Re: [CGUYS] DSL Home Wiring
What I need to do is split the phone line as it comes into the house. One cable will be filtered and go to main telephones, the other cable will be for data--this is before it gets to the modem/router. Is the box I need called a DSL splitter? DSL junction box? It will be located in a crawl space and should need no maintenance once it's installed. No. It doesn't work that way. The DSL signal rides on top of the normal analog voice bandwidth signalling on a norrmal T0 telephone line. It is sufficent to use a filter to attenuate that signalling noise at individual phone sets to allow normal analog voice (or modem) communication without noise. This is why we use the individual jack/filter strategy. It is easier for the user and it is cheaper for the provider. This strategy basically means the whole subscriber loop (all of your home telephone jacks) are DSL "hot". The plus side of this is that no rewiring is necessary other than plugging in the filter, the phone, and the router. The negative is that all of your phone stations also have to be filtered individually. But it's easy. George W. Bush could set this up. A typical DSL install kit includes four inline filters, one wall set filter, a wireless capable four-port Westell router, and a CD with software. That is the standard issue hardware. It works. It's reliable. It's almost double a T1 speed (3 mbps) at $30.00 a month. It doesn't suck, but it's not where we want to be. Where we want to be, and we're going there, is gigabit speeds over fiber. I all ready do this for those who are willing to pay for me to build out my infrastructure, guess who they are. The people with deep pockets. If you want the bandwidth, I can deliver it. I'll sell you a Toyota (good car, reliable) or a Mercedes (upscale) or a Ferrari if you want it and can pay for it. If you think I am going to charge less than people are willing to pay then you must be some kind of a socialist :-). * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] DSL Home Wiring
Is there a basic device like this that I can buy locally in Delaware or Maryland? Who carries these? Or should I ask the guy in the Verizon van next time I see it? No, you don't need to do that. You mentioned that you have an intermittent short. That's usually house wiring. Maybe the builder put a staple through the wire. That's not unknown and it's hard to troubleshoot. We can see this from a test desk, but we can't tell you where it is remotely unless it is in our loop. We can see what distance it is from our CO. The phone wiring in your house is a common loop, which is phone company jargon for the same electrical connection to all the outlets (phone jacks). If that loop is compromised then none of it works. The usual procedure is fault isolation, which involves first testing to the network interface to ensure that the problem is not on the telco side. This we fix for free. The second step involves identifying the problem on the subscriber side of the network interface. We charge for this based on time and materials. It isn't inexpensive but it is a professional service. We have maintenance plans which are relatively inexpensive (inside wiring insurance) which you can buy. Inside wiring rarely fails so we can make money on this. Take out of that what you like but if a wire maintenance plan costs $4.00 a month and a technician visit costs $120.00 for a half hour and $50 for every half hour after that then do the math. You can add or delete the maintenance plan at will. If you are not getting my drift... Of course I will likely be taken out and shot for pointing this out, but, hey, those are the rules. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] DSL Home Wiring
Is there a box that splits the RJ-11 to RJ-45 for data? I've done ethernet networks but don't know about the hardware for telephone data lines. Your last question makes me think that you don't exactly understand the virutes of DSL... Actually, I do know a lot about DSL. I just don't know the names of the devices that are used with it. They're just different kinds of boxes, junctions, splitters with funny names. I've been doing my own phone and electrical wiring for 30 years, except I usually have to look up or ask to find the exact names of the parts I need--I know what they look like, and how to install them. Each profession has its own private language. Telco has its own, to. What I need to do is split the phone line as it comes into the house. One cable will be filtered and go to main telephones, the other cable will be for data--this is before it gets to the modem/router. Is the box I need called a DSL splitter? DSL junction box? It will be located in a crawl space and should need no maintenance once it's installed. I see a Siecor INI splitter, Wilcom splitter, Suttle DSL POTS splitter, RCA POTS splitter, so far, not in vendors around here, but I haven't called any place yet, only searched online. Is there a basic device like this that I can buy locally in Delaware or Maryland? Who carries these? Or should I ask the guy in the Verizon van next time I see it? Betty * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Comcast Internet Cap
250gb/mo is at least realistic. The local phone company (Frontiernet) is talking about 5gb/mo. On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 8:53 PM, Richard P. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Saw this article at Marketwatch about Comcast setting new Internet usage > limits: > customers it has updated its "Acceptable Use Policy." Comcast > CMCSA) told customers that starting on Oct. 1 it will set a new > monthly usage threshold for customers, of 250 gigabytes a month of > data usage, for all Comcast residential customers. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Comcast Internet Cap
