MacWorld Boston 2004

[sosumi99]

I really think Apple is messing up by jumping on the outsourcing bandwagon. The other guys do it so they can sell their junky peecees for 500 bucks, but Apple doesn't play that game. I think a much better strategy would be to keep the jobs in the US and use it as a selling point: "You pay a little more for our products because we pay American workers to assemble and service them."

Why must people turn a perfectly good discussion about Apple into a political discussion? What's the point?

Apple sells to the rest of the world, you know? There are more of us than Americans. The US isn't the only country in the world. I had no desire to turn this into a political discussion, but since you are going down that route, I'll throw my bit in. For some of us, the fact that Apple is an INTERNATIONAL company is a selling point. If Apple became some protectionist tool of a benighted trade policy and went "We are all-American," then some of us will no longer be interested in Apple's products.

 

[Yvan256]

Major factor in people's purchasing decisions?

Outsourcing is becoming a bigger and bigger deal every day, and I imagine that before long, it will start to be a major factor in people's purchasing decisions here in the US.

Yes, it already does. See Wal-Mart, etc.

Oh, you meant to say that people will buy USA products because they're made in the USA?

Nope. They're doing like everyone else on the planet: they buy the cheapest stuff.

 

[OneDeadPixel]

NYC is the capitol of publishing, entertainment and media on the east coast. There are way more professionals using Macs here than probably anywhere else in the world. I really don't understand moving Macworld to Boston. It's a nice town but NYC is where the action is.

 

[Wonder Boy]

Sort of reminds me of how little the federal government is doing to help make NYC more secure, even as the Republicans use a local tragedy as the backdrop for their convention.

DC was attacked too. I guess the feds could consider that a local tragedy, as well.

 

[question fear]

um, back on sorta topic, if you want a free pass to the exhibition at macworld we are giving passes away at borders bookstores and we have stacks of them.
-carly

 

[dizastor]

Apparently, in an unexpected turn of events IDG has asked Arn of Macrumors fame to present the keynote speech at MacWorld Boston. With the absence of Steve Jobs and Apple, IDG feels that MacWorld Boston would attract more Mac geeks if they marketed it as a "rumor roundup" for the next REAL MacWorld, in San Fransisco in January of 2005.


No Way! Go ARN!

 

[broken_keyboard]

I think Steve just wants to show IDG who needs who the most. Also with the MacWorld SF and WWDC mid year they don't really need a third show.

Does anyone know if any non-Apple companies are planning any cool products for the show? Maybe MS will release VPC 7, it must be ready soon...

 

[latergator116]

um, back on sorta topic, if you want a free pass to the exhibition at macworld we are giving passes away at borders bookstores and we have stacks of them.
-carly

Thank you. I will be heading to my local Borders tomorrow anyway (need to get a book), so I might as well pick up a pass. Hopefully, I will be able to go to the expo.

 

[maxterpiece]

what might actually be released?

Anyone have any ideas? I would love to see VPC 7.....

 

[Counterfit]

I'm going, and I don't care if any of you guys think it would be better off in NYC, because I'm going for free (well, I have to pay for transportation costs...)

wdlove: I'm not sure how to get there. I was thinking commuter rail to Back Bay, then Orange line to State, and then Blue line to Maverick. That sound right to you?

 

[GFLPraxis]

Low expectations....

- 10.4 already demoed
- Updated G5 already shown
- new displays already there
- iMacs not coming 'till September
- 10.3.5 dev seeds only just posted...
- Apple not being there... etc.

What is there to expect?

It will just be a "normal" Apple Expo like the London one.

Perhaps, 4th generation wireless-enabled video iPods?
What, it could happen...

 

[donwarnersaklad]

MacWorld Expo

Where would there be any passes available for the MacWorld Expo Boston ?...

If you would, please let me know, email
dsaklad@zurich.csail.mit.edu

 

[rdowns]

Apple's decision to try and sway product releases away from conventions/expos, is, in my opinion, another big mistake. Expos, especially one's like macworld, served as a great marketing tool, a marketplace to introduce new computing revolutions to the masses. By moving more and more releases to arbitrary dates and/or specialty conferences like WWDC, Apple has only served to loose some of the market share and publicity it could have gained.

