Apple to Enter Verizon-AT&T Spat With Two New iPhone Ads

[AidenShaw]

However, the virtue of paying more for simplicity and convenience is easily justified, when it aligns with his own agenda.

I have recommended the Drobo to friends/family, when they have more money than technical expertise. I've recommended Apples to people as well, when it's the right solution for what their intended computer usage will be. The true hypocrisy would be to knowingly give someone the wrong advice, because of one's own preference.

Myself, I won't pay the Drobo Tax - I have a couple of the Sans Digital $199 five bay external micro-towers from a few posts back. I can handle RAID setup, and the more complicated online expansion issues with a JBOD, and want the freedom to setup as RAID 0/1/10/5 depending on the task at hand. For iSCSI, I use Windows Storage Server to get a software iSCSI target. (The $3500 for the 0TB Drobo Elite is absurd.)

The beauty of the Drobo is when you get a phone call from Mom who is three time zones away.

• Mom: Aiden, there's a blinking red light on the computer robot !!
• Aiden: You mean the Drobo that holds your files and backups?
• M: Yes, that little black thing.
• A: It's OK, that just means that it needs an update. (Never tell Mom that she's had a hard drive crash - it causes unnecessary panic.) I'll have an updated disk sent to you. Call me when you get a small package from a place called Newegg.
• (3 days later) M: I have the box from Newegg - what now?
• A: Open the box, and inside all the wrapping eventually you'll find something that's shaped like a small metal brick. Do you have it?
• M: I think so, but it's shiny plastic, not metal.
• A: The shiny plastic is a special shipping bag - use scissors to open the bag and take out the metal brick.
• M: Oh, silly me. It was a plastic bag. I have the metal brick now.
• A: OK. Now open the front door on the robot, I mean "Drobo". Put your head level with it, and you'll see that the Drobo has several slots with those metal bricks in them. One brick, though, has a red light instead of a green light. Do you see that?
• M: Oh, yes. Is the red light the bad brick?
• A: Exactly - you're becoming quite the computer expert. Now, carefully pull out the brick with the red light - it slides right out, although you have to pull a bit to unplug it. Set it down in exactly the orientation that it came out.
• M: It won't come out.
• A: Pull a little harder, the plug sometimes is sticky.
• M: OK, got it. It's really warm.
• A: Warm is normal. Now take the new brick, and arrange it exactly like the warm one. The brick has a smooth cover on top, some electrical parts on the bottom. The front is plain, but the back has a couple of weird flat electrical connectors. Do you see?
• M: Yes, the new and old bricks are identical except for the label.
• A: OK, now push the new brick into the slot where you removed the old brick. Push hard enough to make sure that it's in as far as the other bricks - everything should be even and flush.
• M: OK, it's in, it needed quite a push to go flush with the other bricks. OH NO!
• A: What "OH NO", what happened?
• M: Now all the lights are blinking yellow, then green, then yellow, then green. I've broken it!!
• A: I should have warned you - that's normal. Blinking yellow then green means that Drobo is updating the new brick. When it's done, it will go back to all green.
• M: Oh, thank goodness, that scared me. But it's still blinking, is something wrong?
• A: Oh no, it's fine. The update takes quite a bit of time because Drobo has to make sure that everything is perfect - give me a call if it's not in the normal green state by tomorrow evening.
• M: Bye bye. Love you, Aiden. You're the best son. And say hi to your husband for me.

But of course, you view pragmatism as hypocrisy, and launch yet another of your tired ad hominem attacks.

 

[MorphingDragon]

I have recommended the Drobo to friends/family, when they have more money than technical expertise. I've recommended Apples to people as well, when it's the right solution for what their intended computer usage will be. The true hypocrisy would be to knowingly give someone the wrong advice, because of one's own preference.

Myself, I won't pay the Drobo Tax - I have a couple of the Sans Digital $199 five bay external micro-towers from a few posts back. I can handle RAID setup, and the more complicated online expansion issues with a JBOD, and want the freedom to setup as RAID 0/1/10/5 depending on the task at hand. For iSCSI, I use Windows Storage Server to get a software iSCSI target. (The $3500 for the 0TB Drobo Elite is absurd.)

