Hulu is good in that its free. 1) Hulu works with OSX, Windows, Linux, PS3, and some other Set Top Boxes.
If you don't mind paying a few dollars to watch a program or movie: 2) Amazon Video has a lot. They work with OS X, Windows and TiVo. 3) iTunes has a lot. They work with OS X, Windows and AppleTV. 4) PlayStationNetwork Store has a lot of Video content. Works with PS3/PSP. 5) MicroSoft's MarketPlace has a few programs that you can download to XBox 360s. 6) NetFlix streams video to subscribers and works with OS X, Windows, TiVo, and some other Set Top Boxes.
Depending on which programs are "must see" for you, you can pay for some of the programs and still spend a lot less money than you would have on cable. If most of what you watch is free (OTA or Hulu), then the savings become even more pronounced.
If you don't care about being a season or so behind, wait for the boxed sets at the end of each season and pick those up (probably about the same cost as buying them), or get through a NetFlix subscription for substantial savings over buying either individual episodes ala'cart (through iTunes/Amazon/PSN Store/MS Marketplace), or buying the Season Boxed Set.
There are LOTS of options for delivery. The only thing I haven't figured out how to get are those cheesy SciFi Original Movies. some of them are fun and I'll miss them when I give up cable, but it'll probably keep my brain from rotting (any more).:)
TFS makes it sound like you can replace your cable (or satellite) provider with this box. Where is the (non-OTA) broadcast content coming from. Has he made a wife-capable Hulu scraper? If so, and Hulu agrees not to break the box every couple of months, then I'm interested. If it's just "you can download stuff that's a year old and on DVD from netflix, do OTA, and access your personal media collection," then it's really not much better than what already exists.
I've got a "wife friendly" Hulu scraper.
Its called the web browser on the PlayStation 3. I was just watching Burn Notice on it the other day, after cable went out, but not the CableModem.:)
I was thinking more along the lines of canceling TiVo, but it's also an example of how, without corporate support, these kinds of projects can go wrong.
Well.. splurge the $300 except instead of buying an HTPC, go for the TiVo lifetime service. Pays off after ~2.5 years.
If you've got a Series3, TiVo HD, or TiVo HDXL and are planning to switch to Over The Air reception + Netflix/Amazon/Streaming from desktop, then it seems like a good deal.
If you DON'T have a TiVo yet, then its a more expensive proposition (~$900 total for TiVo HD XL+lifetime).
Compared to building a $500 HTPC its a higher cost, but its a cost that includes: Guide Data, Remote, ~150 hours HD/1300 hours SD, NetFlix streaming, AmazonVideo capable, can play video streams from PC Desktop, can backup programs to desktop (and if you're using Over The Air, any show you record will be offload-able), Internet access to set DVR to record shows (I rarely use it, but I have used it a few times), and most importantly "Someone else gets to manage the software". Updates to add new functionality (like the NetFlix connector), get pushed out ~2-4 times a year, bug fixes will follow if needed, and the wife can use the TiVo remote and to both her and I, its just an appliance, no further care needed.
There's stil the logistics of distribution (people still starve, even though the world grows plenty of food for all, mostly for political reasons). Plus, there's only so much beachfront property - some "wants" will always be scarce, so you need some sort of economy to sort that out.
As long as we're discussing "what if":
Logistics distribution could also (theoretically) be automated, and as for "there's only so much beachfront property" only works if the population is so large that it can't fit into the available "scarce" resource. We could also reduce the population back to a couple of hundred thousand populating the planet, with all their wants cared for through automated technology.
Young Doc: No wonder this circuit failed. It says "Made in Japan". Marty McFly: What do you mean, Doc? All the best stuff is made in Japan. Young Doc: Unbelievable.
Yeah, but he spends the rest of the year describing everything he did on that one day to ad-nauseam, and he always makes it sound like he saved the world.
You don't work for the manufacturer, do you? If you lived in Cardiff, you'd remember the scorn and ridicule that the Echo, Western Mail and local free press poured on the idea - not least because part of the proposed route was through an area of the city traditionally associated with prostitution. The political risks of the project were simply too high; the procurement rules issue was a convenient excuse.
So, what's the problem? Either way the project was jettisoned due to issues with Procurers.;)
Could be quite the show. Imagine the residual benefits - more jobs in road paving, more advertisements, better bonding with your neighbors (local teams could ninja the telecoms as a side show....). What's not to like?
Cool. So those jobs would be "Shovel and Tong Ready"? Neat!
The WSJ article is opinion, and is leaving out the fact that the monopolies will not be broken without government interference.
