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45 Comments
- aftershave, on 07/26/2008, -1/+17This is ***** stupid.
I used to have lots of respect for FSF and their core principles, but this is starting to reek of desperation. These types of tactics are sure as ***** going to turn allies into enemies. I am a mac user and Genius Bar is indispensable because I can get service really quickly by scheduling an appointment to resolve issues with our Macs at the studio. By booking slots they are hurting my business and other people with legitimate needs.
I've donated to FSF in the past and this is how they reward me. - harlowsmonkeys, on 07/26/2008, -1/+16So, basically, the FSF is urging a denial of service attack against Apple's customer support.
- kodybryson, on 07/26/2008, -1/+15So when a normal human being is just having trouble with their stuff you're going to make them wait longer to get help because of this silly little game.
Anyone who does this is a total douche bag. This idea is so unlikely to make any impact on Apple, aside from hurting its less tech savvy customers. Maybe you should toilet paper Steve Jobs' house while you're at it. heeheehee. That would really get 'im! - 1town, on 07/25/2008, -11/+25Jesus, this is some ***** article.
First of all, are you gonna harass some employee at WalMart if you have a problem with the way the franchise runs things?
That aside, the idiocy just rolls on;
"Jobs is the largest individual shareholder at Disney, and he could insist that its films be DRM-free."
Just because he has more shares than anyone else doesn't give him control of the whole ***** enterprise.
"can you tell me specifically what the RIAA said to Jobs when he asked for the ability to sell DRM-free music?"
***** you, or something to that effect.
"why should iPhone users trust Apple?"
WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST ANYONE WITH A ***** GPS? I'm sorry, so now a GPS is a bad thing, because apple might be passing out your location to whoever they feel like? You might as well be asking "Why should I trust Apple to not listen in on my every phonecall" The answer is: No one gives a ***** where you are, *****.
"If Jobs really wants to see open formats, why doesn't the iPhone play Ogg Vorbis, Ogg Theora video and FLAC?"
Because the 5 people who want it aren't screaming loudly enough.
Look, nobody likes DRM, but there's constructive critisism, and then there's ***** attacks on a popular company. - DlGG, on 07/25/2008, -6/+17It doesn't really seem like going to a Genius Bar is going to answer any of these questions. They're "technical" support. These are all questions on Apple practices, policies, and future plans. People go in to ask why their iPod won't turn on, not get a representative of the whole company for an interview.
- kinseyincanada, on 07/25/2008, -6/+16this is stupid, why should you waste someones time with this, they are simple employees who provide technical support. They have absolutely no power over this. If you have complaints direct them at the company itself not at a simple employee.
- totorototoro, on 07/26/2008, -2/+11Wow, this is where groups with decent ideals (save the environment, protect animals from abuse, protect freedom of speech) go from positive forces of good, to total fringe *****. Right up there with Ecoterrorists, PETA, and all those other groups who have gone around the bend by advocating ***** like this.
- boojoy, on 07/25/2008, -3/+11The elderly are waiting to get their MacBooks looked at - for the love of God stop this madness and let them through.
But really, this is ridiculous. The genius bar employees have nothing to do with DRM, iPhone apps, etc. Let them do their job. - colincornaby, on 07/26/2008, -2/+9"The iPhone 3G has GPS support. How can users be sure that the GPS cannot be used to track their position, without their permission?"
Yes, GPS is now the devil. Let's all burn our GPS devices because they could be possibly used to track our location. Convenience be damned.
What I don't get is why they're targeting Apple specifically. High profile target? The questions themselves are incredibly lame and make me wonder if the FSF isn't run by community college rejects. Why doesn't Apple have more DRM free music? Because it's the choice of the labels, not Apple. Could the GPS be used to track your location? What kind of dumb ass question is that? Why would you specifically ask Apple that question and not Garmin or Motorola or Palm? What the hell would Apple even do with that information anyway? - astinus, on 07/27/2008, -0/+6I agree with all of the negative comments above, this is a ridiculously childish act by the Free Software Foundation and I honestly hope someone sees sense before conducting further campaigns like this. No more donations will be coming out of my wallet, that's for darn sure, and I initially joined as a member because of Defective by Design. Whomever came up with this ludicrous concept should get canned.
A portion of pause might be given to any organization conducting these sorts of shenanigans if/when the armies of lawyers employed by Apple decide FSF-sponsored denial of service attacks against their stores are "illegal restraint of trade" and take this to court. Whilst I hate to think of my hard-earned dosh being spent by FSF defending these childish actions, it will hopefully be a hard-earned lesson.
I am digging this to raise awareness on how *not* to run a campaign in future. Please can the FSF grow up a bit? - eitreach, on 07/25/2008, -0/+6..or perhaps it's simply because it is a campaign by FSF, which is closely tied to GNU/Linux. Who knows.
- NaziHatinChimp, on 07/25/2008, -6/+11The fact that this article is about Apple and is put in the linux section tells me you have an agenda.
