Apple is professional, the web is amateur
1–10 of 61 posts
Re: Apple is professional, the web is amateur
#2I think you're correct that Apple is going to have to do things differently get some of their web properties to catch on, but I disagree heavily on your premise.
For a counterexample, Facebook is professional-looking and very structured compared to MySpace, which in turn is very amateurish-feeling.
There isn't any question which is preferred.
Forums are amateurish. Stackoverflow is professional. I know where I'm going for Q&A.
I think there's a lot more to Apple's problems than professionalism vs amateurism, to the point where it is a minor point, if one at all.
I'm very wary against sayings like "the web is about amateur content." The web is about a lot of things, and while a lot of the web is about amateur content, a lot of the web is also about providing good structure, order, and execution to that content. In general, it even seems to be that the company that can put the most order unto the all of the content reaps the greatest success.
Re: Apple is professional, the web is amateur
#3I'm glad I actually read the article. Given the title I was all set to either ignore or flag. As it stands, I agree whole-heartedly with the message. Yes, there are things to quibble about, but overall it provides food for thought.
Re: Apple is professional, the web is amateur
#4> If Apple's going to succeed at the web, they have to unlearn a lot of what makes them Apple. No more pixel perfect web apps that feel like desktop apps, no more sites that look like glossy brochures, and embracing chaos and amateurism over order and professionalism
Here is yet another argument based on the premise that, in order for Apple to succeed, it must do the same thing as everyone else. We have heard the same argument about desktop computers (license Mac OS; be like Microsoft), mobile (make cheap phones; be like Nokia), and now with the web.
In a sea of amateurs, being professional is not exactly a bad thing.
Re: Apple is professional, the web is amateur
#5Spot on about Ping. It should have been a service where anyone can be an artist, and everyone is a listener. Artists could share their content for free. And there should have been a web based application.
Re: Apple is professional, the web is amateur
#6I think you're correct that Apple is going to have to do things differently get some of their web properties to catch on, but I disagree heavily on your premise. For a counterexample, Facebook is professional-looking and very structured compared to MySpace, which in turn is very amateurish-feeling. There isn't any question which is preferred. Forums are amateurish. Stackoverflow is professional. I know where I'm goin…
Honestly, I think you're both right. My feeling is that Apple has not successfully been able to from that successful web platforms have are professional, but "open-ended with a purpose". Your examples of Facebook and Stack Overflow are perfect representations of this: both are professionally implemented, but the content itself is basically open, but purposed.
Ping doesn't let you generate anything new, or provide information that is broadly useful.
Re: Apple is professional, the web is amateur
#7I think you're correct that Apple is going to have to do things differently get some of their web properties to catch on, but I disagree heavily on your premise. For a counterexample, Facebook is professional-looking and very structured compared to MySpace, which in turn is very amateurish-feeling. There isn't any question which is preferred. Forums are amateurish. Stackoverflow is professional. I know where I'm goin…
My point wasn't that less professional looking websites succeed over more professional looking sites. It's Apple's focus on professional content (the select few) vs amateur content (all of us).
I didn't mean to use amateur in a derogative sense. Amateurs are just people who don't get paid for their work.
Re: Facebook/MySpace, I think this was a different dynamic. The thing facebook did right was tone down the design significantly so that everyone's content became the only important thing on the page. It's still amateur content though.
If Apple had done Stack Overflow, I bet they would have had a team of certified experts to answer the questions and I don't think it would have worked very well. In Stack Overflow, there's no separation between who can ask and answer questions (besides a few karma points). That kind of chaos Apple doesn't excel at.
Re: Apple is professional, the web is amateur
#8Its common knowledge that Apple doesn't understand the web?
Re: Apple is professional, the web is amateur
#9Apple is driven by a philosophy of design, like industrial design and graphic design, but not necessarily craftsmanship, although craftsmanship often goes into design.
As long as Steve Jobs is alive, Apple won't give up on design. Design is what sets Apple apart, not craftsmanship. It's why you see the Macintosh in the MoMA but not a Compaq.
Re: Apple is professional, the web is amateur
#10More trolling on HN I see! The Web is professional, it's the developer who blogged about this story that is an amateur.
Just because he doesn't know what he's doing, now the web is amateurish? These nerd-rage blog posts are just noobs venting that 'they don't get it'.