I also read the article that said 1080p is only good on 50 (or 60") and above tv's. That article was full of crap. I have gone through dvd, upscale dvd, and blu ray...all on a 32" inch (tube), 42" (LCD) and 48" (LCD) and the changes from upscale dvd to blu ray is HUGE. My g/f who has a lazy eye, and can't see crap at distance without glasses can see the difference from upscale to blu ray. My g/f is oblivious to most things.
Prices will fall...multi-region...goodluck with that. It's still hard to get multi-region dvd players. I enjoy my blu ray through my ps3. I, like most people, do not buy movies outside of region 1.
No they do not actually. Netflix to your TV (via xbox) is standard def and slightly below standard def. Comcast HD is not 1080p. They push out a degraded 1080i so it will typically look like a 780p. It's good enough but falls far short of blu ray, hd dvd, and even upconverted dvd. Blu Ray is 1080p
I went to the site and looking at the image file they seperated Blu ray and PS3 sales, so probably not? I didn't spend too much reading their stats - it was badly written.
Very true a lot of bigger places have a hard tiem to push ideas. If I were him I would push the idea to the boss....but a week before that I would send an e-mail to corporate to suggest. He might as well get credit with the big boys (as opposed to his boss). Imagine how cool it would be if his idea went live. Places like block buster do have demo's (e.g. playstation demo's) so this is not a new stretch for them. But even if corporate doesn't care to use the idea the boss may do it on their own (typically franchise owners have a lot of leeway as to what they can do).
Not really moot. Most people are either 1) Not sure how to download movies 2) not sure how to get them to play 3) would rather watch them on their 40 inch tv while in their couch instead of 22 inch monitor while in their desk chair.
You may have a 40 inch monitor or have your computer wired to your plasma/lcd but most people do not. You may know how to use torrents but most people do not.
Quick Google search for "blu ray player" on google shopping turns up a Blu-ray Disc® Player BDP-S300 for 150. This is refurb.
What you guys can do to help increase your rentals of Blu ray? Put up two tv's that are the exact same tvs. Put up a blu ray player. Put up a regular dvd palyer. Play the same movie (different formats appropriately) and have them play at the same exact time. Now that you convinced your customers which is better (and it is fairly dramatic) enjoy your rentals.
Also - don't be afraid to put up old movies. Top Gun looks great in blu ray.
For added fun sell blu ray players on the cheap or help customers find great deals online "Want to rent blu ray? Not sure what to look for? Let us help you."
Bring this suggestion to your boss and if your boss is smart your boss will use this idea. Considering video rental stores are lagging in sales this is a cheap way to increase them. This will also make the boss happy with you. Do it a couple of months before your annual review and get a better raise?
Before I even got to this post about the research not combining blu-ray and ps3 sales the first thought that came to mind:
"Lies, damned lies, and statistics"
Even the CEO of Toshiba conceded the loss of the HD-DVD / Blu Ray "wars". So for all of you who own an HD DVD player... enjoy the fact very few movies are coming out for you.
There is a mini-version of the CMIR form. This has been around since the late 90's if not earlier (I first encountered it in 1999). It is for amounts over 3,000. The bank can require you to fill this out but unlike the CMIR the bank is not required to have you fill this out. I forget the name of the documentation.
Hm absolutely wrong.
If you carry more then 10,000$ then you have to show how you got the money. When you go to the bank and withdraw or deposit $10,000 or more they will ask you to fill out a form (you have to by law). You get a copy of this form. Keep it with you when you go on the plane and the TSA can suck it. Don't have this letter (e.g. you've been saving money underneath your bed) and the secret service will ask you questions. They CANNOT take your money away from you unless they have cause that you received it illegally. They can detaine you and make you miss your flight...so if it's worth it for you then argue with them.
I'd rather my plane not blow up or get hi-jacked. If that means someone needs to get searched then so be it. Planes are private property - if you don't like it don't fly on it. You can always drive to your destination, or take a boat ride.
They've been talking about the "paperless office" for over twenty years now, but it hasn't happened yet. There is far more paper in my office than there was 20 years ago, in fact.
You've been in the same office for 20 years? Gratz. Yes the paperless office is a myth. I worked for a company that advertised paperless office. A technology company. Everyone had a desktop and my department (custom software development) had ONE laptop to split between all the project managers for client vists. I remember when i first started the owner gave a tour to some clients and noted we were paperless. THey saw my desk and he laughed "that is one of our new PMs, we need to train him". Some PM once went to his office without a note-pad and the owner yelled at the PM and told him to not comeback without pen/paper.
