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I'm not a "platform fanatic" I use whatever platform best suits my needs based on the actual benefits of that platform, I use linux at work for any servers that require long up time and tight security such as our firewall, I use a PC as my own gaming computer because it's the best overall platform for gaming and general day to day use. Macs do have their benefit, primarily ease of use, and that's not something I need (at least to that degree), I dont bash macs for it, they fill a market segment and that does nothing but make my life as a systems administrator easier because those same people trying to use PCs would just be a nightmare...
That does nothing to alter the fact that macs marketing is transparent rubbish, obvious to almost everyone except mac owners
Yes the portal ARG was brilliant, a brilliant piece of marketing that is. The fact that everyone was chattering about it and telling each other was a fantastic way to increase overall public perception of the game just in time for them to start market it's sequel (presumably). Some people see it purely as fun, and I don't refute that it was...I just see it as a manipulation by people that have an agenda.
You know, I don't argue that some of Apple's marketing is crap at all, especially the Mac vs PC stuff (so much idiotic FUD). The thing is that I don't pay attention to it so it doesn't get under my skin. I don't really watch TV and otherwise I tune it out, as I tune out anything else I don't enjoy. Its no big deal. My only issue, and its a big issue, is people associating all Mac users as sheeple that are duped by silly advertising. No, it can't possibly have anything to do with the fact that they actually make some really good products.
Again, its incredibly arrogant thinking and I don't like it at all. Do some people buy Macs because they think it'll make them cool like the ad said? Sure, but whatever, I don't hold it against them, just like I don't hold it against people who fall for the ridiculous "Windows was my idea" idiocy or buy into those silly Droid ads with their Gears Of War style EXTREME advertising that positions itself as an alternative to those other boring smartphones. Yeah, dumb.
All I care about is the product, so whatever. If its good (and both Windows 7 and the Droid are good products), then great. If a piece of marketing is also fun or entertaining then I can enjoy it on its own merits, while also knowing that it functions discreetly as its own piece of entertainment that has little or nothing to do with the quality of the product. If there is a correlation, then it is usually a coincidence. A great product can have crap advertising and vice versa. The new Old Spice ads are fucking brilliant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owGykVbfgUE), but you couldn't get me to wear that crap in a million years.
Oh, and Valve remixing Apple's iconic ad campaigns with their own characters, yes, brilliant marketing, especially the bit with Alyx in the 1984 ad. Even non-Mac users are getting excited by it. I'm continually impressed by Valve's ability to get people excited for their products. There was no evidence of any such ability before The Orange Box dropped, it seems like it came out of nowhere.
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