Technology Wars (an infinite series of reports)

An Evil Alliance against GOODTUBE

NO Bueno Senor, bet on AAPL


--- PC -360

News Corp., NBC Begin YouTube Rival to Reclaim Shows

By Cecile Daurat

March 22 (Bloomberg) -- News Corp. and NBC Universal Inc. are leading a group of media companies building an online video service designed to break the dominance of Google Inc.'s YouTube.

NBC and News Corp. will create a new Web site that features full-length films and television shows, the companies said today. Yahoo! Inc., Microsoft Corp.'s MSN and Time Warner Inc.'s AOL, Google's biggest rivals, will distribute the shows on their sites.

NBC Universal, with a TV network and movie studio, and Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., owner of the MySpace Web site and Fox television, are seeking to reclaim the users who watch clips of their shows on YouTube, and those who create their own videos. The media companies are up against a site that attracted more than 130 million visitors in January, mainly because of the user-generated clips.

``It really does seem like everyone is taking sides against Google and YouTube,'' said Greg Sterling, an analyst at Sterling Market Intelligence in Oakland, California.

News Corp. and NBC Universal said they will devote ``a significant'' marketing and promotional budget to the new site, which will start in the U.S. summer.

The venture will have movies such as ``Borat'' and television shows such as Fox's ``The Simpsons'' and NBC's ``Heroes.'' Yahoo, owner of the most-visited U.S. Web site, Microsoft's MSN Internet unit, New York-based Time Warner's AOL and MySpace will feature videos from the service on their Web sites and promote them.

Google Role?

``We're willing to sit down and talk to anybody'' willing to join the venture, News Corp. Chief Operating Officer Peter Chernin said on a conference call.

Chernin said he talked about the venture with Google Chief Executive Officer Eric Schmidt earlier today.

``Eric Schmidt is considering this,'' Chernin said. ``Obviously, this is not a YouTube killer.''

The willingness of media rivals to forge a partnership underscores the pressure they feel to rein in the widening use of their shows across the Web. The companies are wrestling with their competing desire to increase the audience for their shows and maintain control over copyright and advertising revenue.

The venture also highlights a split among broadcasters. CBS Corp., which isn't part of the group, has chosen to partner with YouTube and this month is showing ``March Madness'' basketball clips on the site. CBS, chaired by Sumner Redstone, said today it will continue to pursue its own online video initiatives.

Viacom Suit

Viacom Inc., the New York-based owner of the MTV and VH1 cable-TV networks, sued YouTube last week, claiming $1 billion in damages, for allowing users to post copyrighted material on its site. Viacom said clips of its shows have been watched 1.5 billion times on YouTube.

Time Warner, the world's largest media company, and News Corp. publicly supported New York-based Viacom in its fight to protect copyrighted content, and News Corp. has also forced YouTube to take down clips of some of its shows.

Viacom, which is also chaired by Redstone and isn't part of the new site, said the venture is a ``welcome addition.'' Viacom Chief Executive Officer Philippe Dauman has said the company is working on online video initiatives of its own.

Shares of Mountain View, California-based Google, which paid $1.65 billion for YouTube last year, gained $5.49 to $462.04 as of 4 p.m. New York time in Nasdaq Stock Market trading. News Corp.'s Class A shares fell 10 cents to $23.33.

Fairfield, Connecticut-based General Electric Co., parent of NBC Universal, rose 33 cents to $35.81.

Advertisers including General Motors Corp., Intel Corp., Cisco Systems Inc. and Cadbury Schweppes Plc. have signed on, News Corp. and NBC said in the statement.

`Unexpected Negative'

The venture will be based in New York and Los Angeles and George Kliavkoff, NBC Universal's chief digital officer, will lead a transitional management team, the companies said.

Tim Boyd, an analyst at Caris & Co. in New York, called the new site an `unexpected negative'' for Google. He rates Yahoo shares ``above average'' and Google ``buy'' and doesn't own either.

More than 133 million people visited YouTube in January, 14 times more than a year earlier, according to Reston, Virginia- based Web-use tracker ComScore Networks Inc.

``We value our relationships with NBC and Fox as they continue to upload content to promote their signature programming and look forward to working with them in the future,'' Julie Supan, YouTube's director of global communications, said today in a statement.

MySpace Role

NBC, the fourth-ranked U.S. television network, and News Corp.'s Fox have put their shows on Apple Inc.'s iPods and their own Web sites to help retain viewers and forge advertising revenue from the Web.

New York-based News Corp. bought MySpace for $580 million to get a bigger slice of the online advertising market. The company will allow MySpace users to display shows on their pages.

Jeff Zucker, who succeeded Bob Wright as president of NBC Universal last month, has been tasked with reviving revenue and lifting online ad sales.

Earlier this month, NBC Sports teamed with Time Warner's Sports Illustrated magazine to make videos, photos and breaking news available on their respective sites and lure more users.

To contact the reporters on this story: Cecile Daurat in New York at cdaurat@bloomberg.net .

