Apple's Home Dedicated to Earthquake/Tsunami Relief
Apple's Home Dedicated to Earthquake/Tsunami Relief
by , 3:30 PM EST, December 29th, 2004
Apple Computer has dedicated its home page, one of the busiest corporate sites on the Internet, to disaster relief for victims of the earthquake and tsunamis that have devastated parts of Asia and Africa. We reported this morning that Amazon was hosting a donation mechanism for the American Red Cross, and Apple has taken a similar step by placing links to four different relief agencies directly on its home page.
The company's home page currently reads: "Our hearts reach out to those hurt by the Indian Ocean tsunamis," and the company has links to the United States Agency for International Development, the American Red Cross, UNICEF, and the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI).
All of Apple's links go directly to Web pages on those sites that deal directly with this particular disaster.
 Apple's current home page (Click the thumbnail for a larger image) |
A quick spot check of Dell, Gateway, and HP, Apple's computer competitors, shows that they have not yet followed in Apple's foot steps. You can see the page yourself at Apple.com.
Observer Comments
Apple may be a big corporation that is just trying to make money for its shareholders, but it is a corporation with style and a sense of community responsibility. This is one of the many reasons why I like and support Apple, the company.
A quick check of the Microsoft web site shows their front page dedicated to having a party, and getting rid of spam.
Wed Dec 29, 2004 6:45 pm Subject: Wonder If Billionaire Steve Jobs Gave Any Money
QuoteRealityCheck wrote:
Ever notice that the super rich "donate" by asking average people to send in their money. Did Steve Jobs or Apple Computer donate any money? Any bets this is just a PR move to generate good vibes about Apple.
This comment just goes to show what a classless act RealityCheck is. I've often wondered if RC was an Apple shill, sending out FUD just to generate commentary, but this posting proves that theory wrong.
For nearly 30 years, Apple has been a guiding light for corporate responsibility and charity. If this was a "PR move" then it would certainly have been followed up by a press release. I haven't seen one, have you?
Reality Check - just go away, and don't let the door hit your @rse on the way out. Your nastiness is no longer amusing.
Wed Dec 29, 2004 7:45 pm Subject: India, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates
I just donated via the UNICEF site, the Red Cross site had trouble with the form programming.
Steve Jobs visited India way back when, I would be certain that he is donating. Bill Gates probably is too, maybe it is Melinda Gates prompting it, but I would also bet that he is helping out.
I am a retired ship's navigator and visited many of the places hit by the tsunami. I can visualize the effect of big wave on those coastal communities. I have friends in that part of the world and several Indian families live on my block. I am feeling it.
QuoteRealityCheck wrote:
Ever notice that the super rich "donate" by asking average people to send in their money. Did Steve Jobs or Apple Computer donate any money? Any bets this is just a PR move to generate good vibes about Apple.
Yeah, way to take a human tragedy and turn it around to slam Apple or Jobs. Grow up. Show some maturity. Show a little respect, damn it.
QuoteRealityCheck wrote:
Ever notice that the super rich "donate" by asking average people to send in their money. Did Steve Jobs or Apple Computer donate any money? Any bets this is just a PR move to generate good vibes about Apple.
the above quoted is the worst waste of cyberspace i have yet to see.
My guess is that Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Larry Ellison, Meg Whitman, and 95% of the rest of the tech execs out there have donated money.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also likely gave handsomely. Mr. Gates has been very, very generous with his wealth throughout the years.
Whether or not they did, however, is not really material to this story, as Apple, Inc. gave up cyber real estate that is worth millions to this particular effort. Apple's home page is one of its prime marketing tools, and is visited by millions of people every week.
That's very nice corporate citizenship, IMNHO, and I'd applaud any corporation that donated any of its Web space to this disaster.
Bryan
Editor
TMO
Whatever relevance you think you MIGHT have had is shot to hell with that ignorant, selfish comment.
How dare you try to turn this around and make it an anti-Apple bashing post! You have shown a incredible lack of insight, foresight and humanity. I really doubt that anything you will ever post again will be read. Your kind is a parasite on the face of the planet and it pains me to say that to another human being. But I feel that you have revoked any and all rights to call yourself a human being. Your parents have failed in trying to raise a decent person. You are a failure of the first class.
