It all depends on how the bill is written. Volume is not the same as loudness. If you take the commercial/whatever and use audio compression and processing gear (or software) you can crunch the crap out of the commercial, do a little frequency shaping, etc. and it will -sound- a lot louder than less processed audio. Yet, you can show using VU meters, peak meters, and similar 'volume measuring' devices and they will show the program and commercial audio as being about the same.
The levels (amplitude) peak and otherwise will not exceed a particular value yet the heavily processed commercial can still sound like it's blasting you. It's all in the processing/shaping/limiting etc. And, of course, how the bill specifies that the 'volume' be measured or determined.
Wake me when streaming video looks as good as Blu-Ray (or even DVD), has 5.1 DTS sound, lets me select chapters, has special features, etc. I didn't buy an expensive 62" high-def display, Oppo BD player, component surround sound system, and nice speakers so I can watch the crap quality of what Netflix and everyone else today calls HD. Even with 15 mbps cable internet it still looks and sounds like crap compared to BD and DVD. I've been a faithful Netflix customer for quite a long time and gladly pay the extra fee for BD and the new rates. But, it's becoming obvious that Netflix and all the other providers want to completely eliminate disks and go solely with streaming to cut costs and increase profit. I'm an old guy so let me just say - BAH!
Geek Nostalgia? At work I still have to maintain two old SCO Xenix boxes. They are for a Wegener ANCS satellite control system. Since Xenix knows nothing about networking I move files in and out of the systems via serial port using Kermit. If a hard drive crashes and I need to reinstall Xenix it's done with a batch of 3.5" floppy disks. Fortunately SCO did issue a Y2K patch. I guess that's enough nostalgia for me. If I need more there's always the DOS 6 box that runs a monitoring system. Yes, I'm an old guy.
Heh, I bet Symantec has already approached them about a purchase. It makes sense since Symantec is in fact "The place where good software goes to die".
I am a senior citizen and I'm all for going somewhere else to escape the world all of you youngsters are going to inherit. However, I'd really prefer Mars to the moon. The moon is just too freakin' close to earth and likely to be destroyed or seriously pummeled with debris when you youngsters finally blow it up.
Soon I will never have to leave the house. Ever.
Seriously though, this could be a good service for those who truly are shut-ins and those with limited mobility or transportation.
I still think Walmart is evil though. And Starbucks.
I received an email from Chase Online Banking today saying Microsoft is retiring their Money software. Here's the text...
We have been notified that Microsoft® is retiring their Money and Money Plus software. As a result, we will no longer support Microsoft Money at chase.com.
Starting January 31, 2011:
* We will remove or disable all online banking features within Money.
* You will not be able to use Money to download transactions from Chase Online.
* You will still have the ability to download your transactions from chase.com as a file to import into your Money software.
* Any charges you are currently charged by us in order to use Money with Chase Online will end.
Please note that if you choose to continue downloading your Chase Online transactions into Personal Financial Management (PFM) software to pay bills or make transfers, you’ll need to switch to another software, such as Quicken® or QuickBooks®. PFM software fees to use other software with Chase Online may still apply.
And Opera 11 *STILL* can not display 'streaming' video from webcams like the Panasonic Network Cameras, USB cams using Webcam32, etc. The last version where this worked
reasonably well was v10.10. It just pisses me off that they can add tab stacking and all sorts of crud that is pretty useless (to me) and can't seem to do simple stuff that Firefox and older version of Opera do well. I've been using Opera as my usual browser since v5 (or maybe earlier, I'm old and can't remember) and like it a lot but this one thing annoys me so muck I'm about to jump ship for Firefox or something else that will fill my daily needs.
I'm using Opera as I write but unfortunately I'm stuck with v10.10. Opera has this habit of breaking stuff that used to work well when new versions are released. My current gripe is streaming/motion video from various types of webcams like the Panasonic network cams and pc cams streaming using Webcam32 (and some cam other software too). I have a bunch of these that monitor remote sites, watch spectrum analyzers that monitor satellite uplink gear, etc. If I upgrade to the latest Opera version it breaks the ability to view all of my cameras. I have filed bug reports and made Opera blog posts regarding the issue all to no avail. So, I keep using the last version known to work and hope for the best in future versions. Sure, I could use Firefox but I really do prefer Opera and there is a lot about Firefox that I do not like.
One use that comes to mind is Jury Consultant. Go watch the 2003 movie 'Runaway Jury'. Then watch the special feature interview with a real jury consultant. Creepy and scary.
