Apple Censors 'Ulysses' Webcomic, Fails to See Irony of Situation

[Donnageddon]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

The Animated ROUGHNECKS, on the other hand, I really liked. (Yay! Power armor!)
It was closer to the world of the book.

Thanks for the ROUGHNECKS mention, fjtorres! Hadn't heard of that before, but now have found out it is streamable on NetFlix.

I'll be watching that, but only after I watch some porn on my iPad (which is amazingly easy and abundant).

For the Apple is evil/benign discussion, I can only say that for every annoying apple fanboy, there seems to be two annoying apple bashers.

Carry on everyone.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by m-reader

Legality doesn't come into this equation. There are such things as responsibility that come with power. Or have we forgotten about that? It's ok for the news(tainment) channels to spew half-truths and "opinions" as they are not doing anything "illegal". FCOL, BP isn't doing anything illegal in the Gulf if you ask the lawyers!
In the same way Apple isn't doing anything illegal with their censorship powers. This however does not make it right.

I was referring to the legality of porn, which djgreedo brought up to question nguirado's original stance.

And yeah, Apple, Microsoft, RIM, and Amazon will decide what is right and wrong for their Store policies, without "legalities" coming into the equation. And you can decide which approach is right or wrong for you. And if enough people agree with you that it isn't "right" (instead of nguirado) then they will either change their policies or go out of business.

[m-reader]

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

Thanks for the ROUGHNECKS mention, fjtorres! Hadn't heard of that before, but now have found out it is streamable on NetFlix.

I'll be watching that, but only after I watch some porn on my iPad (which is amazingly easy and abundant).

For the Apple is evil/benign discussion, I can only say that for every annoying apple fanboy, there seems to be two annoying apple bashers.

Carry on everyone.

Nice one, enjoy the Roughnecks!

Just to clarify my position - I am just bashing Apple's censorship policies, not their devices/products.

[m-reader]

Originally Posted by kjk

And yeah, Apple, Microsoft, RIM, and Amazon will decide what is right and wrong for their Store policies, without "legalities" coming into the equation. And you can decide which approach is right or wrong for you. And if enough people agree with you that it isn't "right" (instead of nguirado) then they will either change their policies or go out of business.

I think you are being a bit "hopeful" to expect that the "invisible hand" of market forces with somehow magically make all wrongs good. It won't, as we do not live in a perfect world with a perfect market.
With great powers come great responsibility - after all Apple (and corporations in general) have an implied duty of care towards their customers in the same way they provide warranty for their products.

Apple could have solved this censorship problem very easily and effectively. They should have parted with some of the powers they vested into themselves. For example, they could have created an industry body which would vet applications for suitability for publication. Industries do this all the time to create common standards and such. I can't see why this would work in this case as well.

Of course, it would still mean censorship, but at least it would prove that Apple is making an effort do distance themselves from the image of the Evil Overlord which they seem to be becoming.

[mores]

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

I'll be watching that, but only after I watch some porn on my iPad (which is amazingly easy and abundant).

Yeah. double-you-double-you-double-you-dot-mobileporn-dot-corn

Originally Posted by Donnageddon

For the Apple is evil/benign discussion, I can only say that for every annoying apple fanboy, there seems to be two annoying apple bashers.

Well said. Although this thread seems to be rather on-topic (except for the fine users helping me out with expressions, book reviews and history lessons) and not a lot of bashing going on. Very adult .

[DawnFalcon]

Originally Posted by m-reader

Just to clarify my position - I am just bashing Apple's censorship policies, not their devices/products.

Except...they're not, by Apple's own decisions, separable.

[TimMason]

Both MSoft and Apple are businesses. They want to make money. To do so, they need to keep markets open. Governments the world over are keen on restricting access to certain kinds of material, and both MSoft and Apple are trying to second-guess them.

Personally, I find Egon Schiele much more interesting - and less pornographic - than Renoir. Just sayin'

[DawnFalcon]

No, they certainly don't need to "keep markets open", they only need to exclude the competition. Microsoft is a good boy these days, since they're closely watched. Apple is closing as much as they can, alongside their friends the media companies who have launched an unprecedented legal campaign in the last few years to make sure only their product reaches people.

[TimMason]

... open to their products, I should have said.

[DawnFalcon]

Oh, fair enough argument then. But the tech sector is getting real, real tired of being the whipping boy for the media sector's issues. And it's a lot bigger.

[nguirado]

Originally Posted by m-reader

"Silly consequences" such as thought police?

I meant that some great work that most people don't consider porn will be restricted because the restriction is done automatically through some filter. Even if done personally, people will make decisions that others will disagree with.

Every organization censors, including mobileread. I'm sure there are many outlets for your particular taste.

However, if enough people demand porn on their phone, Apple may relent and allow it.

[dorino]

DAMNIT HISTORY, STOP MAKING PEOPLE NAKED!!1

[Freeshadow]

hmm
If God 'd have wanted people to be naked He 'd have... aaah wait a minute.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by Freeshadow

hmm
If God 'd have wanted people to be naked He 'd have... aaah wait a minute.

...made french fries and ice cream fat-free?

[MsAstoria]

Originally Posted by m-reader

I think there's a misconception here about people liking/disliking Apple. It's not as black and white really. I, for example, am quite fond of Apple gear. My only and crucial problem with them is that they are controlling a bit too much and they are getting greedy beyond what's healthy for consumers.
Are people who do buy into Apple's philosophy stupid? No, of course not!
Are people right to be concerned by what Apple is doing and voice their concerns? Of course they are!

Having come over to the dark side from Windows a couple of years back, I agree with this poster, but as for Apple getting too greedy, I don't see it. They put out a fine product and yes it would be nice to have usb port, I knew going in that is wasn't to be on the Ipad. It would be nice to be able to transfer files via a flash drive. Maybe in Gen 2.