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ShoeZOT! A dream turned into Mac application reality. |
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Walking up to the cash register with almost more things than I could carry, I juggled the items to free a hand and used it to do a quick check of my wallet. Yes, it was there, fat as ever from all the receipts of the weekends outing. Am I really going to wear these $85 shoes enough to get the value out of them? If I had regular size feet, I could just buy my shoes from Zappos or Nordstrom’s online shoe store. Unfortunately, a slightly wider foot is just not catered to. Why can’t this be checkboxes and buy buttons? Idea! Why don’t they just wrap up a great pair of shoes, or maybe a pair of boots, a pair of furry slippers, and a pair of swim fins. Yeah, that’s it. They can put them in a nice bag, knock a ridiculous amount off the price and “Shoe Differently”. I got it, it will be ShoeZOT! And that will be their mystery bundle. “Wake up.. honey.. you have to get the ZOT! Up! What’s it going to be? People are waiting.” “Oh.. uh.. I was just having this dream. I think it was that new pair of shoes we picked out. Yipes, what time is it? Well, I was going to run this really cool app, but the dream inspired me. I’m going to put that bundle together that I was telling you about. It’s going to be cool. Apps that have NEVER been on MacZOT before. They’re going to love it! Err.. You’re going to love it. In the dream, they hadn’t figured out the Buy Button yet, but ours is right at the top at MacZOT.com In this Mystery bundle, your $6 could be very well spent. Or, you could end up with a pair of digital sneakers – extra wide! |
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October 2nd, 2006 at 12:05 am
I must admit, I’m tempted by this one – only because “It’s going to be cool. Apps that have NEVER been on MacZOT before.”
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:09 am
Dude, they named their cat “MacZot”.
So even if it’s been on ‘MacZot.com’, it’s hasn’t been on “MacZot” the cat.
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:19 am
Gosh darn it … for $6, i can forget that I spent it. I, for one, am hoping that “ever been on MacZot before” means the next version of Memory Miner and the Palm OS version of Data Guardian….
Or something else that will blow my tiny mind. Midnight Inbox, please?
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:25 am
Hmm… ShoeZot? I’ll give it a try, but I hope the apps don’t sock….
BWA-HA-HA-HA-HAAAAAA!
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:32 am
I think this site should be renamed http://www.PutYourBlindTrustInUs-MysterZot.com
Randy at http://www.MacSeven.com
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:35 am
hah, I think I’ll try that out though it sounds like a lot of nonsense to me.
But when and if I will spend such a huge amount of money, how about this: Give as a free ADC Premier Membership for it :-)
Sounds quite reasonable, doesn’t it? At least as much as the ShoeZot-text…
October 2nd, 2006 at 1:05 am
I don’t know what the hell it is, but I am going to buy it!
October 2nd, 2006 at 1:28 am
Guys, i have a strong sense that Cha-ching is part of the bundle. http://www.chachingapp.com/
October 2nd, 2006 at 1:40 am
I’m in…
October 2nd, 2006 at 1:42 am
What, no clues for Zotgeist members?
October 2nd, 2006 at 2:04 am
I, disappointingly, have absolutely no willpower. That said, I’m in.
October 2nd, 2006 at 2:10 am
Aaaaaaargh….they succeeded…I’m in as well… :-)
October 2nd, 2006 at 2:16 am
No hesitation, I urgently need a pair of new “software-shoes”. Whatever they will be, I´m in.
October 2nd, 2006 at 2:34 am
sounds like a quadrazot type deal, except we’ll probably get to choose 1 out of 3-4 apps? “you determine the value.”
October 2nd, 2006 at 2:43 am
I’m in… just because I’m assured that the apps have NEVER been on MacZot before.
October 2nd, 2006 at 3:29 am
Despite the ad copy, I’m in.
October 2nd, 2006 at 4:14 am
So, I paid for zotgeist, and now they want me to do another mystery zot before the first one pays off?
