Why Apple Haters are taking over MR

[vrDrew]

With respect, I couldn't disagree more - the problem IMO is far more complex than that and there are as many problems caused by rabid supporters of Apple as there are problems caused by obvious trolls.

If someone is an "enthusiastic" user of an Android phone, then I have one very serious question for them: Why are they here?

Every self-professed Android user visiting this sort of site ought to be prepared to answer that question.

If they have a technical question about their own phone, surely there are more appropriate forums to use. But quite frankly, the main reason Android users show up here is to antagonize iPhone users. And you'd have to do a heck of a lot to convince me otherwise.

PS. I keep reading about these "rabid" Apple enthusiasts. I never actually encounter them. Strange, don't you think?

 

[chrono1081]

If someone is an "enthusiastic" user of an Android phone, then I have one very serious question for them: Why are they here?

Every self-professed Android user visiting this sort of site ought to be prepared to answer that question.

If they have a technical question about their own phone, surely there are more appropriate forums to use. But quite frankly, the main reason Android users show up here is to antagonize iPhone users. And you'd have to do a heck of a lot to convince me otherwise.

PS. I keep reading about these "rabid" Apple enthusiasts. I never actually encounter them. Strange, don't you think?

I 100% agree on this. I never have seen rabid Apple enthusiasts either and I've been on this forum for a few years now.

I do see plenty of the trolls though.

 

[JoeG4]

If someone is an "enthusiastic" user of an Android phone, then I have one very serious question for them: Why are they here?

Here's a counter question:

Why do you think Mac users have to be iPhone users? There are a number of other products out there one might use for their phone (including dumbphones!) and it is not required to even like iOS to like Macs.

I mean, this site is called MacRumors, it launched about half a decade before the iPhone, and there are probably plenty of Mac users that love their Macs and don't even like iPhones.

I've seen people that loved their iPhone and vocally still didn't like Macs lol.

I think the "rabid" enthusiasts are people that say stuff intended to upset people.

Like this:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/841558/

 

[arn]

So arn, does this site require posters to be pro-Apple? The byline says "news and rumors you care about". I care about computer news as a whole, so this applies to me. Nonetheless, I am not pro-Apple, and will criticize them when I believe it's appropriate. Are people who disagree with Apple's actions, or believe that their products are not always the best, welcome here? If so, I'm putting your response in my signature, since a lot of people believe I shouldn't be. If not, please do make the byline "news and rumors for Apple fans", or something accurate like that.

As mentioned above, this site is not just for pro-Apple people. We have plenty of people who disagree with Apple's actions or criticize them as they see fit.

Trolling, however, is posting simply to maximize emotional response. It's far different than any reasonable discussion. To successfully troll on an Apple site, you go hard anti-Apple. To successfully troll on a religion site, you go hard anti-religion. That's all I'm saying.

arn

 

[Phil A.]

If someone is an "enthusiastic" user of an Android phone, then I have one very serious question for them: Why are they here?

I'm "enthusiastic" user of an android phone but I have used Macs exclusively since 2001 and have an iPad. I have also owned an iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4: please tell me why I shouldn't be a (paying) member of MacRumors - it's not just for users of the iPhone!

 

[Hellhammer]

I 100% agree on this. I never have seen rabid Apple enthusiasts either and I've been on this forum for a few years now.

I do see plenty of the trolls though.

There are several members who defend Apple no matter what action they make. That's no longer pro-Apple, it's something worse and sometimes crosses the line of trolling.

Trolling, however, is posting simply to maximize emotional response. It's far different than any reasonable discussion. To successfully troll on an Apple site, you go hard anti-Apple. To successfully troll on a religion site, you go hard anti-religion. That's all I'm saying.

There have been quite a few successive pro-Apple trolls as well. I shall not mention usernames but trolling is not limited to anti-Apple behavior.

 

[yg17]

If someone is an "enthusiastic" user of an Android phone, then I have one very serious question for them: Why are they here?

Every self-professed Android user visiting this sort of site ought to be prepared to answer that question.

