Apple and the Scalability of Secrecy

RobotsDinner writes "Anil Dash has a thoughtful exploration of Apple's notorious devotion to secrecy, and argues that not only is there a limit to its feasibility, but that recent events show Apple has reached that limit already. 'If the ethical argument is unpersuasive, then focus on the long-term viability of your marketing and branding efforts, and realize that a technology company that is determined to prevent information from being spread is an organization at war with itself. Civil wars are expensive, have no winners, and incur lots of casualties.'"

Comments

Re:I bought an ipod touch today, it's going back.

[SlashWombat]

I hate Microsoft and now Apple is starting to give me a rash.

I have always thought Apple made product that was technically inferior to the equivalent IBM style hardware. (This is still true ... just looking at an Apple Laptop proves it (and they still have a one button mouse) They have always been secretive, and if it wasn't for the artyfart fan boys, Apple would have been long gone. The one thing Apple seems to be good at is marketing. Apple marketing could successfully sell ice to Eskimo's.

Re:sometimes secrecy is necessary

[mambodog]

trying to cp *.mp3 /dev/sdb1 multiple times and wondering why it wouldn't play the files

You were trying to do *what* to an iPod?!

RTFM, n00b.