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B-Rant- submitted by M.B.Darden on 02/13/2008Things I Learned At The Apple Store -- Part 2By M.B.Darden The other day I wrote a piece, Things I Learned At The Apple Store. It contained some of my impressions (mostly positive) from my first visit to an Apple Store in my local shopping mall. Some of it was tongue-in-cheek, some meant to be funny; and some was meant to reflect in a light-hearted anecdotal way my reaction. The piece provoked a sh*t storm of reaction. I want to thank those (the large majority) who understood it for what it was -- and whose comments (some critical, some complimentary) were reasonable, connected to reality. But I particularly want to thank the outspoken minority who reacted as if I'd informed them their houses (no, their PCs) were on fire and I lit the match. The venom and hysteria, the rage -- and frankly the stunningly small-minded stupidity -- was refreshing. Like I had said in the piece, I'm a tech idiot. It was my first visit ever to an Apple Store. The piece was presented as anything but a tech story or as something recommending or touting Macs or Apple products; as I said, I could care less about Apple or its products. What was interesting to me was the "happening" that seemed to be going on at the Apple Store. The vibe and experience. There was a pretty dynamic and positive interplay between customers and store "Geniuses." Old folks and young. People, it seemed to me, were having a lot of fun. Apple, in this store, had clearly tapped into something unusual. The mall was empty; yet the store was filled, like some over-lighted, noisy tech amusement park. Simply put, you just don't see retail environments like this often (if ever). [Remember the Dell stores? You won't soon. Or Gateway?-- how are those cow images doing? CompUSA, Staples, Best Buy, etc.?] This place impressed and interested me. But, having now experienced the narrow-minded insipidness of some of the Apple Haters (I'd never even heard of "Apple Haters" until after I wrote the story), I'm interested in you (Apple Haters) too.... Really, what the f**k is wrong with you? What is it that you're apparently so insecure about? Do you have lives? Did some of you get any kind of education past high school? At work, do you ever leave your cubes? Do you ever have sex (with other human beings)? Is it fun to be rage-filled? Have you ever tried not to be so pissed off? Are you aware of critical adjectives other than, dumbass, moron, you suck, etc.? Here are just a few of the "negative" reactions and comments (and, yea, not all are limited to the few choice adjectives)....To my surprise, most of them were answered by other commenters a lot more effectively and eloquently than my admittedly flippant responses below. Still, I can't resist a few.... "You totally suck..." "...This kind of anecdotal evidence [that's positive to Apple] would fail a first year journalism student. Hell, in high school that would be marks off any paper...I cringed while reading this..." "Your light gray font sucks..." Thing is, all the reactions (negative & positive) got me thinking. I wrote the piece off of my first visit to an Apple Store. Why don't I go back again, see what's up now? So I did. And, it so happens, on another cold, crappy snowing-sleeting day in the northeast. I won't go into detail, but here are a few highlights of what I saw -- non-journalistically and as the dumbass stupid idiotic sucking moron observer that I am...
Has Apple "won"? Like I said before, I have no idea really. But here is what I have an idea about. First, to the people who challenged the "Apple-winning" concept based on Apple's market share -- it's true, they've got a ways to go; but in consumer market share (as opposed to business) and in terms of overall growth trends, Apple is gaining huge ground. They're also winners in marketing, packaging, design -- and, as importantly from a business perspective, in capturing the imagination of the consumer. Numerous established companies (including many in the media, some at which I've worked) are now regularly modeling against Apple tactics. Apple has succeeded in turning its products (and not just computers obviously) into "happenings", its brand into a "cool" concept people want to be associated with. It's not easy and tons of companies across many industries are trying to catch up and copy. As for Apple Stores...I've been told by lots of people my experience is common. Whether it is or not, the fact that I observe things the way I have means something. Because, coming from a place where I really couldn't care less about Apple or any of its competitors, if I leave a store feeling there's something unusual-special going on there, that matters. It matters too that in this upscale mall in the heart of suburbia, Apple is filled with people looking to play and buy -- when most of the other mall stores are largely empty. As for my being an idiot about buying a new desktop system on my last (first) visit to Apple...like I said, I'm an idiot. But, in truth, I wanted it. I knew some people who raved about the computer; I was interested in trying a Mac (having used Dells for so long). I figured if I didn't like it or became more "rational" when I got home, I could always return it. I had already promised myself a very large gift (though was thinking more like a big TV) -- but (to paraphrase from an ancient movie) sometimes, in the moment, you just have to say what the f**k.
