Macworld site rife with concealed banners (photos) - Page 2

Oh absolutely! Some people you just can't please. Apple could release a 10GHz quadcore MacMini for $599, $899 iMacs with current specs, release snow leopard for $49, etc on Tuesday and someone would find something to complain about because they either go their hopes up off false rumor information, or because they didn't talk about what they wanted them to. They think Apple should tailor to their needs and think most people want it because they got a few friends together that agree upon something. Apple does what it think is best for the market that particular product competes in, not necessarily what 1 or 2 people want because everyone wants something different.

Sure, there have been some pretty bad keynotes in the past with few product launches and a lot of fillers put in place to kill time. But there has also been some really good keynotes as well.

This is yet another excellent reason for Apple to quite the trade show route. Since Apple became so popular recently, the previous techniques they had of dealing with their public have ceased to work very well.

Traditionally, previous to a show, there was a lot of good-natured speculation and well-meaning leakers dropping hints on the way to the show and that only heightened the interest and mystery. Then the show hits and it's not what we expect, but the (mild) disappointment was always off-set by the marvellousness of what *was* announced and everyone was more or less happy. Apple's notorious secrecy worked for them, and was mostly a positive then.

In this latter, much more popular phase, the "newbies" to the scene just don't get it and are sending the hype machine off kilter.

- Bored ex-windows journalists write a lot of ridiculous over-hyped rumours to sell clicks based on nothing.

- Idiot 20 something, "I-used-windows-till-last-week" guys fuel the fire with zillions of dumb-ass, over-hyped predictions about miracle products, based on nothing.

- Chinese employees break their NDA (if they even know what one is), and reveal actual pictures of the actual products, completely ruining all the surprise and presenting them to the world for the first time in a (literally) really bad light.

So we hear all kinds of asinine waaay over the top rumours and then are presented with a lesser, not as interesting product that is at the same time presented to us as a blurry cell-phone pic of what looks like crap on a stick. How could we not be disappointed? Before Jobs has even walked off stage (literally again), the web is already alight with outrageous over-the top criticisms of every single thing mentioned or announced anyway, sending the Apple stock spiralling downward.

What was once just tiny disagreements amongst a very technical group of friends over the pros and cons of the new products, becomes a huge hyper-critical "big deal" all over the world in a matter of days.

- The bored ex-windows pundits (who got everything wrong), are embarrassed/angered and spend the next couple of weeks dissing the new products, pointing out why Apple made a horrible move, and sending out rumours of Steve Jobs death.

- The idiot 20 something guys are *intensely* disappointed that their ridiculous dreams of miracle products didn't materialise and cover their fear of their own stupidity, by angrily lashing out at the hand that is feeding them in typical adolescent fashion. Filling up sites like Gizmodo with "I hate Apple" posts at the same time as they greedily buy the new products.

In short, the process hasn't scaled up very well and what was once fun, mysterious and interesting has become a gigantic mostly negative hype machine out of Apple's control.

IMO this is mostly due to the huge influx of idiots, newbies, and ex-windows types but if Apple wants the sales, they have to find a way to deal with the new idiots. The reality is that the "growing of the platform" that we all have hoped for all these years is the very thing that is actually killing the culture.

I disagree. Trade shows may be old school compared to the web and streaming video, but the web isn't the end all be all of product announcements. Wasn't there a web bubble where everyone and their cousin had to have an online experience, presence and store to sell their ideal, product or service. Remember that commercial of a "sock" dog? That sock soon became unemployed. The web was not the Holy Grail for him and what that company was marketing. The web is only one more avenue to the advertising mix of radio, tv, sponsorships, magazine adverts, the US mail, trade shows, web presence, etc.

There is something about the gathering of a lot of people who the same interests. There is something about being the first to actually see, touch, feel, witness in action the product for the first time.

Why have an auto show when you can go online to see new announcements of a manufacturers new car line-up? Would seeing that online satisfy you. I know it wouldn't for me, but an auto trade show... Now that's the ticket!

I think the only revelation that came of these photos (for me, personally) was that trees do actually lose their leaves in SF. As a person who lives in upper NE, I find this quite fascinating!

I actually liked all those solar panels on the roof tops, very refreshing!


Those banners could contain a message to PsyStar: Don't Tread on Me B**ch!

How is that any different from their special event presentation? The MacBook updates were not presented at a trade show and yet had all or most the of the same issues that you described.

You're right. I got so into describing the decline of things I didn't realise that it's nothing to do with Macworld vs. any other event.

We are doomed, there is no way out of this except going back in time to before all the newbies jumped on the bandwagon.

Uh, what?

That's because it's not an Apple banner. It's an IDG banner promoting Macworld.

One way to partially stop it is to stop getting parts from China. Bring the Macintosh production back to the US like it used to be. But...that will never happen.