Saw this article at Marketwatch about Comcast setting new Internet usage limits: http://tinyurl.com/6fmgh2 Text Follows Below Signature Richard P. MARKETWATCH FIRST TAKE Comcast sets usage cap for Internet users Commentary: Company gets low marks for disclosure to customers By MarketWatch Last update: 3:06 p.m. EDT Aug. 29, 2008 SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Comcast Corp. is up to its old tricks, as it seeks to rid its network of customers who use peer-to-peer networks that clog up bandwidth. Last month, Comcast was ordered by the Federal Communications Commission to disclose its current and future network management practices and to stop blocking Internet traffic by the end of the year. The company had been blocking users of peer-to-peer networks by delaying their accessing to certain Web sites such as BitTorrent and others. See full story. The cable giant quietly posted a new policy on its Web site, telling customers it has updated its "Acceptable Use Policy." Comcast CMCSA) told customers that starting on Oct. 1 it will set a new monthly usage threshold for customers, of 250 gigabytes a month of data usage, for all Comcast residential customers. See Comcast's disclosure here. But Comcast did not issue a press release or send direct announcements to consumers. In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Comcast customer, and I did not receive any kind of e-mail notification of this news, which would be a more direct and timely manner of disclosure The company says on its Web site that it is taking several steps to notify customers, including running banners on Comcast.net and it will include an insert, or a "billing stuffer" in their next bill. In my opinion, Comcast's headline on Comcast.net, saying it has updated its "Acceptable Use Policy," is not exactly a headline many consumers will see. Granted, the cap of 250 gigabytes covers a huge amount of data. Comcast says consumers would have to send 50 million e-mails, or download 62,500 songs of 4 megabytes each, or download 125 standard movies at 2 gigabytes each, or upload 25,000 high-resolution photos of 10 megabytes each. What is the penalty if a consumer surpasses the monthly cap of 250 gigabytes? Comcast said 99% of its customers will not exceed the bandwidth limitations. However, if one exceeds the limit, they may receive a call from Comcast to notify them of excessive use. If they surpass the limitation two times within a six-month period, their service is subject to termination. Comcast is clearly trying to get rid of those unwanted customers who use its network to download fat files of movies, videos and music, some of which are probably pirated. But its indirect disclosures are likely to lead to more ire among consumers toward a company that is already challenged in the customer service department. -- Therese Poletti * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] security on public wireless
Well, that answers that question. All gmail users should note there's a new option on the Settings page: "Always use https". I'll quote: > LEO: You can protect it by scrambling it. And you mentioned VPN and > other techniques. > STEVE: Well, yeah. I had a person who wrote in > asking, if they were on a secure site filling out a form, and they did > not yet have the little lock showing, was it safe to submit that data. > That's actually a really good point, that the way data is sent back > to a web server is over, well, secure data is over this SSL connection, > or as people see it in the URL, https, "S" being for secure, as > opposed to just http://. The event of pushing the button and > submitting the data will create a secure connection. So it's very > likely that, if the web page is running securely, that is, even if > it's not showing you the lock when it's displaying the form, > submitting the form can still be done securely. However, unless you > take a look at the source code of the web page, you're not going to be > really sure that it's a secure submission. So most sites will take > the time to, for example, create the form on a secure page... On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 8:22 PM, mike <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > A great primer on public wifi > > http://www.grc.com/sn/sn-010.txt > > or for more options, scroll to the bottom and see episode 10 > http://www.grc.com/securitynow.htm > > > Mike > > On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 5:01 PM, Fred Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > >> use 'https' for gmail. >>> >> >> if no vpn, but use https for gmail - wouldn't the wireless signal for a >> public connection still be in the clear transmitting your username and >> password? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] security on public wireless
A great primer on public wifi http://www.grc.com/sn/sn-010.txt or for more options, scroll to the bottom and see episode 10 http://www.grc.com/securitynow.htm Mike On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 5:01 PM, Fred Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > use 'https' for gmail. >> > > if no vpn, but use https for gmail - wouldn't the wireless signal for a > public connection still be in the clear transmitting your username and > password? > thank you very much everyone for the replies > > > > From: Tony B <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: Friday, August 29, 2008 04:44 pm > Subject: Re: [CGUYS] security on public wireless > VPN is of course the answer, if you really MUST perform 'sensitive' > tasks from unsecured networks. But personally, I can hold off doing my > online banking until I get home. Normal websurfing and gmail I just > don't worry about. Though I _do_ always use 'https' for gmail. > > > > * > ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** > ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** > * > * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] security on public wireless
use 'https' for gmail. if no vpn, but use https for gmail - wouldn't the wireless signal for a public connection still be in the clear transmitting your username and password? thank you very much everyone for the replies From: Tony B <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Friday, August 29, 2008 04:44 pm Subject: Re: [CGUYS] security on public wireless VPN is of course the answer, if you really MUST perform 'sensitive' tasks from unsecured networks. But personally, I can hold off doing my online banking until I get home. Normal websurfing and gmail I just don't worry about. Though I _do_ always use 'https' for gmail. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Slate Article: Is Something Rotten at Apple?
