in functionality, but it is a great supplement to the Mac interface. I could definitely see myself using it quite a bit on a home-centered Mac.
Media Center Mac mini
A Mac mini + Front Row + AirPort combination seems to be a natural progression. The mini is diminutive enough to fit inconspicuously near a TV or entertainment center, but the main question in my mind is this: how will such a product will be positioned in the market? If the iPod is the portable multimedia device, what will the Mac mini be? If the iPod carries the content, then the mini will have to be the device that delivers that content, as well as relaying various other information (think regular computing). Will we see a Mac OS X interface redux in the form of a return to 640 x 480 resolution support (for those who aren't yet on the HD bandwagon)? I doubt it, but we'll see.
iLife '06 with iWeb
The thing that annoys me about the iLife line is the naming scheme: as soon as the current year is over, the product seems obsolete. Of course, that's also the brilliance of Apple's marketing, since iLife is typically priced reasonably enough that most people don't mind buying it year after year. If iWeb is included (and is compelling enough), this will be a no-brainer for me. Some of you may know that I tried to launch a few Mac communities back in 2004, but my limited technical knowledge doomed the projects from the outset. A product like iWeb may allow me to revisit those projects with renewed zeal.
.Mac enhancements
I haven't heard a whole lot on this front, aside from a huge increase in bandwidth limitations that is supposedly intended to be tied to a new streaming service. I would love to see PHP and mySQL support on .Mac, as well...since I'm paying for it anyway, it would be nice to have that flexibility. Of course, as indicated by the previous item, they would have to provide an easy way for me to work with those technologies if I am to take full advantage of them.
That's all I have time to post this morning; I may follow up with more thoughts a bit later (then again, I may not). I just thought it was kind of funny how I woke up this morning with the giddy anticipation that I used to feel as a kid on Christmas Eve. I wonder how many other Mac geeks feel the same way....
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
The MPAA made me break the DMCA
I've never really understood the appeal of downloading movies. I have several friends who do so using their PCs, and 95% of the downloads they attempt end up being intentionally mislabeled porn titles, attempts at distributing malware, or foreign language (or badly recorded) versions of the movies they're trying to get.
To me, it just seems like less hassle to buy or rent DVDs. After all, most DVDs can be purchased for under $20 or rented for a fraction of that using a service like NetFlix.
However, I've noticed a trend in DVDs lately, and it has driven me to the point of purchasing a DVD burner and DVD copying software and just abandoning the idea of ever purchasing movies from certain studios again. What I'm referring to are the previews and warnings that precede the actual movie (or menu) that are coded in such a way as to not let you bypass them using the "Menu" button.
If I've just shelled out $19.99 to buy a DVD for my family (or myself), I should be able to view the enclosed content in any way I like...in fact, I should be able to do anything I want with that content, short of using it commercially or distributing it illegally. My purchase of the media gives me Fair Use rights.
Apparently, the MPAA doesn't see it that way. It seems that they want to FORCE me to have to watch the MTV-ish "Piracy Is Stealing" short that they hobbled together, as well as previews for other DVD titles that are presumably configured in the same manner.
Here's what I'm talking about; I'm sure you've seen it in front of movies in the theater or on DVDs in recent months:
(cue aggressive techno music)
(grainy, jerky hand-held shot of someone breaking into car)
You wouldn't steal a car.
(grainy, jerky hand-held shot of someone stealing a purse)
You wouldn't steal a purse.
(grainy, jerky hand-held shot of someone taking a cell phone)
You wouldn't steal a cell phone.
(grainy, jerky hand-held shot of someone shoplifting a DVD)
You wouldn't steal a DVD.
(grainy, jerky hand-held shot of a street vendor set up selling bootleg DVDs)
Buying pirated films is stealing.
Stealing is against the law.
Piracy. It's a crime.
And, inexplicably, it's followed by a warning that seems to be unrelated to "buying pirated films":
[ I ] Illegal Downloading. Inappropriate for All Ages.
(cleverly designed in the format of a movie ratings bar).
(I say "unrelated," because I would think that someone buying pirated movies from a street vendor would be doing so because s/he didn't know how to download them illegally.)
It goes on to show a montage of several other films that are coming out on video. While I can't escape the previews using the "menu" button, I am able to skip these (how considerate of them).
So, what pirate-bait title could this possibly be? An action-adventure or sci-fi epic? No, this title is Robots, the 2005 computer animated film that's rated PG, but clearly marketed towards children.
My wife took our 5-year-old daughter to see Robots this past summer, and they both loved it, so they found it under the Christmas tree this year. Now, every time my daughter goes to watch the DVD, she has to sit through the piracy warning and lame previews for Garfield and Fat Albert before she can actually see her movie. That's about 5 minutes of anxious, wasted time every time she watches the movie.
The movie that we purchased. Legally.
"Daddy, I don't want to see this part again. I don't like it."
"I'm sorry sweetheart, I can't make it stop. We'll just have to wait."
"Why does it do that?"
I'd explain it to her, but I don't think she could wrap her 5-year-old mind around the DMCA and the related undertones of corporate greed and paranoia.
So, I've bought a DVD burner and some "backup" software, and I'm going to make a copy (of a movie I own) without all that crud in front of it. And in doing so, I will be violating the DMCA (or so I understand...I don't actually feel like reading the whole thing just to support this blog entry). Congratulations, entertainment industry: you've alienated another customer.
Now, the news outlets are reporting a 7% or so drop in movie ticket sales for this holiday season, and people are starting to point the blame at piracy. I don't buy it, and here's why:
DVD player sales have reached a near saturation point, and large screen TVs are starting to drop in price and sell in greater numbers. While I don't think that piracy is blameless, I don't think that it has the impact that the MPAA seems to suggest. I think a large part of sagging ticket sales is the fact that more and more people prefer to spend their money on a DVD and enjoy movies with friends and family at home. It's much cheaper that way, too. Let's compare watching a movie at the theater vs. watching the DVD at home:
Tickets (Family of 4)
(2x) Adult tickets at $9 each.
(2x) Child tickets at $6 each.
Total ticket price: $30
Snacks
1 Large popcorn (for the adults): $5
1 Medium popcorn (for the kids): $4
2 large sodas (adults): $4
2 small sodas (kids): $2
Total snacks price: $21
Total cost for night out at the movies: $51
Plus, you might have to deal with projector problems, incessant talkers, cell phones, and other distractions...and you can't pause or go back if you need to run out of the theater for any reason (like taking one of the kids to the bathroom).
Now, waiting until the movie comes out on DVD, the cost would be much less significant:
Buying a DVD: $20
Microwave popcorn: $5 (for everyone)
A couple of 2-liter sodas: $3
Total cost for DVD for the family: $28
Plus, you usually get extras on the DVD, the comfort of your own home, the ability to pause if there is a distraction, you get to make whatever you darn well want to eat or drink, and you don't have to pay to see the movie again if you want to watch it over and over again.
Another factor worth mention is that there are an awful lot of movies being made lately. Many people can only afford a night out at the movies every now and then, so when it comes to making a choice which movie to see, they'll choose the ones they really feel strongly about seeing in the theater, knowing they'll be able to catch the others on DVD in a few months.
So, is it piracy that's eating into ticket sales, or is it a fundamental shift in the way people enjoy movies? Given the factors listed above, I think it's the latter.
The entertainment industry (music and movies, in particular) needs to learn to adapt, and adapt soon. Apple has taken the leadership position in the digital music revolution, and it looks as though they're about to take digital video by storm, as well. Apple seems to have figured out the new entertainment paradigm, and they have reaped from it handsomely.
And at first, the music companies were clamoring to line up to get on the iTunes Music Store. Recently, though, it seems they're questioning the pricing model (it seems they want to charge more for "premium" content) and threatening to back out.
Here's a hint to entertainment industry executives: it took an outsider to figure out how to adapt to the new digital ecosystem. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Like Steve Jobs said not so long ago...you're competing with piracy. Even with a successful business model like iTunes, you're competing with free (albeit illegal) file distribution. You can adjust to placate the masses that want your content digitally, or you can watch helplessly as you are file-shared out of relevance. Sure, there are a lot of people swapping music and movies online, but most of those people either (a) already saw the movie in the theater, or (b) weren't going to pay to see it anyway. There are very few (at least in my experience) who download and burn movies to keep in their video library...it's just not practical. Real film fans are going to see movies in the theaters and buy the DVDs, especially if they continue to offer compelling extras on the DVDs (give yourselves some credit for getting that content distribution model right!).
However, if you continue on your paranoid and greedy path of treating every consumer as a criminal, you may just well be creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. Sony is learning that lesson right now. Sure, it's costing millions to settle the CD rootkit fiasco, but how much has been lost in bad faith by the public? I don't think that's measurable.
...but then again, what do I know? My wife just came home with a new Sony DVD player.
To me, it just seems like less hassle to buy or rent DVDs. After all, most DVDs can be purchased for under $20 or rented for a fraction of that using a service like NetFlix.
However, I've noticed a trend in DVDs lately, and it has driven me to the point of purchasing a DVD burner and DVD copying software and just abandoning the idea of ever purchasing movies from certain studios again. What I'm referring to are the previews and warnings that precede the actual movie (or menu) that are coded in such a way as to not let you bypass them using the "Menu" button.
If I've just shelled out $19.99 to buy a DVD for my family (or myself), I should be able to view the enclosed content in any way I like...in fact, I should be able to do anything I want with that content, short of using it commercially or distributing it illegally. My purchase of the media gives me Fair Use rights.
Apparently, the MPAA doesn't see it that way. It seems that they want to FORCE me to have to watch the MTV-ish "Piracy Is Stealing" short that they hobbled together, as well as previews for other DVD titles that are presumably configured in the same manner.