- TheFinaleofSeem, on 07/26/2008, -1/+6Wow, what a bunch of ***** douchebags. Let's show our dissatisfaction with Apple by badgering the low-level support guys who have ZERO to do with iPhone policies and deny support to others who need it! This is utterly and monumentally stupid beyond belief. They're only going to piss A LOT of people off and give guys like MS more ammo to show that free/open software advocates are a bunch of loonies. Not all of them are, of course, but these guys are sure doing their damnedest to make it look that way. I can't fathom why these nuts would be so incredibly stupid.
I'm digging this article so everyone can see what a bunch of stupid ***** the FSF is. - blagoaw, on 07/27/2008, -1/+4This is stupid. I think they owe everyone an apology or else they'll have lost the chance to win back some respect.
- TheFinaleofSeem, on 07/26/2008, -2/+5And what is badgering the low-level support lackeys going to do? Absolutely nothing except wasting everyone's time and making the FSF look like a bunch of ***** loonies.
- Bauer22, on 07/28/2008, -0/+3Nice job! Now when Sue Jane wants to get her MacBook fixed she wont because there will be a bunch of people talking about DRM and getting NO WHERE! Apple's not gonna go "Oh wow. Lets just drop DRM now. Hell! We'll make everything free!" because the Genesis don't have any voice with Steve Jobs. Its not like their gonna go on their iPhone and hit him up and say "Hey Stevie sup! Just wanted to tell you that there's this guy here that dislikes DRM and Apple for supporting DRM. Yeah you wanna. OK" Yeah there's no more DRM Sir. He flipped the DRM switch off.
The only people that are gonna see your point is the people that want to get their damn iPod fixed! - MattBD, on 07/27/2008, -0/+3@TheFinaleofSeem: True. But I suspect these kinds of questions are the kind of things Apple would much rather brush under the carpet, at any level.
- myexcuse, on 07/27/2008, -0/+3linux is a ***** operating system? I would like some proof that apple or windows produces a superior operating system if you plan to go making bold statements like that.
- TheFinaleofSeem, on 07/27/2008, -1/+4The funny thing is that if these ***** don't like Apple's policies, they should simply vote with their dollars and NOT BUY APPLE PRODUCTS! Why dick with a company when you don't even own any of their products? Many people are happy with Apple products. Just because the FOSS lunatic fringe isn't doesn't give them the right to screw with tech support and prevent people who need help from getting it.
- astrofrank128, on 07/24/2008, -11/+13The need for organization in the fight against DRM and corporations that implement and advocate DRM is greater than ever. It's simply unacceptable for the uneducated masses to continue to support an antiquated and self-destructive paradigm. Hand out those flyers. Even better, create your own and post them in public places with more information. This has got to stop.
- Falldog, on 07/25/2008, -7/+9Why would you name this "Ask Apple about the iPhone" when half of the questions aren't about the iPhone?
- SEJeff, on 07/28/2008, -0/+2Bury for being lame and tying up the free Apple service
- carlfish, on 07/27/2008, -0/+2To save the FSF, its supporters, and anyone who might want to go into a Genius Bar this week some valuable time, I thought I would answer their questions in advance.
1. "Why do all developers have to submit their applications to Apple before they can be loaded onto an iPhone?"
Because Apple have always wanted to control the end-to-end experience of their products. They like products where there is one right way to do things, in this case installing new software. The store allows them to exercise (admittedly sketchy so far) quality control over applications, pull potentially malicious apps, and present users with a simple, streamlined process for purchase and installation.
They also get a cut of the proceeds of application sales, which helps them make money. They are by no means the first company to subsidise a platform this way: game console makers have been doing it for years.
Developers knew about all of this before they made the decision to develop for the platform, and were more than free to "vote with their keyboards" and develop instead for a platform with a more open policy. They still are.
2. "Why does iTunes still contain so much DRM-laden music?"
Because to distribute music without DRM, they need permission from the record labels. Where labels have offered DRM-free music, Apple have made it available. Unfortunately, some labels do not want to ship music online without DRM. Others are are playing political games, giving DRM-free music to other stores such as Amazon to try to weaken Apple's market share and improve their bargaining position on issues like pricing.
3. "The iPhone 3G has GPS support. How can users be sure that the GPS cannot be used to track their position, without their permission?"
My girlfriend and I have had a running joke the last few weeks that whenever we use our iPhones, a little dot lights up on a map in Steve Jobs secret lair. If this is an issue for you, I would suggest you stop using cell phones entirely, as your cell phone provider can get a pretty good idea of your location even without GPS.
For the GPS question, though, he answer is: they can't. Then again you can't be sure of this for any consumer-grade GPS device, and this hasn't stopped in-car navigation systems from being wildly popular, not to mention the plethora of phones that had GPS before the iPhone. At some point you have to assume that your cell phone wasn't designed by Dr Evil.
4. "If Jobs really wants to see open formats, why doesn't the iPhone play Ogg Vorbis, Ogg Theora video and FLAC?"