Urg.
October 2nd, 2006 at 4:40 am
Oddly enough, I’ve been looking for shoes for my too-wide-feet this weekend, as well. Of course, that has nothing to do with this ZOT!, save the name. This leads me to believe that ZOT! is running out of name ideas for the MyzteryZOTs. No matter. This one is less than lunch for me, so I’m all over it like a hobo on a ham sandwich. :D
October 2nd, 2006 at 4:50 am
I paid for Disco but it isn’t here yet either.
October 2nd, 2006 at 5:15 am
I was thinking we may get a clue about these mystery things in the ZotGeist Jolt newsletters… but nothing in my inbox yet. Was the first ZotGeist Jolt also the last? I’m out on giving ZOT any more $ until that thing pays off. If they’re going to do stuff like that, they should have it ready to go. We have to pay immediately, we should get immediate delivery of what we pay for. It’s pretty clear that they offer some of these things without being ready to deliver, then have to scramble for who-knows-how-long to actually deliver. $ straight out of the ZOT’s pocket … -$6 today.
October 2nd, 2006 at 5:27 am
Arrrggghhh!! They got me too!
How can I resist such a low price and a mystery, coupled with the assurance that these are new to Zot apps?
October 2nd, 2006 at 5:31 am
Ahh yes, the list of promises. I too am waiting for the Birthday Zot, the Disco beta, the new (yet unnamed) app by the developer of CastLife, and the Zotgeist. And some are still waiting for the CollaboZot I gather? Anyway, as stated earlier, I’m curious what’s in the package… and $6 is not $25. The Zotgeist was an apparition so far, at least for me. I hope MacZot can make good on this negative experience with this ShoeZot. And please, no Sickler rubbish or things nobody needs.
October 2nd, 2006 at 5:40 am
They should prepare stuff ahead of time and have it ready to go before they offer it.
October 2nd, 2006 at 5:49 am
No more money to maczot until we have other mystery/promises delivered.
At least an email to zotgeist members about what this is. I dont need to be suprised every other day.
The mystery thing is getting old for us. I know its a great way to get peoples money up front, but I think I will pass on the mystery things for a while.
October 2nd, 2006 at 6:06 am
This one was easy – cheap and never on Zot before, 6 bucks is less than two lattes
October 2nd, 2006 at 6:10 am
Wish I could edit, but wanted to add that I also ordered in spite of the terrible copy and having to stare at an all-too-big photo of a developer (no offense Koingo!) all weekend.
October 2nd, 2006 at 6:11 am
We want to get Apps we haven’t heard of before cheap– not some friggin Scooby Doo mytery. It’s getting old… and disappointing.
October 2nd, 2006 at 6:25 am
After following MacZOT! for a while now, this one’s finally low enough for me to feel comfortable getting my feet wet.
My first ZOT. Hope it was worth it.
October 2nd, 2006 at 6:38 am
The latest app by Juan, the developer of CastLife, and a few other developers is Cha-Ching:
http://www.chachingapp.com/
October 2nd, 2006 at 6:51 am
I thought as a ZOTGEIST member I would be getting “insider” information. I know you sent a “here’s what’s tomorrow’s app is” once, a couple of hours before post time, but I was so hopeful that we would get a sneak peak at the mysteries.
I’m very torn here, I want to buy, I really do, but if I wait until tomorrow can I see all the apps and still buy? I’m not parting from my money yet, I can wait a little longer. Please let the ZOTGEIST exclusive members have something to be exclusive about, share some info.
October 2nd, 2006 at 7:03 am
I’m so in…
October 2nd, 2006 at 7:39 am
its impossible for me to spend money when i know what i am buying, but mysteries…. i always break down and go in… you have my cash…. “digital shoes”…. what could that be??
October 2nd, 2006 at 8:03 am
You can’t have Disco, because that name is already used by another application.