However, IINM the Japanese have paperless toilets that wash your butt with a water spray and dry it with hot air.
Yes, it's called a biday (sp). It's been around for a long long time. First time I ever heard of it was watching Crocodile Dundee. You mainly see these in high-end hotels. You can also by butt-washing kits for your toilets.
The thing about electronic records is that they can be instantly duplicated and sent anywhere instantly. They're easy to back up, without the errors and degredation of past, analog copying methods.
As long as someone is constantly refreshing the data repository every 3-5 years they should be good. The main problem is not the storage medium (just copy data from your 5 y/o hard drive to a brand new one) - the main problem is that reading technology changes. So that file you had 20 years ago can't be read because there is no current technology to read it anymore. The only way to avoid this is to constantly update your information and export it to a new format - but very few people do that.
I'm healthy and don't go to the doctor very often. My old family doctor retired about fifteen or so years ago, and when I went to have butthole surgery (hemmoroids, too much sitting on my ass like any nerd) I discovered that I had no medical records!
There is a period where a doctor MUST maintain your records. I am not sure on the duration but it is in the span of years. You should find out of your old doctor sold his practice (which is most likely what happend since he would get a lot of money for it) and then contact that doctor.
Unless it's acid-free paper, a book will last maybe fifty years before it starts deteriorating. I have old paperback books I bought when I was young that are nearly unreadable now. Paper is far more nebulous than electronics.
I don't think shakespeare had acid free paper nor did he try and keep it in pristine condition. Acid free paper helps a lot - but 1) you need to keep it in an acid-free environment 2) temperature must be very controlled & 3) the light needs to be low. To give you another example: The dead sea scrolls lasted more then 50 years.
The thing that will kill today's literature (and many other records) for future humanity isn't the supposed fragility of electronic records, but the insane lengths of copyright. If you don't allow electronic copies of your work, it's unlikely to last much longer than a single human generation.
That's a stretch and a load of crap. Copyright law does not mean there is one (or limited amount) of copies of that record. If someone's work does not last longer then a single generation it's because nobody cared enough to maintain it. If an author cares about his work so much he will maintain it. If it is a failure in the market then he may end up releasing it to some public license. Anyhow - bringing copyright into this argument?
We don't know that human lives were at stake here. First of all, the situation lasted from 1AM to 3AM on a Wednesday morning, so I doubt if anyone was even turned away. Also, the summary implied that there were other options for the patients. Hospitals now are very complex systems, and losing track of a patient could mean making an error that bodes worse for the patient than not admitting them, like administering the wrong medicine or applying the wrong procedure. We don't know the whole story, but I'm thinking it's not as bad as the sensation-grabbing news reporters might like it to seem.
Anytime a patient comes in an ambulance the assumption is their life is at stake until someone makes a qualifying decision. But even if a life is not at stake the patient get more injured. E.g. in heart strokes depending how long until the patient gets medical attention will heavily impact how disabled the patient may be post care...that's without considering potential death.
Also - hospitals have been running for a VERY long time with either 0 computer technology or very limited technology. You get a blank piece of paper, a clip-board (hospitals have plenty) and you start administering care. Really it's not that hard. I was in a hospital last year - there was a chart at the foot of my bed. It was University of Penn hospital - one of the leading hospitals - so I am sure they were not lacking in technology.
BTW hospitals still use charts/paper because doctors/nurses need to sign paper-work. They also don't want to solely rely on computerse because computers DO fail. If all of your patient info is on a terminal and the power fails you are screwed.
This hospital failed. They should be investigated and if I were the patient I would sue the pants off them.
So these guys were willing to take the chance a patient may get more injured or worse die because they wouldn't be able to process the patient BEFORE getting medical attention. I think a lawsuit is a brewing. Also whatever body governs hospital practices should open up an investigation and slap them with some heavy fines for their stupid actions. Paperwork patients
having your personal music integrated into a title, a 'natural' gesture multitouch interface, and a single online store that sells games, media, and video."
Ok so first, didn't apple learn it's lesson already about trying to patent 'touchy-feely' terms? What the hell does "'natural' gesture multitouch interface" mean? Touchin my PS3 button feels natural. I just move my finger over the button. It's not a touch screen, but that is the byproduct of my TV not being touch-screen...unless they are trying to do stuff via the same technology in the Tom Cruise movie Minority Report
Second: Single online store that sells games, media & movie? I am pretty sure xbox and ps3 already do that. So does amazon. Hello...prior art?