The fine folks at Slysoft have had HD/BD ripping capability in their AnyDVD-HD product for quite some time. If the object is simply to be able to rip your Blu-Rays to hard drive, why is this key such a big deal? Or, do some users have other reasons that actually involve the data stream between the player/device and their display? Or, maybe I mis-understand the whole thing.
I have rated 2223 items at Netflix, 99% feature length movies. Since becoming a member I have received and watched 1034 movies. I own a little over 2000 dvds and Blu-Rays. Yes, I watch a lot of movies (and obviously have no life). But, that is my main entertainment; I do not subscribe to cable or satellite tv, I am over 60 years old, and have seen a -lot- of film over the years. And no, I won't tell you where I live or how the alarm system works. So yeah, I suppose I can see how someone could have rated -maybe- 5000 movies/shows. But, 50,000? I can not quite fathom that. Perhaps someone with even less of a life than mine spends all day compulsively rating movies based entirely on their descriptions and cast lists? Robots? The studios and/or MPAA? As a side note, Netflix recommendation engine seems to have no clue whatsoever what I am likely to enjoy, probably due to my wide range of preferences. I am constantly amused at some of the stuff they suggest and have noticed that the old pre-contest engine, for my tastes, was much more likely find stuff I like and potentially rent.
I am also in Rochester, NY. I do not subscribe to cable tv, only Roadrunner 'Turbo' (faster than standard Roadrunner residential).
Until recently I was paying $59.94/month for 15M down and 1M up. This month the bill went up to $64.90. Because I do not have cable tv service the prices reflect the extra TW 'punishment fee' of $5/month. You must be doing something wrong if all you can get from TW is 3M/512K for $55. AFAIK 'standard' service is 10M/512K. Of course, don't forget the 'Up To' clause on their speed ratings.
Perhaps you have not actually called and checked the prices recently?
Slashdot Mirror
It all depends on how the bill is written. Volume is not the same as loudness. If you take the commercial/whatever and use audio compression and processing gear (or software) you can crunch the crap out of the commercial, do a little frequency shaping, etc. and it will -sound- a lot louder than less processed audio. Yet, you can show using VU meters, peak meters, and similar 'volume measuring' devices and they will show the program and commercial audio as being about the same. The levels (amplitude) peak and otherwise will not exceed a particular value yet the heavily processed commercial can still sound like it's blasting you. It's all in the processing/shaping/limiting etc. And, of course, how the bill specifies that the 'volume' be measured or determined.
The PETA people need to get a life. Seriously. And eat some nice red meat, it will help clear their heads.
Cobalt Thorium G. (with a Ruski accent).
You're obviously a time traveler from some long past century. Time zones are modern, man. Get with the program if you want to fit in.
This is just a viral tease for an upcoming superhero movie, right?
Wake me when streaming video looks as good as Blu-Ray (or even DVD), has 5.1 DTS sound, lets me select chapters, has special features, etc. I didn't buy an expensive 62" high-def display, Oppo BD player, component surround sound system, and nice speakers so I can watch the crap quality of what Netflix and everyone else today calls HD. Even with 15 mbps cable internet it still looks and sounds like crap compared to BD and DVD. I've been a faithful Netflix customer for quite a long time and gladly pay the extra fee for BD and the new rates. But, it's becoming obvious that Netflix and all the other providers want to completely eliminate disks and go solely with streaming to cut costs and increase profit. I'm an old guy so let me just say - BAH!
Geek Nostalgia? At work I still have to maintain two old SCO Xenix boxes. They are for a Wegener ANCS satellite control system. Since Xenix knows nothing about networking I move files in and out of the systems via serial port using Kermit. If a hard drive crashes and I need to reinstall Xenix it's done with a batch of 3.5" floppy disks. Fortunately SCO did issue a Y2K patch. I guess that's enough nostalgia for me. If I need more there's always the DOS 6 box that runs a monitoring system. Yes, I'm an old guy.
Heh, I bet Symantec has already approached them about a purchase. It makes sense since Symantec is in fact "The place where good software goes to die".
If it's recommendations and intuitive picks work as well as Netflix then... FAIL.
I am a senior citizen and I'm all for going somewhere else to escape the world all of you youngsters are going to inherit. However, I'd really prefer Mars to the moon. The moon is just too freakin' close to earth and likely to be destroyed or seriously pummeled with debris when you youngsters finally blow it up.
Soon I will never have to leave the house. Ever.
Seriously though, this could be a good service for those who truly are shut-ins and those with limited mobility or transportation. I still think Walmart is evil though. And Starbucks.
