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CNET Totally Biased Against Apple |
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 There must have been some type of time-warp or dimensional transducer or something because if I'm correct, this would be my second post in one day.
Now, I don't want to get anyone's hopes up, but this sort of thing should not be counted upon or even congratulated. I usually adhere to very strict slacking standards, but for today I just could not sit idly by. That, and our XBOX is at the shop.
So what would prompt a Mac freak of questionable motivation such as myself to write a 2nd article in one day?
I'm glad you asked!
Y'see, in my other article (when I was on the manic side of manic-depressive), I wrote about the love-fest between the media and Apple as of late.
Well, now the hats on the flip side of the coin and the shoes on the other hand. Plus, at one point in my daily itineray of sites to peruse (slacking is such hard work, and you really do have to set goals) I came across CNETnews.com. Never really ones to promote Apple too much, and I can understand that to a certain extent, but today their actions are really questionable in my (maybe-not-quite-so) humble opinion.
CNET's headline (as of 2:05 PM EST) looks as follows:
Upon clicking the 'Full Story' link, CNET then presents the user with a list of four articles:
• Panther glitch erases some hard drives
• Mac OS X refund suit gets preliminary nod
• Apple patches Panther but not older OS
• Apple's 'Panther' set to prowl
All of these are good news stories - nothing wrong with them. But it's the way they're presented as a whole that's really eating at my craw. (What in the hell is a craw, anyway?)
To the average joe PC user that was visting CNET, it would appear that OS X is crap, and that just shouldn't be that case. If Microsoft were held to the same standards that Apple is by CNET, their front page would be absolutely riddled with Windows issues.
Plus, most of the issues that 'cast a shadow', as CNET says, on OS X don't apply to today's version of OS X!
The Firewire hard drive glitch is really the only thing affecting Panther. The refund suit is old news, and predates Jaguar (correct me if I'm wrong). The fact that Apple patched Panther, but not Jaguar, and that that should be a huge problem, is just ludicrous. Yes, it's true that Apple doesn't upgrade their old OS after the new one comes out, and that Microsoft still issues updates even as far back as Windows 98. But that shouldn't be a negative on Apple - that should make it clear to people that Microsoft's code is so full of bugs and security holes in the first place that they still have to work on fixing it!
Yeesh.
Ah well, at least CNET's fourth story ("Apple's 'Panther' set to prowl") is pretty pro-Apple. Wait a minute ... at first glance it reads like they're just talking about some of Panther's features ... but then ... ah yes, there's the negativity!
"It looks like Microsoft is really trying to make some fairly dramatic changes (with Longhorn). That's why its taking longer," Gartenberg said. "Apple has already been through the really dramatic change (with Mac OS X). It's easier for them to get releases like Jaguar and Panther out the door."
So because Apple is able to make a new OS with innovative features once a year, that is somehow construed as a bad thing!?
Ok, I know, CNET did not say that quote - Michael Gartenberg, a research analyst with Jupiter Research, did. But still, CNET managed to work it in there - and it didn't really have much to do with Panther's new features - which is really the core of the article, and it really sets a tone for the article. CNET then spouts some more Gartenberg "wisdom":
Microsoft customers are also slower to upgrade, with many not having yet made the transition to Windows XP. Apple customers, on the other hand, have shown a willingness to pay for the frequent updates that Apple has offered, Gartenberg said.
"Their core base has shown historically that they are not averse to paying for features," he said.
In essence what he's saying is that because we're Mac freaks, we shell out the money for whatever update Apple dishes out, whether or not it's worth it. We should be offended. (At least, those of us that have a shred of dignity left... and if you're visiting 2GAMAAW, odds are you don't)
So instead of counting the number of features that Panther has over Jaguar (plus speed increases and whatnot), and comparing that to the difference between Windows ME and Windows XP (plus throw in the fact that it took MS twice as long to get to XP), the guy just says that we're "not averse to paying for features".
I guess that's free press for ya. You have the ability to slant a story any way you want. As a matter of fact I'm indulging in that now, trying to make CNET look like a bad guy. So are they? Am I being too hard on them? Should I take my meds or perhaps a little nap? You be the judge!
Update - 7:33 PM EST: Shortly after posting this, CNET removed the "Apple patches Panther but not older OS" story and instead posted "Apple plans to remedy Jaguar security issues". Coincidence, or is CNET fearful of the hammer that is 2 Guys, a Mac, and a Website? ;) Just kidding of course, but check out MacCentral for more coverage and comments.
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October 31 2003, 3:00 PM EDT, by
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Comments:
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| Long Time CNET Fan |
10/31/03, 4:42 PM EDT |
The biases have become so pronounced over at CNET that it's time to say bye-bye. One ex-fan who will go other places for the news.