The beauty of the Drobo is when you get a phone call from Mom who is three time zones away.

• Mom: Aiden, there's a blinking red light on the computer robot !!
• Aiden: You mean the Drobo that holds your files and backups?
• M: Yes, that little black thing.
• A: It's OK, that just means that it needs an update. (Never tell Mom that she's had a hard drive crash - it causes unnecessary panic.) I'll have an updated disk sent to you. Call me when you get a small package from a place called Newegg.
• (3 days later) M: I have the box from Newegg - what now?
• A: Open the box, and inside all the wrapping eventually you'll find something that's shaped like a small metal brick. Do you have it?
• M: I think so, but it's shiny plastic, not metal.
• A: The shiny plastic is a special shipping bag - use scissors to open the bag and take out the metal brick.
• M: Oh, silly me. It was a plastic bag. I have the metal brick now.
• A: OK. Now open the front door on the robot, I mean "Drobo". Put your head level with it, and you'll see that the Drobo has several slots with those metal bricks in them. One brick, though, has a red light instead of a green light. Do you see that.
• M: Oh, yes. Is the red light the bad brick?
• A: Exactly - you're becoming quite the computer expert. Now, carefully pull out the brick with the red light - it slides right out, although you have to pull a bit to unplug it. Set it down in exactly the orientation that it came out.
• M: It won't come out.
• A: Pull a little harder, the plug sometimes is sticky.
• M: OK, got it. It's really warm.
• A: Warm is normal. Now take the new brick, and arrange it exactly like the warm one. The brick has a smooth cover on top, some electrical parts on the bottom. The front is plain, but the back has a couple of weird flat electrical connectors. Do you see?
• M: Yes, the new and old bricks are identical except for the label.
• A: OK, now push the new brick into the slot where you removed the old brick. Push hard enough to make sure that it's in as far as the other bricks - everything should be even and flush.
• M: OK, it's in, it needed quite a push to go flush with the other bricks. OH NO!
• A: What "OH NO", what happened?
• M: Now all the lights are blinking yellow, then green, then yellow, then green. I've broken it!!
• A: I should have warned you - that's normal. Blinking yellow then green means that Drobo is updating the new brick. When it's done, it will go back to all green.
• M: Oh, thank goodness, that scared me. But it's still blinking, is something wrong?
• A: Oh no, it's fine. The update takes quite a bit of time because Drobo has to make sure that everything is perfect - give me a call if it's not in the normal green state by tomorrow evening.
• M: Bye bye. Love you, Aiden. You're the best son. And say hi to your husband for me.

But of course, you view pragmatism as hypocrisy, and launch yet another of your tired ad hominem attacks.

Its so nice living in a computer literate family.

 

[AidenShaw]

Its so nice living in a computer literate family.

My mother is more of the literary sort....

 

[LagunaSol]

But of course, you view pragmatism as hypocrisy, and launch yet another of your tired ad hominem attacks.

Laughable, as always. DMann quite ably pointed out your hypocrisy for exactly what it is: hypocrisy. The constant ranting and raving about "Apple tax" and hardware premiums and the silly idiots who pay them while out the other side of your mouth praising another product's simplicity at the expense of...additional expense. Astounding.

See dictionary: hypocrisy.

And you would never have fathomed using the phrase "Drobo tax" without DMann calling you out.

Slap an Apple logo on the side of that Drobo and you would run away shrieking about overpriced hardware, mom-friendly or not. No Apple logo = no hissy fit. (Although we thank you for the detailed phone call transcription. Touching.)

And you recommending any Apple product to anyone? Hilarious.

P.S. I don't think ad hominem means what you think it means (despite your frequent italicized use of the term)...

 

[Rocketman]

I have recommended the Drobo to friends/family, when they have more money than technical expertise.

The beauty of the Drobo is when you get a phone call from Mom who is three time zones away.

