Sdashiki
Sep 8, 12:51 PM
It was the french.
hate the french.
hate the french.
linux2mac
Mar 30, 09:12 AM
This is why I switched to Mac. I don't miss these Windows headaches or spending money on anti-virus software every year. :D
Spotify ads hit by malware attack
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12891182
Spotify ads hit by malware attack
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12891182
tny
Nov 16, 04:26 PM
Do they have to remake a new "Universal Binary?" Because aren't the current UB's for Intel and PPC? Please tell me they wont. I don't wnat to have to wait again for new UB's
No. The AMD processors we're talking about have the same instruction set as the Intel processors Apple is currently using; in fact, the 64 bit extensions were written by AMD, not Intel (Intel's original 64-bit solution is Itanium, which on the seamier side of the computer trade - for instance, in the Register - is called the Itanic, because it is still sinking; eventually, Intel was forced to adopt AMD's extensions because the architecture is more compatible with the Pentium/x86 architecture).
Such a switch would be comparable in terms of technological impact to the switch from IBM for the G3 to Motorola for the G4, and then to IBM for the G5.
Now, if Apple switched to Intel Itanium or (if it were ever released again) the Digital Alpha, yes, a new form of Universal Binary would be needed. I suspect that the Cell processor is not completely compatible with the G5, so it's possible that a switch to Cell would require a new form of UB, too.
No. The AMD processors we're talking about have the same instruction set as the Intel processors Apple is currently using; in fact, the 64 bit extensions were written by AMD, not Intel (Intel's original 64-bit solution is Itanium, which on the seamier side of the computer trade - for instance, in the Register - is called the Itanic, because it is still sinking; eventually, Intel was forced to adopt AMD's extensions because the architecture is more compatible with the Pentium/x86 architecture).
Such a switch would be comparable in terms of technological impact to the switch from IBM for the G3 to Motorola for the G4, and then to IBM for the G5.
Now, if Apple switched to Intel Itanium or (if it were ever released again) the Digital Alpha, yes, a new form of Universal Binary would be needed. I suspect that the Cell processor is not completely compatible with the G5, so it's possible that a switch to Cell would require a new form of UB, too.
fxtech
Mar 29, 05:09 PM
I don't have much confidence in developers who eschew the App Store for their applications anyways, as in almost all cases it is a bad business move. I appreciate the business savvy of developers and companies who realize what a real advantage the app store model is, especially if you have a strong product.
That's pretty narrow minded of you. We sell a successful product for $1000 that uses an advanced licensing system for large facilities to "float" licenses between machines. The "App Store model" would be a horrible move for both us and our customers. Fortunately, since the people who need our tools already know about them (and would likely never turn to the app store to find such tools anyway), this isn't a big deal.
That's pretty narrow minded of you. We sell a successful product for $1000 that uses an advanced licensing system for large facilities to "float" licenses between machines. The "App Store model" would be a horrible move for both us and our customers. Fortunately, since the people who need our tools already know about them (and would likely never turn to the app store to find such tools anyway), this isn't a big deal.
*LTD*
Apr 23, 06:09 PM
Read the first line.
Hack the computers, not the iPhones.
In which case nearly *all* your personal data is vulnerable. Cell tower tracking is not a special case, and relatively not especially more dangerous or compromising than anything else you've got stored on your computer.
Again, there's no egregious violation taking place here, and it's not especially worse than any other way to keep tabs on someone.
Let's reserve the lynching for when we actually find out what this tracking data is for specifically and how widespread the issue is with other companies (i.e., Google, MS, etc.)
If there is no actual cause for concern to the average person (which there really isn't), I fail to see that need to take a flip over it.
Anyway, that's all Il'll post about this for now. I really don't have a lot more to say. This topic is already way off-course, mostly my fault.
You must not read many of LTD's posts.
Admiring a winner is *very* wrong. Sorry.
Apple makes a lot of the competition look pretty damn stupid on a continual basis, but you can't call attention to it too often, because you'll end up stepping one someone's toes.
My view is: wear thicker boots.