>Ever since the launch of the iPod and the iTunes Music Store I >have thought that Apple was taking its eye off the ball. Yes, Apple is stretching itself thin. Would you be willing to give up the revolutionary iPhone in exchange? I would not. * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] security on public wireless
VPN is of course the answer, if you really MUST perform 'sensitive' tasks from unsecured networks. But personally, I can hold off doing my online banking until I get home. Normal websurfing and gmail I just don't worry about. Though I _do_ always use 'https' for gmail. On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 6:40 PM, Fred Jones <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > sure appreciate someone explaining this to me... > trying to figure a way to make a public wireless connection secure for > checking email, logging in to sensitive sites etc. seems like the nature of > public wireless is that all is transmitted in the clear. would be great to > be able to use wpa, but many hotels and convenient wireless internet don't > seem to offer encryption. is there any way to protect wireless transmission > on a public connection? > also seems that this issue should be same for pc or mac, no? > thanks for any help > * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] security on public wireless
>trying to figure a way to make a public wireless connection secure for >checking email, logging in to sensitive sites etc. You need to run a VPN on top of the wireless connection. This will give you a secure tunnel from your computer through to the VPN server. See a good tutorial at www.cites.uiuc.edu/vpn/security.html You can buy VPN as a service from various providers for about $12/month. To mention one: www.hotspotvpn.com. (This is just an example, I have not used this service.) Has anyone been using such a service? Any good/bad points to report? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] security on public wireless
Sorry did not understand the question. There is no way to make the connection secure on a public wireless connection. Stewart At 06:20 PM 8/29/2008, you wrote: thanks, but I'm sorry I don't understand - if I use public wireless say at a mall, how would a router on my end make the connection secure to the site I visit (or email) if the wireless connection is only public without any encryption available? From: Rev. Stewart Marshall <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Friday, August 29, 2008 04:06 pm Subject: Re: [CGUYS] security on public wireless Many places set up security though it be lite to keep people from outside not being able to log onto the network. There are routers that allow two sides a public and a private side for situations like this. Stewart At 05:40 PM 8/29/2008, you wrote: sure appreciate someone explaining this to me... trying to figure a way to make a public wireless connection secure for checking email, logging in to sensitive sites etc. seems like the nature of public wireless is that all is transmitted in the clear. would be great to be able to use wpa, but many hotels and convenient wireless internet don't seem to offer encryption. is there any way to protect wireless transmission on a public connection? also seems that this issue should be same for pc or mac, no? thanks for any help * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * Rev. Stewart A. Marshall mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Prince of Peace www.princeofpeaceozark.org Ozark, AL SL 82 * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] security on public wireless
thanks, but I'm sorry I don't understand - if I use public wireless say at a mall, how would a router on my end make the connection secure to the site I visit (or email) if the wireless connection is only public without any encryption available? From: Rev. Stewart Marshall <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Friday, August 29, 2008 04:06 pm Subject: Re: [CGUYS] security on public wireless Many places set up security though it be lite to keep people from outside not being able to log onto the network. There are routers that allow two sides a public and a private side for situations like this. Stewart At 05:40 PM 8/29/2008, you wrote: sure appreciate someone explaining this to me... trying to figure a way to make a public wireless connection secure for checking email, logging in to sensitive sites etc. seems like the nature of public wireless is that all is transmitted in the clear. would be great to be able to use wpa, but many hotels and convenient wireless internet don't seem to offer encryption. is there any way to protect wireless transmission on a public connection? also seems that this issue should be same for pc or mac, no? thanks for any help * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] security on public wireless