Here's what I'm talking about; I'm sure you've seen it in front of movies in the theater or on DVDs in recent months:
(cue aggressive techno music)
(grainy, jerky hand-held shot of someone breaking into car)
You wouldn't steal a car.
(grainy, jerky hand-held shot of someone stealing a purse)
You wouldn't steal a purse.
(grainy, jerky hand-held shot of someone taking a cell phone)
You wouldn't steal a cell phone.
(grainy, jerky hand-held shot of someone shoplifting a DVD)
You wouldn't steal a DVD.
(grainy, jerky hand-held shot of a street vendor set up selling bootleg DVDs)
Buying pirated films is stealing.
Stealing is against the law.
Piracy. It's a crime.
And, inexplicably, it's followed by a warning that seems to be unrelated to "buying pirated films":
[ I ] Illegal Downloading. Inappropriate for All Ages.
(cleverly designed in the format of a movie ratings bar).
(I say "unrelated," because I would think that someone buying pirated movies from a street vendor would be doing so because s/he didn't know how to download them illegally.)
It goes on to show a montage of several other films that are coming out on video. While I can't escape the previews using the "menu" button, I am able to skip these (how considerate of them).
So, what pirate-bait title could this possibly be? An action-adventure or sci-fi epic? No, this title is Robots, the 2005 computer animated film that's rated PG, but clearly marketed towards children.
My wife took our 5-year-old daughter to see Robots this past summer, and they both loved it, so they found it under the Christmas tree this year. Now, every time my daughter goes to watch the DVD, she has to sit through the piracy warning and lame previews for Garfield and Fat Albert before she can actually see her movie. That's about 5 minutes of anxious, wasted time every time she watches the movie.
The movie that we purchased. Legally.
"Daddy, I don't want to see this part again. I don't like it."
"I'm sorry sweetheart, I can't make it stop. We'll just have to wait."
"Why does it do that?"
I'd explain it to her, but I don't think she could wrap her 5-year-old mind around the DMCA and the related undertones of corporate greed and paranoia.
So, I've bought a DVD burner and some "backup" software, and I'm going to make a copy (of a movie I own) without all that crud in front of it. And in doing so, I will be violating the DMCA (or so I understand...I don't actually feel like reading the whole thing just to support this blog entry). Congratulations, entertainment industry: you've alienated another customer.
Now, the news outlets are reporting a 7% or so drop in movie ticket sales for this holiday season, and people are starting to point the blame at piracy. I don't buy it, and here's why:
DVD player sales have reached a near saturation point, and large screen TVs are starting to drop in price and sell in greater numbers. While I don't think that piracy is blameless, I don't think that it has the impact that the MPAA seems to suggest. I think a large part of sagging ticket sales is the fact that more and more people prefer to spend their money on a DVD and enjoy movies with friends and family at home. It's much cheaper that way, too. Let's compare watching a movie at the theater vs. watching the DVD at home:
Tickets (Family of 4)
(2x) Adult tickets at $9 each.
(2x) Child tickets at $6 each.
Total ticket price: $30
Snacks
1 Large popcorn (for the adults): $5
1 Medium popcorn (for the kids): $4
2 large sodas (adults): $4
2 small sodas (kids): $2
Total snacks price: $21
Total cost for night out at the movies: $51
Plus, you might have to deal with projector problems, incessant talkers, cell phones, and other distractions...and you can't pause or go back if you need to run out of the theater for any reason (like taking one of the kids to the bathroom).
Now, waiting until the movie comes out on DVD, the cost would be much less significant:
Buying a DVD: $20
Microwave popcorn: $5 (for everyone)
A couple of 2-liter sodas: $3
Total cost for DVD for the family: $28
Plus, you usually get extras on the DVD, the comfort of your own home, the ability to pause if there is a distraction, you get to make whatever you darn well want to eat or drink, and you don't have to pay to see the movie again if you want to watch it over and over again.
Another factor worth mention is that there are an awful lot of movies being made lately. Many people can only afford a night out at the movies every now and then, so when it comes to making a choice which movie to see, they'll choose the ones they really feel strongly about seeing in the theater, knowing they'll be able to catch the others on DVD in a few months.
So, is it piracy that's eating into ticket sales, or is it a fundamental shift in the way people enjoy movies? Given the factors listed above, I think it's the latter.
The entertainment industry (music and movies, in particular) needs to learn to adapt, and adapt soon. Apple has taken the leadership position in the digital music revolution, and it looks as though they're about to take digital video by storm, as well. Apple seems to have figured out the new entertainment paradigm, and they have reaped from it handsomely.
And at first, the music companies were clamoring to line up to get on the iTunes Music Store. Recently, though, it seems they're questioning the pricing model (it seems they want to charge more for "premium" content) and threatening to back out.
Here's a hint to entertainment industry executives: it took an outsider to figure out how to adapt to the new digital ecosystem. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Like Steve Jobs said not so long ago...you're competing with piracy. Even with a successful business model like iTunes, you're competing with free (albeit illegal) file distribution. You can adjust to placate the masses that want your content digitally, or you can watch helplessly as you are file-shared out of relevance. Sure, there are a lot of people swapping music and movies online, but most of those people either (a) already saw the movie in the theater, or (b) weren't going to pay to see it anyway. There are very few (at least in my experience) who download and burn movies to keep in their video library...it's just not practical. Real film fans are going to see movies in the theaters and buy the DVDs, especially if they continue to offer compelling extras on the DVDs (give yourselves some credit for getting that content distribution model right!).
However, if you continue on your paranoid and greedy path of treating every consumer as a criminal, you may just well be creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. Sony is learning that lesson right now. Sure, it's costing millions to settle the CD rootkit fiasco, but how much has been lost in bad faith by the public? I don't think that's measurable.
...but then again, what do I know? My wife just came home with a new Sony DVD player.
Friday, December 30, 2005
And so it goes...
Well, chaos got the better part of me for the last part of 2005. I'm hoping that 2006 will be the year I start moving forward with some of my ideas.
Happy New Year! Please be safe when you're out and about.
Happy New Year! Please be safe when you're out and about.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Chaos: 1, Me: 0
So, it's been over a month since my last post.
Sometimes, the chaos wins.
Quite a bit has happened in the past month; I'll go into more detail about one thing in particular in the next post. But the rest of it, well...
On November 1, I did something I haven't done in over 20 years: I bought a video game (for my PC) on the day it was released (the last time I did that was with Pac-Man for the Atari 2600 back in 1. The game was Star Wars Battlefront II, and I played it quite a bit the first few days. Being a Mac user, it's a refreshing change of pace to be able to experience a new game when it first comes out (since we usually get games months or years later, if at all). There is one exception to that rule, though, and that is...
...Blizzard, the publisher of games like Diablo, StarCraft, and WarCraft. Blizzard actually figures pretty heavily into the events of the past month, because I got my first taste of World of Warcraft a couple of weeks ago, and I'm hooked. For those of you who don't know, World of Warcraft (WoW)is a Massively Multiplayer Online RolePlaying Game (or MMORPG). The game retails for about $30 - $50, but there is a monthly subscription fee of about $15, as well. Along with many game fans, I knew about WoW for over a year prior to its release in late 2004, but the subscription model was a turn-off for me, so I never actually bought the game. That is, until I ran across a free trial period for the game, which I fell for hook, line, and sinker. I'm very glad I did, though, and here's why:
The production value of the game is incredible. The online world (called "Azeroth") is quite large and detailed, and the social aspect of the game alone is worth the subscription price. I found myself creating characters to play on several different servers (referred to in the game as "realms") to play with different groups of friends (or in some cases, just to have different affiliations of characters). Players can advance their characters by completing predetermined quests given by NPCs (Non-Player Characters, or "bots," in a sense), by developing and practicing a profession (like mining or cooking), or by simply running around and killing all the monsters they can (much slower than the quests). There is another aspect of the game referred to as PvP (Player vs. Player) that allows for players to battle each other, as well. Additionally, there is a built-in IRC-like chat client, and a "buddy list" so you can keep track of your friends in-game. It looks like Blizzard is constantly upgrading and improving the game (during my trial period, the game was updated with a patch), and they closely police the activities of their players to minimize cheats and exploitation of newer players. I am now a believer in the subscription game model.
The downside of WoW is that it is extremely absorbing. I found myself neglecting chores, ignoring family, and staying up way too late just to log in more play time. When my trial period ended, I felt like an addict needing a fix...but I held off buying the game (it's only been a couple of days, but even that has helped curb the compulsion to play). I still want to buy it, and I probably will soon. It fills in a gap that was left when I "retired" from my day-to-day involvement with the running of Clan MacAddict (a gaming clan affiliated with the magazine of the same name). I enjoyed my time as one of Clan MA's officers, mostly due to the social aspect of what I was doing. When activity tapered, so did my level of involvement and enjoyment. WoW looks to be able to fill that gap. I just need to be sure I play in moderation.
On a related note, I hear that there is currently a Star Trek-based MMORPG in development. God help me, please (after that comes out, good luck finding me!).
As far as Star Wars Battlefront 2, it's a fun game, but there's almost no social interaction. There are a few flaws with it, as well...most notably that the characters can no longer go into the prone position, which kinda sucks if you're using a sniper (since that's the most effective position for a sniper). The space battles are a great addition, but there are some bugs to iron out with regard to bombs not rendering properly in some instances. The interface for the game is also somewhat cumbersome. Oh well, it was fun to play for a while...but it's time for it to find a new home.
