I just watched (for the fourth time, because I like it) the Neistat
Brother's protest film in which they illustrate that the built in
battery lasts only 18 months and costs $255 to replace.
 However, I know Apple changed their policy, and now that battery
costs far less ($50) I think.
 The part I'm confused about is whether the protest film went online
before, at the same time as, or after Apple lowered the price of an
iPod battery swap?
 I'm not trying necessarily to find out if Apple lowered it in
response to their film - I suppose I'm trying more to figure out if
they simply made the film, unaware that there has *just* been a price
and policy change.

Hello pcventures-ga:

The website, iPod's Dirty Secret, was registered on November 20, 2003,
based on a whois record of the domain ipodsdirtysecret.com from
whois.networksolutions.com. I have pasted relevant sections of it
below for your reference:

-----
domain:				IPODSDIRTYSECRET.COM
created:			20-Nov-2003
last-changed:			20-Nov-2003
registration-expiration:	20-Nov-2004

nserver:			ns27.1and1.com 217.160.224.3
nserver:			ns28.1and1.com 217.160.228.3

The previous information has been obtained either directly from the
registrant or a registrar of the domain name other than Network Solutions.
Network Solutions, therefore, does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
-----

It can be definitively concluded that this site did not exist (in its
current form) on the internet before Nov 20, 2003.

The iPod Battery Replacement Program
(http://www.info.apple.com/support/applecare_products/service/ipod_service.html)
costs $105.95 USD including the battery, labour, parts, and shipping.
This program was introduced on November 14, 2003, six days before the
iPod Dirty Secret website was put online.

Here is the proof:
http://www.macnn.com/news/22054
http://www.macminute.com/2003/11/14/ipodbattery

Therefore, the protest film went online AFTER Apple lowered the price
of battery replacement. Apple did NOT release the replacement program
in response to the protest film, as far as we know. The makers of the
film (Neistat) were possibly unaware of Apple's iPod battery program
when they posted their movie.

For more information:
iPod Battery FAQ
http://ipodbatteryfaq.com/

I hope this answers your question.

- supermacman-ga

Search strategy

Macobserver.com
Macminute.com
Macnn.com
neistat

That was it! Thanks!