I remember the old days at Apple, where they once had an internal code came of "Carl Sagan" for a prototype. His Carlness heard of it, and threatened legal action. Apple changed the code name to BHA - meaning B*tt-Headed Astronomer.
I've worked in sales for a dealer of a major US brand for eight years. There is more and more emphasis on "connected services." Both the salesman and and dealership are increasingly penalized financially if customers are not signed up for the free trial of those services. Theory being the they'll continue using (and paying for) the stuff if they try it. Problem is, PEOPLE DON'T WANT IT. "Do I have to do this NOW?" (Yes).
Further, the greed is accelerating. Trial periods (before you pay) are shortening. What you used to get for a year is down to three months. Things that were previously "part of the car" will shortly become subscriptions. Our parent company has flat-out told us they expect to soon be collecting billions of dollars per year in services.
Frankly, it's a colossal hassle for everyone involved.
I was required to sign a non-compete with a computer company. They eventually went bankrupt; closed their stores, let the employees go. When I got another job, the remains of my former employer tried to enforce the non-compete. It was laughed out of court, but I still had to pay a lawyer and appear in court.
Ahaha.. that'd be a fun conversation..
Sales person > "unlock your phone so we can help you setup the app"
Buyer > "how about no."
Already happens to me a couple of times a month, I't's not fun, and neither is getting your commission docked.
I work for a Stellantis (formerly Chrysler) dealership. We are under huge pressure to sign customers up for their "connected services" trial. To the extent that, if we fail to grab their smartphone and CONFIRM they've installed the remote control app and activated it, the dealership is fined. In reality, if left on their own, only about 20% bother signing up. Three guesses why this is...
I've worked for and with Apple since 1983. My house is full of their stuff to this day. They've done some things I didn't agree with, but overall I overwhelmingly supported the company. This surveillance is 100% the opposite of everything I thought they stood for. It rolls out, and I'm done.
Most current Apple products are not really repairable. A laptop may have only three "parts" (assemblies), the components not separable from each other. Once out of AppleCare (three years) it would be cost-prohibitive to replace any of the assemblies; Once declared "obsolete" (five years) assemblies are no longer available at any cost.
The repair process these days is basically exchanging for a partially-recycled unit.
The author Robert Heinlein once proposed a society where only those who wrote such a check should be allowed to vote - having already placed their society ahead of themselves. I wonder how well THAT would play in our current political environment.
This goes both ways. Even if the stuff she's posting is true, the willingness to air dirty laundry in public is unattractive at best. Even if I was a saint (few of us are) I'd avoid her like the plague.
I remember the old days at Apple, where they once had an internal code came of "Carl Sagan" for a prototype. His Carlness heard of it, and threatened legal action. Apple changed the code name to BHA - meaning B*tt-Headed Astronomer.
Not so much fun For the sellers, either.
I've worked in sales for a dealer of a major US brand for eight years. There is more and more emphasis on "connected services." Both the salesman and and dealership are increasingly penalized financially if customers are not signed up for the free trial of those services. Theory being the they'll continue using (and paying for) the stuff if they try it. Problem is, PEOPLE DON'T WANT IT. "Do I have to do this NOW?" (Yes). Further, the greed is accelerating. Trial periods (before you pay) are shortening. What you used to get for a year is down to three months. Things that were previously "part of the car" will shortly become subscriptions. Our parent company has flat-out told us they expect to soon be collecting billions of dollars per year in services. Frankly, it's a colossal hassle for everyone involved.
Who?
Eminem? I've always associated "Slim Shady" with William Shatner.
How often are these actually enforced?
I was required to sign a non-compete with a computer company. They eventually went bankrupt; closed their stores, let the employees go. When I got another job, the remains of my former employer tried to enforce the non-compete. It was laughed out of court, but I still had to pay a lawyer and appear in court.
Seems familiar
Reminds me of an old boss of mine: "If you have it in writing, I rescind it. If you don't, I never said it."
...from more than 50 states?
We have territories and districts, but only 50 states.
Re: Re: Getting ready for the billing of the future
Ahaha.. that'd be a fun conversation.. Sales person > "unlock your phone so we can help you setup the app" Buyer > "how about no." Already happens to me a couple of times a month, I't's not fun, and neither is getting your commission docked.
Getting ready for the billing of the future
I work for a Stellantis (formerly Chrysler) dealership. We are under huge pressure to sign customers up for their "connected services" trial. To the extent that, if we fail to grab their smartphone and CONFIRM they've installed the remote control app and activated it, the dealership is fined. In reality, if left on their own, only about 20% bother signing up. Three guesses why this is...
Speaking of losing...
For someone whose worst insult is "Loser!" he sure does set himself up to become one in court. Over and over and over...
Last straw
I've worked for and with Apple since 1983. My house is full of their stuff to this day. They've done some things I didn't agree with, but overall I overwhelmingly supported the company. This surveillance is 100% the opposite of everything I thought they stood for. It rolls out, and I'm done.
Rapidly becoming academic
Most current Apple products are not really repairable. A laptop may have only three "parts" (assemblies), the components not separable from each other. Once out of AppleCare (three years) it would be cost-prohibitive to replace any of the assemblies; Once declared "obsolete" (five years) assemblies are no longer available at any cost.
The repair process these days is basically exchanging for a partially-recycled unit.
Re:
The author Robert Heinlein once proposed a society where only those who wrote such a check should be allowed to vote - having already placed their society ahead of themselves. I wonder how well THAT would play in our current political environment.
So, the police have fully embraced the the most effective/least harmful response they're capable of... is NOTHING.
You know...
There's a Darwin Awards comment or three waiting to be made. Which one should I choose?
Re:
Back in the day, lawyers weren't allowed to advertise. Late-night TV was a very different place...
"Usenet WAS a decentralized service..."
Try "is" At least I think it is; certainly I pay for and use what I think is a USENET account.
Re:
This goes both ways. Even if the stuff she's posting is true, the willingness to air dirty laundry in public is unattractive at best. Even if I was a saint (few of us are) I'd avoid her like the plague.
Re: The question is who??
I think they call that a "civil war." We didn't enjoy the last one.
Re: Hard cases ...
Funny, it sounds like the person you're talking about has already been convicted. Defendants are supposed innocent until convicted.
"No money up front, pay us only if we win" brings in a lot of business. (Assuming the are his terms.)