Personal Identity and anti-branding

[Istvan diVega]

The research quoted is hardly surprising. We've always known that people use brands and items in a "positive" way (i.e. buy acquiring them) to define their image and personality, so it naturally follows that other people use them in a "negative" way (i.e. by shunning or actively hating them) to do the same. Both are frankly equally infantile and only evidence of a shallow mind. IMO.

[PatNY]

What turned me against Apple was its patent war against the other companies that develop Android and Android devices. Their litigation has been extreme. excessive and harmful to consumers because it raises costs and prices for almost everyone and limits choices for buyers.

To the extent Apple has a valid claim to real technological invention, their litigation may be warranted. But all too often in recent cases, the claims have been specious, trivial, and/or invalid due to prior art. I know a big part of the problem is the archaic and arcane U.S. patent system and its laws, but I still can't help feeling Apple has acted recklessly in leveraging a flawed system and counter to the benefit of consumers. Steve Jobs own words support the view that this war was waged in large part as a personal vendetta, and not purely for business reasons.

The solution of course is to change U.S. patent law, but that won't be coming anytime soon.

I have and use an Apple device, so I am not anti-Apple per se. But their recent behavior on the legal front has made it hard for me to support them.

--Pat

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Nah, in my mind the "spirited debate" is all about grouping together in a narrow-minded group so we can all become even more narrow-minded than before.

Diversity broadening of the mind happens only when you consider the other side's point of view, which in the present climate is manifestly not happening.

Not that I am any better, necessarily.

[grumbles]

Well, they may be just tools but the problem is that the Apple hammer will only work with nails purchased from Apple and can only be driven into Apple lumber purchased from Apple. If you're happy with the lack of choice, that's fine. I prefer hammers that work with anybody's nails and can be driven to anything I need nailed.

What I want is a generic tablet that will work with anything I want to run. Linux, FreeBSD maybe even DOS.

[BadBilly]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Then you're a rational person who understands they're just tools.

Sounds like somebody forming a self-image from the way they choose technology. Where will it ever end.

[theinfamousj]

I have been using primarily Linux since 2006, but I have both Win 7 and Snow Leopard virtual machines ready to roll out when needed for specific programs. I owned mostly Nokias, but have had an iPhone 3G and a Samsung Galaxy S2 (as a matter of fact, guess what I am typing on right now!).

Tech needs to meet my expectations, rather than asking me to adjust my expectations to its limitations. No one looks at a broken screwdriver and decides that the screw really doesn't need to be driven; they decide the tool is inadequate. And no one feels socially better for having a broken screwdriver. Yet with tech, neither of these things are so?

Now I am brand loyal when it comes to doughnuts: Krispy Kreme or nothing. No, wait. That isn't true. Hmm...

I am brand loyal when it comes to cars. I am on my third iteration of the same make and model. But I sure don't think it says anything about me other than the fact that I have limited car repair knowledge. At least I hope that is all it says.

[Barty]

I have a PC, iPad, kindle, Samsung tv, crap flip phone.

There ARE companies I avoid.

Walmart - people who work there look depressed.
Whole Foods - the foods look too damn good to be organic or whatever. And, expensive much?
Monster cable - overpriced crap.

[xg4bx]

I have no brand loyalty to anything. I'll buy whichever brand that does what I need it to at a reasonable price.

[Istvan diVega]

Originally Posted by Barty

Monster cable - overpriced crap.

If you think Monster is overpriced, you obviously haven't looked into "proper audiophile-approved" cables. Which is entirely a good thing.

[VanessaDarling]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Ha! Thank you. That was my point.....

I've never understood some of the irrational anti "pc/apple" rants here or on other places.

I think part of the anti pc (or apple) stuff you see is a result of personal experience. I have friends who would NEVER buy another PC. Not because they want to be cool or fit with some cool demo, but simply because they've had several PC's break down on them. So far none of them have experienced the same issues with Apple. Not to say it doesn't happen with Apple (of course it does), but it just hasn't been their experience.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by VanessaDarling

I think part of the anti pc (or apple) stuff you see is a result of personal experience. I have friends who would NEVER buy another PC. Not because they want to be cool or fit with some cool demo, but simply because they've had several PC's break down on them. So far none of them have experienced the same issues with Apple. Not to say it doesn't happen with Apple (of course it does), but it just hasn't been their experience.

The thing with PCs (and androids, and ADEPT readers, and other multi-vendor systems) is that the ultimate responsibility lies with the vendor of the hardware. The platform holder can't fully control the end-user experience. Which is great in that it allows for diversification and experimentation and allows niches to be effectively targeted but it also provides less-than-effective vendors an umbrella under which to operate. There's trade-offs everywhere.
There is no such thing as a perfect product or even a best one: just varying degrees of suitability to your own needs and preferences.

Things would be a lot more peaceful if people just stopped evangelizing their preferences. Maybe we should start a crusade against product evangelizers.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

The thing with PCs (and androids, and ADEPT readers, and other multi-vendor systems) is that the ultimate responsibility lies with the vendor of the hardware. The platform holder can't fully control the end-user experience. Which is great in that it allows for diversification and experimentation and allows niches to be effectively targeted but it also provides less-than-effective vendors an umbrella under which to operate. There's trade-offs everywhere.
There is no such thing as a perfect product or even a best one: just varying degrees of suitability to your own needs and preferences.

Things would be a lot more peaceful if people just stopped evangelizing their preferences. Maybe we should start a crusade against product evangelizers.;)

Or product bashing. If what you have works for you, fine.

If you don't like the companies business policies, prices, or their products, just don't buy them.

[VanessaDarling]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

Or product bashing. If what you have works for you, fine.

If you don't like the companies business policies, prices, or their products, just don't buy them.

I have to say, I respectfully disagree with his.

I think a lot of "bashing" can be very helpful to someone thinking about buying a product. I can't speak for anyone else, but I read user reviews for certain things (computers, televisions, etc), before I buy them.

As with any product, you will have users who have a bad experience with said product. However, if hundreds of users are reporting the same exact problem, that can be very usseful to someone thinking about buying that same problem.

Though some of their complaining may come across as bashing, it can be very helpful to someone else thinking about buying said product.

[VanessaDarling]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

The thing with PCs (and androids, and ADEPT readers, and other multi-vendor systems) is that the ultimate responsibility lies with the vendor of the hardware. The platform holder can't fully control the end-user experience. Which is great in that it allows for diversification and experimentation and allows niches to be effectively targeted but it also provides less-than-effective vendors an umbrella under which to operate. There's trade-offs everywhere.
There is no such thing as a perfect product or even a best one: just varying degrees of suitability to your own needs and preferences.

Things would be a lot more peaceful if people just stopped evangelizing their preferences. Maybe we should start a crusade against product evangelizers.

I don't look at it as evangelizing. I just look at it as people like certain things, and express their like to others.

[Lemurion]

I just like gadgets. I have a Windows laptop & a Mac Mini on my desk, an iPhone, an Android tablet, and a Kindle.