Digital Distribution of Movies: Is it the next big thing?

If you have been covering MacWorld, you may have heard that Apple is starting a rental service through iTunes that is compatible with your computer, iPod, and Apple TV, which is their version of a set-top box to play movies through your TV. They are now fully joining into the mass of companies offering digital downloads where you do not actually have the physical media, as it is stored on a hard drive or other device. Many companies (Microsoft, Sony, Amazon, etc.) are touting that digital distribution is the way of the future, and that physical media will still be dead. There are a growing number of people who believe this will be happening soon. Most of the people who do frequent blogs like Engadget, Gizmodo, and other technology blogs. Now, what they fail to realize is that most of the general population does not have internet connections fast enough to accommodate such requirements to easily make use of digital downloads. The only digital download that is actually thriving is illegal downloads, and those will never go away. Why pay for something, when you can have it free? That is why DRM will never work as well.

So, before you go touting that digital downloads will replace disks, you ought tell your neighbor who still uses dial-up he needs to upgrade. Here on the internet, people love to voice their opinions, much as I am doing now, but for most people voicing their opinion, their words and reality are often in contrast.

Furthermore, even if you wanted digital downloads of movies and such to become mainstream, our connection speeds need to increase as well. Oh well, you need to just get FIOS right? Fiber optics; delivering the dream. Yeah, if you live in the four house that it currently serves.

Finally, people need to realize that even though you have the latest and greatest, most of America does not. My grandparents still have a VCR and only 1 DVD player in the house. Don't even ask them about high definition anything, whether it is disks or movies or TVs. This is the current state of America. You shouldn't hide behind your Xbox and Monster energy drinks. Come out and really take a look. Then, go to your favorite blogging site and rant away in their comments section. Show everyone how cool you are, by thrashing an article, because there was a spelling mistake or the person being interviewed is not good looking enough.

Ok, enough of that. Listen, I just don't think America is ready for this future just yet. I applaude Apple, Sony, Microsoft, and others for bringing us the future now, but actually it is not quite here yet. So, in the end we will find out if the spice will flow.

Best Buy=Den of thieves!

Anyone who's ever shopped with Best Buy, and purchased something from the store ranging from a TV to a boom box has no doubt had one of their sales associates ask you to buy the protection plan, saying that for just this little amount you can be covered against all kinds of things that can go wrong. Well, out of my better judgment I decided to get a two-year plan with my PSP.

Well, after a few months of having my PSP, I got tired of the dead pixel in the center of my screen, and so I thought I would take it up to my local Best Buy in Irving, TX off of 183 Airport Freeway (As you can see, I am quite angry) and asked to have it replaced since there was a defect and I was well within my protection plan. Well, I took my PSP and my receipt to the counter and was told that I have to have a Geek Squad check it out. So the "specialist" looked at it, saw the pixel, and informed me that Best Buy follows the manufacturer's policy which was that there needs to be at least 5 pixels in order for them to replace it. I was not happy about that because no where on their plan does it say that and no one mentioned this "official policy" to me when I bought the plan. I told the guy, so basically I have to have enough defects in order to have it replaced and he replied, well if that's how you want phrase it. Come on, how else could it be said. I had a dead pixel which is a defect and they did not want to replace it, and I heard several other higher-ups say that this is the policy because it's Sony's. So, they told me there was nothing they could do. That is a lie!

I called Sony and they said that there is no pixel count before they would replace the product. Of course, I called Best Buy, and informed them that their official policy that follows Sony's is not right at all, and magically they offered to replace the product that I paid to have protected. So, don't let Best Buy tell you their lies. This almost made me angry enough to go back to Circuit City, but that's another story. Actually, I just may keep my purhcases to Big River (Amazon).

"We are America"-Tales of a minority.

On September 26, 2007 there was a relatively small protest over the city of Irving, Tx's recent rise in the number of deportations. There were several altercations, and while no one was officially arrested, tension was high. In question is the practice of police officers rapidly turning over suspected illegal immigrants to federal authorities, and the nature of these detentions. Opponents of the practice say that the police are singling-out hispanics in their daily enforcement of laws and how minor traffic infractions are turning into deportations. Supporters say that this program is removing from our country people that do not belong here anyways.

I would like to give you a taste of what I have experienced as a minority. This is not meant to be a plea, but an enlightenment to those unfortunate/fortunate enough to not have experienced this. I find it humorous myself. So, without further ado, I present the how you can tell you are minority, based on true events that I have experienced:

Getting pulled over for having my front-end of my car pass the white line at a stop light.

Getting pulled over for making a left turn too widely.

(Of course both these times I was seriously grilled by the officer. I love how they try and ask all these types of questions trying to trip you up.)

Also, this has happened to me on several occasions, while getting out of my car in a parking lot or restaurant I have heard car alarms being activated and seen no one recently get out of the car. I guess seeing my face is a reminder that your property is at risk!

These are just some of the funny things that have happened in my life. I know better to ever drive without my license for fear of deportation! I really don't think that anything like that would happen to me, but you've got to keep your eyes open. I say enough is enough.