I disagree. The increased publicity was more than offset by people waiting for expos and delaying purchases which hurt sales. Moreso than others, Apple fans would delay purchsing to wait and see what was coming up at the next expo. All Apple needs to do to garner publicity is schedule a press conference when they want to announce a new product with. The media knows a Jobs press conference will pay off and they attend.

 

[rdowns]

At a time when NYC needs it the most, IDG made a boneheaded choice by deciding to move Macworld back to Boston. Sort of reminds me of how little the federal government is doing to help make NYC more secure, even as the Republicans use a local tragedy as the backdrop for their convention.

I'm sure NYC's needs had nothing to do with it. As the Boston convention center is new, I'd wager they are cutting sweet deals with expo organizers to fill the place. In any case, IDG did blow it.

 

[Multimedia]

Apple's Exhibiting In NYC This Week At Digital Video Expo - I Expect Motion To Ship

Apple's Exhibiting In NYC This Week At Digital Video Expo East July 14-16, Conference Starts tomorrow July 13-16 - I Expect Motion To Ship.

From the cover of the show's website:

"A Certified Pro has reached the highest skill level in the use and operation of Apple's professional applications. Certification is an official recognition of your knowledge of Apple's professional applications so you can market yourself to employers and clients as a skilled, pro-level user.

These Courses will give you a competitive edge in the digital production job market. Whether you're an editor, composer, special effects artist, sound designer, web developer or teach these skills, Apple training tools will help you expand your knowledge and skills.

More Details on Apple Certified Pro here.

Introducing Motion - SOLD OUT!
Final Cut Pro HD - SOLD OUT!
DVD Studio Pro 3 - Limited Seating Available"

So FCP HD, MOTION and DVD SP 3 are Super Popular Topics at this show.

 

[question fear]

Where would there be any passes available for the MacWorld Expo Boston ?...

If you would, please let me know, email
dsaklad@zurich.csail.mit.edu

once again, free exhibit hall passes at borders stores in the area.
just ask a seller or find the display in the computers section.

 

[MacKenzie999]

Ok, now breathe...

I think everyone that is so upset with MW/Boston needs to stop for a minute, take a deep breath and think:

There's a large gathering of mac-based users and vendors taking place in an easily accessible major east coast city. Why do you have a problem with this?

I think by now everyone knows the scope is significantly diminished this year, but it's still a big mac gathering. What's not to like? Sure, I'd love to see another "one more thing" moment but I've known for quite some time this will simply not happen and I'm ok with it.

I'm just stunned that such a fervent group of mac suporters is angry that there is a mac trade show happening.

Whatever.

 

[rotorblade]

re: OK, now breathe...

I agree! Having attended all but 1 east coast MW Expo since it's inception (last years New York show), the best shows in my opinion were those from the days when Power Computing, BeOS and hundreds of other vendors were showing their wares. Since 1998, the shows have steadily declined, with Apple's own lackluster Keynote Address leading the charge.

With or without Apple, I plan to attend. MW Expos are much more than just Apple itself.

 

[iMan]

Well, which one is it? Did IT lose or gain jobs?

Also, your opinion would probably carry more weight if every third word wasn't misspelled.

Could it be that... no! It could not be... yet another bushism...?

 

[uzombie]

Legal Seafood...sigh...

I remember not long ago when we all useed to look forward to this event...

I wonder if apple are regretting not going, it may have been just enough more time from the WWDC to release the new iMac before the edu buying begins

Apple not being there has removed all relevance it once had, i can set up a mac Expo and not have apple come

Yeah, I went once and it was very anticpated (last one I believe). Then it was Jacob Javitts (Union-goughers). I really think there should just be a consolidated East Coast Computer xpo and West Coast Computer xpo. Time them 6 months apart. Combine CES, all makes of computers, videogames and guns show under one roof!

Ok, skip the latter one.

 

[themacman]

?

Is there even a keynote by jobs?

 

[SuperChuck]

Is there even a keynote by jobs?

Nope.

And does anybody else notice that the most vehement supporters of the Boston location are from Boston?

And the biggest detractors are from NYC?

And to reply to the pro-outsourcing folks, I must admit my bias - I work in a tech field in the U.S. and at the current rate of outsourcing, I will have to change my occupation or move to India.

I'm not a protectionist - I buy my wine and cheese from France, my coffee from Central America (fair trade whenever possible), my shoes are Italian - in short, I love imported goods and I would be upset to find out that my French Camembert was actually produced in a sweatshop in China.

