Feed: Writers Block Live - AggScore: 79.8

There was a period, 1996-1997 if memory serves, when I single-handedly did all the North American tech support for a new CD burning application called Toast. I was retained by a small German company, Astarte, when it became obvious that their German support staff could not keep up with the growing Toast user base.

They sent over a Care package with a CD burner*, a load of blanks, and the software. We set up the phone line and in no time I was fielding calls. Most Toast users didnt have email yet, so the telephone was the primary lifeline for users. Being a longtime Mac user, and having written several user manuals for complex Mac products before, I was able to get up to speed fast, and had little trouble helping users with the basics. But when it came to the more esoteric CD burning stuff like power calibration errors, lead-out errors, ISO image tools and so on, I had an emergency hotline to the guy who knew it all: the creator and lead engineer of Toast, Markus Fest. Whenever I was stuck, I knew hed have the answer.

(sitting in the Munich airport, waiting for my flight home&so writing may be interrupted anytime.)

*At the time I didnt even own a CD burner, as they were still quite expensive.

I suppose its fair to say I know Steve Jobs; at least more than most people know him. Ive been in meetings with him, Ive been chewed out by him (more than once), Ive had lunch with him, and Ive even been in his house. But it was all in the line of duty, and didnt give me the kind of insight into how he thinks that I wish I had today.

Because today, like the past two days, Ive been trying to figure out what really happened with the iPhone price cut, and the subsequent outrage that led to Steve apologizing to us early-adopters. Was it planned from the beginning, and carefully orchestrated (as has been suggested by many commentators)? Is Steve some kind of evil genius who plans these things out seventeen moves in advance, with no regard for how it affects his loyal customers? Or was is a simple case of Apple/Steve underestimating the backlash and then doing the right thing? I want to know as a marketing professional, and I want to know as a long-time Apple observer and Apple fan.

As Ive poured over some of the countless articles and forum posts which have appeared since Wednesday, Im unhappy to find that the cynics do make some valid points. Ive also reached back into my memory bank to find any clue or scrap of evidence which might help illuminate this problem.

What I Think I Know

Conclusion
Considering these points, I just cant buy the idea that Steve and company deliberately delayed the announcement of the rebate to see if they could get away with it, thereby saving a lot of money. It seems far more likely to me, although still difficult to understand, that Steve was advised by his inner circle that there might be some backlash, but not enough to worry about. So he chose to go ahead without any sort of gesture of appreciation for the early adopters. Only after the announcement when the switchboard lit up with unhappy customers, and forums everywhere were flooded with vitriolic posts, did they realize the error they had made.

To their credit, they acted swiftly to set it right. Even though it will cost Apple at least $50,000,000. Or thats what Id like to believe.

On the other hand&maybe it really was all planned in advance and it wont cost them that much anyway, as everyone will use their store credit to buy a new iPod, and the drama of the delayed announcement will make those users even more loyal Apple customers.

Im so confused. I wish I knew Steve well enough to ask him. But Im not sure anyone knows him well enough for that.

What do you think?

Ive been to hell and back the past several months, but things are beginning to stabilize&at least enough that I feel I can start writing again. Time will tell, but Ill try.

Some time back I was forced to close registration for this site, due to the huge wave of fake registrations being made by spammers (in advance of their attempts to post comment-spam). It pissed me off so much, I just said fuck it and shut the whole thing off. Well, Ive mellowed a bit, and decided to try it again.
I also reactivated the email contact form so you can reach me directly.

Apple just posted an article written by Steve Jobs, describing the DRM situation with iTunes, as he sees it. Its a fascinating read:

www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughtsonmusic

So out of character for Steve and Apple to provide explanations like this, when they are usually so tight-lipped. I find it refreshing.

Theres an article on ZD Net this morning exposing a ridiculous new DRM schemes thats being pitched to movie studios for use on standard DVDs. It makes the discs unplayable on Windows computers. That ought to go over like the proverbial turd in the punch bowl.

Heres the dirt:

Protect DVD-Video - A slap in the face for PC and Media Center owners

I think this statement from Amazons UnBox website tells the whole story:

If your device is Plays for Sure compliant it may work&

May work&the mind boggles at the way Microsoft gives their products names which embody the exact opposite of what the thing does. Play for Sure, Windows Genuine Advantage, Windows Defender&doesnt it make you feel all warm and fuzzy.

PS
Unbox looks to me to be another ill-conceived and half-hearted effort by the big studios to get people to pay higher prices for lower quality and less flexibility. Oh ya, give me some of that please.

I was saddened to read today that Tera Patricks, of www.mac360.com*, passed away after a long fight with cancer. My heart goes out to her friends and family.

I always enjoyed her approach to Mac journalism, and will miss her wit and style.

*looks like her site is down right now, due to intense traffic.

The boycott of the new HD disc formats that I proposed back in February has gotten a lot of press coverage; which is just great. But now that the silly machines are actually starting to be sold I think it bears updating.

My view is simple: the movie studios are seeking to drastically curtail or even eliminate the concept of fair use. They are doing this by pressuring the hardware companies into implementing DRM technology which is much more rigid and secure than any that has come before. AACS is the primary DRM technology, and it is downright nasty. Even worse the studios will retain control over how and where you can play your movies even after they have your money. Check out the HD Boycott page for much more information, and just say no. I know we all want better image quality, but this is not a good way to get it.