1) My laptop, running off my network via wireless-g, doesn't get the same performance/bandwidth as when I plug it in via cat5 cable.
2) Security becomes a major issue. It's impossible to hack a computer connected via a cable unless you go through the intarweb or sit at the computer. Wireless? Someone sitting outside your home has another avenue to hack it.
3) Plugging a cable into your computer takes all of 1 second and it works. Setting up your wireless, with appropriate settings, take a bit longer then that - plus it is more prone to failure (e.g. settings aren't saved or get corrupted or you are reformatting, etc"
Many musicians, myself included, do just that. We release albums and other releases without any copyright restrictions and pay the bills with other jobs. Separating music from money removes any sense of making music just for money and shifts the focus back to the music. This may be bad for industry, but it is good for music.
Well that is great for you (no sarcism intended). If you wish to have a day job and then produce music on your own that is your choice. Some people want to get rich from their music and want to make that their day job - that is their choice. BTW being in the high end music industry does not necessarily mean your music is not good or good for the music industry. Music doesn't have to be free to be good (Nirvana wasn't free and their music is cited as the start of grunge which is very popular).
In ancient Rome slavery was allowed, people would enter arena's and compete against each other until someone (or animal) would be killed, and adults having sex with children was considered OK.
Given that - you really shouldn't compare what happened in ancient Rome to what happens today - it's definitely not a good comparison.
If an artist is so concerned about society and the flourishing of an industry then the artist should release his works to the public without restriction. If he doesn't sign a contract with a company then he can do whatever he wishes with his works...but I am pretty sure the artist would like to get paid so he can own a house, car, have some food, clothing - you know what most people in this world aspire to have.
Taking someones own work and then rephrasing it into your own work is plagiarism? I remember teachers telling me that ingesting someone's data and spitting out the data in your own words is not plagiarism. That's how research is done - you read about stuff and you spit it out. Sometimes you cite specific passages, other times you site sources you referenced.
Slashdot Mirror
I also read the article that said 1080p is only good on 50 (or 60") and above tv's. That article was full of crap. I have gone through dvd, upscale dvd, and blu ray...all on a 32" inch (tube), 42" (LCD) and 48" (LCD) and the changes from upscale dvd to blu ray is HUGE. My g/f who has a lazy eye, and can't see crap at distance without glasses can see the difference from upscale to blu ray. My g/f is oblivious to most things.
Prices will fall...multi-region...goodluck with that. It's still hard to get multi-region dvd players. I enjoy my blu ray through my ps3. I, like most people, do not buy movies outside of region 1.
No they do not actually. Netflix to your TV (via xbox) is standard def and slightly below standard def. Comcast HD is not 1080p. They push out a degraded 1080i so it will typically look like a 780p. It's good enough but falls far short of blu ray, hd dvd, and even upconverted dvd. Blu Ray is 1080p
I went to the site and looking at the image file they seperated Blu ray and PS3 sales, so probably not? I didn't spend too much reading their stats - it was badly written.
Very true a lot of bigger places have a hard tiem to push ideas. If I were him I would push the idea to the boss....but a week before that I would send an e-mail to corporate to suggest. He might as well get credit with the big boys (as opposed to his boss). Imagine how cool it would be if his idea went live. Places like block buster do have demo's (e.g. playstation demo's) so this is not a new stretch for them. But even if corporate doesn't care to use the idea the boss may do it on their own (typically franchise owners have a lot of leeway as to what they can do).
Not really moot. Most people are either 1) Not sure how to download movies 2) not sure how to get them to play 3) would rather watch them on their 40 inch tv while in their couch instead of 22 inch monitor while in their desk chair.
You may have a 40 inch monitor or have your computer wired to your plasma/lcd but most people do not. You may know how to use torrents but most people do not.
Quick Google search for "blu ray player" on google shopping turns up a Blu-ray Disc® Player BDP-S300 for 150. This is refurb.
What you guys can do to help increase your rentals of Blu ray? Put up two tv's that are the exact same tvs. Put up a blu ray player. Put up a regular dvd palyer. Play the same movie (different formats appropriately) and have them play at the same exact time. Now that you convinced your customers which is better (and it is fairly dramatic) enjoy your rentals.
Also - don't be afraid to put up old movies. Top Gun looks great in blu ray.
For added fun sell blu ray players on the cheap or help customers find great deals online "Want to rent blu ray? Not sure what to look for? Let us help you."
