Info vs. Marketing

alternateorg on August 24, 2000

Whether or not this is a big deal to the rest of the world, I don’t know. But to me, there’s a big difference in how the web is being developed today, and how it was used even just three years ago. Everything on the web today is more or less about marketing. Online stores are all about cross-marketing between eachother, to ‘offer you more quality products.’ Corporate sites all have flashy animations and ‘cool graphics’ in order to clarify their marketing message to you (Flashturbation™, as 37signals calls it).

Even my ISP’s website is frustratingly marketing driven. All I want is a simple step-by-step outline explaining the process of how and who should be taking care of what as far as my DSL installation goes. As far as I can tell, I’m dealing with 4 wholly different companies here: USWest(Qwest) for the digital line added to my phone line in the basement; Earthlink, who is going to be the one billing me and is taking care of customer service; Mindspring, who is the Earthlink partner in my area who actually arranges the service to be installed, and Covad who is the actual installer and provider of said DSL line. Do you think I could even find a (worthwhile) FAQ about the DSL install? Of course not. All I can find are forms and links telling me to sign up. Which I did. About 6 weeks ago.

This sucks.

What Year Is This? 1995?

alternateorg on August 22, 2000

I just got off the phone with the lovely people at Covad (who is providing the DSL service I am ordering through Earthlink, which is actually provided by Mindspring. Go fucking figure). So anyway. After going around around the mayberry bush about whether I can install the hardware myself, one of the last things I heard before I got off the phone (after I resolved to allow someone to install it for me) was “You have a Mac? Oh, well, the technician won’t even touch your system [for software install] because you have a Mac. You’ll have to download and install that yourself.”

So… I have to have someone come out and plug the modem in, but he won’t even install software for me? Even if I’d rather do it all myself anyway? This broadband thing had better get much easier to deal with, or I’m going back to my modem. And I’m sure as hell not going to USQwest for it.

I thought we were past all this. I haven’t felt this discriminated against in a long time (although I guess I do work in a Mac-centric office, which might account for that). I just thought the world has okay with us being around by now. Especially Earthlink, Apple’s preferred ISP for their users. You’d think that Apple would make sure that their users would be made to feel comfortable.

Macster PR5 Released

alternateorg on August 15, 2000

If you’re anything like me, and you use a Mac and enjoy MP3s, then it’s a happy day. Macster Preview Release 5 has been unleashed.

New Features:
>> Filesharing Capabilities: Be a leech no longer.

>> Carbonized: Increased stability (you’ll have to download CarbonLib 1.0.4, also available at Macster.com)

>> Language Packs: Musique de téléchargement en français, par exemple

>> Full-fledged Registration

>> Fruity Toolbars: Want your MP3 finder to match your Lime iMac, no problemo.

Episode II? Not So Much.

alternateorg on August 14, 2000

Some hack over at TheForce.net figured he’d waited long enough. So he ‘directed’ his own version of an ‘Episode II’ trailer.

Apparently, he fooled a number of hardcore Star Wars fans into believing it was the real thing. I checked it out, and found that not only were all the cut shots from older Star Wars movies, but OTHER MOVIES ENTIRELY. I cannot see how some people were fooled into believing it was the real thing. I guess if you want anything enough, you’re prepared to believe anything.

Please don't Hack us?

alternateorg on August 10, 2000

The Department of Defense is so retarded that they actually think that asking Hackers “not to hack our systems” is going to work?


UH, thats like asking… “Hey, Mr. Bully dont kick my ass, please?” … It just wont happen, ever, period.

Is This Really Gonna Happen?

alternateorg on August 9, 2000

Someone thinks they’re going to overclock the G4 processor, use an existing Mac motherboard, and resell them in different casings with hyper-cooling systems. Whatever.

I seriously doubt this will become reality. And now Wired is reporting on it. Give me a break. Michael Breeden of XLR8yourmac.com is on my side… he doesn’t think the processors can even be overclocked that high. He did add at the last minute, though: ‘I wish them luck… We certainly could use faster machines.’ Whatever. Are you unhappy with the speed of your 450mhz G4? I’m not.

Does anyone honestly believe Apple is going to let someone rip out their motherboards, overclock the chips, and resell them? That doesn’t sound like the Apple I know.

Blame The Dog

alternateorg on August 4, 2000

`Last year’s sales were flat, this year’s are down. We recognized that some fundamental changes were necessary at Taco Bell,’ Novak said.

Maybe if they spent more time and money on how their food tastes, and less on their advertising, their sales would be up.