The latest in my rogues gallery of idiots is RIM (first prize for laying the Playbook egg.)
Hack the computers, not the iPhones.
In which case nearly *all* your personal data is vulnerable. Cell tower tracking is not a special case, and relatively not especially more dangerous or compromising than anything else you've got stored on your computer.
Again, there's no egregious violation taking place here, and it's not especially worse than any other way to keep tabs on someone.
Let's reserve the lynching for when we actually find out what this tracking data is for specifically and how widespread the issue is with other companies (i.e., Google, MS, etc.)
If there is no actual cause for concern to the average person (which there really isn't), I fail to see that need to take a flip over it.
Anyway, that's all Il'll post about this for now. I really don't have a lot more to say. This topic is already way off-course, mostly my fault.
You must not read many of LTD's posts.
Admiring a winner is *very* wrong. Sorry.
Apple makes a lot of the competition look pretty damn stupid on a continual basis, but you can't call attention to it too often, because you'll end up stepping one someone's toes.
My view is: wear thicker boots.
The latest in my rogues gallery of idiots is RIM (first prize for laying the Playbook egg.)
OS X Dude
May 2, 11:37 AM
Yes for the iPod bug fixes - I've been getting a weird one on my 3GS where album art isn't loaded correctly for the track that's playing - sometimes it'll pull the Genius Playlist album cover for the playlist that song is in (when I'm not on Genius anyway) and sometimes entirely different albums by different groups.
Nekbeth
Apr 25, 04:00 PM
Thanks for your advice dejo, but I'm not stepping away because of lack of fundamentals. Interaction with other developers is an additional learning source (the main is all kind of documentation), of course I need to learn more about fundamentals of objective C just like you did when you had 3 months programming, but that ain't stopping me from asking help in forums. Some people help you, some don't, you just have to deal with that.
btw, thanks for pointing my error, your right.. those are declaration for cancelTime: and cancelIt: , I got confuse with the parameter :D
btw, thanks for pointing my error, your right.. those are declaration for cancelTime: and cancelIt: , I got confuse with the parameter :D
vwcruisn
Apr 5, 03:23 PM
brilliant! i find myself "surfing" free apps to find certain iAds. I've always wanted a database of all of the iADs in one place to reference and inspire. I see 2 in the macrumors screen shot that I personally have worked on. Cool!
iOrlando
Apr 15, 01:29 PM
looks like an iphone casket.
Kilamite
Apr 15, 12:19 PM
If they are real, following the iPad style of back.
Missing a flash though, which is a consistent rumour.
Missing a flash though, which is a consistent rumour.
SevenInchScrew
Nov 28, 05:16 PM
But think of it this way. The average amount of kills you get per napalm strike, mortar team and valkyrie rockets are get on average same amount of kills as rc-xd.
I disagree. At least in the many games I've played so far, getting multi-kills with the RC-XD is pretty rare, whereas the Napalm and Valkyrie are pretty much a 2-3 kill, at least.
Getting 3 kills per rc car is also nothing rare in a domination or hq game.
Then my previous statement is given more credence. If 3-4 people on a team are still standing around, all huddled up, even AFTER the call-out for the RC-XD, then they deserve to get multi'd.
....and how it guarantees kills
They can be stopped, in many ways, whereas most other killstreaks can't. Plus, there really isn't any other offensive Killstreaks in the lower kill range, as they are mostly only defensive. If they made it a 4-5 killstreak, people who aren't as good at the game would never get to do anything fun like that. And then, as well, only the people who ARE good at the game would get to possibly add kills to their total.
I think it all really boils down to how people play the game. Despite the size of the maps, you can't just run around on the offensive all the time. Listen for the call-outs from the other teams killstreaks, and respond defensively when appropriate. Spy planes or choppers coming? Shoot them down. RC, Napalm, Mortar, Dogs or Valkyrie Rockets? Get indoors and hide, and defend your position for a few seconds.
