Apple's Website Through the Years

Through the magic of the Internet Archive WayBack Machine, here are some screen shots of apple's website over the years. You can see all of the pages here: http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://apple.com

1997...

2000....

2001...

2004...

Current version...

Thoughts on Upgrading to Windows 7

Much like my feelings toward Obama when he first took optomistic, I was optomistic about Windows 7. Just like Obama, however, I am thus far bitterly disappointed.
While I'm still working on this post, I have to shut down the computer to see if certain annoying problems magically fix themselves. Below is a rough draft of my experiences so far.

Action Center Window: There is an "action center" icon on the bottom right corner that notifies of problems related to updates, security etc. Once you click on it, a small window pops up. It stays on top of other windows, and there is no way of minimizing it. I had to shut the computer down.
Opening an application such as Outlook sometimes causes the audio to briefly cut out.
Start up time? Four and a half minutes. No improvement from Vista.
One of the most annoying things about Vista were the security prompts. The entire screen would black out and you'd be asked to confirm simple operations. I've noticed that you still get prompted, but the screen no longer goes black. In Vista, despite being the only user and the administrator of my computer, there were times that I was prevented from deleting certain files that were protected, and there was no way to find a work around. I tried deleting one of these files in Windows 7 and I was able to without any difficulty. However, while trying to delete some files, such as ones on an external drive, I was prompted with the "You need permission to perform this action. You require permission from Administrators to make changes to this folder." Huh? I tried right clicking on the file and was not able to add special permissions. So once again, I'm stuck with a file that I cannot delete.

SkyPoint Update

It looks like skypointdigital no longer advertises, so I’m trying to find out what name they are using now.  As I suspected in my original post, they were committing bait and switch. Read the reviews here:

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/SkyPointDigital

 

I received an email last month, allegedly from Steve at Skypoint Digital.  He wrote:

I would like to have a discussion with you about those posts and about our company. We do have an interest in making our company better, and perhaps a discussion can be helpful. I would ask that our conversation be considered confidential, and that you make a commitment that none of our communications be posted, reprinted, forwarded, or otherwise made public.  If you are interested, please let me know.

 

I wonder exactly what he wanted, since they were in fact committing what the State of New York’s AG describes as techniques constituting consumer fraud.  I suspect that he was fishing for a reply so that he could figure out my IP address, and then block the ads from showing in my area, which several of the bait and switch companies have done.  I’m not sure if they’ve just excluded my IP address from showing their ads on Adwords, or if they’ve excluded my entire area, but I have an easy work around and continue to monitor their ads.

 

I won’t stop until the day I can enter the model number of a high end camera in Google and view only legitimate advertised prices.  Until then, game on.

A Quick Note to Google

Dear Google: Despite the State of New York’s crackdown, the bait and switch websites continue to pop up, and they use Google Adwords to lure unsuspecting Internet users into their fraud.  With that in mind, I have an offer.  Why don’t you flag all new applicants to your Adwords program that plan on advertising either cameras or camcorders, and then do some research.  If they are brand new, put them on probation.  Heck, send me their names and I’ll research them for free.  In the long run, it’s better for Google not to let these guys use your service to commit fraud.

Thunder Cameras aka Thundercameras.com: BEWARE

The newest camera selling website: Thundercameras.com.  The site was registered in June, and a bunch of positive reviews appeared on Resellerratings in September/October 09.  Their website has many glowing testimonials, most of which WERE COPIED DIRECTLY FROM POSITIVE REVIEWS OF B&H.  While they claim they are located in Kings NY, their number, 718 223-2933, is located in, you guessed it, Brooklyn.  Good luck trying to get anything from these guys for the advertised price. (UPDATE: Thunder Cameras has since removed the fake reviews that they copied, but the fact that they use fake reviews in the first place is highly suspicious.  My guess is that all of the reviews on their website are fake).

B&H Review on Resellerratings:

Purchased a digital camera online on 12/28/02. Camera arrived 1/3/03. Vendor sent e-mail when camera shipped and gave me the tracking number. No hassles

ThunderCameras Testimonial:

Purchased a digital camera online on 08/28/09. Camera arrived 8/30/09. Vendor sent e-mail when camera shipped and gave me the tracking number. No hassles

B&H Review on Resellerratings:

11/6/2002:  fair prices, reasonable delivery costs and no nonsence.

