Do (Computer) Geeks Really Rule the (Computer) World?

I just read about an interesting development with the latest iPhone. It all started when we found out the iPhone’s antenna is bad. Now we’re finding out AppleCare has informed customers it won’t be fixed (really), Consumer Reports specifically does not recommend the iPhone 4, and Apple forum moderators are deleting threads right and left, which apparently isn’t out of the ordinary, nor will that likely change in the future. (Whew, that was a mouthful!)

If that weren’t enough, Megan McArdle reported about a growing aggravation with Apple’s policies among the geek crowd (surprise, surprise).

Now, what I have to say here is largely speculation. It’s one of those thoughts where you think about it, and it interests you, but you have no real way or need to prove it at the time, but, as time goes on, you start to notice patterns that add leverage to the idea.

“I like bug 327809”: Let’s make revdep-rebuild obsolete

That’s a quote from solar. I also like this bug. I really like it. I think it’s one of the best bug reports I’ve ever seen.

(First, a disclaimer: I’m not a Gentoo developer, I’ve only just started any kind of serious portage work, and have had quite a few stupid ideas at this point. Take what I have to say with a healthy pinch of salt.)

First of all, here’s the bug link: https://bugs.gentoo.org/327809

Here’s a highlight of what I think makes this bug so impressive, and my comments on it:

Is There A Master Plan, Bob?

On a whim, I checked his website again today. It’s back, but the text that was originally causing me to worry is now part of a post amoungst the rest of the posts. Someone at gp32x.com suggested this all might be part of the release of the game, and it’s in fact planned. I thought he was completely wrong, because he appeared to be destroying his room, his reputation, and his communications with Nintendo.

Now I’m not so sure.

Bob’s Game

What was supposed to be an epic story of a single developer creating a full-scale Nintendo DS game all on his own has turned into a mess.

First, it was a protest because apparently no one was communicating with him to continue the publishing process.

Then, it was a crazy letter to his fans, full of frustration, and a rather scary self-examination (read paragraphs 4 and 7).

Now? Just look at his website.

I fear we may never see Bob’s Game ever released in the public.

(P.S. I don’t really read kotaku.com, it just happened to be on the top of my Google search.)