Comment Re:Now hold on a moment (Score 1) 260
So how do the Hexus guys really behave?
If you read the emails without the Bob Crabtree introduction IMO things look totally different.
Alienware never asked to see the review before publication, asked for any changes in the review. Basically after a system was panned based on too high a cost in comparison, Hexus goes back the Alienware and in essence asks for the same system back but with a different graphics card. Alenware refuses, and at the same time makes the statement that based on the last review they will not be sending any more systems for Review. Later in an email Alienware alters this position, but the question is Is this a case of corruption as Bob Crabtree and Paul Dutton state quite forcibly. I think not, basically Hexus was a well respected enthusiast site, where based on the various posts, the regular visitors are quite technically competent, and are likely to build their own systems, or buy from a specialized reseller. It is clear that this is NOT Alienware's target market. They offer a high priced solution, based on a brand. How much value you give to the brand is subject to perspective. It could be argued that if Hexus really does have the large reach it claims it is possible that the alternative solutions they propose are not available in those markets, or not well supported. It also could be argued that the true cost of a system is what you paid for it LESS what you can sell it for when you want to get rid of it. Would the Alienware system have a higher resale value? That is a judgment call, but possibly backed by a company the size of Dell it might. In addition Alienware's target audience is more likely the well healed gamer who simply does not want to spend the money or time to put together a system on their own and are willing to pay a significant premium for that opportunity.
So basically does it make sense for Alienware to focus on a review site like Hexus, where to a certain degree their system being reviewed is used as an example of just how much value for money you can get with either build your own or one of the smaller companies. It is interesting to see that configuration wise there certainly was quite a bit of similarity. It is not unusual for some private system builders to say, look at the Alienware system and I can build you one just like for a lot less.
So is Alienware obligated to support these sites? If they decide that a review that basically dings them based on cost, and it is obvious that they are not going to dramatically reduce prices, is not helpful for marketing, and so they decide to support sites that are more orientated to people buying more "brand name" systems, is that really corruption??
I thought that the comments from Paul Dutton were totally unprofessional. I think the allegations being put on the site could certainly be considered Libelous, especially in light of Alienware providing a professional letter explaining exactly their intent. A blogger at Wired, than takes a position in opposition to Hexus and Crabtree then moves on accusing Wired of influenced reviews.
It is clear that Hexus is taking what could be called a holier than thou position. So just how holier are there.
Did they for instance point out Paul Dutton's relationship with Mesh? http://forums.dvdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=39995
While visiting the various forums on the Hexus site, I decided to look at the DVdoctor site, which appears to have both Paul and Bob as partners. There is a rather telling interchange when one of the other Partners John Ferrick takes issue with an article that Crabtree wrote http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=7075
Titled:
Microsoft Vista EULA spits in the eye of self-builders worldwide. On DVDoctor Ferrick posts an alternate view http://forums.dvdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=39995
What is amazing is to see how quickly Crabtree attacks Ferrick.
Ferrick is accused of being a gullible pawn of Microsoft.
Are we really seeing the true Hexux and Crabtree/ Dutton, that rather than being crusaders for whiter than white reviews, they infact feel free to personally attack anyone who does not agree with them? Crabtree threatens Ferrick with an email, considering the Alienware interchange, I wonder what threats are in this email.
We have Alienware, this Web Log and their own partner? all attacked. Maybe it just was a bad week in London but I certainly think Hexus owes apologies to Alienware, Michael Ansaldo, John Ferrick, and the community in general.
Professionalism is more than being paid for your work, and personal attacks and accusations of corruption without evidence should not be tolerated.
Did the ghost of Joe McCarthy come back to haunt us this Halloween? Are we to just let false accusations stand unchallenged?
If you read the emails without the Bob Crabtree introduction IMO things look totally different.
Alienware never asked to see the review before publication, asked for any changes in the review. Basically after a system was panned based on too high a cost in comparison, Hexus goes back the Alienware and in essence asks for the same system back but with a different graphics card. Alenware refuses, and at the same time makes the statement that based on the last review they will not be sending any more systems for Review. Later in an email Alienware alters this position, but the question is Is this a case of corruption as Bob Crabtree and Paul Dutton state quite forcibly. I think not, basically Hexus was a well respected enthusiast site, where based on the various posts, the regular visitors are quite technically competent, and are likely to build their own systems, or buy from a specialized reseller. It is clear that this is NOT Alienware's target market. They offer a high priced solution, based on a brand. How much value you give to the brand is subject to perspective. It could be argued that if Hexus really does have the large reach it claims it is possible that the alternative solutions they propose are not available in those markets, or not well supported. It also could be argued that the true cost of a system is what you paid for it LESS what you can sell it for when you want to get rid of it. Would the Alienware system have a higher resale value? That is a judgment call, but possibly backed by a company the size of Dell it might. In addition Alienware's target audience is more likely the well healed gamer who simply does not want to spend the money or time to put together a system on their own and are willing to pay a significant premium for that opportunity.
So basically does it make sense for Alienware to focus on a review site like Hexus, where to a certain degree their system being reviewed is used as an example of just how much value for money you can get with either build your own or one of the smaller companies. It is interesting to see that configuration wise there certainly was quite a bit of similarity. It is not unusual for some private system builders to say, look at the Alienware system and I can build you one just like for a lot less.
So is Alienware obligated to support these sites? If they decide that a review that basically dings them based on cost, and it is obvious that they are not going to dramatically reduce prices, is not helpful for marketing, and so they decide to support sites that are more orientated to people buying more "brand name" systems, is that really corruption??
I thought that the comments from Paul Dutton were totally unprofessional. I think the allegations being put on the site could certainly be considered Libelous, especially in light of Alienware providing a professional letter explaining exactly their intent. A blogger at Wired, than takes a position in opposition to Hexus and Crabtree then moves on accusing Wired of influenced reviews.
It is clear that Hexus is taking what could be called a holier than thou position. So just how holier are there.
Did they for instance point out Paul Dutton's relationship with Mesh? http://forums.dvdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=39995
While visiting the various forums on the Hexus site, I decided to look at the DVdoctor site, which appears to have both Paul and Bob as partners. There is a rather telling interchange when one of the other Partners John Ferrick takes issue with an article that Crabtree wrote http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=7075
Titled:
Microsoft Vista EULA spits in the eye of self-builders worldwide. On DVDoctor Ferrick posts an alternate view http://forums.dvdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=39995
What is amazing is to see how quickly Crabtree attacks Ferrick.
Ferrick is accused of being a gullible pawn of Microsoft.
Are we really seeing the true Hexux and Crabtree/ Dutton, that rather than being crusaders for whiter than white reviews, they infact feel free to personally attack anyone who does not agree with them? Crabtree threatens Ferrick with an email, considering the Alienware interchange, I wonder what threats are in this email.
We have Alienware, this Web Log and their own partner? all attacked. Maybe it just was a bad week in London but I certainly think Hexus owes apologies to Alienware, Michael Ansaldo, John Ferrick, and the community in general.
Professionalism is more than being paid for your work, and personal attacks and accusations of corruption without evidence should not be tolerated.
Did the ghost of Joe McCarthy come back to haunt us this Halloween? Are we to just let false accusations stand unchallenged?