The only killstreak with a limited counter is the SR71. If someone has a Counter Spy Plane, they can jam the Blackbird, otherwise nothing can stop it. But really, that person has already killed your team 7-8 times, so you've sort of brought it upon yourself.if we are talking about killstreaks: the huey chopper gunner red highlighting needs to go
Make a Custom Class with Ghost, problem solved. Hell, equip that same class with the Strela, and not only will the various Choppers not shoot you, but you can then bring it down so it stops killing your team as well.
I disagree. At least in the many games I've played so far, getting multi-kills with the RC-XD is pretty rare, whereas the Napalm and Valkyrie are pretty much a 2-3 kill, at least.
Getting 3 kills per rc car is also nothing rare in a domination or hq game.
Then my previous statement is given more credence. If 3-4 people on a team are still standing around, all huddled up, even AFTER the call-out for the RC-XD, then they deserve to get multi'd.
....and how it guarantees kills
They can be stopped, in many ways, whereas most other killstreaks can't. Plus, there really isn't any other offensive Killstreaks in the lower kill range, as they are mostly only defensive. If they made it a 4-5 killstreak, people who aren't as good at the game would never get to do anything fun like that. And then, as well, only the people who ARE good at the game would get to possibly add kills to their total.
I think it all really boils down to how people play the game. Despite the size of the maps, you can't just run around on the offensive all the time. Listen for the call-outs from the other teams killstreaks, and respond defensively when appropriate. Spy planes or choppers coming? Shoot them down. RC, Napalm, Mortar, Dogs or Valkyrie Rockets? Get indoors and hide, and defend your position for a few seconds.
The only killstreak with a limited counter is the SR71. If someone has a Counter Spy Plane, they can jam the Blackbird, otherwise nothing can stop it. But really, that person has already killed your team 7-8 times, so you've sort of brought it upon yourself.if we are talking about killstreaks: the huey chopper gunner red highlighting needs to go
Make a Custom Class with Ghost, problem solved. Hell, equip that same class with the Strela, and not only will the various Choppers not shoot you, but you can then bring it down so it stops killing your team as well.
0815
Apr 6, 07:52 AM
An app that brings all the things I hate together. [... removed bashing ...]
So why bother? If you don't like it, don't download it. There are thousands of apps in the store that I don't like or have no interest in. No need to comment everywhere how much I dislike them and how much every user of those is a brainless idiot. there is a very simple solution with basically two options:
(1) if you (think you) like it -> download and try
(2) if you don't like it, don't download it
It is not that this app is forced to be installed on your phone. It is your choice.
I always enjoyed the creative iAds, I downloaded the app and found to my surprise that it even shows me (in the US) some of the European ads which I otherwise wouldn't have seen.
The only thing I wonder about is: is Apple getting money if people click on the ads? (my guess would be no)
So why bother? If you don't like it, don't download it. There are thousands of apps in the store that I don't like or have no interest in. No need to comment everywhere how much I dislike them and how much every user of those is a brainless idiot. there is a very simple solution with basically two options:
(1) if you (think you) like it -> download and try
(2) if you don't like it, don't download it
It is not that this app is forced to be installed on your phone. It is your choice.
I always enjoyed the creative iAds, I downloaded the app and found to my surprise that it even shows me (in the US) some of the European ads which I otherwise wouldn't have seen.
The only thing I wonder about is: is Apple getting money if people click on the ads? (my guess would be no)
madmax_2069
Apr 5, 04:03 AM
did you see anything that recommended in the last page. you need to tell the police to get ahold of MS to tell them that is was infact stollen . cause you wont get anything from them yourself. you have the log's and you have the hardware ID number. and your account that is being used by the thieve. they need to contact MS to get this resolved. cause MS just wont tell you alone i think you can understand why not.
you have all the paperwork for it which has the ID number for it so MS knows what system to look for. you just need to get the police involved with contacting MS.
putting this on Digg was a wrong move cause you cant do anything with those trollers. just ignore people you know what happened
you have all the paperwork for it which has the ID number for it so MS knows what system to look for. you just need to get the police involved with contacting MS.
