Happy Birthday Michael's Insight
It's been a year this week since I started writing this blog. Admittedly, I was forewarned by friends that the blogosphere could be a pretty tough place and that certainly has proven out to be true. During the past year, the subjects that encouraged the most reaction from readers were network management, consumption billing, broadband caps, and a-la-carte video.
On this first anniversary of Michael's Insight, I thought it would be interesting to review some of the more colorful reader comments that have been posted so, here it goes...
- You and all of your peers are full of the smelly stuff
- I would love to be able to pay for and download Blu-Ray movies. But, since no one is selling them this way I download them for free.
- Michael, when you say things like this: "But, it makes me wonder why P2P enthusiasts invest so much time and money...." It makes it so obvious how "old media" you are.
- Michael is an executive. When he goes into his business meetings with other executives, he goes in there to discuss what will benefit the company. NOT THE CONSUMER. Don't let him fool you.
- Your way of thinking is flawed and self deprecating.
- Michael, you are either lying when you state caps are needed or really have no clue about how your company actually works.
- ANYTHING can be tested. I could go throw a pig off the roof to see if it sprouts wings and flies, but it won't.
- This is a sign of the content creators being behind the times when it comes to providing access to movies and music to the public. Thus, people find avenues to do this illegally. When this many people break the law, it's not a legal issue. It's a public protest.
- Re-runs, trashy reality shows, and constantly repeated recent hit movies? This is the "rich, diverse content" available on cable networks? Puh-lease. Gimme a break!
- When I watched an Insight commercial, I thought you were really just an actor, but no, it's really you! Really? Can I pinch you?
- If advertisers want my viewership, give me commercials that don't suck. Make me laugh or show me something interesting, and don't show it to me 500 times. Otherwise, you can pry my fast forward and mute buttons from my cold, dead hands.
- This (Verizon's phone plan to offer a package with no outbound calling) is an awesome idea!!! Everytime my mother-in-law called I'd say, "I'll call you back as soon as I can".
- So, no, I don't believe music piracy is the same as "walking into a music store and stealing a CD".
- In your post from last May titled "Cable A-La-Carte - A Great Idea, or Is It?" you say the reason you oppose a la carte is that it will dumb down television. Too late, Michael. You've already done that.
- Thanks for the great offerings and the vastly improved customer service. Now if you could just lower those prices!
- My power has been out for over 25 hours now. My cable is lower priority for me. I want to take a hot shower.
- Micheal is one of the most annoying people I've ever seen. The best thing he could do for the customer is keep quiet. He loves to blow his own horn though.
I hope this blog has been interesting and thought provoking. From my point of view, I have learned a great deal about what people are thinking of our services and policies. I often share readers' thoughts with the Insight management team and industry policymakers when we discuss policy and new products. I hope you realize the extent which your comments have become an important ingredient in our thinking.
Thanks for your readership and your input. And here's to another year of open communications!



