I noticed a PlayOn ad (which mentioned a cnet review) on facebook and googled cord cutting PlayOn cnet.
And came across these series of articles. Though the articles are nearly three years old, they still seem mostly relevent (and kind of fun to read).
Day 1 - OTA (over the air)
Week 1
Week 2
Final Entry
Recap
Friday, August 30, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Netflix comings and goings
[10/12/13] Ah hah. Monk is now on Hulu Plus.
[9/24/13] Hmm. Monk leaving on 10/1/13. Maybe I'll have to get the DVDs after all.
[8/27/13] James Bond movies leaving Netflix on September 2, 2013.
And here it seems I just added those movies a couple of weeks ago (apparently 26 days ago). So I guess this was a one month deal.
Apparently this has happened before. So maybe they'll come back one of these months.
I wonder if they'll head to Hulu?
[9/24/13] Hmm. Monk leaving on 10/1/13. Maybe I'll have to get the DVDs after all.
[8/27/13] James Bond movies leaving Netflix on September 2, 2013.
And here it seems I just added those movies a couple of weeks ago (apparently 26 days ago). So I guess this was a one month deal.
Apparently this has happened before. So maybe they'll come back one of these months.
I wonder if they'll head to Hulu?
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Google could kill cable TV
If you haven't heard, Google (GOOG +0.50%)
and the National Football League are in some form of communication
regarding the NFL Sunday Ticket rights that will be up for grabs
beginning with the 2015 NFL season.
At this point, the story isn't so much about Google or the NFL. It's about something much bigger that has to have cable companies very nervous.
The media has made a big deal of a story that isn't much of one -- at least right now.
According to AllThingsD, the NFL and Google are engaging in "informal talks" that could potentially bring the NFL's Sunday Ticket package to YouTube. If you're not a hard-core football fan, the Sunday Ticket, in its current form, allows fans to view out-of-market games produced by Fox (FOXA +2.00%) and CBS (CBS +3.72%).
Currently, DirecTV (DTV +1.08%) owns the rights and offers it over the internet, on some tablets and smartphones, as well as on Sony's (SNE +0.25%) PlayStation and JetBlue (JBLU +1.28%) flights.
According to the story, the NFL is meeting with multiple Silicon Valley companies on a range of topics -- the Sunday Ticket being only one. Contrary to the attention its receiving from the media, it's not much of a story, especially given the fact that DirecTV is reported to be ready to fight to keep the rights.
The real story in this is bigger than the NFL or Google. First, we're seeing evidence that the sports world, which hasn't been quick to adopt new media strategies, is ready for change and appears to see the need to adopt new formats to attract the next generation of viewers.
During the PGA Championship, we reported that Fox Sports would broadcast the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and the U.S. Senior Open from 2015 to 2026. Fox has never televised a golf event but what seemed to sway the United States Golf Association was the idea that Fox would bring a fresh perspective to the events.
But this deal would be even more disruptive and cable companies would hate it. With the Time Warner Cable (TWC +0.75%) versus CBS war still showing no signs of a resolution, there's concern that the deadlock could continue into the NFL season.
This would be disastrous for CBS and the NFL. Even now, watching the events unfold (or not unfold), the NFL has to be thinking that it's time to consider new ideas. Google has more than enough cash on hand to not only buy the rights but also build out a robust infrastructure. The Chromecast could put the NFL on the TV sets of every broadband customer furthering the "cord-cutting" push that cable companies fear.
Netflix (NFLX -0.23%) is producing award-winning content, Google wants a piece of the NFL, and don't be surprised if Apple (AAPL +0.12%) doesn't get it on a deal like this.
Bottom line -- there's more than enough cash in the bank accounts of these companies to make cord cutting a reality and the more deals like these happen, the less we'll all need traditional cable.
At this point, the story isn't so much about Google or the NFL. It's about something much bigger that has to have cable companies very nervous.
The media has made a big deal of a story that isn't much of one -- at least right now.
According to AllThingsD, the NFL and Google are engaging in "informal talks" that could potentially bring the NFL's Sunday Ticket package to YouTube. If you're not a hard-core football fan, the Sunday Ticket, in its current form, allows fans to view out-of-market games produced by Fox (FOXA +2.00%) and CBS (CBS +3.72%).
Currently, DirecTV (DTV +1.08%) owns the rights and offers it over the internet, on some tablets and smartphones, as well as on Sony's (SNE +0.25%) PlayStation and JetBlue (JBLU +1.28%) flights.
