when is the C300 going to be released in the US? The original Zaurus is nice (don't have one, but played with one in stores) but the keyboard is difficult at best when you've got giant gorilla hands like I do. I don't expect the C300 to be a lot better, but it should be an improvement. Besides, the mini-laptop design looks pretty cool.
-SablKnight
Re:Oooh.. here's a novel idea!
on
Ultimate Sleds?
·
· Score: 1
I was thinking along these lines myself, but what about using it as a catch-cable instead? Anchor a long bungee on either side of the sled run, about 3-4 feet up and a couple of feet back from where you want to stop. Attach a catch mechanism to the back of the sled that sticks up that high and has a hook to catch the cord. Think aircraft carrier landing.
I meant typing ">" to display > and "<" for <, just figured that out by viewing source on your post. An escape sequence or character means being able to display a character that's normally meant as a command character, like in c, \n is new line, \t is tab, so the escape character is \. But if you want to display \ in a string you have to type \\. In this case I kept trying to type
That doesn't seem to be how it works. You would have to biopsy the specific cancer that you are trying to destroy to get the correct trigger sequence. Attacking a virus may be more generic, but I doubt this could be used as a preventative measure. This seems to be much more useful as an after-the-fact cure. If I had cancer or HIV I would definitely grab this in an instant. Chemo can be pretty effective, but it does a lot of damage to healthy tissue as well. This seems like the ideal way to avoid that.
I didn't work on this particular project, but I know that NJIT does a lot of projects with the military, usually US Army CECOM out of Fort Monmouth and Picatinny Arsenal. I was working on a radar jammer placement algorithm for CECOM during my graduate work. I can't find any press releases on NJIT's site (www.njit.edu, obviously) for this particular project, but it definitely sounds in line with the sort of research they do. 2005 for a working prototype seems a bit optimistic to me though, considering the state of nanotech research and the available facilities. Most wired campus, indeed!
I feel at least a little capable of discussing this, since I've been haunting my house for 3 years now. The key to good haunting, IMHO, is to never use store-bought things unmodified. It doesn't take much. I do break this rule in the website I reference above, since it doesn't have this year's pictures on it yet. Look for trends; effects that used to cost a lot of money are getting cheap and easy, like fog machines (a fog chiller is a must), fake flames (replace the cloth part, the default ones are terrible). These things are slowly becoming mainstream --unfortunately, since people can spot a store-bought effect much more easily, but fortunately because they are much more available and affordable.
I dislike moving props. They almost always look fake and mechanical unless you do a really good job. The only one I have is the Flying Crank Ghost mentioned above, that I built from a windshield wiper motor and various hardware. This is mounted in my balcony, running from below with fishing line so that none of the mechanism is visible. My personal goal is to have a mostly static setup with such a terrifying ambiance that trick-or-treaters refuse to get their candy.
Some quick tips: * Know your location -- some things work well where others wouldn't. I've got a cheap winged-skull clock that fits perfectly in a space on my balcony; it wouldn't work in a lot of houses. * Skulls, skulls, skulls -- possibly the best decorating element ever. Buy them by the dozen. I like Bucky skulls myself. Be creative. Use gel stains to age them, melt candles on them, stick spikes through them, layer lunchmeats on them for parties. * Thunder and lightning machines are great. Hook up some spotlights and a thunder cd with some cheap subwoofers and you'll get everyone's attention. * Ignore the infamous ten-foot rule. TOTs get really close to your props, make them believable from inches away.
I've slacked off a little this year, I still have some things left to construct. Use the monsterlist referenced above, it's a lifesaver. Join Halloween-L (www.wildrice.com/halloween-l to sign up) for lots of great tips. Be creative, work with what you have available.
Happy hauntings, and may all your dreams be nightmares -SablKnight
Except, unfortunately, the cascade can't be reset. If you look at the IBM article (not the EET one, which made me really curious about this fact):
"Since there is no reset mechanism, these molecule cascades can only perform a calculation once. While these initial cascades rely on the motion of a molecule, Eigler envisions that it should be possible to make nanometer-scale cascades using other fundamental interactions, such as electron spin. Such cascades may also be resettable, allowing repeated calculations, similar to ordinary computer circuitry."
