mistercharlie

“This article…was filth. Scum. Sickening.”

Someone doesn’t get it. Email received today on article for Gadget Lab called “How to Make an iPad-Beating Tablet”

cc wired@mistercharlie.co.uk

date Wed, May 5, 2010 at 22:42

subject Re:

I just threw up all over myself. And my stupid worthless HP “work laptop”. And the desk where I’m doing work-like things. And the carpet? Completely drenched in a mixture of George Webb steak sandwich and stomach fluids. And the floor-to-ceiling windows. And the heater — that’s going to reek!

This article…was filth. Scum. Sickening.

The first sentence is perhaps the worst: “Tablet computers aren’t new.” But, wait — I thought this article was about the iPad?? The iPad’s a tablet, not a “tablet computer”, right? It can’t do [many of] the things computers do! But now it is…one of them?

And Charlie Sorrels…Charlie says not only that it is one of them, but furthermore that they need to become more like it? Blasphemy! I will not stand for it! YOU POSTED YOUR ARTICLE IN THE F&$#ING “MEDIA PLAYERS” SECTION OF WIRED!!!!

Does he not appreciate what computers have become? Does he not value the wide flexibility that a modern computer offers with such great ease [when compared to its predecessors]?!

Really, Charlie — it’s fine if you want to justify your iPad purchase as a novelty gadget — that’s really not so offensive. If you suggest that other computer makers get in on the novelty gadget train, I can even understand that. But do you seriously think it’s good for the tech world if major computer makers — [keep in mind you’re talking about the major players here: HP, Microsoft — presumably Dell and maybe Lenovo; not just niche makers like Apple] — to invest heavily in dumbed-down media-playing terminals? Is that what you want the computer/like industry to move toward?

You encourage the other manufacturers to lock down their devices and open new locked-down app stores? Really? Who would that be good for? I know the answer — it’s no secret: the manufacturers because they can more accurately test their devices and ensure security and compatibility, etc. They also get more money if they can tie customers into one source of content — assuming they can get customers with a big cell phone, or a ‘MegaZune’ or whatever they’d call it.

Here’s the more important question: who would that be bad for? Think about this one.

The answer is ‘EVERYONE’ (with the exception of company shareholders — except when they go to use their fancy new devices and find they don’t do what they are expected to, of course). This scenario you openly encourage would be bad for everyone. Even Apple loyalists.

I simply do not understand why you would want to lower the technological bar. Wouldn’t it be great to have highly capable devices that eventually evolve and get even better instead of giving the manufacturers a pass and letting them do whatever makes them the most money?

Sent from my REAL COMPUTER