  Hmmm - submitted by ginalee on 02/13/2008
I really liked your first article. Now you know there lots of people out there with no lives whatsoever. Still, you shouldn't feel compelled to defend yourself or your words. Nice Article - submitted by Phormic on 02/13/2008
Unfortunately nothing polarizes opinion in the tech world like Apple. You certainly haven't been the first to feel the wrath of rabid, lunatic Apple fans on the one side or conservative "use a real computer" PC users on the other. It's a minefield you have (perhaps unwittingly) walked into. Whichever side of the fence you fall, you're guaranteed to offend somebody. Congratulations on your article. I enjoyed it. The fact that such a tidal wave of opinion was thrown in your direction should be taken as a compliment. Writing should encourage thought and reaction and not merely pander to the lowest common denominator. A more interesting question - submitted by David H Dennis on 02/13/2008
How do you like your new machine, now that you've had a chance to really play with it? Now, I know you're not really serious about buying the Apple Store's furniture, but I suspect you are curious nonetheless. Here's a list of much of the stuff you find at Apple Stores. http://www.oobject.com/category/items-to-build-an-apple-store/ It costs about $1.2 million to open an Apple Store. That probably gives you a modest clue about prices. Another thing that might give a little hint is that none of the companies involved show pricing on their web sites. So if you're looking for things like $10,000 desks or $1,500 light fixtures (prices are my guesses only), you're probably find them at an Apple Store. D Suburbs and tech - submitted by Maclectic on 02/13/2008
I probably shouldn't comment on this, but anybody who believes urban areas have some kind of advantage over suburbs in the technology arena knows nothing of the recent history of the technology sector or lives under a rock, inside a cave, covered in a dark obscuring slimy substance. The suburbs are the incubator of technology and the urban areas are where alot of the wannabes live. Saying this, I like urban areas and I will say that rural areas will probably never be near the leading edge of the tech curve, even if cows are cute. The center of the technology world, Silicon Valley, is a vast sprawling suburb. Some people pretend San Jose is a city, but it really lives in the shadow of San Francisco. San Francisco has tech, but mostly the tech that relies on what the Silicon Valley produces. Sure webzines and graphics pour out of SF, but they rely on the computers and software (Cisco, Intel, Adobe, Google, etc.) made in the suburbs to the south. So, as a suburban you can be proud that the suburbs are the center of tech. - Maclectic Ginalee, phormic & David - submitted by M.B.Darden on 02/13/2008
Ginalee, phormic & David -- Thanks for the above comments. It's true really -- I had no idea what I was walking into on that first article. I was kind of stunned. But I do get it now. I think if I were more mature I probably wouldn't have written this one. But, since I've already acknowledged I'm an idiot (at least in some areas), admitting I'm immature isn't too difficult. I've really enjoyed the new computer. I may be a "sucker" for buying it right there -- not the everyday impulse buy -- but it's great. Like I said, I'm among the least qualified to evaluate the comparative benefits of 1 computer vs. another. But, the more people I've spoken with and the more research I've done on Apple (the company) the more impressed I am, at least with Apple's success in becoming such a significant brand across so many media platforms and demographics. Anyway, appreciate the feedback. Hope you'll continue on as the nastier comments start flowing in. --M well done - submitted by steve davies on 02/13/2008
hey man, as an apple investor, its articles like yours that i like reading the most. as apple's brand continues to grow its important to always stand back and take a look at how consumers interact with the brand whether its via an iPod, computer or retail store. and you being a first time visitor to the store, your first impressions and experience is really important. its shame about the riff-raff out there who like to flame anyone for writing anything about apple. you would think they would have tired of it by now. unfortunately my guess is that they are the kind of baggage that steve jobs and crew have also become tired of and will be looking to offload somehow. anyhow keep up the good work. you write very well. I think it is interesting - submitted by @nice article on 02/13/2008
