Comments on: Why is the FDA holding up delivery of an Apple computer? http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 11:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: ndollak http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656385 ndollak Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656385 See if it makes a noise like an apple! See if it makes a noise like an apple!

]]> By: jackie31337 http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656659 jackie31337 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656659 <i>people with the same message who possibly had insects in their computers, because other computers in same shipments were found to have these bugs.</i> (obligatory) It's not a bug, it's a feature! (/obligatory) people with the same message who possibly had insects in their computers, because other computers in same shipments were found to have these bugs.

(obligatory) It’s not a bug, it’s a feature! (/obligatory)

]]> By: jackie31337 http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656662 jackie31337 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656662 Damn, you beat me to it. Damn, you beat me to it.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656162 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656162 Well, I think things are complicated by the fact that it's coming from China. But still, it's a little ridiculous to think it would be an apple (the fruit). I mean, c'mon... seriously. Well, I think things are complicated by the fact that it’s coming from China. But still, it’s a little ridiculous to think it would be an apple (the fruit). I mean, c’mon… seriously.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656164 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656164 I Googled this, and the first results were for people with the same message who possibly had insects in their computers, because other computers in same shipments were found to have these bugs. Prolly what the internets said. I Googled this, and the first results were for people with the same message who possibly had insects in their computers, because other computers in same shipments were found to have these bugs. Prolly what the internets said.

]]> By: skypny http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656166 skypny Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656166 It's entirely possible that this package, if moving by UPS ground, is in a trailer or rail container with another item that has been flagged for FDA/USDA inspection. Likely has absolutely nothing to do with your laptop, but it may be an "innocent bystander" in a sense if something else in the trailer has caused a stir. Usually that sort of delay only takes place at a border crossing into Canada or Mexico, but working in transportion/logistics, it's one of the few ideas I could come up with. It’s entirely possible that this package, if moving by UPS ground, is in a trailer or rail container with another item that has been flagged for FDA/USDA inspection. Likely has absolutely nothing to do with your laptop, but it may be an “innocent bystander” in a sense if something else in the trailer has caused a stir. Usually that sort of delay only takes place at a border crossing into Canada or Mexico, but working in transportion/logistics, it’s one of the few ideas I could come up with.

]]> By: ryanrafferty http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656167 ryanrafferty Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656167 Obviously because it's made of Apples -- DUH! Obviously because it’s made of Apples — DUH!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656427 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656427 Let's see if it <i>floats</i> like an apple... If so, it's <b>a witch!</b> Let’s see if it floats like an apple… If so, it’s a witch!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656428 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656428 I once had a package containing a few books from Amazon marked as flagged for inspection by a federal agency the same day it had been sent out on the truck for delivery. Since I knew the delivery guy, I stopped him the next day and asked how and why that would happen to such an innocuous package. His response? He'd dropped a package in the truck and spilled its contents the day before, and had to drive back to the depot. The "federal inspection" flag was simply the first convenient status option that came up when they were logging the delayed packages. I wouldn't be shocked if something similar was the case here. I once had a package containing a few books from Amazon marked as flagged for inspection by a federal agency the same day it had been sent out on the truck for delivery. Since I knew the delivery guy, I stopped him the next day and asked how and why that would happen to such an innocuous package. His response? He’d dropped a package in the truck and spilled its contents the day before, and had to drive back to the depot. The “federal inspection” flag was simply the first convenient status option that came up when they were logging the delayed packages. I wouldn’t be shocked if something similar was the case here.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-657204 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-657204 I'm seeing the same thing for my iMac, billing info received 12/2/09 at 6:37 am location 'CN'. Made it to Oakland on Sunday so should be here tomorrow. I’m seeing the same thing for my iMac, billing info received 12/2/09 at 6:37 am location ‘CN’. Made it to Oakland on Sunday so should be here tomorrow.

]]> By: jere7my http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656187 jere7my Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656187 Perhaps they found a potentially invasive species in the package, like a wood-borer, and need someone to inspect it before they devastate the ecosystem of the recipient? Perhaps they found a potentially invasive species in the package, like a wood-borer, and need someone to inspect it before they devastate the ecosystem of the recipient?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-667964 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-667964 why does it weigh so much? why does it weigh so much?

]]> By: glory bee http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-661567 glory bee Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-661567 Now as I'm now 50 or so.. before my daughter introduced me 10 glorious years ago to the computer and THE NET..being of a gullible nature, I might have believed that an apple was an apple and nothing to do with the net. But .. in a funny way it gives me hope that the all prevailing cynicism of today is not going to totally win out. Now as I’m now 50 or so.. before my daughter introduced me 10 glorious years ago to the computer and THE NET..being of a gullible nature, I might have believed that an apple was an apple and nothing to do with the net. But .. in a funny way it gives me hope that the all prevailing cynicism of today is not going to totally win out.

]]> By: eagleapex http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656198 eagleapex Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656198 The FDA regulates lasers, that sort of applies to the DVD drive. The FDA regulates lasers, that sort of applies to the DVD drive.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656455 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656455 Oh c'mon people, 20 comments and no one mentions the customs hiccup with an early shipment of (microsoft?) mice. Importing animals and especially vermin is tightly controlled, after all. Oh c’mon people, 20 comments and no one mentions the customs hiccup with an early shipment of (microsoft?) mice. Importing animals and especially vermin is tightly controlled, after all.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656202 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656202 Isn't this new range of iMacs full of bugs? that's what i've been reading on the interwebs... Isn’t this new range of iMacs full of bugs? that’s what i’ve been reading on the interwebs…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656462 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656462 Ah What kind of apples ? red ones or green ones Ah What kind of apples ? red ones or green ones

]]> By: drewwill http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656729 drewwill Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656729 Surely this is some idiot at UPS that hit the wrong checkbox. Surely this is some idiot at UPS that hit the wrong checkbox.

