Blockbuster Online Rental Changes
According to a source inside Blockbuster, the online rental program will soon be making some changes which could help them in their quest to overtake Netflix.
The changes include:
- Blockbuster will soon let members who subscribe to the online rental service return the online rentals in their local store.
- When the DVD is dropped off at the store the distribution center will be notified and your next movie will be shipped.
- A free rental whenever you bring an online rental in for return.
I know that the free rental is good towards a new release, no word yet on using the free rental towards a game. With these changes, you will never be without the amount of movies in your plan, and you can easily get a spur of the moment movie rental free.
As a current Blockbuster subscriber I am looking forward to these changes, and wonder what Netflix plans to do to counter these new incentives.
Word is that these changes should be in effect within a few weeks.
MaxiVista: Extend your desktop
I have had a few days to toy around with MaxiVista: Multi Monitor Software. I found this software on Lifehacker last week and it has revolutionized my work experience. With an old laptop(850Mhz,128MB, XP Pro) and my work network I have been able to easily add a second display and extend my desktop to the old laptop’s display. The software works flawlessly and after I figure out which version I need I will be picking up the software for $20, or $27 if I need the features of Pro. I cannot recommend this software enough, especially if your employer won’t spring for a dual monitor setup.
My current setup:
And a Broader shot:
Yes that is a podium, and no I am not currently taking reservations for speaking engagements.
Ohio Elections The Frustration Begins
WHY o WHY does it have to be so hard to find out information about the individuals running for governor, senate and the house in Ohio?
The closest I have come is to find the Hancock County Board of Elections site which lists the individuals who are running however a separate Google search is needed to find the candidate’s homepage. After the search results turn up a homepage it is still just loads of BS and not direct contact with the candidates.
I want to know what these candidates want to do to make school affordable, truly affordable not just affordable to 5 people in the state. I want to know how you plan on bringing jobs to Ohio for people with college degrees. Factory jobs are good and needed but I can’t open the local paper and find One not ONE job which is suitable for someone with a college degree. How can graduates be expected to pay back loans which are astronomical nowadays.
I also want to know how the Ohio Senators and Members of the house feel about fair use, are you simply an industry puppet or do you care about my fair use right. Crack down on timesharing, that’s fine but don’t tell me what I can and cannot do with media I pay for. This includes, movies, TV, music, the bird I hear chirping on the street. You can’t copyright the world and you can’t legislate a business model. You want the young vote? Be part of the solution not the problem.
It should not be this hard to make contact with the individuals who claim to represent me.
Anyone running for office? Want to answer these questions, leave a comment. Or you could simply forget about the young voters like you do every year.
And to MTV et. al. quit this rock the vote BS, give the young people the tools, ask the hard questions of the politicians. It is not enough to encourage the vote. Get the answers young voters need to make an informed choice.
End Rant
PaxilBack by Graykid THE Sexyback Parody
Gray Kid posted this hilarious spoof of Justin Timberlake’s SexyBack up on Youtube.
I love the Memento mentions in the video, post it notes all over, the to do list , Shave, Check Messages. Classic!
In case you wanted to know what paxil is, it is defined as “Paxil is approved for the treatment of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder in adults.”
Freakin Hilarious
Black Tie Mouse Cake inspired by Olive Garden
For Amber’s birthday I put together a Black Tie Mouse cake inspired by Olive Garden.
The Results:
What Happens if you turn the mixer on rather than press the eject button:
Recipe for Olive Garden Black Tie Mouse cake
The Recipe doesn’t mention it but if you are trying this for the first time it took about 3 hours form start to finish.
The Palm 680 comes in Orange
Engadget Mobile had a chance to get a hands on with the Palm Treo 680 today which is suspected to show up at Cingular. The Palm 680 doesn’t have amazing specs and runs the palm OS which is outdated ancient, but should drop for under $200 with a contract. If only the The Treo 750 (also rumored to come to Cingular) came in orange I could happily switch carriers. Well spotty coverage and an ETF happily anyway.
New Theme
I am toying around with the new theme you see now. I think it is much cleaner and after a few modifications I should be settled in by Monday. The theme is Cutline by Chris Pearson.
Any thoughts?
Family Circus Mashups
Tobais Buckell writes about the Family Circus Nietzche mashup making the rounds on the internet but my favorite Family circus mash up borrows from Office Space.
Not quite as deep as Nietzche’s:
The surest way to corrupt a youth is to
instruct him to hold in higher esteem those
who think alike than those who think differently.
They both seem to ring true though!
Josh Smith is a blogger, database manager and adjunct professor of business and technology. 
