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nana2 · Jul 4, 2002, 10:20 AM

"This week Apple declared war on its grassroots enthusiasts, by preventing "rumor sites" from attending MacWorld Expo in New York. And one has already responded by shutting-up shop.

"My reasons for starting GraphicPower no longer exist," editor-in-chief Scott McCarty tells us. McCarty was refused a Media pass for the Expo. He will be offering the domain for sale, he adds.

"If Apple would only learn the intricate dance of dealing with the media -- large and small then they would end up gaining so much more than they lose," writes Nick de Plume at ThinkSecret, who didn't apply for media accreditation.

<a href="http://theregister.co.uk/content/39/26032.html" target="_blank">http://theregister.co.uk/content/39/26032.html</a>

<a href="http://www.graphicpower.com/" target="_blank">http://www.graphicpower.com/</a>

jcadam · Jul 4, 2002, 10:24 AM

I don't like what Apple is doing. They need to figure out how to USE the rumor sites instead of fighting against them.

But then, all of this leads me to believe something important (BIG) is going to happen at MWNY.

ringo · Jul 4, 2002, 10:31 AM

Does this mean Time magazine isn't allowed to attend either?

After all, they were the ones who leaked the new iMac.

Or does this rule just apply to companies that can't afford to keep a pack of hungry lawyers waiting in the wings?

Millennium · Jul 4, 2002, 10:59 AM

This is why I think Jobs has to go. While he may have saved Apple with the original iMac, his absurd fetish of keeping his own customers in the dark is hurting the company more than it helps. Most of the other great ideas to come out of Apple in the recent past (the "Switch" ads, for example) are not his.

He's proven once again that while he gets lucky on occasion, on the whole he can't manage Apple worth anything. And this kind of thing is exactly why. As others have been saying here, he needs to embrace the rumors sites. Considering that we're the ones who pay his bills in the end, he practically owes us at least a glimpse at where our money goes.

I'm not saying he should be giving prerelease builds out to the general public; full-disclosure of all their plans would be nearly as bad as the current policy, though for very different reasons. But he has to realize that the Wall of Silence isn't helping him.

Spheric Harlot · Jul 4, 2002, 11:12 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Millennium:
This is why I think Jobs has to go. While he may have saved Apple with the original iMac, his absurd fetish of keeping his own customers in the dark is hurting the company more than it helps.<hr /></blockquote>I don't know.
Palm very nearly killed themselves by letting the news get out about future products too soon - it stopped sales of current equipment dead in their tracks.
I'm pretty sure Apple is in the same predicament. I believe the claims that one shout of "G5 is coming in X weeks!" will cause sales of PowerMacs to drop immediately. This denies the company the funds needed to release the new product in the first place.

They need to get the message across that they're really hurting in times when business is slow anyway and will relax a little when times aren't so tough.

At the moment, loose lips = pink slips.

-s*

Gee4orce · Jul 4, 2002, 11:14 AM

This is BS. Apple have not banned GraphicPower from attending the press conference - they are just not handing him out a free pass (no doubt there are more creditable journos than someone that runs a fan web site and has run speculation articles in the past). He's just throwing his toys out of the pram because he'll have to shell out some $$$ like the rest of us if he wants to go. Big deal.

Wild rumour speculation hurts the share price - the truth never lives up to the hype, and therfore people are disappointed. The share price can't afford another post-expo drop !

scaught · Jul 4, 2002, 11:22 AM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Gee4orce:
This is BS. Apple have not banned GraphicPower from attending the press conference - they are just not handing him out a free pass (no doubt there are more creditable journos than someone that runs a fan web site and has run speculation articles in the past). He's just throwing his toys out of the pram because he'll have to shell out some $$$ like the rest of us if he wants to go. Big deal.
<hr /></blockquote>my feelings exactly. ive never even heard of graphic power before? i think that the process is referred to as "apply for media accreditation" is very telling.

since when has the register been a very reliable media source? more schlocky apple hype guaranteed to raise hits on their webpage.

olePigeon · Jul 4, 2002, 10:41 PM

You also have to look at the unique position Apple is in. Apple leeds the industry in innovation, all the PC companies trail behind with copies and bad representation. Unlike Microsoft, Apple can't leak out info on their big projects a year before they come out because Apple can't then FORCE everyone to use it over the competition.

It's almost always about who's out there first with the great ideas. Apple is the forefront and they can't afford to have Dell come out with the next iMac.

OwlBoy · Jul 4, 2002, 11:40 PM

I agree that all apple is doing is picking who they are GIVEING SOMEING AWAY FOR Free TO. Its not like they don't allow them to come, they just don't give them free "tickets". And this is just one way to pick, they spread news of upcoming products, basicly trade secret info. I'm not saying that it is good or bad for Apple to keep the secrets, but they are theirs to keep. You all talk about wanting privacy? well this is Apple's right to privacy.

-Owl

talisker · Jul 5, 2002, 12:46 AM

Exactly. This is an event open to the public as I understand it, so if he wants to go then he can.

scottiB · Jul 5, 2002, 12:12 PM

<blockquote>quote:<hr />"My reasons for starting GraphicPower no longer exist," editor-in-chief Scott McCarty tells us. McCarty was refused a Media pass for the Expo. He will be offering the domain for sale, he adds.
<hr /></blockquote>Perhaps it's best that he put away the blue pencil. It seems he lacks the intestinal fortitude of a Ben Bradlee or Edward R. Murrow.

Mister T · Jul 5, 2002, 03:05 PM

i think that if they acted more professionally they might be invited in the future or to other events