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Apple bans Facebook in retail stores...


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Apple bans Facebook in retail stores...
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psmith2.0
Mr. Vieira
 
Join Date: May 2004
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2009-02-06, 08:16



Just struck me as funny, in light of their recent integration with the site in iPhoto '09.

"Hey, iPhoto now syncs to Facebook. But not in our stores...beat it, kid!"



But seriously, your thoughts?

It might help keep the rugrat/teen loitering element down (they barred MySpace access a while back as well). Some would argue that it might affect appeal or sales. But I'm about 98% sure nobody's going to base a $1,299 purchase decision on whether or not they can access a single site within a store. If I've got a guy standing there looking to buy a 15" MacBook Pro and a 30" Cinema Display to span to, and he can't get to the machines to check them because Amber, Josh, Britney, Danielle, Heather and Brandon are all glomming the machine to "Facebook" (with no intention of ever buying anything within the store, whatsoever), guess who I'm going to ask to go somewhere else?

In general, I've got no problem with it (then again, I'm not on Facebook or any of these others). But I can see how it could practically be the end of the world to some.

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Status: like, all totelly bummmed and stuff cuz I, like, cant get on facebook @ apple store apple SUCKS!!! there prolly gonna go out of buisness soon LOL
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AWR
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2009-02-06, 08:29

I can see how I would be annoyed if I was shopping and had to wait to look at a piece of gear because some junior high monkey was checking his Facebook page.

I just needed to post here so I could congratulate you on your pseudo disgruntled poster. To funy!!
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Brave Ulysses
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2009-02-06, 08:43

Apple's approach to the problem of people taking over computers in their stores, primarily 10-16 year olds has been very stupid.

It is incredibly frustrating how restricted most of the computers are in the store now EXCEPT the ones all the kids are plopped in front of and using MySpace or Facebook.

With that said, restrictions are not the way, Apple has staff.... why don't their staff just continuously check in with people. They are allowed to say to a kid who they have checked in with 3 times and is playing on MySpace that he needs to give up the computer for a bit.

But Apple would rather restrict the computers....
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psmith2.0
Mr. Vieira
 
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2009-02-06, 08:43

Considering how long the Apple stores have been around (and how many of them are out there now), it's not bad that there are only these two "known" sites that are not accessible. It could be much, much worse. Or are there tons of others (I would expect explicit porn and gore sites to not be allowed, but that's a no-brainer, really). Are there other common, everyday sites that Apple has blocked too?



I haven't been to an Apple store in about a year now (and I don't go there to surf either), so...

There are plenty of other sites for people to "test out" a Mac with, and they don't breed/promote loitering or hogging the machine. It's probably a smart idea, but it could also be done on a case-by-case/store-by-store basis. Some locations might be worse than others?

But I suppose a blanket ban is easiest to implement.

Once the trend fades a bit and people move on to something else, I'm sure it'll come back.

Not being a user/member of any of the MyTubeFace sites, how do they stack up with one another in popularity and "coolness"? Beyond just being incredibly ugly and tacky by 99.4% of the users, I don't know much about MySpace. Has it cooled a bit in recent years? Seriously, some user pages are about the ugliest, most unreadable (and unlistenable) things I've ever seen in my life.

Facebook seems a little more sedate and not as open to *ahem* "customization" and stylish interpretations. (and no, I don't know this person...I found it on my first random search; that says a lot).



Has it come on in recent years?
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Brave Ulysses
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2009-02-06, 08:54

Quote:
Originally Posted by pscates2.0 View Post
Considering how long the Apple stores have been around (and how many of them are out there now), it's not bad that there are only these two "known" sites that are not accessible. It could be much, much worse. Or are there tons of others (I would expect explicit porn and gore sites to not be allowed, but that's a no-brainer, really). Are there other common, everyday sites that Apple has blocked too?
I would say the majority of Apple Stores I have been to (at least 15) have had at least half of the computers on display completely restricted of internet access except Apple's website. The other half are mob scenes.

I just really think it further removes the stores from Apple's original intentions for the stores where the were welcoming, free, and didn't mind if you came to check an email quick or get directions while out near a store or even to upload some photos quick. That first year there were articles about how aspiring filmmakers were editing their films in Apple Stores to use FCP and using computers for hours on end and Apple supporting them.