October 2nd, 2006 at 8:22 am
So is this just a 24 hour Zot! or will we be suprised tomorrow that it is a several day Zot!?
October 2nd, 2006 at 9:13 am
Arrrrrrrrrgh!
“There was a temporary error. Please return to the recipient’s website to complete your transaction.
We apologize for the inconvenience.”
It won’t let me :(
October 2nd, 2006 at 9:31 am
There have been a ton of myzteryzots lately.. how about a BlogZot? I can’t remember the last really good BlogZot we’ve had! Maybe SubEthaEdit..?
October 2nd, 2006 at 9:56 am
“There was a temporary error. Please return to the recipient’s website to complete your transaction.”
I got the same error.
October 2nd, 2006 at 10:11 am
Didn’t all you ZotGeister’s get the QuadraZot? Wasn’t that the principal payoff? Didn’t that amount to a 25$ purchase and then you’ve been promised other more frothy stuff?
Hmmm… if it’s more than that, I’d like to be on the inside….
Yes, the Disco thing is going on a tad tooo long… fewer updates and a beta now please.
October 2nd, 2006 at 10:39 am
Agreed on the ZotGeitst front — a $25 mystery purchased in good faith hasn’t yet paid off: “insider info” has been essentially nonexistent. MacZOT folks — are you listening?
October 2nd, 2006 at 10:52 am
Look. All you Zotgeisters out there will probably get the email that says this is part of the ZG package.
Why do I say this? Because I’m in ZG and still couldn’t resist this!
October 2nd, 2006 at 10:55 am
I bought this but I’m somewhat concerned. I dont know what apps that haven’t been featured here that would be part of a $6 bundle could be in this.
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:01 am
As long as the Zotgiest is being talked about, lets rehash the details of the $25 mystery zot that we are talking about:
Following are the original post by MacZot:
_____________________________________
Today begins the Tasty Twenty-five Mystery.
It’s the Sizzling Steak with steaming sides all perfectly bundled for those of you who require the juiciest of ZOTS!*
Yes, this is raring and radiating right out of the bag; the MacZOT shopping bag that is. So join the pre-committed ZOT fans who have already decided they’re taking the risk – whatever that might be.
$25 is enough to make you think a couple of times. In fact, we had to think several times before we were willing to put this up. The truth is, it takes guts to ask for a $25 commitment. At least it would if we weren’t extremely confident that you’re going to love it. There’s just something very appealing about being part of a select group of people who are willing to plow ahead with reckless abandon. Are you that kind of person?
Are you the kind of person who says… “Meh..” and disregards the excitement life has to offer? Or do you dive straight into the wave knowing full well the water is going to be chilly but super-invigorating?
What will this Mystery bring? An app? An opportunity? Some participation in an exclusive, secret-encrypted login-required, members-only VIP club? Will you get access to behind-the-scenes information? Will you be a first mover?
Advisory: Please don’t use the Buy button and then send an email saying, “I sent you my money, where’s my Shopping Bag full of stuff?”
This mystery is going to work like this: We’re going to limit the number of participants. Once you’re involved, you’ll begin receiving communication from us so you’ll always know what’s going on. We’re going to generate an excellent value and experience for those brave enough to participate. However, if you miss out, you may not know what it is because we’re thinking we won’t reveal it publicly. “… ooh… that does sound secret.”
So, there it is. The shopping bag is already glowing… will you be one of the few who finds out what’s in it?
* No animals were harmed in the making of this Mystery.
AND THE NEXT DAY IT GOT EVEN MORE INTERESTING……..
ZOTGEIST —
\ ZOT ” Geist \, n.
[ ZOT - mac fun + geist - spirit. ] The spirit of Mac fun; the general intellectual
state of right now; on your mac of course.
This quick update reveals that your entry into this Tasty Twenty Five Mystery brings you further into the world of ZOT! A current, rewarding, spirit of the Mac; a look from the inside.