]]> By: Snig http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656221 Snig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656221 Actually, the internet likely lights up the same pleasure centers as a lot of meds, so addiction cops getting involved might make some flavor of sense. Actually, the internet likely lights up the same pleasure centers as a lot of meds, so addiction cops getting involved might make some flavor of sense.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656224 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656224 when i worked for the US postal service we could get boxes of fruit all the time, they'd be weaping and half the time infested with insects, never labeled as having fruit but it was obvious. the worst was when we could only leave a notice and the box would literally rot on the shelf waiting for the person to pick it up. much of these came from mexico for some reason. when i worked for the US postal service we could get boxes of fruit all the time, they’d be weaping and half the time infested with insects, never labeled as having fruit but it was obvious. the worst was when we could only leave a notice and the box would literally rot on the shelf waiting for the person to pick it up. much of these came from mexico for some reason.

]]> By: BritSwedeGuy http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-665186 BritSwedeGuy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-665186 Given that this, the lead story on BoingBoing Gadgets as at 15 December, is over 10 days old - are we to assume that BoingBoing Gadgets is effectively dead? Given that this, the lead story on BoingBoing Gadgets as at 15 December, is over 10 days old – are we to assume that BoingBoing Gadgets is effectively dead?

]]> By: octopod http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-665190 octopod Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-665190 well, it was a tc repost anyways. well, it was a tc repost anyways.

]]> By: IamInnocent http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656245 IamInnocent Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656245 Maybe it was befriend by one of FDA's (Windows?) computer. Maybe it was befriend by one of FDA’s (Windows?) computer.

]]> By: J France http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656249 J France Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656249 Further evidence that Twitter is full of lowgrade thinkers. Contaminated co-package or shipment. Other known contaminants. Of course just as likely the explanation arrived at by the writer. Maybe. Further evidence that Twitter is full of lowgrade thinkers.

Contaminated co-package or shipment. Other known contaminants.
Of course just as likely the explanation arrived at by the writer. Maybe.

]]> By: peterbruells http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656505 peterbruells Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656505 I'm with the collateral damage crowd. One of our packages just stood 24 hours on the tarmac (well, the plane did), awaiting inspection by customs. Well, not our package, but it happened to be on the plane when a full lockdown was deemed necessary. I’m with the collateral damage crowd. One of our packages just stood 24 hours on the tarmac (well, the plane did), awaiting inspection by customs. Well, not our package, but it happened to be on the plane when a full lockdown was deemed necessary.

]]> By: Piperbum http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656251 Piperbum Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656251 UPS billing is the spawn of evil. No doubt they'll charge an outrageous fee for making sure that computer didn't grow on a tree. UPS billing is the spawn of evil. No doubt they’ll charge an outrageous fee for making sure that computer didn’t grow on a tree.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-658049 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-658049 This is from UPS: Thank you for your e-mail. I tracked your package and confirmed that the contents of your package do require FDA clearance. Computers, Notebook and Laptop Computers containing CD/DVD drives as components require clearance from the Food and Drug Administration. Delays due to clearance through government agencies are outside of UPS control. As of 12/06, the FDA has cleared the package. Delivery is scheduled for tomorrow. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. I apologize for the delay. Best Regards, John Kinnear UPS Corporate Customer Relations This is from UPS:

Thank you for your e-mail. I tracked your package and confirmed that the contents of your package do require FDA clearance. Computers, Notebook and Laptop Computers containing CD/DVD drives as components require clearance from the Food and Drug Administration. Delays due to clearance through government agencies are outside of UPS control. As of 12/06, the FDA has cleared the package. Delivery is scheduled for tomorrow. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. I apologize for the delay.

Best Regards,

John Kinnear
UPS Corporate Customer Relations

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656516 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656516 It's sitting there in the middle of the comments, but it's full of truthiness... I've had MULTIPLE shipments of computers held up because of the laser cert for the DVD drive... Always international. And it is the FDA that enforces the laser statutes for shipment. Now if you contact the main FDA people they will tell you that the law isn't meant to apply to DVD lasers, but it's incredibly common for the local offices to hold up any box that has that little laser symbol on it that's not accompanied by the manufacturers compliance licensing. Wouldn't surprise me at all if that were it... It’s sitting there in the middle of the comments, but it’s full of truthiness… I’ve had MULTIPLE shipments of computers held up because of the laser cert for the DVD drive… Always international. And it is the FDA that enforces the laser statutes for shipment. Now if you contact the main FDA people they will tell you that the law isn’t meant to apply to DVD lasers, but it’s incredibly common for the local offices to hold up any box that has that little laser symbol on it that’s not accompanied by the manufacturers compliance licensing. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if that were it…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656518 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656518 I immediately thought about this story I read as a kid in a Disney treasury, called "Pigs is Pigs". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigs_Is_Pigs I immediately thought about this story I read as a kid in a Disney treasury, called “Pigs is Pigs”.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigs_Is_Pigs

]]> By: Micah http://boingboing.net/2009/12/04/wy-is-the-fda-is-hol.html#comment-656267 Micah Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-656267 It's also possible that it's included in a larger shipment that was packaged in a wooden crate. Wooden crates are sometimes inspected by the USDA to make sure they don't have any bugs living in them. It’s also possible that it’s included in a larger shipment that was packaged in a wooden crate. Wooden crates are sometimes inspected by the USDA to make sure they don’t have any bugs living in them.

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