If they have a technical question about their own phone, surely there are more appropriate forums to use. But quite frankly, the main reason Android users show up here is to antagonize iPhone users. And you'd have to do a heck of a lot to convince me otherwise.

PS. I keep reading about these "rabid" Apple enthusiasts. I never actually encounter them. Strange, don't you think?

Since when did Apple stop manufacturing computers, iPods and iPads?

It is possible to own and enjoy an Android phone and still have a Mac. Not that owning any Apple products is actually a requirement of being a member here.

 

[roadbloc]

At least in 2006 people were pro Apple!

So you admit that you want MR to be filled with pro-apple users? And that it's okay to call someone a 'fandroid' but not when they return a similar insult?

If that isn't what you call being hypocritical, I don't know what is.

 

[AAPLaday]

The OP has called people fandroids and MS users M$ etc for ages now. So much more i could write here but i wont. Pot kettle black

 

[steve2112]

There have been quite a few successive pro-Apple trolls as well. I shall not mention usernames but trolling is not limited to anti-Apple behavior.

Exactly. We have all seen it, where someone posts a link to an article about, say, Android, and only pulls out selective phrases in order to make it appear negative. Oh yeah, and then posts some type of headline of their own making that makes the article appear to be something other than what it is. I'm convinced Apple could release a rock with an Apple logo, and these people would call it the most brilliant thing ever developed.

Since when did Apple stop manufacturing computers, iPods and iPads?

It is possible to own and enjoy an Android phone and still have a Mac. Not that owning any Apple products is actually a requirement of being a member here.

I have Macs and an Android phone. I like OSX, but I don't care for iOS. I suppose that makes me a hater or something.

So you admit that you want MR to be filled with pro-apple users? And that it's okay to call someone a 'fandroid' but not when they return a similar insult?

If that isn't what you call being hypocritical, I don't know what is.

THIS^^^

 

[vrDrew]

Since when did Apple stop manufacturing computers, iPods and iPads?

I'm surprised you didn't choose one of those Apple products to use in your avatar.

But then, having an Apple logo wouldn't be very provocative, would it?

Thanks for proving my point.

 

[MacNut]

I'm surprised you didn't choose one of those Apple products to use in your avatar.

But then, having an Apple logo wouldn't be very provocative, would it?

Thanks for proving my point.

So we all have to use Apple avatars now?

 

[JAT]

So arn, does this site require posters to be pro-Apple? The byline says "news and rumors you care about". I care about computer news as a whole, so this applies to me. Nonetheless, I am not pro-Apple, and will criticize them when I believe it's appropriate. Are people who disagree with Apple's actions, or believe that their products are not always the best, welcome here? If so, I'm putting your response in my signature, since a lot of people believe I shouldn't be. If not, please do make the byline "news and rumors for Apple fans", or something accurate like that.

Too many of your posts are about other posters, not Apple itself. If arn is looking for a rule, treatment of other posters ought to be it.

I 100% agree on this. I never have seen rabid Apple enthusiasts either and I've been on this forum for a few years now.

I do see plenty of the trolls though.

I 100% agree, also. And I have seen these nitwits that detest Apple and Mac owners since the 1980s. If there is a religion about Apple, it is the anti-Apple people that are dogmatic. It's retarded.

It's pretty easy to see what happened around here. Find a person who signed up around April 2007, you'll see a forum number around 100000. Now we are over 600000. So 6 years to get 100k, 4 more years to sextuple it....iPhone. Apparently, cellphones bring out the childishness.

 

[vrDrew]

So we all have to use Apple avatars now?

One's choice in avatars is (within reason) completely unlimited.

But my contention, borne out by thousands of observations, is that the sort of person who comes to an Apple-orientated site, and chooses to loudly flaunt his Android obsession (via avatar, signature, or whatever), is a strange person indeed. They aren't here to share technical tips. They aren't here to find common cause with a community of Mac owners. And frankly I doubt they are here to share inside information or thoughtful observations from the Apple universe.

