Real downer (not)
I friend of mine sent me an email outlining the downward spiral of Real Network stock.
If there is one company I refuse to put on my system is Real Networks. Their streaming media player should be labeled malware. They can’t just install the player they have to install the multiple programs that really don’t have anything to do with the streaming of the media they serve up.
With QuickTime and Windows Media player, wither and die Real Networks. Don’t infect my PC. They are a perfect example on how to alienate their customers by trying to squeeze every last penny, by cramming their software full of bogus programs and ads.
The only real property they have that makes money is the Rhapsody music service (of course unsupported by iPod) which is a niche server they own 51% of. With the Apple music store, Amazon MP3 store and even the Zune Music store from Microsoft squeezing their profits out. Let’s hope it’s a quick death. I will be dancing on their grave.
Funny thing I noticed about the economy, besides the empty malls and vacant car lots. EBay is extremely quiet. Yea, we know that eBay is in a spiral downward also, but up until a few months ago you could put dog crap up on eBay for .99 and it would sell. Now it seems that good old electronic stuff have a hard time selling. When geeks like us stop buying there is a deep need to worry.
On that note, there was an ad in Best Buy this weekend I could just not pass up. The Dell Hybrid, fully loaded for $399 (Price must have expired, jumped back up to $449). A few months ago it was going for $899 with this configuration. It represents Nirvana for me, whisper quiet, powerful and small enough not to illicit questions when I bring it home (married people will appreciate that).
sigh