“Further into the ZOT?” you ask? “I thought I was already into the ZOT.”
Truly, you were. And now, the Tasty Twenty Five brings you ZOTGEIST! – one step further into the world of ZOT. A place where your power is increased. One that is open with options; inclusive while exclusive.
Apps? Of course.. but more!
ZOTGEIST! is a community where the vision follows the voice and input is YOUR investment.
You’ve made a great choice. One in which you will be proud. One day you will say, “I was there!” – and you will smile.
Team MacZOT!
There you have it. And that is the infamous Zotgiest promise that we are talking about.
I cant wait. All of these perks are going to be great when they happen.
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:21 am
That was completely necessary. My scrollwheel wants to have a word with you.
It was summarized by the person who asked “MacZot folks – are you listening?” after about three lines of text.
/sarcasm
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:29 am
As big a sharewaare junky as I am, I feel that these surprises are just the same apps wrapped in a different mystery. I spent the $25 for the Zotgeist and was disappointed in the the “pick 4″ bundle was just a) either a rehash of what I already own, or b) something I really wasn’t interested in. And so I enter this latest round with trepidation. However, I will throw one more coin into the slot, and if it doesn’t pan out, well then…
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:51 am
MACZOT is making me ill….seriously I feel sick about how bad this is getting.
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:53 am
I’m in but cannot make a purchase.
Paypal says it is a problem with the email address supplied by the seller.
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:03 pm
These deals are so tempting… and luring! I’m in, I just can’t resist the urge of new software at such wonderful deals!
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:22 pm
Well, I still feel a bit burnt by the $25 mystery zot. Think I’m passing on “zots” for a while.
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:25 pm
Darn, I was hoping for insanely cheap Zot shoes. At least mystery shoes!
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:30 pm
i tried to purchase but it didnt work. same as aforementioned errors.
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:37 pm
>same as aforementioned errors
I re-typed in my paypal name/paswd and it worked fine.
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:59 pm
Could not resist, somebody help me…I’m finally in! ; )
Shoe da doo…
October 2nd, 2006 at 1:28 pm
For real, I am in again!
October 2nd, 2006 at 1:31 pm
These errors better not end up extending this ZOT.
October 2nd, 2006 at 1:45 pm
Here from Germany, no problem, was in as a knife in warm butter.
October 2nd, 2006 at 2:06 pm
MacZOT is like a garage sale anyway, except the stuff is new and usually, very cool. Six bucks? Okay, I’m down.
October 2nd, 2006 at 3:20 pm
I have an idea. If we are going to keep buying these mystery bags, then I want a certain percentage going to some charity click computers for the poor or something. It sounds fair, doesnt it?
October 2nd, 2006 at 4:31 pm
I’m in, and I’m a ZG. I can’t help falling for the mysteries. I don’t gamble but for some reason I love random mac software I have no time to use.
October 2nd, 2006 at 4:39 pm
I’m not biting this time. I’ve had it with mysterious lukewarm apps for now.
But seriously fellow Disco investors, we aren’t getting any app named “Disco”.
Here’s why: http://www.discosw.net/disco/index.html
This name is already taken.
October 2nd, 2006 at 4:59 pm
“They’re going to love it! Err.. You’re going to love it.”
Is it possible this is a kids’ app? I’ll sit this one out… if I’m being overly paranoid then I’ll learn, but I’ve jumped on every single one since the beginning of the year.
October 2nd, 2006 at 5:24 pm
Orig_Club_Soda – good intentions but why? Doesn’t seem to be a correlation, they are a business, not a non-profit organization. The statement should be “if we keep buying these Mystery Zots, they’ll keep selling them.” I bought this one too and know that if we keep buying them, they’ll keep offering them. Simple.
October 2nd, 2006 at 5:40 pm
Paul… I think it was written that way (they’re going to love it…) because he had been talking to the person who woke him up in the previous paragraph, then suddenly was talking to “us” again. Or something to that effect.