ThunderCameras Testimonial:

fair prices, reasonable delivery costs and no nonsence

(Note exact same typo)

B&H Review on Resellerratings:

11/25/2003:

Highly recommended. I have nothing but praise for B&H Photo. They are fast to respond to orders, and fast to ship.

ThunderCameras Testimonial:

"they are fast to respond to orders, and fast to ship"

B&H Review on Resellerratings:

3/12/2002:

Order a lens and filter via the internet online ordering system...worked great. Got an email with tracking # when it was shipped. Shipping costs are reasonable.

ThunderCameras Testimonial:

Order a lens and filter via the internet online ordering system...worked great. Got an email with tracking # when it was shipped. Shipping costs are really reasonable. Thanks.

They’ve also stolen language from Abes of Maine website.

Abes of Maine About Us Info:

We are a family run business, who has been in operation since 1979.

At Abe's our main goal is a satisfied customer. Thank you for your patronage and remember Abe's for all your camera and electronic needs.

An average purchase at Abe's Of Maine can save our customers up to 50% from the retail prices which they see in their local stores. With all the savings we provide, our 30 day satisfaction guarantee return policy, as well as having an excellent customer service department, why would anyone shop anywhere else?

Listed below are just a few of the many reasons why everyone should shop at Abe's Of Maine:

Quick Turnaround - We usually ship your orders within 24-48 hours.

Knowledgeable and polite salespeople.

Low Prices

Brand New and Factory Fresh merchandise.

All Products include USA Manufacturers' Warranty unless otherwise stated.

ThunderCameras.com About Us Info:

We are a family run business, who has been in operation since 2009.

At thundercameras our main goal is a satisfied customer. Thank you for your patronage and remember thunder for all your camera and electronic needs.

An average purchase at thundercameras can save our customers up to 30% from the retail prices which they see in their local stores. With all the savings we provide, our 30 day satisfaction guarantee return policy, as well as having an excellent customer service department, why would anyone shop anywhere else?
Listed below are just a few of the many reasons why everyone should shop at thundercameras

Quick Turnaround - We usually ship your orders within 24-48 hours.
Knowledgeable and polite salespeople.
Low Prices
Brand New and Factory Fresh merchandise.
All Products include USA Manufacturers' Warranty unless otherwise stated.

AMDV.com: Trustworthy?

AMDV.com, also known as American Digital & Video, is now showing up on Google Adwords.  They list their address as 80-30 209th Street, Queens Village, N.Y. 11427.  A google search reveals that this address is owned by Sharona Benshabat. 

Interestingly, a search of AMDV on the State of New York’s website reveals the following:

AMDV.COM LLC

337 EAST 89TH STREET

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, 11236

Check out the photo of this address here.

This is the same address for Broadway Digital, which settled with the State of New York in June (READ THE ARTICLE HERE) and agreed to “completely revamp their business practices and be subject to ongoing monitoring,” in addition to paying  “substantial monies to provide restitution for consumers who were subjected to the companies’ illegal business practices.”   Other names used by Broadway Photo: Broadway Photo LLC, A&M Photo World LLC, Camera Addict LLC, Camera Kings, Digital Liquidators LLC, Millennium Camera LLC, Preferred Photo LLC, Prestige Camera LLC, Qwest Camera LLC, Regal Camera LLC, Top Choice Digital Enterprise LLC, Top Choice Digital World Inc., Wild Digital LLC, BROADWAYPHOTO.COM, BWAYPHOTO.COM, BROADWAYPHOTO.NET, BROADWAYPHOTOVIDEO.COM, AMPHOTOWORLD.COM,CAMERAADDICT.COM, CAMERAKINGS.COM, DIGITALLIQUIDATORS.COM, PREFEREDPHOTO.COM, PREFERREDPHOTO.COM, PREFFEREDPHOTO.COM, PRESTIGECAMERA.COM, QUEST4CAMERAS.COM, REGALCAMERA.COM, TOPCHOICEDIGITAL.COM, and WILDDIGITAL.COM.

