robertyoung27@comcast.net's dashboard

Deadbeat is kind of a harsh term... but the essence of the article is true. Here is a list of current options that people have if they want a prepaid iPhone. There aren't that many options-- basically you can hack it, move, or get somethign else.

But I think it's coming soon-- there are rumors of this already, and it just makes good business sense. Here's a list of reasons why it a prepaid iPhone makes sense for Apple and AT&T.

It's already extremely flawed, basic and simple to understand .

There, fixed that for you. You left out the most important part of the sentence :p

If you're a developer, the development software emulates an actual iPhone, eliminating the need for the actual hardware.

I am a developer. I have used the iphone emulator. Tell me, how do you test your code that takes advantage of multi-touch? Or how about leverages the GPS functionality? The answer, of course, is that you install the software on your iphone.

Also, if you're developing for an iPhone, you're most likely going to own one too.

And we all know how stable the iPhone is when running non-apple software. Rock solid. It doesn't crash every other day or drain the battery faster.
And of course, no development effort would have more than one developer. And they all would of course iPhones.
And no developer would ever want to make some money off of an iPhone while still choosing to have his crackberry.

You assume way too much. You know the old saying. I'm sure it gets you in to trouble in other places in life, also.

If you only want to use it for a short period of time. If that's the case, with most any phone, you're going to be S.O.L.

Except in the cases where, you know, you purchase a pre paid cell phone plan. AT&T calls it GoPhone.
Here's a list of some other prepaid plans: http://www.consumersearch.com/www/ele....
Prepaid phones are common.

I'll stop bugging you all with my common sense and let you get back to climbing slippery hills wearing slippery shoes! (Or whatever it is you do for fun).

Your common sense isn't bugging us... in fact, I haven't even seen any around. How can it bug us in absence? But don't scared off! I'd love to hear you come up with a rational argument about why having choice is bad. Granted, as you said above "I never said choice is a bad thing.", but what you *are* saying is that choice is a bad thing in this instance. I wholeheartedly disagree with the notion that choice is *ever* a bad thing. I am of sound mind, some skill, and severe opinion. I make my choices well and easily.

Oh good lord. Why do I return to this little room of nonsense?

Scott:
My analogy, though easy to twist and turn, most likely will never work in your brain, so I wont try to dumb it down any. It's already extremely basic and simple to understand.

-Thor
The more you speak, the more tangled your argument becomes.

If you're a developer, the development software emulates an actual iPhone, eliminating the need for the actual hardware. Also, if you're developing for an iPhone, you're most likely going to own one too.

And if you're leaving the country, the iPhone fits nicely in your pocket. Neither the Peace Corp or Marines have any anti-iPhone regulations. I do see what you're saying though. If you only want to use it for a short period of time. If that's the case, with most any phone, you're going to be S.O.L.

I'll stop bugging you all with my common sense and let you get back to climbing slippery hills wearing slippery shoes! (Or whatever it is you do for fun).

Better, is better. That's not my opinion, it's fact.

Once again, you assume a value judgment that is based upon maximizing dollar/minute ratio, as Thor mentioned above, that is not always the case.

They don't serve ramon noodles at a Steakhouse.

And I also don't sign a two year contract with a steakhouse. In fact, your analogy is an epic fail: The fact that there is no *best* food is a perfect match with what we are trying to explain. If I crave ramen, that steak isn't going to satisfy me.

Actually, I think it's the monopolies (and those that behave like them) that are going to have the hardest fall of all. But seriously, you haven't offered much of an argument for why it isn't rational for us to desire choices for our cell phone plan. I can give you several good arguments for why the choice is sensible. For instance, if I'm a developer and need a phone to test for a few months. Or perhaps I'm going to be leaving the country to join the Peace Corps or Marines in nine months but want to use the iPhone until then.

Perhaps calling other people idiots isn't such a smart policy.

Better, is better. That's not my opinion, it's fact. I never said choice is a bad thing. I'm just saying, if you qualify for the proper phone and data plan, why would you want the choice of an inferior plan?

They don't serve ramon noodles at a Steakhouse, but you're pissed out of your mind that it's not on the menu. Get out of the "me, me, me!, more, more, more!" attitude. I hope it's not too far of a fall for you when you come back down to earth.

Rather than deciding for me what the "better" option is, I'd prefer that you speak for yourself. Sometimes cost isn't nearly as important to people as control. You might do better to consider that other people can have different priorities than price when making purchasing decisions.

Choice is never a bad thing. ever.

Are you seriously complaining that you can't have the prepaid option? The pre-paid option is horrible, and would cost you a fortune if you actually used your iPhone!

This goes to show that people will complain about any situation they're in. You have good credit, and are complaining that AT&T is giving you the better of the two options, reserved for those people with good credit. The two year contract is very standard almost anywhere you go. Stop Bitc#ing and enjoy your iPhone.