If it isn't broke, then fix it

     I don't understand why these companies have to always cheat their base of customers with some kind of new program or interface that either has a steep learning curve or loses past applications.  So it's no wonder that Windows 10 isn't taking off as fast as Windows 7.  Windows 7 is arguably the best modern interface for doing simple tasks, nothing is hidden or was hard to get too.  The interface is still used by companies and schools because of it's proven success.
     The reasoning for this rapid movement is because of tablets becoming super popular with the public.  Laptops are great for intense stuff like gaming, writing, and designing, but most people don't do all that and really just want something a little more than a typical smart phone.  With Windows 10 a lot of features such as windows media player don't apply like they did before because of films being digitally downloaded now.  But what about the other million people that don't have a tablet and need these features?  Windows get nagging everyone to download it and when people finally did, the word of mouth is what slowed the process.  Besides Windows 7 is suppose to be good up until 2029 so I think the world will be able to manage until then.

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Streaming=Killing cable, but not my wallet.

     Tonight I made a decision I was trying to avoid, getting rid of cable.  Granted we had over a hundred channels, but I really only watched maybe ten of them.  The kicker was that our cable was out and Charter wanted to still charge $129 for service.  How can you justify spending that much on cable you ask?  The answer is simple, we liked the children's programming for the little one.  So instead of Nickelodeon in the mornings he will have to watch Netflix.
     Netflix hasn't been around as long as say Pay Per View, but now what started as an online DVD rental company has changed the way people watch movies and television programming.  If Redbox killed Blockbuster, then Netflix is slowly killing cable.  Every kind of show you want is now available for only $7.99 a month with no commercials.  Granted it's not like they have absolutely anything you want, but there are hours of different things to capture someones interest.  Netflix is becoming more of a network like the channel USA Network where they brag about how much original programming they have and how great that is...for somebody I guess.
     I remember dating this chick back 2009 and she would order new release from Netflix.  We would sit there and cuddle for hours watching what ever and just really enjoying each others company.  She had both Netflix, plus cable with all the premium channels to boot.  Video streaming wasn't quite there yet so we had to wait for those magic DVDs to come in the mail.  Things didn't work out and I'm often reminded of here throughout my week.  I hope things are going well for her and I'll never forget those moments we had that seemed like something out of a movie.  She was a strong willed puma that was stuck in here ways.
     I don't know, maybe she finally gave up cable.

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Don't People Watch Movies...Computers Are Bad

     Don't people realize that computer, technology, and artificial intelligence is going to destroy humanity?  I know this is true because I've seen the movies.

     Apparently the two internet giants Google and Facebook are in a race to find the make an open source programs that can even go further into recognizing what people type and say.  Apple has Siri, but this is kinda the same principal on steroids.  Google and Facebook make their money from advertisements by using adwords that can build a profile for a person on their interests when searching.  So now the two giants are in race to out due each other with A.I and Facebook seems to be coming out ahead.

     Facebook is developing a super computer that of course all the latest goodies, but has eight high-end GPUs.  Most computers have one GPU that will have multiple cores to handle the processes the user is doing such as searching the web, playing a dvd, and gaming all at the same time.  Even computers that are built for 3D graphics and video will have dual processors, but EIGHT!!!  The two titans are also competing to get the best and brightest engineers to program the new ideas because the format is open source.  The best way to explain what is going on is to rent "Golden Eye" or any James Bond movie that involves computers.  Google and Facebook are the madmen that are trying to take over the world by hiring some computer programmers.  Maybe it's more like "Live Free or Die Hard"...I don't know maybe I watch too many movies.

     What bothers me about this article how they want artificial intelligence the power to hold conversations with people.  Are times really that bad that people really have to tell a machine their feelings, hopes, and desires?  Don't they realize that this is a recipe for disaster because of how dependent they will be?  

     But hey this is none of my business and besides, Terminator is on t.v.

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People fired, millions lost...back to business as usual

     Sony is company that has their hand in almost all forms of entertainment and electronics.  What started as the manufacturer of cassette players and camcorders now has music, gaming systems, movies, and cell phones.  So one would think that the movie division of the company wouldn't be as important as say gaming would be terribly wrong.  The North Korea cyber attack on the company put a huge strain financially on the film division because it exposed all plans, thoughts, and remarks the former CEO was sending out in email to others.      
     It's crazy how in this day and age billion dollar companies can get hacked by major governments over silly ideas.  And that's what happen to Sony with the film "The Interview" that poked fun at the culture and beliefs of North Korea.  Because of the emails being put out for the public to see on the internet hurt the company because of sensitive information about future film projects that the company had invested millions of dollars into.  This wasn't the first time Sony had been hacked because the Playstation Network was also hacked a few years ago and cost the company even more millions.
     The new CEO has reflected on these attacks and even stated that you need to close the inboxes and start picking up phones.  With the growing dependence of technology of the American people if a nation gets mad at us about a film coming out and tries to ruin a company, what would another nation do to us over different issues?

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The Force Awakens...with less money

     To a regular Joe living their daily middle class life the term "millions of dollars" is up there with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and going to third base on the first date as things that are imaginary (less of the latter).  The stories of companies paying millions of dollars for a thirty second ad blows peoples minds as to how can these companies justify spending so much on time that is less than the average attention span seems wasteful.  But with the internet people have found other ways to advertise their products.
     Now the new "Star Wars" coming out isn't in the same league of advertising as some "as seen on T.V." ad during late night television, but the amount Disney has been spending on television ads is half of what studios spent on "non-event" movies.  To me social networks like Facebook and YouTube have helped keep the Star Wars franchise enduring after forty years.  Granted the prequels in the early part of the 2000s brought back the public awareness of the saga, but those films didn't have the same magic as the originals.  Kids could see an image of Han Solo on someones profile picture, ask their parents about who that is, and be introduced to the franchise and keep it going.
     A few years ago YouTube started to advertise commercials before videos and it brought a whole new dynamic to the channel.  Granted it is annoying, but advertising is what keeps sites like YouTube and Facebook free to be apart of.  Google has adsense which is way beyond what my little mind can comprehend, but there are success stories about people making a living from their blogs and videos from views and clicks.  Of course having your content standout in a sea of other related material is a challenge in itself, finding that vein of advertiser money on the web is something of a treasure hunt that people are always trying to find and capitalize on.  The internet keeps memories alive, whether they be good, bad, or ugly.
     Now if you will excuse me I have a good feeling about date later tonight.

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The Incredible Shrinking Camera

     Back in the 1990's my family got our first camcorder.  My Dad and I just to be wowed by how the giant tape would eject like the gun out of Robocop's leg.  I had a ton of fun taping with my friends doing silly stuff and playing it back on the television.  This giant beast in the picture is close to what we had growing up.  It's crazy how in twenty years things can change so much.
   

     GoPro  has become the standard in the action camera market.  No matter what brand of small camera you may have people will always associate it with a gopro camera.  Someone can spend $500 on a camera so bigger on a cell phone that can have 4k recording, professional settings, and HD slow motion and still be compete within reason of something that cost five times as much.  It's crazy how everything is smaller and better than what people perceived as the best quality a few years ago.  I myself had problems going from tapes to the digital format because it couldn't buy what you would do if you the camera quit working.  Now at video gigs we pass around memory cards like candy not having a care in a world.  

     So now the bean counters at gopro are getting worried that sales of their new camera aren't selling as well as they thought and it is a no brainer.  Looking at the specs of the gopro session camera why would anyone pay $400 for a something that is yestertech?  The prices keep getting slashed, but it people don't want it because they can get something better for half the price.  It makes me wonder what the next big leap will be for the action camera market.

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