YouTube - Microsoft iPod Packaging Parody

This just shows what is wrong with most computer packaging out there, and how more isn't always better.

Watch it at www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Update

Looks like Microsoft commissioned the video for a little internal education. See http://www.ipodobserver.com/story/25957

Writers Block Live » Blog Archive » The HD Boycott Begins Now

It sure looks like I'm going to enjoy a lot more free time in the future, because I won't be able afford to own a lot of media

Read more at writersblocklive.com/pa...

Why formats like RSS 2.0 work

It's really nice to see the acknowledgement of how important a stable platform is for development. I think a lot of new developers miss that point, in their quest to bend the computer to their will. Data formats, like RSS, are such a crucial thing to keep stable. A clear evolution path helps keep the temptation to reinvent the wheel at bay.

Read more at www.scripting.com/2006/...

Have You Ever Tried to Sell a Diamond?

Speaking of marketing prowess, I just read this article about DeBeers and the history of diamond marketing. Some of the advertising may seem a bit morally questionable, but you can't argue that this kind of stuff doesn't still happen today.

Read more at www.theatlantic.com/doc...

I was also listening to TWiT this morning, and they were discussing the paid use of bloggers to pump up products on the web. One might go as far as saying that it is now even easier to manipulate the media to get your message out to a large audience. There is a need for a course that teaches people how to be critical of media. There was a bit of talk in this episode about how this used to be a part of Home Economics, which has all but disappeared from modern curriculum.

I have not doubt that kids today are much more adept at handling all the messages that are being driven toward them, because of the sheer quantity of media available, but I'm not so sure how easy it is to process. It would be good to at least confront media with kids and open up a dialog that questions it's intent. Ignoring media, or disallowing access to media doesn't really prepare them for the onslaught that will eventually happen. I think kids need to learn to question the messages coming from media at an early age, because companies are marketing to them at ever younger ages.

‘Fun New Products’ Coming From Apple

The rumor mills are working overtime to speculate on the latest announced Apple event. You just have to admire how a company can keep people in anticipatation like this, and crank up the buzz. Apple is a marketing machine.

My two cents: I just can't get out of my head how much fun Steve had demoing PhotoBooth when that was first introduced.

Read more at writersblocklive.com/pa...

Update
Mike is now guessing for a Mac Mini update. Think they might throw in an iSight update (the non-embedded version)?

Update 2 - 23 Feb
With Apple halting bulk orders of Mac Minis, it is looking like a good candidate for updates or replacement.

PunxsutawneyPhil.com

Six more weeks of "mild" winter!

Read more at www.groundhog.org...

And more at Punxsutawney Groundhog Sees His Shadow...

Newsvine - Activist Cindy Sheehan Arrested at Capitol

Now, I'm usually one to tell people to "move on", for things like this, but if this article is accurate, I am gravely concerned for this country.

To summarize, Cindy Sheehan, known anti-war activist, was arrested at the State of the Union address for wearing a T-shirt with an anti-war slogan on it. Police warned her that it would not be allowed. WTF? That seems like a reasonably peaceful demonstration to me. Tread lightly, folks, we still have almost two full years left.

Read more at www.newsvine.com/_news/...

[update] I've been reading some of the comments on the original article, and I thought I'd add to this post. T-shirts are explicitly exempted from the Capitol anti-demonstration law, which is what the original charge was originating from (it was lessened to something else). Other posters wanted to point out that this was a political move by the Democrats that invited her, and all I can say to that is "Of course it was!". That still doesn't lessen the seriousness of this issue to me. [update] All charges were dropped, and the police issued an apology.