They got sued for "misinformation." Being an employee with the company at the time of the problem, I witnessed it from the inside. While blockbuster shoved down the throats of many "no more late fees" up front, we as cashiers were told to shove in the fine print at every transaction, or whenever someone called, or to offer brochures whenever. The reason the company got sued over false advertisement was for a few reasons: 1.) the retarded cashiers that exist (in every company) who didn't push it like they were supposed to. 2.) The commercials forgot the fine print. 3.) Franchise stores had the name, but not necessarily the same policies. Since those stores contracted in under different terms, I would suppose (my thought here) that Blockbuster couldn't make them do it.
There was more ignorance on the customer side than any. It's amazing how many people really thought they could keep it as long as they wanted, even though we still sold new and used DVDs. Even though we still gave them due dates. It's also amazing how many people couldn't get it in their head. The policy is very easy to understand, and has not changed from day one. Keep in mind, the very second that this was explained to me, I understood it. I didn't need to go over ANYTHING a second time. (Then again, I do browse (/.):).
-Rent a DVD
-You have 2 or 7 days with it.
-Bring it back, and you're cool.
-Bring it back late, you're cool.
-Bring it back 8 days late, $1.25+tax ($2 for games, but that always seemed to go to $1.25 at my store). This is called a restocking fee, because at this point, they have to reclaim it as lost merchandise, which only happens at the end of the month. And besides, this was much better than being charged the rental cost over and over again (especially every 2 days with new ones).
-Keep it, and be charged the current used price of the movie, or if there isn't a used price (too new) be charged the cost of the movie.
That's not that hard, there were 10 year olds who were explaining it to their parents at the counter.
It is evolution in the classic sense. Evolution involves genetic mutations from generation to generation, that usually happens in a way so that the more advanced versions of the same "species" (in this case bacteria) survive, and the others don't. The key here is that we are used to thinking about it in the human timeline, where reproduction is a lot SLOWER, where as in the bacteria world, it's faster. MUCH faster. So the chance for genetic mutations are higher. One random genetic mutation causes it to be resistant to an antibiotic, and it survives long enough to reproduce in large numbers, creating what seems like a "smarter" "stronger" version of the same bacteria. It is evolution, the timeline is just quicker.
My favorite thing was when my University's dorm network service e-mailed me to tell me that my credit card number was wrong, and that they couldn't get my connection up because they were not able to process the payment.
You shouldn't have to pay $50-$100 more to have your computer work like it should (or was built to) or to speak to American Tech Support. That's what is wrong with that industry today.
I think your comments are both uncalled for and highly immature. boobies. You should really consider growing up. sexual intercourse. People don't find this kind of humor funny, in the lease. vagina. I think you need the help of a professional. love-the-booty.
Oompa Loompa Doompadee Doo
I've got another puzzle for you
Oompa Loompa Doompadah dee
If you are wise you'll listen to me.
What do you get with an iBook from Steve?
A pain in the groin and a kick in the knee.
Why don't you try simply reading a book?
Or could you just not bear to look?
You'll get no,
You'll get no,
You'll get no,
You'll get no,
You'll get no cheap laptop.
Oompa loompah doompadee dah
If you're not greedy you will go far.
You will live in happiness too,
Like the
People
Who didn't go do!
Easter eggs (in console games and DVDs) are accessible through the product alone, either by secret menu item or password or button code. In this case it requires a third party modification that modifies 10+ memory addresses to make an if statement true.
But the other points, developers not taking it out (as opposed to the hundreds of people saying that they put it in intentionally), and the suits not knowing it was there, those are valid.
"...it's disingenous to think that they "didn't mean" for anyone to access it..."
They didn't intend for anyone to find it. It was probably a scrapped project that a team of developers were working on and coded out because of possible issues with ratings, or a joke project that never got removed from the main code after they disabled the access to it.
"...inaccessible without a minor hack..."
A minor hack? It takes an entire list of Gameshark codes to enable it on the PS2, and then it's censored. If you disable the censoring, it causes gameplay problems, and can corrupt save files.
All M ratings should be AO and M should be removed from the rating system. There isn't a big enough difference between the ratings to need both.
Rockstar can't win because the game is no longer purchasable. It has the much stigmatized AO rating, which pretty much no retailer, including those online, will carry. I want to buy the game, and I can't find it now. Anywhere. Not only that but every game that company creates now will go through hell in the ratings process.
The game should be rated based on the as shipped accessible content, and the ESRB should create a notice, like they do for online gaming. "Third party 'cheat' devices and modifications may change gameplay and content" or at least something similar.
Slashdot Mirror
Adding to that....
:).
They got sued for "misinformation." Being an employee with the company at the time of the problem, I witnessed it from the inside. While blockbuster shoved down the throats of many "no more late fees" up front, we as cashiers were told to shove in the fine print at every transaction, or whenever someone called, or to offer brochures whenever. The reason the company got sued over false advertisement was for a few reasons: 1.) the retarded cashiers that exist (in every company) who didn't push it like they were supposed to. 2.) The commercials forgot the fine print. 3.) Franchise stores had the name, but not necessarily the same policies. Since those stores contracted in under different terms, I would suppose (my thought here) that Blockbuster couldn't make them do it.