In other news, since my last post, I've passed my A+ OS exam, which (along with the previous A+ Hardware exam) makes me an official CompTIA A+ Certified Professional. Not a big deal on the PC side of things, but coming from a Mac perspective, that was one confusing test to pass. In fact, I failed the OS exam once prior...in studying for it (and in my job of the past 10 months), I was reminded that I made the right choice in OS. Speaking of Mac OS X, I also passed my Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist (ACHDS) for Mac OS X 10.4 exam, so that's a big relief. Apple Certified Desktop and Portable Technician exams, here I come! (Hopefully, I'll have those by the end of December).
The other big thing that happened to me is something that I've been documenting in the MacAddict forums, and something that I'll write a comprehensive post on for next time. Think "too good to be true," only...it's not. ;)
Sometimes, the chaos wins.
Quite a bit has happened in the past month; I'll go into more detail about one thing in particular in the next post. But the rest of it, well...
On November 1, I did something I haven't done in over 20 years: I bought a video game (for my PC) on the day it was released (the last time I did that was with Pac-Man for the Atari 2600 back in 1. The game was Star Wars Battlefront II, and I played it quite a bit the first few days. Being a Mac user, it's a refreshing change of pace to be able to experience a new game when it first comes out (since we usually get games months or years later, if at all). There is one exception to that rule, though, and that is...
...Blizzard, the publisher of games like Diablo, StarCraft, and WarCraft. Blizzard actually figures pretty heavily into the events of the past month, because I got my first taste of World of Warcraft a couple of weeks ago, and I'm hooked. For those of you who don't know, World of Warcraft (WoW)is a Massively Multiplayer Online RolePlaying Game (or MMORPG). The game retails for about $30 - $50, but there is a monthly subscription fee of about $15, as well. Along with many game fans, I knew about WoW for over a year prior to its release in late 2004, but the subscription model was a turn-off for me, so I never actually bought the game. That is, until I ran across a free trial period for the game, which I fell for hook, line, and sinker. I'm very glad I did, though, and here's why:
The production value of the game is incredible. The online world (called "Azeroth") is quite large and detailed, and the social aspect of the game alone is worth the subscription price. I found myself creating characters to play on several different servers (referred to in the game as "realms") to play with different groups of friends (or in some cases, just to have different affiliations of characters). Players can advance their characters by completing predetermined quests given by NPCs (Non-Player Characters, or "bots," in a sense), by developing and practicing a profession (like mining or cooking), or by simply running around and killing all the monsters they can (much slower than the quests). There is another aspect of the game referred to as PvP (Player vs. Player) that allows for players to battle each other, as well. Additionally, there is a built-in IRC-like chat client, and a "buddy list" so you can keep track of your friends in-game. It looks like Blizzard is constantly upgrading and improving the game (during my trial period, the game was updated with a patch), and they closely police the activities of their players to minimize cheats and exploitation of newer players. I am now a believer in the subscription game model.
The downside of WoW is that it is extremely absorbing. I found myself neglecting chores, ignoring family, and staying up way too late just to log in more play time. When my trial period ended, I felt like an addict needing a fix...but I held off buying the game (it's only been a couple of days, but even that has helped curb the compulsion to play). I still want to buy it, and I probably will soon. It fills in a gap that was left when I "retired" from my day-to-day involvement with the running of Clan MacAddict (a gaming clan affiliated with the magazine of the same name). I enjoyed my time as one of Clan MA's officers, mostly due to the social aspect of what I was doing. When activity tapered, so did my level of involvement and enjoyment. WoW looks to be able to fill that gap. I just need to be sure I play in moderation.
On a related note, I hear that there is currently a Star Trek-based MMORPG in development. God help me, please (after that comes out, good luck finding me!).
As far as Star Wars Battlefront 2, it's a fun game, but there's almost no social interaction. There are a few flaws with it, as well...most notably that the characters can no longer go into the prone position, which kinda sucks if you're using a sniper (since that's the most effective position for a sniper). The space battles are a great addition, but there are some bugs to iron out with regard to bombs not rendering properly in some instances. The interface for the game is also somewhat cumbersome. Oh well, it was fun to play for a while...but it's time for it to find a new home.
In other news, since my last post, I've passed my A+ OS exam, which (along with the previous A+ Hardware exam) makes me an official CompTIA A+ Certified Professional. Not a big deal on the PC side of things, but coming from a Mac perspective, that was one confusing test to pass. In fact, I failed the OS exam once prior...in studying for it (and in my job of the past 10 months), I was reminded that I made the right choice in OS. Speaking of Mac OS X, I also passed my Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist (ACHDS) for Mac OS X 10.4 exam, so that's a big relief. Apple Certified Desktop and Portable Technician exams, here I come! (Hopefully, I'll have those by the end of December).
The other big thing that happened to me is something that I've been documenting in the MacAddict forums, and something that I'll write a comprehensive post on for next time. Think "too good to be true," only...it's not. ;)
Saturday, October 22, 2005
(I hope) I get by with a little help from my Mac
Here I go again.
Getting distracted. Doing a whole buncha nothing, while there's plenty to do.
I'm at the car dealership, waiting for my vehicle to be serviced. I decided to bring my PowerBook along so I could force myself to actually do something.
I did something, alright: I spent the last 45 minutes playing Solitaire.
To be fair, just prior to launching Solitaire, I thought I'd organize the fonts on my computer. That lasted all of about 20 minutes, before I realized it was going to monopolize the system resources and not let me do anything else for the next God-knows-how-long I'll be here. Enter Solitaire.
I could be organizing my list of supported Macs at work. I could be studying for my A+ OS exam. I could be working on my blog or on one of my website ideas. I could be creating.
Creating. There's something I haven't done in a while. The last creative project I worked on was a logo design for FreeBSD. They held a logo design contest, which I learned of only hours before the deadline. I started playing around to see what I could come up with, and I managed to put together (or, more accurately, pull out of thin air) what I think is a pretty decent design in a matter of a couple of hours, so I submitted it. I'm still waiting for the results of that (not that I'm holding my breath).
I remember the original reason I stated for getting a computer was to help me create. I was so full of ideas, and a computer was going to help me get those ideas in motion.
Bullshit.
I didn't count on the impact that computer ownership would have on my life. Pandora, let's see what's in that Box....
No sooner did I have a computer that I was online with it. My wife quickly became an "internet widow;" I dove head-first into whatever I could: Online chat. Gaming. Free porn. All the news and information I could ever need at my fingertips.
I've never been much of a "recreational reader;" that is, I don't read novels or fiction very much. But information...my Lord, when I was growing up, I used to snag a volume of the World Book encyclopedia for reading material before I went to the bathroom. I can't get enough information.
There was a time when I was a young adult where I was down on my luck. Thanks to the generosity of family, I had a place to stay, but I wanted out badly, so I thought I'd start a small catalog of services and products for Sci-Fi fans. I remember busting my ass and putting together novelty buttons, hand-sculpting little penguins and pins, and a few other items. I drew pictures of everything I offered, typed up some descriptions, and cut-and-pasted the catalog together (we're talking scissors and glue here, folks). I placed an ad in a national Sci-Fi magazine, and the next thing I knew, I was buried in catalog requests. And soon after that, I was buried in orders.
I had been so busy just trying to get the catalog done that I completely forgot to plan exactly how I was going to fulfill all the orders. Realizing my mistake, I filled what orders I could, and returned the payments on the ones that I couldn't, along with an apology.
"Damn," I thought to myself. "This would've been a whole lot simpler with a computer to help me along."
So, a few years later, as fate would have it, I finally got a computer. What did I do with it? I played games. I surfed the internet. I downloaded porn. I talked in chatrooms. I had the chance to use this new incredible tool, along with my creativity and talents, to produce great things, and I squandered it. I kept squandering it for many years to come. I do suffer from attention deficit disorder (so the resulting behavior should really come as no surprise), but that's really not much of an excuse.
Sure, I've kept up on the Mac community, and I've learned a lot of technical stuff about how it all works...enough so that I'm now working as a Mac help desk technician, so I suppose it hasn't all been for naught. Still, though...I miss the creativity. I miss the adrenaline rush of cramming for a last-minute deadline and the sweet euphoria that follows when a great project is completed.
I suppose it all comes down to organization. I've never been an organized person, and even today, organization plays little part in my life. There is a reason this blog is called "Chaos Deconstructed" -- I'm on a journey to rediscover my creative side, but also to establish some semblance of order so that I can be as productive as I can be -- for me, and more importantly, for my family.
I first got a computer because I thought it would get me organized and productive, but I learned over time that there is NO tool that do that for me; that's something that must happen from the inside out. The computer is a powerful tool for doing so, but it's still just a tool: a hammer won't drive a nail without someone there to swing it. The problem with computers is that they're such varied and diverse tools that one can easily get lost in all its other functions. That's what happened to me; the computer didn't organize me, it just gave me a whole new world of things to organize.
Yes, this blog will focus on Macs and tech and whatnot, but it will also focus on my journey from chaos and frustration to productivity and sanity. Having established that, I'll end this entry with a funny anecdote:
As part of this journey, I discovered a couple of great resources to help get me started: Merlin Mann's excellent 43 Folders website, and David Allen's book "Getting Things Done." I ordered GTD from Amazon and started reading it with great enthusiasm. I also bookmarked and regularly checked 43F for a while. However, it's been a few months since I've done either: I misplaced the book, and the website is lost in my long list of bookmarks that have yet to be organized.
Now please excuse me while I beat my head on the desk for a bit....
Getting distracted. Doing a whole buncha nothing, while there's plenty to do.
I'm at the car dealership, waiting for my vehicle to be serviced. I decided to bring my PowerBook along so I could force myself to actually do something.