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| Oh, those Mac cultists |
10/31/03, 4:55 PM EDT |
Actually, Apple have said they WILL patch the security problems in Jaguar. Of course, they're pretty trivial compared to the newly discovered problems in Windoze every other day. I mean, OS X has been out for years now, without a SINGLE virus or worm outbreak. It's both sad and comical that Apple actually promotes virus protection as part of .Mac.
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| JACK |
10/31/03, 5:23 PM EDT |
i always go to Wired. They aren't as bad, although that thing about the Panther Viruses was a headline. They put up everything about Microsoft as well, from what i've noticed.
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| rlhamon |
10/31/03, 5:59 PM EDT |
Well if you ever wondered Microsoft does pay a lot of money to advertise on CNET. Also think about this if your a journalist and write for a magazine company and your salary is like 100 grand a year you would want to keep that job right?
Well take in consideration the last journalist that wrote the truth about Microsoft ... he got canned and still doesn't have a job yet!
Don't blame the writer blame Microsoft! Also while were at it blame Canada also.... there not a real country anyways and I always end up having one of there quarters when I need a pop and only have a $1.25.!
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| me |
10/31/03, 6:10 PM EDT |
Apple have NOT said that they will fix the security issues in Jaguar.
This is a serious problem. This is a contributing factor to the last major Mac corporate user in Australia (Optus) dropping 5000 Macs this week.
Apple CANNOT refuse to offer security updates for old versions if they want corporate customers.
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| Watcher |
10/31/03, 6:53 PM EDT |
Just like Microsoft to make everyone forget that they AND Intel made a significant investment in CNET. Go anywhere else for non-biased news. Like MSNBC? Oops, can't go there either!
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| yes |
10/31/03, 7:27 PM EDT |
Is CNET biased?
==============
Author: D. Goel
Copyright (C) 2002 D. Goel.
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this
document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License,
Version 1.1 or any later version published by the Free Software
Foundation; with the Invariant Sections being none, with the
Front-Cover Texts being , and with the Back-Cover
Texts being . A copy of the license is included in
the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".
If you still don't have a copy of the license, write to:
Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330,
Boston, MA 02111, USA
;;; 2002-08-15 T18:06:56-0400 (Thursday) D. Goel
[1] All the articles on CNET on Gnulinux, while ostensible objective,
seem to be so full of MS-style FUD on gnulinux that one can't help but
wonder.
[2] Googling seems to reveal that the similar trends have been noticed
by other people whenever it comes to any MS product vs non-MS
product. Apple, gnulinux, netscape groups seem to complain about cnet's
"FUD-filled" "misrepresentative" articles.
[3] CNET, a top downloading center in the windows world, is hardly
known as a open-source download-site.
[4] Microsoft and CNET seem to have a history of basking in glowing
reviews of each other.
[5] The gnulinux community's top news site, slashdot, carries many
links to many news articles and reviews, but hardly any links to
cnet.. howcome? this would seem to imply cnet never has a positive
review about gnulinux.. that doesn't seem too 'balanced'...
[6] And to cap it all, Paul allen, the co-founder of MS owns most of
CNET. Go figure!
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| Jobzzz |
10/31/03, 7:43 PM EDT |
Maczealots are morons. They'd buy even a turd with an Apple logo and Jobs' recommendation. And when they face the truth without Jobs' RDF they whine like a [doodie face]. Well shut the [darned heck] up and go back to your little dark corner of 3% market share, you Mac[doodoo buttocks]].
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| JACK |
10/31/03, 7:48 PM EDT |
Ya ok whats an RDF?
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| Enlightened |
10/31/03, 9:28 PM EDT |
Deep comments such as the one proffered by "Jobzzz" (obviously one of my former Windows brethren), make me all the more thankful to have switched to Apple products.
As Bubba's mama said, "Stupid is, as Stupid does" or in Jobzzz case, writes.
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| innocent bystander |
10/31/03, 9:54 PM EDT |
1. RDF = Reality Distortion Field
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| Watcher |
10/31/03, 10:11 PM EDT |
Jobzzz is obviously a MS [edited]Windows user[/edited] who just learned to copy & paste.
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| darknite |
11/1/03, 12:39 AM EDT |
Hey me, check this story
http://maccentral.macworld.com/news/2003/10/31/jaguarfix/index.ph p?redirect=1067600322000
Apple will indeed issue fixes for Jaguar.
Why people were all over Apple saying they wouldn't is beyond me. They updated stuff in 10.1 for a long time, why would they have dropped support for 10.2 just because 10.3 came out last week?