putting this on Digg was a wrong move cause you cant do anything with those trollers. just ignore people you know what happened
twoodcc
Jul 30, 10:08 PM
too bad osx cant utilise GPUs and whatnot. :( otherwise id let my 4850 have a crack - better then the CPU thats for sure!
yeah i wish they had gpu folding for mac os x. but really, there aren't that many mac video cards
yeah i wish they had gpu folding for mac os x. but really, there aren't that many mac video cards
Digitalclips
Apr 16, 07:53 AM
As much as I like google as a company, as with everything they start I'm sure they will never finish this. I've come to believe google is incapable of releasing a complete, polished project. But maybe I'm just bitter since I own a 40" google tv that is virtually incapable of doing anything worth doing on a tv.
Google seem to be perpetually in 'beta' on everything. That works fine with Search, Maps, YouTube and Earth but on many products I have backed off as you never know if you put time and effort in to using / deploying them if they will be updated or even be there a year from now. Don't ever expect any support either!
The thought of investing in any hardware reliant on anything from Google would scare the pants off me.
I think Eric's tenure at Google was a disaster. Prior to him Google were innovative and lead in anything they took on. Now they are in a copy cat - catch up mode with Apple and seem to have lost their way. I hope the return of the original leaders will put Google back on track as an innovator. This industry needs more than one company that can do that.
Google seem to be perpetually in 'beta' on everything. That works fine with Search, Maps, YouTube and Earth but on many products I have backed off as you never know if you put time and effort in to using / deploying them if they will be updated or even be there a year from now. Don't ever expect any support either!
The thought of investing in any hardware reliant on anything from Google would scare the pants off me.
I think Eric's tenure at Google was a disaster. Prior to him Google were innovative and lead in anything they took on. Now they are in a copy cat - catch up mode with Apple and seem to have lost their way. I hope the return of the original leaders will put Google back on track as an innovator. This industry needs more than one company that can do that.
scott523
Nov 23, 11:54 PM
Oh nicee. The online Apple Store just went down right when I was refreshing. :D
JRM PowerPod
Sep 12, 07:53 AM
10am San Francisco time. So 1pm East Coast, 6pm London, 3am Wednesday in Sydney.
What do these clowns do to us aussies, 3am, so not fair, everytime
What do these clowns do to us aussies, 3am, so not fair, everytime
caspersoong
Apr 29, 09:02 PM
I like the tweak. Hope it does not fade away in the next build.
ucfgrad93
Mar 17, 01:32 AM
Who are you anyway? Judge Jury and Executioner? Please
Of course not. We are simply responding to your post. The problem is, we are not responding in the way you expected. You posted and thought that you would be congratulated for "sticking it to the man.":rolleyes:
Of course not. We are simply responding to your post. The problem is, we are not responding in the way you expected. You posted and thought that you would be congratulated for "sticking it to the man.":rolleyes:
Benjy91
Apr 20, 12:34 PM
The problem was that all that MS publicly announced for "Longhorn" never really made it into "vista" So while everyone knew what MS was working on, MS was unable to deliver.
This time around they're (trying) to prevent leaks of the build surfacing. So the only people who could potentially be disappointed are geeks like me who actively search for leaked Alpha & Beta features.
Theres a lot that could change though, it's still only at Milestone 3.
This time around they're (trying) to prevent leaks of the build surfacing. So the only people who could potentially be disappointed are geeks like me who actively search for leaked Alpha & Beta features.
Theres a lot that could change though, it's still only at Milestone 3.
BBEmployee
Apr 8, 02:42 PM
I'm a current employee at Best Buy and thought I'd offer my two cents on a few issues.
First, I don't really like Best Buy. I got a job there to work for around 4 hours a week to get the generous discount. It's particularly generous when dealing with open-box items. Even so, I am miserable leading up to heading in and I do not enjoy the time that I spend there. Thankfully, I have a good full-time job plus a lot of side work and I'm planning on quitting in the next month or so as the thrill of the discount has long worn off.
That said, I have no problem being very open and honest about Best Buy and my experiences there.