So, interesting new idea, very very small, but requires several rooms of equipment to reset... or a pay-per-computing model! Load a supply of preset AND, OR, XOR, NOT, and other simple gate dust into special reservoirs on your processor, new ones loaded automatically. Processors would sell like razor handles!
-SablKnight
Re:Our Parents are the evil fucks, not us
on
Generation Wrecked
·
· Score: 1
Some of us would argue that the "right" to kill one's own children is part of the selfish excesses.
Good call, I'd give you mod points if I had any.
-SablKnight
Re:One big ad campaign against filesharing
on
Napster: The Movie
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
Absolutely, but...
Fanning will have a wonderful idea for a new utopian world, with filesharing for all as a new medium in the exchange of ideas, but the EVIL PIRATES of the world twist his work to EVIL PURPOSES and destroy his life's work. Luckily, the RIAA is around to help him out, punishing the EVIL PIRATES and accepting him into the fold.
Expect rave reviews of the SEX SCENE between Fanning and Rosen! Tremble in terror as the hideously deformed PIRATE GEEKS (evil) shred Fanning's dreams! Cheer when the HEROIC LAWYERS and the dashing HOLLYWOOD-STYLE NERDS save the day by delivering subpoenas and hacking the EVIL PIRATES' boxes!
dunno about you, but my browser, has this bar at the top, and it has these buttons, and if you use the mouse on them, this stuff happens, and you don't need your left hand at all!
(said in best one-time-at-band-camp voice, don't know why, it seemed somehow appropriate)
Seriously, though -- do you really need the extra speed when web-browsing to need keyboard shortcuts? Navigation buttons are usually a fairly large target, any good mouse has a scroll wheel, and there are drop-down menus for anything really complicated. Keyboards are for data entry, for navigation all you need is a wheel-mouse. All hail the GUI.
Thanks for the clarification, I wasn't aware of the many subtleties involved. I don't know a lot about the subject, but what I did remember was that tumors are basically caused by a group of cells spontaneously (or not) losing their restrictions on differentiation and reproduction. It seemed like a natural tie-in to stem cells, which also reproduce quickly (or they would have to for medical purposes at least) and are undifferentiated.
I had heard of the link between aging and cancer before, but not in enough detail to tie that to stem cells.
Does anyone know how much research is going into a link between stem cells and cancer cells? IANAB(iologist) but the only major difference I can see is a lack of control in cancer. If we can find a way to turn on stem cells, maybe the same switch could work to turn off cancer?
I think a lot of current stem cell research is pointing at taking a mass of stem cells, most likely not from the patient, and forcing them to differentiate into the desired organ in a lab environment. This would then be treated like any other organ donation, including immune system suppression to avoid rejection.
The regeneration research here involvs more of a method of undifferentiating normal cells into stem cells where they are, which would avoid the whole rejection problem and surgery completely.
...maybe some people weren't lying when they said "I don't *want* to be stealing music, but there's no pay service that meets my requirements. Could it be that people are actually ethical and truthful sometimes?
That said, I'm still not currently paying for music online. But I've downloaded maybe one song in the last six months, so I'm not really in the market for a music service; I'm too busy ripping my (legally purchased) CDs to.ogg for home use.
I haven't used LOGO in a long time... First used it on an ADAM computer (I think, I was pretty young then) and then later loved it on the C128. My first steps in computing; I never had a video game system, just the 128, LOGO, and BASIC. And a mini-plotter. Printing LOGO drawings on the plotter was always fun because the pens would follow the turtle's path. Of course, I was easily amused.
STEP 1 - Register Registering with CinemaNow is easy and painless. Well worth it for all the great films you are about to see. You can click on Log In/Sign -Up or simply go to the film you wish to view and click on the Watch button. If you have any trouble registering, please check our FAQ/Registering.