According to the story, the NFL is meeting with multiple Silicon Valley companies on a range of topics -- the Sunday Ticket being only one. Contrary to the attention its receiving from the media, it's not much of a story, especially given the fact that DirecTV is reported to be ready to fight to keep the rights.
The real story in this is bigger than the NFL or Google. First, we're seeing evidence that the sports world, which hasn't been quick to adopt new media strategies, is ready for change and appears to see the need to adopt new formats to attract the next generation of viewers.
During the PGA Championship, we reported that Fox Sports would broadcast the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and the U.S. Senior Open from 2015 to 2026. Fox has never televised a golf event but what seemed to sway the United States Golf Association was the idea that Fox would bring a fresh perspective to the events.
But this deal would be even more disruptive and cable companies would hate it. With the Time Warner Cable (TWC +0.75%) versus CBS war still showing no signs of a resolution, there's concern that the deadlock could continue into the NFL season.
This would be disastrous for CBS and the NFL. Even now, watching the events unfold (or not unfold), the NFL has to be thinking that it's time to consider new ideas. Google has more than enough cash on hand to not only buy the rights but also build out a robust infrastructure. The Chromecast could put the NFL on the TV sets of every broadband customer furthering the "cord-cutting" push that cable companies fear.
Netflix (NFLX -0.23%) is producing award-winning content, Google wants a piece of the NFL, and don't be surprised if Apple (AAPL +0.12%) doesn't get it on a deal like this.
Bottom line -- there's more than enough cash in the bank accounts of these companies to make cord cutting a reality and the more deals like these happen, the less we'll all need traditional cable.
Monday, August 19, 2013
DIY recycling bins
Well, it's about time.
The city and county of Honolulu's Department of Environmental Services has not only embraced the concept of DIY (do-it-yourself) recycling bins, but is inviting schools, community groups and volunteers to help make and install them at district parks, beaches and bus stops.
The city's goal is to install 1,000 of the HI-5 recycling bins around the island this year.
This month, Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai‘i was one of the first groups to step up to the plate and partner with the city for the project. B.E.A.C.H. brought together volunteers to learn how to make the wire recycling bins that they will install around Oahu while educating the public about the city's new no-smoking rules.
The wire recycling HI-5 bins were actually the original idea of University of Hawaii professors Gaye Chan and Nandita Sharma as part of their non-profit Eating In Public project.
Read their blog at www.eating-in-public.blogspot.com.
They first made the bins in 2006, installing the first one in front of their home. The simple wire mesh bins come with a sign that says "HI-5/ Take, Leave, Whatevas..." The idea caught on and they were invited to give workshops.
The self-serve bins attach to existing trash containers to help keep recyclables separate. The city will not be picking up the recyclables.
The city and county of Honolulu's Department of Environmental Services has not only embraced the concept of DIY (do-it-yourself) recycling bins, but is inviting schools, community groups and volunteers to help make and install them at district parks, beaches and bus stops.
The city's goal is to install 1,000 of the HI-5 recycling bins around the island this year.
This month, Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawai‘i was one of the first groups to step up to the plate and partner with the city for the project. B.E.A.C.H. brought together volunteers to learn how to make the wire recycling bins that they will install around Oahu while educating the public about the city's new no-smoking rules.
The wire recycling HI-5 bins were actually the original idea of University of Hawaii professors Gaye Chan and Nandita Sharma as part of their non-profit Eating In Public project.
Read their blog at www.eating-in-public.blogspot.com.
They first made the bins in 2006, installing the first one in front of their home. The simple wire mesh bins come with a sign that says "HI-5/ Take, Leave, Whatevas..." The idea caught on and they were invited to give workshops.
The self-serve bins attach to existing trash containers to help keep recyclables separate. The city will not be picking up the recyclables.
Friday, August 16, 2013
the death of cable?
Will the cable set-top box go the way of the horse and buggy? Perhaps one day.
The alliance between Sony (SNE +0.60%) and Viacom (VIA +0.24%) that has been reported by The New York Times and others shows that day may be coming sooner than many expect. Viacom has "tentatively agreed" to allow its cable channels such as Nickelodeon and Comedy Central to be part of an Internet-based TV service that Sony is developing. This is big news for several reasons.
First, any deal between Sony and Viacom could lay the groundwork for similar pacts with other content creators such as Time Warner (TWX -0.57%) and 21st Century Fox (FOXA +0.41%). Moreover, it may lead producers to sign deals with Google (GOOG -0.32%) and Intel (INTC -0.52%), which are developing offerings similar to Sony's.
"Analysts say cable delivered through the Internet could give households many more choices -- if the new services give customers more for their money and if cable incumbents don't smother the services," according to The Times.