Orig_Club_Soda… if you think about how much these Zots go for, and you can guess how many they usually sell by previous comments they’ve made… it sounds like there’s not a whole lot of money coming in from this. Then they apparantly have at least two people working on this, maybe more (on what? who the heck knows…), so split up the profit that Zot keeps by two or more… not a lot of $ being made here. I’m actually surprised they’ve kept it going this long.
October 2nd, 2006 at 5:42 pm
sorry. no more mysteries for me. i will pay a buck or two more to know what i’m getting..
October 2nd, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Yeah I agree with ScottJL at this point. If I want the item, I will pay someone that bought it a couple of dollars more for it. So any of you that might not want this mystery once it is revealed and if I do.. Ill pay you a couple bucks more for it..
October 2nd, 2006 at 7:14 pm
I like the charity idea but I think it would be cool if they allowed you to tack on a buck to go to charity when you pay. Kind of like when you go to a restraunt sometimes they ask you if you would like to donate a buck to such and such charity. That way I get my fix and I feel better about spending the money.
October 2nd, 2006 at 7:17 pm
Also, perhaps the extra buck to charity could get you…I don’t know a 6 hour early preview of what will be there the next day?
October 2nd, 2006 at 7:22 pm
That is a good idea… the added buck for charity. I don’t know about a six hour early preview though. What good does that do? Unless it’s a six hour early preview of what is in the myztery zot (before it’s ended).
October 2nd, 2006 at 7:45 pm
Shoe Zots make me laugh.
October 2nd, 2006 at 7:58 pm
The 6 hour thing is not that big of a deal, I just figured that some people might just do it to find out early what the next day zot was…just an idea to generate more money for charity.
October 2nd, 2006 at 9:13 pm
From a sponsor link on macbytes.com:
$6 Mystery Bundle on macZOT.com – $32.95 retail value!
Since this just appeared, it’s about 99% likely the ShoeZot will be extended into tomorrow.
For more psychic predictions, visit http://www.doctorpsychic.com!
October 2nd, 2006 at 9:29 pm
No repeats? 6 bucks? I am sooooo IN!
October 2nd, 2006 at 9:41 pm
It is easy to walk away from this zot!
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:32 pm
Dan, maybe: http://www.google.com/search?q=shareware%20mac%2032.95$
:)
Hey, please, no longer waiting, one day, one ZOT!
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:34 pm
I like the idea of CharityZOT!
Let’s make a list of Charities.
ZOT!
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:35 pm
“These shoes were made for walkin’….”
on another note, I’m using Rooswitch to create different “shoes” for Vienna, the open-source RSS aggregator I use, so that my news for the real world is eparate from the news for Mac and so on….
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:54 pm
Please.
This whole Zot thing is getting convoluted enough, without tossing charities into the mix.
You want to give, great. Give at the office. Give at home. Let’s not mire Zot any more, already.
There is a *LOT* of shareware out there, so it’s really easy to offer a new, never before offered app. Here’s hoping it’s not too geeky.
I’d like to see more games! They don’t have to be too fancy, just great looking!
And cheap!!
October 2nd, 2006 at 11:57 pm
I really wish these mysteries would state how long they’d last in advance. I enjoy the value, but never the suspense. I like playing with my Zots while waiting for the serials, not wondering what they are.
October 3rd, 2006 at 12:09 am
Yea, so if it’s a pair, are there two apps, and do we have to buy twice to get both or do get both if we buy once or just one of two or what?
haha.
October 3rd, 2006 at 2:48 am
Two charities I like are:
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Shriners
Because they deal with helping children.
October 3rd, 2006 at 4:18 am
I’m now thinking the charity thing would be too much. They’re already apparantly too overworked to make this go very smoothly as it is (see comments in support zot section), so do we really want more added?
