Comments on: Company Profile: Why It’s Called the Apple Cult http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/ Peace of Mind for the Modern Professional Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:37:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Michael Lodispoto http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-285 Michael Lodispoto Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:40:22 +0000 http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-285 Wade - By Apple trying to control everything, they limited themselves and lost the mass audience that would have made Apple more powerful than Microsoft. Microsoft needs a lot more credit than they get and just because the government went after them for dominating an industry and doing well doesn't make Microsoft a real monopoly. The only real monopolies are the government. If I don't like Microsoft I don't use them. Last thing in the world to do is cry that they are bundling their own products together. Like what company doesn't? Wade - By Apple trying to control everything, they limited themselves and lost the mass audience that would have made Apple more powerful than Microsoft.
Microsoft needs a lot more credit than they get and just because the government went after them for dominating an industry and doing well doesn’t make Microsoft a real monopoly. The only real monopolies are the government. If I don’t like Microsoft I don’t use them. Last thing in the world to do is cry that they are bundling their own products together. Like what company doesn’t?

]]> By: Jody B http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-187 Jody B Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:21:09 +0000 http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-187 I'm amazed out how some people want to hate Apple. I'm not a fan of Dell products (in general), but I would never waste time running around talking crap about Dell. It's just a little pathetic. Get a life. Really! As for a Mac cult. That is so ignorant. There is a "cult-like" following because people love their products and can't wait to see what is next. And why not? They are usually GREAT and cutting edge. Sure they have some stinkers, but who cares? If you like....buy. If not...don't. BTW, I am cheap! I don't like to give away my money. If Apple computers were so freakin' great I wouldn't spend the money! I’m amazed out how some people want to hate Apple. I’m not a fan of Dell products (in general), but I would never waste time running around talking crap about Dell. It’s just a little pathetic. Get a life. Really!
As for a Mac cult. That is so ignorant. There is a “cult-like” following because people love their products and can’t wait to see what is next. And why not? They are usually GREAT and cutting edge. Sure they have some stinkers, but who cares? If you like….buy. If not…don’t.
BTW, I am cheap! I don’t like to give away my money. If Apple computers were so freakin’ great I wouldn’t spend the money!

]]> By: Zen Problog » Blog Archive » MacWorld, Steve Jobs, MacBook Air http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-92 Zen Problog » Blog Archive » MacWorld, Steve Jobs, MacBook Air Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:50:11 +0000 http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-92 [...] the way, check out the Zen Problog Article on Apple Marketing. It sparked some interesting [...] […] the way, check out the Zen Problog Article on Apple Marketing. It sparked some interesting […]

]]> By: Wade http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-33 Wade Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:30:09 +0000 http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-33 Uhm, apple did let other computers make clones. Then they decided that they would be better served, as would their customer base, if they could control every aspect of the experience. What is wrong with that? This is also a way for them to circumvent monopoly charges. It is difficult to be called a monopoly when you own the platform for which you are making the software. If they allowed clones to be made, they would have to cripple the experience - I think this is what is so difficult for Microsoft - especially since they have been forced to change in the courts, they have been forced to cripple the experience a bit. (at least, it didn't help.) Uhm, apple did let other computers make clones. Then they decided that they would be better served, as would their customer base, if they could control every aspect of the experience. What is wrong with that? This is also a way for them to circumvent monopoly charges. It is difficult to be called a monopoly when you own the platform for which you are making the software. If they allowed clones to be made, they would have to cripple the experience - I think this is what is so difficult for Microsoft - especially since they have been forced to change in the courts, they have been forced to cripple the experience a bit. (at least, it didn’t help.)

