.Mac zombies
I've noticed that people who have uttered any sort of criticism towards .Mac have been labeled as "whiners" and/or accused of "bitching." Personally, I give props to anyone who can think for her/himself and does not automatically conform to every decision that comes out of 1 Infinite Loop. So what if people express disagreements? If they have a concern, let them say it. It doesn't mean that they are "whiners" or that they are "bitching." Consider the possibility that Apple too may be wrong sometimes. Just because you like something doesn't mean that it satisfies everyone else.
If Mac users stopped voicing dissatisfactions and if Apple stopped paying attention to customers' demands, we'd end up no better than Microsoft and its user base. It is good if people express their complaints as long as they are reasonable complaints. Yeah, there have been some preposterous demands, but those were few. Most people here have reasonable problems with .Mac. And, if anything, it is good for Apple to listen to them. Just think what Mac OS X would be like had people not voiced dissatisfaction when the public beta came out. We still wouldn't even be able to put files on the desktop. In fact, Apple wants to hear people's opinions because they have set up a feedback page on .mac. Why would they have done that if they didn't want to hear what you people call "whining" and "bitching"?
Maybe Apple will be able to compromise, maybe they won't. Either way, it wouldn't hurt if we had an open discussion about this. If you disagree, then just say so. No need to accuse people of "bitching" and "whining."
[ 07-19-2002: Message edited by: popmetal ]</p>
If Mac users stopped voicing dissatisfactions and if Apple stopped paying attention to customers' demands, we'd end up no better than Microsoft and its user base. It is good if people express their complaints as long as they are reasonable complaints. Yeah, there have been some preposterous demands, but those were few. Most people here have reasonable problems with .Mac. And, if anything, it is good for Apple to listen to them. Just think what Mac OS X would be like had people not voiced dissatisfaction when the public beta came out. We still wouldn't even be able to put files on the desktop. In fact, Apple wants to hear people's opinions because they have set up a feedback page on .mac. Why would they have done that if they didn't want to hear what you people call "whining" and "bitching"?
Maybe Apple will be able to compromise, maybe they won't. Either way, it wouldn't hurt if we had an open discussion about this. If you disagree, then just say so. No need to accuse people of "bitching" and "whining."
[ 07-19-2002: Message edited by: popmetal ]</p>
Comments
<strong>I've noticed that people who have uttered any sort of criticism towards .Mac have been labeled as "whiners" and/or accused of "bitching." Personally, I give props to anyone who can think for her/himself and does not automatically conform to every decision that comes out of 1 Infinite Loop. So what if people express disagreements? If they have a concern, let them say it. It doesn't mean that they are "whiners" or that they are "bitching." Consider the possibility that Apple too may be wrong sometimes. Just because you like something doesn't mean that it satisfies everyone else. </strong><hr></blockquote>
The reason I would say most people are "whiners" and just "bitching" is because largely a lot of them just want something for nothing regardless of how unsustainable it is. There is a significant cost in providing what Apple did to 2.2 million people.
Now I don't think the .Mac service is perfect but if I do criticise it I won't in the end demand something back for nothing and I'd try to put forward better solutions.
For instance lets take the example of people asking for a tiered system of some sort. Why not keep providing the old service at a much cheaper rate for example? It can certainly be a sustainable option and I am a little surprised Apple hasn't done this as it probably would bring in extra subscribers. Certainly some money is better than none from these people assuming you are above cost. Then design a neat upgrade system where if you do upgrade you pay the difference in prices but it will only last until your current subscription runs out. People often have a tendency to be more inclined to upgrade than jump straight to the top of a subscription based service.
There are certainly more options for Apple to explore there and if someone is willing to try and outline those then I wouldn't consider it bitching or whining. Send it to Apple as well though as I am sure they are looking for good ideas. To those people who just want something back for free, won't accept anything else and are intent on abusing Apple for what they believe is a bad decision, times change, quit whining.
* call others "whiners" by clicking here
* call others "zombies" by clicking here
* those are your only choices.
I don't care how you choose to spend your money. Apple made a decision which improves their bottom line. Not one person here in Apples shoes would probably do otherwise.
You got me thinking. (objectivly speaking) I think that Apple would NOT do the different levels for a couple reasons.
1) They can make it a 'take it our leave it'. To make .mac really shine to someone they want you to use all it's features. If they sold partial accounts then you'd have an option of not paying for something they spent money to develop.
2) Maybe they want server consistency. The account management issues would get kinda tricky.
3) Maybe they notice how many 'email only' accounts already exist. I have sent all of a dozen emails from my mac.com email address and other then that I'm just a drag on the system. Maybe they want to cut me off?
In any case, I take no great offense to there charging for .mac
Thx for your post, it gave me food for thought!
BTW, WTF does this thread have to do with Software? Shouldn't this fall under General Discussion?
[ 07-19-2002: Message edited by: Jonathan Brisby ]</p>