I did something, alright: I spent the last 45 minutes playing Solitaire.
To be fair, just prior to launching Solitaire, I thought I'd organize the fonts on my computer. That lasted all of about 20 minutes, before I realized it was going to monopolize the system resources and not let me do anything else for the next God-knows-how-long I'll be here. Enter Solitaire.
I could be organizing my list of supported Macs at work. I could be studying for my A+ OS exam. I could be working on my blog or on one of my website ideas. I could be creating.
Creating. There's something I haven't done in a while. The last creative project I worked on was a logo design for FreeBSD. They held a logo design contest, which I learned of only hours before the deadline. I started playing around to see what I could come up with, and I managed to put together (or, more accurately, pull out of thin air) what I think is a pretty decent design in a matter of a couple of hours, so I submitted it. I'm still waiting for the results of that (not that I'm holding my breath).
I remember the original reason I stated for getting a computer was to help me create. I was so full of ideas, and a computer was going to help me get those ideas in motion.
Bullshit.
I didn't count on the impact that computer ownership would have on my life. Pandora, let's see what's in that Box....
No sooner did I have a computer that I was online with it. My wife quickly became an "internet widow;" I dove head-first into whatever I could: Online chat. Gaming. Free porn. All the news and information I could ever need at my fingertips.
I've never been much of a "recreational reader;" that is, I don't read novels or fiction very much. But information...my Lord, when I was growing up, I used to snag a volume of the World Book encyclopedia for reading material before I went to the bathroom. I can't get enough information.
There was a time when I was a young adult where I was down on my luck. Thanks to the generosity of family, I had a place to stay, but I wanted out badly, so I thought I'd start a small catalog of services and products for Sci-Fi fans. I remember busting my ass and putting together novelty buttons, hand-sculpting little penguins and pins, and a few other items. I drew pictures of everything I offered, typed up some descriptions, and cut-and-pasted the catalog together (we're talking scissors and glue here, folks). I placed an ad in a national Sci-Fi magazine, and the next thing I knew, I was buried in catalog requests. And soon after that, I was buried in orders.
I had been so busy just trying to get the catalog done that I completely forgot to plan exactly how I was going to fulfill all the orders. Realizing my mistake, I filled what orders I could, and returned the payments on the ones that I couldn't, along with an apology.
"Damn," I thought to myself. "This would've been a whole lot simpler with a computer to help me along."
So, a few years later, as fate would have it, I finally got a computer. What did I do with it? I played games. I surfed the internet. I downloaded porn. I talked in chatrooms. I had the chance to use this new incredible tool, along with my creativity and talents, to produce great things, and I squandered it. I kept squandering it for many years to come. I do suffer from attention deficit disorder (so the resulting behavior should really come as no surprise), but that's really not much of an excuse.
Sure, I've kept up on the Mac community, and I've learned a lot of technical stuff about how it all works...enough so that I'm now working as a Mac help desk technician, so I suppose it hasn't all been for naught. Still, though...I miss the creativity. I miss the adrenaline rush of cramming for a last-minute deadline and the sweet euphoria that follows when a great project is completed.
I suppose it all comes down to organization. I've never been an organized person, and even today, organization plays little part in my life. There is a reason this blog is called "Chaos Deconstructed" -- I'm on a journey to rediscover my creative side, but also to establish some semblance of order so that I can be as productive as I can be -- for me, and more importantly, for my family.
I first got a computer because I thought it would get me organized and productive, but I learned over time that there is NO tool that do that for me; that's something that must happen from the inside out. The computer is a powerful tool for doing so, but it's still just a tool: a hammer won't drive a nail without someone there to swing it. The problem with computers is that they're such varied and diverse tools that one can easily get lost in all its other functions. That's what happened to me; the computer didn't organize me, it just gave me a whole new world of things to organize.
Yes, this blog will focus on Macs and tech and whatnot, but it will also focus on my journey from chaos and frustration to productivity and sanity. Having established that, I'll end this entry with a funny anecdote:
As part of this journey, I discovered a couple of great resources to help get me started: Merlin Mann's excellent 43 Folders website, and David Allen's book "Getting Things Done." I ordered GTD from Amazon and started reading it with great enthusiasm. I also bookmarked and regularly checked 43F for a while. However, it's been a few months since I've done either: I misplaced the book, and the website is lost in my long list of bookmarks that have yet to be organized.
Now please excuse me while I beat my head on the desk for a bit....
Thursday, October 20, 2005
YADR (Yet Another Dvorak Rebuttal)
Well, John Dvorak is at it again. I really should just ignore him like I always do, but for some reason, I felt compelled to respond. Call it the straw that broke the camel's back, or whatever you like. I've posted his article in sections with my replies following in italics. (Considering I'm using this as an editorial piece, I would think this is fair use). Whatever you call it, here goes:
See Dvorak's original article here: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1872175,00.asp
Media Bias and Technology Reporting
ARTICLE DATE: 10.17.05
By John C. Dvorak
As big and as important as Microsoft is, the coverage of the company is quite mediocre. This is particularly true in the mainstream press. The reason for this is that today's newspaper and magazine tech writers know little about computers and are all Mac users. It's a fact.
**
It's a fact, eh? Well, being the esteemed journalist you claim to be, you shouldn't have any problems backing that "fact" up. Let's see it, Dvorak: provide definitive evidence that your tech writer colleagues "know little about computers." You arrogantly presume that if someone prefers a Mac over a Windows PC, that they must be technically illiterate. The job qualifications alone for a tech writer require familiarity with all sorts of technology. How could any decent writer make any sort of informed comparison without familiarizing himself with the various options available? Do you honestly think that the tech columnists for publications like the New York Times or Wall Street Journal would be able to keep their jobs if they were unfamiliar with Windows, which is what 95% of their readership uses?
This must be some sort of flame bait designed to draw clicks to your article, because I can't imagine any other reason for making such an uninformed, idiotic blanket statement. In three short sentences, you insult and alienate not only the majority of the high-profile tech press (99% of whom are much more respectable and knowledgeable than you appear to be), but also anyone who chooses a Mac over Windows.
**
This is why when Microsoft actually does have a good idea, people look to trash it out of hand. With 90 percent of the mainstream writers being Mac users, what would you expect? The top columnists in the news and business magazines fit this model too. The technology writers fit this model. The tech writers and tech columnists for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and Fortune are all Mac users. I could list them by name, but I'd hate to leave one out. Maybe I'll blog them by name. I could list 50. Readers should thus not be surprised by the overcoverage of Apple Computer. Every time Steve Jobs sneezes there is a collective chorus of "Gesundheit" from tech writers pounding away on their Macs.
**
Did you pause to think that, just maybe, the reason that the press pays attention to Apple is because Apple has a proven track record of establishing tech trends and coming up with generally useful and innovative technology? Or that maybe the reason that the press largely ignores Microsoft is because they really haven't done anything much worth writing about? Perhaps your colleagues have chosen to use Macs because they find them to be more productive for their needs. Maybe, like many people are now discovering, they find Mac OS X to be a superior user experience than Windows. Given the generally user-hostile environment of Windows, could you really blame them?
**
This reality is not going to change. In fact it will only get worse as technology coverage is handed to newer, less-qualified observers who simply cannot use a Microsoft Windows computer. With no Microsoft-centric frame of reference, Microsoft cannot look good. The company essentially brought this on itself with various PR and marketing policies that discouraged knowledgeable coverage. I'll save those complaints for a future gripe session.
**
Again, you presume that someone who chooses not to use Windows does so out of ignorance. My experience finds the opposite to be true: the majority of Windows users are unfamiliar with (or at least unexperienced with) the Mac. However, unlike you suggest, most Mac users are quite familiar with Windows, by sheer virtue of the fact that Windows is everywhere. Who hasn't had to learn to use it in their work or education somewhere along the line? Maybe not with the proficiency of, say, a MCSE professional, but most people have a basic working knowledge of some iteration of Windows.
Oh, and since you brought it up -- what makes someone "qualified" to use Windows? Obviously, the folks that are paid to write about technology fall short of your standard. Is Windows so complicated and unintuitive that one must be somehow deemed "qualified" to even use it? If that's the case, then 95% of the people that use Windows every day in some aspect of their job aren't qualified to use it. The only people who seem impassioned about Microsoft are people whose livelihoods rely on supporting or writing about Microsoft products. Yes, I'm looking at you, Dvorak...along with nearly the entire IT industry. What does it say about a company's products when it requires a global army of (expensively) trained technicians just to keep the basics up and running? To me, that speaks volumes for Windows as an operating environment.
**
What's bad for Microsoft is that the bias against it is subtle?kind of like any sort of media bias, whether religious or political. As one critic once said regarding the supposed left-wing slant of the daily news media, "It's not what they write, it's what they write ABOUT that matters." Story selection. Microsoft can roll out a dozen cool products, and the media goes ga-ga over the video iPod?a rather late-to-market Apple product. They all swoon over the prospect of paying $2 to download an otherwise free TV show so they can have the privilege of watching it on a 2-inch screen.
**
I don't think there have been a dozen cool Microsoft products in total. There was the Xbox, and Halo. There was the biometric fingerprint ID pad, and arguably a couple of its input peripherals. Their operating systems should impact the list negatively, since they tend to create far more problems than they solve. My point is, Microsoft isn't creating any stories here for the press to report. It's the same crap year after year, only with higher system requirements and more draconian activation schemes. Microsoft can't create a buzz about its products, because there's nothing buzzworthy coming out of Redmond. Apple, on the other hand, plays the press like a bard with a lute, and usually, the products they announce trailblaze a new direction for a good part of the tech industry. Everyone wants to know what Apple's next idea will be, because most of their ideas are gold mines.