Considering AT&T has just about put itself back together again, with the exception of the large "shard of power" that has reformed itself into Verizon, perhaps its time we grab the Anti-Trust hammer again.
I just hope we swing a little wider this time (TimeWarner, Comcast, et al.)
than a government administered network whose goal is public service
You'll forgive me if my experiences with DMV don't inspire confidence in the ability of government to run anything.
I don't know. Jokes aside, around here, the DMV has gotten remarkably efficient.
My wife was from New Jersey, we live in New York. She had a car and a Drivers License.
It took her a whole day at the DMV in New Jersey to get the paperwork done (waiting in lines) on their end. It took a half an hour to do the paperwork ("waiting on queue" time included).
Shocked her almost as much as when she found out her insurance rates would go DOWN moving to New York.;)
if I can't buy it with cash (or debit card as I am a small guy and carrying cash makes me paranoid)
I carry a credit card for the rewards, but I pretend it's a debit card and don't charge more than I have in my checking account.
true. I've been using CCs that way for a while. If you don't spend more than you can afford*, its essentially a debit card except with greater protection, built in "rewards program" (lets hear it for free hotel nights), and an automatic "overdraft protection" for emergencies**.
then I don't need it now and can do without for a while.
Even a house?
QFT.
With falling prices to buy homes, I've seen a rise of properties for rent in my region, but the price on the rentals has boomed as the number of renters has expanded (lots of them being former, or soon to be former home owners).
For the first time in my life my wife and I TOOK ON long term debt in 2008 by buying a home. In 2009 we hope to refinance and knock another.5% off our interest rate (Fixed, 30yr, no pre-payment penalty). The rates are low, and banks WANT to lend money, they just don't know who they can trust, and don't want to be burned. If you have a good enough credit report/history you an work through that, but it takes a bit of work.
-------- * Most people have a real problem figuring out what "you can afford" means. I'd suggest everyone start by keeping a budget for 3 months and see how much of their pay goes to various things (Rent, Utilities, Food, Entertainment, Taxes, etc.). ** For Emergencies does NOT mean "I really need to buy a new TV", it means "Oh my god my [child/spouse/sibling/parent] just [got sick/died/divorced/thrown out by pimp] and [i need to go there/they need to come here/they need surgery/they need to be buried]. See above.:)
Interesting list, but I'm not sure what to think over their "Published Protocols" section.
They could simply be making sure that people know they won't sue over these published protocols, but it seems like they are trying to imply they COULD (or should have reason to?).
The fact that the list includes Appletalk, Telnet, POP3, SunRPC and Novel protocols is just absurd.
Just had a 5 year old Linksys switch perform harakiri in a similar manner. Its hooked up to a wireless bridge adding ports for my workbench/lab (NAS, printer, desktop).
About a month ago the printer starts acting flakey. I trace it back to the network connection and realize the port on the switch is bad.
I change it to another port, mark the bad port, and make a mental note to replace it "as soon as I can" (low priority since this is a home environment and there were a few extra ports).
Fast forward a month and the thing starts bringing ALL the ports up and down so it looked like it was trying to send out a morse code message.
The message got through load and clear. The LinkSys went to go meet the "Great Recycler in New Jersey". Pulled out an old 3Com 10MB hub as a "stop-gap" that night (great to use if you need a "poor mans network tap" to sniff traffic).
Picked up a NetGear 1Gb Switch, so far its been wonderful and stable.
There are a couple of very nice data centers in Albany,NY. There are a fare number of fiber connections up there that run north to Canada and out to Europe. It makes a really good secondary.
I think these "unregistered" computer users have just been taking too many liberties.
In the interest of public safety, anyone logging into a computer should have to input their ComputerID Card (their "Internet Drivers License" if you will).
Besides the requisite licensing fees, you'll also need to pass a written and practical test before your given your license.
We should also look at all these GateWay drug^H^H^H^Hcomputers that are trying to hook children. These "Wii"s (even the name is childish), or these "PS3"s (doesn't that sound like a drug?), or those "360"s (one step up from a "40" I'm sure!)
If we don't protect people from themselves, then who will?~
For the record, Microsoft often refers itself as MSFT even outside stock quotes. For example, on public Microsoft newsgroups and forums, whenever a Microsoftie replies to a thread in his official capacity (typically support guys, but devs come there to help as well), his name will be suffixed with "[MSFT]".
Warhawk also allows up to 4 player split screen, on-line or off-line.
Neat part also is that one game-disk can be used to start multiple consoles for a LAN game.
