The Twelve Most Tarnished Brands In Tech 430
harrymcc writes "Polaroid, Netscape, CompuServe, Westinghouse, Heathkit — these were once among the most respected names in the technology business. They're still around, but what's happened to them is just plain sad. I took a look at the tragic fates of a dozen mighty brands that have, in one way or another, fallen on hard times."
Re:Here's Another (Score:5, Funny)
Or how about Hyades1. Once the recipient of such moderations as "+5. Insightful" and "+5, Informative" the brand is now associated with failing to RTFA.
Here's another one not on the list... (Score:1, Funny)
Slashdot might I propose?
Re:Packard Bell for the WIN! (Score:2, Funny)
my very first computer (as an adult) was a Packard Bell I still get a misty when I think of it.
I've always been more of an Officer Jenny guy.
Re:HP (Score:3, Funny)
I hope she becomes Gov of California. She'll probably try and merge with Hawaii and then half the state will fall into the ocean.
Re:Here's Another (Score:2, Funny)
Or how about Hyades1. Once the recipient of such moderations as "+5. Insightful" and "+5, Informative" the brand is now associated with failing to RTFA.
Or how about darkpixel2k? The brand is associated with cheap and inferior knockoffs of existing jokes.
Re:HP (Score:4, Funny)
The first thing that comes to my mind is huge bloated printer drivers that are constantly updating.
What? I thought customers and admins *loved* their 2 MB printer drivers to come bundled with the .NET framework and constant reminders to buy ink when levels dropped below 75%...
No brand is as tarnished... (Score:5, Funny)
...as the GNAA. Those guys used to be everywhere.
Gutenberg (Score:5, Funny)
Perhaps due to no effort whatsoever made to maintain the brand, it is associated almost exclusively with one book [wikipedia.org] least popular among techies.
Now the name is associated with blatantly pirated versions of books [gutenberg.org]. If its current incarnation ever eeks out a profit it will certainly be sued by the entire publishing industry.
Re:Packard Bell for the WIN! (Score:2, Funny)
Packard Bell is the only computer that I can honestly say I once used a hammer and cold chisel to fix.
A client wanted to install a CD drive in his PB and while the plastic case had an extra drive slot, the metal frame had a spot-welded plate covering the bay, for reasons unknown to me. The drive worked fine once it was installed, but I remember hoping the computer's owner didn't come in while I was beating that plate off. His reaction would probably not have been positive.
Re:Radio Shack (Score:3, Funny)
ever since they canceled the battery club card, things went downhill. fast.
Re:Packard Bell for the WIN! (Score:3, Funny)
Packaged Hell, as we used to call them. You too can own your own little hell; how they could cram so much pain into such a small package defied belief.
WANG computers (Score:5, Funny)
Unfortunately, after a long period of thrusting its way into new markets, it sadly shrivelled into a limp entity that was incapable of further market penetration.