**
The newsroom editors are generally so out of touch that they can't see this bias. Besides, they use Macs too. There are entire newsrooms, such as the one at Forbes, that consist entirely of Macintoshes. Apparently nobody but me finds this weird.
**
Why would using the most efficient tool for any particular job be "weird?" You're just burning bridges left and right, aren't you? I hope this job continues to work out for you, because I'd be hard pressed to hire you if I were an editor looking at your resume and you had just summarily dismissed my colleagues and me as morons.
**
Even Jack Shafer, who recently wrote about Apple's skewed coverage in Slate fails to point out the connection between the skewed coverage and the existence of this peculiar conflict of interest based on the national writers' use of Macs.
I often confront these guys with this assertion, and they, to a man (I've never confronted a female reporter about this), all say that they use a Mac "because it is better." Right. And that attitude doesn't affect coverage now, does it?
**
To an objective reporter, no, it doesn't. Of course, I'm not surprised at your incredulity at such a notion, given your time-tested bias against Apple and the Mac in general (and now, apparently, Mac users). I mean, if an esteemed journalist such as yourself can be just the slightest bit biased, then there can be no doubt the rest of those lesser writers are just transparent Apple shills.
**
Now this phenomenon is nothing new. I mean the phenomenon that an analyst will compare everything to his or her personal preferences, and naturally do it to excess. I first observed this during the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, when all the writers, myself included, used WordStar. Everyone used WordStar. I would run into writers here and there and grill them about what they used. Anne Rice used WordStar, for example. Thus, when a new word processor came out, it was naturally compared to WordStar and, unless it was a clone of WordStar, it was always given poor marks. It was only the catastrophic failure of the WordStar company that ever allowed the competition to take over.
**
This is understandable, and is only human nature. We relate what we know. The Mac OS has traditionally been the benchmark against which all other GUI-based operating systems are compared...Why do you think that is? It certainly wasn't because of the business model around which it was built.
**
Probably the smartest thing Microsoft could ever have done was copy as much of the Mac OS as it could insofar as look and feel were concerned, since in the final analysis there were customers doing AB comparisons between the Mac and the PC?which kept the PC on the desktop. The PC was cheaper and seemed about the same functionally.
**
From a business standpoint, it was a brilliant move, but I predict it will end up being their undoing. Now that Windows has saturated the world's desktops, people are starting to realize that Microsoft isn't the only solution available. In Microsoft's push to conquer the world, they miscalculated one very important factor: people aren't sheep. The novelty of the computer has worn off, and now that people are beginning to rely on computers for multiple facets of their lives, they are starting to become aware of the quality and security issues that plague Windows. The world won't tolerate unreliable products for much longer, and unless Microsoft truly starts to innovate and change their underlying culture, there will be a steady exodus of defectors to alternate platforms like Mac OS X and Linux. The time of luring people with bargain basement system prices is nearing an end; the writing is on the wall.
**
Microsoft should make some headway with this biased crowd once the fanciful Xbox 360 arrives. It's got a creative GUI, is easy to use and navigate, and kind of has a Mac look to it. It also interfaces perfectly with the iPod. "Oh golly gee whiz wow!" And that feature alone will be the clincher.
**
I know many Mac users who own Xboxes. They own and use them for (imagine this): gaming. An Xbox isn't a computer, John...even an unqualified Mac user knows that!
See Dvorak's original article here: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1872175,00.asp
Media Bias and Technology Reporting
ARTICLE DATE: 10.17.05
By John C. Dvorak
As big and as important as Microsoft is, the coverage of the company is quite mediocre. This is particularly true in the mainstream press. The reason for this is that today's newspaper and magazine tech writers know little about computers and are all Mac users. It's a fact.
**
It's a fact, eh? Well, being the esteemed journalist you claim to be, you shouldn't have any problems backing that "fact" up. Let's see it, Dvorak: provide definitive evidence that your tech writer colleagues "know little about computers." You arrogantly presume that if someone prefers a Mac over a Windows PC, that they must be technically illiterate. The job qualifications alone for a tech writer require familiarity with all sorts of technology. How could any decent writer make any sort of informed comparison without familiarizing himself with the various options available? Do you honestly think that the tech columnists for publications like the New York Times or Wall Street Journal would be able to keep their jobs if they were unfamiliar with Windows, which is what 95% of their readership uses?
This must be some sort of flame bait designed to draw clicks to your article, because I can't imagine any other reason for making such an uninformed, idiotic blanket statement. In three short sentences, you insult and alienate not only the majority of the high-profile tech press (99% of whom are much more respectable and knowledgeable than you appear to be), but also anyone who chooses a Mac over Windows.
**
This is why when Microsoft actually does have a good idea, people look to trash it out of hand. With 90 percent of the mainstream writers being Mac users, what would you expect? The top columnists in the news and business magazines fit this model too. The technology writers fit this model. The tech writers and tech columnists for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and Fortune are all Mac users. I could list them by name, but I'd hate to leave one out. Maybe I'll blog them by name. I could list 50. Readers should thus not be surprised by the overcoverage of Apple Computer. Every time Steve Jobs sneezes there is a collective chorus of "Gesundheit" from tech writers pounding away on their Macs.
**
Did you pause to think that, just maybe, the reason that the press pays attention to Apple is because Apple has a proven track record of establishing tech trends and coming up with generally useful and innovative technology? Or that maybe the reason that the press largely ignores Microsoft is because they really haven't done anything much worth writing about? Perhaps your colleagues have chosen to use Macs because they find them to be more productive for their needs. Maybe, like many people are now discovering, they find Mac OS X to be a superior user experience than Windows. Given the generally user-hostile environment of Windows, could you really blame them?
**
This reality is not going to change. In fact it will only get worse as technology coverage is handed to newer, less-qualified observers who simply cannot use a Microsoft Windows computer. With no Microsoft-centric frame of reference, Microsoft cannot look good. The company essentially brought this on itself with various PR and marketing policies that discouraged knowledgeable coverage. I'll save those complaints for a future gripe session.
**
Again, you presume that someone who chooses not to use Windows does so out of ignorance. My experience finds the opposite to be true: the majority of Windows users are unfamiliar with (or at least unexperienced with) the Mac. However, unlike you suggest, most Mac users are quite familiar with Windows, by sheer virtue of the fact that Windows is everywhere. Who hasn't had to learn to use it in their work or education somewhere along the line? Maybe not with the proficiency of, say, a MCSE professional, but most people have a basic working knowledge of some iteration of Windows.
Oh, and since you brought it up -- what makes someone "qualified" to use Windows? Obviously, the folks that are paid to write about technology fall short of your standard. Is Windows so complicated and unintuitive that one must be somehow deemed "qualified" to even use it? If that's the case, then 95% of the people that use Windows every day in some aspect of their job aren't qualified to use it. The only people who seem impassioned about Microsoft are people whose livelihoods rely on supporting or writing about Microsoft products. Yes, I'm looking at you, Dvorak...along with nearly the entire IT industry. What does it say about a company's products when it requires a global army of (expensively) trained technicians just to keep the basics up and running? To me, that speaks volumes for Windows as an operating environment.
**
What's bad for Microsoft is that the bias against it is subtle?kind of like any sort of media bias, whether religious or political. As one critic once said regarding the supposed left-wing slant of the daily news media, "It's not what they write, it's what they write ABOUT that matters." Story selection. Microsoft can roll out a dozen cool products, and the media goes ga-ga over the video iPod?a rather late-to-market Apple product. They all swoon over the prospect of paying $2 to download an otherwise free TV show so they can have the privilege of watching it on a 2-inch screen.
**
I don't think there have been a dozen cool Microsoft products in total. There was the Xbox, and Halo. There was the biometric fingerprint ID pad, and arguably a couple of its input peripherals. Their operating systems should impact the list negatively, since they tend to create far more problems than they solve. My point is, Microsoft isn't creating any stories here for the press to report. It's the same crap year after year, only with higher system requirements and more draconian activation schemes. Microsoft can't create a buzz about its products, because there's nothing buzzworthy coming out of Redmond. Apple, on the other hand, plays the press like a bard with a lute, and usually, the products they announce trailblaze a new direction for a good part of the tech industry. Everyone wants to know what Apple's next idea will be, because most of their ideas are gold mines.
**
The newsroom editors are generally so out of touch that they can't see this bias. Besides, they use Macs too. There are entire newsrooms, such as the one at Forbes, that consist entirely of Macintoshes. Apparently nobody but me finds this weird.
**
Why would using the most efficient tool for any particular job be "weird?" You're just burning bridges left and right, aren't you? I hope this job continues to work out for you, because I'd be hard pressed to hire you if I were an editor looking at your resume and you had just summarily dismissed my colleagues and me as morons.
**
Even Jack Shafer, who recently wrote about Apple's skewed coverage in Slate fails to point out the connection between the skewed coverage and the existence of this peculiar conflict of interest based on the national writers' use of Macs.
I often confront these guys with this assertion, and they, to a man (I've never confronted a female reporter about this), all say that they use a Mac "because it is better." Right. And that attitude doesn't affect coverage now, does it?
**
To an objective reporter, no, it doesn't. Of course, I'm not surprised at your incredulity at such a notion, given your time-tested bias against Apple and the Mac in general (and now, apparently, Mac users). I mean, if an esteemed journalist such as yourself can be just the slightest bit biased, then there can be no doubt the rest of those lesser writers are just transparent Apple shills.
