Ebay Goes Widgets

Shameles Ebay plug. Cool new feature. I'm a big fan of widgets -- the web in bite-size snack servings. Even more importantly, comic books are going for these prices?! In case, the widget lapses, this particular ed is listed at $100 plus. that's ridiculous considering we bought ours at $1 at today's prices. That's more than i can say about my stocks. My brothers and I have this one in particular. Cha-ching.

DUGG: Sheryl Crow Suggests Limiting Americans Use To One Square Per Sitting

From the article:
Sheryl Crow: I propose a limitation be put on how many squares of toilet paper can be used in any one sitting. Now, I don't want to rob any law-abiding American of his or her God-given rights, but I think we are an industrious enough people that we can make it work with only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions.

Gave me good chuckle. Read more below by following the read more link. More importantly, read the comments on digg. Hi-larious.

I 'second' most of the comments made on Digg. Though i do think one can get by using one square of moist wipes...sometimes, not all the time. Let's just leave it at that. ;P

read more | digg story

Marriott Courtyard Anaheim

Part 2 of my {infinite} part series "Better Know a Hotel" (Mandatory Colbert reference there). Getting to know Marriott Courtyard Anaheim. Seeing as it was constructed fairly recently (2006), I had zero complaints about this hotel. It's brand new. Carpet was clean, bathrooms pristine, AC running smoothly, sheets were crisp white, mattress was just the right firmness, no problems getting on their wifi which was free unlike most hotels (booo). Very nice. I was half expecting flat screen TVs. But that's okay. My stay there was very good. 5 out of 5 stars.

Joost Official Beta Tester

Big effing deal, right? For now, it is for most people. I still think this may be the next killer app, a new kind of convergence -- Internet and TV. MIcrosoft's concept of WebTV on steroids.

Still, the Joost experience could be a lot richer in my opinion. Video quality is not high-def. But it's okay for day-to-day viewing. I don't need HD for Colbert or Heroes anyway.

And speaking of Colbert, when is Joost going to start showing The Report on their Comedy Central listings? This goes to the heart of my concerns with Joost. If Joost is just beta testing overall service delivery, it passes with flying colors. But if Joost wants to be a game changer, or introduce a 'new kind of normal', it needs to show more popular series. This will allow users to testand compare TV by appointment vs TV on demand.

Personally, I long for the day when i don't have to rearrange my day to catch/watch primetime TV. I think overall, that is the intent of Joost. Kudos to them. But they're missing out on an opportunity to win over the early adopters and future influencers of the technology.

Slow Day

Slow Day at work. One, it's Spring Break for most. Even for non-students, it's a good excuse to take some time off. Two, it's a Friday. Three, it's Good Friday. That's not to say that people are observing and going on vacation to celebrate Christ's 'death anniversary.' Some people, especially those from devout Roman Catholic countries, do take that seriously though. Lastly, the weather is perfect here in sunny (northern) California. I'm knocking off right now...

Welcome to Joost

Finally. I got an invite from a co-worker the other day. I proceeded to download the app and was glad that it was pain-free and uneventful. I decided to download on my media center PC which was hooked up to our living room TV. i'd like to try Joost on a 10-ft (vs 2 ft) experience. I already spend too much time on my notebook. My eyes need the rest. I may give in to the urge of installing it on my thinkpad. It will come in handy for when i have to travel.

As i fired it up, i was immediately impressed. I like the GUI -- had that Vista feel to it, not that I am completely enamored by Vista. The video res wasn't top notch but i didn't care. It suited my needs.

I decided to give it a spin and zeroed in on the soccer channel. Most of the 'episodes' were mash-ups of goal highlights, not unlike those you see on Youtube, only cleaner and professionally produced. As soccer is my favorite sport, I enjoyed the episodes.

More on my experience and my comments on content later...