I agree. Also what they did not account for is the price of said "expensive" hardware will drop significantly. Look at most video cards between $75-100 these days. Most have 256MB of memory and some under $75 leverage PCI-e for the extra needed.
After reading this, I too thought that Circuit City was doomed. Until I realized what they are up to!
By them promoting the transfer option they have not actually done anything illegal yet. But they have done a couple things. They have made their image better in the eyes of the public and they are going to provide a service that their competitors can not match. (Best Buy, Frys, Wal-mart, Target, etc.)
So how do we (the consumer) get the rest of their competition to join in? Simple, we go to each Circuit City competitor (Best Buy, Frys, Wal-mart, Target, etc.) and we ask about their "new ripping service". I am sure that the first 1000 people that do this across the country will cause some confusion since none of their competitors have this service. But the more people that do this, it will cause their management to question, "Why can Circuit City provide this but we can not?" Even before Circuit City actually starts ripping.
I plan on going down to the local BB and talking to the person in the iPod Video department. The conversation with the clerk should go like this... ----------- Clerk: Welcome to Best Buy, Can I help you find something today? Me: Sure, I was looking at getting an iPod video that you have over here. Clerk: Were you looking at the 20GB or the 40GB? (Blah blah blah) Me: Well I was interested in the 40GB and I wanted to bring in my DVD movies for you to put on there. I have them in the car. Clerk: Sir, we are unable to put your DVD movies on the iPod at this time. blah blah blah Me: Oh, I was just over at Circuit City and they were willing to do it for $10 a movie. What would you charge? Clerk: Sir, we don't offer that service Me: Ok. Thanks for your help. -------------
That's it! That is all we have to do. Remember two main things! 1. DO NOT insult them or their company. 2. Be polite and DO NOT act knowledgable.
By doing these two things they will put you into their "Clueless consumer" category. Which is exactly the market they would sell this service to. THE MORE CLUELESS THE BETTER! Good luck and I hope we have sucess.
Our first child occurred naturally. But that was after we sunk $15k into IVF and many many hours, crazy drugs, emotional rollercoasters, and procedures.
About 6 months after we gave up and decided to adopt, my wife and I were out drinking and whammmo. She was pregnant the next time we checked. (Yes the child is mine.. certified). Wierd stuff when it comes to getting pregnant.
We just finished our licensing for the state of CA to adopt and we are currently prospective parents.:) Hope we get one soon.
-flipsoft
Actually it is a misconception that adoption is cheaper and easier. Average adoption costs are $12k US. Significantly more than the doctors bill for our first child. Also adoption, at least in the state of CA, is very dificult and requires 50+ hours of classes. Much more time invested then a couple hours at a bar and some drinks.;)
Does anyone have sample google syntax used to search for a site that would be susceptible? I have a few friends that run small sites and would like to check.
When I called about their promo they said it was the business package so I assumed it was their package. But after looking at their business offerings I think it is what they have for home offices. As far as the up/down speeds I did not do anything special it was always lopsided since they upgraded me. I figured I wouldn't say anything to them about it.
From the new datacenter at work I can pull a full 38Mb/s from my house to the datacenter. The funny thing is that at the datacenter we have a 40Mb/s connection there and we pay $10k US a month for it.:)
Also another thing is that I know I have hit their 8GB (8GB up/8GB down which ever comes first) limit per month but they have not said anything about it. Pretty cool company if you ask me. -flipsoft
I am in Sacramento area and we have Surewest here with FTTP.
I get 18Mb/s down and 34Mb/s up (This is not a typo). This is their business package@89.99 a month and it is $49.99 for the first year with a 1 year contract. I used to have their home package and it was 9Mb/s down and 18Mb/s up for 49.99 a month with no contract.
When shopping for homes or appartments the areas with Surewest FTTP get more buyers then those areas without. Most locals are very informed about the benifits of their services.
-flipsoft
Those pics look like what Napster currently is now. I sure hope it is not the same.
I currently subscribe to Napster (One of the few) and their product is slow, and a memory hog. If media player 11 is anything like the Napster interface I will not be using it, that is... until the old media player becomes an MS "High Vulnerability" and I am forced to install the new one.
Or you could just get the Shuttle XPC M1000 media center. Already installed w/HDTV. http://sys.us.shuttle.com/M1000.aspx
I got one of these when they first came out and I loved it. I think the biggest selling point for Microsoft MCE is the ability to install plug-ins.
The two best plugins for MCE are azureus with KangarooTV lets you download latest torrents of TV shows.
The other is MyNetflix. Which lets you select your upcomming Netflix discs using your remote. Also MCE does a good job with Xvid files over the network. Plus the 6600LE supports hardware decoding of H.264 files, a much needed feature.
