For Pete's sake, can't you kids stay off of the MySpace for ten minutes? Is that really too much to ask? If you want to talk to your friends at the mall so badly, why don't you just go to the mall with your friends? And does the world really need another pensive webcam shot of your floppy hair? But no, apparently you can't handle that kind of self-control, and now Mac Stores have to go all Mom on your ass and put you on time-out.

A statement from Apple Friday confirmed this. "Nearly 2 million people visit Apple stores every week," the statement read. "We want to provide everyone a chance to test-drive a Mac, so we are no longer offering access to MySpace in our stores." According to an Apple representative, the News Corp.-owned MySpace is the only site that has been blocked.

Yes, MySpace - and only MySpace (thus far) - has been banned from access at Apple Stores, as a way to deal with a problem that has apparently been going on for some time now. It seems that kids would come into the stores and basically just screw around all day.

"MySpace is a big issue for the Apple stores because people come in, Photobooth themselves (using Macs' built-in webcams), then stick their picture up on their MySpace account and loiter at machines for hours," the source said in an e-mail. "It is especially troublesome at the flagships and high-volume stores, and for a while there was no official word on how to deal with it."

Heavy MySpace use was simply getting in the way of business. And with the impending launch of the iPhone, perhaps the most hyped Apple product yet, store traffic could reach a fever pitch.

Personally, I find this mind-boggling. Hours! I'm assuming these are kids who either do not have computers at home, or whose parents are sick of MySpace and have blocked it there, but either way the end result is the same. Think of it like kids going into Hot Topic and taking pictures of themselves trying on new outfits for hours a day, not actually buying anything, but tying up space and merchandise for people who otherwise might have. If I worked there, I'd be pretty exasperated, too. Who needs it?

So yeah, I'm siding with Apple on this one. I mean really, there has to be something better to do out there than mull about Mac Stores and be obnoxious on the internet. That's what home is for. Now, get off my lawn!

_DictionaryGirl_ spent her last trip to the Genius Bar amusing herself with YouTube, but figures that, with a completely-fried hard drive, Apple owes her at least that much.

yeahrightjosue

Boston, MA

February 2007

MAY 31, 2007 10:04 AM

I can't imagine why someone would go to a mall with their friends just to go on myspace all day.

You'd think they would have a problem with teenage boys trying to go on porn sites.
But instead teenage boys want to go on myspace.

CherryCoke

North Conway, NH

May 2007

MAY 31, 2007 10:14 AM

I have to agree. I side with Apple on this one too.
When my boyfriend was buying his Mac I tooled around on some websites that I frequent, but I was on and off before my boyfriend finished getting all the stuff together for him new computer. Staying there for hours is just a little too much.

What's the point of going out if you're just going to go on a computer anyway? It's less work to just sit on your ass at home. I'm a big fan off less work.

Girthy

Canoga Park, CA

July 2005

MAY 31, 2007 10:22 AM

Dude, that's hilarious.

Jim_H

Blackwood, NJ

January 2007

MAY 31, 2007 10:23 AM

Why don't they just tell them to GTFO after 5 minutes?

BlastProcessing

Knoxville, TN

OLD SKOOL

MAY 31, 2007 10:31 AM

Plus, myspace is such craptastic code that it makes whatever machine is running it look hellish. That's like test-driving a BMW in...well, a shopping mall. Of course the ride is going to feel bumpy when you keep crashing into Sunglass Huts and Hot Topics.