Tony writes...
This is mostly a rant, pure and simple. So if you can't bear to read an extended complaint, please go to one the many superb articles on All About Symbian [ok, ok, enough of the crawling, we've said we'll publish this already... - Ed]. But, if you're prepared to stick with it, I promise I have a point to make.
Of sorts.
Let me start with a confession and an apology: For some time now I have looked very unfavourably upon those who have dismissed the Symbian user interface as being too complicated and unintuitive. I'm ashamed to say that I, in turn, have dismissed them as stupid and superficial; not intelligent enough to appreciate the subtle nuances of the beautiful Symbian OS. There, I've said it. I was completely wrong of course; different people like different things – that includes different kinds of smartphone. So if you are one of those people who has complained about the Symbian UI, I'm sorry.
Now, there are many things that I do not like. Here's a list (not exhaustive):
• The strange voice that some people adopt to read poetry aloud
• Excessive piano music on BBC Radio 3
• Caravans
• That period of the day between 5.30pm and 8pm
• Trainers (in fact, modern sportswear of any kind)
You might have read one or two of the above and thought 'how on earth can anyone hate that?' (more likely, you now think I'm quite strange). You might be particularly fond of piano music, and you know what? That's great – I respect your right to love the cloying plink-plink of an instrument that can suck the life out of any music.
Normally, I will happily keep my dislikes to myself (except in the case of the piano music – my one and only tweet so far was a complaint about the old Joanna). If any of the above comes up in conversation I might attempt to explain the reasons why I don't like a particular thing. What I won't do is visit a web site that caters for people who enjoy piano music and hang around the discussion boards. I won't post comments about how I dislike piano music in the hope of getting a rise out of the other participants. That's called 'trolling' in the modern parlance. Before the internet, itwas called 'baiting'.
Regular readers of All About Symbian will have seen the kind of posts I'm referring to. Here's another list, to summarise:
• The Symbian UI is old and difficult to use
• All Nokia phones are massive fails
• Nokia should make an Android phone
• Nokia is behind the curve / finished
• Ovi store is a massive fail
I generalise these trolls, of course, but hopefully you'll recognise one or two of these. Some people can't let these comments pass without reply, I can understand that. But my Nokia smartphone speaks for itself; it works well and does everything I ask of it, and still surprises me (in a good way) from time to time.
So, to all the trolls out there – it's my choice, I appreciate what iOS and Android have to offer; I keep up to date with this stuff. But really, I know exactly what I'm doing and my reasons for sticking with Nokia and Symbian are sound. So please, let me get on with it.
But hang on a moment - I'm missing the point. If Nokia and Symbian are so irrelevant, why do these people visit a web site called 'All About Symbian'? And why do they keep on visiting? There's probably more than one answer to my question.
I could venture that it's because (in the UK especially) some of us don't like people who are very successful. Or, it's because they're seeking attention. Or, possibly they are trying to validate their own selection of smartphone. Maybe they're bored. Mischievous, perhaps?
That's all (negative) supposition. Let me offer this brief analysis instead:
If something is truly irrelevant, you ignore it. You certainly don't spend valuable time trying to engage with it. Therefore, by the application of devastating logic, I conclude that Nokia and Symbian are very relevant.
In fact, the day the trolls stop coming is the day on which we Symbian fanboys (and girls) should start to worry.
I'll go further: I like those discussion posts. There, I've said that too. They often contain a kernel (Unix, of course) of truth. They almost always spark a lively debate. At times they can be enormously entertaining. Can you imagine how stale things would become if each and every post was congratulatory and supportive of Nokia/Symbian? It would be weird and unrealistic. That way lies stagnation.
So, let me dispense with the word 'troll' and say to all you knowledgeable, opinion-rich, independent, articulate and thoughtful Symbian doubters; please, keep it coming! Life would get pretty dull without you.
Now then, time for a visit to the Radio 3 discussion boards...
Tony Butler, for All About Symbian, 4 Feb 2011