-flipsoft
With size issues, memory issues, platform compatibility issues, and more, desktop system vendors know that the BIOS train is rapidly running out of track. However, these vendors need a solution that not only resolves BIOS issues, but also allows legacy support for today's operating systems.
Intel's goal in creating the Framework for EFI was to help BIOS vendors support the speed, power, and innovations of today's system architectures. This solution offers full legacy support through the use of a compatibility support module, or CSM. For systems that do not yet have EFI, the support module takes the place of EFI so that the Framework can communicate with the traditional operating system.
The benefit to developers is that there is no real change to the work process. Even developers buying boards that include the Framework with EFI will not have to learn new or exotic tools. Instead, the same test suites, similar processes for handling BIOS, and so on, that have been used for existing systems can be used."
It sounds like EFI is fully backwards compatible with older OS'es but it will take a new BOOTLOADER. And, the best part, a bootloader that will boot Windows/Linux is included in OSX86!
I saw this at the 2004 E3 convention and thought it was a great idea. I really liked how easy it was to play FPS games on the couch. I probably spent around 3-4 hours at E3 over the course of a week just playing their UT2003 demo with this setup.
So when I got home I built one on my own for around $5 US. I went over to Michael's Craft store and bought two clip boards, some 1.5" self adhesive velcro circles (to mount/adjust the keyboard), and some clear rubber foots (So it would not scratch the coffee table).
I removed the clip mechanisms from the two clipboards, and connected the two together with a door hindge (Stanley Brand 033905811, screws included) that opened to a 160 degree angle. With it open all the way it left a nice 30 degree angle for the mini wireless keyboard to be attached to the top and the bottom clipboard was a perfect surface for my wireless mouse.
It provided the same functionality as the Phantom (R) one at probably 1/10 the cost including the mouse and keyboard. Also I later got the SmartJoy Frag for the Xbox and was able to use this when Halo 2 came out, I am not a "joystick" kind of fps player.
Slashdot Mirror
I agree. Also what they did not account for is the price of said "expensive" hardware will drop significantly. Look at most video cards between $75-100 these days. Most have 256MB of memory and some under $75 leverage PCI-e for the extra needed.
-flipsoft
After reading this, I too thought that Circuit City was doomed. Until I realized what they are up to!
By them promoting the transfer option they have not actually done anything illegal yet. But they have done a couple things. They have made their image better in the eyes of the public and they are going to provide a service that their competitors can not match. (Best Buy, Frys, Wal-mart, Target, etc.)
So how do we (the consumer) get the rest of their competition to join in? Simple, we go to each Circuit City competitor (Best Buy, Frys, Wal-mart, Target, etc.) and we ask about their "new ripping service". I am sure that the first 1000 people that do this across the country will cause some confusion since none of their competitors have this service. But the more people that do this, it will cause their management to question, "Why can Circuit City provide this but we can not?" Even before Circuit City actually starts ripping.
I plan on going down to the local BB and talking to the person in the iPod Video department.
The conversation with the clerk should go like this...
-----------
Clerk: Welcome to Best Buy, Can I help you find something today?
Me: Sure, I was looking at getting an iPod video that you have over here.
Clerk: Were you looking at the 20GB or the 40GB? (Blah blah blah)
Me: Well I was interested in the 40GB and I wanted to bring in my DVD movies for you to put on there. I have them in the car.
Clerk: Sir, we are unable to put your DVD movies on the iPod at this time. blah blah blah
Me: Oh, I was just over at Circuit City and they were willing to do it for $10 a movie. What would you charge?
Clerk: Sir, we don't offer that service
Me: Ok. Thanks for your help.
-------------
That's it! That is all we have to do. Remember two main things!
1. DO NOT insult them or their company.
2. Be polite and DO NOT act knowledgable.
By doing these two things they will put you into their "Clueless consumer" category. Which is exactly the market they would sell this service to. THE MORE CLUELESS THE BETTER! Good luck and I hope we have sucess.
-flipsoft
"(Intel)...laying off 1000 managerial positions....in an effort to save the company $1 billion a year."
So $1000000000/1000=$1000000 !!!
Those are some high paid managers at a million a piece! No wonder their chips were so expensive.
-flipsoft
Our first child occurred naturally. But that was after we sunk $15k into IVF and many many hours, crazy drugs, emotional rollercoasters, and procedures. About 6 months after we gave up and decided to adopt, my wife and I were out drinking and whammmo. She was pregnant the next time we checked. (Yes the child is mine.. certified). Wierd stuff when it comes to getting pregnant. We just finished our licensing for the state of CA to adopt and we are currently prospective parents. :) Hope we get one soon.
