Silly article really. MAking personal comments on how a person carries on his affairs. How do you know what Mr Jobs does with his money. MAybe he gives it away annonumously. I also get sick of arrogant comments in regards to MAc users dumping them all into the same basket. You don't know me or anything about me so why because I use a Mac am I labeled a certain way. If it was about race it would be called prejudice.
So you know my background. I thoughly enjoy using my MAc.. it is great I used Windows system for years and they have their good points. I am no fanatic or Fanboy but a level headed thinking person who uses what he considers to work best for him. I am also a computer technition and my first computer was a 8mhz IBM XT system with dual floppies and no hard drive so I have been around a long time in the PC side of life
Posted by W S Blyth on Monday, November 19 2007 08:47 AM

Don't expect a reasoned argument here. This place is billed as "IT rantings from the Phillipines". From Wikipedia, the definition of rant:

"A rant is a purely emotion driven speech or piece of writing that has been sparked by something so emotionally or intellectually jarring that one ignores any notion of making a well researched and calm argument."
Posted by Tycho on Monday, November 19 2007 09:47 AM

Comment on what you know, not on what you do not know. Jobs is very private, as are many people. This is a very silly article by someone who seems to lack a real understanding of the tech industry and philanthropy. I don't know your philanthropic endeavors, so should I infer you are a selfish. This is just a very silly article. The author and ZDNet Asia should be embarrassed.
Posted by Gerald Kent on Monday, November 19 2007 10:36 AM

It's always puzzled me why Windows users can be so angered by Mac users with the word "arrogant" constantly used in their shrill denunciations. The worst label i would attach to Mac users is "smug". I use both Macs and PCs where my Macs are used for productive pursuits and the PCs are there for the games. I'm pretty smug about being a Mac user. Something tells me that this article is less about SJ's and Mac Users' arrogance and more about the author's own problems. Notice that the article is actually all about wealth. perhaps it's just plain ole jealousy.
Posted by Ren M on Monday, November 19 2007 11:13 AM

"From the outset, let me say that I am not a Mac user. This may help explain why I don't probably know what runs in the mind of a Mac fanatic. As in most people, the steep price of Apple products prevented me from owning one and transforming into a hardcore Mac user."

This is the most revealing paragraph in his post. Not only is it grammatically horrific, it confirms the author is biased (as well as culpably ignorant). A comparison with Dell shows, for example, that in the category of all-in-one PCs, the new Dell Dimension XPS One is more costly (and slower) than the equivalent iMac. See also tinyurl.com...
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Monday, November 19 2007 11:25 AM

The ignorance of Melvin Calimag

Let's be honest here. The original post is nothing more than a vicious personal attack on a public figure - a petty, jealous, and seriously misinformed commentary that says more about the author than the people he writes about. Given the facts that have now been presented about the philanthropy of Mr Gates and Mr Jobs, it would behoove Mr Calimag to publish a retraction. Otherwise, he should not be surprised if he becomes a target for public ridicule.
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Monday, November 19 2007 11:49 AM

"Since learning how to use a computer, I've been fascinated by the sheer loyalty and god-like devotion that Apple founder Steve Jobs enjoys among a group of Filipino Mac users and other fanatics around the world. I find this behavior extremely puzzling and, to be quite honest, silly."

Since learning to use Google, I've been fascinated by the ignorance and prejudice of people who do not care to research facts before posting. I find this mental laziness inexcusable and worthy of open contempt.
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Monday, November 19 2007 11:59 AM

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) - let's just say this is one of my unfortunate traits, and it's mostly under control, but once in a while I can't help myself. For this outburst, I should apologise to Mr Calimag; it's nothing personal - I just can't stand it when someone pontificates on a matter he clearly knows so little about, unless it's about envy, which unfortunately is also an all too common Filipino trait.
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Monday, November 19 2007 12:11 PM

"Jobs may have, after all, opted to become silent on his philanthropic pursuits... Jobs certainly chose a wrong PR strategy and model"

Recall:
But all their works they do to be seen by men. - Matt 23:5
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Monday, November 19 2007 12:24 PM

"you can't buy Apple software and hardware separately"

Really? Then what's with all the boxes of Apple-labeled software being sold without hardware? How come people can install and run XP and Vista on their Intel-based Macs?

For someone who writes about the IT industry you certainly can't seem to keep your facts straight. So why not write a society gossip column instead? Oh, sorry, I guess that's what your blog already is.
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Monday, November 19 2007 12:31 PM

"strategy adopted by Gates contributed more to the IT industry than the one made by Jobs."

