Re: A Tale of Two Apples

[pubpc1@library.ucla.edu]

B.J. Major wrote:
> Gary Sutton <otter@oz.net> wrote:
> > On Sun, 26 Oct 1997 09:29:44 +0100,
> > Stefan Voss   <voss@yoda.in-berlin.de> wrote:
> >
> > >I'm sorry for not contributing anything important to this excellent
> > >posting. I just want to say that I agree totally with Mitchell. I'm an
> > >example of a customer who was disgusted with Apple Inc's "marketing
> > >strategy". It was (and it is still) the main reason that I never bought a
> > >Macintosh.
> > >
> >
> > I second that sentiment.  Years ago, when I first heard that Apple was
> > discontinuing support for the GS, I determined right then and there
> > that I would never buy a product from Apple.  However, I do plan on
> > getting a Mac of some sort some day; but it will be a used one from a
> > thrift or another user who is upgrading (May be getting a nice color
> > Mac free from a guy my roommate works with).  None of my hard-earned
> > $$ will be going into Apple's coffers.  That's similar to the way I
> > feel about buying a car.  If it's new (most likely not in this
> > lifetime), it will be American-made at least as much as possible; but
> > used foreign models bought from individuals are okay.
> >
> > --Otter
> 
> You certainly have the right to feel this way, but you should also
> realize that it's more than a bit hypocritical.  If you truly feel that
> way about Apple, you shouldn't be accepting *any* sort of Mac for your
> use (free or otherwise).  Just because you may be getting a free or
> reduced cost Mac doesn't mean you'll never have to wind up spending any
> money on it, and some of that money may have to be spent on Apple parts,
> like it or not....Likewise with the car bit--if you are one of those
> people who believes in buying *only* American cars that happen to be
> new, why are you willing to settle for non-American cars that are used?
> It really sounds more like your wallet will dictate what you obtain,
> whether that be computer, car, or otherwise.  And there's nothing wrong
> with that either, as that's how I shop most of the time--but it should
> not be confused with brand loyalty.

Oh, I dunno.  I really hate Microsoft's monopolistic policies,
_especially_ with their unfair practices with respect to Netscape.
I do not use Microsoft when I can (example, WordPerfect instead of
Word).  Things have to be within reason, however.  PowerPC Macs and
clones simply cost too much.  I am dictated by economics to be
forced to use Win95 (NeXT and OS/2, while superior, can't cut it
because most apps come only in Win95).  I won't waste money just
because I hated Microsoft.

Similarly, Japanese cars of the '80s were more reliable and (back
then) cheaper.  People rather buy American, but they'd rather
put aside their beliefs and buy Japanese because they don't want
to get stuck by the side of the road.

Let's hope Apple delivers on Rhapsody Intel.

-Scott G.