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So, Apple updated iTunes again which is good, since version 7 has been buggy as all smackout. I just don't get why it has to erase my preferences when it installs though. I also don't get why Apple had it install this Apple Updating Software which looks a lot like the one on OSX, but yet it doesn't update anything. I had to grab this update manually. And while we're on the topic of this update, why is there no patched version? Why do I always have to download what is basically a complete install every time there is an update? And it's the same thing on the Mac with the exception of the OS patches. Get with it Cupertino.              On a completely different topic, yet still under the same heading, it looks like The Onion picked up on my red is crap bit I posted. Great, so now everyone is gonna thing I copied The Onion instead of the fact it's the other way around!

So... this whole Red Campaign has kicked off. This article sums up a bit more of it.       I gotta say, is it just me or is this a bunch of crap? I mean, it's great that companies are going to donate to the fight against AIDS in Africa and I believe this to be an extremely worthy cause, but isn't it kinda a joke with the companies that are doing it?       Let's start with The GAP. This multi-billion dollar company makes all of its clothing in sweatshops. While groups like, Global Exchange seem to be turning the tide, the fact is, people are still working horrid conditions to make your fucking khakis.       Okay, so what about Apple? Uh, yeah. They've been using Foxconn to make their iPods for years now and I'm not even going to link to these articles, since they were all the rage for awhile and really, I doubt much has changed. People are still working 12 hours a day, seven days a week, to bring you the most fashionable portable music player that they can't even afford to buy with one month's wages.       I'm not really going to go much further with this list, since you kinda get the point. Overall, yes, this is doing good, but the irony is blatant and it seems (like most charitable causes) it has been hijacked by marketing twats who see it is a "be the first to get onbaord and reap the reward" kind of thing. I could hardly see parallel retailers joining once one company in their market has joined, which would really suck, but unfortunately emphasize my point.       I mean, sure, go out and buy these RED items and feel like you're doing a little good, since you'd buy many of them anyways. But, whatever you do, don't think you're some holy savior like Gwenneth Paltrow. You're still doing bad and if it feels like you can't win, then stop buying this crap altogether and donate directly to charities who are working to stop problems like this. Afterall, there is a vested interest by companies at large to have a healthy Africa, since at some point, they may need a new third world point of production if the Asian currencies are revaluated at some point...