Chaudywogbaaga

I have gotten the jaded idea that Apple Computer just does what it wants and doesn't really listen to customer complaints. There have been a large number of bugs and quirks that I have experienced using my Macs that as it turns out, other users find annoying. They usually post these in the Apple forum. If there is a hack or a work around someone may reply but if it is a limitation of the software/hardware then the response is often "Apple doesn't monitor these forums so they won't hear your complaints".

There is a complaint/feature request page on apple.com but it's a little tricky to find. The problem is that you have no idea what Apple will do with the complaint once you submit it. It's a black hole form. I think I got a partial fix to iCal from one complaint I made once. The problem is the programmer didn't really understand what I was asking for and only partially did what I wanted.

The complaints for the iPhone have been loud and clear. The Gizmodo debacle has resulted in revealing that a lot of the features that people are requesting are at least being worked on. That shows that someone is paying attention.

Then there is the "Closed" nature of developing for iPhone. On the one hand I dislike this but on the other I see it's wisdom. Apple doesn't want iPhones to become a PR nightmare because people are writing malware and phishing apps. I can respect that. I can also see how the wild west of the computer industry is starting to be tamed. If the iPad became the computing platform of the 21st century a lot of the bad stuff we now know would become a thing of the past. Plus for the Apple model. There would also be a lot fewer options. Minus for the Apple model.

It seems that Apple is progressing under the "First do no harm" model. I can respect that. It is a far different atmosphere than computer users are used to and I wonder if it will survive.