And this two-day thing is horrible. Should have said yesterday if it was going to be 2 days. If yesterday it was “you determine the value”, then today it’s a certain value… wtf?! Did they not know yesterday what it was (likely), or did it depend on how many orders there were….?
October 3rd, 2006 at 8:38 am
I’m a ZG individual as well, I was expecting something in the way of information for these type things. Is there a way to swap shareware that you don’t use? Wouldn’t that be a great site, I’ve got a copy of Stickler, Xpad, Kit, MacPilot and Filechute that I would swap for something else. Although I love 1Passwd, wait I knew what it was before I bought it.
I like MacZot, I have made a few purchases now, and I typically like the mystery zots. But I am filling up on shareware I don’t use. So if there is a vote to give for funniest post give it to me because I am going to be laughing hysterically as I buy yet another trust me zot. Please be a single or two worthwhile apps instead of a collection of lesser valued apps creating this magical $32.95 pricetag.
October 3rd, 2006 at 8:49 am
This ZOT was meant for walking (away with an incredible deal that is)
October 3rd, 2006 at 12:19 pm
For those interested in donating to charity, just do it. I save up a little each month and then on Earth day, I go to all of the charities that I believe in and give them cash. I don’t donate to organizations that spend too much administration, advertising or soliciting. If they can’t provide an annual report showing me what they spend on these things, then I don’t donate.
October 3rd, 2006 at 2:04 pm
I only need one app for this Zot – ShoeZapper! For my wife’s 50+ pairs of shoes!
October 3rd, 2006 at 3:35 pm
This Zotgeistest makes a suggestion to MacZOT.
“I need a weight loss program.” He thinks he’s being clever.
He gets a response a week later, “Check out today’s ZOT.”
He reads it, and it says ,”ShoeZOT”.
“WTF”, he thinks, but he buys it any way, but accidently pays for 3 times at PayPal. “Oh well, I’ll give what ever it is to friends if I can’t use them.”
A week later he’s a little pissed because he hasn’t heard anything about the ShoeZOTs he bought. Just as he was going to write MacZOT a nasty note he sees an e-mail from MacZOT, “Here’s your ShoeZOT, How much weight do you want to loose today?”
He thinks about it, and sends back an answer, “1lb”.
MacZOT replies, “Be ready with your shoes on in an hour.”
The guy hears a knock at the door and sees an attractive woman in jogging cloths wearing a sign that reads, “If you catch me you can #@$* me.” He runs after her, but never catches up. He gets home and weighs himself. “Wow, 2lbs.”
He sees the same MacZot e-mail in his box and remembers that he bought three ShoeZOTs. He decides to wait for next day and look at them. Again he reads, “Here’s your ShoeZOT, How much weight do you want to loose today?” He sends a message, “5lbs”.
Again he gets the same response, “Be ready with your shoes on in an hour.”
This time an even more attractive woman shows up, wearing a pair or running shoes, a halter top, a thong, and a sign that reads, “If you catch me you can #@$* me.” Again he runs after her, but never catches up. He gets home and weighs himself and finds he lost 10lbs.
He’s tired so he decides to answer the ShoeZOT the next morning.
He clicks on his last ShoeZOT e-mail and it reads, “Here’s your ShoeZOT, How much weight do you want to loose today?” This time he sends back the answer, “20lbs”.
Again MacZOT e-mails him back, “Be ready with your shoes on in an hour.” While he waits his heart pounds. He imagines the woman of his dreams at the door completely naked, except for a sign and a pair of shoes. He formulates a plan. He gets a rope an makes a lasso. He puts a note on the door “Just come in.” He waits by the door and plans to toss the lasso on whom ever comes in the door.
At the hour, the door bursts open, and the guy tosses the lasso perfectly. He looks up and sees a giant guerilla wearing only a pair running shoes and a sign that reads, “If I catch you I will OH CRAB CHOP OWLS DO KICK A BED”.