Eric Brodeur's Profile

"Miserable failure" should be quantified by gross sales, not public opinion. There is hardly any product released that doesn't get blasted by disappointed fanboys, angry journalists, or some newbie that didn't open the README before trying to use his new webcam. I suppose Vista could be called a disappointment. At the very least, MS could have deployed a top-notch GUI instead of throwing in translucent windows, the same GUI controls, and the need for 1 GB of RAM to function. It goes without saying Apple has been the worst of updating OS and leaving users by the wayside for drivers. Then again, I'm thinking OS 8 to 9 to 10.2. Things seemed to mellow out with 10.3. I think the biggest obstacle to Microsoft and Apple isn't a lackluster product, it's living up to the hype. In that case no one will ever be satisifed.

Puh-lease, you're complaining about the "iPhone update breaks hacks thing" and for that Apple should hang their head in shame? Apple has a reputation of dependability and usability to defend and opening up a device to APIs that they're not ready for would be worse. Combine iPhone 1.0 _with_ API 1.0 and you know the community would angry when things don't work as expected. With every .x revision of OS X they added features and fixed bugs. You can be sure an upcoming .x rev to the iPhone will do the same. Somewhat off topic but look at VoIP. iPhone may lack it but there's a reason for that: It's too unreliable when you factor in VoIP service providers, client software, and most importantly, consumer routers that don't awlays handle SIP properly. When Apple feels VoIP is ready, it'll happen. Same goes for an API. But really, would you want a device that's unreliable? Don't give me the disclaimer "hack at your own risk" because consumers did just that and walked into the Apple Store saying "it broke." They were warned but did it matter? No. Apple shouldn't be crticized for keeping their devices running as they were designed. They should be commended for it.

Apple's $100 rebate is ludicrous. Rather, that people would be early adopters then cry they overpaid is ludicrous. I'd like to know what OS these complainers are using: Mac or Windows? Windows people are cheap and would not have forked over $600 for an iPhone, let alone any Apple product, out of shear principle. That just leaves Maccies, who in my opinion, cling to idealistic thinking (digital altruism?) with Apple products. "I didn't go to Starbucks at school for a whole year to buy an iPhone and now Apple changed the price and ripped me off. No fair!" This just in: if you can't afford it, don't buy it. It's an economic principle called "capitalism." When the Dodge Viper, new VW Beetle, and new Mini were released they sold for more than sticker due to "dealer premiums." Early adopters as it were. They didn't get a refund. Apple caved and gave refunds because when the first class-action suit hits the judge will see that Apple "did the right thing" by offering the $100. Suit thrown out and Apple shareholders save money. Don't forget, every business is in it to make a profit just as Chris described. Apple is no different just they do it with style.

Apple is about style and like it's been mentioned, their devices aren't necessarily designed with ergo being a priority. It must be a tough market for 3rd parties to deliver on peripherals. You want tried and true ergo and build quality. One vendor I really liked closed up shop in 05 or 06 - Fingerworks. They were the only (?) manufacturer of a trackpad that measured over 2 inches by 2 inches. It makes a great replacement for the mouse.

Ha! What timing... Just last night I found webhostingunleashed.com and submitted a review. The reviews and ratings are laid out in a fasion that's eaiser to use than scouring through a message forum.

For me, switching from Windows to Macintosh was more about re-thinking how I work. I discovered I didn't really need all the bloat of Outlook or many of the other apps I had grown accustomed to using under Windows. So what if I could extend and customize Outlook if I never (or hardly) did? While many argue that iCal and Address Book could do more, there's something to be said for simplicity. And it syncs to my Nokia mobile without issue or a 3rd party tool.

I should have broken that paragraph in two. "Draconian" wasn't intended to be MS-specific, rather it varies by vendor. Apple allows burning to CD seven times and authorization of five other Apple devices for playback. Wal-Mart allows burning onto 10 CDs and any number of portable players (don't know if there's a hard limit). CinemaNow offers some movies for burning to DVD while others must be watched via a PC; their FAQ states iPod and PSP devices are not supported but don't mention which are; another satement on their site mentions "Purchase any BUY movie marked 'Plays on 3 Devices including Portable Players' and download to your PC" but not every movie has a portable player license. MS decided the Zune isn't a PlaysForSure device so anyone with a PFS library will need to burn CDs and import those tracks for use with Zune. Same goes for the MSN Music Store. Your Zune Marketplace purchases won't play on a PFS device. One Zune can be synced to a PC and I'm not sure how many PCs can be authorized for playback. Some Zune Marketplace content cannot be shared with others even though Zune offers 3-day/3-play sharing. Xbox Live Marketplace movie rentals expire within 24 hours of pressing Play. Make sure your calendar is wide open should something come up and cause you to miss that 24 hour window. Even Blockbuster allows you a few days to rent a DVD (with all the extras). I'll drop "draconian" and substitute it with "inconsistent" and "confusing" for Windows DRM. In any event, anyone buying DRM content and later switching OS platforms is in for a real headache.