As I said, I used to use Macs exclusively and had never had an issue with their tech support. My first Mac was a TiBook back in 2001 (which I still have and is still working perfectly). I'm not saying that their service sucks on the individual level (which, I hasten to add is not what I was talking about in my example), but the level of service I received in the example given was appalling.
Am I trying to boycott them? No. Am I saying their service sucks universally? No. In my experience with them as a big customer (15x expensive laptops) was I pleased with the service I received? Hell no.
So when you tell me about your ONE laptop with a graphics card issue and make it out to be directly comparable to a situation totally different, I have to think that you're missing the point somewhat.
The type hardware failure is irrelevant, the fact that Apple said there was no link and that it was coincidental was the issue.
If it had been something as straightforward as a hard disk fail, that would be fine. It's not their fault as they didn't manufacture it and I'd have backups of the disks anyway. That is not a catastrophic failure (although it is a major inconvenience with the sealed body and 1.8" HDDs used in those models).
You're focusing on unimportant details and coming across as a blatant shill.
I'm talking in more general terms. I.e. a thousand or so Macs started exhibiting this weird behaviour - everybody is taking to the Internet to complain. Apple are denying this is a widespread issue.
Logic board went kaput on each on of them. IIRC there were 8 machines in total. Despite my many attempts to reason with them, they wouldn't even give us a discount on the repair costs as a show of goodwill.
Whilst I'd like to believe you, I fear that it is more to do with Apple spending so long in flat out denial that an issue ever existed.
Don't get me wrong, I'm no hater and I'm no shill. I used to exclusively use Macs, now I don't use them at all (although I do use an iPhone/iPad) purely because their support practices in terms of viruses or serious issues are disgraceful. Whilst they do have an excellent support system whilst you're covered by AppleCare, they also have a culture of denying widespread hardware and software failures that most other companies would acknowledge quickly and get fixed quickly too.
Case in point, I bought a batch of Macbook Airs a few years back for the company I was then working for. After two years, every_single_one_ died within a few days of each other from the same catastrophic hardware failure. Apple refused to acknowledge that there was any link, no matter how tenuous, of a manufacturer failure. They said it was pure coincidence.
Like I said, I'm no hater. I know that corporations have to be ruthless to make money, but once I realised just how often they bury their heads in the sand (and how infuriating it can be) that was the day I ceased to buy big ticket items from them.
I can see a movie starring the likes of Steven Seagal/Bruce Willis/Sylvester Stallone/Arnold Schwarzenegger being pitched to Hollywood execs right now.
I think you were in cryogenic stasis since ~2007, which is ironically the last time Nokia made a phone worth owning. Everything since has been a slow and steady erosion of what was once an invaluable brand and that is now worthless beyond it's name.
I guess it's testament to the machine that is Microsoft - their sheer unrelenting power in the marketplace. It also creates that feeling of support for Big Blue as an underdog, something you wouldn't really associate with them. Still, TFA is just a romanticisation of fierce and underhanded business tactics. Either you win big or you're blasted into mass insignificance by the big boys when it comes to the consumer desktop OS market.
In a way, it's almost like RIM and Nokia/Symbian's rather tremendous falls from grace, care of Apple and Google; i.e. they never stood a chance.
I struggle to understand the value of 1000Mbits FTTP when the government is ruthlessly trying to censor the Internet. Don't get me wrong, I think that this is a great plan in theory (and practice, if it happens), but I can't help but feel that the entire endeavour is somewhat devalued by the Australian executive's policies on web censorship.
Sure, it's no Iran or China on the international censorship scale, but it is pretty poor for what is considered a 'Western' nation.
And a Mac is expensive compared to an 386 I picked up at a yard sale - did I miss something or are we churning out meaningless comments?
This abomination is ridiculously expensive compared to a Mac if for no reason more than any sucker who buys it and needs some form of support in 18 months time will probably be shit out of luck, given how often the Commodore and Amiga names have changed hands. That _won't_ happen for a Mac. Peace of mind doesn't come cheap.