From now on, please just get the hell away from these boards, your insipid, ignorant, petty childish rants are a waste of time.
If you are a woman, you are lucky you are. If you are a man ( more like a spoiled lil phucking brat ) I wish I knew where you lived in order to beat you within an inch of your sorry, pathetic life.
Petulant troll, please steralize yourself, the world does not need anymmore vermin.
peace.
Wed Dec 29, 2004 11:41 pm Subject:
Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:19 am Subject: Way to go, RC...
As an aside, Bill Gates gives an amazing amount of money to relieving the suffering of millions worldwide. They also vet their donations very carefully to make sure that they are having an effect. If I recall correctly, they funded the invention and distribution of an electrolyte powder, that when mixed with water, is absorbed faster than plain water. This is a *huge* benefit for people suffering from diseases that kill from diarrhea. He may have been a shark in acquiring his money, but his dispersing of it charitably is hard to impeach.
Not a shill for Microsoft, but facts are facts.
The Stomaphagus
This, to me at least, perfectly illustrates the fundamental differences between Apple and other technology firms, and why I am such a big fan of Apple. Witness not only this, but the story that came out this week about the development of the Graphing Calculator. Apple's corporate culture, it seems to me, is not about stock options and control of a marketspace, it's about changing the world in a profound and positive way.
Just my $0.02
QuoteGuest wrote:
Whatever relevance you think you MIGHT have had is shot to hell with that ignorant, selfish comment.
How dare you try to turn this around and make it an anti-Apple bashing post! You have shown a incredible lack of insight, foresight and humanity. I really doubt that anything you will ever post again will be read. Your kind is a parasite on the face of the planet and it pains me to say that to another human being. But I feel that you have revoked any and all rights to call yourself a human being. Your parents have failed in trying to raise a decent person. You are a failure of the first class.
From now on, please just get the hell away from these boards, your insipid, ignorant, petty childish rants are a waste of time.
If you are a woman, you are lucky you are. If you are a man ( more like a spoiled lil phucking brat ) I wish I knew where you lived in order to beat you within an inch of your sorry, pathetic life.
Petulant troll, please steralize yourself, the world does not need anymmore vermin.
peace.
Let me guess: You're a Liberal.
(Your response *is* the typical kind response that liberals have to those who publicly question any liberal's motives.)
QuoteRealityCheck wrote:
Ever notice that the super rich "donate" by asking average people to send in their money. Did Steve Jobs or Apple Computer donate any money? Any bets this is just a PR move to generate good vibes about Apple.
I'll be flamed to pieces but RC's comments are unfortunately something that many may ask. It doesn't mean it has any validity nor does it make it any less a repugnent sentiment. However, whenevr a big cooporation acts in an apparantly altruistic way the first response of many will what's in it for the company? Companies do not usually act purely altruisticly. This may be an exception but there is no denying that Apple will get credit for helping. The situation in Asia makes me weep and it makes my day to day medical job (I'm a GP) seem awfully trivial. RC whoever they are may enjoy the attention they generate and taht is the most terrible part of heir comments. I think those who seek to insult him/her as above are reacting beyond what is appropriate and will undoubtedly only polarise the argument.
DrD who still can't remember his password
QuoteGuest wrote:QuoteGuest wrote:
Apple has a pretty good history of dedicating their homepage to worthy causes as they come up. This is definitely not the first time they have done this, nor will it be their last.
Got a screenshot of it? Because I sure don't remember them doing that for 9-11.
TMO does have an archive search:
http://www.macobserver.com/article/2001/09/14.6.shtml
Thu Dec 30, 2004 8:30 am Subject: To second the above
From the internet archives:
http://web.archive.org/web/20010916222653/http://www.apple.com/
Apple did respond to 9-11 in the same way. As did many other companies.
Interestingly, Microsoft had their 9-11 dedication as a sidenote on their corporate site, rather than their entire front page:
http://web.archive.org/web/20010914050025/http://microsoft.com/
They also mention nothing about the tsunami on their current site.
[quote="Guest"]
QuoteRealityCheck wrote:
For nearly 30 years, Apple has been a guiding light for corporate responsibility and charity. If this was a "PR move" then it would certainly have been followed up by a press release. I haven't seen one, have you?