• A: Open the box, and inside all the wrapping eventually you'll find something that's shaped like a small metal brick. Do you have it?
• M: I think so, but it's shiny plastic, not metal.
• A: The shiny plastic is a special shipping bag - use scissors to open the bag and take out the metal brick.
• M: Oh, silly me. It was a plastic bag. I have the metal brick now.
• A: OK. Now open the front door on the robot, I mean "Drobo". Put your head level with it, and you'll see that the Drobo has several slots with those metal bricks in them. One brick, though, has a red light instead of a green light. Do you see that?
• M: Oh, yes. Is the red light the bad brick?
• A: Exactly - you're becoming quite the computer expert.

But of course, you view pragmatism as hypocrisy, and launch yet another of your tired ad hominem attacks.

Perfect post. Reminds me of a couple dozen conversations I have had with family.

Also proving the "Apple tax" is a price worth paying and a substantial discount to the "Drobo tax".



Rocketman

 

[AidenShaw]

I've been trying to ignore you and DMann, since that's the right way to deal with schoolyard bullies. This post of yours, however, goes beyond rational commentary....

The constant ranting and raving about "Apple tax"...

Please defend the use of the adjective "constant" - I've used it occasionally (especially during the days of the Laptop Hunter ads), but to say "constant" is pure hyperbole. When did I last use the phrase? How many times does it appear in my last 10, or 20, or 50 posts? The word "constant" is not defensible, is it?

And you recommending any Apple product to anyone? Hilarious.

So you've stooped from hyperbole to calling me a liar. So sad for you.

P.S. I don't think ad hominem means what you think it means (despite your frequent italicized use of the term)...

Perhaps you should look in the dictionary for ad hominem. In particular the description

The phrase now chiefly describes an argument based on the failings of an adversary rather than on the merits of the case​

So, what part of your post is anything but listing the failings of Aiden Shaw? What about DMann's epic proof that I'm a pre-schooler because the average number of words in my paragraphs is too low?

Also, it's appropriate to italicize foreign phrases.... (http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Italics, section 4)

 

[MorphingDragon]

Laughable, as always. DMann quite ably pointed out your hypocrisy for exactly what it is: hypocrisy. The constant ranting and raving about "Apple tax" and hardware premiums and the silly idiots who pay them while out the other side of your mouth praising another product's simplicity at the expense of...additional expense. Astounding.

See dictionary: hypocrisy.

And you would never have fathomed using the phrase "Drobo tax" without DMann calling you out.

Slap an Apple logo on the side of that Drobo and you would run away shrieking about overpriced hardware, mom-friendly or not. No Apple logo = no hissy fit. (Although we thank you for the detailed phone call transcription. Touching.)

And you recommending any Apple product to anyone? Hilarious.

P.S. I don't think ad hominem means what you think it means (despite your frequent italicized use of the term)...

When I click my neck, my ears ring.

So you've stooped from hyperbole to calling me a liar. So sad for you.

The only person on this forum I wouldn't bet any amount of money recommending an Apple product is MosX.

 

[DMann]

I've been trying to ignore you and DMann, since that's the right way to deal with schoolyard bullies. This post of yours, however, goes beyond rational commentary....

Yet, your dismal attempts to offset your double standards with a verbatim dramatization is comical, in the pathetic sense.

Please defend the use of the adjective "constant" - I've used it occasionally (especially during the days of the Laptop Hunter ads), but to say "constant" is pure hyperbole.

Only you, yourself, have littered this forum with the derogatory denouncement, "Apple Tax," more than anyone else, for the past two years - that you attempt to downplay it as "occasionally" is sheer deception.

So you've stooped from hyperbole to calling me a liar. So sad for you.

So sad for you, as you have clearly earned your title.

Have you recommended any Apple products to anyone here on this forum, recently, or ever?

So, what part of your post is anything but listing the failings of Aiden Shaw?

Your failings simply speak for themselves, on a consistent level - you've attained quite a record.

 

[cumanzor]

Only you, yourself, have littered this forum with the derogatory denouncement, "Apple Tax," more than anyone else, for the past two years - that you attempt to downplay it as "occasionally" is sheer deception.

I think I might be misunderstanding your point, so correct me if I'm doing so. But you don't truly believe that AidenShaw is the only person talking about the "Apple tax" (whatever that is), do you?

