Good words Sonny, this thread raises an interesting point. Maybe only interesting to me though
Most news blogs give you one person's take, warts and all. That's what makes blogs cool.
CC Forums are an infomercial for its products and services. That's not an opinion, it's just how it is. That's fine if you want to know the return policy of your iPod.
But...
I wouldn't suggest going there for an unbiased evaluation of the merits of the iPod vs Creative Zen vs Sony Walkman.
The writer clearly never said anyone deserves to be hacked or the victim of an online crime. However he is questioning the taste of someone who hangs out at that forum.
There are too many good forums out there with nothing to sell... audioholics, avsforums, avforum and the Shack.
Consumer Reports did a story in a recent product catalogue on how people buy electronics. Consumer preference is toward retail outlets that lack competent customer service and product knowledge. That's why Sams, WalMart, BestBuy and CC are doing so well.
CR wasn't out to offend anyone who works at these places; the information was the result of consumer surveys.
Long time readers of Focus will have seen the story on
Future Shop and Monster (cables). Other big box stores in the US have the same deal with Monster.
Those booths with a split screen TV that supposedly show you the "Monster Difference" are downright
criminal. They only add to consumer confusion over cabling standards. And don't get me started on the "cable cult".
A retail outlet providing a "forum" are like a spider inviting a fly to tea at his cozy web. Are we really defending CC Forums as a valid place to get information? The name CircuitCity in the URL should be a red flag to any visitor.
It should be the responsibility of "real" forums (like the Shack) to warn people of that danger.
I honestly think people who hang out at the CC forum have bad taste in forums. Is that
really offensive to anyone?
Thanks for reading.
BTW you guys are now
back-linked.