The bad side to these types of arrangements is that they'll make it harder for consumers to avoid "the bundle." If these nascent services want access to popular channels, they're going to have to take less popular ones as well. Cable and satellite providers have done this for years, which forces consumers to shell out big bucks for shows they never watch.
Cablevision (CVC -1.07%) filed suit against Viacom over its channel-bundling practices earlier this year calling them "anti-consumer and wrong." New York-based Viacom, not surprisingly, rejects those arguments.
Here's one of the few issues where content creators and the pay-TV industry agree: If consumers are allowed to buy only the channels they actually watch, it would create a fiscal Armageddon for both of their industries. But as the number of cord-cutters rise, they may be forced to change their tune regarding what's known as a-la-carte pricing.
Consumers have to wonder how much choice they will have from services such as Sony's, which will be similar to the cable and satellite services they already use. And for people who think that quitting cable TV will deal a mortal blow to companies such as Comcast (CMCSA -1.08%), remember: You'll have to stream your videos over something. More likely than not, it will be an Internet connection from Comcast or one of its rivals.
***
So this is another small step forward, "live" TV over the internet. Though Viacom's programs aren't likely live. And there's already a lot of a la carte TV via Hulu, Netflix, and the various websites.
The big step will come when they have anti-bundled channels. If they ever unbundle ESPN, it's over. (or not?)
The alliance between Sony (SNE +0.60%) and Viacom (VIA +0.24%) that has been reported by The New York Times and others shows that day may be coming sooner than many expect. Viacom has "tentatively agreed" to allow its cable channels such as Nickelodeon and Comedy Central to be part of an Internet-based TV service that Sony is developing. This is big news for several reasons.
First, any deal between Sony and Viacom could lay the groundwork for similar pacts with other content creators such as Time Warner (TWX -0.57%) and 21st Century Fox (FOXA +0.41%). Moreover, it may lead producers to sign deals with Google (GOOG -0.32%) and Intel (INTC -0.52%), which are developing offerings similar to Sony's.
"Analysts say cable delivered through the Internet could give households many more choices -- if the new services give customers more for their money and if cable incumbents don't smother the services," according to The Times.
The bad side to these types of arrangements is that they'll make it harder for consumers to avoid "the bundle." If these nascent services want access to popular channels, they're going to have to take less popular ones as well. Cable and satellite providers have done this for years, which forces consumers to shell out big bucks for shows they never watch.
Cablevision (CVC -1.07%) filed suit against Viacom over its channel-bundling practices earlier this year calling them "anti-consumer and wrong." New York-based Viacom, not surprisingly, rejects those arguments.
Here's one of the few issues where content creators and the pay-TV industry agree: If consumers are allowed to buy only the channels they actually watch, it would create a fiscal Armageddon for both of their industries. But as the number of cord-cutters rise, they may be forced to change their tune regarding what's known as a-la-carte pricing.
Consumers have to wonder how much choice they will have from services such as Sony's, which will be similar to the cable and satellite services they already use. And for people who think that quitting cable TV will deal a mortal blow to companies such as Comcast (CMCSA -1.08%), remember: You'll have to stream your videos over something. More likely than not, it will be an Internet connection from Comcast or one of its rivals.
***
So this is another small step forward, "live" TV over the internet. Though Viacom's programs aren't likely live. And there's already a lot of a la carte TV via Hulu, Netflix, and the various websites.
The big step will come when they have anti-bundled channels. If they ever unbundle ESPN, it's over. (or not?)
Wednesday, August 07, 2013
just plain pasting
When you copy text from any source,
programs will usually copy any formatting that comes with it. To paste
this as plain text, press CTRL + Shift + V instead of the standard CTRL +
V, and the system will paste unformatted text. Note that many programs
follow this rule (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) but not all, particularly
Microsoft programs like Word or Outlook. For those there's a couple
alternatives: A) CTRL + ALT + V will show a 'paste special' dialog box.
B) CTRL + Spacebar will remove formatting in already pasted text.
-- via Retrevo
[I wonder if this will work when copying and pasting from Google Drive to Yahoo Groups? I'll try it next time. Right now, I'm copying and pasting from Google Drive to EditPad, then from EditPad to Yahoo Groups, since Yahoo Groups doesn't translate the Google Drive formatting well.]
-- via Retrevo
[I wonder if this will work when copying and pasting from Google Drive to Yahoo Groups? I'll try it next time. Right now, I'm copying and pasting from Google Drive to EditPad, then from EditPad to Yahoo Groups, since Yahoo Groups doesn't translate the Google Drive formatting well.]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)