Among other things, the Gates strategy of pushing a woefully insecure OS has caused the massive proliferation of malware and botnets. Read Bruce Schneier's analysis of the Russian Business Network.

"By keeping its technology affordable to most people, Microsoft reaped huge monetary rewards along the way"

Compare the price of Vista Ultimate with Leopard Family Pack, then rent a clue. If you really want affordable you go with Ubuntu, which is free, as in beer.

"making Apple green with envy."

Your statement is so clueless it's not even funny. Exhibit A: Zune. Exhibit B: Vista Aero. Now, who's got the envy? I realize that in humiliating you publicly, I'm entertaining people and driving more hits to your sorry excuse for a blog. I do hope that I might find it in me to be less insulting next time. You can help me by not publishing ignorant tripe, okay?
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Monday, November 19 2007 01:47 PM

Gerald Kent wrote: "The author and ZDNet Asia should be embarrassed."

The author and ZDNet are not too embarrassed to take the site traffic generated by their inflammatory articles, all the way to the bank. Regardless, the ads don't get to my retinas, because OpenDNS blocks every one of them. If it also had a filter to screen out ignorant platform ****** like Mr Calimag, it would be so much better...
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Monday, November 19 2007 01:58 PM

Computers are tools. Sometimes they're used for philanthropic ends, sometimes they're flaunted as status symbols. Elite Filipinos are well-known for coveting designer luxury goods, and Apple bling certainly qualifies. But it does have redeeming qualities. For one thing, it's not as susceptible to botnet infestation, unless the unsuspecting Apple user is lured to a porn site and persuaded to enter his or her password to install a missing video codec. The system compromise that results is utterly well-deserved, and it's not arrogant of me to say so.
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Monday, November 19 2007 03:01 PM

ZDNet Asia encourages all readers to provide feedback and speak out in support, as well as against, issues discussed in our articles and blogs.

As a media platform, we believe in and fully support freedom of speech and expression.

However, we encourage our readers to provide constructive feedback and be mindful about exercising social responsibility.

We do not condone any actions to use ZDNet Asia as a platform to lobby personal causes, such as the anti-abortion/ pro-life movement. We also do not support the use of offensive and derogatory remarks to describe our journalists and bloggers.

To our reader Victor Panlilio, those were the reasons why some of your comments were moderated. If we practise censorship--as you have insinuated--we would have deleted all comments that reflected negatively on our writers and ZDNet Asia. On the contrary, we have obviously not done that here, or in any previous instances.

We seek out and engage bloggers like Melvin Calimag, who are unafraid to express opinions that may be unconventional and who are prepared to face tough feedback. Our bloggers, just like everyone else, also deserve the right to express their opinions freely.
Posted by Eileen Yu, Senior Editor, ZDNet Asia on Monday, November 19 2007 05:46 PM

"We do not condone any actions to use ZDNet Asia as a platform to lobby personal causes, such as the anti-abortion/ pro-life movement."

Philanthropic contributions by the Gates family to fund abortions are a matter of public record. So are contributions by Mr Jobs to a health foundation to eradicate smallpox. I cited these to compare and contrast the philanthropic activity of Mr Gates and Mr Jobs, which was the topic of the original post. Readers can draw their conclusions, I am only presenting facts.
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Tuesday, November 20 2007 09:45 AM

"Steven Jobs is the best CEO in the country ...poll results, included in the upcoming debut issue of Corporate Leader magazine, have Jobs, the dynamic leader of Apple, beating out Google's Eric Schmidt and Lloyd Blankfein at Goldman Sachs for the top spot. Rounding out the top five are James McNerney of Boeing and Frederick Smith of FedEx."

See: tinyurl.com...
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Tuesday, November 20 2007 09:50 AM

"Co-Founder and Chief Executive Steve Jobs is the “ultimate CEO who matters,” according to a new survey by Barron’s magazine. The annual ranking of top CEOs from around the world seeks to identify the corporate leaders who have top-notch reputations in the financial community"

Source: www.cnbc.com...

Note - Jobs was CEO of Apple AND Pixar. I can't think of any other CEO with 2 posts doing as well as he did at both firms. So maybe the fact that he doesn't publicize his philanthropy is a sign of class, not a lack of concern for human welfare. Come to think of it, since the products Apple turns out are less susceptible to being recruited into botnets, that's already a big contribution to human well-being. I can go on like this, but I think I've made my point crystal clear - any blogger can have an opinion, but some opinions are better informed than others. In the case of Mr Calimag's opinion of Steven P Jobs, I'll take the results of polls of the financial community over his blather.
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Tuesday, November 20 2007 09:58 AM

"Our bloggers, just like everyone else, also deserve the right to express their opinions freely."