In regards to the iPad situation, I haven't been in since this issue came up and won't be in for awhile, so I don't really know what the buzz is on this matter exactly. I do know that they wouldn't put a freeze on selling new iPad 2 stock if they regularly had it for a random promotion, if only for the very reason that many think caused the initial problem: quota.
I'm betting 1 of 2 things happened:
1) They did indeed get in trouble with Apple for something. Sure, it's possible, and it's the easiest reasonable conclusion. I don't know why this would be though, and I'm skeptical about the whole hording thing. And again, this is coming from someone who has access to the inventory systems and all the places that would hide "horded" iPads. Plus, I have a good enough relationship with multiple managers (ones who know the score about Best Buy in an objective world...) who would be honest about this with me.
Generally speaking, when they say there are no iPads for sale, there are no iPads for sale. It's really that simple. Demand is real, and supply is lacking. When we have them for sale, they're in the cages, and this would occur after passing through the pre-order system. White Verizon iPads tend to be the ones most often available, usually just a couple, and they're gone almost immediately all the same.
Another factor in the equation though is processing shipments. I saw someone noted that after an open-box controversy between two customers, the manager was able to procure a new iPad 2 for a disappointed customer when apparently there were none for sale. Well, there probably weren't. He either bumped someone back on the pre-order list to be nice to the pissed off customer in the store or perhaps a shipment came in on the truck that had yet to be processed and he worked it out with the ops team to get them to process one so he could get it out. Oftentimes the managers do actually try to make the customer happy, even if it's somewhat unreasonable. The ops guys have their procedures, and it's rarely slimy in intent so much as rooted in overall efficiency, so sometimes a shipment won't go to the floor for sales until the next day because the processing takes time. If the manager pushes to work something out in that situation, the manager is doing you a favor and pissing off some ops guys to do so.
Anyways, on to the 2nd scenario...
2) This is what I'd really venture to bet is the problem: the pre-order system is a huge mess. It was a rush job authorized by corporate at the last minute and handled by less-than-informed employees who were also in a rush. From day 1 it was clear that problems were going to creep up, and they absolutely have. Nobody in store is happy about it. The employees don't like telling customers that they have to wait on a pre-order list, they don't like the 48 hour pickup window, they don't like having to deal with customers pissing and moaning and crying about conspiracy theories when only a 64 GB white Verizon iPad 2 is available once in a blue moon when a pre-order turns it down. It's not fun, for anyone, and unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it.
So what I'm guessing is really happening is that Best Buy is just digging out of this pre-order mess as fast as possible and skipping anything else until they get past the ramifications of a stupid decision. Considering there's little to skip seeing as supply is so low and we rarely have the most in-demand models available anyways, it's easier for them to just bow out of this for a couple of weeks and in a sense re-launch the normal sales when supplies are less constrained and they don't have a stupid pre-order process hanging over their heads. It's a cut and dry move that will allow them to gear up again in a more normal, focused way. Considering how things have gone there in the last month in dealing with anything iPad related, this might be the best decision for them.
All in all, Best Buy is Best Buy: a brick and mortar retailer lost in an internet-connected world. Best Buy isn't nearly as evil as they are lost and longing for the 20th century. Sure, there's a lot of margin on accessories, but it's because there's more often than not no margin on anything else. They don't make much money at all on TV's and Computers anymore. If they're on sale, and at Best Buy, almost everything is always "On Sale," it's likely at cost or within a few dollars of cost. There's little margin in the shrinking physical media world either. The only departments with major products that have margin still are appliances and for certain stores, musical instruments. This is why Best Buy will likely be dead in 5 years if they don't drastically change their business model. They did a better job at adapting to the new world than other electronics chains, but they haven't done nearly enough. It's not an easy business at this point though as it has as much to do with dealing with suppliers suffering the same pinch and customers who want to have it all but don't want to pay for it.
Also, in regards to stupid employees and sleazy mangers, yeah, they do exist. But more employees know their stuff than you might think. And there are quite a few managers who actually do care about trying to do a good job and help the customer.
