Wednesday, September 18, 2002

I hate misguided journalism in the name of generating a story where there isn't one or creating controversy where there really isn't any. MacWorld UK reports: "The previously free iTools had 2.2 million members, according to Apple's own figures as reported by The Seattle Times. Apple's introductory special offer extends until the end of September for existing users. The conversion rate so far stands at 4.54 per cent - representing a massive 95 per cent non-take-up rate." Well, DUH! And how many of those 2.2 million accounts are actually bogus accounts set up by people looking to avoid spam, were created long enough to register with some stupid site that requires an email address, were created to grab a few extra MB of disk space for a slide show (or whatever), or were simply forgotten? I know I personally have had at least 3 separate mac.com accounts. I'm now down to 1 paid account. I have also had at least 5 hotmail or yahoo accounts (mostly because I can never remember the password I assigned to 'em and forgot the "hint" answer, as well). If HotMail were to convert to a $10/year service, what percentage conversion rate would they have? Probably about the same -- maybe even less unless they put together a nice package of additional tools like Apple did (Virex + BackUp are worth $100/year to me -- I was damned happy I could have 'em at $50 fo r the first year). The journalists are using the same argument that the software industry and the RIAA have used -- it makes a much more pitiful story if you make the claim that every single download or pirated ware is a lost sale. Doesn't matter that such a claim is completely asinine and ridiculous -- it makes a "good" (as in "eye catching", not as in "quality") story that drives more eyeballs past the advertising. Idiots. 3:27:44 PM  pontificate