STEP 2 - Make Sure You Have The Right Components
To watch films on CinemaNow you will need the latest Microsoft Windows Media Player version 7 (which is also available for Macintosh users) and can be downloaded for free here. In addition, please keep in mind that films on CinemaNow are best viewed with a broadband connection (usually 100k or higher) and that the quality of the picture may vary based on your connectivity. If you have any difficulties watching a film, please check our FAQ/Watching A Film.
STEP 3 - Select A Film
To find a film, you can use the Channel Selector located on the left of the screen to help you browse our titles. Each film is broken down by at least one channel and each channel can be sorted by free, premium or most watched. When you have found a film you are interested in, click on the image. This will take you to the individual film page where you can launch the film, find out more information, check out special features, and more.
STEP 4 - Free Films and Premium Films
There are two kinds of films on CinemaNow, Free (actually, ad-supported) and Premium films. The free films on our site are of no cost to you the user and will often be proceeded by and streaming advertisement of 15-30 seconds. The Premium films are available in two ways. At a pay-per-view cost, which gives you unlimited viewing of the selected film for a 48 hour window, or, as part of the Premium Pass subscription. The Premium Pass is a monthly subscription which gives you unlimited access to all the Premium films on the site unless specifically noted. If you have selected a Premium Film, and are not already a Premium Pass Member, you will be prompted by a secure credit card screen. Simply fill out your credit card information and away you go. If you have any questions about the pay-per-view or Premium Pass, please go to FAQ/ Pay-Per-View and Premium Pass.
STEP 5 - Select A Connection Speed
The first time you watch a film on CinemaNow you will be asked to select a connection speed. Here is a chart for choosing a connection speed based on your Internet access. Of course, this is just a guideline and it is often the case that you must select a slower speed to receive the best quality viewing. Also, you will always be able to select another connection speed at any time on the CinemaNow player, even in the middle of watching a film!
Suggested Speeds
Dial-Up Modem, 56k - 56k
ISDN, Cable Modem, DSL - 100k
Cable Modem, DSL, T1, T3 or greater - 300k
Cable Modem, DSL, T1, T3 or greater - 700k
STEP 6 - Enjoy The Film!
Frequently Asked Questions (and the answers that go with them!)
Registration
Q: I am having trouble registering, what do I do? A: 1) Make sure you have completed all of the required fields on the registration form and are using a valid e-mail. 2) Make sure that your "cookies" are enabled. "Cookies" allow CinemaNow to keep track of your e-mail, password and most recent connection speed so that you do not have to sign-in every time. In order to enable cookies on your browser, please follow the instructions below.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or Higher
Click on Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level Reset the custom settings to "Medium" or change the "Allow cookies" to "enable" Netscape 4.0 or higher
Click on Edit > Preferences Choose the Advanced drop down and choose "Accept all Cookies"
Watching a Film
Q: The Windows Media Player launches, but nothing happens? A: 1) If the Windows Media player indicates that it is opening, but never launches the film, then you may just want to try selecting a slower connection speed. 2) Check to make sure that you have the Windows Media Player properly installed. Also, CinemaNow always recommends the latest version of the Windows Media Player which you can download here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmed ia/en/d ownload/default.asp 3) If you are using Netscape as your browser, try Internet Explorer.
Q: How come the picture is choppy/unclear/ like a slide show? A: This probably has to do with your connection. The quality of the stream often depends on the amount of bandwidth that you are receiving and this can vary based on many factors. The best thing to do is select a slower connection speed or try back at a time when there is less net congestion.
Q: How come I can hear the movie, but I cannot see it? A: 1) First, try selecting a slower connection speed. This should allow the audio and video to synch up. 2) Make sure you have the latest version/codec for the Windows Media Player. Any required codec (upgrade) you may need for watching certain films, you should be prompted. The latest Windows Media Player can be downloaded here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmed ia/en/d ownload/default.asp
Q: How come I can see the movie, but I cannot hear it? A: 1) If the Windows Media player indicates that it is opening, but never launches the film, then you may just want to try selecting a slower connection speed. 2) Check to make sure that you have the Windows Media Player properly installed. Also, CinemaNow always recommends the latest version of the Windows Media Player which you can download here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmed ia/en/d ownload/default.asp 3) If you are using Netscape as your browser, try Internet Explorer.
