Robert Scoble

Robert Scoble's mud-slinging seems to have pissed a few people off. When I first read the original post, I wasn't going to mention anything. If I made a post everytime I read something I disagreed with on the internet, I wouldn't be able to have a job. However, I think I'm not alone on this.

Firstly, Robert Scoble ignores the meat of the argument, that Microsoft is touting new features that Apple has already been shipping. Then he goes on to throw in half a dozen red herrings:

I didn't realize there's a Tablet Mac already shipping (is there a Mac that you can carry around and use a pen with?). Ours is already shipping, don't need to wait for Vista.

Sorry, but Microsoft doesn't make any tablet PCs, as much as you love them, so asking Apple where is their tablet PC has nothing to do with their operating system or yours. Secondly, you keep harping on this tablet PC thing but you fail to realize what may be great for you andeven another 25% of the entire world isn't the best thing for everyone. Some of us don't want a tablet PC simply because it doesn't suit our needs.

I didn't realize there's a Media Center Mac already shipping (is there a Mac with a TV tuner built in so you can do Tivo-like stuff?). Ours is already shipping, don't need to wait for Vista.

I didn't realize that a TV Tuner came with Windows XP Media Edition, last I checked it was nothing but software. And actually, get a Mac Mini, toss some MythTV on there and you've got pretty much what Microsoft doesn't have.

I didn't realize that there's a Mac phone that integrates with the Mac OS already shipping (is there a Mac SmartPhone phone equivilent already shipping?). Ours is already shipping, no need to wait for Vista.

I didn't know there was a Microsoft phone either. I'm glad I don't run Windows on my phone, with my luck, it would BSOD on me during the middle of a call, people would hack it and run up huge long distance charges.

I didn't realize that there's a Mac shipping that runs on Intel (there will be soon, yes, but I didn't realize it was shipping already!).

I didn't realize that there's a version of Windows that runs on PowerPC. And sadly, this is where the Linux and BSD guys have you beat. Last time I checked Windows supported less then a quarter of the hardware the BSDs and Linux variants run on.

I didn't realize that there's a Mac shipping that'll integrate with the Xbox. Ours is already shipping, no need to wait for Vista.

Actually, I've got an Xbox. I run Linux on it, simply because your operating system (not that your Xbox runs Windows) isn't about freedom. And for what it's worth, it intergrates nicely over the network with my other Linux machines.

I didn't realize that there's a Mac shipping that has integration with MSN Direct Watches. Ours is already shipping, no need to wait for Vista.

My bluetooth cellphone intergrated seamlessly with my friend's Mac and with the installation of 4 packages under Linux, but required a Service Pack for Windows. And yes, it does tell the time. And yes, I get weather, stock information and traffic on most any cell phone. (Another note, you guys don't make watches either, if you did I'm not sure I'd want one, I like my watches to be accurate.)

Alwin: I think the easiest response to Scoble's challenge is, "Does Apple make an operating system and applications that aren't the targets of every malware author in the world, malware so burdensome and odious that people will toss their old machines and buy new ones rather than try to fix them?" Ouch. Touche! But you're talking about our four-year-old OS, Windows XP, right? Have you looked at Windows Server 2003? It's a HUGE amount better in this department. So, we're heading the right way here.

Your OS says Copyright 1985-2001. To me that makes it 20 years old. Last I checked, Windows 2003 wasn't exactly geared towards the home user either.

I think Robert Scoble has become a politician. Lots of smoke and mirrors, big on avoiding the question, I think we've got the next Karl Rove.