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| ZackMac |
11/1/03, 1:09 AM EDT |
Yeah, you're right.
It IS Canada's fault!
;-)
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| g |
11/1/03, 1:14 AM EDT |
" It's both sad and comical that Apple actually promotes virus protection as part of .Mac."
I found it funny that when i asked an Apple rep at my local Apple store why i would need this, he said it was "to prevent my PC using friends from getting a virus that i may send along without them knowing."
now that is funny
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| NoPCZone |
11/1/03, 1:45 AM EDT |
Have you noticed how HEAVILY Micro$oftopoly advertises on IT/ Tech websites? If you had their incredible market share, would you spend so heavily? It is not about advertising, it's about buying loyalty in the online "press". Piss off M$ and see your ad buys go down the drain.
This is also true of Business shows on Cable. Micro$oftopoly staurates CNBC/ CNN Business News Shows/ MSNBC/ Fox News Channel's Business shows year round. I can understand at the launch of a product, but everyday 24/7/365? It's about buying favorable press, not openly, but noticeably. Yeah, I'm saying it. One of the reasons they get the "kid gloves" press treatment is their monstrous ad budget.
Just like campaign money buys access after an election, MS ad money buys favorable or at least favored treatment.
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| Freak |
11/2/03, 10:58 PM EDT |
The comment linking Optus dropping 5000 Macs and security flaws in OSX is a load of crap(!) ... Optus are dumping old Powermacs - beige boxes - 7200's etc. It's a non-story but yet another example of how crap research and reporting puts spurious facts on websites as signs of Apple's demise.
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| Rick (Graphic Artist; computer consultant; and I'm obsessive, but not compulsive of all thing interestings to me) |
11/3/03, 5:55 AM EDT |
One point that's also over looked by people who are stunned by those who buy Apple's new OS versions every year or so: WinXP Pro (outdated and very flawed) = $299.89; WinXP Home (home version is missing many key features, and as I've been told by gammers, it doesn't support OpenGL!) = $189.94; Mac OS X 10.3 (comes with all kinds of free software, stability, great UNIX access, and much more—plus a pretty GUI too) = $108.99. So basically, OS X is the equivalent of a WinOS update CD, but it's the whole thing on one disk with features such as Archive and Install (thank God for that feature, and all you OS self-computer-hackers know what I'm talking about). Next thing you know, people will start complaining that they go through a lot of blank CD's trying to keep up to date with Linux. Oh yeah, and Window just looks like s#*%.
Price source: Mac/PCMall.com
Oh yeah, "Jobzzz" it's 3% (maybe 5% by now) of all things computer, not just OS and CPU. Do you even know who #1 is? I do. It's a corner, more like a study, and it's where are the light is coming from.
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| Gildogg |
11/3/03, 12:07 PM EDT |
craw ( P ) Pronunciation Key (krô)
n.
1. The crop of a bird or insect.
2. The stomach of an animal.
Idiom:
stick in (one's) craw
To cause one to feel abiding discontent and resentment.
[Middle English crawe.]
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| spazy-mcgee |
11/4/03, 12:08 PM EDT |
There is nothing wrong with using Windows - a lot of people are into that type of torture, they even get off on it. Speeking of torture, I am a Linux user, certainly not pain-free, but it is not an unstable, insecure OS that is "only good for gaming." However, it is a very cost-effective OS that get's me out from under the hell of M$. I am also told it is quite good for running as a server. ;-)
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| Jonahan |
11/4/03, 2:09 PM EDT |
Thanks for all the great comments folks - I had no clue how far MS was up CNET's arse. =)
Looks like they're at it again as well, with a review of Panther:
"Many of Panther's changes to the Finder seem motivated more by fashion than by usability, and although Apple lists 150 new features in Panther, others have disappeared. Along with advances in compatibility with Windows networks come problems in their implementation and interface. Until Apple works out these quirks, we can't recommend this version of Panther to users of Macs on enterprise networks. And if you are a home user with Jaguar, we suggest holding on to it in anticipation of next year's Mac OS X update."
I'll be the first to admit that 10.3 isn't perfect, but this review doesn't even scratch the surface of OS X. Am I right to give a big "WTF!???" to this review?
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| speedyrev |
11/4/03, 3:28 PM EDT |
Loved spazy's comment:
Windows = Torture
Linux = cost effective Torture
OSX = Bliss!
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Sometimes I wonder if I'm sexy enough. When I walk into a singles bar with my "fashionable" shirt, "fashionable" slacks, and a big new rubber manta-ray helmet. I can't help wondering: Do women want to talk to me for myself, or do they just want to get a feel of that nice rubber manta skin?
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