Their employees are completely obnoxious, I guess I just don't understand why they don't just aim that feature at the kids playing on MySpace and Facebook.
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jdcfsu
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2009-02-06, 08:58

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brave Ulysses View Post
With that said, restrictions are not the way, Apple has staff.... why don't their staff just continuously check in with people. They are allowed to say to a kid who they have checked in with 3 times and is playing on MySpace that he needs to give up the computer for a bit.
I don't know how it is where you live, but the two Apple Stores here in town are constantly PACKED with people -- some are playing, some are hanging out, most are shopping -- and while there are a TON of staff people around, there is almost never anyone who is not interacting with an actual customer. In fact, the only ones I can thing of that are usually not talking with customers are the guy who guards the Genius Bar scheduling computer and the guy at the front who greets people when they come in. In these two stores, it'd be very difficult for staff members to police the computers.

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Brave Ulysses
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2009-02-06, 09:02

Quote:
Originally Posted by jdcfsu View Post
I don't know how it is where you live, but the two Apple Stores here in town are constantly PACKED with people -- some are playing, some are hanging out, most are shopping -- and while there are a TON of staff people around, there is almost never anyone who is not interacting with an actual customer. In fact, the only ones I can thing of that are usually not talking with customers are the guy who guards the Genius Bar scheduling computer and the guy at the front who greets people when they come in. In these two stores, it'd be very difficult for staff members to police the computers.
Well, I'd have to take a guess and say that I probably frequent several of the highest visited stores in the chain and possibly the top 2. If Apple's staff can no longer interact with each customer on a revolving basis when they are in the store for more than 5 minutes they are in trouble and need to reevaluate their retail approach. I hate being bugged with Apple's retail staff because, like I said, they are obnoxious tools of sales and not much else, but being approached by someone is a part of retail.

With that said, I haven't really experienced the problem that you have describe other than a few times during the holidays.
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psmith2.0
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2009-02-06, 09:31

Well, it's all changed so much over the years. When the stores first started opening in 2001, Apple was not enjoying the wild, mainstream success and popularity they are today. Back then, on a weekday afternoon, someone could stand there and edit their movie, with the store's help and blessing.

Now? Not so much. That freedom and sense of "come in and hang out, because we need you to" is no longer.

Right now, with the success and wide appeal they're enjoying, they can't be the open-ended "hang-out lounge" they once were (certainly not to the detriment of actual sales or demos to paying customers or potential buyers). Decisions have to be made to strike a nice balance between an "open, fun browsing experience" and "not being a pain-in-the-ass to serious customers and staff".

If a few "loiter-magnet" websites have to be sacrificed, that's how it has to be. They can always tweak or adjust that as needed.

I, for one, am awaiting the first ACLU-sponsored lawsuit against the policy, brought on by some 16-year-old brat "denied her right to free speech, expression and expression in an open forum".

"Apple can't, like, you know, pick and choose which sites they have. Me and my friends should, like, totally be able to, like, use Facebook and stuff if we're not, you know, hurting people and all. It's, like, about the Constitution and freedom, you know? It's, like, what our founding fathers Thomas Edison and that dude with the kite fought the Korean War for! Tom Hanks made a movie about it, remember?"



*click*...POW!!! <reload>

Last edited by psmith2.0 : 2009-02-06 at 10:13.
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rampancy
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2009-02-06, 14:21

I'm surprised they didn't ban it earlier - I remember trying to sneak a quick Facebook message inbox check on the Eaton Centre Apple Store wireless network and noting that I couldn't even get to Facebook.

"The things that will destroy us are: politics without principle; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character business without morality; science without humanity; and worship without sacrifice."
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torifile
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2009-02-06, 15:12

Is this just on *their* computers or the ones that are on their wifi, as well? Because if they're blocking access to sites for all computers, even personal ones, on their free wifi that's not cool.

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Satchmo
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2009-02-06, 15:12

Well...according to Philip Elmer-DeWitt in Apple 2.0 it hasn't been banned.
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psmith2.0
Mr. Vieira
 
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2009-02-06, 15:17

Quote:
Originally Posted by torifile View Post
Is this just on *their* computers or the ones that are on their wifi, as well? Because if they're blocking access to sites for all computers, even personal ones, on their free wifi that's not cool.
It's probably not cool, but it's their "free WiFi" so they have to have a little say-so. Maybe all the Facebooking is bogging things down? I don't know...



It's easy to test...go stand in front of an Apple store with your iPhone and see if you can reach Facebook's site using their Apple store AirPort signal. If so, there's your answer!



I'm betting they're just doing it on the machines themselves, since those are what people would hover around and hog (and where all the loitering issues stem from). I'm sure Apple doesn't really care what you view on your own iPhone or notebook if you're within range of their system. That would be my guess.
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alcimedes
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2009-02-06, 15:23

Yeah, really easy to just have a host file pushed out to all the machines that redirect facebook traffic, and no worrying about other people's computers etc.

Don't blame them though, facebook is annoying.