I think it is interesting that you characterize the Apple fan as "rabid", "lunatic", and full of wrath whereas you characterize PC users merely as "conservative" and practical (my interpretation). Did you not understand that M.B.Darden's original article was attacked with "venom and hysteria" by PC users. Likewise, Apple itself is similarly criticized daily for every little fault that can be found or construed. I am so tired of Apple being ruthlessly attacked in this way. They are just a company that works really hard to compete as an underdog against a well established monopoly. Now that they are beginning to succeed, certain PC users are incensed. And the thing is, Apple goes to great lengths to compete by attempting to make a better product, not by underhanded efforts to screw the competition. This kind of behavior by a company should be admired not disdained. Apple is competing and this is a good thing for all consumers as it raises the bar and makes all competitors work hard to woo customers. The comment above was - submitted by Anonymous on 02/13/2008
The comment above was directed at the person who wrote the comment entitled "Nice Article" Apple Store Part 2 - submitted by Bill on 02/13/2008
Enjoyed both articles. It was the ending that brought a smile to my face when the line from "Risky Business" sunk in. I can still see and empathize with Cruise sitting on the sofa thinking he was toast and the interview was essentially a failure. It will turn out to be similarly successful for you I imagine. I said wtf about 4 years ago and dumped my PC. Couldn't be happier having left the insecurity of that security nightmare. Macuser - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
Been a macuser since day 1,something like 20 years ago, enjoyed the experience and still enjoying it and hope you likewise. btw enjoyed both articles, keep it up. fine article - submitted by bruno dexter on 02/14/2008
What's wrong with your font? I think you're a fine writer. Everyone's a critic I guess. good article good font. - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
The font used is very readable - just the gray color is difficult. Simply change the font color in your css file. Black on a white background (no matter the font or font family) is the most readable - readability falls off from there as one alters the font's color. Magenta would be horrible! Besides, modern browsers are often the arbiters of which font and font size the reader sees, while the color usually is determined by the specified font on the page or css file. ice axe? - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
What an adventure you've had by simply recording some thoughts, observations and feelings. Paraphrasing Kafka, who would approve of such a reaction, "If the blog we are reading does not wake us, as with a fist hammering on our skulls, then why do we read it? Good God, we also would be happy if we had no blogs and such blogs that make us happy we could, if need be, write ourselves. What we must have are those blogs that come on us like ill fortune, like the death of one we love better than ourselves, like suicide. A blog must be an ice axe to break the sea frozen inside us." I think you mean couldn't - submitted by Matthew on 02/14/2008
It cracks me up when people say "I could care less". At least get the saying correct :) The actual saying is "I couldn't care less". If you "could care less" it would mean you actually care, but what you are trying to say is you do not care so in that case you should be saying "I couldn't care less". Axe to grind - submitted by Dude on 02/14/2008
Excellent follow-up, but not needed IMHO. Can Mac users be a bit defensive? Sure. Can’t imagine why that is. But my god, criticize a PC and prepare for the following: 1) "Macs are toys" 2) "The Mac OS won't run games" <kinda funny in light of #1) 3) "You use a Mac? Wow you must know nothing about computers" (LMAO on that one). 4) "Microsoft bought Apple" (oh really) 5) "If you want a REAL computer use a PC" (wow apples must be figments of our collective imaginations". 6) “No Macs on they network, they are a security risk” Umm what does that make IE and Windows…. 7) “Macs are successful, companies don’t buy them” (actually I’d counter that most corporations are the LAST place these days where innovation in computers happens). 8) “Macs are so expensive” (Go price out a high end Dell tell me what you come up with compared to a Mac Pro, Remove the crapware that comes bundled with your PC and tell me the price of your cheap PC”. 9) 95% Market Share for Windows, Game Over, Game Over, (repeated ad infinum)” Ah market share tatic, that old chestnut. 10) "I can install my over-clocked graphic card, or disable "X" component to get a .0157% increase in frame rate for Unreal Tournament/Doom/COD/<whatever 1st person shooter is hot at the moment>. And you know what you dweebs? You make up less then 1% of all Windows users let alone computing in general. 95% of all computer users probably never do more then surf the web, email, type in a word processor (of which Word has features that 99% of the vast computing public never touches) and put songs on their iPods. 11) “I can build a windows system for 1,000 dollars cheaper” (this of course assumes the OSes are of equal value)... 