AMDV does not provide prices in their Adwords Sponsored Links.  Once you click their link, their website has the Nikon D700, without a lens, for $2,299 with free shipping.  Cameta, a legitimate retailer, sells it for $2,519.  Adorama has it listed for $2,696.95.  I’d be very, very surprised if AMDV actually sells the camera for the price advertised on their website.  I could be wrong, so please post your experiences with them in the comments section below.  If in fact Broadway Photo is continuing to conduct bait and switch techniques, I’ll start a campaign with both the State of New York AG’s office as well as Google Adwords.  The days of letting the Brooklyn bait and switchers freely conduct consumer fraud are over.  If you’ve had problems with AMDV, I encourage you to seek reimbursement through the State of New York’s AG’s office.  They’d be interested to hear about their activities as well.  If you’ve had a good experience with AMDV, please post it below.  Perhaps these guys turned over a new leaf.  We’ll see.

Calibration Issue with iPhone 3Gs and Nike +iTunes

I've used an iPod nano with the Nike +iTunes for nearly three years with minimal issues. I was excited to see that the Nike app was incorporated in the new iPhone 3Gs, and it was one of the reasons I bought it. However, when I went running using the iPhone and the Nike sensor attached to my shoe, it was completely inaccurate, tracking roughly 1/3 of the actual distance.

I tried calibrating it without success. On Saturday I went to a track, set the distance for calibration, and then ran four laps. When I pressed “end workout,” it said it could not calibrate, without any explanation. I set up a genius bar appointment on Saturday while in San Jose at Oakridge Mall. They said to do a restore, which I did.  But after a quick run it was apparent that it was still not working.
So I found an instruction manual online that said that after you end a workout, if you know the actual distance that you ran, you can press end, then press calibrate, and enter the actual distance. Sounds good, right? So I ran SIX MILES on Sunday in 100 degree heat here near Sacramento. (I knew it was six miles because I drove the route and measured it). I ended the workout, and hit calibrate. The iPhone said I ran 2.2 miles. I went to enter the correct information under calibration and it would only let me enter up to 3.3 miles. Thus there was no way to calibrate the thing, and I was fed up. 

The Apple genius told me I could bring it in for replacement if it still didn't work. As a last ditch effort I posted my problem on the Apple support discussion site.  The only reply that I received was from someone asking if the sensor in my shoe was upside down.  I checked and it was.  I just ran two miles and the iPhone tracked the run perfectly.  I don’t make mistakes often but this one’s on me.  My apologies to my iPhone.

Obama Poses with Cast of The Munsters for Halloween

I can see why the President/Prime Minister of Spain forbids photos from being published of his daughters, Broomhilda and Morticia.

Beware of SupremeCamera aka Supreme Camera, supremecamera.com

Supremecamera.com looks very suspicious. They list the Canon Vixia HV40 for $629.99. The list price from Canon is $999, and B&H sells it for $799. On eBay they go for roughly $770. So how can they sell it for this price? They can’t. They’d be losing money. This website just appeared, so there is not any feedback yet, but I’m certain that once you place the order, you’ll be given the upsell for overpriced accessories, or even items that should be included with the camera (like a battery). If you don’t agree, the camera is out of stock.
They list their address for returns and exchanges as 419 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003. Check out Google street view. I’m guessing the address is used by a variety of businesses. A number of different escort services also use this address, as does a porn video business:

Their phone number is 888-869-1626. Googling the number reveals the following:

Why would anyone have two different names for a website? One would assume that you would want to focus on one website in order to build a customer base and reputation. But if you are going to operate the website for just a short period and then abandon it when your consumer fraud is exposed, then you would want multiple website URLs.
So my advice is to avoid these guys. If you do get suckered and try and send the item(s) back, they have a 7 day return policy, and charge a 15% restocking fee. So they’ll try very hard to keep your money. Trust me. Avoid the hassle, and buy from a legitimate source, such as B&H or Adorama. Their prices are excellent, and, most importantly, legitimate.