They are here for one purpose. To be obnoxious. And in that endeavor they are frequently successful.

 

[knuckelz]

I would say all those are violations as well. We don't allow the words "troll" or "fanboy" either, and the cases you linked are no different. The word "retard" (and any modification of it) is particularly bad because there really are people with disabilities and it's certainly not fun if you know someone who is "retarded". Hence I would advice not to use that word at all, not even in general cases (e.g. Microsoft is so retarded - which isn't a violation of the rules but definitely something we don't want to see). It's basically the same as with the word "gay".

I hate to derail (even if only slightly) such an interesting topic, but I am very curious about people who say we should not use words like "retarded" or "gay" to describe things (other than mentally handicapped people or homosexuals, respectively). What words should we use then? Not dumb, because that is a term to describe people who can't speak. What is an acceptable replacement word? I know that may sound like sarcasm, but I am very serious. I would like to know a suitable replacement. Just use the word stupid perhaps?

The OP has called people fandroids and MS users M$ etc for ages now. So much more i could write here but i wont. Pot kettle black

This may make me sound a little slow, but I never even thought of M$ as being derogatory. Haha, I always thought it was pro-microsoft actually. Now, I'm just glad I never used it.

On topic: I think being civil is rather easy. There is no need to resort to name calling. I think lively discussion is very interesting, but trolling (by any side) just dulls the overall experience. I find it very interesting to have non-apple users on here. They bring a different side to the discussion, and everyone benefits from seeing things from more than one perspective. Then again, I also find it easy to ignore people who do/say things just to get attention.

 

[saving107]

What words should we use then?

The context of the discussion will determine the proper term to use.

But an Example: A certain situation can be "Un-fair" rather than "Retarted", or "Unfortunate" rather than "Gay".

 

[Hellhammer]

I hate to derail (even if only slightly) such an interesting topic, but I am very curious about people who say we should not use words like "retarded" or "gay" to describe things (other than mentally handicapped people or homosexuals, respectively). What words should we use then? Not dumb, because that is a term to describe people who can't speak. What is an acceptable replacement word? I know that may sound like sarcasm, but I am very serious. I would like to know a suitable replacement. Just use the word stupid perhaps?

saving107's recommendations are pretty good. Unfair and unfortunate are very neutral words and definitely not insulting toward anyone. Thesaurus is also very good at finding synonyms in case you want to use more colorful language. It's even built into the dictionary of OS X (just right click a word and select "Look up in Dictionary"). Heck, I learn a bunch of new words every time I use it

It's always better to ask. There are no stupid questions

This may make me sound a little slow, but I never even thought of M$ as being derogatory. Haha, I always thought it was pro-microsoft actually. Now, I'm just glad I never used it.

Neither have I, to be honest. I think it's sometimes even better than MS because everyone knows that M$ means Microsoft, whereas MS could be an abbreviation of something else too.

 

[JoeG4]

the sort of person who comes to an Apple-orientated site, and chooses to loudly flaunt his Android obsession (via avatar, signature, or whatever), is a strange person indeed.

vrDrew, I am so disgusted in your comment I've decided to adapt a similar avatar. CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[decksnap]

One's choice in avatars is (within reason) completely unlimited.

But my contention, borne out by thousands of observations, is that the sort of person who comes to an Apple-orientated site, and chooses to loudly flaunt his Android obsession (via avatar, signature, or whatever), is a strange person indeed. They aren't here to share technical tips. They aren't here to find common cause with a community of Mac owners. And frankly I doubt they are here to share inside information or thoughtful observations from the Apple universe.

They are here for one purpose. To be obnoxious. And in that endeavor they are frequently successful.

Yup. And when people start coming to the pool just to **** in it, it's not a very fun place to swim.

 

[something3153]

Too many of your posts are about other posters, not Apple itself. If arn is looking for a rule, treatment of other posters ought to be it.

The only thing I post about other posters is when they display a clear bias. That includes you. Does pointing out that you display a clear pro-Apple bias offend you that badly?