Q: Can I watch on a Mac? A: Yes and no. You can watch FREE films and trailers on the Mac, but unfortunately, you can not currently watch any of the PREMIUM or PAY-PER-VIEW films. This is because of a compatibility issue with the Digital Rights Management (DRM) we use to securely deliver our content. To watch the free content you will need to download the latest Windows Media Player for Mac, which is available here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/en/d ownload/default.asp
Q: I am using Windows ME, how come the player cannot acquire the license? A: Click this link http://support.microsoft.com/search/ for information on how to resolve this issue.
Pay-Per-View and Premium Pass
Q: How do I cancel my Premium Pass subscription? A: Click on the My Account button at the top of the page and log in. Then click the Cancel Subscription button and follow the steps to cancel your account. If you have any difficulty or are unsure if your account is canceled, e-mail boxoffice@cinemanow.com and be sure to include your username in the e-mail.
Q: What are Premium Films? A: Premium films are films that are not shown on a free (ad supported) basis. These films are marked with a price next to the films information. You can watch a Premium film in two ways. The first is as a pay-per-view which allows you to watch the selected film and unlimited amount of times in a 48 hour window for the indicated price. For the terms of the pay per view, click here. The second way is through a subscription, which we call Premium Pass. You can read about Premium Pass below.
Q: What is the Premium Pass? A: Premium Pass is a subscription to CinemaNow. Premium Pass allows you to pay a recurring monthly fee in order to get unlimited access to all Premium Films. You can read more about it here (link to Premium Pass more info).
Q: How come some Pay-Per-View films are not available as part of the Premium Pass? A: The only films that are not available with the Premium Pass are those that are marked "Pay-Per-View" as opposed to "Premium". The reason for this has to do with legal rights issues over subscription. Thus, CinemaNow can only make these films available on a pay-per-view basis.
Filmaker Questions Q: How do I submit my film? A: You can send a VHS copy of your film to the following address (and please remember to include your name and contact information):
Attn: Acquisitions CinemaNow 4553 Glencoe Ave. Suite 380 Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Or contact Eric Stein at erics@cinemanow.com with any questions.
A couple of points that people seem to be missing, probably from only reading the article, not visiting the movie site itself.
* Rentals are for 48 hours, not 24. * The site heavily implies that the movies are streamed, not downloaded and locked, though they don't state that anywhere. * There are a number of free (ad-supported) films available. * There is a $9.95/mo subscription service that provides unlimited access to Premium movies.
This still has problems, especially the streaming part, but it is a BIG step in the right direction, in my opinion.
I found it interesting that they would pay ~$500 for a cart, ~$100 for a surge protector, and then be blocking up the projectors with dry erase markers and holding them in place with nylon straps. Some more careful management of budgets could probably bring this project in under $10K.
Slashdot Mirror
Damn! Redundant I can see, it was just a me-too post. but Overrated at 0? Slashdot really is out to get me.
-SablKnight
Definitely in line with my first thoughts on the matter...
-SablKnight
when is the C300 going to be released in the US? The original Zaurus is nice (don't have one, but played with one in stores) but the keyboard is difficult at best when you've got giant gorilla hands like I do. I don't expect the C300 to be a lot better, but it should be an improvement. Besides, the mini-laptop design looks pretty cool.
-SablKnight
I was thinking along these lines myself, but what about using it as a catch-cable instead? Anchor a long bungee on either side of the sled run, about 3-4 feet up and a couple of feet back from where you want to stop. Attach a catch mechanism to the back of the sled that sticks up that high and has a hook to catch the cord. Think aircraft carrier landing.