Mac pricing isn't about hardware costs, it's about the quality that goes into everything they create - the R&D, the development, the ongoing service, the bundled software, the bundled infrastructure (iCloud etc).
So when you compare that to a Dell Shitspiron XXXX that comes bundled with a bottom-of-the-barrel version of Windows 7, several tonnes of bloatware and a tech support service that has the value add of simulated brain damage Macs _are_not_ that expensive. Unsurprisingly, you get what you pay for.
And, FYI, I built my system last month for the sum of £2,500. THAT is expensive.
Whilst I agree with your post - Google as a corporate with significant business interests that could be affected by this case will incontrovertibly attempt to protect itself - if it comes down to a question of mafiAA or Google, I'll take the latter every time. Better the devil that knows you than the one that tries to stick your ass in jail.
I pointed out the fallacy of the FP, I didn't write an essay along the lines of "why diplomatic relations between the USA and Iran are less than ideal." If you actually had the testicular fortitude to back up such a stupid comment, you wouldn't have made it as an AC.
The whole reason that Iran and North Korea even began pursuing nuclear weapons is because of that incredibly stupid "Axis of Evil" speech that George Bush made in 2003.
It's "incredibly stupid" to think that a Bush speech in 2003 caused all this. The USA's relationship with Iran has been shitty since 1979 and Ayatollah Khomeini's return from exile. To claim otherwise is in flagrant denial of reality and you only oust yourself as some anti-Zionist nutcase.
Slashdot Mirror
I can imagine the calls from elderly relatives already - "I keep typing in www.amazon.com.amazon and nothing is happening!"
I never got the need for .brand TLDs. The 'com' in .com is derived from commerce for Christ's sake.
Yup, I'm utterly useless as a coder, but if you got a project that needs VC to get off the ground... ;)
Code can only be created by intellectuals, like some /. readers; therefore, it is Intellectual Property, not some ho-hum, run-of-the-mill property...
FTFY.
(Side note; my coding knowledge is limited to web coding, so I'm not in the 'some.' That's mainly because my job is in investments, not tech!)
Reality would tend to differ with your example.
As I said, I used to use Macs exclusively and had never had an issue with their tech support. My first Mac was a TiBook back in 2001 (which I still have and is still working perfectly). I'm not saying that their service sucks on the individual level (which, I hasten to add is not what I was talking about in my example), but the level of service I received in the example given was appalling.
Am I trying to boycott them? No. Am I saying their service sucks universally? No. In my experience with them as a big customer (15x expensive laptops) was I pleased with the service I received? Hell no.
So when you tell me about your ONE laptop with a graphics card issue and make it out to be directly comparable to a situation totally different, I have to think that you're missing the point somewhat.
Replied below, what's the issue? :/
The type hardware failure is irrelevant, the fact that Apple said there was no link and that it was coincidental was the issue.
If it had been something as straightforward as a hard disk fail, that would be fine. It's not their fault as they didn't manufacture it and I'd have backups of the disks anyway. That is not a catastrophic failure (although it is a major inconvenience with the sealed body and 1.8" HDDs used in those models).
You're focusing on unimportant details and coming across as a blatant shill.
I'm talking in more general terms. I.e. a thousand or so Macs started exhibiting this weird behaviour - everybody is taking to the Internet to complain. Apple are denying this is a widespread issue.
Logic board went kaput on each on of them. IIRC there were 8 machines in total. Despite my many attempts to reason with them, they wouldn't even give us a discount on the repair costs as a show of goodwill.
As an addendum to this: There's a problem with our software, we will fix it ASAP.
Whilst I'd like to believe you, I fear that it is more to do with Apple spending so long in flat out denial that an issue ever existed.
Don't get me wrong, I'm no hater and I'm no shill. I used to exclusively use Macs, now I don't use them at all (although I do use an iPhone/iPad) purely because their support practices in terms of viruses or serious issues are disgraceful. Whilst they do have an excellent support system whilst you're covered by AppleCare, they also have a culture of denying widespread hardware and software failures that most other companies would acknowledge quickly and get fixed quickly too.