Good lord. I have a bridge to sell you. Actually, Apple is consistently on "worst of" lists for conditions for workers. Spouses driving around with signs to let their partners come home for holidays is just the latest in a long line. Apple does a good PR job of being the "hippie cool" company, but their actions in a corporate sense are a far cry from the Ben & Jerry types. You guys are just drinking cool-aid.
Was this a nice gesture. Sure was. Are they better than some companies. Sure are. Are they some model of corporate goodness. No.
Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:21 pm Subject: Other Companies Are Donating - Not Apple
Thu Dec 30, 2004 12:49 pm Subject: How do you know they didn't?
Thu Dec 30, 2004 1:50 pm Subject: Re: Other Companies Are Donating - Not Apple
QuoteRealityCheck wrote:
Apple's only response has been to ask iLemmings to send in their money, it's a sad day for Mac fanatics.
Way to be better than an iLemming, RC.
I just made a donation to the Red Cross, I guess that makes me an idiot follower. Too bad you couldn't warn me in time.
I guess I just can't be as smart as you are. Oh well.
Thu Dec 30, 2004 2:00 pm Subject: A non-sequitur
QuoteRealityCheck wrote:
Check the facts:
http://money.cnn.com/2004/12/30/news/fortune500/corporate_aid/index.htm
Apple's only response has been to ask iLemmings to send in their money, it's a sad day for Mac fanatics.
Just because Apple is not mentioned in that article doesn't mean that it hasn't donated money. As we skeptics like to say, "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence." Perhaps RC needs a course in basic logic--or common sense.
QuoteGuest wrote:QuoteGuest wrote:
Whatever relevance you think you MIGHT have had is shot to hell with that ignorant, selfish comment.
How dare you try to turn this around and make it an anti-Apple bashing post! You have shown a incredible lack of insight, foresight and humanity. I really doubt that anything you will ever post again will be read. Your kind is a parasite on the face of the planet and it pains me to say that to another human being. But I feel that you have revoked any and all rights to call yourself a human being. Your parents have failed in trying to raise a decent person. You are a failure of the first class.
From now on, please just get the hell away from these boards, your insipid, ignorant, petty childish rants are a waste of time.
If you are a woman, you are lucky you are. If you are a man ( more like a spoiled lil phucking brat ) I wish I knew where you lived in order to beat you within an inch of your sorry, pathetic life.
Petulant troll, please steralize yourself, the world does not need anymmore vermin.
peace.
Let me guess: You're a Liberal.
(Your response *is* the typical kind response that liberals have to those who publicly question any liberal's motives.)
Let *me* guess: You are a heartless, greed-mongering Reactionary (read: NeoCon)
Like many other companies, Apple selfishly offers a Matching Gifts Program, where the company matches a percentage of gifts made by their employees. So while there has been no mention of a specific monetary contribution by Apple or Jobs, any of the iLemmings working for Apple who made a contribution automatically get Apple's help.
QuoteGuest wrote:
(...snip...)
Let *me* guess: You are a heartless, greed-mongering Reactionary (read: NeoCon)
Woo-Hoo! Another Liberal implodes! Did it even take you thirty seconds after reading my post for you to resort to name-calling? Did you stick your tongue out at the monitor? Yeah, I'll bet you did. Come on, admit it, you did.
Stop it! Both of you! We have a place for partisan bickering in these forums and this isn't it!
I'd also like to point out that Microsoft's main page is now changed as well.
Fri Dec 31, 2004 11:48 am Subject: Microsoft now has relief effort on the front page
Sat Jan 01, 2005 6:59 am Subject: RE: Microsoft now has relief effort on the front page
QuoteIntruder wrote:
MS has now joined the party. The Gates foundation is also donating $3M, as would be expected given their track record of donating to charities.
Good on all of the companies that are donating and/or linking to relief sites.
Why can't they have their page out first before everyone else? What kind of PR people do they employ that can't see things immediately? My guess it is their corporate blood not to think on their feet. Sad, all that money in the world makes them move like a sloth. Another lesson Steve Job and Apple could learn if they do not know it already.
Sat Jan 01, 2005 1:11 pm Subject: How much did Apple donate? I'll match it. For real.
