I do know what you mean. If you look back in this forum, even as recent as a couple years ago, we had discussions all the time about Mac marketshare. Now we hardly ever do, and even the MWSF keynote excitement only lasts for a day or two.<br><br>I think the reason there was so much passion was that Apple was against the ropes then, and the thought of being forced to use a Windows PC really brought people together. Presently that threat is pretty much gone. With the success of the iPod, OSX, the deals with IBM and Intel, the Mac is here to stay. Ahhhhhhhh.... time to relax, at least while Steve Jobs is still running the show.<br><br>

LINK<br><br>Just an old guy's opinion. <br><br>Old farts, the hidden caulk of civilization. Jim Atkinson

Ultimately, I believe Apple will go the way of AT&T. For nearly a century, AT&T was the household word for anything telephone. First, in the 80's, they spun off the Lucent brand for their equipment. A few years ago, their Wireless division was absorbed by Cingular (sort of reverse digestion, since Cingular is part of BellSouth, which used to be one of the Baby Bells). Then recently AT&T got out of the long distance market. While many thought the brand was gone, it merely evolved again, and is now back as a broadband giant.<br><br>Similarly, I see many Apple products as we know them today also spinning off into who knows what category, while the Apple brand continues to evolve and move into new markets.<br><br><br><br><br>*Wow* Did you just hear choir music and hosannas? <br><br>

That was awesome! <br><br>

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>Then recently AT&T got out of the long distance market. While many thought the brand was gone, it merely evolved again, and is now back as a broadband giant.<p><hr></blockquote><p>Huh? SBC acquired AT&T and took the name. SBC (now AT&T) is my phone carrier but can't supply me with broadband.<br><br>Old farts, the hidden caulk of civilization. Jim Atkinson

Before they sold out to SBC, AT&T scaled back their long lines division...essentially just focusing on business customers. <br><br>Really, all SBC bought was those customers and the name. There wasn't much of AT&T left. Everything had been parted out...Western Electric became Lucent..a part of which became Avaya.....AT&T Wireless was sold to Cingular (As Steve poinuted out, a partnership between SBC and Bellsouth.)<br><br>It's just a bunch of corporate reshuffling..producing nothing <br><br>

You're married to dial-up anyway. So what're you kvetching about? <br><br>

Hey Doc...<br><br>I'm assuming you got no cable option..<br><br>Have you run your phone number through DSLReports.com recently? How far are you from the CO? Phone companies are adding remote DSLAMs all the time to provide DSL service. <br><br>

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>It's just a bunch of corporate reshuffling..producing nothing<p><hr></blockquote><p><br>Except headaches trying to figure out what your stock holdings are...and where the he!! they're keeping it.<br><br>Old farts, the hidden caulk of civilization. Jim Atkinson

Cable option is Charter...a monopoly here. Apparently, SBC offers DSL but not to my number. I've met one person here who has SBC DSL (they're happy with it). TDS Metrocom say they can provide DSL, but only with a whole phone package which I don't want. I've looked at DSLReports without much luck. <br><br>My wife bitches about how slow eBay is (that's maybe a good thing ) but when I suggest getting cable it doesn't fly.<br><br><br>Old farts, the hidden caulk of civilization. Jim Atkinson