]]> By: Michael Lodispoto http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-29 Michael Lodispoto Sat, 22 Dec 2007 02:42:05 +0000 http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-29 The Apple Cult was close to being a cult a few years ago. Now they are starting to get their hooks in the people again. Had Apple allowed other companies to make their computers back in the 80's, Apple could have stayed the King of home computers. Instead they opted to make it all themselves for quite some time and not allow others to make their computers. Their logic was they could make 1k plus per unit so why let some other company make the most money from their apple compatible computers. That logic is horrible if you look at history of any products. The company that shuts out others from advancing or profiting in some way is always a dead company unless it is a legal monopoly. Apple does have good technology so they can keep doing well for a very long time. If they want to conquer an industry though they need to share a little more. Let others get in on the action and the others will promote Apple for Apple. That is the missing element that Apple never sees. They look at the profit right now and not the alliances that made VHS beat out Sony's Betamax - even though superior in quality. Same with PC's vs Mac. PC's had many many allies all promoting and competing vs Apple. Apple can only decline over time with this strategy. The Apple Cult was close to being a cult a few years ago. Now they are starting to get their hooks in the people again. Had Apple allowed other companies to make their computers back in the 80’s, Apple could have stayed the King of home computers. Instead they opted to make it all themselves for quite some time and not allow others to make their computers. Their logic was they could make 1k plus per unit so why let some other company make the most money from their apple compatible computers. That logic is horrible if you look at history of any products. The company that shuts out others from advancing or profiting in some way is always a dead company unless it is a legal monopoly.
Apple does have good technology so they can keep doing well for a very long time. If they want to conquer an industry though they need to share a little more. Let others get in on the action and the others will promote Apple for Apple. That is the missing element that Apple never sees. They look at the profit right now and not the alliances that made VHS beat out Sony’s Betamax - even though superior in quality. Same with PC’s vs Mac. PC’s had many many allies all promoting and competing vs Apple. Apple can only decline over time with this strategy.

]]> By: Ken Smidy http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-28 Ken Smidy Wed, 19 Dec 2007 23:48:36 +0000 http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-28 I believe Appleinsider stated today that Apple would tear down a former Victoria Secret flagship store in New York and build an Apple store. If true, it would mean that Apple products would sell better than sex. I believe Appleinsider stated today that Apple would tear down a former Victoria Secret flagship store in New York and build an Apple store. If true, it would mean that Apple products would sell better than sex.

]]> By: Ruhayat http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-27 Ruhayat Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:14:36 +0000 http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-27 Recipe for success: 1. Make good products that last for years. 2. Market yourself as a rebel no-brand brand. 3. Advertise heavily just how good your products are. 4. Switch from focus on making actually good products to brilliant marketing. 5. Coast on your past reputation and make crappy products that people will still buy because of your brilliant marketing. Recipe for success:

1. Make good products that last for years.
2. Market yourself as a rebel no-brand brand.
3. Advertise heavily just how good your products are.
4. Switch from focus on making actually good products to brilliant marketing.
5. Coast on your past reputation and make crappy products that people will still buy because of your brilliant marketing.

]]> By: Thomas http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-26 Thomas Wed, 19 Dec 2007 04:24:19 +0000 http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-26 I wouldn't necessarily say that people who appreciate macs make up a cult. Considering that a cult roughly refers to a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture considers outside the mainstream. (Wikipedia) I say this because the Apple products have become primarily main stream w/ their marketing efforts... which you pointed out. I have friends who barely know how to use a computer yet want a Mac because "Its Better" not to mention its nice eye candy to show off to friends. But bottom line Apple is more aware or takes more initiative to please their customers whether its with free training or waiting to release a stable OS and the provide patches and updates in a timely manner. I wouldn’t necessarily say that people who appreciate macs make up a cult. Considering that a cult roughly refers to a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture considers outside the mainstream. (Wikipedia)

I say this because the Apple products have become primarily main stream w/ their marketing efforts… which you pointed out. I have friends who barely know how to use a computer yet want a Mac because “Its Better” not to mention its nice eye candy to show off to friends.

But bottom line Apple is more aware or takes more initiative to please their customers whether its with free training or waiting to release a stable OS and the provide patches and updates in a timely manner.

]]> By: Moctod http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-25 Moctod Wed, 19 Dec 2007 04:07:02 +0000 http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-25 Sebhelyesfarku is all over the web. Google 'him', and find this brilliant comment over and over and over. Sebhelyesfarku is all over the web. Google ‘him’, and find this brilliant comment over and over and over.

]]> By: Ron Johnson http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-24 Ron Johnson Wed, 19 Dec 2007 03:07:59 +0000 http://www.zenproblog.com/2007/company-profile-why-its-called-the-apple-cult/#comment-24 Apple has proven that they're good at building a cult following, it's difficult to dispute that. One thing that can be said is that Apple isn't converting everyone, so their tactics only work with certain types of demographics. I won't even get started on what I think of the products. ~Windows User Apple has proven that they’re good at building a cult following, it’s difficult to dispute that. One thing that can be said is that Apple isn’t converting everyone, so their tactics only work with certain types of demographics. I won’t even get started on what I think of the products. ~Windows User

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