Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
NBC Universal, Apple's iTunes deal sours
A WAR of words has erupted between NBC Universal and Apple, laying bare the tension between media and technology companies as they fight for advantage in the burgeoning market to sell video online.
The two companies had been negotiating to renew NBC's contract to sell its television programs through Apple's iTunes digital media store. However, the talks soured after NBC told Apple it would not renew the original deal because of frustrations about iTunes' pricing policy and anti-piracy controls.
Apple accused NBC of trying to push a "dramatic price increase" on consumers and said it would drop the network's new autumn television programs from iTunes.
NBC countered that Apple's pricing strategy was "designed to drive sales of Apple devices, at the expense of those who create the content that make these devices worth buying".
The dispute is another reminder of the growing discord between media and technology companies as they try to hammer out new business models to sell film, television, music and other content on the internet.
Universal Music, the largest music company, this year informed Apple that it would not renew its long-term iTunes contract and has since begun to supply rivals, such as Wal-Mart and Amazon.com. Universal and others have long complained that Apple has used its dominance in the online music market to force them to accept a uniform, 99c-per-track pricing model while it cashes in on lucrative sales of its iPod device.
As they seek to gain a foothold in the burgeoning online video market, film and television executives are desperate not to repeat the music industry's mistakes. As such, NBC is demanding greater power to price its programs on iTunes, including the ability to bundle episodes at special rates. NBC also wants Apple to install stronger filters on the iPod to block it from playing pirated materials.
NBC first signed with Apple in December 2005. Its programs now account for about 30 per cent of iTunes' television sales, although the resulting revenues still pale in comparison with the network's traditional advertising streams. NBC says that it still hopes to reach an agreement with Apple before their contract expires in December.
But they have also drawn closer to Amazon.com, which is now selling downloads of NBC programs, and expect to deepen that relationship.
NBC is also preparing to launch an online video portal with News Corp called Hulu.com that will feature its film and television clips.
The two companies had been negotiating to renew NBC's contract to sell its television programs through Apple's iTunes digital media store. However, the talks soured after NBC told Apple it would not renew the original deal because of frustrations about iTunes' pricing policy and anti-piracy controls.
Apple accused NBC of trying to push a "dramatic price increase" on consumers and said it would drop the network's new autumn television programs from iTunes.
NBC countered that Apple's pricing strategy was "designed to drive sales of Apple devices, at the expense of those who create the content that make these devices worth buying".
The dispute is another reminder of the growing discord between media and technology companies as they try to hammer out new business models to sell film, television, music and other content on the internet.
Universal Music, the largest music company, this year informed Apple that it would not renew its long-term iTunes contract and has since begun to supply rivals, such as Wal-Mart and Amazon.com. Universal and others have long complained that Apple has used its dominance in the online music market to force them to accept a uniform, 99c-per-track pricing model while it cashes in on lucrative sales of its iPod device.
As they seek to gain a foothold in the burgeoning online video market, film and television executives are desperate not to repeat the music industry's mistakes. As such, NBC is demanding greater power to price its programs on iTunes, including the ability to bundle episodes at special rates. NBC also wants Apple to install stronger filters on the iPod to block it from playing pirated materials.
NBC first signed with Apple in December 2005. Its programs now account for about 30 per cent of iTunes' television sales, although the resulting revenues still pale in comparison with the network's traditional advertising streams. NBC says that it still hopes to reach an agreement with Apple before their contract expires in December.
But they have also drawn closer to Amazon.com, which is now selling downloads of NBC programs, and expect to deepen that relationship.
NBC is also preparing to launch an online video portal with News Corp called Hulu.com that will feature its film and television clips.