There was more ignorance on the customer side than any. It's amazing how many people really thought they could keep it as long as they wanted, even though we still sold new and used DVDs. Even though we still gave them due dates. It's also amazing how many people couldn't get it in their head. The policy is very easy to understand, and has not changed from day one. Keep in mind, the very second that this was explained to me, I understood it. I didn't need to go over ANYTHING a second time. (Then again, I do browse (/.)
-Rent a DVD
-You have 2 or 7 days with it.
-Bring it back, and you're cool.
-Bring it back late, you're cool.
-Bring it back 8 days late, $1.25+tax ($2 for games, but that always seemed to go to $1.25 at my store). This is called a restocking fee, because at this point, they have to reclaim it as lost merchandise, which only happens at the end of the month. And besides, this was much better than being charged the rental cost over and over again (especially every 2 days with new ones).
-Keep it, and be charged the current used price of the movie, or if there isn't a used price (too new) be charged the cost of the movie.
That's not that hard, there were 10 year olds who were explaining it to their parents at the counter.
We can't impeach you. We don't know who you are.
It is evolution in the classic sense. Evolution involves genetic mutations from generation to generation, that usually happens in a way so that the more advanced versions of the same "species" (in this case bacteria) survive, and the others don't. The key here is that we are used to thinking about it in the human timeline, where reproduction is a lot SLOWER, where as in the bacteria world, it's faster. MUCH faster. So the chance for genetic mutations are higher. One random genetic mutation causes it to be resistant to an antibiotic, and it survives long enough to reproduce in large numbers, creating what seems like a "smarter" "stronger" version of the same bacteria. It is evolution, the timeline is just quicker.
My favorite thing was when my University's dorm network service e-mailed me to tell me that my credit card number was wrong, and that they couldn't get my connection up because they were not able to process the payment.
You shouldn't have to pay $50-$100 more to have your computer work like it should (or was built to) or to speak to American Tech Support. That's what is wrong with that industry today.
f'ing neptunian orbiter scams. Won't they ever learn?
Make that three times. He's ex-military, remember?"
Your comment is open to SQL injection, sir.
Jesus Christ It's a LION get in the CAR!
I'm shocked.
If I knew that was coming, I would have kept my mouth shut. wow.
I think your comments are both uncalled for and highly immature. boobies. You should really consider growing up. sexual intercourse. People don't find this kind of humor funny, in the lease. vagina. I think you need the help of a professional. love-the-booty.
No, you shouldn't have!
70 mi/h = 112.65408 km/h
65 mi/h = 104.60736 km/h
110 mi/h = 177.02784 km/h
25 mi/h = 40.2336 km/h
Alright! Everything seems to check out good here! You're clear this time, NASA [contractor]!
(Source: Google.com)
Get your $#!^ together
Not in the urinals, ok?
Screw popcorn, I just want to go ice skating, or sledding in the hallways of my dorm.
Oompa Loompa Doompadee Doo
I've got another puzzle for you
Oompa Loompa Doompadah dee
If you are wise you'll listen to me.
What do you get with an iBook from Steve?
A pain in the groin and a kick in the knee.
Why don't you try simply reading a book?
Or could you just not bear to look?
You'll get no,
You'll get no,
You'll get no,
You'll get no,
You'll get no cheap laptop.
Oompa loompah doompadee dah
If you're not greedy you will go far.
You will live in happiness too,
Like the
People
Who didn't go do!
Well, if you need to think that to make yourself feel better, you go on ahead.
Wow.
So, Mr. Anon, either you are gay, or you are a homophobe who doesn't know he's gay. With that much imagery of gay sex, you have to be gay.
Tom Hanks, Gary Sinese and that other guy are now on their way home.
Dont you mean Don Cheadle, Jerry O'Connell, and that one chick?
Poor Tim Robbins....
Easter eggs (in console games and DVDs) are accessible through the product alone, either by secret menu item or password or button code. In this case it requires a third party modification that modifies 10+ memory addresses to make an if statement true.
But the other points, developers not taking it out (as opposed to the hundreds of people saying that they put it in intentionally), and the suits not knowing it was there, those are valid.
"...it's disingenous to think that they "didn't mean" for anyone to access it..." They didn't intend for anyone to find it. It was probably a scrapped project that a team of developers were working on and coded out because of possible issues with ratings, or a joke project that never got removed from the main code after they disabled the access to it. "...inaccessible without a minor hack..." A minor hack? It takes an entire list of Gameshark codes to enable it on the PS2, and then it's censored. If you disable the censoring, it causes gameplay problems, and can corrupt save files. All M ratings should be AO and M should be removed from the rating system. There isn't a big enough difference between the ratings to need both. Rockstar can't win because the game is no longer purchasable. It has the much stigmatized AO rating, which pretty much no retailer, including those online, will carry. I want to buy the game, and I can't find it now. Anywhere. Not only that but every game that company creates now will go through hell in the ratings process. The game should be rated based on the as shipped accessible content, and the ESRB should create a notice, like they do for online gaming. "Third party 'cheat' devices and modifications may change gameplay and content" or at least something similar.