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La-Z-Boy's E-Cliner
Alec Muzzy writes: "La-Z-Boy has finally realized that there is a market for geeks. A new chair called The E-Cliner they've developed features a built-in wireless keyboard from Sony as well as a data port and surge protector for your laptop. As if that wasn't cool enough, the arm rests have storage compartments for beverages and remote controls! All this chair is missing is a retractable LCD monitor and a set of satellite speakers behind the head rest!"
Kurt The Pope moved out last week, and I just bought a recliner to replace the one he took with him ... if only I had known to hold out for a few weeks. I like the outlet idea: One time I got my laptop's power cable stuck in the retractable footrest. Sparks went flying and the metal supports sliced into the cable. It was sweet, except for the part where I had to wait a week to have electricity for my laptop ... but why does this chair have to come with 6 months of WebTV?
It's proprietary. I almost bought two, until the salesperson informed me I couldn't get it without the WebTV subscription, I couldn't get it without the WebTV hardware, and I couldn't get it with just a normal, flat workspace instead of the dug-out, form-fitting space that holds the WebTV keyboard.
And if it's so WebTV specific, why the hell do you need a phone jack, Ethernet jack, and power outlet in the chair? You *won't* be using a laptop; you've got WebTV! You're FORCED to have it! That's the whole point of the chair!
I think that, at some point, this was going to be a very nice generic chair, and then M$ insisted on the WebTV exclusivity, completely ruining it.
I considered removing the fold-out arm that holds the keyboard and replacing it with something else, but it's a fairly custom job, and you'd end up needing to machine some parts to get a decent quality substitute. Not worth $1,000 a pop for all the trouble. I'll hack hardware, but I don't have a burning desire to redesign furniture.
.@.
Leather/Vynl for $1200, sweet... now I can pay over a grand to sit on plastic and not have it be in a car or a lawyer's office.
Anyone else think that Lazy Boy Explorer is an oxymoron?
Windows is the La-Z-Boy of operating systems [actually it an environment, such as sofa, TV, old dog Tray at your feet, remote control in right hand, bag of crisps in left, can of Old Milwaukee on a coaster to your right.] It's comfortable for the folk who do not want to get in depth with Linux [something for the more creative and agile of mind which requires strenuous effort, such as opening a book and reading it] or something else the uninitiated can't used straight out of the box [well, OK, it crashes at times and does the BSoD which can cause a few axons to fire and a bead of sweat to form.]
This is where Microsoft wants to take you today! Really! No kidding! If you doubt my word, then ask yourself, "Why does Microsoft want to network my 'fridge?"
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A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
This moves us closer to the possibility of never having to leave our computer desks. Does anyone foresee a model that provides food intake and handles human waste products?
There is an article at Reuters about how Microsoft is teaming up with Leggo to formulate games for MSN and Microsoft's upcoming Xbox video game console. The scariest part is at the end of the article.
"Microsoft's MSN has also recently struck deals with the Walt Disney Interactive Group, Viacom Inc.'s Nickelodeon kids cable television network, and espresso empire Starbucks Corp."
Yeah, that's what we need. Gates Empire teaming up with Uncle Walt's Empire and Mega-Mega giant Starbucks to bring you 'MSN at Night' re-runs. Be afraid. Be very very afraid.
Unfortunately, if your move chair.NET into another room, you will have to reregister your license.
One client access license is required for each set of butt cheeks to use the chair.
If you don't purchase a client access license within 90 days, chair.NET will grow a series of wheeled legs, much like professor Frink's AT-5000 auto-dialer, so the chair can effectively exit any situations that might violate the licensing agreement.
If they built a toilet in, I'd never leave the seat!
-no broken link
Great! Now my ass can get 17x the mass of Jupiter too!
You may be thinking of the Floating Arms Keyboard from Workplace Designs. It uses two keyboard sections, one attached to each armrest, and includes a trackpad and numeric keypad for the right hand. It can be purchased with a chair or separately.
