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Analysis of Netflix's DVD Allocation System

Posted by michael on from the scientific-method dept.

dvd_rent_test writes "Netflix uses the number of movies you have previously rented to determine your priority in getting movies. The more movies you rented during your last billing cycle, the less chance you have of receiving a movie versus an individual who has rented fewer movies. This is why new users have great success getting their movies and older or heavy users have a difficult time getting some movies."

16 of 517 comments (clear)

  1. Easy solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Cancel one account, sign up for a new one.

  2. What will the MPAA say? by xchino · · Score: 4, Funny

    I mean, after all, waiting for movies has got to be increasing piracy ratings. It should only be fair that %93 of Netflix's profits go back into the MPAA to make up for lost sales caused by people waiting on movies.

    --
    Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It's just that yours is stupid.
  3. Can't We Just Blame Microsoft or Something? by Snowspinner · · Score: 5, Funny
    In the screenshot above Netscape was used to display account "A" while Internet Explorer was used to simultaneously show account "B".

    And, of course, the account B was the new one that was having an easier rental time. So it must be that Netflix gives better rental times to people who use Internet Explorer! Microsoft owns everything!

    --
    Philip Sandifer's academic website
  4. Re:make sense by PerlGuru · · Score: 2, Funny

    This person obviously put a large bit of effort into this. Their graphs are great. I was thinking about giving Netflix a try but I'm thinking probably not now. Afterall that's what the digital cable is for and my wife already says we don't watch enough to make it worth it ;-)

  5. It's your browser by msblack · · Score: 3, Funny
    In the screenshot above Netscape was used to display account "A" while Internet Explorer was used to simultaneously show account "B".

    This is another example of the Microsoft's strategy for world domination. NetFlix gives preference to customers using IE over Netscape/Mozilla.

    --
    signature pending slashdot approval
  6. discrimination? by mstra · · Score: 5, Funny
    ...and older or heavy users have a difficult time getting some movies

    I, for one, thing it is *appalling* that NetFlix would discriminate against the elderly and the fat-assed.

    m.

    --
    Photography, technology, and my dog Scout - http://mattstratton.com
  7. You buy DVDs, be careful.. by hey · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... it can hurt your sex life !!!

  8. Re:IE vs. Nustcrape - not a troll by Lxy · · Score: 2, Funny

    Mozilla browser == not available
    IE browser == in stock, shipping ASAP

    You've just unlocked the real secret to Netflix :-)

    --

    There is no reasonable defense against an idiot with an agenda
    :wq
  9. Worse... by Richy_T · · Score: 4, Funny
    If you're watching movies, you won't be listening to music. If you're not listening to music, you won't be buying it. Therefore RIAA deserves a slice too.

    Rich

  10. Re:This is a manufactured problem by trix_e · · Score: 5, Funny

    yeah, I'm sure the MPAA thinks this is a *fantastic* idea.

    Provide easy access to commercial-grade dupe equipment to thousands of teens around the US making minimum wage working in a store full of source material.

    Hmmmm... I wonder why they haven't done this yet?

    --
    No man is an island, but Gary is a city in Indiana.
  11. Re:make sense by Bonker · · Score: 3, Funny

    Ever see one of those 'All you can Eat' Rib places? They work just like this. That first plate of ribs you order is out real quick. The ribs you get are meaty and juicy. The second plate is usually kinda fatty and takes a lot longer to get out of the kitchen.

    You can fight back, though. Tell the waiter you want the meaty ribs, dammit! He'll bring them to you because he wants to get a tip.

    Mmmm... ribs...

    What were we talking about again?

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    The next Slashdot story will be ready soon, but subscribers can beat the rush and slashdot the links early!
  12. A wait can be a good thing by EvilStein · · Score: 4, Funny

    .. half the movies my girlfriend picked out have "Very long wait" which means that it's just that much longer that I won't have to suffer through watching "Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood."

    As a prize, I got "I'm gonna git you, sucka!" nice and early. ;)

  13. Re:make sense by sigep_ohio · · Score: 2, Funny

    That would be a horrible crime against Joe if he was forced to watch 'UHF' as a replacement for 'About A Boy'. Thats like getting ground chuck when what you wanted was filet minon. Poor, poor Joe.

    --
    Beer Die is the game of champions Learning To walk my own path.
  14. Using this at an "all you can eat" restaraunt.... by Nitar · · Score: 2, Funny

    Imagine if they did this at an all you can eat restaraunt. Treating it like the all you can rent Netflix.

    Patron: *Reaches for the piping hot roast beef*

    Restaraunt owner: "I'm sorry, last time you were here you ate over 2 pounds of meat. This is not profitable for us, so this time you may only eat rice or jello. Thank you..."

    -Nitar

  15. Re:So I wondered.. by neurojab · · Score: 2, Funny

    and you can tell by looking at the address... one would suspect a postal worker would be able to read those.

  16. Re:make sense by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    So, you work for them, right?