One game disk, one TVs, two consoles, up to four players. One game disk, two TVs, two consoles, up to eight players. One game disk, three TVs, three consoles, up to twelve players.... (keep going till you hit 32 players)
I always figured a two rooms, with one TV/Console per wall, and four players around each console could make for a killer LAN party.
Split the teams into two rooms so that people can "naturally" yell to communicate with team-mates without the other team overhearing.
Put a third "munchies/drink" room between the two rooms so that people can mix with the other team, and get food.
Of course I don't think I could fill one of these myself since most of my friends are on-line and scattered to the four winds, so I'm glad that the internet lets us have "virtual LAN parties":D
Slashdot Mirror
Can't fault a GP ... when you get to a certain age, memory is the second thing to go. .... I forget what the first thing is.
I was thinking the exact same thing, but, since I don't have the mod points to mod you "insightful", I'll add:
Not to mention 6.1 and 6.2 (to remove Stacker) :D
THERE IS NO WHALE!
Hulu is good in that its free.
1) Hulu works with OSX, Windows, Linux, PS3, and some other Set Top Boxes.
If you don't mind paying a few dollars to watch a program or movie:
2) Amazon Video has a lot. They work with OS X, Windows and TiVo.
3) iTunes has a lot. They work with OS X, Windows and AppleTV.
4) PlayStationNetwork Store has a lot of Video content. Works with PS3/PSP.
5) MicroSoft's MarketPlace has a few programs that you can download to XBox 360s.
6) NetFlix streams video to subscribers and works with OS X, Windows, TiVo, and some other Set Top Boxes.
Depending on which programs are "must see" for you, you can pay for some of the programs and still spend a lot less money than you would have on cable. If most of what you watch is free (OTA or Hulu), then the savings become even more pronounced.
If you don't care about being a season or so behind, wait for the boxed sets at the end of each season and pick those up (probably about the same cost as buying them), or get through a NetFlix subscription for substantial savings over buying either individual episodes ala'cart (through iTunes/Amazon/PSN Store/MS Marketplace), or buying the Season Boxed Set.
There are LOTS of options for delivery. The only thing I haven't figured out how to get are those cheesy SciFi Original Movies. some of them are fun and I'll miss them when I give up cable, but it'll probably keep my brain from rotting (any more). :)
I've got a "wife friendly" Hulu scraper.
Its called the web browser on the PlayStation 3. I was just watching Burn Notice on it the other day, after cable went out, but not the CableModem. :)
Well .. splurge the $300 except instead of buying an HTPC, go for the TiVo lifetime service. Pays off after ~2.5 years.
If you've got a Series3, TiVo HD, or TiVo HDXL and are planning to switch to Over The Air reception + Netflix/Amazon/Streaming from desktop, then it seems like a good deal.
If you DON'T have a TiVo yet, then its a more expensive proposition (~$900 total for TiVo HD XL+lifetime).
Compared to building a $500 HTPC its a higher cost, but its a cost that includes: Guide Data, Remote, ~150 hours HD/1300 hours SD, NetFlix streaming, AmazonVideo capable, can play video streams from PC Desktop, can backup programs to desktop (and if you're using Over The Air, any show you record will be offload-able), Internet access to set DVR to record shows (I rarely use it, but I have used it a few times), and most importantly "Someone else gets to manage the software". Updates to add new functionality (like the NetFlix connector), get pushed out ~2-4 times a year, bug fixes will follow if needed, and the wife can use the TiVo remote and to both her and I, its just an appliance, no further care needed.
As long as we're discussing "what if":
Logistics distribution could also (theoretically) be automated, and as for "there's only so much beachfront property" only works if the population is so large that it can't fit into the available "scarce" resource. We could also reduce the population back to a couple of hundred thousand populating the planet, with all their wants cared for through automated technology.
Of course at that point we're closer to Isaac Asimov's Solaria (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solaria) or the way the Earth is at the opening of John RIngo's The Council Wars series (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Council_Wars#Background).
To quote "Back to the future Part III":
Things change.
You forgot to include power usage.
What is the power needs of a WRT 54g, and what are the power needs of your old P200?
Yeah, but he spends the rest of the year describing everything he did on that one day to ad-nauseam, and he always makes it sound like he saved the world.
So, what's the problem? Either way the project was jettisoned due to issues with Procurers. ;)
Why do I see some "kids" pulling a prank by throwing water balloons into elevators and running away?
Cool. So those jobs would be "Shovel and Tong Ready"? Neat!
Considering AT&T has just about put itself back together again, with the exception of the large "shard of power" that has reformed itself into Verizon, perhaps its time we grab the Anti-Trust hammer again.