**
Now this phenomenon is nothing new. I mean the phenomenon that an analyst will compare everything to his or her personal preferences, and naturally do it to excess. I first observed this during the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, when all the writers, myself included, used WordStar. Everyone used WordStar. I would run into writers here and there and grill them about what they used. Anne Rice used WordStar, for example. Thus, when a new word processor came out, it was naturally compared to WordStar and, unless it was a clone of WordStar, it was always given poor marks. It was only the catastrophic failure of the WordStar company that ever allowed the competition to take over.
**
This is understandable, and is only human nature. We relate what we know. The Mac OS has traditionally been the benchmark against which all other GUI-based operating systems are compared...Why do you think that is? It certainly wasn't because of the business model around which it was built.
**
Probably the smartest thing Microsoft could ever have done was copy as much of the Mac OS as it could insofar as look and feel were concerned, since in the final analysis there were customers doing AB comparisons between the Mac and the PC?which kept the PC on the desktop. The PC was cheaper and seemed about the same functionally.
**
From a business standpoint, it was a brilliant move, but I predict it will end up being their undoing. Now that Windows has saturated the world's desktops, people are starting to realize that Microsoft isn't the only solution available. In Microsoft's push to conquer the world, they miscalculated one very important factor: people aren't sheep. The novelty of the computer has worn off, and now that people are beginning to rely on computers for multiple facets of their lives, they are starting to become aware of the quality and security issues that plague Windows. The world won't tolerate unreliable products for much longer, and unless Microsoft truly starts to innovate and change their underlying culture, there will be a steady exodus of defectors to alternate platforms like Mac OS X and Linux. The time of luring people with bargain basement system prices is nearing an end; the writing is on the wall.
**
Microsoft should make some headway with this biased crowd once the fanciful Xbox 360 arrives. It's got a creative GUI, is easy to use and navigate, and kind of has a Mac look to it. It also interfaces perfectly with the iPod. "Oh golly gee whiz wow!" And that feature alone will be the clincher.
**
I know many Mac users who own Xboxes. They own and use them for (imagine this): gaming. An Xbox isn't a computer, John...even an unqualified Mac user knows that!
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
10 Things I Hate About Apple
Even though I work Mac support and I'm generally an Apple fanboy, one of the reasons I think it's nice not actually working for Apple is that I get to criticize the company from a customer's standpoint. It's not often that I find myself doing so, but I'm starting to build up a small list of annoyances that have piqued my ire of late, so I thought it might be healthy, in the interest of balance, to bitch about my favorite computer company for a change. Here goes:
10. .Mac
Yes, I've been a subscriber from day one, and yes, I just renewed for my fourth year...this time, I even went for the .Mac "Family Pack," where I get to spend $180 for a modest set of web services. Sure, Apple upped the storage space and bandwidth, and yes, it's nice to get the freebies they throw our way every now and again (although, it seems a lot less frequent these days), but still...it would be nice to have some sort of discount or incentive for renewing, seeing as how we're repeat customers of a service that really hasn't lived up to the Apple standards of usefulness.
9. The iPod
Yes, I know...BLASPHEMY! The truth is, I have yet to purchase one. Yes, they're cool, but I haven't been able to justify dropping $250+ on a music player. From the time the iPod was first introduced, I thought it was cool that it could double as a bootable FireWire drive, and I was intrigued at the possibility of it evolving into a portable media device (with one possible function being on-the-fly conversion to DV from a FireWire video source). I promised myself I'd hold off until that actually happened, but I'm still waiting. The recent generations have been getting close, with color screens and higher storage capacities than ever...let's see what happens tomorrow.
8. Repair Procedures
I work the Mac Help Desk, so I see a fair amount of Mac hardware. Sometimes, things aren't how they're supposed to be, and I'll occasionally have to send a computer in for warranty service, or simply order replacement parts. The other day, I needed to order a replacement optical drive for a brand new G5 tower, and I couldn't get the part sent to me without first giving a credit card number. Now, as I said before, I'm the Help Desk guy...I don't have a stinking credit card to provide them with, so I asked if I could just have them send out an empty box, and I'd send them back the defective part first, and they could send me out the replacement....no can do, they said. (grrrrr...) So, after determining that they wouldn't actually charge the card unless the defective drive wasn't returned within 10 days, I reluctantly gave my personal credit card. I asked how much the charge would be if I failed to return the drive, and they told me it would be $320. $320?!?! IT'S A $50 FREAKIN' DRIVE!!! Gawd, I hope it got back there OK....
7. Elitist Pricing
Yes, I know the Mac mini is out there, and it's cheap. But it doesn't deliver the whole Mac OS X 10.4 experience, mainly because of its crippled video card that can't run Core Image. The previous-generation processor doesn't help, either...I see lots of PC folks buying the mini to try Mac OS X, only to sell it a couple of weeks later because they're so disgusted with the performance. Granted, most of those folks are the more technically literate anyhow (like, those one might find posting on internet discussion forums about such things), but still...it leaves a bad impression. No, I'm talking about the run-of-the-mill consumer, pro, and portable Macs....although arguably, the portables are competitively priced. And yes, I also realize there's a premium to be paid for a great OS and some great bundled apps, not to mention the built-in security...but still, it's a tough sell to the crowd who's used to paying $400 for a Dell POS. You and I (addressing the Mac users here) know that Mac OS X alone is worth double the price of admission, but Joe PC User doesn't see things that way. Remember, Microsoft is the richest company in the world, so they *must* have the best OS, right?
6. Dreadful Ad Campaigns
The Think Different campaign was probably the closest thing I remember to capturing the Mac experience and trying to relate it to those who just didn't "get it." Unfortunately, in order to "get" the Think Different campaign, you had to first "get" the Mac...so the public wrote the whole thing off as too artsy-fartsy or west-coast hippie for their taste. Every other ad campaign has seemed sad and desperate in comparison. Sure, we all got a kick out of "switcher" Ellen Feiss, but that was mostly those of us already firmly entrenched in the Mac camp...like those of us who "got" the Think Different campaign...(aaarrrghhh!)
5. Zombie Generation
Mac users have a huge image problem; we're typically seen as the radical fringe of computer users, largely due to the very loud and very small faction of Mac Zealots who make it their self-appointed duty to Go Forth and Educate the Masses about the Computing Nirvana that is the Mac. I know the type all to well...I used to be one. But I quickly found that being a computer snob that went around itching for an operating system debate got real old, real quick. 95% of the world was against me from the outset, and no matter how much hard data and passion I had to back up my claims, it still somehow shriveled when confronted with the age-old wisdom of "Macs Suck!"
So, something that really should be a badge of pride (inspiring people so much that they REALLY want to spread the word about this New Wonderful Thing they've discovered -- in this case the Mac OS), instead backfires and creates over-enthusiastic, unstoppable Mac minions who will stop at nothing to crush any criticism of the Mac or Apple wherever it rears its ugly head. Really, it's just the radical (and very vocal) few; we're mostly normal folks. Well, except we don't have to deal with malware. Neener-neener.
4. Reality Distortion Field
We're in the middle of one right now. It's October 11, 2005 as I type this, and there is this "One More Thing..." product launch event happening tomorrow that has everyone in the tech world abuzz with speculation. No matter what's announced tomorrow, it will be embraced by many and hailed as the coolest thing to come out of the tech sector in months, if not years. Everyone who attends or watches the carefully orchestrated media event will be glazed over, "oooh"ing and "aaah"ing and praising Steve Jobs as the second coming of Christ. Again. Then the buzz will quell, and the pundits will start their barrage of attacks on whatever it was and somewhere in the midst of it all, folks will start to look objectively at the product...but not before it sells out across the board and has early adopters waiting for 2-3 week ship dates due to overwhelming initial demand. (Why can't Apple create this kind of sensation with their campaign advertising?!)
3. Culture of Excellence
By way of higher standards throughout the user experience, Apple has spoiled us Mac users. I honestly had never really thought much about using a Windows PC for as long as I could remember, when a couple of years ago, I had to use one for an online study program. It wasn't until then that I realized just how good we had it on the Mac. I mean sure, I knew about Windows and its world of problems, but I never realized just how disparate and random the various applications could be. It's as if there are no guidelines or anything for developers, and the developers range anywhere from "very competent with human interface design" to "screw 'em if they can't understand binary!" If I had started off in the Windows world, I wouldn't have such high expectations from the applications I use.
2. Gag Orders & Related Lawsuits
Well, at least, Apple's policy of not commenting on future products, and their iron-fist tactics in trying to stifle the various fan sites that feed the buzz machine that keeps them the topic du jour at the caffeine wells of tech geekdom. Sure, Apple needs to protect its unreleased property and maintain control of its PR, but the shroud of mystery and intrigue in which they wrap their unannounced products -- along with the fact that most of their products are just That. Damn. Cool. -- begs for speculation and conjecture. Personally, I think Apple knows this all too well, and the lawsuits must just be theatrics designed to veil the strategy behind the "leaks" that seem to "plague" them just prior to new product announcements.
...and, the number 1 thing I hate about Apple:
1. Making Me Want Every Damn Thing They Make
(Well, except for maybe the Mighty Mouse...but even that looked appealing for a day or two.)
It wouldn't be so bad if I were filthy stinking rich -- I'd just go to the Apple Store every six months or so and say, "One of each, please!" But, as fate would have it, I'm on the lower end of the Mac demographic pay scale, so when I buy hardware, I'm stuck with it for a while. Until February of this year, my main Mac was (and still sorta is) a G4 Sawtooth that I bought new in June of 2000. I still love that Mac (and it's seen a few upgrades to keep it current), but this little PowerBook 12" has stolen my attention as my current main Mac (I treated myself after landing the Help Desk gig). At any rate, the annoying thing about being a Mac user and an Apple fan is lusting after all the industrial design candy that comes out of Cupertino's magic factory: G4 Cube. Cinema Displays. Power Mac G5. Mac mini. Any given iPod. iMac G5. Hell, I even loved the clamshell iBooks (Key Lime, anyone?) and the Blue Dalmatian iMacs. That's not to say I've always been in agreement on the price point, but if price were no object, I'd have a house full of Apple products right about now.