As far as the employees, the biggest shock to me after working at Best Buy was realizing that so much of the supposed employee ignorance has more to do with incessantly having to dumb things down to the most absurd of levels with customers. 90% of the people who come in are nice people who just don't know much of anything about what they're buying. You have to learn to communicate on their level and not over-complicate things for them. It's easy to get stuck in that default mode and you have to actively snap yourself out of it on the rare occasion when you get customers who can actually hold their own in a conversation about the technology. And make no mistake, it's a huge relief for most of us when that happens because most of us that work there actually are pretty excited about the technology.
Now on the other hand, sleazy managers and supervisors can screw so much of this up. While most of the employees aren't making a career out of working at Best Buy, the sups and managers typically are on some level at least, and it takes a certain, umm, level of person to get, err, stuck, yes, at that level if you know what I mean. There's a lot of inconsistency in these types of people. If you get good ones though, they tend to hire good employees and foster a good environment for customers. My store has good management. It's the only thing that makes it remotely tolerable to me. The employees actually know their stuff and are honest with the customers. They also work as a team because the management pushes it and thankfully we don't have commission to muck things up. And customers do love us for it. You'd be shocked by how often a selling relationship turns into a friendship practically at our particular store. We get invited out after work all the time. Honesty goes a long ways, and when you're helping people save money by making sure they make a smart decision for their needs, it goes a long ways. And our managers are objective enough (and not locked into Best Buy corporate brainwash mode) to know that the only thing Best Buy has to offer over Amazon is the possibility of a good customer service experience. They do all they reasonably can to ensure that it happens.
But again, this simply isn't the case everywhere at all, and it so often boils down to the luck of the draw on management. Good managers hire good people leading to good teams leading to generally happy customers and good sales. Bad managers hire their dumb friends, play games with customers, lie, cheat, and usually they don't put up good numbers.
At the end of the day though, the good stores and the bad stores are equally screwed because the industry is a mess, the world is changing, and Best Buy corporate utterly and completely lacks the talent and leadership to be innovative in the 21st century. They refuse to reasonably acknowledge change, they're too scared to piss off manufacturers who have lines all across the store that vary dramatically when it comes to success and quality, and they're wildly inconsistent and disorganized with their processes and as they put it, "solutions." As said, if things don't drastically change, and I don't believe they will without a major shift in leadership, they'll be dead in 5 years. It's a sinking ship. I'll be happy to be out of there.
Again, I don't think they're near as evil and corrupt as they are just lost. When you're lost, things can get confusing real fast. Bear in mind that oftentimes when employees appear aloof, they're probably confused because corporate changes things all the time and does little to help keep us informed of these changes. Also, don't mistake conspiracy theories for sheer stupidity. Like we saw in this whole conversation, people will say some wild things. It's easy to think it from the outside. I can assure you from the inside, that oftentimes what looks like scheming and maneuvering is really just disorganization, stupidity and/or confusion due to the muddled processes and the ever-foggy way in which corporate outlines these processes.
I don't blame people for not liking Best Buy. I don't like them either. Just go easy on the guys on the floor and in the back. Unless they're the total goof-off employees which do exist, what you're pissed about is probably not their fault at all.
First, I don't really like Best Buy. I got a job there to work for around 4 hours a week to get the generous discount. It's particularly generous when dealing with open-box items. Even so, I am miserable leading up to heading in and I do not enjoy the time that I spend there. Thankfully, I have a good full-time job plus a lot of side work and I'm planning on quitting in the next month or so as the thrill of the discount has long worn off.
That said, I have no problem being very open and honest about Best Buy and my experiences there.
In regards to the iPad situation, I haven't been in since this issue came up and won't be in for awhile, so I don't really know what the buzz is on this matter exactly. I do know that they wouldn't put a freeze on selling new iPad 2 stock if they regularly had it for a random promotion, if only for the very reason that many think caused the initial problem: quota.