Is the time approaching when we will need to communicate with our coming alien overlords? Gosh, I hope they are vegans!
Why does the moon need two?
I received an email from Chase Online Banking today saying Microsoft is retiring their Money software. Here's the text...
We have been notified that Microsoft® is retiring their Money and Money Plus software. As a result, we will no longer support Microsoft Money at chase.com. Starting January 31, 2011: * We will remove or disable all online banking features within Money. * You will not be able to use Money to download transactions from Chase Online. * You will still have the ability to download your transactions from chase.com as a file to import into your Money software. * Any charges you are currently charged by us in order to use Money with Chase Online will end. Please note that if you choose to continue downloading your Chase Online transactions into Personal Financial Management (PFM) software to pay bills or make transfers, you’ll need to switch to another software, such as Quicken® or QuickBooks®. PFM software fees to use other software with Chase Online may still apply.
And Opera 11 *STILL* can not display 'streaming' video from webcams like the Panasonic Network Cameras, USB cams using Webcam32, etc. The last version where this worked reasonably well was v10.10. It just pisses me off that they can add tab stacking and all sorts of crud that is pretty useless (to me) and can't seem to do simple stuff that Firefox and older version of Opera do well. I've been using Opera as my usual browser since v5 (or maybe earlier, I'm old and can't remember) and like it a lot but this one thing annoys me so muck I'm about to jump ship for Firefox or something else that will fill my daily needs.
I think the Druids will have something to say about this.
From a "News For Nerds" point of view I find this project -much- more interesting. I've never been a reader of Architectural Digest.
I'm using Opera as I write but unfortunately I'm stuck with v10.10. Opera has this habit of breaking stuff that used to work well when new versions are released. My current gripe is streaming/motion video from various types of webcams like the Panasonic network cams and pc cams streaming using Webcam32 (and some cam other software too). I have a bunch of these that monitor remote sites, watch spectrum analyzers that monitor satellite uplink gear, etc. If I upgrade to the latest Opera version it breaks the ability to view all of my cameras. I have filed bug reports and made Opera blog posts regarding the issue all to no avail. So, I keep using the last version known to work and hope for the best in future versions. Sure, I could use Firefox but I really do prefer Opera and there is a lot about Firefox that I do not like.
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."
But where would the church be without magic?
Are you a member of the Tea Party? Do you watch Fox News?
One use that comes to mind is Jury Consultant. Go watch the 2003 movie 'Runaway Jury'. Then watch the special feature interview with a real jury consultant. Creepy and scary.
The fine folks at Slysoft have had HD/BD ripping capability in their AnyDVD-HD product for quite some time. If the object is simply to be able to rip your Blu-Rays to hard drive, why is this key such a big deal? Or, do some users have other reasons that actually involve the data stream between the player/device and their display? Or, maybe I mis-understand the whole thing.
I have rated 2223 items at Netflix, 99% feature length movies. Since becoming a member I have received and watched 1034 movies. I own a little over 2000 dvds and Blu-Rays. Yes, I watch a lot of movies (and obviously have no life). But, that is my main entertainment; I do not subscribe to cable or satellite tv, I am over 60 years old, and have seen a -lot- of film over the years. And no, I won't tell you where I live or how the alarm system works. So yeah, I suppose I can see how someone could have rated -maybe- 5000 movies/shows. But, 50,000? I can not quite fathom that. Perhaps someone with even less of a life than mine spends all day compulsively rating movies based entirely on their descriptions and cast lists? Robots? The studios and/or MPAA? As a side note, Netflix recommendation engine seems to have no clue whatsoever what I am likely to enjoy, probably due to my wide range of preferences. I am constantly amused at some of the stuff they suggest and have noticed that the old pre-contest engine, for my tastes, was much more likely find stuff I like and potentially rent.
From TFA: "Just as the MPAA is preparing to offer movies to customers at home while they're still in theaters ..."
If I'm still in the theater why would I also want the movie showing at home?
I am also in Rochester, NY. I do not subscribe to cable tv, only Roadrunner 'Turbo' (faster than standard Roadrunner residential). Until recently I was paying $59.94/month for 15M down and 1M up. This month the bill went up to $64.90. Because I do not have cable tv service the prices reflect the extra TW 'punishment fee' of $5/month. You must be doing something wrong if all you can get from TW is 3M/512K for $55. AFAIK 'standard' service is 10M/512K. Of course, don't forget the 'Up To' clause on their speed ratings. Perhaps you have not actually called and checked the prices recently?