Sure. And they deserve to be exposed as lazy, ignorant, and petty when the facts show the opinions they have expressed are based on erroneous information that could easily have been fact-checked on Google.

There is simply no excuse for the kind of arrogant, mean-spirited BS spouted by Mr Calimag. I haven't seen his retraction. I doubt one is forthcoming. Surprise me.
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Tuesday, November 20 2007 01:43 PM

Boy, this blog piece surely fired up a lot of rather scathing comments. I read with amusement the comments of one Victor Panlilio, who is obviously a Mac user and a loyal one at that. Don't get me wrong, sir, I'm all for freedom of expression, and I respect your opinions and agree with you on some points. What is laughable that is while you so eloquently pointed out the "errors" of this blog piece (let me stress "blog" as in web log, or online diary), paragraph by paragraph, you just had to resort to name-calling to stress your point, branding the author as "lazy, ignorant, misinformed, etc." Wow.
Posted by RJ on Wednesday, November 21 2007 05:02 AM

"Fanboyism" is never a good thing, whether it's of a Mac, Windows, or other user.

But the article really has some critical inaccuracies:

1. While MS platforms are more affordable than Apple/Macs, their prices are still restrictive to the regular, slightly-above-minimum-wage person and SMEs. This is evident in the server/hosting market where Linux hosting is still the most affordable and reliable. This is also evident in the desktop application market; compare MS Office and OpenOffice.

2. The Mac Operating System can be bought by itself. And it can be installed in non-Apple hardware as long as system requirements are met.

3. The Apple/Mac platform is non-exclusive to the Mac Operating System. It is a fact that Linux and in some cases, Windows, can be installed in Apple hardware.

4. And as far as information exchange goes, perhaps NOOOXML is worth a look.

While it may be true that the Apple/Mac platform is for rich people, it is not accurate to depict MS as being for the masses. Unless, of course, we take piracy into account; but that's another story.
Posted by Mark Destajo on Friday, November 23 2007 03:02 PM

This post will generate more visitors... I agree with some points with Calimag.
To reader Panlilio, create your own blog.

Freedom of expression rules!
Posted by Matt Quezon on Monday, December 03 2007 12:41 PM

"you just had to resort to name-calling to stress your point, branding the author as "lazy, ignorant, misinformed, etc." Wow."

And how is what I did different from what the author of the article did with regard to calling Mr Jobs out on his "arrogance" when in fact the article was based on ignorance of Mr Jobs' contributions to humanitarian causes as far back as 1980?
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Monday, December 10 2007 04:10 AM

"Fanboyism" is never a good thing"

I am a fanboy of one thing -- the truth. If people have a problem with the truth, too bad, so sad.
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Monday, December 10 2007 04:12 AM

Matt Quezon whined: "To reader Panlilio, create your own blog."

I've had one since, oh, about 1998. Trouble is, I also have a busy life as a manager and I have multiple commitments outside work, so I don't keep my blog updated on a consistent basis.

Freedom of expression indeed, but hopefully what is being expressed is not based on culpable ignorance. There's this thing called Google. Ever heard of it?
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Monday, December 10 2007 04:17 AM

RJ wrote: "I read with amusement the comments of one Victor Panlilio, who is obviously a Mac user and a loyal one at that."

And I've also worked for IBM, Compaq, and Fujitsu as a web and data architect. At home I own two Dell boxes, including one running Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition. What was you point, exactly?
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Monday, December 10 2007 04:23 AM

The arrogance of Steve Jobs
As I read along the lines from top to bottom, I can see where these discussions will go. At least, please, bloggers, commentators, maintain professionalism. I hope it is not too much of a request. Thank you very much.
Posted by anonymous on Wednesday, August 27 2008 01:48 PM

The arrogance of Steve Jobs
An anonymous coward wrote: "At least, please, bloggers, commentators, maintain professionalism. I hope it is not too much of a request"

At least, anonymous coward, be willing to be held accountable for your statements. A good start would be by not posting anonymously. Otherwise, you have ZERO credibility.
Posted by Victor Panlilio on Monday, September 01 2008 01:16 PM

The arrogance of Steve Jobs
You should try reading this : www.thedigitalbeat.com...

so you yourself won't look arrogant.
Posted by James L. on Wednesday, March 11 2009 01:16 AM