10. .Mac
Yes, I've been a subscriber from day one, and yes, I just renewed for my fourth year...this time, I even went for the .Mac "Family Pack," where I get to spend $180 for a modest set of web services. Sure, Apple upped the storage space and bandwidth, and yes, it's nice to get the freebies they throw our way every now and again (although, it seems a lot less frequent these days), but still...it would be nice to have some sort of discount or incentive for renewing, seeing as how we're repeat customers of a service that really hasn't lived up to the Apple standards of usefulness.
9. The iPod
Yes, I know...BLASPHEMY! The truth is, I have yet to purchase one. Yes, they're cool, but I haven't been able to justify dropping $250+ on a music player. From the time the iPod was first introduced, I thought it was cool that it could double as a bootable FireWire drive, and I was intrigued at the possibility of it evolving into a portable media device (with one possible function being on-the-fly conversion to DV from a FireWire video source). I promised myself I'd hold off until that actually happened, but I'm still waiting. The recent generations have been getting close, with color screens and higher storage capacities than ever...let's see what happens tomorrow.
8. Repair Procedures
I work the Mac Help Desk, so I see a fair amount of Mac hardware. Sometimes, things aren't how they're supposed to be, and I'll occasionally have to send a computer in for warranty service, or simply order replacement parts. The other day, I needed to order a replacement optical drive for a brand new G5 tower, and I couldn't get the part sent to me without first giving a credit card number. Now, as I said before, I'm the Help Desk guy...I don't have a stinking credit card to provide them with, so I asked if I could just have them send out an empty box, and I'd send them back the defective part first, and they could send me out the replacement....no can do, they said. (grrrrr...) So, after determining that they wouldn't actually charge the card unless the defective drive wasn't returned within 10 days, I reluctantly gave my personal credit card. I asked how much the charge would be if I failed to return the drive, and they told me it would be $320. $320?!?! IT'S A $50 FREAKIN' DRIVE!!! Gawd, I hope it got back there OK....
7. Elitist Pricing
Yes, I know the Mac mini is out there, and it's cheap. But it doesn't deliver the whole Mac OS X 10.4 experience, mainly because of its crippled video card that can't run Core Image. The previous-generation processor doesn't help, either...I see lots of PC folks buying the mini to try Mac OS X, only to sell it a couple of weeks later because they're so disgusted with the performance. Granted, most of those folks are the more technically literate anyhow (like, those one might find posting on internet discussion forums about such things), but still...it leaves a bad impression. No, I'm talking about the run-of-the-mill consumer, pro, and portable Macs....although arguably, the portables are competitively priced. And yes, I also realize there's a premium to be paid for a great OS and some great bundled apps, not to mention the built-in security...but still, it's a tough sell to the crowd who's used to paying $400 for a Dell POS. You and I (addressing the Mac users here) know that Mac OS X alone is worth double the price of admission, but Joe PC User doesn't see things that way. Remember, Microsoft is the richest company in the world, so they *must* have the best OS, right?
6. Dreadful Ad Campaigns
The Think Different campaign was probably the closest thing I remember to capturing the Mac experience and trying to relate it to those who just didn't "get it." Unfortunately, in order to "get" the Think Different campaign, you had to first "get" the Mac...so the public wrote the whole thing off as too artsy-fartsy or west-coast hippie for their taste. Every other ad campaign has seemed sad and desperate in comparison. Sure, we all got a kick out of "switcher" Ellen Feiss, but that was mostly those of us already firmly entrenched in the Mac camp...like those of us who "got" the Think Different campaign...(aaarrrghhh!)
5. Zombie Generation
Mac users have a huge image problem; we're typically seen as the radical fringe of computer users, largely due to the very loud and very small faction of Mac Zealots who make it their self-appointed duty to Go Forth and Educate the Masses about the Computing Nirvana that is the Mac. I know the type all to well...I used to be one. But I quickly found that being a computer snob that went around itching for an operating system debate got real old, real quick. 95% of the world was against me from the outset, and no matter how much hard data and passion I had to back up my claims, it still somehow shriveled when confronted with the age-old wisdom of "Macs Suck!"
So, something that really should be a badge of pride (inspiring people so much that they REALLY want to spread the word about this New Wonderful Thing they've discovered -- in this case the Mac OS), instead backfires and creates over-enthusiastic, unstoppable Mac minions who will stop at nothing to crush any criticism of the Mac or Apple wherever it rears its ugly head. Really, it's just the radical (and very vocal) few; we're mostly normal folks. Well, except we don't have to deal with malware. Neener-neener.
4. Reality Distortion Field
We're in the middle of one right now. It's October 11, 2005 as I type this, and there is this "One More Thing..." product launch event happening tomorrow that has everyone in the tech world abuzz with speculation. No matter what's announced tomorrow, it will be embraced by many and hailed as the coolest thing to come out of the tech sector in months, if not years. Everyone who attends or watches the carefully orchestrated media event will be glazed over, "oooh"ing and "aaah"ing and praising Steve Jobs as the second coming of Christ. Again. Then the buzz will quell, and the pundits will start their barrage of attacks on whatever it was and somewhere in the midst of it all, folks will start to look objectively at the product...but not before it sells out across the board and has early adopters waiting for 2-3 week ship dates due to overwhelming initial demand. (Why can't Apple create this kind of sensation with their campaign advertising?!)
3. Culture of Excellence
By way of higher standards throughout the user experience, Apple has spoiled us Mac users. I honestly had never really thought much about using a Windows PC for as long as I could remember, when a couple of years ago, I had to use one for an online study program. It wasn't until then that I realized just how good we had it on the Mac. I mean sure, I knew about Windows and its world of problems, but I never realized just how disparate and random the various applications could be. It's as if there are no guidelines or anything for developers, and the developers range anywhere from "very competent with human interface design" to "screw 'em if they can't understand binary!" If I had started off in the Windows world, I wouldn't have such high expectations from the applications I use.
2. Gag Orders & Related Lawsuits
Well, at least, Apple's policy of not commenting on future products, and their iron-fist tactics in trying to stifle the various fan sites that feed the buzz machine that keeps them the topic du jour at the caffeine wells of tech geekdom. Sure, Apple needs to protect its unreleased property and maintain control of its PR, but the shroud of mystery and intrigue in which they wrap their unannounced products -- along with the fact that most of their products are just That. Damn. Cool. -- begs for speculation and conjecture. Personally, I think Apple knows this all too well, and the lawsuits must just be theatrics designed to veil the strategy behind the "leaks" that seem to "plague" them just prior to new product announcements.
...and, the number 1 thing I hate about Apple:
1. Making Me Want Every Damn Thing They Make
(Well, except for maybe the Mighty Mouse...but even that looked appealing for a day or two.)
It wouldn't be so bad if I were filthy stinking rich -- I'd just go to the Apple Store every six months or so and say, "One of each, please!" But, as fate would have it, I'm on the lower end of the Mac demographic pay scale, so when I buy hardware, I'm stuck with it for a while. Until February of this year, my main Mac was (and still sorta is) a G4 Sawtooth that I bought new in June of 2000. I still love that Mac (and it's seen a few upgrades to keep it current), but this little PowerBook 12" has stolen my attention as my current main Mac (I treated myself after landing the Help Desk gig). At any rate, the annoying thing about being a Mac user and an Apple fan is lusting after all the industrial design candy that comes out of Cupertino's magic factory: G4 Cube. Cinema Displays. Power Mac G5. Mac mini. Any given iPod. iMac G5. Hell, I even loved the clamshell iBooks (Key Lime, anyone?) and the Blue Dalmatian iMacs. That's not to say I've always been in agreement on the price point, but if price were no object, I'd have a house full of Apple products right about now.
Monday, October 10, 2005
"One More Speculation..."
As a longtime follower of all things Apple (read: "fanboy"), I can tell you one thing that won't be happening to the iPod: it won't just get video playback ability. It just doesn't fit with Apple's design philosophy.
The iPod was so revolutionary in that it provided a simple and elegant way for people to enjoy music in a whole new way (yes, other portable music players came first, but nobody else ever really got it "right" like Apple did). Music can be, and often is, quite inspirational...and more importantly, music can be enjoyed in the background while performing other tasks (like driving, working out, painting, etc.). Video playback is more absorbing, and arguably, a lot less inspiring.
So whatever is announced Wednesday won't be merely the ability to watch video on the iPod. However, it could be one of many new features on a new iPod or other new media device. I've given up on trying to guess what Apple will come up with (well, not really, as you'll see...but don't quote me on any of this...), but if it involves portable video, I'd be surprised if it wasn't integrated somehow with QuickTime or even Apple's iLife products. Some wild guesses:
A portable media vault onto which one could stream DV video on-the-fly or unload a full memory card from a digital camera.
A QuickTime-integrated device that offers basic cut/paste NLE functionality (a portable version of "iMovie").
ThinkSecret claims no new iPods, but new Power Mac and PowerBook revisions. I'm gonna go out on a limb and disagree with them on this one...although the "video" announcement could involve a new product line altogether, have a look at the iPod's evolution: it has grown from 4GB to 60GB (arguably, much larger than even the largest personal music collection); it has grown from monochrome to color, with the ability to import and view an iPhoto library (and 3rd party accessories to allow direct-from-camera downloading); the iTunes Music Store has started carrying music videos within the last 18-24 months, and started supporting Podcasts (including video content) within the past 6 months. All of which leads to yet another speculative product:
The iPod as a portable Podcast creation studio: imagine hooking your iSight camera up to your new "iPodcast station" and being able to record yourself wherever, whenever you feel like, editing an uploading all from your portable device.
