http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,3959,338390,00.asp

I think this is really lame on Apple's part. Considering the amount of hype Apple generates itself, and the amount of hype and press so called "rumors sites" generate for Apple, this is way too heavyhanded.

I don't really agree with GraphicPower.com's decision to shut down and his pledge never to buy an Apple again (to me that seems Apple's victory), but i sympathize with his plight.
http://graphicpower.com/

I'm not a Mac user myself, but I do know that one of the strongest things about the Mac has traditionally been its community of loyal--some might say "fanatical"--followers. These so-called "rumor sites" were essentially free PR for Apple. Apple should have been subsidizing them, rather than killing them off. By alienating their most faithful supporters, Apple loses a large part of what made them "different" in the first place. Has anyone in Apple's PR department read The Cluetrain Manifesto?

I hope Scott doesn't give up on the Mac. The Mac community is made up of a lot more than just Apple Computer, and it survives and thrives in spite of Apple most of the time.

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Originally posted by Erbo:
Sometimes I wonder if Jobs doesn't secretly want to run Apple into the ground, so he can go back to being a movie mogul full-time (at Pixar) and just leave the computing planet to the Beast of Redmond. But I hope that doesn't happen; Apple has come up with some really cool stuff, and I don't want to see it all fall by the wayside.

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I think it's becoming clear what Steve is up to. Apple is running around buying audio and video companies, building rack mount servers and enhancing their *NIX based operating system so Pixar can switch over to Apple hardware and software. Steve has always believed in controlling the entire widget. When his master plan is complete Pixar will control absolutely everything in their production line: the hardware, the operating system and every single piece of software. They will continue to make computers for consumers simply because it brings in the revenue needed to fund more research and acquisitions.

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Originally posted by Zwilnik:
Every time a rumour site posts about the G5 (or whatever) being released 'next month' sales of the current machines take a hit as a lot of Mac users who were about to buy a machine wait for a month.

I think this effect is unique to Apple and its fans...

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While it seems Apple might be being a bit stingy to some of the minor 'news' sites who claim not to quote rumours, but they're not banning them from the exhibition, just from getting press passes. That means they can get exhibit passes the same as the rest of us mortals. They have to draw the line at what is and isn't press somewhere, otherwise anyone could set up a 'news' website just before a show and try and claim a press pass.

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Originally posted by Zwilnik:

While it seems Apple might be being a bit stingy to some of the minor 'news' sites who claim not to quote rumours, but they're not banning them from the exhibition, just from getting press passes. That means they can get exhibit passes the same as the rest of us mortals. They have to draw the line at what is and isn't press somewhere, otherwise anyone could set up a 'news' website just before a show and try and claim a press pass.

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It has nothing to do with getting in free. That is insignificant. It is all about access. The media pass means access to press conferences, private vendor conferences, getting appointments with vendors for interviews and product tests, and access to the keynote. An exhibits pass DOES NOT admit you to the keynote or any of the conferences. It also gives you access to the press work room where you can get out of the bustle to write and post your stories, interact with other members of the media, get information that is posted in the press room about various press only events.

A media person would look foolish trying to arrange a meeting with vendors without the media credentials. You get access to the press lounge where you can meet with vendors and have a beverage.

The media pass is all about access. It is not about a free ride. I spend, on average, $1,000 per expo for travel, lodging, meals, and cab fare. Covering an expo as media is nothing like simply attending the show. It is a lot of work and it is expensive. The pass gives us the ACCESS that we need to do an effective job.

Anybody can regurgitate public relations pablum and press releases. Those of you who buy and use the technology need the media to have excellent access to be able to bring you good information that is not simply an outline of the keynote content or re-written press releases.

Just about every Mac centric Web publisher that I has been in contact with is either mum, or has revealed in strict confidence that they were on the list. Some site publishers have actually gotten their media badge, but have been notified that it is revoked. I am one of those. I have my badge but I believe that when I go to Javits to get my badge holder, that it will be confiscated and I will be given an exhibits only badge.

As I have been digging deeper into the matter, it appears that ALL Mac centric Web sites have been excluded from obtaining press passes *except the sites owned by IDG.*

As one site publisher put it, "The real story here is not who is on the blacklist, but who is not."

I think that what we are seeing here is nothing less insidious than anti-competitive business practices by IDG to restrict first hand access of media outlets other than their own sites and sites that are too big to mess with like Ziff-Davis. This is illegal. One site publisher who was blacklisted suggested as much to IDG and their media passes were instantly reinstated!

Quit milking this for all it's worth, get over it, and do some good reporting about mac stuff. Or move on with your life.

Edit later: that came off a little harsher than i meant to sound.

Graphics?
Power?

Just some dude's personal site?

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Originally posted by GraphicPower Fan:
Graphicpower.com! Don't cave in now! Don't do it! Don't go to the expo! Stand by your convictions, have a little integrity. Apple's insulted you, smacked you down, for heaven's sake, are you going to go crawling back, begging to be let in and breathe the same air as those who rejected you! Be a man! Don't go. For us, your fans.... please?

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I plan to go, if only to make trouble!

Check my Web site today, I have resumed publishing because I have things to say! You ain't seen nothin' yet..