I just hope we swing a little wider this time (TimeWarner, Comcast, et al.)
I don't know. Jokes aside, around here, the DMV has gotten remarkably efficient.
My wife was from New Jersey, we live in New York. She had a car and a Drivers License.
It took her a whole day at the DMV in New Jersey to get the paperwork done (waiting in lines) on their end. It took a half an hour to do the paperwork ("waiting on queue" time included).
Shocked her almost as much as when she found out her insurance rates would go DOWN moving to New York. ;)
true. I've been using CCs that way for a while. If you don't spend more than you can afford*, its essentially a debit card except with greater protection, built in "rewards program" (lets hear it for free hotel nights), and an automatic "overdraft protection" for emergencies**.
QFT.
With falling prices to buy homes, I've seen a rise of properties for rent in my region, but the price on the rentals has boomed as the number of renters has expanded (lots of them being former, or soon to be former home owners).
For the first time in my life my wife and I TOOK ON long term debt in 2008 by buying a home. In 2009 we hope to refinance and knock another .5% off our interest rate (Fixed, 30yr, no pre-payment penalty). The rates are low, and banks WANT to lend money, they just don't know who they can trust, and don't want to be burned. If you have a good enough credit report/history you an work through that, but it takes a bit of work.
-------- :)
* Most people have a real problem figuring out what "you can afford" means. I'd suggest everyone start by keeping a budget for 3 months and see how much of their pay goes to various things (Rent, Utilities, Food, Entertainment, Taxes, etc.).
** For Emergencies does NOT mean "I really need to buy a new TV", it means "Oh my god my [child/spouse/sibling/parent] just [got sick/died/divorced/thrown out by pimp] and [i need to go there/they need to come here/they need surgery/they need to be buried]. See above.
Interesting list, but I'm not sure what to think over their "Published Protocols" section.
They could simply be making sure that people know they won't sue over these published protocols, but it seems like they are trying to imply they COULD (or should have reason to?).
The fact that the list includes Appletalk, Telnet, POP3, SunRPC and Novel protocols is just absurd.
Just had a 5 year old Linksys switch perform harakiri in a similar manner. Its hooked up to a wireless bridge adding ports for my workbench/lab (NAS, printer, desktop).
About a month ago the printer starts acting flakey. I trace it back to the network connection and realize the port on the switch is bad.
I change it to another port, mark the bad port, and make a mental note to replace it "as soon as I can" (low priority since this is a home environment and there were a few extra ports).
Fast forward a month and the thing starts bringing ALL the ports up and down so it looked like it was trying to send out a morse code message.
The message got through load and clear. The LinkSys went to go meet the "Great Recycler in New Jersey". Pulled out an old 3Com 10MB hub as a "stop-gap" that night (great to use if you need a "poor mans network tap" to sniff traffic).
Picked up a NetGear 1Gb Switch, so far its been wonderful and stable.
First rule of portfast mode:
What ever happens in portfast mode, stays in portfast mode.
There are a couple of very nice data centers in Albany,NY. There are a fare number of fiber connections up there that run north to Canada and out to Europe. It makes a really good secondary.
Agreed.
I think these "unregistered" computer users have just been taking too many liberties.
In the interest of public safety, anyone logging into a computer should have to input their ComputerID Card (their "Internet Drivers License" if you will).
Besides the requisite licensing fees, you'll also need to pass a written and practical test before your given your license.
We should also look at all these GateWay drug^H^H^H^Hcomputers that are trying to hook children. These "Wii"s (even the name is childish), or these "PS3"s (doesn't that sound like a drug?), or those "360"s (one step up from a "40" I'm sure!)
If we don't protect people from themselves, then who will?~
So ... on slashdot that would be what?
M$FT?
Ah, there would be that (smacks forehead).
I think all the Python and Perl users would (not so) politely disagree with that statement. :)
Warhawk also allows up to 4 player split screen, on-line or off-line.
Neat part also is that one game-disk can be used to start multiple consoles for a LAN game.
One game disk, one TVs, two consoles, up to four players. ...
One game disk, two TVs, two consoles, up to eight players.
One game disk, three TVs, three consoles, up to twelve players.
(keep going till you hit 32 players)
I always figured a two rooms, with one TV/Console per wall, and four players around each console could make for a killer LAN party.
Split the teams into two rooms so that people can "naturally" yell to communicate with team-mates without the other team overhearing.
Put a third "munchies/drink" room between the two rooms so that people can mix with the other team, and get food.
Of course I don't think I could fill one of these myself since most of my friends are on-line and scattered to the four winds, so I'm glad that the internet lets us have "virtual LAN parties" :D