Should Steve Jobs Blog?

image: FakeSteve.netBlogging is all the rage for web 2.0 CEO's. It's all about a free flow of information between the company and the customer. But would suggest a policy help or hurt Apple? And does Apple have a special responsibility given that they create so much software/hardware used by the online community?

Well, we did what we always do when we're faced with a tough subject: We took both sides! I (Ryan) offer the pro-blog angle, while Root Access host Jamie DeGrazio offers the con:

Yes, Apple (specifically Steve Jobs) Should Blog:

Steve Jobs blogging could bring a human side to Apple. Of course, that's not to say he or Apple really wants that. Apple promotes all kinds of tools, like Mobile Me, iWeb, etc. for personal expression, but do we ever see anyone at the highest reaches of Apple using these tools themselves? Are they "eating their own dog food," and using these tools? I think Keynote is far better than PowerPoint in no small part because Jobs himself, with his keynotes had direct, real-world input to the program. Couldn't the whole blogging world be better if Jobs experienced the issues first hand?

Also, short blogs from Jobs to could go a long way to quell concerns like those from App Store developers. I'm not saying he should spill corporate secrets or talk about the next big thing, but there's value to putting some humanity in the brand.

No, actually he shouldn't:

Blogging by Apple would never work, at least not coming from Steve. Let's face it, the guy doesn't come off as being very personable or down to earth. Apple and Steve are too guarded and secretive to allow the blog to be at all compelling. Could we really see Steve allowing user comments on his posts? No way. It would turn into the worst fanboy flame wars we have ever seen. Also let's not forget Apple is known for censoring and deleting critical posts on their own support forums. The best we can hope for is a centralized location on Apple.com that updates everyone on the status of MobileMe, iTunes,
etc.

Besides, we hear this blogging thing is just a fad...

The ultimate blogging notebook

Gasp . . . it's not a Mac. The Acer 8.9" notebook being sold exclusively at RadioShack might be the ultimate blogging notebook and at $99 who can argue?! You get a laundry list of features including Wi-Fi, WiMAX and 3G access, built in webcam, 160GB HD, and a multi card reader for the photos. For the mobile blogger there really isn't much more you could want. With the cell connectivity you can blog from grandma's house, or from the park, or . . . well you get the idea. So what's the catch?!? The $99 price tag is really $1,539 before tax [GASP!!!]. See when you get the Acer at $99 you are also signing up for a 2 year AirCard contract with AT&T. 2.5hrs of power really isn't all that much, and the RadioShack website seems to neglect the conditions needed to yield 2.5hrs . . . chances are good it's not with the 3G turned on.

If you're in the market for a subnotebook and don't need the 3G access, I say save the $300 and get a new Macbook instead.

Checkout Ryan's post from November. He also had a runin with an Acer.