It's funny how you guys are taking this SO personal. It's like if you were part of some cult or some relig-- oh wait...

 

[LagunaSol]

I've been trying to ignore you and DMann, since that's the right way to deal with schoolyard bullies. This post of yours, however, goes beyond rational commentary....

Oh please - the forum troll playing the martyr. No one here is saying you're ugly, stupid, or you smell bad. No one is insulting your mom, your religion, your race, your sexual preference. If you can't handle legitimate, rational criticism of your own commentary, then online forums are not for you. And one has every right to question your motive for being here as you clearly have nothing positive to offer regarding the Apple brand of computing (or its customer base).

Playing the Devil's advocate: great. Making it your permanent role here: not so great.

Please defend the use of the adjective "constant" - I've used it occasionally (especially during the days of the Laptop Hunter ads), but to say "constant" is pure hyperbole.

Whether you type the words "Apple tax" or not, the implication of your posts is clear (and constant).

So you've stooped from hyperbole to calling me a liar. So sad for you.

I didn't call you anything. The content of your 1,000+ posts speaks for itself. Your clear derision of all things Apple point to an extremely high unlikelihood that you would actually recommend their products to anyone you know/like/care about (making such a claim (whether true or not) hilarious to those of us who frequent these forums).

So, what part of your post is anything but listing the failings of Aiden Shaw?

Ah, so questioning your motives based on your historical commentary and pointing out your clearly contradictory posts are personal attacks now? Convenient.

 

[AidenShaw]

Whether you type the words "Apple tax" or not, the implication of your posts is clear (and constant).

Is this what DMann so often calls "backpedaling"? So I haven't been "constantly" typing the phrase "Apple Tax" after all?

Your clear derision of all things Apple point to an extremely high unlikelihood that you would actually recommend their products to anyone you know/like/care about (making such a claim (whether true or not) hilarious to those of us who frequent these forums).

I've purchased 8 Apple computers in the last 3 months, how many have you purchased? (4 minis, 3 macbooks, 1 MBP)

Ah, so questioning your motives based on your historical commentary and pointing out your clearly contradictory posts are personal attacks now? Convenient.

Where did I say "personal attack"? I used ad hominem, which you again undertake by questioning my "motives" for posting. It's fine to attack my arguments if you think that I have made objective or subjective errors, but to question the motives behind my posts instead of my arguments is ad hominem.

 

[DMann]

I think I might be misunderstanding your point, so correct me if I'm doing so. But you don't truly believe that AidenShaw is the only person talking about the "Apple tax" (whatever that is), do you?

Perhaps the clause: "more than anyone else" makes it clear that he was not singled out as the only one, albeit, the snarkiest of those who do.

It's funny how you guys are taking this SO personal. It's like if you were part of some cult or some relig-- oh wait...

Again, simply calling out hypocrisy at its source, double standards, and all.

Ah, so questioning your motives based on your historical commentary and pointing out your clearly contradictory posts are personal attacks now? Convenient.

Clearly a victim of his own actions - perpetually whining about it doesn't change anything.

Is this what DMann so often calls "backpedaling"? So I haven't been "constantly" typing the phrase "Apple Tax" after all?

Now you are denying typing the phrase, "Apple Tax" more than a dozen times? You've thrown the term around enough here to earn the classification of "constantly."

 

[AidenShaw]

Now you are denying typing the phrase, "Apple Tax" more than a dozen times? You've thrown the term around enough here to earn the classification of "constantly."

So, there's now a DMann/LagunaSol neologism where "constantly" now means "occasionally"? Hundreds of posts, and more than 12 of them using the phrase "Apple Tax".... And in DMann-speak questioning the use of the word "constantly" is turned into "denying"?

</bowing.out.of.this.debate.before.it.gets.even.more.bizarre>

 

[Rocketman]

I've purchased 8 Apple computers in the last 3 months, how many have you purchased? (4 minis, 3 macbooks, 1 MBP)

Aidenshaw is a server centric uber geek. His problem is not being anti-Apple so much as being anti node level device as being anemic in power. He buys Apple computers, as anemic in power, node level devices, because they are so versatile as compared to the other crapier crap out there.