I'm going to be asked to donate, I want to know how much they had donated. I'd then ask to know how much income they make. And then I would donate an equally proportional amount, effectively matching their income/output to mine.
Unlike Apple, I don't make billions.
And if I did buy Apple products, I'd be donating by proxy.
Bill Gates doled out $3 million. But then when you consider that $3 mil is only 0.00006% of his total worth, never mind that it came out of his tax haven of a foundation, I'd basically be donating $2.88 and should then be considered just as generous. :rolleyes: Gates ain't no hero. And I doubt Apple is either.
Corporate America needs we consumers to survive. They also effectively run this country. And when Corporate America also tries to eliminate the middle class and better paying jobs for the CEOs' own salary gain, don't expect to get much sympathy out of me. They have the power and they'd rather see us donate, even though they have truckloads more.
Just putting things in perspective, folks.
After all, guess where all the IT jobs have been going?
It is nice that Apple would like people to donate money for relief but it would also be nice if large American corporations, like Apple and its shareholders, most who have become billionaires from people like us, would donate a sum in proportion to what they suggest we do. Pfizer donated a large sum of money and I do believe all the corporate giants should as well. I've donated what I can afford. If I ran a company like Microsoft or Apple or Pepsi Cola or Burger King you can be sure I'd feel it was my duty as a human being to donate very large sums of money, after all, let's face it, it is a tax write off. Apple asking the public to donate money without disclosing what it will do, seems extremely selfish.
Wed Jan 05, 2005 10:02 am Subject: Re: How much did Apple donate? I'll match it. For real.
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
Bill Gates doled out $3 million. But then when you consider that $3 mil is only 0.00006% of his total worth, never mind that it came out of his tax haven of a foundation, I'd basically be donating $2.88 and should then be considered just as generous. :rolleyes: Gates ain't no hero. And I doubt Apple is either.
That's some nice math, but the fact is, it's STILL $3 million.
That money did SOMETHING and the people who get the supplies it bought don't care how much money Bill Gates still has in the bank.
It doesn't matter how much he COULD have donated, all that matters is the actual amount sent. I'm not saying Gates is a hero, far from it, but $3 million is still $3 million.
Wed Jan 05, 2005 4:55 pm Subject: More than immediate gut-reactions required
I applaud all those who have made donations to the relief effort! What is more important however, is the continued support for the survivors in the future, once the facsinatingly morbid media attention dies down. With our society being so busy these days, it is easy to forget that the destitute situation many of the survivors are in at the moment will probably become a way of life for them for years to come. Personal memories of someone else's misfortune are short, but not as short as corporate or media memories. Apple's site has just a single image/link to the ARC now.
So what's my point? I really don't know. Maybe that life for both people and corporations often involves a balancing act between financial and moral obligations.
As an American and as a human being, after reading the list of corporate donations, I'm ashamed. Not to single out Apple, as I am a huge 20 year supporter and Mac junkie, but honestly, if they donated $1 for every iPod they sold this holiday season the amount would probably be staggering. They've made a fortune with iTunes alone. I find it hard to believe that Bill Gates could come up with a measly $3 million dollars given that he is the richest man in the world and Microsoft has more money than it knows what to do with. Unilever, the one of the biggest international corporations, I see no donation. Not one automobile manufacturer. None. I'm sorry but these corporate giants, all of them, do business in Asia, outsource manufacturing to Asia, etc. etc. etc., have a responsibility to the world community to contribute to this disaster. If Sandra Bullock could come up with a personal donation of a million dollars and another million dollars to the 9/11 relief fund, I think Bill Gates could do 100 times that and so could Apple, so could Unilever, so could Colgate, so could Amazon who brags that they "raised money" for relief. Where's all of Jeff's money? Ebay as well, a company that has made millionaires out of so many people, Yahoo who has as well. LET'S SEE THE COLOR OF THIS CORPORATE MONEY. This is a matter of life or death and it certainly puts a big dent in my willingness to do business with any of these corporations who can't step up when needed. I'll think quite a few times before I spend $3,000+ a year on Apple computers to line the pockets of their shareholders. Look at what Australia pledged to donate. It's astronomical as is the relief needed. That's where my money will go in the future. To countries and corporations who step up when a disaster of this magnitude strikes.
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