Can I get fries for free if I tell someone?

A volley of pundits started with an article in Time written by Anita Hamilton wherein she laments the forthcoming App Store* won't have free apps. She notes that many other distributors give their software away for free; they instead sell ad space and transfer the cost from you to the advertiser. Her reasoning behind the lack of free from Apple: "quite simply, because people are still willing to pay for them." The Macalope responds here. And the Gruber puts in his two cents, too.

I'm not so convinced that Ms. Hamilton is whining. Although it's possible that I didn't read the article closely enough, I still didn't get an overwhelming sense that all is wrong with the world because of Apple. Instead, I read that most people make software so bad that they have to give it away. Many Apple developers, on the other hand, make something so good that people want it. And they pay for it.

Quite frankly, this rule of quality is something that will never be dominated by the masses. It is certainly not easy to create something that has great value, but if it does, customers will pay. I've found the same to be true lately of business purchases and sales. When we create something that actually works for the customer in a really good way, beyond their expectation, they want to know or buy more.




* The App Store is a store for buying programs that run on your iPhone. Well, actually, buying programs that run on my iPhone. If you had an iPhone, you'd already know this, so I have to assume you don't have one yet.

Nostalgic Hammer

While perusing old episodes of Hammer & Coop, I was admiring the 180-degree, backwards spin in Episode 1 (about a minute-and-a-half in). It's rather MINI.



Even better, it's authentic. Here's the power slide into the street shot by an amateur several stories up.



Now that is MINI.

Artistic MINI

The trees are green, and it's 70-degrees outside.



Peace, everyone.

Sight for sore eyes

Every so often, admittedly more often lately, I work a little later at the office. The silver lining is the view from the front door of the office. I'm thankful that I enjoy the drive home. Every day.

Take 2 and call me in the morning

Two days after the tires went on the MINI and I'm feeling the love. Joining the itemized list of paid services at the tire shop was a 4-wheel alignment. What a difference $60 + tax makes. Things weren't uncomfortable before, but now the ride is smooth like my Cannondale. The response for acceleration (especially while the wheels are turned), braking, and handling are incredibly improved. The primary benefit is increased agility to avoid potholes, to which I'm now overly sensitive. This is mostly due to the heretofore mentioned cost of remedying a good rim smack.

The credit for the new grip goes to what amounts to a compromise, but one I'm willing to live with. As much as I'd love to ring some undersized Pilots on the alloy corners, the beloved 330i went through so many Z-rated tires that I've been scarred for some time. Heap on the price of gas and speed has given way to 6th gear efficiency.

When all was said and done, I went with some Continental Run-Flats from Tire Rack. Prior customers have rated them well and they were among the better deals for matching tire sizes on my stock 16s. And why the run-flats? I have to admit this was a matter of security. I've got 37500 miles on a car less than two years old; I drive across country more than my fair share. I decided that if I didn't have to pay a huge premium, and I could hold onto the sport grip, it sure would be nice not to be stranded in the middle of the country with no spare.

A new grip on reality

I put 4 new tires on the Cooper S this morning.



I love the grip of new tread. It's like getting a whole new car, mostly because you get there via balding tires that no longer grip at all. I had lost the ability to make right turns at ridiculous speeds or to punch the throttle around a tightening curve and feel the tread bite. Now I have that all back.

Saturday morning

Cycling on a lonely country road at 7am, this is what I see.



It may be hot down here, but it sure is beautiful.