Dear Apple Computer Company:

[QMPMom]

You suck.

Seriously.

I paid $300.00 for one of your damn iPods and it should not take 5 attempts and *hours and hours* to download the software and get this overpriced little piece of metal and microchips working. I'd have brought it back for a refund if it hadn't been a gift for my son.

Next time, do not use the IKEA method of instructions. Actually print the damn things. After paying this much money for your toy, I really wouldn't mind paying another 50 cents or so for a printed copy of instructions. The little accordian-folded sheet of paper included in the very nice box you packed the metal and microchips in is totally inadequate.

I really do like the box, though. Very good job at designing that.

I am not a stupid person, Apple People, but this was a marathon excercise in frustration. For God sake, my friends at work were working on this, too, and it had all of us ready to throw this black metal box into the sewer drain.

Oh - and please update the troubleshooting portion of your website. The software has changed since the introduction of Windows 2000, your instructions have not. Some of us are actually running something put out *after* the year 2000, although, in your little MacWorld, I don't suppose you are aware of, or really care, about that. I am *not* buying one of your computers just to have ease of installation for an iPod.

And another thing: white headphones with a black iPod look stupid. Really stupid.

The metal and microchip thing is working now - though *not* through any help that I may have received from you people: because you are only open very limited hours for technical support - especially on weekends. It was basically, "Hmmm....let's try this and see what happens." to get the thing working.

God help me, I must be insane. The thing sounds so damn good plugged into my ears that I am contemplating buying one for myself.

You've got me between a rock and a hard place, Apple People. You really do.

And you still suck.

Not so respectfully yours,

QMPMom

[DarkTirade]

1. I lost all faith in Apple when they started making lollypop flavored computers.

No, I don't want a 'grape' computer.

[QMPMom]

3. LOL! My son's Jr. High all had blueberry ones.

[DarkTirade]

7. At least it's better than grape...

I can't STAND artificial grape flavor. :puke:

[ChazII]

8. Our classrooms have

blueberries and the media center had tangerine before upgrading. Now the dalmation and flowerpower those were :puke:. Back to topic, besides me, are there any other DUers that do not own an Ipod.

[RebelOne]

9. I don't own one. Don't really have much use for it.

[Mr. Blonde]

32. So is your faith restored now?

Or do you dislike white and aluminum computers as well?

[DarkTirade]

35. My faith with them is still in limbo.

They've done a few good things, but mostly just to try and make for for the stupid things they've done in the past.

[Mr. Blonde]

37. The neon imacs were pretty unfortunate

for anyone over the age of 12, but since then they have been pretty solid in the design department. My favorite is actually the sunflower one.

[meegbear]

2. Better watch out, the iTards will be on your ass for blasphemy!

[QMPMom]

4. Yup. They are very defensive about their fruit-flavored purchases.

I'd have bought a different player, but Will had his heart set on an iPod and he deserved to have what he wanted.

I *didn't* deserve the headache!

[northzax]

6. I am a bit interested

In learning how it took hours and hours to go to iTunes.com and download iTunes?

[QMPMom]

18. Because it would not download properly and we had to

start from scratch *five* times to get it to download.

In between attempts, I did have to sleep some and also go to work.

[northzax]

5. So your complaint, if i get this right,

Is that they make a product that you covet so much you will spend hours and hours trying to get it to work, including recruiting your coworkers to help, and despite all that frustration and annoyance, you still want another one? Isn't this sorta like writing a letter to your crack dealer complaining about how he wouldn't help you put the rock in your pipe? You'll be back, you know you will.

[LynneSin]

11. I was getting more like "crack is wack" but I'll buy it anyways

But then again this is why I have Sony players

[QMPMom]

20. Yup, so true! Tell me about the Sony players, please.....

[QMPMom]

19. Well, if the dam thing had come with proper instructions, then

it wouldn't have been so ridiculous. I do kinda want one of my own, but I doubt that I will get it. It's lots of money for a toy. I might, however, get another brand that costs less.

[northzax]

36. Doesn't sound like instructions would have helped you

You found the software, you just had problems downloading it.

[electron_blue]

10. I'm confused - what software were you downloading?

Mine came with everything installed. I just started using it right away.