12) “Apple stole GUI from PARC” (Really? Are you sure that’s how it happened? Are you sure that Xerox was the font of GUI? Better check again…) Basically you wouldn’t get this same reaction from them if you beat up their sister or mother, but disparage their PCs, Zunes or X-Boxes and the pimply-faced legions get their panties in a twist. Or “Joe Macho” who spouts of “Yeah well is what ALL successful companies use”, that always makes me laugh. Use what you want? You want to use a PC do so, I’m not out on PCs sites railing against the man… I support PCs and Macs in my job and actually prefer the Mac. Why? Flexibility. Ability to run any OS I need; reliability; they just work. At the end of the day when I use my computer at home... I don't want to be using Windows anymore then I need to. Lastly on this point: UNIX! Pwns any version of Windows by a factor of 10, Vista? you're kidding right? And before all the PC slugs start touting building your own systems crawl out from their rocks they are hiding under, riddle me this Batman: Go build me a LAPTOP that will run everything I need.... <insert sound of chirping crickets here> MBDarden choose to share his experiences, not insult your PCs. Please keep re-reading that until you can comprehend it. They were his observations. Dude keep on reporting what you see and hear, shrug off the PC lunatics. Its fun to see their reactions. And in closing I’ll take Apple (warts and all) over Microsoft’s illegal, underhanded and downright predator behavior in the business world any day. Steve Jobs said it best when he came back to Apple in 1997. “If we want to move forward and see Apple healthy and prospering again, we have to let go of a few things here. We have to let go of this notion that for Apple to win, Microsoft has to lose. We have to embrace a notion that for Apple to win, Apple has to do a really good job” Apple accepted Microsoft’s help at the time (which was anything but altruistic, but that’s another story) righted the ship and has been doing just that for the better part of 10 years. Making great products. Apple is stronger then ever and that’s the part that burns those who can’t stand Apple or its success. Thinking about the stores - submitted by Toronto on 02/14/2008
Ok, so we've beat up the Apple vs. PC issue completely. Though, I'm sure many more will put their two cents in. I was thinking about the store itself. What Apple has done here has been described by an analyst as a vacuum pulling people walking past into the store. What is it about the store? I think it has to do with the layout, the lighting and the color choice. Ok, the new flashy tech toys helps, but the Sony store has all sorts of cool toys in there too. I don't see the same crowds in the Sony store. The design folks at Apple have really done a great job with the store. IIRC, the store opened just as the Gateway stores were closing. There were many at that time that said the Apple Stores would fail and it was a major mistake for them to open. I guess Apple was correct and the pundits were wrong. What can you get @ a Sony - submitted by Dude on 02/14/2008
What can you get @ a Sony store that you cant get elsewhere? Never been in one... Haha - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
so apple became the new scientology? these "consumer evangalists" sometimes are at least as "religious" as some crazy cristian freaks. but steve is a genious. no questions asked. he developed the harley davidson of computers. just by owning one people think they are the coolest easy rider ever put his foot on this planet. More crap - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
you complain about the crap you got and say in your defense that you're just a nubile when it comes to computers-- then don't make the sort of sensationalist claims you did in your previous blog post. It does make you look ignorant, and from what I see, every attack on your credibility is true- though it should be toned down. aka- don't sound like a moron if you can't stand people saying you sound like a moron. Geniuses? - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
Aren't the Mac Geniuses the tech support staff, and not the salespeople? you're still a dumbass - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
^ good points.all i have to - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
good points.all i have to say is...oh wait i have a life......what am i doing here.!?!? ......ill never surf again....damn technology and its internet. Missing the point - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