I don't mind that the memory in my Powerbook is from Samsung (South Korea) - I like Samsung products. My hard drive is Hitachi. No problem. All I'm saying is, when a finished product is an Apple product, I'd like for it to be built by Apple in Cupertino. The same is true of any company I buy from anywhere in the world. I want to buy the craftsmanship of that company. And I am always willing to pay a little more for the privilege.

It's not just about protecting U.S. jobs - it's about protecting the quality, craftsmanship and heritage of every local industry everywhere in the world. If you make watches in Switzerland, I don't want your job to go overseas either.

 

[wdlove]

I'm going, and I don't care if any of you guys think it would be better off in NYC, because I'm going for free (well, I have to pay for transportation costs...)

wdlove: I'm not sure how to get there. I was thinking commuter rail to Back Bay, then Orange line to State, and then Blue line to Maverick. That sound right to you?

Counterfit, hope to have a chance to meet you in person.

MBTA (Public Transportation) information

You want to get to South Station. If you are taking the Commuter rail from Providence, the end os the line is South Station.

However, you can take the MBTA #7 bus (South Station to City Point). It will let you off at the front door of the facility.


In addition to that coverage, MacWorld will also be running its own shuttle bus system from South Station to the BCEC. There will be MacWorld Representatives at South Station directing attendees to shuttle buses.

Macworld Shuttle Bus Service Schedule from South Station to the BCEC

Monday July 12, 2004 7:30am – 10:00am and 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Tuesday July 13, 2004 7:30am – 7:00pm
Wednesday July 14, 2004 7:30am – 7:30pm
Thursday July 15, 2004 7:30am – 5:00pm

Transportation to Boston Convention Center:

http://www.mccahome.com/blue-nav-bar-items/maps-directions.aspx

Commuter Rail Information:

http://www.mbta.com/traveling_t/schedules_commuterrail.asp

 

[ethernet76]

Well, I'm not sure if they are referring to IDG (the company that owns Macworld) or Apple itself. I know for a fact that Apple is outsourcing at an increasing rate, and I would wager that IDG is doing the same.

I really think Apple is messing up by jumping on the outsourcing bandwagon. The other guys do it so they can sell their junky peecees for 500 bucks, but Apple doesn't play that game. I think a much better strategy would be to keep the jobs in the US and use it as a selling point: "You pay a little more for our products because we pay American workers to assemble and service them."

Outsourcing is becoming a bigger and bigger deal every day, and I imagine that before long, it will start to be a major factor in people's purchasing decisions here in the US.

Anyone remember back in the early 90's when made in the US was a major selling point?

People expect their goods to be produced in a foreign country now. If people were economically minded, fair trade coffee, American made clothes, and products would be actively sought by consumers. However, they aren't.

Fair trade coffee can only be found at the most indie of places, American made clothes are extremely rare and takes a good knowledge of shops to find them. People still buy from Dell even though they're one of the leaders in shipping jobs to India.

Apple keeping all of it's jobs in the United States is stupid. Currently the U.S. labor market is overpriced. Record number of computer educated college stuldents are graduating, but the salary rates aren't dropping as fast as they should.

I wouldn't care if Apple shipped some jobs over seas as long as they weren't slave labour jobs.

 

[ethernet76]

And to reply to the pro-outsourcing folks, I must admit my bias - I work in a tech field in the U.S. and at the current rate of outsourcing, I will have to change my occupation or move to India.

It's not just about protecting U.S. jobs - it's about protecting the quality, craftsmanship and heritage of every local industry everywhere in the world. If you make watches in Switzerland, I don't want your job to go overseas either.

I'm just curious as to how much you made right out of college? An average business major makes about 35k from what I'd gathered. I'm not saying your overpriced, I'm saying the comp-tech job market is bloated.

Also, have you considered renegotiating your contract for less money in favor of job security?

As for craftmanship. I expect the same person in Taiwan to care the exact same amount as someone making the exact same product in America. We're talking unskilled labor slapping parts together. If it were true that American labor was superior in quality than foreign labor, Asian cars would fall apart after 5 years.

In reality outsourcing sucks, but until there is a correction in the jobs market, deal with it. I graduate in two years with a degree in computer science, I've accepted that to get a job, I might start out at a lower salary. A normal salary. What's wrong with a normal salary?