Spurred, in part, by a dying Tivo Series 2 and in part by the obsolescence* of a small 2-inch TV Jena had been using as part of her morning rituals, we at the Edwards' household are in the midst of a Media Center creation, or rather coalescence project.
While I didn't quite plan it this way, the first part of the media center is now in place, a 37-inch Samsung LCD. Samsung is a great choice for LCD's as they have great reviews and are generally innovators in their TV production. I briefly flirted with the idea of the LED but the smallest was 40-inches and for this particular room and space we needed it to be no larger than 37-inch. As it turns out, I was able to talk myself out of the more expensive 37-inch model primarily because I really do not like the Auto Motion Plus 120Hz™ feature that is supposed to smooth transitions between frames but ends up making everything look like it is shot on a hand-held HD video camera. Also the higher-end model achieved at least part of its 100,000:1 contrast ratio by shining up the screen surface, which in our house, like in the store, resulted in significantly more glare being produced. In this case, going to the store to see the products in action** also saved me money as I got this TV for just under $800 rather than the $1200 I was ready to spend.
NEXT UP: HD Antenna Selection
* The little LCD TV served us well for over 10 years, but the idea of getting a digital signal converter for it made me throw up in my mouth a little. So I installed a 22-inch LCD upstairs for her and connected the set to a hidden HD antenna with Scott's help.
Anyway in the video Matt & Kim strip down to, what appears to be, nothing in the middle of Times Square. Aside from some contention on whether they are truly naked or have some skin-colored skives on and the cops being real, we discussed if we could do that, and why or why not. I think the answer starts and ends with unconditional love. Think about it, you can be naked in front of your significant other, or your dog easy enough. That is because they each love you no matter what. If everyone loved each other unconditionally we could all be naked in front of each other without fear or shame.
This video made me smile, a lot. Guy #1 is dancing for the sheer joy of it. You can see it as guy #2 arrives. Two crazy guys dancing at a music festival. The tipping point to get a dance party going, as it turns out, is 3 crazy dancers. The first 3 dudes have courage and vision to see a dance party before the others. There are likely some lessons that can be drawn out of that for businesses and startups. It is good to be 1st, but the 2nd and 3rd to market are also innovators. Guy #1's are fun to watch, flail about as they may, but as Seth Godin puts it, "We need more guy #3s".
The Hangover takes a tired premise: guys get together in Vegas, hi-jinks, witness consequences, and jumbles it up. There is very little setup to the storyline before we find our four protagonists literally standing atop Las Vegas wondering, along with the audience, what is going to happen on this night. Fast forward (like a minute) and we are face down in the aftermath of what should have been a memorable night. The audience and the characters have no idea what happened and how that tiger got there....Full Review
I am pretty disappointed that the new iPhone doesn't have a new form factor at all. I actually do not like the way the iPhone 3G feels in my hand (too slippery and light) when compared even to the first gen iPhone.
The lack of support from AT&T for tethering (aka the only great feature being added) is nearly as bad. Sure video is great but not when preceded by rumors of HD-quality and video, conferencing features like a second camera on the front of the phone. And really Apple? You're going to make me get a mobileMe account to use the pretty cool Find my phone feature? I would use this in my house! But there's a digital compass you say? Wow are we going to get a digital abacus and digital sundial next?*
All that said, I would buy this phone just for the increase in processor and RAM, however slight they are (1.5x and 2x improvements respectively). It would have just been nice to get something more for my annual $200 "phone fee" to Apple.
* Ok that comment was more for snarkiness sake, the ability to add better turn-by-turn directions and improved geocaching is going to make that feature pretty well-received in my household.
I will be speaking to the Carslon School of Management Entrepreneurship Club tomorrow over the lunch hour. Preview: I wont be talking about business plans and taking a bunch of venture capital. I will be talking about my experiences these last two and half years at Refactr and what has worked and not.
I am not sure to laugh (because I can understand it) or cry (because I can understand it) when I read this post on Craigslist for a free couch.
Unmolested and in its natural state, the Couch of Life-Stealing may subsist for its entire life cycle on little more than air and dust particles. When encountered by unwary adventurers, however, it can be a challenging adversary. Faced with the prospect of a great meal, it will invite weary adventurers to lay upon its "cushions," whereupon it will employ a stealth attack, sucking 1d8 HP per round from unlucky victims. Once hit, victims will also automatically be struck down by Couch's powerful "Sleep" spell. If he fails his CON save, the victim will remain under the spell's power for up to 8 hours, and his midsection will sink deeply into the bowels of Couch.
Can you feel it? The sky is a little clearer, the days a bit brighter. Alt Text is post-ier. With all the energy and attention being placed on the inauguration of Barack Obama and al of the expectations placed upon his Presidency, it is easy to see why some of my friends facetiously call him "the savior". It is is also why so many people will be disappointed. President Obama can not, nor should he, bring about all the changes people want. He haas promised to be a President to all Americans, not just the ones who voted for him. That means that all of his decisions will not be well-regarded from the progressives. They have to get used to that. But with this new President I have confidence that things will be considered and thoughtful and believe that America's best intentions will be served.
For me, today feels good. There is a return to hope and to optimism and to reason in the capitol and yes, the country today. Happy Obama Day, everyone!
A week ago I mentioned to friends that I thought Obama had to start taking back his message by creating weekly (or daily) messages with just him speaking to the American populace. I think that would cut through the clutter of all the 3rd party ads and put the candidates best face forward, so to speak. It could also allow for very timely commentary and the outlining of policy ideas. Seems like that maybe exactly what he is doing.
I don't post this to make fun of someone's public speaking mistakes and blunders, god knows we are all used to that by now. I post this to point out to people that we need a leader who has the ability to think on his/her feet, to bring reason and logic to bear on a situation that is new to him/her. That is not McCain's strong suit. At least not for the past 21 years since he turned 50!
I fell off the wagon a couple months back and started playing World of Warcraft again after a couple year hiatus. It is much better than it used to be with additional quests and achievements as well as some new stuff coming up.
I am not condoning this behavior but if you want to check it out, email me (b e n @ a l t t e x t . com) and I can hook you up with some goods in game. Plus if you pay for a month of two we both get the following:
You and I will earn triple the experience when grouped together.
For every two levels of experience you earn, you can grant one level of experience to any one of my characters of lower level.
You and I will have the ability to summon each other from any point in the world.
Note: This offer not available to new parents, people who need a lot of sleep, or anyone with a history of addiction. :)
Hi, I'm Ben Edwards and I have been
posting my thoughts and ideas online
since 1995. For nearly that long Alt Text
has been a place for writing and
experimentation with the web. Currently
it most resembles a weblog.
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June 18, 2009; 01:43 PM Discussion
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I am pretty disappointed that the 
