Cliff Hobbs is a UK-based systems management consultant who specialises in the various systems management tools covered by his website FAQShop.com such as Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (ConfigMgr) and Systems Management Server (SMS).Having worked with SMS since 1998 Cliff has gained extensive experience of designing, deploying, and supporting large enterprise-wide systems management solutions on behalf of companies such as EDS, 1E and Getronics.In recognition of his contribution to the Systems Management community Microsoft awarded Cliff the Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award for SMS in January 2004 which has been re-awarded in all subsequent years.Having grown up with the PC from the days of the IBM AT and PC-DOS 3.3, he has an extensive knowledge of several operating systems and applications gained through his present and past employment with companies such as EDS, Du Pont, Abbey National and Getronics, amongst others.The prime goal of FAQShop.com is to help people use Systems Management technology to make their lives easier - not for technology to control their lives which is reflected in this site's mission statement:
'Ensuring you get the best of IT'.
So I’ve invested in a Seagate FreeAgent XTreme eSata external drive primarily for the performance benefits I hope to get over regular USB/ Firewire which needless to say I’ve had to pay extra for.
The drive has just arrived and I’ve eagerly opened it only to find that it doesn’t come with an eSata cable – only USB and Firewire 400 (not much use when my machine has a Firewire 800 connector).
The instructions say the eSata cable is “Sold separately” – What the hell? This is like Ferrari selling a car with the engine limited or 5th gear as an optional extra. This is just penny pinching gone to extremes. Even looking on the Seagate site for the right cable they don’t list one or even offer one with the drive as an optional extra when you go to buy it.
So after all the anticipation I’m now severely SEVERELY disappointed and now need to source an eSata cable before I can use the damn thing as I want to.
Merry Xmas Seagate – NOT you suck.