Partly because there is no body offering patent indemnity for the use of such formats, and doing so would paint a huge target on Apple's back for any submarine patent holder who was waiting for one of the big players to adopt the format.
http://lists.whatwg.org/pipermail/whatwg-whatwg.or ...
Mostly because nobody but the FSF cares. The cost of supporting any feature is always non-zero, and there's no benefit to Apple in paying that cost in this case.
5. "Last question. Why can the iPhone 3G only be activated by Apple and AT&T?"
Because Apple has an exclusivity contract with AT&T. Duh. Why can OpenMoko phones only be operated by people with tiny, pointy fingers?
http://www.vimeo.com/1366042 - durex, on 07/29/2008, -0/+1Wow. I hate DRM as much as the next guy, but come on, this is just absurd.
Lets all rally at Starbucks and bitch to the Barista's for 10 minutes about how expensive we think their prices are! Thats sure to make a difference! - mtfbwy, on 07/29/2008, -0/+1Vote with your dollars. If you don't like the offerings, DON'T BUY THEM!
This whole scheme seems incredibly childish. - colincornaby, on 07/26/2008, -1/+2""If Jobs really wants to see open formats, why doesn't the iPhone play Ogg Vorbis, Ogg Theora video and FLAC?"
Because the 5 people who want it aren't screaming loudly enough."
Not to mention the reason has already been given. Ogg is untested patent wise. If Apple adopts it, they leave themselves potentially open for a high profile patent lawsuit.
Ogg needs to be legally tested by a large company before it can be assumed it's legally safe. Apple doesn't want to be the one to test it, and there is no reason that they have to be pushed into advancing the OGG hocking agenda of the FSF. - gettarat, on 11/24/2008, -0/+1What I'd like to see, is how well these Geniuses are programmed.
http://nextargps.org/ - cipherswarm, on 07/30/2008, -0/+0Don't think for a moment that the Geniuses won't hesitate to ask store security to escort anyone trying this from the premises as soon as they start their spiel.
I'm all for asking hard-hitting questions. The difference between a NYT reporter and a worthless hack looking for PR? Asking the _right people_ those questions. - cmsj, on 07/30/2008, -0/+0This is ridiculous. The FSF is just trying to score cheap points by getting some poor helldesk guy to "admit" what Apple would no doubt tell you themselves - that they do indeed use DRM and insist on vetting applications for the iPhone.
- wahjava, on 07/31/2008, -0/+0distributed denial of service attack :)
- TheFinaleofSeem, on 07/26/2008, -1/+1The FSF certainly isn't giving them any shortage of ammo with stunts like this. It's like they're TRYING to get themselves marginalized and branded as a bunch of idiotic fanatics.
- TheFinaleofSeem, on 07/26/2008, -1/+1And do you think stupid stunts like clogging up Genius Bars and badgering low-level support lackeys is going to do ANYTHING to change that perception? It's like the FSF is trying to brand open-source guys as a bunch of stupid loons.
- broceliande, on 07/28/2008, -0/+0I am so over the Free Software Foundation! Lets tie up the stores so that people that have legitimate reasons to be there can't get the support that they deserve. ***** morons!
- MacParrot, on 07/28/2008, -1/+1No this is similar to Greenpeace's moronic attack on Apple at Macworld Expos. Greenpeace all up in arms about Apple and yet EVERY other company makes their computers the same way. The others just put out nice sounding press releases without really changing anything substantial. Since Apple is currently a high-profile company, it gets lots of press. Then they sit outside the Moscone Center with an inflatable green apple kept inflated by a diesel generator handing out paper flyers to people who mostly just threw them away. Way to "green" it up Greenpeace.
iPods play music without DRM in whatever method you prefer to put it there but DBD/FSF doesn't mention it. Hmmmm. Apple cannot legally sell copyright material without DRM unless allowed to do so by the copyright owner and DBD/FSF doesn't mention it. Hmmmm. The only reason DRM-free music is available ANYWHERE is essentially because of Apple. The labels trying to fight Apple's very public influence are allowing Amazon to sell DRM-free music to fight off iTunes. Ask yourself this, if iTunes and Apple disappeared tomorrow, how long do you think those DRM-free tracks would last? Hmmm. As so many have said, the semi-GPS functionality of the iPhone is hardly going to be very good used as a tracker. AND who gives a crap where you are?
As for the rest of it. Defective by Design is defective by design. Instead of going after REAL targets, like Microsoft's Genuine Advantage program, or DRM based on having physical disks mounted (most games) or having a system log you in in order for the game to even run (Valve) or onerous licensing practices like 30 character licenses that have to be entered, DBD goes after Apple for iTunes content that they have no control over.
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- mattlee, on 07/24/2008, -4/+3That would be really interesting. Can I give you a call? Email campaigns@fsf.org with your phone number.
- MattBD, on 07/26/2008, -5/+3Well, it's not like anyone's going to be able to get Steve Jobs to answer all these kinds of questions, is it?
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