Bring this suggestion to your boss and if your boss is smart your boss will use this idea. Considering video rental stores are lagging in sales this is a cheap way to increase them. This will also make the boss happy with you. Do it a couple of months before your annual review and get a better raise?
Before I even got to this post about the research not combining blu-ray and ps3 sales the first thought that came to mind:
"Lies, damned lies, and statistics"
Even the CEO of Toshiba conceded the loss of the HD-DVD / Blu Ray "wars". So for all of you who own an HD DVD player... enjoy the fact very few movies are coming out for you.
There is a mini-version of the CMIR form. This has been around since the late 90's if not earlier (I first encountered it in 1999). It is for amounts over 3,000. The bank can require you to fill this out but unlike the CMIR the bank is not required to have you fill this out. I forget the name of the documentation.
Hm absolutely wrong. If you carry more then 10,000$ then you have to show how you got the money. When you go to the bank and withdraw or deposit $10,000 or more they will ask you to fill out a form (you have to by law). You get a copy of this form. Keep it with you when you go on the plane and the TSA can suck it. Don't have this letter (e.g. you've been saving money underneath your bed) and the secret service will ask you questions. They CANNOT take your money away from you unless they have cause that you received it illegally. They can detaine you and make you miss your flight...so if it's worth it for you then argue with them.
Unless the metal was lead or something obscenly thick (not possible if the person carried it) why couldn't they see through it?
I'd rather my plane not blow up or get hi-jacked. If that means someone needs to get searched then so be it. Planes are private property - if you don't like it don't fly on it. You can always drive to your destination, or take a boat ride.
fast enough
Is that like having too much memory, big enough hard disk? No such thing as fast enough.
So are you saying you wouldn't vote for them to win the Friendly Company Of the Year award?
They've been talking about the "paperless office" for over twenty years now, but it hasn't happened yet. There is far more paper in my office than there was 20 years ago, in fact.
You've been in the same office for 20 years? Gratz. Yes the paperless office is a myth. I worked for a company that advertised paperless office. A technology company. Everyone had a desktop and my department (custom software development) had ONE laptop to split between all the project managers for client vists. I remember when i first started the owner gave a tour to some clients and noted we were paperless. THey saw my desk and he laughed "that is one of our new PMs, we need to train him". Some PM once went to his office without a note-pad and the owner yelled at the PM and told him to not comeback without pen/paper.
However, IINM the Japanese have paperless toilets that wash your butt with a water spray and dry it with hot air.
Yes, it's called a biday (sp). It's been around for a long long time. First time I ever heard of it was watching Crocodile Dundee. You mainly see these in high-end hotels. You can also by butt-washing kits for your toilets.
The thing about electronic records is that they can be instantly duplicated and sent anywhere instantly. They're easy to back up, without the errors and degredation of past, analog copying methods.
As long as someone is constantly refreshing the data repository every 3-5 years they should be good. The main problem is not the storage medium (just copy data from your 5 y/o hard drive to a brand new one) - the main problem is that reading technology changes. So that file you had 20 years ago can't be read because there is no current technology to read it anymore. The only way to avoid this is to constantly update your information and export it to a new format - but very few people do that.
I'm healthy and don't go to the doctor very often. My old family doctor retired about fifteen or so years ago, and when I went to have butthole surgery (hemmoroids, too much sitting on my ass like any nerd) I discovered that I had no medical records!
There is a period where a doctor MUST maintain your records. I am not sure on the duration but it is in the span of years. You should find out of your old doctor sold his practice (which is most likely what happend since he would get a lot of money for it) and then contact that doctor.
Unless it's acid-free paper, a book will last maybe fifty years before it starts deteriorating. I have old paperback books I bought when I was young that are nearly unreadable now. Paper is far more nebulous than electronics.
I don't think shakespeare had acid free paper nor did he try and keep it in pristine condition. Acid free paper helps a lot - but 1) you need to keep it in an acid-free environment 2) temperature must be very controlled & 3) the light needs to be low. To give you another example: The dead sea scrolls lasted more then 50 years.
The thing that will kill today's literature (and many other records) for future humanity isn't the supposed fragility of electronic records, but the insane lengths of copyright. If you don't allow electronic copies of your work, it's unlikely to last much longer than a single human generation.
That's a stretch and a load of crap. Copyright law does not mean there is one (or limited amount) of copies of that record. If someone's work does not last longer then a single generation it's because nobody cared enough to maintain it. If an author cares about his work so much he will maintain it. If it is a failure in the market then he may end up releasing it to some public license. Anyhow - bringing copyright into this argument?