-SablKnight
I meant typing ">" to display > and "<" for <, just figured that out by viewing source on your post. An escape sequence or character means being able to display a character that's normally meant as a command character, like in c, \n is new line, \t is tab, so the escape character is \. But if you want to display \ in a string you have to type \\. In this case I kept trying to type
[A HREF="http://foo.bar.com"]link text[/A]
Now if I could remember how to escape-character the greater-than/less-than symbols... (thought it was > / < but that doesn't seem to work)
-SablKnight
That doesn't seem to be how it works. You would have to biopsy the specific cancer that you are trying to destroy to get the correct trigger sequence. Attacking a virus may be more generic, but I doubt this could be used as a preventative measure. This seems to be much more useful as an after-the-fact cure. If I had cancer or HIV I would definitely grab this in an instant. Chemo can be pretty effective, but it does a lot of damage to healthy tissue as well. This seems like the ideal way to avoid that.
-SablKnight
I didn't work on this particular project, but I know that NJIT does a lot of projects with the military, usually US Army CECOM out of Fort Monmouth and Picatinny Arsenal. I was working on a radar jammer placement algorithm for CECOM during my graduate work. I can't find any press releases on NJIT's site (www.njit.edu, obviously) for this particular project, but it definitely sounds in line with the sort of research they do. 2005 for a working prototype seems a bit optimistic to me though, considering the state of nanotech research and the available facilities. Most wired campus, indeed!
-SablKnight
I feel at least a little capable of discussing this, since I've been haunting my house for 3 years now. The key to good haunting, IMHO, is to never use store-bought things unmodified. It doesn't take much. I do break this rule in the website I reference above, since it doesn't have this year's pictures on it yet. Look for trends; effects that used to cost a lot of money are getting cheap and easy, like fog machines (a fog chiller is a must), fake flames (replace the cloth part, the default ones are terrible). These things are slowly becoming mainstream --unfortunately, since people can spot a store-bought effect much more easily, but fortunately because they are much more available and affordable.
I dislike moving props. They almost always look fake and mechanical unless you do a really good job. The only one I have is the Flying Crank Ghost mentioned above, that I built from a windshield wiper motor and various hardware. This is mounted in my balcony, running from below with fishing line so that none of the mechanism is visible. My personal goal is to have a mostly static setup with such a terrifying ambiance that trick-or-treaters refuse to get their candy.
Some quick tips:
* Know your location -- some things work well where others wouldn't. I've got a cheap winged-skull clock that fits perfectly in a space on my balcony; it wouldn't work in a lot of houses.
* Skulls, skulls, skulls -- possibly the best decorating element ever. Buy them by the dozen. I like Bucky skulls myself. Be creative. Use gel stains to age them, melt candles on them, stick spikes through them, layer lunchmeats on them for parties.
* Thunder and lightning machines are great. Hook up some spotlights and a thunder cd with some cheap subwoofers and you'll get everyone's attention.
* Ignore the infamous ten-foot rule. TOTs get really close to your props, make them believable from inches away.
I've slacked off a little this year, I still have some things left to construct. Use the monsterlist referenced above, it's a lifesaver. Join Halloween-L (www.wildrice.com/halloween-l to sign up) for lots of great tips. Be creative, work with what you have available.
Happy hauntings, and may all your dreams be nightmares
-SablKnight
Except, unfortunately, the cascade can't be reset. If you look at the IBM article (not the EET one, which made me really curious about this fact):
"Since there is no reset mechanism, these molecule cascades can only perform a calculation once. While these initial cascades rely on the motion of a molecule, Eigler envisions that it should be possible to make nanometer-scale cascades using other fundamental interactions, such as electron spin. Such cascades may also be resettable, allowing repeated calculations, similar to ordinary computer circuitry."
So, interesting new idea, very very small, but requires several rooms of equipment to reset... or a pay-per-computing model! Load a supply of preset AND, OR, XOR, NOT, and other simple gate dust into special reservoirs on your processor, new ones loaded automatically. Processors would sell like razor handles!
-SablKnight
Some of us would argue that the "right" to kill one's own children is part of the selfish excesses.
