11-04-2008, 05:02 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Say Hello to Apple Thoughts, the Newest Member of the Thoughts Media Network
I'm thrilled to announce the launch of the fifth Thoughts Media site: Apple Thoughts. It's been almost two years since we launched our last site (Zune Thoughts), and I'm really excited to be expanding our network with another great site. Why an Apple site? For the past three years or so, I've been watching the "Apple tide" rising. By that, I mean the overall impact that Apple has in the market - and I mean real impact, not the mainstream media fawning and hype that accompanies every new product Apple releases. The number of people I know that have switched to Macs is staggering - the painful launch of Vista certainly didn't help things, but Apple is making tremendous gains in the market. Earlier this year, 40% of all notebooks sold at retail over $1000 USD were Macbooks, and who can forget this picture? The iPhone? Game-changing. Not the right phone everyone, and definitely over-hyped, but it changed the whole landscape of smartphones and what people expect from them. The Apple tide is rising, and as someone who makes a living online, it would be a poor decision for me to ignore that fact. Now I know what some of you may be thinking: an Apple enthusiast site? From the guy who really doesn't seem to like Apple very much, and has been known to be quite critical of Apple, iPods, and Steve Jobs in particular? Well, here's the second announcement: Apple Thoughts is the first Thoughts Media franchise site. By that I mean that I will not be in charge of running it: Thoughts Media Inc. provides the server, back-end infrastructure, and monetization support, while the franchisee provides 100% of the editorial content and community management. I've tapped a very talented, opinionated, passionate, Apple-lovin' guy to be the Executive Editor of Apple Thoughts. His name some of you will doubtless recognize: Vincent Ferrari. Vincent has been a member of the Thoughts Media community for a number of years, and was on the Digital Home Thoughts review team for a time. He's got the right kind of personality to be a fantastic Executive Editor, and if I ever need an AOL account cancelled, I know exactly who to call. Here's a special request to everyone reading this: if you use a Mac, an iPhone, or any product made by Apple, please make a commitment to this new community. Starting a community is tough work - it's a classic chicken-and-egg scenario where, when someone comes to a Web site with sparse comments and empty forums, they think "Oh, I won't make this community my home, there's no one here". So I'm asking all of you Mac-usin', iPhone-totin' types to read, comment, contribute, share, help, and above all grow the Apple Thoughts community. My hope is that by this time next year, Apple Thoughts will have a vibrant, passionate, helpful community of Apple fans. We need you. Please join me in welcoming Apple Thoughts!
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11-04-2008, 05:11 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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...and for anyone who's curious, no, I still don't own a Mac, nor do I have any plans to buy one. I really am hands-off on this new site. 
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11-04-2008, 05:13 PM
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Executive Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,471
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*cough* Yet *cough*
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11-04-2008, 05:14 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Ferrari
*cough* Yet *cough*
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I can't say that I've never been tempted to buy a Mac, but thus far I've resisted the clarion call of the reality distortion field. My kung fu is strong! 
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11-04-2008, 05:41 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 26
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Just made for first post over at Apple Thoughts.....just to say I'm hyped to see how things go. Keep up the good work.
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11-04-2008, 05:44 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowmation
Just made for first post over at Apple Thoughts.....just to say I'm hyped to see how things go. Keep up the good work.
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Thanks Snowmation! Every post helps! 
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11-04-2008, 05:46 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 340
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This is great, now I won't have to feel guilty toting my iPod with my PocketPC
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11-04-2008, 06:31 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 74
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Congrats...
Hey Jason,
I just wanted to compliment you on this decision. Like you mentioned, whether you like Apple or not, you can't ignore just what an impact they have made on the electronics industry as a whole.
I know that I intend to buy a Mac for my next machine, and I hope to get an iPod Touch (32GB) for Christmas, but I don't think I'll ever fully switch just due to playing video games, etc...
At the moment my step-son has an iPod Nano (last gen) and will likely be getting a Shuffle for Christmas coupled with another product the wife and I found. At any rate, in addition to that we're looking at getting him (us? =)) a Mac Mini as they use both Mac's and PC's at school and it will be nice to have one of each around.
At any rate, like I said, congrats. It's nice to see you making the effort to support the other end of the spectrum. I'm sure it will be a move you won't regret and the new community will grow and thrive very quickly... =)
Last edited by Cold Flame; 11-04-2008 at 06:36 PM..
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11-04-2008, 07:22 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 267
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I'm adding it to my Favorites list. Interesting, but timely addition. A few months ago, I went to the Dark Side and bought a 16GB iPhone 3G. I still miss some of the things my WM phone did and the iPhone doesn't, but it is still an amazing device. Since I picked up the iPhone, I've been coming back to PPC Thoughts simply to keep up with the tech and also out of a bit of loyalty -- I think I've been a member for over 6 years now.
I won't ever own a Mac. I build my own PCs and love tweaking them. If Apple ever opens up and lets people build clones, I'd probably build one, just to try it out, but I won't buy a closed system.
Last edited by jgrnt1; 11-04-2008 at 07:31 PM..
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11-04-2008, 08:19 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jgrnt1
I won't ever own a Mac. I build my own PCs and love tweaking them. If Apple ever opens up and lets people build clones, I'd probably build one, just to try it out, but I won't buy a closed system.
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Yeah, I feel the same way - I really like picking out the parts that I want to use, being able to swap out hardware whenever I feel like it - even swapping out entire motherboards, etc. Flexibility and choice is really important to me, which is likely why I'll remain a Windows guy for life.
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Hybrid Mode
