110PercentStupid.com

While hanging out on the engadget site I came across this little tidbit.

Now, this isn’t entirely new tactics for Apple. While I could probably still load and use an antique version of Word Perfect 5.1 on  a brand new MS Vista machine (not sure why I would want to, I mean seriously, why would I want to demean the venerable word processor in such a horrible way) Apple has routinely forced its loyal following to purchase their entire software library over and over as they plow through new releases of their OS/hardware. The assumption would be that Mac software developers have been in bed with Apple to breed new sales for the same old code with slight updates (granted, the jump to the Intel platform wasn’t a slight code change, but a necessary one). I wonder what Apple’s cut is.

Now, with the new markets Apple is enjoying with the ubiquitous iPod and now the iPhone, it looks like the same old story. Somewhere in some smoky boardroom, Steve is secretly meeting with the purveyors of craptastic, overpriced iPod and iPhone accessories and planning how they might lead the senseless hordes around by the nose and plunder their wallets in $19.95 increments.

The question is: “Who is more stupid?” Steve Jobs for being so smug in his market dominance that he believes consumers will indefinitely forgive rude and unnecessary restrictions on his products, or the consumers who seem to indefinitely forgive Steve and line up to pay top dollar for this stuff? 

Now, before you post that nasty comment about how my heritage is questionable and I must be a Bill Gates minion (well - I am an MCSE) to say such horrible things, let me clear the air a bit - I’m writing this from my MacBook Pro while listening to iTunes and syncing my iPod. The products, in my opinion, are great. The business practice (stupid lockouts and restrictions on products) is what is in question. And yes, Bill is very guilty of similar tactics. But that’s another story… 

There is something wrong here!

This is what I got after clicking on the unsubscribe link in an email newsletter. What if I changed my mind?

Wow! I think they mean it.

This picture taken at a dock at one of the ports during an Alaskan cruise.

There are just so many places to start. But, I’ll have to start with the thing that started it all. The thing that prompted me to start this site (even though it took over a year). Please examine, if you will, Exhibit A.

What’s wrong with this? UPS says “NO SUCH STREET”…and then mails a postcard to it! I also would like to point out that this was not the first delivery to this address. I had, in fact, received multiple deliveries from UPS prior to this one, at this address. So, I guess if it’s not on Google Maps, then it doesn’t exist.

(By the way, at the time of this post, it still doesn’t exist…good thing I don’t live there, anymore!)

Welcome to my blog…where stupidity gives it’s all.  Plus 10%!