Good call, I'd give you mod points if I had any.
-SablKnight
Absolutely, but...
Fanning will have a wonderful idea for a new utopian world, with filesharing for all as a new medium in the exchange of ideas, but the EVIL PIRATES of the world twist his work to EVIL PURPOSES and destroy his life's work. Luckily, the RIAA is around to help him out, punishing the EVIL PIRATES and accepting him into the fold.
Expect rave reviews of the SEX SCENE between Fanning and Rosen! Tremble in terror as the hideously deformed PIRATE GEEKS (evil) shred Fanning's dreams! Cheer when the HEROIC LAWYERS and the dashing HOLLYWOOD-STYLE NERDS save the day by delivering subpoenas and hacking the EVIL PIRATES' boxes!
or something...
SablKnight
I brought my Simpsons-reference sig and everything!
:)
yvan eht nioj
SablKnight
but you have to use both hands to browse the web
dunno about you, but my browser, has this bar at the top, and it has these buttons, and if you use the mouse on them, this stuff happens, and you don't need your left hand at all!
(said in best one-time-at-band-camp voice, don't know why, it seemed somehow appropriate)
Seriously, though -- do you really need the extra speed when web-browsing to need keyboard shortcuts? Navigation buttons are usually a fairly large target, any good mouse has a scroll wheel, and there are drop-down menus for anything really complicated. Keyboards are for data entry, for navigation all you need is a wheel-mouse. All hail the GUI.
SablKnight
Shoot Saddam and Osama. The lawyer you'd want to do up close and personal.
SablKnight
Thanks for the clarification, I wasn't aware of the many subtleties involved. I don't know a lot about the subject, but what I did remember was that tumors are basically caused by a group of cells spontaneously (or not) losing their restrictions on differentiation and reproduction. It seemed like a natural tie-in to stem cells, which also reproduce quickly (or they would have to for medical purposes at least) and are undifferentiated.
I had heard of the link between aging and cancer before, but not in enough detail to tie that to stem cells.
SablKnight
Does anyone know how much research is going into a link between stem cells and cancer cells? IANAB(iologist) but the only major difference I can see is a lack of control in cancer. If we can find a way to turn on stem cells, maybe the same switch could work to turn off cancer?
SablKnight
I think a lot of current stem cell research is pointing at taking a mass of stem cells, most likely not from the patient, and forcing them to differentiate into the desired organ in a lab environment. This would then be treated like any other organ donation, including immune system suppression to avoid rejection.
The regeneration research here involvs more of a method of undifferentiating normal cells into stem cells where they are, which would avoid the whole rejection problem and surgery completely.
SablKnight
...maybe some people weren't lying when they said "I don't *want* to be stealing music, but there's no pay service that meets my requirements. Could it be that people are actually ethical and truthful sometimes?
.ogg for home use.
That said, I'm still not currently paying for music online. But I've downloaded maybe one song in the last six months, so I'm not really in the market for a music service; I'm too busy ripping my (legally purchased) CDs to
SablKnight
So if you combine this with the previous post with numeric and phonetic substitutions, you get something like:
0ur d4d, wh0 0wnz h34v3n, j00 r0ck! 137 411 0ur B453 50m3d4y b3 Bl0ng 2 U! mA j00 0wn 34rth 1ik3 j00 0wn20r5 h34v3n. give us thi5 dA our w4r3z, mp3z, + pr0n thru a phat pip3. + cut u5 50m3 514ck wh3n w3 act lik3 n00B l4m3rz, just a5 w3 t34ch n00bz when thA act l4m3 0n us. p13453 d0n't giv3 u5 root on s0m3 p00r d00d'z b0x3n wh3n w3'r3 t00 pi553d 0ff t0 grep r1ght + wr0ng, + if j00 c4n k33p th3 f3i 0ff 0ur b4cks, w3'd b3 k00l. f0r j00 0wn r00t 0n 4ll 0ur b0x3n 4ever + 3v3r, 4m3n.
whew!
