:: ::

:: MAX BLACK ::

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." --C.S. Lewis

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:: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 ::

This post relates to the post directly below. Apparently, Bill Gates has warned his top execs that their whole business model is under assault by competitors such as Google. Now why does this relate to the post below? It's relevant because I just watched a 20 minute 'how to' program on my home computer. The 'how to' program involved the construction of a clever DIY TiVo machine, costing about $500.00 that will allow me to watch and record digital programming from my satellite or cable TV provider. It didn't hit me how ironic this was until I stopped to think about it. I was already watching digital programming on my home computer - without the expensive monthly fees - or a complicated TiVo. The program I viewed was written, produced, videographed and distributed by a company that appears to have about 6 employees - most of whom are probably under the age of 30. Actually, I've been watching alot of streaming content on my desktop lately including live Katrina coverage from New Orleans in the moments following the hurricane; live BBC reports immediately following the London Train bombings; live CSPAN coverage of the nincompoops who run the Federal Government, and myriad streaming vidcaps from bloggers like the political Teen. [A little aside; I have tried to access Fox News Online's streaming content to no avail - it doesn't like my computer for some reason. Ironically, the Political Teen has figured it out because I have no problem with his feed [or CNNs for that matter].

Mr. Gates, I have an idea for you. I want access - over my home computer - to every current TV program in the world - nea - that's ever been recorded or filmed or broadcast [including old Popeye cartoons] and I want to be able to browse and search a clean index of that content - ala carte style - and I want to be able to cut and paste that content and redistribute it back through the very same conduit using a creative commons license and I want this service provided at the cost of my DSL package which is currently under $20.00/month and yes, I'm willing to suffer some push advertising to get it.

I kinda thought this was where it was all heading anyway Bill! What's taking so long Microsoft? - I want clean digital media pouring out of my HDTV monitor, right here on my desktop and I want it before I die! Is that too much to ask Mr. Geek Internet Gazillionaire? Well, is it?! [Geez, we'll all be in flying cars before we get "movin' pitchures" on our frickin' desktop.]

Hmph. Maybe the Political Teen can figure it out...

Update: It just occured to me that Microsoft is acting exactly like IBM did before Gates kicked their ass - disinterested, entrenched, arrogant and vulnerable. Sell!

:: Max 11:19 PM [+] ::
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