I think most people are completely missing the point when it comes to this supposed "battle" for the PC market. What people don't seem to get is that most of these companies have different demographics. I hate it when people apply the term "win", "lose", "beating", etc... when comparing Dell, Apple, MS, etc... because really, these companies aren't even really going for the same market. People also seem to think that Apple and MS are arch rivals. While no one can deny there has been animosity between the two, Apple is primarily staking there business in Hardware these days, and Microsoft is mostly software. Not only this but Microsoft gets most of its money from the Business world, and Apples bread and butter is the consumer market. There is overlap, but not so much that both companies can't "win". They can both do well and succeed, it doesn't always have to be one or the other. As far as Dell goes, there main money also comes from the Business world. Now, Microsoft and Dell like the money they get from home consumers, but there real focus is on business. And Apple doesn't even come close to Dell or Microsoft when it comes to penetration of the business demographic. Dell offers some really great deals to businesses and microsofts infrastructure is really top notch (AD, .net, etc...). Apple is in no way positioned to move into that market and they know it. So, in summary, Dell, Microsoft, and Apple, while they have some overlap in there consumer base, do not focus on the same demographics, meaning that they can all "win". And as consumers that means we all win because competition breeds better products. Oh, and IBM/Lenovo makes some killer laptops. They are the only laptops I buy for my department. Wow - submitted by Chris on 02/14/2008
I cannot believe the comments you got on the last post. Macs are great, so are PCs. What's really cool is the Internet. It's the future. Excellent! - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
Excellent, people that don't see the impending doom for traditional PC's are asleep at the wheel. Great article. pc= coca cola apple= - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
pc= coca cola apple= pepsi. It's a fad/trend - submitted by Ozymandias on 02/14/2008
The thing to know about Apple/PC thing is it's all just a trend. Yes MS screwed the pooch with Vista. They will end up fixing it (hopefully) but Windows isn't the only PC software out there and the Apple commercials leading you to believe that are complete and utter BS and quite frankly, I'm surprised they haven't been sued or at least sent cease and desist letters from the likes of Redhat or whoever else. I read both articles and I have to say you sound like the sheep that Apple wants buying their products. Regardless of what you may think Apple products are not superior to PC products. If you take a look at any given CERT advisory you'd see that Apple has sometimes as many as 30 flaws a week in their products and they take 3-6 times longer to release fixes than even Microsoft. If you want to talk about product reliability we can go there as well. OEM PC manufacturers have a 25% failure rate on average. That's typically things like harddrive, bad motherboard and the like. Something that if they actually handled things a little better could be fixed at a local shop in a matter of a couple of hours. Apple on the other hand took 4 generations to get the iPod to work correctly without flaws. That's not a device you can take to a local shop and have fixed. On top of that Apple treats it's products more like a car in the fact that for a local shop to be able to sell/repair their products they have to pay a "dealership fee". Quite frankly, it's hard to get good product support when none of the qualified and knowledgable places such as mine want to touch their B.S. So you end up roped into dealing with Apple directly and usually having to ship your product back to them and wait or buy a new one which is what they really want. No sir, if you want real support, I would stay away from the Apple market. I could continue on with the "Apple problems" for several pages and truth be told, I'm probably going to write up an article about it myself so I can just link to it in the future. I'm getting kind of tired of having to repeat myself all the time. These do seem like windows user comments. - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
The typical Windows user is supposed to be cranky. I would be constantly upset if my computer was frequently freezing, checking for viruses, giving me the blue screen of death, freezing, checking for spyware, etc. Thank God I have my Mac! I have heard vista is pretty sweet though HAHAHAHAHAHA! re: more crap - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
I'll tell you what makes you look ignorant - using 'nubile' when you presumably mean 'newbie'. Unless you are suggesting that Mr. Darden is a sexually attractive young woman? I guess you're not afraid to have people say you sound like a moron, anyway. Good for you! pc=old testament apple+ new - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
pc=old testament apple+ new testament Its religion, not reason - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