I'm betting 1 of 2 things happened:
1) They did indeed get in trouble with Apple for something. Sure, it's possible, and it's the easiest reasonable conclusion. I don't know why this would be though, and I'm skeptical about the whole hording thing. And again, this is coming from someone who has access to the inventory systems and all the places that would hide "horded" iPads. Plus, I have a good enough relationship with multiple managers (ones who know the score about Best Buy in an objective world...) who would be honest about this with me.
Generally speaking, when they say there are no iPads for sale, there are no iPads for sale. It's really that simple. Demand is real, and supply is lacking. When we have them for sale, they're in the cages, and this would occur after passing through the pre-order system. White Verizon iPads tend to be the ones most often available, usually just a couple, and they're gone almost immediately all the same.
Another factor in the equation though is processing shipments. I saw someone noted that after an open-box controversy between two customers, the manager was able to procure a new iPad 2 for a disappointed customer when apparently there were none for sale. Well, there probably weren't. He either bumped someone back on the pre-order list to be nice to the pissed off customer in the store or perhaps a shipment came in on the truck that had yet to be processed and he worked it out with the ops team to get them to process one so he could get it out. Oftentimes the managers do actually try to make the customer happy, even if it's somewhat unreasonable. The ops guys have their procedures, and it's rarely slimy in intent so much as rooted in overall efficiency, so sometimes a shipment won't go to the floor for sales until the next day because the processing takes time. If the manager pushes to work something out in that situation, the manager is doing you a favor and pissing off some ops guys to do so.
Anyways, on to the 2nd scenario...
2) This is what I'd really venture to bet is the problem: the pre-order system is a huge mess. It was a rush job authorized by corporate at the last minute and handled by less-than-informed employees who were also in a rush. From day 1 it was clear that problems were going to creep up, and they absolutely have. Nobody in store is happy about it. The employees don't like telling customers that they have to wait on a pre-order list, they don't like the 48 hour pickup window, they don't like having to deal with customers pissing and moaning and crying about conspiracy theories when only a 64 GB white Verizon iPad 2 is available once in a blue moon when a pre-order turns it down. It's not fun, for anyone, and unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it.
So what I'm guessing is really happening is that Best Buy is just digging out of this pre-order mess as fast as possible and skipping anything else until they get past the ramifications of a stupid decision. Considering there's little to skip seeing as supply is so low and we rarely have the most in-demand models available anyways, it's easier for them to just bow out of this for a couple of weeks and in a sense re-launch the normal sales when supplies are less constrained and they don't have a stupid pre-order process hanging over their heads. It's a cut and dry move that will allow them to gear up again in a more normal, focused way. Considering how things have gone there in the last month in dealing with anything iPad related, this might be the best decision for them.
All in all, Best Buy is Best Buy: a brick and mortar retailer lost in an internet-connected world. Best Buy isn't nearly as evil as they are lost and longing for the 20th century. Sure, there's a lot of margin on accessories, but it's because there's more often than not no margin on anything else. They don't make much money at all on TV's and Computers anymore. If they're on sale, and at Best Buy, almost everything is always "On Sale," it's likely at cost or within a few dollars of cost. There's little margin in the shrinking physical media world either. The only departments with major products that have margin still are appliances and for certain stores, musical instruments. This is why Best Buy will likely be dead in 5 years if they don't drastically change their business model. They did a better job at adapting to the new world than other electronics chains, but they haven't done nearly enough. It's not an easy business at this point though as it has as much to do with dealing with suppliers suffering the same pinch and customers who want to have it all but don't want to pay for it.
Also, in regards to stupid employees and sleazy mangers, yeah, they do exist. But more employees know their stuff than you might think. And there are quite a few managers who actually do care about trying to do a good job and help the customer.
As far as the employees, the biggest shock to me after working at Best Buy was realizing that so much of the supposed employee ignorance has more to do with incessantly having to dumb things down to the most absurd of levels with customers. 90% of the people who come in are nice people who just don't know much of anything about what they're buying. You have to learn to communicate on their level and not over-complicate things for them. It's easy to get stuck in that default mode and you have to actively snap yourself out of it on the rare occasion when you get customers who can actually hold their own in a conversation about the technology. And make no mistake, it's a huge relief for most of us when that happens because most of us that work there actually are pretty excited about the technology.