So, what's up Apple's sleeve? It's really anyone's guess at this point. But given Apple's track record, I really doubt it will simply be video playback capabilities on the iPod.
The iPod was so revolutionary in that it provided a simple and elegant way for people to enjoy music in a whole new way (yes, other portable music players came first, but nobody else ever really got it "right" like Apple did). Music can be, and often is, quite inspirational...and more importantly, music can be enjoyed in the background while performing other tasks (like driving, working out, painting, etc.). Video playback is more absorbing, and arguably, a lot less inspiring.
So whatever is announced Wednesday won't be merely the ability to watch video on the iPod. However, it could be one of many new features on a new iPod or other new media device. I've given up on trying to guess what Apple will come up with (well, not really, as you'll see...but don't quote me on any of this...), but if it involves portable video, I'd be surprised if it wasn't integrated somehow with QuickTime or even Apple's iLife products. Some wild guesses:
A portable media vault onto which one could stream DV video on-the-fly or unload a full memory card from a digital camera.
A QuickTime-integrated device that offers basic cut/paste NLE functionality (a portable version of "iMovie").
ThinkSecret claims no new iPods, but new Power Mac and PowerBook revisions. I'm gonna go out on a limb and disagree with them on this one...although the "video" announcement could involve a new product line altogether, have a look at the iPod's evolution: it has grown from 4GB to 60GB (arguably, much larger than even the largest personal music collection); it has grown from monochrome to color, with the ability to import and view an iPhoto library (and 3rd party accessories to allow direct-from-camera downloading); the iTunes Music Store has started carrying music videos within the last 18-24 months, and started supporting Podcasts (including video content) within the past 6 months. All of which leads to yet another speculative product:
The iPod as a portable Podcast creation studio: imagine hooking your iSight camera up to your new "iPodcast station" and being able to record yourself wherever, whenever you feel like, editing an uploading all from your portable device.
So, what's up Apple's sleeve? It's really anyone's guess at this point. But given Apple's track record, I really doubt it will simply be video playback capabilities on the iPod.
It's ALIVE! Rise, my creation!
Well, I'm reviving this forgotten old blog. I've been trying to figure out exactly how I was going to proceed with my blogging endeavors, and I've decided to just get back to basics (especially now that blogger is offering a lot more features than last year, when I last posted here).
I wrestled with whether or not to delete the previous posts (the ones from 2004, below), but I decided that they serve to remind me just how much things sucked for me last year, and how much better off things are this year, so I left 'em.
So, without further ado, here goes nuthin'....
I wrestled with whether or not to delete the previous posts (the ones from 2004, below), but I decided that they serve to remind me just how much things sucked for me last year, and how much better off things are this year, so I left 'em.
So, without further ado, here goes nuthin'....
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Throwing in the towel, giving up the ghost...you get the idea.
Well, I made a major decision this week, for better or worse.
The major decision is that I will stop developing the interest-based Mac communities that I had started working on early this year. Here is a listing of each site, what I've decided to do with it, and why:
MacJukebox
MacJukebox never achieved the level of functionality I had hoped it would. The reasons for this are varied, but for the most part, it all boils down to my inability to manage the project. iCompositions has done extremely well as far as development, so I will most likely approach them about integrating MacJukebox into iCompositions in some form.
MacMovieMaker
I was fortunate enough to have some very generous individuals volunteer to run MacMovieMaker from the very beginning. MacMovieMaker has been somewhat successful, and it is still growing in a healthy manner, so I have decided to give the site to the four main people who have helped make it what it is today: Mark, Pablo, Nik, and Dave. It is my hope that they will be able to accelerate development of the community without me bogging it down.
PokeMac
PokeMac was pretty much dead a few days after it launched. It will most likely be shelved.
Macopolis
As the "network" identity, I hope to see Macopolis reborn as the new identity for a new generation of Mac communities. It's such a cool name, I'd hate to see it go to waste.
That's iLife, MacinShots, FreeMacStuff, MacGamingZone
These sites never really even got off the ground, although I believe that at least a couple of them would be really strong sites and/or communities. In particular, I believe FreeMacStuff would be a great service and revenue generator for the right network, and I think MacinShots would make a great name for a Mac-based photographers' community.
Non-Mac sites (HomeVidXchange.com, OtherSolutions.info)HomeVidXchange.com
HomeVidXchange was conceived as a place for home videographers to exchange footage of events (like children's recitals, graduations, and other sentimental events) so they can have a wider source of footage for their personal projects. While the site isn't intended to host the footage, it will serve as a place for people to arrange the exchange of footage themselves, either via postal mail or from their own servers.
OtherSolutions.info
OtherSolutions.info was conceived as a resource for alternatives to the Microsoft monopoly. It is intended to serve as an advocacy site for alternate operating systems (Mac OS X, Linux, Unix), alternate software solutions (OpenOffice, Adobe applications, others), alternate browsers (FireFox, Opera, Mozilla), and any other solutions that help to loosen the death grip of mediocrity that the Redmond behemoth has foisted upon the computing public. OSinfo will serve to empower consumers with education and information that will encourage them to break free of thestranglehold that M$ has on their computing lives.
The major decision is that I will stop developing the interest-based Mac communities that I had started working on early this year. Here is a listing of each site, what I've decided to do with it, and why:
MacJukebox
MacJukebox never achieved the level of functionality I had hoped it would. The reasons for this are varied, but for the most part, it all boils down to my inability to manage the project. iCompositions has done extremely well as far as development, so I will most likely approach them about integrating MacJukebox into iCompositions in some form.
MacMovieMaker
I was fortunate enough to have some very generous individuals volunteer to run MacMovieMaker from the very beginning. MacMovieMaker has been somewhat successful, and it is still growing in a healthy manner, so I have decided to give the site to the four main people who have helped make it what it is today: Mark, Pablo, Nik, and Dave. It is my hope that they will be able to accelerate development of the community without me bogging it down.
PokeMac
PokeMac was pretty much dead a few days after it launched. It will most likely be shelved.
Macopolis
As the "network" identity, I hope to see Macopolis reborn as the new identity for a new generation of Mac communities. It's such a cool name, I'd hate to see it go to waste.
That's iLife, MacinShots, FreeMacStuff, MacGamingZone
These sites never really even got off the ground, although I believe that at least a couple of them would be really strong sites and/or communities. In particular, I believe FreeMacStuff would be a great service and revenue generator for the right network, and I think MacinShots would make a great name for a Mac-based photographers' community.
Non-Mac sites (HomeVidXchange.com, OtherSolutions.info)HomeVidXchange.com
HomeVidXchange was conceived as a place for home videographers to exchange footage of events (like children's recitals, graduations, and other sentimental events) so they can have a wider source of footage for their personal projects. While the site isn't intended to host the footage, it will serve as a place for people to arrange the exchange of footage themselves, either via postal mail or from their own servers.
OtherSolutions.info
OtherSolutions.info was conceived as a resource for alternatives to the Microsoft monopoly. It is intended to serve as an advocacy site for alternate operating systems (Mac OS X, Linux, Unix), alternate software solutions (OpenOffice, Adobe applications, others), alternate browsers (FireFox, Opera, Mozilla), and any other solutions that help to loosen the death grip of mediocrity that the Redmond behemoth has foisted upon the computing public. OSinfo will serve to empower consumers with education and information that will encourage them to break free of thestranglehold that M$ has on their computing lives.
Friday, June 25, 2004
Geez. I gotta start posting more.
Well, my not having a job came back to bite us in the ass. We went to close on our mortgage on Monday, and they called to verify my employment (you remember...the job I quit? Yeah...that one.) So naturally, the deal was called off. By some miracle, the mortgage company was able to re-work another offer WITHOUT my income factored in (?!), so we're supposed to close on that one this coming Monday. God, I hope this works, because if it doesn't, we'll lose the house.
Meanwhile, the job search continues. I have several "cattle call" interviews coming up, including one for Cox Communications, one for Radio Shack, and one for a financial services company. I'm still toying around with the idea of a print brokerage and graphic design/support services, but I'm not quite ready (set-up wise) at home for that yet. I've registered "thatprintguy.com" and "thatgraphicsguy.com", so, I'll be That Print Guy and That Graphics Guy for a while...we'll see what happens (maybe)!
So far, my Web Design class seems to be going well. I'm learning some stuff (mostly refresher stuff at the moment, but this week, I have to learn CSS!), but I'm a bit behind on things (I have a discussion that's a week overdue). Nothing like early this year, though...so that's good.
I'm hoping to move this blog to my personal site when it's complete...I guess we'll see how that goes, too. ;)
Meanwhile, the job search continues. I have several "cattle call" interviews coming up, including one for Cox Communications, one for Radio Shack, and one for a financial services company. I'm still toying around with the idea of a print brokerage and graphic design/support services, but I'm not quite ready (set-up wise) at home for that yet. I've registered "thatprintguy.com" and "thatgraphicsguy.com", so, I'll be That Print Guy and That Graphics Guy for a while...we'll see what happens (maybe)!
So far, my Web Design class seems to be going well. I'm learning some stuff (mostly refresher stuff at the moment, but this week, I have to learn CSS!), but I'm a bit behind on things (I have a discussion that's a week overdue). Nothing like early this year, though...so that's good.
I'm hoping to move this blog to my personal site when it's complete...I guess we'll see how that goes, too. ;)
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