Many places set up security though it be lite to keep people from outside not being able to log onto the network. There are routers that allow two sides a public and a private side for situations like this. Stewart At 05:40 PM 8/29/2008, you wrote: sure appreciate someone explaining this to me... trying to figure a way to make a public wireless connection secure for checking email, logging in to sensitive sites etc. seems like the nature of public wireless is that all is transmitted in the clear. would be great to be able to use wpa, but many hotels and convenient wireless internet don't seem to offer encryption. is there any way to protect wireless transmission on a public connection? also seems that this issue should be same for pc or mac, no? thanks for any help * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** * Rev. Stewart A. Marshall mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Prince of Peace www.princeofpeaceozark.org Ozark, AL SL 82 * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] security on public wireless
sure appreciate someone explaining this to me... trying to figure a way to make a public wireless connection secure for checking email, logging in to sensitive sites etc. seems like the nature of public wireless is that all is transmitted in the clear. would be great to be able to use wpa, but many hotels and convenient wireless internet don't seem to offer encryption. is there any way to protect wireless transmission on a public connection? also seems that this issue should be same for pc or mac, no? thanks for any help * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Downloading Gimp
http://superb-east.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/gimp-win/gimp-2.4.7-i686-setup.exe http://isohunt.com/torrents/?ihq=gimp second is a torrent, so you'll need utorrent or opera or the like. The first worked for me. Mike On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 11:47 AM, David Turk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > I've tried downloading Gimp from several locations, but keep getting > errors, either when trying to download or install. There seems to be > something I'm missing, & after reading more of the website, it seems I need > an installer. Can someone recommend a better method to do this? Thanks. > > david > > > David Turk > > Manager, Preservation Imaging Services > > Indiana Historical Society > Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center > > 450 W. Ohio St. > > Indianapolis, IN 46202 > > (317) 232-4592 > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > * > ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** > ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** > * > * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Downloading Gimp
I've tried downloading Gimp from several locations, but keep getting errors, either when trying to download or install. There seems to be something I'm missing, & after reading more of the website, it seems I need an installer. Can someone recommend a better method to do this? Thanks. david David Turk Manager, Preservation Imaging Services Indiana Historical Society Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center 450 W. Ohio St. Indianapolis, IN 46202 (317) 232-4592 [EMAIL PROTECTED] * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Windows Media Player
So does my test file play in VLC? Maybe try updating to WMP11: http://www.download.com/Windows-Media-Player/3000-2139_4-10315038.html On Fri, Aug 29, 2008 at 12:47 PM, Richard P. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Follow up: This link also failed so I think we can rule out the > original website in question. Is it possible that this could be a > localized issue? The laptop also has the same issue opening up the > original link as does the desktop. I don't know if a router or ISP > could be preventing access. Any ideas? * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Windows Media Player
Follow up: This link also failed so I think we can rule out the original website in question. Is it possible that this could be a localized issue? The laptop also has the same issue opening up the original link as does the desktop. I don't know if a router or ISP could be preventing access. Any ideas? Thanks, Richard P. Tony B wrote: Here's a simple test wmv, but I'm not going to take the time to > try to embed it: http://www.shepherdstownforums.org/cguys_test.wmv * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
Re: [CGUYS] Slate Article: Is Something Rotten at Apple?
On Aug 29, 2008, at 9:36 AM, Rev. Stewart A. Marshall wrote: Is Something Rotten at Apple? E-mail problems, flaky iPhones, and broken Macs. What's Steve Jobs to do? Ever since the launch of the iPod and the iTunes Music Store I have thought that Apple was taking its eye off the ball. Apple is aiming at too many targets at once to be able to clearly focus on any one of them. I think that in taking this wide ranging marketing approach Apple has sacrificed some aspects of quality control. Apple says they will stand behind their products, and I think that they will, but even so, they could lose something of value along the line that Apple users have come to expect and appreciate. Simply put, Apple products have traditionally just plain worked straight out of the box, and reliably as well, pretty much hassle free. That fact is greatly responsible for Apple's loyalists in the computer world, and that long standing tradition should not be sacrificed purely for the almighty dollar lest Apple simply become just another high tech manufacturer without particular distinction. My opinion only. Steve * ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *
[CGUYS] Slate Article: Is Something Rotten at Apple?
