A Mac user has launched the notMac Challenge campaign to get Apple to improve its .Mac service – or to convince another developer to come up with a better non-Apple service.
"Since Apple started charging for .Mac, I’ve spent $495 on membership. That seems kind of steep since all the .Mac features I use most could be accessed using my own server. Much of the required code already exists but requires a very high degree of technical proficiency to execute," explains campaigner 'Kent'.
It's a competition that aims to encourage developers to make tools for creating a .Mac substitute accessible to the vast majority of Mac users who are uncomfortable using Terminal and running Perl.
"Other Mac users interested in a free alternative to .Mac are invited to contribute to the prize pool, and as an additional incentive, I’ll match the first $10,000," Kent explains.
Oh man, I hate when people complain about price. If one doesn't find the value of an item or service is worth a certain price, then don't buy it. (Warning: Car Analogy) It's like, I love the Ferrari, I enjoy the Ferrari, but I don't think I should pay more than $10,000 for it. Especially when I can buy a new car for half that amount.
It's not expensive to go about getting a domain, setting up eMail, and if you want some kinds of server tools, whether it's a web presence, a commercial enterprise, or just file storage or distribution. It's portable and you are not tied up with one provider.
DotMac is about not having to deal with that stuff, and in that respect it works very well. If Kent would like to see more "value" from DotMac, I would probably agree. As far as providing a DotMac alternative, well, others try and Google is probably the closest to succeeding. Of course, there are privacy issues with Google, but hey, it's free. You makes your choices and you takes your chances.
The NotMac Challenge demands .Mac improvements
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