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Robo
Formerly Roboman, still
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2009-02-06, 20:06

I think it's interesting that so many of BU's Apple Stores apparently cut off internet entirely from some of their machines. None of the Apple Stores I've ever been in have ever done that on any of their machines. I mean, it's not like I go from computer to computer checking to make sure they're all online, but still...I've never had that be an issue. I haven't been to as many stores as BU has, though.

and i guess i've known it all along / the truth is, you have to be soft to be strong
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rampancy
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2009-02-06, 21:39

Quote:
Originally Posted by alcimedes View Post
Yeah, really easy to just have a host file pushed out to all the machines that redirect facebook traffic, and no worrying about other people's computers etc.

Don't blame them though, facebook is annoying.
Yeah, minor conveniences aside, it's The Apple Store, not an Internet Café. There's nothing wrong doing an email check, or looking at stocks, or checking up on the scores from last night's game (if anything it's a great way to show off Safari's superiority to IE) but when it comes to Facebook or MySpace...that's where they should draw the line.

"The things that will destroy us are: politics without principle; pleasure without conscience; wealth without work; knowledge without character business without morality; science without humanity; and worship without sacrifice."
- Mahatma Gandhi
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scratt
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2009-02-06, 21:44

I hate Facebook. I get a lot of invites from people I actually do care about, but refuse to keep in touch with them via that service. I just don't understand why people do it.

Anyone who bans Facebook, for any reason, however contrived, is a hero in my book.

'Remember, measure life by the moments that take your breath away, not by how many breaths you take'
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turtle
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2009-02-06, 21:48

What's really funny to me is watching the staff lock the computer with Remote Desktop. I always get a laugh watching the customers reaction when the big padlock pops up on the screen! Funny, they are almost always trying to access adult content sites or other "red light district" areas of the web. Normally the customer slinks off quietly and quickly as quickly and discreetly as possible.

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Brave Ulysses
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2009-02-07, 09:50

Quote:
Originally Posted by Roboman View Post
I think it's interesting that so many of BU's Apple Stores apparently cut off internet entirely from some of their machines. None of the Apple Stores I've ever been in have ever done that on any of their machines. I mean, it's not like I go from computer to computer checking to make sure they're all online, but still...I've never had that be an issue. I haven't been to as many stores as BU has, though.
More common than not unfortunately. Very frustrating.
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rampancy
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2009-02-07, 12:31

Quote:
Originally Posted by turtle2472 View Post
Funny, they are almost always trying to access adult content sites or other "red light district" areas of the web. Normally the customer slinks off quietly and quickly as quickly and discreetly as possible.
Who in their right mind would try to access a pr0n site in the middle of an public place like that???
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Capella
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2009-02-07, 12:40

When I applied for a campus computer lab job, I was told that you can actually view porn in the labs. We could shut off their machine and get them to leave if they started acting on any impulses or were listening without headphones, but otherwise we could leave them alone. The lecturer said it wasn't that uncommon at night.

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psmith2.0
Mr. Vieira
 
Join Date: May 2004
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2009-02-07, 13:12

Ewww...

Who'd want to do that publicly? You'd just come across like a thoughtless, desperate perv and borderline (or all-the-way) freak.



When you say "porn" are we talking Maxim-style cheesecake/pin-up shots of shapely, scantily-clad (but clad) vixens (but nothing else actually going on)...or are we talking more in the realm of "INTERRACIAL TRIPLE-PENETRATION MEGA HARDCORE CLOSE-UP AMATEURS WITH STRAP-ON MIDGETS!!!" fare?

There is a difference...



If it's the latter, I don't know how someone could sit and watch that kind of stuff with others around, in full view. If nothing else, I fear I'd be marked the "campus creep" or "Captain Jack" . Who'd want to sit next to me anywhere, or have a conversation if that's how they see me...a guy who is too pervy and hard-up to be a bit more private and discreet in his viewing habits. Speaks volumes about a person, IMO (not "porn-watching", mind you...I'm not talking about that; just the "where" and "when" aspect).

I'm big on the whole "there's a time and place..." thing; and a public computer lab, with others around, probably ain't it. Jeez...



That would kinda piss me off as an lab employee (or volunteer).

"Hey, I'm here because I'm into computers and tech, and I like helping people...if I wanted to be on jizz-mop duty and see a bunch of strangers rubbing themselves, I'd get a late-shift job at the local XXX bookstore/theater/arcade"

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scratt
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2009-02-07, 13:18

Quote:
Originally Posted by rampancy View Post
Who in their right mind would try to access a pr0n site in the middle of an public place like that???
Pee Wee Herman?
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psmith2.0
Mr. Vieira
 
Join Date: May 2004
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2009-02-07, 13:28

Ha!