Stewart Marshall has sent you an article from Slate Magazine. Link: http://www.slate.com/id/2198535 technology Is Something Rotten at Apple? E-mail problems, flaky iPhones, and broken Macs. What's Steve Jobs to do? By Farhad Manjoo Posted Monday, Aug. 25, 2008, at 5:40 PM ET In its ubiquitous TV ads, Apple claims that its new iPhone is twice as fast as the original version and just half the price. Neither is true. The half-price fib has been obvious for some time: When you add the price of AT&T's required two-year contract, the new phone costs slightly more than the old phone. In a lawsuit filed last week, an iPhone owner named Jessica Alena Smith argues that Apple hasn't been honest about the phone's speed, either. Smith, echoing thousands of complaints logged on Apple's Web site, says that her iPhone rarely connects to AT&T's fast 3G network, instead staying fixed to the pokey EDGE service that was the bane of the first iPhone. Smith's iPhone doesn't just fail on tasks like downloading e-mail and surfing the Web, she says. It also drops many of her voice calls. Smith lives in Birmingham, Ala., but I've had the same problem with my iPhone 3G in cell-tower-rich San Francisco—more dropped calls than I've ever had on a cell phone (including on the original iPhone) and terribly spotty 3G service. Last month, I raved about the great third-party programs available on the iPhone's fantastic built-in App Store. But I've since soured on that system, too. As many iPhone owners have noticed, the phone often mysteriously refuses to load these apps, rendering them useless. Smith is asking a judge to grant her lawsuit class-action status. I hope it's approved. Apple has reluctantly acknowledged flaws in the iPhone and has quietly promised to correct them, but there's no sign that it's taking the complaints very seriously. The lawsuit might be just the kick it needs to fix the world's broken iPhones. But the company's troubles go beyond the iPhone. Last month, Apple launched MobileMe, a $100-per-year online service that aimed to sync documents and e-mail across computers and Internet devices. MobileMe failed spectacularly in its opening weeks, with some users reporting losing years of saved e-mail. In a widely circulated post, Techcrunch's Michael Arrington claimed last week that Apple's PCs aren't doing so well either. Arrington, a longtime Apple fan, says he's had four new Macs break in different ways—one refused to connect to Wi-Fi networks, one suffered a keyboard flaw, and two shut down mysteriously. Is something rotten at Apple? Is it "flailing badly at the edges," as Arrington argues? Is it possible that Steve Jobs' reality distortion field is finally weakening—that the scales have fallen from our eyes and we're now seeing that Apple's products are just as flawed and prone to failure as any other hardware? Well, not really. As Apple fans point out, people still love Apple. Last week the American Customer Satisfaction Index, an annual survey of consumers' feelings about major brands, gave Apple a record score of 85 points out of 100 in the personal-computer category. Apple scored 10 points higher than Dell, 12 points higher than Hewlett-Packard, and 13 points higher than Gateway. Apple has led the category for five years straight. Claes Fornell, who directs the survey, told Computerworld that even though customers know that Apple's products aren't perfect, "Apple has an almost Teflon-like quality. Its problems don't really seem to matter to consumers." So much for the death of the reality distortion field. Why don't consumers seem to care about Apple's problems? For one thing, Apple gets more press than any other company in tech, and both its successes and failures tend to dominate the Silicon Valley blogosophere. It registers as big tech news when a high-flying blogger like Arrington gets a few unlucky Macs, but such difficulties probably don't filter down to most customers. Years of savvy brand advertising and a string of genuinely great products have helped Apple build up a well of good-feeling; as a result, people are more willing to overlook the company's occasional failures. Besides, many Apple products still beat their rivals, hands down. You may hate Apple for selling you an iPod with a battery that dies, but what are you going to do when you go looking for a new music player—get a Zune? Not likely. What's troubling, though, is Apple's tendency to milk this advantage—when it does screw up, it prefers secrecy over full disclosure, and it expects customers to quickly forgive any slight. Its response to the MobileMe meltdown was a classic example. For several days after the site's rocky launch, Apple refused to disclose what had gone wrong. It wouldn't say why MobileMe was down, and it wouldn't say when MobileMe would be fixed. Only after the New York Times' David Pogue and the Wall Street Journal's Walter Mossberg publishe
