Notes from the Trail

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NBC seems to be coming off as the biggest media whiner around.

First, they pull their shows from the iTunes music service. Most assume this is because Apple’s wildly successful media content delivery service is trumping everyone else’s. NBC just couldn’t stomach the fact that Apple was making some money off their stuff (of course, NBC was too, but just not enough, in their viewpoint). So NBC takes its toys and goes home.

Now, NBC executive Jeff Zucker is claiming that Apple is responsible for “destroying music pricing.” Sounds to me like he’s trying to drag others into his pout-fest about Apple’s success. It’s an age-old trick… I’m not happy with the way things are going, so I’ll try to make others unhappy too.

I don’t know of many consumers who are angry with Apple for forcing the music industry to start thinking competitively. C’mon, who really wants to pay $16.98 for a CD at Wal-Mart when you can get it for $9.99 through iTunes. So the traditional music and media moguls are only making tens of billions instead of hundreds of billions of dollars now. Waaaaah.

One caveat… there’s a bunch of folks that are not thrilled with Apple’s heavy-handed techniques of negotiation. I, for one, am still a little miffed about how Apple initially treated its music and media content. Why should I not be able to put a CD that I’ve bought on the iTunes store on my PSP? I know that there are work-arounds, but Apple was a little archaic in its approach. Perhaps that was one area that they locked down to appease the music folks? Who knows?

Another arena of Apple’s misguided methodology has been its approach to the iPhone and third-party software. Their “fear” of viruses and talk of the potential of harming the cellular network must have been authored and propogated by the same guys that frothed up the Western Hemishpere over Y2K.

At the day’s end, however, it’s not NBC that is known for innovation, technological breakthroughs, and customer satisfaction, however. It’s Apple. I am NOT pleased that I can’t easily get an episode of Heroes onto my iPhone or iPods. I don’t think millions of other media users are either. NBC and Zucker are coming off sounding like kids pitching temper tantrums. And it’s only hurting themselves.

Just to follow up on the Yard Sale… The kids raised $168 at the yard sale, sold their PS2, a Gameboy Advance, an Epson printer and an Apple wireless mouse to come up with enough money for a Wii, and extra controller and a game!  I’ve got to admit that the Wii is one of the most innovative gaming experiences I’ve ever seen… I about threw out my arm trying to bowl a strike last night. 

It’s a known and documented fact that Apple’s customer service continues to outstrip and distance itself from any other computer maker or technology company. Consumer Reports consistently ranks Apple as #1 in customer care.

I’ve had moy own experiences with its radical approach to taking care of its folks. Of course, I know there are folks out there who have had bad experiences; I’m just not one of them. Apple has made good - and oftimes, more than good - on every problem I’ve encountered.

Here are three examples:

1. I purchased Applecare on my iMac 20″ Intel Core Duo and about 11 months after I had the unit (I bought it used off of Ebay), the DVD drive starting acting funny. It would burn inconsistently and give me error messages. So, I did what every Apple-loving person in his right mind would do… 1-800-SOS-APPLE. Yep, that’s the real number.
   After a quick diagnostic series of tests, the tech on the phone announced it was hardware related. “I see you have Applecare on this unit. Where is the closest Apple Store or licensed repair center?” I told him Little Rock and that it was an hour and a half drive. “I see… Well, let’s schedule a technician’s visit….” After a long pause, he said, “Is tomorrow at 2:00 ok?”
   Literally, I had a repair guy come to my house here in rural South Arkansas and replace my DVD drive in less than 15 minutes the next day!
2. My iPhone wouldn’t get loud enough. I called Apple and said I was having troubles hearing it. They asked if I’d turned up the volume… After being slightly peeved about that question, I said that of course, I knew where the volume was. After a few more questions, they said, “We’ll have you a replacement unit in the mail today. You should get it tomorrow.” I shipped my iPhone back in teh provided box and got it back the same week - all the while being able to use a replacement phone (which because of Apple’s sync technology became “my phone” simply by plugging it in: my photos, contacts, calendars… all synced effortlessly to the new phone).
   Incidentally, I got a note back with my phone saying that nothing could be found wrong with the phone. In consternation, I did a quick Google search about iPhone volume only to discover that I had accidentally enabled “Volume Limit” in my Settings! Doh! As soon as I raised the Volume Limit (presumably put there so that idiots won’t blow out their eardrums), I could make the iPhone as loud as I wanted…
   Chalk this  great experience of Apple’s CS up to to “idiot user syndrome.”
3. Finally, just today, I called to see where my iPhone case was. I had ordered it two weeks ago, and the last time I checked, it was supposed to have arrived last week. When today’s mail came and still no case, I called Apple. I was surprised to learn that the order had been cancelled… something about the manufacturer. However, I was never notified. Apple’s solution? They graciously offered - even without a complaint - to overnight me a comparable case, free of charge!