PC vs. Mac is religion. There is rarely intelligent discourse. Most folks measure one against the other, and have little experience with one or the other, so their comparisons are based on impression and ignorance. It's a small person who so vehemently imposes their ignorance on others. I liked your article, but in the interest of full disclosure, I like Macs. In particular, I admire the way you handled the criticism. Humor is the best response possible. Bravo. Re: Axe to Grind - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
I agree with most of what you said. Realize however that everything you said of the PC demographic (a subset of it anyway) also applies to a certain subset of Mac users. Me, I run OpenBSD and Windows at home, and at work have Windows on my desktop and a MBP. So I feel that I run the gamut of OS uses, and use them like the tools they are. That is what most people don't seem to get. Computers are a tool. Operating systems are a tool. Pick the tool that is right for the job. You don't see people getting worked up over brands of hammers and screwdrivers, so why get worked up over a computer OS? Also, one thing that many Mac users delude themselves with is the assumption that Apple is good and Microsoft is evil. That is just not true. They are both companies and act like it. Anyway, I'm just tired of these stupid flamings. To be honest, I don't care what OS people use, just so long as they don't try to tell me how there OS is so much better for XY&Z. I don't really care, and oh yeah, what ASM and C compiler do you use on that Mac? Oh, nevermind I'll stick with BSD and .net for my *nix and windows programming. (This is a example conversation and not directed at anyone) pc for poor people apple for - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
pc for poor people apple for rich people P=iece of C=rap A=pperantly P - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
P=iece of C=rap A=pperantly P=eople P=erfer L=ooks and E=xpensise ' S=tuff Apple - submitted by Adome on 02/14/2008
I dont really care about the particulars, only thing thing sticks out to me. Maybe this is the marketing major in me, or maybe just curiosity. i dont understand how you recognized that the sales people were "monster sellers" (and correct me if im wrong, but im assuming by that you mean they are moving product, seemingly with disregard to whether or not that person actually needs said product), but you still bit. I mean if you understood that it was all just one big pitch, why did let yourself get sucked in, when you also said that you just recently purchased a computer? i have window in my apple. - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
i have window in my apple. Your visit to the apple store. - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
Hi Darden, I think your views were very accurate. I work as a Genius at an apple store in Minnesota and while my opinion might be somewhat biased (my background is 20 yrs of Business IT support so I try to remain neutral) and I can tell you that many of the guys I work with relish in the fact that all the hot women want to talk to them ;-) for what its worth. The sales people on the floor are Mac Specialists, the guys that do the one-on-one training are called Creatives, and the guys behind the bar that fix stuff are Geniuses. Cheers apple - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
I worked for Apple as a creative for three years. The position itself is one of a kind. I'd receive a daily schedule of strangers to teach spanning consumer and pro-sumer applications. Some customers just wanted someone interesting to talk to for an hour, others desired a future in new media learning FCP, Logic or the Adobe suite. Although I do believe the dynamic has slightly changed since day one. I agree with the article above. Never has there been a retail environment as forward thinking as this. Nor will Windows harness the social science that has made Apple what it is. Cult Like. :) Victory Computers!!!!!!! 1984 I read both your Apple Store - submitted by Heywood Jablowme on 02/14/2008
I read both your Apple Store articles, and, you do sound pretty dumb. You write like a 6th grader. If I were you I would kill myself. If you think the apple store - submitted by Derek on 02/14/2008
If you think the apple store is comfortable and friendly. Try using there operating system. Ever since I converted over to OS X, i realized that macs already 'won'. It doesn't matter if they have marketshare or not. All that matters is the experience you have using the Operating system. My experience is an amazing one. Anyone that puts down a mac as a stupid thing, they have no idea what they are talking about and are most likely too poor to own one and thus extremely jealous. Heh, you know it's "couldn't - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
Heh, you know it's "couldn't care less", not "could care less".. although I am sure there is something you could care less about @ Heywood Jablowme "... - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
@ Heywood Jablowme "... articles, and, you do sound pretty dumb." You sound like a sixth grader, who hasn't learned to write using correct punctuations. apple fans = trek fans - submitted by michaelwong38 on 02/14/2008
