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For six years, the Internet Nexus served as my technology blog, but I've since started blogging at the SuperSite Blog instead. If you're looking for the blog, please head there. --Paul

Thursday, July 22, 2004

Walter Mossberg Does What WSJ Claims, But He Still Falls Short

I'm terminally tired of the over-hyped and unimpressive Walter Mossberg. In today's Wall Street Journal, Walta reviews the Apple AirPort Express, and there are so many problems with this review, I don't even know where to start.

"The first thing to know about AirPort Express is that, like the iPod and iTunes, it works just as well with Windows PCs as it does with Apple's own Macintosh computers. You can use it happily in a Windows-only home."

Actually, Walta, you can't. Numerous Windows wireless adapters refuse to work with the AirPort Express, and I have repeatedly failed to get it working here on every wireless-equipped notebook I have. Currently, AirPort Express works reliably only with a Mac.

"Apple's setup software, called AirPort Express Assistant, is, in typical Apple fashion, simple and crystal clear, and it works the same whether on a Windows computer or a Mac."

Except that it isn't, and it doesn't. Look at this excellent Macintouch write-up for details.

"The setup was a breeze in my office, where my wireless network isn't password-protected..."

Note to hackers: Mossberg's office network is not password protected.

"I had to resort to a somewhat more complex software utility Apple also supplies to get the AirPort Express set up properly with my password."

But you said Apple's software was "simple and crystal clear."

I'm curious why this guy is so well-respected, and I've had issues like this with his reviews for some time now. On the other hand, pinch me, did Apple suck-up Walter Mossberg actually just criticize an Apple product?

Wow.

[ Posted at 10:42 AM | Permalink ]