-flipsoft
Actually it is a misconception that adoption is cheaper and easier. Average adoption costs are $12k US. Significantly more than the doctors bill for our first child. Also adoption, at least in the state of CA, is very dificult and requires 50+ hours of classes. Much more time invested then a couple hours at a bar and some drinks. ;)
Does anyone have sample google syntax used to search for a site that would be susceptible?
I have a few friends that run small sites and would like to check.
-flipsoft
When I called about their promo they said it was the business package so I assumed it was their package. But after looking at their business offerings I think it is what they have for home offices. As far as the up/down speeds I did not do anything special it was always lopsided since they upgraded me. I figured I wouldn't say anything to them about it.
:)
From the new datacenter at work I can pull a full 38Mb/s from my house to the datacenter. The funny thing is that at the datacenter we have a 40Mb/s connection there and we pay $10k US a month for it.
Also another thing is that I know I have hit their 8GB (8GB up/8GB down which ever comes first) limit per month but they have not said anything about it. Pretty cool company if you ask me.
-flipsoft
I am in Sacramento area and we have Surewest here with FTTP. I get 18Mb/s down and 34Mb/s up (This is not a typo). This is their business package@89.99 a month and it is $49.99 for the first year with a 1 year contract. I used to have their home package and it was 9Mb/s down and 18Mb/s up for 49.99 a month with no contract. When shopping for homes or appartments the areas with Surewest FTTP get more buyers then those areas without. Most locals are very informed about the benifits of their services. -flipsoft
Those pics look like what Napster currently is now. I sure hope it is not the same.
I currently subscribe to Napster (One of the few) and their product is slow, and a memory hog. If media player 11 is anything like the Napster interface I will not be using it, that is... until the old media player becomes an MS "High Vulnerability" and I am forced to install the new one.
~flipsoft
Or you could just get the Shuttle XPC M1000 media center. Already installed w/HDTV. http://sys.us.shuttle.com/M1000.aspx I got one of these when they first came out and I loved it. I think the biggest selling point for Microsoft MCE is the ability to install plug-ins. The two best plugins for MCE are azureus with KangarooTV lets you download latest torrents of TV shows. The other is MyNetflix. Which lets you select your upcomming Netflix discs using your remote. Also MCE does a good job with Xvid files over the network. Plus the 6600LE supports hardware decoding of H.264 files, a much needed feature. -flipsoft
Wheewww...
I hope that not everyone is classified as a "geek". If we were all considered "geeks" then our chances of getting laid would have dropped drastically.
Who could compete with any of these new "geeks" that look like Brad Pitt?
Our current status of being a "geek" scores points with some of the ladies!
-flipsoft
From the following article. http://www.deviceforge.com/articles/AT4903582708.h tml
"Full Legacy Support
With size issues, memory issues, platform compatibility issues, and more, desktop system vendors know that the BIOS train is rapidly running out of track. However, these vendors need a solution that not only resolves BIOS issues, but also allows legacy support for today's operating systems.
Intel's goal in creating the Framework for EFI was to help BIOS vendors support the speed, power, and innovations of today's system architectures. This solution offers full legacy support through the use of a compatibility support module, or CSM. For systems that do not yet have EFI, the support module takes the place of EFI so that the Framework can communicate with the traditional operating system.
The benefit to developers is that there is no real change to the work process. Even developers buying boards that include the Framework with EFI will not have to learn new or exotic tools. Instead, the same test suites, similar processes for handling BIOS, and so on, that have been used for existing systems can be used."
It sounds like EFI is fully backwards compatible with older OS'es but it will take a new BOOTLOADER. And, the best part, a bootloader that will boot Windows/Linux is included in OSX86!
-flipsoft
I saw this at the 2004 E3 convention and thought it was a great idea. I really liked how easy it was to play FPS games on the couch. I probably spent around 3-4 hours at E3 over the course of a week just playing their UT2003 demo with this setup.
So when I got home I built one on my own for around $5 US. I went over to Michael's Craft store and bought two clip boards, some 1.5" self adhesive velcro circles (to mount/adjust the keyboard), and some clear rubber foots (So it would not scratch the coffee table).
I removed the clip mechanisms from the two clipboards, and connected the two together with a door hindge (Stanley Brand 033905811, screws included) that opened to a 160 degree angle. With it open all the way it left a nice 30 degree angle for the mini wireless keyboard to be attached to the top and the bottom clipboard was a perfect surface for my wireless mouse.
It provided the same functionality as the Phantom (R) one at probably 1/10 the cost including the mouse and keyboard. Also I later got the SmartJoy Frag for the Xbox and was able to use this when Halo 2 came out, I am not a "joystick" kind of fps player.
-flipsoft
Also if you purchase a "gaming" gift card from Best Buy it comes with a $5 off coupon for any game or gaming accessory.
flipsoft
Aren't the PayPass cards already comprimized?
The ink fills you.