Now on the other hand, sleazy managers and supervisors can screw so much of this up. While most of the employees aren't making a career out of working at Best Buy, the sups and managers typically are on some level at least, and it takes a certain, umm, level of person to get, err, stuck, yes, at that level if you know what I mean. There's a lot of inconsistency in these types of people. If you get good ones though, they tend to hire good employees and foster a good environment for customers. My store has good management. It's the only thing that makes it remotely tolerable to me. The employees actually know their stuff and are honest with the customers. They also work as a team because the management pushes it and thankfully we don't have commission to muck things up. And customers do love us for it. You'd be shocked by how often a selling relationship turns into a friendship practically at our particular store. We get invited out after work all the time. Honesty goes a long ways, and when you're helping people save money by making sure they make a smart decision for their needs, it goes a long ways. And our managers are objective enough (and not locked into Best Buy corporate brainwash mode) to know that the only thing Best Buy has to offer over Amazon is the possibility of a good customer service experience. They do all they reasonably can to ensure that it happens.
But again, this simply isn't the case everywhere at all, and it so often boils down to the luck of the draw on management. Good managers hire good people leading to good teams leading to generally happy customers and good sales. Bad managers hire their dumb friends, play games with customers, lie, cheat, and usually they don't put up good numbers.
At the end of the day though, the good stores and the bad stores are equally screwed because the industry is a mess, the world is changing, and Best Buy corporate utterly and completely lacks the talent and leadership to be innovative in the 21st century. They refuse to reasonably acknowledge change, they're too scared to piss off manufacturers who have lines all across the store that vary dramatically when it comes to success and quality, and they're wildly inconsistent and disorganized with their processes and as they put it, "solutions." As said, if things don't drastically change, and I don't believe they will without a major shift in leadership, they'll be dead in 5 years. It's a sinking ship. I'll be happy to be out of there.
Again, I don't think they're near as evil and corrupt as they are just lost. When you're lost, things can get confusing real fast. Bear in mind that oftentimes when employees appear aloof, they're probably confused because corporate changes things all the time and does little to help keep us informed of these changes. Also, don't mistake conspiracy theories for sheer stupidity. Like we saw in this whole conversation, people will say some wild things. It's easy to think it from the outside. I can assure you from the inside, that oftentimes what looks like scheming and maneuvering is really just disorganization, stupidity and/or confusion due to the muddled processes and the ever-foggy way in which corporate outlines these processes.
I don't blame people for not liking Best Buy. I don't like them either. Just go easy on the guys on the floor and in the back. Unless they're the total goof-off employees which do exist, what you're pissed about is probably not their fault at all.
*LTD*
Apr 11, 07:04 AM
You are aware that the Core2Duo 'requirement' is because Lion is 64-bit, right?
Excellent sig. ;)
Excellent sig. ;)
Chundles
Sep 12, 08:00 AM
I've been getting some weird redirections at the Australian Apple Store...
Just remembered that of course the Apple Store itself will be down at some stage tonight, so I checked it out. But instead I was redirected to the UK education store page. I tried re-entering the address several times but kept getting redirected to different parts of the UK store.
It's back to normal now, but very odd behaviour nonetheless.
And the Australian iTunes Store is also showing the black screen now. :)
Sweet!
4 Hours now - I get the feeling this could be big. No movies for us but then that's to be expected. I just wanna see what is coming that we can use.
Just remembered that of course the Apple Store itself will be down at some stage tonight, so I checked it out. But instead I was redirected to the UK education store page. I tried re-entering the address several times but kept getting redirected to different parts of the UK store.
It's back to normal now, but very odd behaviour nonetheless.
And the Australian iTunes Store is also showing the black screen now. :)
Sweet!
4 Hours now - I get the feeling this could be big. No movies for us but then that's to be expected. I just wanna see what is coming that we can use.
LightSpeed1
Apr 17, 02:04 AM
Google is finding out just how difficult it is to negotiate with record labels. :pMy thoughts exactly.
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