If only he would actually come out and say that I would not be compelled to come out and ask him if he has gotten 200 instances of MacDraw to run yet.

Have you?

Rocketman

Dude, Apple is a consumer device company that happens to do computing tasks, not a server centric company. They offer servers and serving services as a means to leverage future sales of less-anemic handtop and laptop computing. They have the least "dumb terminal" of all handtop devices in the hands of more people than any other firm. Serve that.

 

[*LTD*]

Stop being such a gigantic hypocrite. You keep talking as the iPhone was perfect.

As close as anyone has gotten thus far.

 

[EarthDawn]

Bravo !!!

That was great and well done !!!

simple and to the point

 

[LagunaSol]

Is this what DMann so often calls "backpedaling"? So I haven't been "constantly" typing the phrase "Apple Tax" after all?

Did I ever say you've been "constantly typing the phrase 'Apple Tax'"? Why, no I didn't.

I've purchased 8 Apple computers in the last 3 months, how many have you purchased? (4 minis, 3 macbooks, 1 MBP)

Ah, this old ploy, seen on this site all the time. "First, I own a MacBook so you can't criticize my opinions. But Apple sucks, Apple users suck, Steve Jobs sucks, OS X sucks, MacBooks suck, iPhones suck, fanboys...kool aid...cult...blah, blah, urg...." Have a cookie and a free Apple sticker (or 8).

You could be on Apple's Board of Directors and I would still think you a troll (albeit a highly refined troll) who resides here only to spark flame wars and sing the praises of Apple competitors (and promote a political agenda via the sig). Again, your commentary speaks for itself. Hey, I say use what you like. Get a Dell tattoo on your forehead for all I care. Knock yourself out. But there may be more appropriate places to vent your exclusively anti-Apple angst than MacRumors (despite your claimed secret fan club here).

(I'm assuming these were corporate purchases and probably made by you begrudgingly? Again, I can only base my opinion on your 1,000+ posts that make clear your opinion of Apple.)

Where did I say "personal attack"? I used ad hominem, which you again undertake by questioning my "motives" for posting. It's fine to attack my arguments if you think that I have made objective or subjective errors, but to question the motives behind my posts instead of my arguments is ad hominem.

You're right, of course - the phrase "schoolyard bullies" does not imply personal attacks.

And I rarely question your arguments - I question your motive. Which I have every right to do. Without a motive there is no crime, you see. Shill, astroturfer, or just common spoiler/griefer - your intentions here are clear.

DMann has done a fine job of pointing out your two-faced arguments - which should speak for themselves regarding your motivation and credibility.

 

[AidenShaw]

Aidenshaw is a server centric uber geek. His problem is not being anti-Apple so much as being anti node level device as being anemic in power. He buys Apple computers, as anemic in power, node level devices, because they are so versatile as compared to the other crapier crap out there.

While Apple's historical "anemic" performance is a small part of the issue, the limited hardware selection is the major irritant.

Of the 8 recent Apples that I bought, the 4 minis were for an advanced development project looking at porting one of our Linux-based applications to OSX. Had Apple offered a mini-tower, this order would have been for those.

The laptops were for engineers in the group who are working with Linux/Solaris systems and clusters in the lab (one had a requirement for eSATA disks, hence the MBP for the ExpressCard slot). I always recommend OSX as being better than Windows as a remote client for Linux, although OSX is second to simply running Linux on the laptop. (All of these engineers also have dual-core x64 Windows laptops for office and productivity apps.)

When budgeting, it's annoying to have to decide between 4 Apples or 7 Linux/Windows laptops.

 

[LagunaSol]

It's like if you were part of some cult or some relig-- oh wait...

And...there it is. "Argue with me and you must be a wacko cultist or obsessed fanboy or something."

You wanna see cult, get on Xbox Live and mention the PS3.

P.S. I'm still waiting for you to provide an example of my "hypocritical crap."

 

[Rocketman]

While Apple's historical "anemic" performance is a small part of the issue, the limited hardware selection is the major irritant.

