Here is an example of the kind of blind devotion to Apple that can only ultimately mean its downfall. Dogma, faith, etc. is dangerous, particularly in the corporate world, because it causes one to stop thinking and questioning, and to follow blindly those whose motives are solely mercenary.
The gentleman with whom I corresponded on this issue has created an excellent resource for Performa owners, a website devoted to the problems the Performa has experienced and solutions to these problems. I noticed that his site failed to mention the internal Geoport modem's degradation of CPU performance, so I emailed him to tell him about my site.
At 5:41 PM -0500 2/19/98, CGSchmitt@aol.com wrote:
>Hi,
>Saw your Performa site - great job. One problem I've had to deal with that I
>didn't see on your site is the internal Geoport Express software modem's
>degradation of CPU performance. I've talked to many people who've experienced
>this. I'd like to invite you to visit a page a created which shows my own
>MacBench results which clearly illustrate the degradation I'm describing. Go
>to http://members.aol.com/cgschmitt/apple.html
>Again, thanks for the informative Performa site.
>Curtis
Curtis,
I have seen your site before, and while what you say and report is true, I don't think the preception that you layout is cool. The opening line:
"The Apple Macintosh Performa 6360 with Internal Geoport Express Modem is a BAD, BAD system!"
You also go on to say:
"Obviously, this problem should have been addressed during research and development of the unit, but it wasn't. I would like Apple to take responsibility for a product that is not worthy of their name and reputation because if they don't it soon will be."
These statements are a direct bash at Apple Computer, and is the very reason I have not reported your findings with a link to your site (and the same can be said for Daria's site) on the Performa Problems & Solutions site. I would suggest that instead of creating a page to bash a technology flaw such as the Geoport, I would instead make it a resource page to allow others to make their own judgements, and not force your opinion on them.
It is common knowldge that the Geoport is a software device, and is in no way a modem, but only acts as one. The Geoport was originally designed for high-end PowerMacs, but that technology has proven to be ugly since anything below a PPC604 machine cannot take advantage of this technology, which is why Apple no longer makes them.
To make a long story short, Apple has admitted to the mistake of packaging the Geoport with the Performas, and no longer ships them with it, since the only way to see if they were to work was in real-world trials. If the Geoport is such a problem, the solution is simple: go out and spend $50 for a 28.8k modem, and end the problem. I know users feel they shouldn't, but then again, would they rather have a PC? I don't think so, and if they feel Apple is the only computer manufacturer that makes mistakes, then they should think again.
Robert,
I understand your concerns with my site. Let me point out that nothing I have presented on the site is misleading. Granted it is not flattering, but Apple's inclusion of a software modem with the Performa was a very big mistake in my opinion, and not deserving of flattery. You claim that they have admitted to this mistake, but this is contrary to the experience of many Performa owners like myself who have contacted Apple customer service representatives and been told that they "have never heard of any such problem."
I agree that the MacOS is superior to Windows 95 and Apple has a much better track record as a customer service oriented company than most PC manufacturers, but that is no excuse for the way I, and many others, have been treated with respect to this Geoport issue. The Performa I purchased was marketed as a fully functional multimedia computer. That was a lie. The Geoport modem cripples the computer's performance.
You wrote:
>Geoport is such a problem, the solution is simple: go out and spend $50 for
>a 28.8k modem, and end the problem.
I have purchased a new modem and the Performa now works great. But the solution was not simple. I work in IS, and it took me some time to isolate the problem (I upgraded the RAM, connected to multiple servers, etc.). The average computer user would have to rely on Apple's "trained" technical support representatives to fix the problem. When I called them the first thing they did was try to tell me it was a software problem and I just needed the latest OS / Telecom software. When I questioned that advice they told me to bring it to an authorized service center. At that point I decided to try running MacBench and figure out the problem on my own. Only then was I sure that the modem was the cause.
If Apple was as up front about this mistake as you claim they are I'd be happy. But they weren't. And I'm angry. I've been a long time Mac user. I have a recording studio based on a PowerMac 7200 which I love. I'll be honest; I feel betrayed. And I want Apple to know this. Let's not be naive. Companies don't offer quality products out of the goodness of their hearts. They are profit driven and rely on feedback from customers (what they like, what they don't) to expand their market share, etc, etc. Yes, I want Apple to survive (and thrive) but only if they keep making products worthy of their reputation.
I have been contacted by many Performa users about my website and have not had one complaint about "bashing" (other than yours). In fact, many users have thanked me for explaining the problem so clearly and convincing them that they were not insane. Other users were glad to know that they weren't the only ones frustrated with Apple's denial of the problem. For you to ignore an issue this big on your website for fear of Apple bashing is a mistake. I don't care if you link to my site or not, but you should at least acknowledge the performance degradation issue.
In conclusion, the Performa 6360 with the Geoport Express modem IS a bad, bad system. Your advice to ditch the modem confirms that. You can claim that Apple is some sort of computer user's holy grail, but what good does it do? It's just a fairy tale that eventually breeds disillusionment.
Curtis