Here is a prime example of "this keynote sucked" just because Apple didn't announce what you thought, or what you wanted. Just because you don't want it, doesn't mean everyone else doesn't. Apple doesn't make products especially for you!

I doubt there will be any iPhone announcements. Apple has plenty on the Mac side that could be released. They don't need an iPhone filler to waste time...

The modo for this year is "The Beginning of a New Era" as shown on MacRunors.

That's an IGN poster, and even it was Apple's it still would mean nothing. Ignore all this hype, expect nothing, we'll see what happens.

1) "TiVo-Like" are the existing cable box DVR's that all suck. If it is not the real TiVo, it will never be TiVo-Like.
2) 30" iMac...that might be too large, and too expensive for iMac standards
3) They just released new displays
4) Why stop at 32GB? Cram in 128 GB for the iPhone.
5) Quad Core Dual display Mac? The Mac Pro already does that
6) MacMini, boring and the obvious rumor
7) Mac Pro, the software doesn't do anything with 8 cores, so what would be the point of another update?
8) See number 4
9) Yes, FireWire is still a needed interface for drives and DV cameras. They should have done FW800 since it is also on the iMac.

1. Apple should buy TiVo and use its technology in its AppleTV box, perhaps even in its computers.

2. 30" is too large for an iMac IMO...should rather implement the mini display port and enable mirror/expanding to a 30" (which isn't supported on current iMacs).

3. They only released the 24" model. No word on the 20" and 30" models. So new displays are still possible.

4. There is only room for 1 NAND Flash chip in an iPhone and as of recently, the highest NAND flash chip you can get is 32GB, which again was JUST released. Previously, 16GB was the highest and thus, why you only saw a 16GB iPhone. There is room for 2 flash chips on the iPod Touch which is why you see a 32GB iPod Touch (2x16GB chips). So 128GB isn't possible as of today.

5. The MacPro is a professional high-end workstation that uses server class processors. A quadcore iMac isn't out of the ordinary for todays standards, but obviously not using the Xeon CPUs the MacPros do, but rather a Core 2 Quad type CPU, or perhaps iCore 7.

6. How is this boring? This is exactly the crap people are sick of hearing. What the hell would excite you beyond belief then? Its not like the MacMini is updated every other week like the iPhone is.

7. You need to update to keep up with your competition. Software DOES take advantage of these processors. Snow Leopard is just going to further optimize the OS to take better advantage. Plus there are speeds to be gained in the CPU, more efficient processing, support for faster RAM, etc Its more than just a CPU update.

8. FireWire may be a needed interface, but I think Apple is slowly phasing it out and reserving it for only its high end products. It may piss you off, but thats just part of a transition. I'm sure there were people that were absolutely pissed when Apple switched from local talk and SCSI to all USB only as their expensive peripherals were now useless.

What exactly are you referring to as a “Newbie”? And how does it have any relevance to this forum posting?

I’m curious…
Are there now Apple elitists and the “new” users who switched over from MS?

If that is what you are referring to; I’d spend a little less on Apple products and a little more on psychological therapy.

I think it would be a good idea to refrain from making that kind of suggestion.

Well, the deciduous trees do drop their leaves on schedule. Our orange, grapefruit, lemon and palm trees are still green.

I think Apple is right that it's hard to be locked to product cycles where they MUST release something cool, early every January. They also want to show that it's not just Steve who releases cool products but Apple generally.

But I also think Apple isn't entirely sure how it whips consumers up, how the 'reality distortion field' works, how they get so much free advertising from the press and rumour sites talking up everything Apple. MacWorld seems to be part of that frenzy - by locking in a specific day they get legions of us waiting for that day. For some it's more important than Christmas (and has more surprises).

It's an amazing feeling and expectation they've built, accidentally, and they gain so much from it that is hard to quantify. It goes further, in that for a large number of people, all the other SteveNotes become mini-"Christmases".

Though I'm happy to see Phil and others taking the limelight, it's a bad move to remove AppleMas.

(edit: yes I know I'm taking this to an extreme, just trying to 'analyse' the distortion field).

"Five banners shrouded by white cloth" Just looks like the banners are folded up.
Untie the top and it will drop down. It's the back of the banner you are looking at.

Next year's theme... "Developers, developers, developers!!!"

...and he's all red, surrounded by flames and smoking a giant cigar...while laughing at us.

...Now presented by Microsoft!

LOL it does get a bit chilly in winter in SF. And the city is only a four-hour drive away from ski resorts...

Apart from the fog[?], overall, SF Bay Area has some great weather. Nice feeling of four seasons (kind of) without the real winter cold and very short winter daylight hours of higher latitudes. SF also has mild summers, and a lot of sunshine in spring and fall.

Who knows with global climate change, but this was what I experienced when I was in SF 2000 to 2002. While this "Moscone West" thing was still under construction, and you had to buy your Mac stuff from CompUSA on Market Street.

here's one for the rumor mill...


