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Why VHS Was Better Than Betamax

Posted by timothy on from the whole-systems-approach dept.

Vladimir Kornea writes "This article argues that 'when someone buys and uses a product, the technological aspects are a small and often uninteresting part of the decision' and that the when the 'whole product' (a term commonly used among marketing people) is considered, VHS was better than Betamax, and that the Wintel PC is better than the alternatives." Update: 01/29 04:26 GMT by T : Apologies for the dupe.

12 of 278 comments (clear)

  1. first post! by yobbo · · Score: 5, Funny

    oh wait... dupe

    second post!

  2. Why it was better.... by telstar · · Score: 4, Funny

    Cause you could watch stuff over and over again in nice, compact, tape-form and not have to carry around an entire computer to see the same thing day after day.....

  3. slashdot's new theme... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    news for amnesiacs, stuff that mattered

  4. Beta will always be better for DUPLICATION.... by malakai · · Score: 4, Funny

    know what i mean little timothy?

    wink, wink, nudge nudge... say no more.

    --
    -Malakai
    A Dragon Lives in my Garage
  5. The real reason VHS was better than betamax.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    and all /. editors know this:

    Better Copies.

  6. The funny thing is... by Repton · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...that there's all these duplicate comments complaining about how the story is a duplicate story...

    --
    Repton.
    They say that only an experienced wizard can do the tengu shuffle.
    1. Re:The funny thing is... by stefanlasiewski · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yes, I hear the MPAA is going to fine Timothy for duplicating a story which mentions "VHS".

      I mean, if the subject matter involves "Duplicate" and "VHS", you figure a law got broken somewhere.

      --
      "Can of worms? The can is open... the worms are everywhere."
  7. Re:DUPE! by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 5, Funny
    Didn't this story run like yesterday?

    Just like a good movie on a VCR tape, this story worth rewinding and playing again and again.

    I never get tired of VHS vs. Betamax flamewars. Nothing could be more compelling, relevant or engaging than debating the relative merits of these 20-year old tape formats a few more times.

  8. history repeatimg by chrismacmahon · · Score: 4, Funny

    those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.

  9. Re:first post! by ubugly2 · · Score: 4, Funny

    The best part of slashdot is that it is possible to get first post in the same story..TWICE

  10. Ever see the movie.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Groundhog Day?

    Ever think you were in it?

    Ever think the slashdot moderators were in it?

  11. but this article is better by Barbarian · · Score: 3, Funny

    It doesn't matter that this was posted two days ago, and the articles are similar in functionality, this article is better as far as the whole product aspect.