Case in point, I bought a batch of Macbook Airs a few years back for the company I was then working for. After two years, every_single_one_ died within a few days of each other from the same catastrophic hardware failure. Apple refused to acknowledge that there was any link, no matter how tenuous, of a manufacturer failure. They said it was pure coincidence.
Like I said, I'm no hater. I know that corporations have to be ruthless to make money, but once I realised just how often they bury their heads in the sand (and how infuriating it can be) that was the day I ceased to buy big ticket items from them.
Will they also be taught the art of the goomba kill?
I can see a movie starring the likes of Steven Seagal/Bruce Willis/Sylvester Stallone/Arnold Schwarzenegger being pitched to Hollywood execs right now.
God damn you, Michael Bay.
I think you were in cryogenic stasis since ~2007, which is ironically the last time Nokia made a phone worth owning. Everything since has been a slow and steady erosion of what was once an invaluable brand and that is now worthless beyond it's name.
presumably because trying to make sense of a 2D image for hours on end is incredibly strenuous
They have a point. During marathon sessions of Operation, I'd often suffer from eye strain.
SEALAND!!
Oh...wait...
I guess it's testament to the machine that is Microsoft - their sheer unrelenting power in the marketplace. It also creates that feeling of support for Big Blue as an underdog, something you wouldn't really associate with them. Still, TFA is just a romanticisation of fierce and underhanded business tactics. Either you win big or you're blasted into mass insignificance by the big boys when it comes to the consumer desktop OS market.
In a way, it's almost like RIM and Nokia/Symbian's rather tremendous falls from grace, care of Apple and Google; i.e. they never stood a chance.
I struggle to understand the value of 1000Mbits FTTP when the government is ruthlessly trying to censor the Internet. Don't get me wrong, I think that this is a great plan in theory (and practice, if it happens), but I can't help but feel that the entire endeavour is somewhat devalued by the Australian executive's policies on web censorship.
Sure, it's no Iran or China on the international censorship scale, but it is pretty poor for what is considered a 'Western' nation.
I think you just accidentally math.
Perhaps it is a little homage to the industry that has made the Internet so successful ;)
S&M - really??
And a Mac is expensive compared to an 386 I picked up at a yard sale - did I miss something or are we churning out meaningless comments?
This abomination is ridiculously expensive compared to a Mac if for no reason more than any sucker who buys it and needs some form of support in 18 months time will probably be shit out of luck, given how often the Commodore and Amiga names have changed hands. That _won't_ happen for a Mac. Peace of mind doesn't come cheap.
Mac pricing isn't about hardware costs, it's about the quality that goes into everything they create - the R&D, the development, the ongoing service, the bundled software, the bundled infrastructure (iCloud etc).
So when you compare that to a Dell Shitspiron XXXX that comes bundled with a bottom-of-the-barrel version of Windows 7, several tonnes of bloatware and a tech support service that has the value add of simulated brain damage Macs _are_not_ that expensive. Unsurprisingly, you get what you pay for.
And, FYI, I built my system last month for the sum of £2,500. THAT is expensive.
Whilst I agree with your post - Google as a corporate with significant business interests that could be affected by this case will incontrovertibly attempt to protect itself - if it comes down to a question of mafiAA or Google, I'll take the latter every time. Better the devil that knows you than the one that tries to stick your ass in jail.
Get out from behind you're AC and we'll talk, troll.
I didn't say anything to the contrary.
I pointed out the fallacy of the FP, I didn't write an essay along the lines of "why diplomatic relations between the USA and Iran are less than ideal." If you actually had the testicular fortitude to back up such a stupid comment, you wouldn't have made it as an AC.
The whole reason that Iran and North Korea even began pursuing nuclear weapons is because of that incredibly stupid "Axis of Evil" speech that George Bush made in 2003.
It's "incredibly stupid" to think that a Bush speech in 2003 caused all this. The USA's relationship with Iran has been shitty since 1979 and Ayatollah Khomeini's return from exile. To claim otherwise is in flagrant denial of reality and you only oust yourself as some anti-Zionist nutcase.