I'd say it looks like Dennis Strigl.

My predictions?

1. New Mac mini using GeForce 9400M

2. Mini iPhone in $129 and $179 flavors

3. 16GB, 32GB and 64GB iPhone 3Gs, death of 8GB, respectively priced at $199, $299 and $399

4. Fatter Apple TV with a 1.5TB hard disk and DVR capabilities!

5. Mac Tablet, built in camera and GPS, powered by a methanol fuel cell, 40 hours a cartridge

6. Steve Jobs coming out laughing, "Fooled ya, I'm here." in a flying Apple car powered by water.

Geez, did you actually read this list?

double post

Or better still: the MacPro Mini.

i7, 3 or 6 G of fast ram, a few HD bays, a beefy graphics card. Apple can obviously make machines for a similar price to Dell (i.e. the Mac Pro). It's just one tiny addition to their product line.

Actually, I don't think the xMac would work. iMacs beat Dell on style. Gamer (sorry, Prosumer) rigs are competing with white box machines from ebay and computer markets, not Dell's over-priced XPS. An xMac would be directly compared with things that are much cheaper than either Dell or Apple's offering - bringing the "PC is cheaper" line back.

Forget the logic, I still want one.

And if Apple doesn't come out with a flying car, that's it I'll be switching!!

No Blu-ray!? Damn you Apple! I want to use the new mini as my home entertainment hub!

And this is the last Macworld? Shame, cause I just found my travel agent



Now that sends shivers down my spine more than winter ever would.

Actually that was me looking at a banner on a website and speculating. Isn't that what people do on rumor websites? I don't actually care if they release an iPhone Nano, it seems kinda pointless to release a small screen version of something that's all about the screen. I'm not really hoping for anything other than Snow Leopard from Macworld.
I think this is a perfect example of another phenomenon: People complaining about people complaining. These days the world seems to be full of people either complaining about something or complaining about someone else complaining about something. Right now I'm complaining about someone complaining about someone complaining. It's the circle of life.

Moderator,

Suggesting someone get therapy for a very off the wall comment is somewhat out of line when you let the F word as well as many other objectionable use of language used in every posting?

I'd suggest you check your own guidelines before condemning me for making a useful comment that could actually help someone.

This is a bit much.

As someone who sometimes strays over into similar territory, the suggestion that a fellow poster "get their head examined" (or words to that effect), is hardly "help." Your assertion that you were trying to "help (me)" is total BS and I think we all know it.

Besides which, the post you faulted me on was one where I was apologising for a previous post, so to jump on it with an insult is kind of beyond the pale also. Notice how I didn't even respond to your incorrect use of "Psychological Thereapy"?

You too can be similarly kind in the future, or you can choose to be an ass to people who don't deserve it. At least I have never been mean to anyone who wasn't actively asking for it or a bit of a jerk themselves.

Generally, the people that suggest that a person get therapy isn't trying to be helpful, it's just a veiled way of saying someone is being a crazy idiot. Besides, Macs are cheaper than therapy. I didn't mean to say that as a moderator, but even jokingly telling other people how to live their offline lives is a little gauche.

The posting guidelines do allow for some profanity. I don't recall anyone that uses objectionable language in every posting, at least it's been a while and usually it is stopped. If you see that and it's bothersome, report it by clicking the exclamation mark of the given post. When it's excessive or directed at a particular other forum member is when it clearly crosses the line.

Please don’t make generalities on my posting. If I meant it in a threatening manner I would have made it much clearer than the manner in which I posted it.
Even you made the comment “uh what” after his posting

The average cost of Therapy is $100-$250 per hour in the state of California. That would go a long way considering the average cost of a Mac.

Posted in this forum posting by the poster I made the comment about.
“You too can be similarly kind in the future, or you can choose to be an ass to people who don't deserve it. At least I have never been mean to anyone who wasn't actively asking for it or a bit of a jerk themselves.”

Original Post by

Quote:
Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2
You're right. I got so into describing the decline of things I didn't realise that it's nothing to do with Macworld vs. any other event.

We are doomed, there is no way out of this except going back in time to before all the newbies jumped on the bandwagon.

Even the you (the Moderator) followed with... So please, don't say my suggestion was Gauche.

Uh, what?

Add “Anger Management” to the list and some spelling lessons. Realize is spelled wrong.

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You obviously have a problem telling the truth...

Here's a line from 12/30/2008 from you from the post on
"Gadget blog juices fears over Steve Jobs' health "

Quote:

Your Reply.

Seriously insane "tin-hat-brigade for stating an opinion you disagree with. I'd call that a bit gauche...

Can we stop this, right now, before this thread is ruined for everybody? This thread is about banners, not you, not pyscho help, not the guidelines, not the moderator nor tit-for-tat or whatever. If you desire to discuss these, there are other places and methods, but please discuss the thread topic here.

Are you related to testudo over on the Macworld Forums by any chance?