We don't know that human lives were at stake here. First of all, the situation lasted from 1AM to 3AM on a Wednesday morning, so I doubt if anyone was even turned away. Also, the summary implied that there were other options for the patients. Hospitals now are very complex systems, and losing track of a patient could mean making an error that bodes worse for the patient than not admitting them, like administering the wrong medicine or applying the wrong procedure. We don't know the whole story, but I'm thinking it's not as bad as the sensation-grabbing news reporters might like it to seem.
Anytime a patient comes in an ambulance the assumption is their life is at stake until someone makes a qualifying decision. But even if a life is not at stake the patient get more injured. E.g. in heart strokes depending how long until the patient gets medical attention will heavily impact how disabled the patient may be post care...that's without considering potential death.
Also - hospitals have been running for a VERY long time with either 0 computer technology or very limited technology. You get a blank piece of paper, a clip-board (hospitals have plenty) and you start administering care. Really it's not that hard. I was in a hospital last year - there was a chart at the foot of my bed. It was University of Penn hospital - one of the leading hospitals - so I am sure they were not lacking in technology.
BTW hospitals still use charts/paper because doctors/nurses need to sign paper-work. They also don't want to solely rely on computerse because computers DO fail. If all of your patient info is on a terminal and the power fails you are screwed.
This hospital failed. They should be investigated and if I were the patient I would sue the pants off them.
So these guys were willing to take the chance a patient may get more injured or worse die because they wouldn't be able to process the patient BEFORE getting medical attention. I think a lawsuit is a brewing. Also whatever body governs hospital practices should open up an investigation and slap them with some heavy fines for their stupid actions. Paperwork patients
for the first time in its 100-plus history
100 years, months, days, hours, patients, ambulance drop-offs...some details would be nice.
WHich means they are terrorists. If we had Bush here we could pre-emptively strike some geeks home to prevent them from doing this!
having your personal music integrated into a title, a 'natural' gesture multitouch interface, and a single online store that sells games, media, and video."
Ok so first, didn't apple learn it's lesson already about trying to patent 'touchy-feely' terms? What the hell does "'natural' gesture multitouch interface" mean? Touchin my PS3 button feels natural. I just move my finger over the button. It's not a touch screen, but that is the byproduct of my TV not being touch-screen...unless they are trying to do stuff via the same technology in the Tom Cruise movie Minority Report
Second: Single online store that sells games, media & movie? I am pretty sure xbox and ps3 already do that. So does amazon. Hello...prior art?
I hate bad patents.
Whew managed to do that without mentioning OSI once
But...but you did.
1) My laptop, running off my network via wireless-g, doesn't get the same performance/bandwidth as when I plug it in via cat5 cable.
2) Security becomes a major issue. It's impossible to hack a computer connected via a cable unless you go through the intarweb or sit at the computer. Wireless? Someone sitting outside your home has another avenue to hack it.
3) Plugging a cable into your computer takes all of 1 second and it works. Setting up your wireless, with appropriate settings, take a bit longer then that - plus it is more prone to failure (e.g. settings aren't saved or get corrupted or you are reformatting, etc"
Many musicians, myself included, do just that. We release albums and other releases without any copyright restrictions and pay the bills with other jobs. Separating music from money removes any sense of making music just for money and shifts the focus back to the music. This may be bad for industry, but it is good for music.
Well that is great for you (no sarcism intended). If you wish to have a day job and then produce music on your own that is your choice. Some people want to get rich from their music and want to make that their day job - that is their choice. BTW being in the high end music industry does not necessarily mean your music is not good or good for the music industry. Music doesn't have to be free to be good (Nirvana wasn't free and their music is cited as the start of grunge which is very popular).
In ancient Rome
In ancient Rome slavery was allowed, people would enter arena's and compete against each other until someone (or animal) would be killed, and adults having sex with children was considered OK.
Given that - you really shouldn't compare what happened in ancient Rome to what happens today - it's definitely not a good comparison.
If an artist is so concerned about society and the flourishing of an industry then the artist should release his works to the public without restriction. If he doesn't sign a contract with a company then he can do whatever he wishes with his works...but I am pretty sure the artist would like to get paid so he can own a house, car, have some food, clothing - you know what most people in this world aspire to have.
Taking someones own work and then rephrasing it into your own work is plagiarism? I remember teachers telling me that ingesting someone's data and spitting out the data in your own words is not plagiarism. That's how research is done - you read about stuff and you spit it out. Sometimes you cite specific passages, other times you site sources you referenced.