-SablKnight
I haven't used LOGO in a long time... First used it on an ADAM computer (I think, I was pretty young then) and then later loved it on the C128. My first steps in computing; I never had a video game system, just the 128, LOGO, and BASIC. And a mini-plotter. Printing LOGO drawings on the plotter was always fun because the pens would follow the turtle's path. Of course, I was easily amused.
I'm rambling; I need more coffee...
-SablKnight
The only other option I can think of is to pull out entirely, give no support at all to either side, and let them kill each other off.
It's that, or the glass parking lot solution that was mentioned above.
SablKnight
CinemaNow's FAQ:
d ia/en/d ownload/default.asp
d ia/en/d ownload/default.asp
d ia/en/d ownload/default.asp
d ownload/default.asp
STEP 1 - Register
Registering with CinemaNow is easy and painless. Well worth it for all the great films you are about to see. You can click on Log In/Sign -Up or simply go to the film you wish to view and click on the Watch button. If you have any trouble registering, please check our FAQ/Registering.
STEP 2 - Make Sure You Have The Right Components
To watch films on CinemaNow you will need the latest Microsoft Windows Media Player version 7 (which is also available for Macintosh users) and can be downloaded for free here. In addition, please keep in mind that films on CinemaNow are best viewed with a broadband connection (usually 100k or higher) and that the quality of the picture may vary based on your connectivity. If you have any difficulties watching a film, please check our FAQ/Watching A Film.
STEP 3 - Select A Film
To find a film, you can use the Channel Selector located on the left of the screen to help you browse our titles. Each film is broken down by at least one channel and each channel can be sorted by free, premium or most watched. When you have found a film you are interested in, click on the image. This will take you to the individual film page where you can launch the film, find out more information, check out special features, and more.
STEP 4 - Free Films and Premium Films
There are two kinds of films on CinemaNow, Free (actually, ad-supported) and Premium films. The free films on our site are of no cost to you the user and will often be proceeded by and streaming advertisement of 15-30 seconds. The Premium films are available in two ways. At a pay-per-view cost, which gives you unlimited viewing of the selected film for a 48 hour window, or, as part of the Premium Pass subscription. The Premium Pass is a monthly subscription which gives you unlimited access to all the Premium films on the site unless specifically noted. If you have selected a Premium Film, and are not already a Premium Pass Member, you will be prompted by a secure credit card screen. Simply fill out your credit card information and away you go. If you have any questions about the pay-per-view or Premium Pass, please go to FAQ/ Pay-Per-View and Premium Pass.
STEP 5 - Select A Connection Speed
The first time you watch a film on CinemaNow you will be asked to select a connection speed. Here is a chart for choosing a connection speed based on your Internet access. Of course, this is just a guideline and it is often the case that you must select a slower speed to receive the best quality viewing. Also, you will always be able to select another connection speed at any time on the CinemaNow player, even in the middle of watching a film!
Suggested Speeds
Dial-Up Modem, 56k - 56k
ISDN, Cable Modem, DSL - 100k
Cable Modem, DSL, T1, T3 or greater - 300k
Cable Modem, DSL, T1, T3 or greater - 700k
STEP 6 - Enjoy The Film!
Frequently Asked Questions (and the answers that go with them!)
Registration
Q: I am having trouble registering, what do I do?
A: 1) Make sure you have completed all of the required fields on the registration form and are using a valid e-mail.
2) Make sure that your "cookies" are enabled. "Cookies" allow CinemaNow to keep track of your e-mail, password and most recent connection speed so that you do not have to sign-in every time. In order to enable cookies on your browser, please follow the instructions below.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or Higher
Click on Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level
Reset the custom settings to "Medium" or change the "Allow cookies" to "enable"
Netscape 4.0 or higher
Click on Edit > Preferences
Choose the Advanced drop down and choose "Accept all Cookies"
Watching a Film
Q: The Windows Media Player launches, but nothing happens?
A: 1) If the Windows Media player indicates that it is opening, but never launches the film, then you may just want to try selecting a slower connection speed.