You go, Apple!

A new friend + a new toy + two determined kids = Saturday morning garage sale + Ebay and Amazon.com listings

Some great friends of ours have moved to Monticello from Arkadelphia, and their son was the recent recipient of a Nintendo Wii. It was a parental gift to ease the transition to a new town, I suppose. Sam and Adelyn both have been invited over to play the Wii, and it’s even been brought over to our house for an afternoon and evening.

I must admit that I was rather engaged in watching them play! It’s completely interactive, and just watching someone swing their controller like a baseball bat or a tennis racket and seeing the result on the screen is amazing!

Needless to say, Sam and Adelyn were hooked. Sam, of course, is my gaming buddy, but Adelyn has never gotten into gaming that much. However, she was totally enthralled with the Wii. In addition, Nintendo has always had great game selection for kids and adults.

The kids were told that if they could come up with the money, they could buy their own Wii.

So… all this week, they’ve been piling up junk in the hallway for this weekend’s yard sale! It’s been rather funny. I actually think they’re going to make quite a haul. Sam’s Playstation 2 (the fat one) has already sold for $110 on Ebay (with several games and three controllers); both of their Nintendo Gameboy Advance SPs are listed on Amazon. When you throw in my 19″ Sears TV that my dad bought me during my senior year in college, a very nice inkjet printer and a bunch of other junk, I think they’re going to surpass their goal.

The Glorious Church

by Watchman Nee

I’ve heard about Watchman Nee off and on over the years but have never taken the time to read something of his. He was a Chinese pastor, for almost 30 years. Imprisoned in 1952 for his faith, he died there in 1972.

I have immense respect for anyone who has laid it all on the line for the Lord in such a way; however, this book – which was the product of some of his early sermons – just couldn’t hold my attention, unfortunately.

In particular, I was also bothered by some of his conclusions:

…even if we have saved all the souls in the whole world, we have not yet accomplished God’s work or satisfied God’s requirement.

For starters, we don’t save anyone; God does. Second, this line of thinking is elaborated on later in the first chapter, and I just don’t think Nee reaches the right conclusions.

He tries to argue that since at creation, God gave man authority of the earth to rule and subdue it, that man’s chief goal is to do just that. However, now man must contend for the authority of the earth against Satan. That much, I can see where he is going.

However, when he says…

If all our work is just preaching the gospel and saving souls, we are not causing Satan to suffer fatal loss. If man has not restored the earth from the hand of Satan, he has not achieved God’s purpose in creating him. Saving souls is only for the welfare of man, but dealing with Satan is for the benefit of God.

…I think he obscures the broader point that God has already defeated Satan at the cross. He is not in heaven, wringing His holy hands, hoping that man gets his act together so that Satan will be cast out.

Furthermore, God is not “benefitted” by any action of ours. He is completely sufficient and joyful – without need – in and of Himself. With Him, there is no lack.

Nee says, “God needs an authority in His creation, and He has chosen man to be that authority.”

Again, God doesn’t “need” us. He did create Adam with the intention of mankind ruling, but when he chose to sin, he abdicated that rule. God finally restored the dominion of man in Jesus Christ. In Matthew 28.18, Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (italics mine)

Christ has chosen to give His Spirit to the church so that it can announce His kingdom on earth through His provided power. But at no time does man have any authority except what he has been given by grace through Christ.

Granted, I stopped reading after the first chapter, so I would welcome some interaction with those who might better explain what Nee is saying. However, I for one, will simply continue to respect His witness while shying away from His teachings.

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