Of the 8 recent Apples that I bought, the 4 minis were for an advanced development project looking at porting one of our Linux-based applications to OSX. Had Apple offered a mini-tower, this order would have been for those.

The laptops were for engineers in the group who are working with Linux/Solaris systems and clusters in the lab (one had a requirement for eSATA disks, hence the MBP for the ExpressCard slot). I always recommend OSX as being better than Windows as a remote client for Linux, although OSX is second to simply running Linux on the laptop. (All of these engineers also have dual-core x64 Windows laptops for office and productivity apps.)

When budgeting, it's annoying to have to decide between 4 Apples or 7 Linux/Windows laptops.

I believe Apple should have a "Windows 7 kiosk" in every store with W7 running on an externally booted HD in one instance, and on a window within Fusion or Parellels, running on the internal HD, notably with DOS 3.3 and DB2 and Wordstar in one install window .

Apple makes CONSUMER and END USER devices. If you want to use one as a programming tool, great! They are well suited. Just plan on expanding the storage and features externally. I agree that is stuupid, but then that is the "Apple tax" for having a megalomaniac as CEO.

Nobody, you included, disputes that.

Rocketman

 

[MorphingDragon]

While Apple's historical "anemic" performance is a small part of the issue, the limited hardware selection is the major irritant.

Of the 8 recent Apples that I bought, the 4 minis were for an advanced development project looking at porting one of our Linux-based applications to OSX. Had Apple offered a mini-tower, this order would have been for those.

The laptops were for engineers in the group who are working with Linux/Solaris systems and clusters in the lab (one had a requirement for eSATA disks, hence the MBP for the ExpressCard slot). I always recommend OSX as being better than Windows as a remote client for Linux, although OSX is second to simply running Linux on the laptop. (All of these engineers also have dual-core x64 Windows laptops for office and productivity apps.)

When budgeting, it's annoying to have to decide between 4 Apples or 7 Linux/Windows laptops.

Oh Aiden can I ask what Distro/Version of Linux You're Running? You sometimes tout about Windows Server's great uptime but you've never said what Linux distro you're running.

---

Why a cat?

 

[MorphingDragon]

I think I might be misunderstanding your point, so correct me if I'm doing so. But you don't truly believe that AidenShaw is the only person talking about the "Apple tax" (whatever that is), do you?

It's funny how you guys are taking this SO personal. It's like if you were part of some cult or some relig-- oh wait...

Don't mix personal opinion with religious belief. Ones a faith and ones an observation.

 

[avastmehearties]

And...there it is. "Argue with me and you must be a wacko cultist or obsessed fanboy or something."

no, actually, as an impartial outsider here, it's more like the fact you (and others) present yourself as someone who sees apple, and all associates of apple, as some infallible company capable only of greatness and puppies and sunshine and unicorns, while at the same time you vilify all those companies that compete against apple, and all people that don't agree with your viewpoint, as completely and utterly wrong in every regard in arguments that utterly boil down to subjective taste. that's why we think you're a wacko cultist or obsessed fanboy or something. just sayin'.

 

[AidenShaw]

Oh Aiden can I ask what Distro/Version of Linux You're Running? You sometimes tout about Windows Server's great uptime but you've never said what Linux distro you're running.

Most of them. Product support is on RHEL and SLES, so most of the non-Windows lab servers run those. AD is on whatever, often FC if the devos need the latest bits that aren't in the enterprise builds.

Some systems run oddball distros, because of the kernel version hell that is Linux. One app that we run is only supported on Debian - so there's a Debian VM for that.

Most of the endpoints (desktops/laptops/VMs) are FC or Ubuntu. That's the personal choice of the engineer - since it's completely up to the engineer to do all support. (Most run a Linux VM on their x64 Windows laptops to avoid that problem - the Windows laptop is supported by IT.)

Why a cat?

Getting ready for OSX 10.7 "Maine Coon"

 

[MorphingDragon]

Getting ready for OSX 10.7 "Maine Coon"

Itll be nice and shiny, you'll have to brush it constantly.