Reading this makes me think of Shatner's skit on SNL: http://youtube.com/watch?v=9GZbfD0R6Vc&feature=related Apple Store - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
The somewhat new Flatirons Crossing Mall (in Broomfield CO) and the newest 29th Street Mall (Boulder) are many times almost totally empty, but the Apple stores at both are exactly like the man said of his: FULL of teaming and excited people. You love PC's? Great. Good for you. But I'd never put myself through the agony of actually owning one. End of story. Macs only failing point (imo) - submitted by Sean L. on 02/14/2008
Macs have won in most departments of the computer/tech world but they will still always falter in the gaming world. However, with the addition of the intel chip and other upgrades mac has made recently, coding games to be mac/pc compatible has become easier... hopefully we'll see an influx of mac games in the future... for now all we have is World of Warcraft and other Blizzard games. Great article by the way, both sections. HA! Great article- I too - submitted by Anonymous on 02/14/2008
HA! Great article- I too don't particularly care whether Apple or MS (or Ubunto even) "won"... Apple is a brand and a decent product (so are the others). When something better comes along (and it will) I'll switch over. Unfortunately, allot of people define themselves by the technology they endorse, some with almost religious fervor. That's just human nature. I bet back in the day, crossbow and longbow archers heckled one another and claimed superiority... one things for sure, some day, in the not so distant future, I'll toss my ipod into a box right along my sony walkman and palm pilot without a second thought. "opened the bag" - submitted by jocat on 02/14/2008
Oh man, you really "opened the bag" with this one. Good luck fending off the onslaught of stupidity. No such thing as APPLE HATERS - submitted by Jabberwolf on 02/14/2008
There is no such thing! The response you get is from those that are sick to death of Apple groupies that, more often then not, know very little or nothing about computers but seem to rattle off sales arguments they learned from other apple groupies. Most of the time, the apple groupies are wrong in their statements. They are more into vibe and fashion, then they are for function. No most of us "apple haters" simply are "apple annoyed". I would pretty much bet money that Apple users are more likely to beleive in conspiracy theories because someone else told them it was true. So... it must be right? All the Apple products are "innovative" and no one else ever thought of those ideas before!! RIGHT?!! No No, we "apple haters" dont have lives, we have jobs! We are typing this on the off occassion we see something annoying and stupid coming from an Apple post... as we so often do. But beceause we see so many wrong, misled, and flat out annoying stories and say something about them, we must be haters right?! quote: Apple goes to great - submitted by Vic dude on 02/14/2008
quote: Apple goes to great lengths to compete by attempting to make a better product, not by underhanded efforts to screw the competition. i don't see Microsoft making ridiculous mac vs pc commercials that slag the competition is ways that have nothing to do with reality. that said, good article macs are charming if nothing else :D On hateful assholes... - submitted by Lee A. on 02/14/2008
I read the first article. I thought it was good article. How people can attack you on your opinion and draw the types of conclusions they have drawn is beyond me. This is a fucking blog people. If you want a book, go buy one. If you only want exposure to ideas and opinions that mirror your own, go join a cult or something. Get off my internet. I will say that my local Apple Store produces many similar phenomena. Regardless of how empty the mall is, the Apple Store is packed. The first thing the door people say when you tell them you're just looking is "Ok, have fun!" I'm not going to pull the slightly immature you're-just-pissed-because-you-can't-afford-it card. This is, after all, often not the case. However, listen closely. Just because your particular operating system/platform/whateverthefuck doesn't have as enthusiastic of a following as Apple does is no one's fault but your own. Try building some hype for it without being total douche bags. Side Note: I saw a comment or two about Apple being the new Scientology. From what I gather (especially as a recent switcher myself), we don't give a shit what you do. Use Vista or XP. Whatever. This seem to be opposite to how Scientology works, which is a for-us-or-against-us type of deal. In contrast, it seems to be exactly how you Anti-Apple types are with regards to Linux and Windows. Thus, you anti-Apple people are, in fact, the new Scientology. Congrats.  |
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