Yeah, but even he did his thing in an adult theater, surrounded by other like-minded people who were all there, voluntarily, for the same reasons (you don't go into a place like that and not expect to see at least a couple of weird things, including a wang or two). I don't find anything especially horrible in what he did, because you take "environment" into account. He just happened to be careless and idiotic about it all, and got caught. It's not like he's the only one who's ever done that in that type of theater.

Now if he'd unzipped himself and started whipping his skippy at the local multiplex during a Saturday matinee of "Marley & Me" or "Revolutionary Road", then yeah...that's a problem. He'd deserve whatever trouble he got.



Again...time and place, people.

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Lyngo
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2009-02-17, 08:35

Quote:
Originally Posted by scratt View Post
I hate Facebook. I get a lot of invites from people I actually do care about, but refuse to keep in touch with them via that service. I just don't understand why people do it.

Anyone who bans Facebook, for any reason, however contrived, is a hero in my book.
Well... I happen to like it simply for the fact that because of Facebook, I quickly found out that one of my good friends from high school had a sister on Flight 3407 that crashed two miles from my parent's house. I found out about it on Facebook before the news reported it.

I, for one, like Facebook because it's not as visually bloated as MySpace. I don't use Facebook as the primary way to keep in touch with everyone, but is sure good to see how old friends from college and high school are doing without having to make a million and a half phone calls. I will use Facebook to talk and connect with these individuals when I haven't seen them in awhile. It's also really good for international communications and connections that I have with some of Canadians friends.

I don't really care about Apple's decision to ban either from their store. It's their business, let them be the ones to determine what they want and who they want to have in their store. It's their choice.
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joveblue
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2009-02-23, 08:41

Facebook certainly isn't banned from Apple stores. I've just come back from a big trip and visited a lot of different Apple stores - they're very useful when you're travelling and need to check your email quickly. Of course I didn't camp out on them, just a quick check. Facebook was available in every store I went to, although I did suspect that they may have slowed it down a little bit, just as gentle discouragement, because it was often quite slow while other sites acted normally.

The 5th Avenue NY store was especially busy with people camped out, and it was necessary to wait for a computer, however they had one computer on each table which was locked from the internet. Presumably this is so that there are a few computers free if someone actually is interested in buying them. The staff would be able to temporarily unlock them if they were showing a customer how to use a Mac. This wasn't a huge problem at other stores though, I think Apple just has a chronic shortage of stores in New York, an unfortunately their most prestigious store in the world doesn't happen to be very big...

Apple actually saved my bacon in Vegas. I ran out of money (not gambling!) on my card unexpectedly, then ran out of phone credit so couldn't get in contact with my parents. I couldn't get onto the Internet at the hotel either because it required a credit card to get on. Thankfully I was able to email my parents from the Apple store and check my bank account later on to check if they'd deposited any money! Thank-you Apple!
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psmith2.0
Mr. Vieira
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Tennessee
 
2009-02-23, 10:38

Oh, it's wonderful, all their machines "netted up" and so forth. I've certainly checked my e-mail at an Apple store (who hasn't?). But I'm not standing there for half an hour, me and five buddies, keeping others from seeing/using them.

That's the difference.

Sounds like they're not removing it (at least a blanket, nationwide barring), so the story might've been wrong from the get-go. I imagine it might be a case-by-case/store-by-store type of thing. In locations with an unusually high mall-rat population, the stores might have the authority to take whatever measures are necessary to keep Kristin, Josh, Jennifer, Hannah, Haley, Brad, Marcus, Devon, Ashley, Kayleigh, the other Jennifer, Chelsea, Ray-Ray, Chaz, etc. the hell off their machines for "social hour".

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TheLump
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2009-02-23, 14:57

facebook sucks anyway. yes, it might not be as "bloated" as myspace, but its also not as organized. anytime i log into that site (which is once in a blue moon) it takes me like 5 minutes just to get to something cause its not out in the open. myspace has a menu at the top, ease of navigation.

who the hell wants a social site that requires an african safari to hunt down something as simple as.....anything....
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thegeriatric
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2009-02-23, 17:58

facebook, myspace. Yuk.
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kieran
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2009-02-23, 18:00

Facebook > MySpace
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dmegatool
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2009-02-23, 18:43

Quote:
Originally Posted by pscates2.0 View Post
Oh, it's wonderful, all their machines "netted up" and so forth. I've certainly checked my e-mail at an Apple store (who hasn't?).
Yeah who hasn't !?!?

But maybe I went too far when I video chatted with my wife (Nobody was around)
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