marcelol's Profile

  • Jun 27, 2006
  • 4
  • 0

Latest comments made by: marcelol

  • No worries, Devanshu. No offense taken in any event. I do see some benefits for some enterprises in outsourcing, don't misunderstand me. What I think has happened is that the "horde mentality" has somewhat taken over the accounting-led companies in the U.S ( and elsewhere, of course ) where the almighty bottom line ( even if it is only in the short term ) is seen as the panacea to a companies problems. Even so, as I understand it, even countries that have served as the first tier outsourcing market have had their own share of issues dealing with outsourcing. Such as when some banking officials in India began a strike because certain bank functions were outsourced to, either the Phillipines or China, I can remember which. I think what we should draw from all this debate, which is healthy, don't let anyone tell you otherwise, is that making decisions one way or the other precipitously, everyone ends up paying for it. And that, is at the core of the point I was trying to make.
    marcelol had this to say on Jun 16, 2006 Posts: 4
    Out of India: Apple's Outsourcing Woes
  • My AlPB 1.67 is all I'm using for MY development these days. Yes, I still have my Inspiron 8500, with 1.5Gb of ram and a 100Gb HD. But am I going to go out and spend another $250.00 just to upgrade the video on it to get "entry-level" Aero ? Puh-leeze.
    marcelol had this to say on Jun 16, 2006 Posts: 4
    Why Is Vista So Resource Hungry?
  • I disagree. A company's livelihood doesn't necessarily depend on whether it should, or must, outsource. I'm heartened to see that freedom of speech is alive and well here, and that at the same time whenever someone makes a comment like the one I've made, that immediately the old FUD ( that's Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt, that anyone familiar with Microsoft-ish tactics should be familiar with me ) mud-slinging of "nationalistic" attitudes get brandished about. Nothing in what I said even whiffs of nationalism, it's an argument based specifically on first hand ( second-hand, etc. are totally non-applicable ) experience. I'm not of buying non-USA products and services, and many of things I do buy are. It's funny that invariably when someone, ANYONE, makes a valid case for why outsourcing ( when used strictly on a cost-per basis ) simply doesn't make sense in the long run ; the proponent will drop the "national" card. No one here's deriding a software engineer in bangalore's desire, or moreso RIGHT, to make a living, and provide for his family. That being the case, when someone here in the US makes the same case, they have to be subjected to some sort of "call into suspect their intentions" statements. My comments weren't a statement of national pride, Devanshu. I respected your opinions, despite being responded to with rhetoric. Whether you think your article was more opinion-based than market info based, is your business. Try a little less defensive approach to responding to differing points of view. It'll leave a better impression.
    marcelol had this to say on Jun 16, 2006 Posts: 4
    Out of India: Apple's Outsourcing Woes
  • With all due respect, Devanshu. You couldn't be more off base with your assessment. I think despite "perceived" savings. More and more technical projects, and on-going technical support endeavors will continue to creep their way back to the U.S. It has NOTHING to do with any perceived lack of ability on the part of support engineers, or other engineers. But rather that ultimately the cost of supporting the infrastructure necessary has led many to reassess. Plus, consider that everyone "hears" about one project or another that succeeded via outsourcing. But it's always an "I read it somewhere..." that never seems to be traceable. Conversely, we don't hear about many of the ultimate failings of outsourcing efforts, simply because of a basic human failing. Shame. Embarrassment. Name it what you wish. The fact is that no one who banks on outsourcing, and fails, is ever going to step up and admit it publicly. No one wants to be the first to publicly, and under scrutiny of the media, admit that their outsourcing effort failed. And, of course, not many in the media have even truly been pursuing such a storyline. God forbid ! I think it speaks better of Apple ( and yes, I'm being optimistic here, but since you article was spun rather that way, I'll counter spin ) that they realized that they DO have a market brand that resonates well with the customer who will spend money for a product that nicely meets their goal. Frankly, in regards to DELL. I personally own a Dell Laptop, as well an Apple AlPB. I can tell you in the 3 years I've owned the Dell, I've refrained from calling tech support for anything. Specifically because when I received mine initially, it had a faulty keyboard, and I couldn't get a straight answer out of anyone to get the issues resolved ( even though I had on-site support ). Guess where the tech support calls for that Dell were being handled ? I don't think I even need to give you the answer. As for the AlPB, I had a problem upgrading from Panther to Tiger. Do you know that the girl ( wherever you are, April, you're ok in my book ), stayed on the phone with me just to determine what in heavens name was happening ? For an HOUR. Yes I paid a little more for my AlPB than I did for my Dell. But I doubt you'll ever get THAT kind of customer service from an outsourced tech support center. And that, Devanshu, is why I think Apple stepped out of India. Disagree if you will. But I think my next PC will be a MacBookPro, and I just described why.
    marcelol had this to say on Jun 15, 2006 Posts: 4
    Out of India: Apple's Outsourcing Woes