Ipod Touch Review

I decided that I would do a little review of the Ipod Touch. Since normally I don't do video, you can definitely see the rough edges in it, but hey, it wouldn't be me if I didn't let things like that fly! So, in the spirit of a good time, here is my review of the Ipod Touch. I almost feel like this is an intermission while I collect my thoughts for my next post. I hope everyone enjoys it, and please, don't take it too seriously!

Race relations=Solved!

Apparently there is a storm brewing in our fair United States. Supposedly it's been going on for quite a long time. Actually, since the Civil War era, and you know, I thought it was getting better. I thought this resentment between whites and blacks was going away. Well, how naive I was!

Being Mexican, we often are left out of this white versus black thing. That's not fair in my opinion, but that isn't the topic of this post. By the end, you will understand how if people will follow my plan, we can knock this problem out with one 90 minute punch!

The reason I bring this all up is because of what's going on out there. Not in cyber-space, but in real space, or in other words, reality. Unless you've been knee-deep in some World of Warcraft action you know about the protests going on in Louisiana about the Jena 6. These are a group of black kids that beat up a white kid, and as a result, are being charged with attempted murder. What makes this case so astonishing is the fact that Meagan Williams, a black woman who was basically tortured by 6 white people, who is in the hospital still, has not been getting the same coverage, and in fact, charges are not even being pressed in that case. That is so ridiculous. This just highlights the prejudice's that exist in our world. It is easy to understand why resentment still exists.

In history, there have been attempts to make amends, probably government inspired in my opinion. One example of this, was the equal rights efforts of Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder in the great classic, "Ebony & Ivory". I thought that for sure this would go a long way towards healing the wounds. Apparently, I was wrong.

I believe drastic measures must be taken. I'm tired of hearing class-mates, and well, the United States for that matter, go on and on about whites this and blacks that, and how we all don't like each other. I think what we all need to do is Remember the Titans. If they can do it, so can we as a nation. If I had the time, I would drive to Jena myself with my big ole' blow-up movie screen and projector and fire it up, and let this classic story heal the wounds. Better yet, I believe the government should step in. If you're listening government, and since I just wrote the word terrorism in my post I know you are, then please do the right thing. You dropped the ball with Katrina, please don't do the same here!

A sample of what all women should know!

Ladies, there is something that I have to let you in on about men. I know some of you out there might not believe this, but trust me when I tell you that for the most part what I am about to tell you is true. Now, what you do with this knowledge is entirely up to you, and if I were you, I'd use it for fun, but hey, that's me. So, onto the secrets I have to impart.

I love women in skirts. I love my wife in skirts. Do you love skirts yourself? Chances are, you do. So, please keep this in mind next time you are out in public in your favorite mini or professional dress. If you are sitting and there is a man (men) across from you or at an angle or passing by or remotely near you (you get the point), he (they) will almost without a doubt take a glance to see if he can catch a glance of the hot zone. Now, that may seem a little perverted, but that is just the way it is. I didn't make the rules, I just observe them. Now, please don't feel too special and think you're hot stuff though. I mean, hey, maybe you are, and that's awesome, but in reality, it wouldn't matter if the woman was 300 pounds, she still would get glances if she had to change positions. If some of you have men, go ahead and ask them, and if they say yes, then hey, you've got an honest guy, if they say no, then....it's time for a talk. Most men, will just do a quick glance, and go on. If you notice a lingerer then I would suggest possibly sounding the stalker alarm.

Also, I think it is worth mentioning that pretty much, men will try and see whatever they can possibly get away with. For instance, some ladies out there have a nice bust. We aren't blind. Even other women notice the size of girls and particularly their dress as well. If you've got a button shirt that is kind of tight that shows skin through the buttons, trust me when I tell you that this will not escape the notice of guys eyes. I think we are just wired that way. I mean, I think some guys are just like that. Some of us are like Indiana Jones treasure seekers, and our treasure is skin! So, on with the hunt!

I hope that this information doesn't scare you, but actually, if it turns you on, then that's really cool. I think guys in general wouldn't mind women being more sexual. Call me progressive in that notion if you want. So ladies, next time you're out and about, keep conscious of what I have just told you, and see what happens. And guys, remember, the 5-second rule does not only apply to food, but to glances as well! I hope this information helps to open the door to more understanding between the sexes. Good times for all.

Lattes and Lollipops

So, we've been "down south" for a few weeks now, and it has been a mixed bag of feelings for me. I mean, Texas is really great and all, but it really can be a different world out here. We just got back from Jamaica, and man, do I have some stories to tell, but as you can see from the picture, there is something more pressing that I must talk about.

If you take a real good look, you can see that inside the drive-through to this new Bank of America is a Starbucks drive-thru all in the same line. When I saw that I knew I had to take a picture. This is so crazy to me! Only in Texas can you get a latte and make a deposit all at the same time. This is one of those things that just makes me love the state I'm in. We obviously take our money and our coffee very seriously!