Perhaps to be expected...

[MisterMe]

Originally Posted by ora

Are you sure? ...

On second thought--third, actually--no. Apple is dropping HomePage. MobileMe continues its webhosting service. You may continue to develop and post sites to MobileMe using iWeb.

My misreading of the MobileMe messages was based largely on experience with AOL which has dropped AOL Groups, its webhosting service, AOL Pictures, and its X Drive online storage. Apple began and ended its message with language that wildly oversold the adverse effects on its MobileMe customers.

Only one service, the .mac groups, is being discontinued. However, discontinued is the operative verb in the first sentence of the message. The tenor and tone of the first paragraph is all about the dire consequences of the discontinuation of HomePage. It is not until the end of the second paragraph that it is clear that the webhosting service continues. By then, however, many readers like me skipped to the end. The message ends with a sincere apology which only exaggerates to impression of adverse affects.

The operative verb should have been change. The message should have stated what is changing, how it is changing, and what we need to do about it. Apple needs to replace the person who wrote this message with someone who can present bad news without making it seem like the end of the world.

[bbloke]

To be honest, I really didn't find Apple's announcement quite so ambiguous or quite as negative as all that. Anyway, a misunderstanding but no harm done.

It's a bit disappointing that these features are being dropped, but I suppose Homepage was beginning to look somewhat incongruous. Groups was quite a nice idea, although I have to admit not using it that heavily.

Ah, I also remember when we had iTools, prior to becoming .Mac... prior to becoming MobileMe.

[Rhisiart]

Originally Posted by bbloke

iTools

Yes indeed.