Oct 8, 2006 | blog
Since installing Vista RC1, I decided to check out URGE, the new online media service from MTV. Since I’ve always been an “I need to own the CD” kind of guy, this is a bit of a change. Also, I’m not a real big music person – that’s my wife though!
The recurring monthly charge makes me think a bit as well – again, mostly because I’m not into music in a big way. I like what I have, a few dozen CDs from my favorite groups so I have my favorite tunes. By the way, they’re called “oldies” now – I’m not that old am I? Guess that makes my dad’s Beach Boys and such “classics”; which sounds more, …well, classy – guess I can’t poke fun at dad’s oldies any more.
Anyway, being the frugal fellow I am (read: cheap), I signed up for the 14 day free trial.
I have to admit right now that I’m impressed. The full URGE library is available, along with numerous videos, many I haven’t seen in over a decade, and other great music-related info and services.
As far as price goes, I’m on the fence. Its $10/mo. and $15/mo. for the ability to sync every track to a MS-based media player. They’ve got annual fees that end up giving you a 2-month freebie. I’m going to look into a subscription – mainly because Amy would make huge use of it.
I’m warming to the idea of a subscription-based model for media consumption, as long as I can really use it without running into the DRM enforced walls. As I don’t intend to pirate the music, I’ll be disappointed to find the limits, unless MTV and MS have done their homework on this area.
Technorati tags: URGE, Windows Media Player, WMP11
Oct 6, 2006 | blog
I have to agree with Lucas, the future of all media will be as downloadable files or streaming media. The concept that any of us owns the music on a CD or movie on a DVD is of course incorrect.
We purchased a license to enjoy whatever recording, and according to fair use clauses in the license, can enjoy that media either in a traditional player or a digital player. Of course there is examples of media companies and the RIAA ridiculously going after their customers 
, and individuals engaging in media piracy 
.
Now the key to all this is a common “fair use” policy that allows us to enjoy any media in a venue we prefer, using a player or format that we choose. In return, we consumers need to agree that there is some type of accommodating digital rights management (DRM) technology to thwart piracy.
In the future, George is right on the money. Whether its a computer, wireless media player (Zune or future iPods), home media center, etc… we will likely not have to worry about where the movie/song is located, we’ll simply select it from a catalog of our preferred online media service and enjoy.
With a mass market, the scale of economies kicks in and for some reasonable charge per month, we’ll have access to huge volumes of recorded works. The differences in these online media services is their pricing, and the type and quality of value-added services they offer. That may simply be an extended library, or maybe conversion of a DVD to an old Beta videocassette that is mailed to you (who knows).
This will be the next generation of media enjoyment.
Neowin.net – George Lucas Sees Movie Downloading as the Future
Jul 2, 2006 | blog
I’m easing my way back… For quite awhile I’ve really shied away from listening to tunes while I work, don’t really know why. One thing I do know is that I’ve been really turned off by the quality and variety of music available in the last decade. I’m not a fan of the current trend of pop music for sure, and I’ve not really spent enough time to dig into other genres of available music, so I’ve really not found anything new for a long time.
The last week or so as I’ve worked on some of my personal projects, I’ve been listening to the archive of music I do have. After all, being a true geek I’ve got everything I’ve ever owned ripped into lossless WMA (a Microsoft geek no less) 🙂 and set up to stream through the Internet via Orb. Its been a nice walk down nostalgia lane – all my favorites!
What I need is to find some new sources, and my initial question is – is that possible? I mean, I’ve not heard anything really good on the radio, I haven’t talked with friends about music much – or coworkers either. Mainly, I just feel out of touch on the subject – growing up in the late 70’s and 80’s that is where my music tastes were formed.
Artists like Van Halen, The Rolling Stones, Journey, Springsteen, Boston, U2, Rush, Aerosmith, Duran Duran, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Allman Brothers, Cinderella, Dire Straits, The Eagles, Tom Petty, Foreigner, Guns ‘N Roses, Motley Crue, ZZ Top, Poison, The Police, Men At Work, The Wallflowers, The Beatles, Tesla, Damn Yankees have really formed my preferences.
At any rate, I’ve been cueing up the tunes while I write posts and design sites. Not sure if its distracting or if its helping me focus. I’m enjoying it though. So what am I listening to at the moment? Journey’s “Any Way You Want It” just started… Ah… Many memories from this one – too cool. Suggestions?
Apr 26, 2006 | blog
Found this on Newsome.Org and decided to post mine.
1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open it to page 161.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence along with these instructions.
5. Don’t search around and look for the coolest book you can find. Do what’s actually next to you.
What I found:
“Tap the other city on the map, or tap the ‘Overview’ button and tap the closest city in the alphabetical list that appears (you can tap the up and down arrows to go through the list, and you can tap ‘Find’ to search for a particular city).”
The nearest book in arms reach to me was “Newton MessagePad Handbook” for the Apple Newton MessagePad 120. I’ve been meaning to put the darn thing away now for a few years… guess that I’m still in awe with it, even next to my T-Mobile MDA. 🙂
Mar 6, 2006 | blog
Picked up a book last week that I have not been able to put down. Its called Shadow Divers, and is about those two divers on the History Channel’s “Deep Sea Detectives“. This is an exciting book, its a non-fiction work that details the discovery and investigation of a unknown WWII U-boat off the New Jersey coast. Anyone who enjoys the History Channel show should check this book out.
See also:
I have to admit right now that I’m impressed. The full URGE library is available, along with numerous videos, many I haven’t seen in over a decade, and other great music-related info and services.