"Surrender Should NOT be an Option" by Ron Paul
Saddam Hussein has been removed. An elected government is now in place in Iraq that meets with US approval. The only weapon of mass destruction in Iraq is our military presence. Why are we still over there? Conventional wisdom would dictate that when the "mission is accomplished", the victor goes home, and that is not considered a retreat.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Monday, September 03, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Australian Woman Killed By Amorous Camel
BRISBANE, Australia,
Aug. 19, 2007(AP)
An Australian woman was killed by a pet camel given to her as a 60th birthday present after the animal apparently tried to have sex, police said Sunday. The woman, whose name was not released, was killed Saturday at her family's sheep and cattle ranch near Mitchell, 350 miles west of the Queensland state capital Brisbane, state police Detective Senior Constable Craig Gregory said. The 10-month-old male camel — weighing about 330 pounds — knocked the woman to the ground, lay on top of her, then exhibited what police suspect was mating behavior, Gregory said. 'I'd say it's probably been playing, or it may be even a sexual sort of thing,' Gregory said, adding the camel almost suffocated the family's pet goat by straddling it on several occasions. Camel expert Chris Hill said he had no doubt the camel's behavior was sexual. Hill, who has offered camel rides to tourists for 20 years, said young camels are not aggressive, but can be dangerous if treated as pets without discipline. The fate of the camel was not known. The woman was given the camel in March as a birthday present from her husband and daughter. 'She had a love of exotic pets,' Gregory said.
Aug. 19, 2007(AP)
An Australian woman was killed by a pet camel given to her as a 60th birthday present after the animal apparently tried to have sex, police said Sunday. The woman, whose name was not released, was killed Saturday at her family's sheep and cattle ranch near Mitchell, 350 miles west of the Queensland state capital Brisbane, state police Detective Senior Constable Craig Gregory said. The 10-month-old male camel — weighing about 330 pounds — knocked the woman to the ground, lay on top of her, then exhibited what police suspect was mating behavior, Gregory said. 'I'd say it's probably been playing, or it may be even a sexual sort of thing,' Gregory said, adding the camel almost suffocated the family's pet goat by straddling it on several occasions. Camel expert Chris Hill said he had no doubt the camel's behavior was sexual. Hill, who has offered camel rides to tourists for 20 years, said young camels are not aggressive, but can be dangerous if treated as pets without discipline. The fate of the camel was not known. The woman was given the camel in March as a birthday present from her husband and daughter. 'She had a love of exotic pets,' Gregory said.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Friday, August 03, 2007
FEMA Slow To Investigate Toxic Trailers
FEMA is under fire for being slow to investigate reports by Hurricane Katrina victims who testified they've fallen ill from high levels of formaldehyde in their FEMA-provided trailers. What do you think?
Therese Dougan,
Office Manager
"Oh come on, those illnesses could've been the result of any one of the many governmental failures following Katrina."
Therese Dougan,
Office Manager
"Oh come on, those illnesses could've been the result of any one of the many governmental failures following Katrina."
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Report: Astronauts Flew Drunk
An internal review at NASA revealed that some of their astronauts may have been drunk when they boarded shuttle missions into space. What do you think?
Doris Snyder,
Tobacconist
"Um, when are NASA astronauts not drunk? They're being shot into outer fucking space!"
Doris Snyder,
Tobacconist
"Um, when are NASA astronauts not drunk? They're being shot into outer fucking space!"
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Veggie Booty (?) Voluntary Recall Issued
Recent Recalls: "Wellbaskets.com Is Alerting Customers of the Veggie Booty Voluntary Recall Issued on June 28, 2007 by Robert's American Gourmet (July 2) (Fri, 06 Jul 2007 15:33:00 GMT) Veggie Booty has been voluntarily recalled by manufacturer Robert's American Gourmet due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recently recalled product, Veggie Booty, was a component of many gift baskets created by www.wellbaskets.com."
Friday, July 20, 2007
IRAN'S SPYING SQUIRRELS?
By Ali Arouzi, NBC News Producer
You can tell that Iran is feeling a little beleaguered these days when there are reports that Tehran may be under attack from rodents!
That is what the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported this week, that police had, ahem, "arrested" 14 squirrels on charges of espionage.
The rodents were found near the Iranian border, allegedly equipped with eavesdropping devices, according to IRNA.
When asked to confirm the story, Esmaeel Ahmadi Moghadam, the national police chief, said, "I have heard about it, but I do not have precise information." He declined to give any more details.
IRNA said that the squirrels were discovered by intelligence services – but were captured by police officers several weeks ago.
British blamed for Basra badgers
British blamed for Basra badgers:
Last Updated: Thursday, 12 July 2007, 13:00 GMT 14:00 UK
The badgers appeared near the British base in Basra
British forces have denied rumours that they released a plague of ferocious badgers into the Iraqi city of Basra.
Word spread among the populace that UK troops had introduced strange man-eating, bear-like beasts into the area to sow panic.