Now called the Interfaces Keyboard, it is currently available from Interfaces by Cramer. Even with the chair, it's not the $8 to $10 thousand you remember, but at up to $965 it's not cheap either.
"Be Happy or Die." -- AoN
to the blue screen of death...
Obviously to target sales to that new breed, the "Joe Sixpack" geek.
Trickster Coyote
Howl at the moon.
Ideology is for ideots.
Because it's a consumer-level product ... not an enthusiast, or early-adopter level product. It's not being made for the Slashdot crowd.
Personally, I'd rather have no keyboard and WebTV, and just a nice holder/tray for my laptop.
We are truly living in the decline of Western Civilization...
Like something seriously worth hacking into and putting in a real computer.
1. Coffee maker 2. Steaming water tap for making Ramen soup 3. Phone for calling pizza delivery 4. pr0n printer 5. One of those jacks for brain-tap phalluces like in The Matrix 6. Foot massager 7. Motorized wheels for the luxury-seeking Steven Hawkings of the world 8. Electrocution helmet
-3Suns
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The Revolution will be Slashdotted
If you remember the movie "stay tuned", they featured a recliner with a built-in toilet, and on the side featured a mini-fridge.
Be afraid, be very afraid... or amused- whichever you tend to do in the presence of sarcasm.
-p4
(c) All Rights Released.
qUOTED (oops, caps lock) from article:
Sparks went flying and the metal supports sliced into the cable. It was sweet, except for the part where I had to wait a week to have electricity for my laptop[sigh]
You're not a real geek if you don't own at least two soldering irons.
Yessir, about a 25W Ungar iron-clad tip soldering iron, a little bit of Kester 40 rosin-core solder, a few inches of heat shrink tubing. About five minutes, and you're all set to do battle against Microsoft again.
Dabblers use electrical tape. Real professional geeks use heat shrink tubing.
Besides, notebook computers don't make sparks. Tesla coils make sparks.
Fire and Meat. Yummy.
ummm, there's just one small problem...
"I will gladly pay you today, sir, and eat up
Sacred cows make the best burgers.
Kinda defeats the whole purpose of wireless doesnt it?
"it could just be the midgets. You've got to be careful with midgets in Spandex." --Jamie Richardson
A few months ago I bought LZB's "Oasis" ...fridge, massage, phone.
Also got wireless keyboard & mouse, and -- not a retractable monitor -- but an old projector. (aim it at the baseboards of the wall for best neck angle.)
I recommend it.
As is instantly evident to anyone who reads the page, it's not called the "E-cliner". It's called the "Explorer". E-cliner is just a lame pun they use to describe it.
I imagine this name was Microsoft's idea, because anything internet-related seems to have this same name: Internet Explorer, MSN Explorer, now the La-Z-Boy Explorer.. why can't they come up with a new name once in a while?
It reminds me of the kid in the neighborhood who keeps wanting to be cool, but hasn't got a clue. This is the same kid who only has friends because daddy has money, and he can buy stuff.
It is really sad.
because the right way to be is not to try to be like someone else.
In other words, get your own life, don't try to rent, buy, or steal someone elses'.
"It is a greater offense to steal men's labor, than their clothes"
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Umm, no. Thank you.
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NetInfo connection failed for server 127.0.0.1/local
The Register also has a story along with a link to a picture at Newscom.com
beebware
Richy C.
Can I set the chair to "vibrate" when I get an incoming call?
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MailOne
Non-meta-modded "Overrated" mods are killing Slashdot
(Hey Ryan! Here's your proof!)
d
www.HearMySoulSpeak.com
Invent recliner that appeals to geeks and is easily modified to keep geeks in a reclined position for hours at time.
Watch as geeks' weight increases, heart rate increases and general health decreases.
Geeks no longer have stamina to code all night long, Linux development slows down.
Microsoft vanquishes another competitor.
Whatever we do, don't let Linus or Alan Cox get one.