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The Twelve Most Tarnished Brands In Tech

Posted by timothy on from the packard-bell-is-in-its-own-class dept.

harrymcc writes "Polaroid, Netscape, CompuServe, Westinghouse, Heathkit — these were once among the most respected names in the technology business. They're still around, but what's happened to them is just plain sad. I took a look at the tragic fates of a dozen mighty brands that have, in one way or another, fallen on hard times."

5 of 430 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Here's Another by StreetStealth · · Score: 5, Funny

    Or how about Hyades1. Once the recipient of such moderations as "+5. Insightful" and "+5, Informative" the brand is now associated with failing to RTFA.

    --
    Your mind is clear / The things that you fear / Will fade with how much you / Believe what you hear
  2. Re:HP by darkpixel2k · · Score: 3, Funny

    The first thing that comes to my mind is huge bloated printer drivers that are constantly updating.

    What? I thought customers and admins *loved* their 2 MB printer drivers to come bundled with the .NET framework and constant reminders to buy ink when levels dropped below 75%...

    --
    There's no place like ::1 (I've completed my transition to IPv6)
  3. No brand is as tarnished... by twoallbeefpatties · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...as the GNAA. Those guys used to be everywhere.

    --
    Libertarians somehow believe that private businesses should be stronger than governments but weaker than individuals.
  4. Gutenberg by Subm · · Score: 5, Funny
    Well before HP printers, Gutenberg utterly dominated the printing market. For a time, virtually every printed book on the market was printed by Gutenberg.

    Perhaps due to no effort whatsoever made to maintain the brand, it is associated almost exclusively with one book least popular among techies.

    Now the name is associated with blatantly pirated versions of books. If its current incarnation ever eeks out a profit it will certainly be sued by the entire publishing industry.

  5. WANG computers by hotdiggity · · Score: 5, Funny
    WANG was a brand that stood out proudly in the face of stiff competition.

    Unfortunately, after a long period of thrusting its way into new markets, it sadly shrivelled into a limp entity that was incapable of further market penetration.