But several of the creatures, caught and killed by local farmers, have been identified by experts as honey badgers."
UK military spokesman Major Mike Shearer said: "We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into the area.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
N.J. Dog Crowned World's Ugliest - The Huffington Post
N.J. Dog Crowned World's Ugliest - The Huffington Post: "N.J. Dog Crowned World's Ugliest"
PETALUMA, Calif. — Elwood, a 2-year-old Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix, was crowned the world's ugliest dog Friday, a distinction that delighted the New Jersey mutt's owners.
Elwood, dark colored and hairless _ save for a mohawk-like puff of white fur on his head _ is often referred to as "Yoda," or "ET," for his resemblance to those famous science fiction characters.
"I think he's the cutest thing that ever lived," said Elwood's owner, Karen Quigley, a resident of Sewell, New Jersey.
Quigley brought Elwood out to compete for the second year at the annual ugly dog contest at the Marin-Sonoma County Fair. Elwood placed second last year.
Most of the competing canines were also Chinese Crested, a breed that features a mohawk, bug eyes and a long, wagging tongue.
Quigley said she rescued Elwood two years ago. "The breeder was going to euthanize him because she thought he was too ugly to sell," said Quigley.
"So ha ha, now Elwood's all over the Internet and people love him and adore him."
Beyond the regal title of ugliest dog, Elwood also earned a $1,000 reward for his owner.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Dvorak Uncensored » ‘Mr. Wizard’ Has Gone To That Great Science Experiment In The Sky
Mr. Wizard’ Has Gone To That Great Science Experiment In The Sky
Many of you are too young to remember who Don Herbert was. But for those of us with a little gray on top, we remember him fondly.
TV's 'Mr. Wizard' Don Herbert dies at 89
By LYNN ELBER
AP TELEVISION WRITER
LOS ANGELES -- Don Herbert, who as television's "Mr. Wizard" introduced generations of young viewers to the joys of science, died Tuesday. He was 89. Herbert, who had bone cancer, died at his suburban Bell Canyon home, said his son-in-law, Tom Nikosey.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
86 Mac Plus Vs. 07 AMD DualCore. You Won't Believe Who Wins
86 Mac Plus Vs. 07 AMD DualCore. You Won't Believe Who Wins: "The Most Outlandish Computer Comparison Ever!
Bloat. If you think that Americans are getting fatter, take one good look at the operating system (OS) your computer is running right now. It gets larger and more weighed down with every update. We are in the third decade of global personal computing, and have we really progressed that far?"
....
When we compare strictly common, everyday, basic user tasks between the Mac Plus and the AMD we find remarkable similarities in overall speed, thus it can be stated that for the majority of simple office uses, the massive advances in technology in the past two decades have brought zero advance in productivity.
Bloat. If you think that Americans are getting fatter, take one good look at the operating system (OS) your computer is running right now. It gets larger and more weighed down with every update. We are in the third decade of global personal computing, and have we really progressed that far?"
....
When we compare strictly common, everyday, basic user tasks between the Mac Plus and the AMD we find remarkable similarities in overall speed, thus it can be stated that for the majority of simple office uses, the massive advances in technology in the past two decades have brought zero advance in productivity.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Greg Palast Has Roves Missing Emails
Greg Palast is in possession of the missing emails. He also points out what everyone else seems to be missing, that the attorney firings aren't the real story, the 2004 election is.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Thursday, May 24, 2007
The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs: A new lie from Microsoft? Or just wishful thinking?
The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs: A new lie from Microsoft? Or just wishful thinking?: "A new lie from Microsoft? Or just wishful thinking?
See here. Headline reads: 'Next version of Windows to be `fundamentally different.'' Um, no it won't. It will be fundamentally the same. It will suck. For a quarter of a century these guys have been putting out sucky operating systems and vowing that the next one is not going to suck. Or won't such as much. Or something. But they always suck. They can't help it. The suckitude is ingrained in their culture. It's in their DNA. Sorry, Bill."
See here. Headline reads: 'Next version of Windows to be `fundamentally different.'' Um, no it won't. It will be fundamentally the same. It will suck. For a quarter of a century these guys have been putting out sucky operating systems and vowing that the next one is not going to suck. Or won't such as much. Or something. But they always suck. They can't help it. The suckitude is ingrained in their culture. It's in their DNA. Sorry, Bill."
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