Now you have me wondering if I forgot to load something.

eta: Mine also came with a printed instruction manual and quick start guide. Mine was bought last July.

I hope you get it all straightened out.

[QMPMom]

22. iTunes. There was an accordian folded paper that folded down to

about a 3" X 5" size. There is very little info on it - graphics of a computer and website addresses. NO instruction manual or quick start guide. The accordian-folded paper was very IKEA-like.

It required starting on the Apple website and the download of iTunes and then registering and all manner of crap. Then you had to figure out all sorts of other crap on your own. The troubleshooting guide referred to an older version of iTunes, not the one we were told to download on the website.


Then there was the importing and synching of the thing - which, after all the other stuff was done, was fairly easy.

[electron_blue]

31. Ah, I think I see now. You have a PC, right? I have a Mac and I bet that's why it was easier for me.

I find importing and syncing easy but have yet to organize everything. Maybe you can explain that one to me later, huh?

[dpbrown]

12. It's "Apple Incorporated"

Just want to make sure the right people read your lament.

:rofl:

[QMPMom]

23. LOL! Thanks!

[LeftCoast]

13. Are you sure it's Apple and not your net connection?

I'm asking only because whenever I've had problems like you've described it's because a the net and not the site.

Sorry you've had probs. I love my iPod and have never had a single problem with it.

[QMPMom]

24. Connection was fine. Other stuff downloads just fine.

[Deja Q]

14. http://www.badapple.biz

http://www.badapple.biz

[QMPMom]

29. Thanks! I am going to check that out!

[TommyO]

15. Just out of curiosity, what caused the problems with the install?

[QMPMom]

25. It would not download. It would just stop dead.

It finally, on the fifth attempt, downloaded and installed properly.

[MilesColtrane]

16. Just out of curiousity, how long have other download/installations taken on your...

...PC?

[QMPMom]

26. Other downloads are a snap and quite speedy.

I've never had a problem like this ever before.

[skyblue]

17. Had alot of PC crashes (fixes patches etc) got rid of PC. Know several people who are anti-PC.

[QMPMom]

27. I only have one friend that has a Mac and swears by it. All other

friends have PCs.

[Lethe]

21. i have no beef with iPod except the product life

several people i know have shelled out hundreds of dollars and had their ipod go out like a lightbulb after a few months.

[QMPMom]

28. Well, then Westworld Computers will be getting a visit from

me if that happens!

[SecularMotion]

30. Let me get this straight

you post a letter badmouthing Apple because your Windows computer took 5 tries and "hours and hours" to download the iTunes program.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[The Straight Story]

33. Well, if apple is marketing it to windows users, then you think they would have it together

unless they aren't able to...

[huskerlaw]

34. That's odd

My roomie has a Windows computer and an iPod...she's never had any issues with it, including the downloading of iTunes originally. In fact, of my other friends who have the Windows/iPod combo, I've never heard of any of them having problems.

I'm not sure if it's your computer or if there was a weird issue with Apple's download today, but your experience certainly isn't typical, as far as I know. Point being, you don't have to buy a mac to use iTunes. It's not some huge conspiracy. Unfortunate that you had problems, yes, but not the same experience that many, many others have had.

[Haole Girl]

38. ROFLMAO!!!

I just read your letter, out loud, to my husband....

he just had one comment, "Was that the same person...who wants to buy one?"

:rofl:

[CRF450]

39. iPods are a pain in the ass to deal with, do yourself a favor and...

Get a flash memory based mp3 player like the one I have! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855228004

It has a built in voice recoreder, FM tuner, you can record whats playing on the radio too, a 5 band equalizer plus other tools to tune the sound quality, it can play videos too but they have to be in a certain format to work. And since its flash based, you can save any kind of file you want like a regular flash drive! And transfering files is only a matter of drag on drop, thats all! The headphones that come with it are crap, and uncomfortable, a good set of ear-canal headphones is what you'll need http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106176

If you buy these, you will not be dissapointed! The sound quality is far superior to the Ipods, it gets really loud without distorting. It has many great features. The only con that I can think of is that Cowon's tech support is garbage, but their products are awsome! Check out the other mp3 players http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2100080023+50007228&Configurator=&Subcategory=23&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=