 

[JAT]

The only thing I post about other posters is when they display a clear bias. That includes you. Does pointing out that you display a clear pro-Apple bias offend you that badly?

Oh god. Another one.

So..."bias", huh. Is this journalism class? My opinion (based on experience, btw) is "biased", AND "bias" is bad, right? So, in YOUR opinion, complaining about my "bias" is justified.

Question. Do you know the definition of the word: reality.

Maybe you could also quantify just how bad "bias" is in your world. Murder level? Rape? Theft? Did I kick your dog?

 

[rmwebs]

There's definitely been a bit more contentious vibe to the major comment threads these days, and I'm not sure the best way to combat it.

It's unfortunately a side effect of popularity.

I know some people object to the voting buttons, and like I said when we started it was a bit of an experiment, to get more data. I think we could go further with it, but there are those that seem opposed to it.

arn

The best way/only way to combat it is to stop the patent threads - they are what set it off.

A lot of it is not Apple haters, but complete idiots that blindly follow Apple like they are some kind of all powerful force. When someone comes into a thread and starts posting "Android sux, iOS is the best" or "Android is a rip off of iOS" its going to start an argument.

IMO there are three very prominent members who regularly do this, and their participation in threads involves spreading lies and crap to make iOS look like it's perfect, and that Android is some kind of direct rip off. They never back a single argument up, and always provoke people.

The sooner (no disrespect here) some of the lazy mods pull their finger out and ban these members or warn them, the sooner we can all carry on with sensible discussions. It should be possible to talk about apples competitors here without having some moronic kid shouting "Andoid Sux" every other post.

---

I'm a big fan of both Android and iOS...what does that make me in the childish made up terms? An Droiappboy? I regularly see people putting their Apple or Android opinions as facts, and thats what pisses some members off (admittedly myself included).

But lets be 100% clear and honest here. The problem is not Apple Haters. Its both Apple Blind Followers AND Haters (although I dont think they are Haters...but people with Macs and an Android handset in most cases).

Either way, the problem is very quick and easy to fix, and its only MacRumors staff that can do it.

 

[JoeG4]

I am disappointed at how little restraint people can show - there was a thread that just went by where an iPhone owner's plug shorted out and burned out the bottom of their phone. Half the posts in that thread were accusing the user of dunking their phone in water and HOW DARE THEY LIE ABOUT IT. As if Apple has never made a defective product before.

Apple is a company run by people. that hires people to make products.. made by people. People are not perfect, they are not capable of creating perfection. The earth, for example is smoother than the smoothest ball bearing you can make with our machinery (for the most part, anyway).. take that into perspective for a moment.

I fail to understand how people get so dang worked up about it. I've regulared at a few car forums, and you know how passionate people can get about their cars - even there I did not see that level of rudeness to fellow users.

I know I'm not the best person to speak for this - I've trolled (and when you use all sorts of platforms daily it can be hard not to mess with someone that believes Apple is the most perfect company ever), and it's a horrible thing to do.

Look, Merry Christmas everyone - perhaps in the future we can start respecting people as other people instead of making an opinion about them over what device they choose to use in their daily life.

 

[wordoflife]

So what are we calling trolling? People who don't agree with everything Apple does, or people who think Apple is god and won't see the other side of the argument?

I agree. I don't really see what the problem is here. I don't see people blindly being annoyed with Apple (otherwise, being a troll).

 

[jabbawok]

I can't offer iny empirical evidence, just a sence that I get. I started reading MR probably when it got my G4 wind tunnel. People were happy to slate Apple back then but it was more affectionate, with a full sense that the alternative was Windows or Linux. One was the devil and the other was for code hacking geeks.
Android seems to have presented the only viable alternative to apple.
This seems to created a real opposition to Apple the seems to rally people.
I just wish the droid fans would populate another forum instead of starting threads on MR about how much better in every way their Nexus is. Asside from being bs, I don't care.
I wouldn't go on a Harley forum and go on about what a pile of pig-iron I think they are. It's just rude.