2) Check to make sure that you have the Windows Media Player properly installed. Also, CinemaNow always recommends the latest version of the Windows Media Player which you can download here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsme
3) If you are using Netscape as your browser, try Internet Explorer.
Q: How come the picture is choppy/unclear/ like a slide show?
A: This probably has to do with your connection. The quality of the stream often depends on the amount of bandwidth that you are receiving and this can vary based on many factors. The best thing to do is select a slower connection speed or try back at a time when there is less net congestion.
Q: How come I can hear the movie, but I cannot see it?
A: 1) First, try selecting a slower connection speed. This should allow the audio and video to synch up.
2) Make sure you have the latest version/codec for the Windows Media Player. Any required codec (upgrade) you may need for watching certain films, you should be prompted. The latest Windows Media Player can be downloaded here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsme
Q: How come I can see the movie, but I cannot hear it?
A: 1) If the Windows Media player indicates that it is opening, but never launches the film, then you may just want to try selecting a slower connection speed.
2) Check to make sure that you have the Windows Media Player properly installed. Also, CinemaNow always recommends the latest version of the Windows Media Player which you can download here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsme
3) If you are using Netscape as your browser, try Internet Explorer.
Q: Can I watch on a Mac?
A: Yes and no. You can watch FREE films and trailers on the Mac, but unfortunately, you can not currently watch any of the PREMIUM or PAY-PER-VIEW films. This is because of a compatibility issue with the Digital Rights Management (DRM) we use to securely deliver our content. To watch the free content you will need to download the latest Windows Media Player for Mac, which is available here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/en/
Q: I am using Windows ME, how come the player cannot acquire the license?
A: Click this link http://support.microsoft.com/search/ for information on how to resolve this issue.
Pay-Per-View and Premium Pass
Q: How do I cancel my Premium Pass subscription?
A: Click on the My Account button at the top of the page and log in. Then click the Cancel Subscription button and follow the steps to cancel your account. If you have any difficulty or are unsure if your account is canceled, e-mail boxoffice@cinemanow.com and be sure to include your username in the e-mail.
Q: What are Premium Films?
A: Premium films are films that are not shown on a free (ad supported) basis. These films are marked with a price next to the films information. You can watch a Premium film in two ways. The first is as a pay-per-view which allows you to watch the selected film and unlimited amount of times in a 48 hour window for the indicated price. For the terms of the pay per view, click here. The second way is through a subscription, which we call Premium Pass. You can read about Premium Pass below.
Q: What is the Premium Pass?
A: Premium Pass is a subscription to CinemaNow. Premium Pass allows you to pay a recurring monthly fee in order to get unlimited access to all Premium Films. You can read more about it here (link to Premium Pass more info).
Q: How come some Pay-Per-View films are not available as part of the Premium Pass?
A: The only films that are not available with the Premium Pass are those that are marked "Pay-Per-View" as opposed to "Premium". The reason for this has to do with legal rights issues over subscription. Thus, CinemaNow can only make these films available on a pay-per-view basis.
Filmaker Questions
Q: How do I submit my film?
A: You can send a VHS copy of your film to the following address (and please remember to include your name and contact information):
Attn: Acquisitions
CinemaNow
4553 Glencoe Ave.
Suite 380
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Or contact Eric Stein at erics@cinemanow.com with any questions.
SablKnight
A couple of points that people seem to be missing, probably from only reading the article, not visiting the movie site itself.
* Rentals are for 48 hours, not 24.
* The site heavily implies that the movies are streamed, not downloaded and locked, though they don't state that anywhere.
* There are a number of free (ad-supported) films available.
* There is a $9.95/mo subscription service that provides unlimited access to Premium movies.
This still has problems, especially the streaming part, but it is a BIG step in the right direction, in my opinion.
SablKnight
I found it interesting that they would pay ~$500 for a cart, ~$100 for a surge protector, and then be blocking up the projectors with dry erase markers and holding them in place with nylon straps. Some more careful management of budgets could probably bring this project in under $10K.
SablKnight