I failed REG CPA Exam, met Undertaker, got Diet Coke in my shoes, won the Tostitos Fiesta Belt, and had my Xbox 360 break all in one day

[20:40] AK47: when is gears

[19:06] *** Auto-response
PC: delayed 2 monthes
[19:07] PC: cpa
[19:07] CD: test didn't go well?
[19:08] PC: failed
[19:08] PC: taking again
[19:08] CD: ugh
[19:08] PC: gonna go eat
[19:08] PC: yea
[19:08] PC: ugh indeed
[19:08] PC: but I did fly back to Houston from Cleveland with the Undertaker
[19:08] PC: from WWE
[19:08] CD: haha
[19:08] PC: that was neat
*** Auto-response Ends

[20:40] AK47: Where to stephanie?
[20:41] AK47: In-Game Buddy List Added To MotorStorm - This Friday
[20:53] PC: haha
[20:53] PC: taker's wife was hot
[20:53] PC: had a huge rock on her finger
[20:53]AK47: did taker look like shit?
[20:53] PC: nah
[20:53] PC: he worked the night or two before
[20:53] AK47: he fly first class?
[20:53] PC: for sure
[20:53] PC: last row
[20:54] AK47: he has gotta be too tall for coach
[20:54] PC: yea
[20:55] AK47: the wholefoods opened today
[20:55] AK47: we bought some sushi
[20:55] AK47: it was real good
[20:55] AK47: expensive as shit though
[20:55] PC: good at a price
[20:55] AK47: and the soy sauce they gave with it was definitely not natural
[20:56] PC: still word
[20:56] AK47: and had corn syrup in it
[20:56] PC: I get fruits and veges from there
[20:56] PC: but groceries from kroger
[20:56] AK47: is everythign expensive as ballls there?
[20:57] PC: not really
[20:57] PC: it is mexico dude
[20:57] PC: no state income tax
[20:57] PC: so cost of living is actually kinda cheap
[20:57] PC: but the city is huge
[20:57] PC: so there are a lot of whole foods strategically placed
[20:58] PC: I feel like crap
[20:58] PC: woke up early
[20:58] PC: did shit all day
[20:58] PC: I won at frolf
[20:58] PC: was 2 behind with 3 holes to go
[20:58] PC: he double bogeyed
[20:58] PC: I parred
[20:58] PC: we are tied
[20:59] PC: next hole I almost bounced it in
[20:59] PC: it was windy
[20:59] PC: I birdied
[20:59] PC: it was word
[20:59] PC: I won the Tostitos Fiesta Belt
(which is what my disc golf friends call the title between us)
[21:00] PC: and it was the day I met Undertaker
[21:00] PC: I choked slammed him at the end

-=---

When is gears indeed, probably a few weeks from now, til then Nintendo Wii.

Technology Wars (an infinite series of reports)

Todays installment is about the 150 million dollars that kept Apple afloat.

You can see just how horrible Microsoft can be

Courtesy of InformationWeek.com

Microsoft Threatened To Kill Mac Office
To Gain Infamous 1997 Apple Deal, E-Mails Reveal

The coercion was revealed in court records as part of an Iowa antitrust case.

Weeks prior to bailing out a struggling Apple Computer by purchasing $150 million of its stock, Microsoft officials threatened to cut development of a key product for the Macintosh in order to coerce its rival to make the deal, according to an e-mail unearthed during a recent court hearing.

In an e-mail to Microsoft founder Bill Gates, the head of the company's Macintosh development unit told his boss that threatening to kill off Microsoft Office for the Mac "is the strongest bargaining point we have." In the e-mail, Microsoft Mac unit head Ben Waldman further noted that "doing so will do a great deal of harm to Apple immediately." The e-mail was entered into court records as part of antitrust case in which plaintiffs in Iowa alleged that unfair business practices by Microsoft allow the company to overcharge for software. The case was settled last month and terms have yet to be disclosed.

Waldman's e-mail indicates that Microsoft didn't hesitate to put further pressure on Apple at a time when Apple was reeling from big financial losses and layoffs. Several weeks after Waldman wrote his e-mail in June 1997, Microsoft announced at the Macworld conference in Boston that it had acquired $150 million in Apple stock.

The deal was greeted by tears and shouts of rage by some Apple aficionados attending the conference as they watched Gates and Apple CEO Steve Jobs announce the deal via a live satellite link.

Microsoft ultimately released an updated version of Mac Office in 1998.

I am going to buy a Mac, but I am PC

The Dumbest Drug Dealer/Trafficker in the history of the United States

This is just too stupid for me to comment on.

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina (AP) -- It might have been one of the easiest drug busts in the history of the South Carolina Highway Patrol: A car with 43 pounds of marijuana crashed into a trooper's cruiser, authorities said.

The easy bust happened after two patrolmen parked their cars in each lane of northbound Interstate 95 near Santee early Sunday morning following a series of wrecks that had tied up traffic, Highway Patrol Capt. Chris Williamson said.

A Chevrolet Malibu going about 70 mph hit one of the cruisers, causing minor injuries to the trooper behind the wheel, Williamson said.

Officers found two large duffel bags in the trunk with 43 pounds of marijuana in plastic bags, worth more than $150,000, Orangeburg County deputy Warren Pendry said.

They also found a few marijuana cigarettes and cocaine, Pendry said.

The 54-year-old driver from Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, was charged with driving under the influence, possession of cocaine and trafficking marijuana, authorities said.

Lord knows a Productive Citizen would never let this happen.

What I sent to google help center today. RE: GOOG DOCs

Pick your topic :
Archiving/Deleting


Enter a brief, but descriptive subject : Goog "word" documents only have 512kb limit! Come on! Goog gives me 2.5 gigs yo, let me make a long enough file that can do justice to a CPA review sheet! grumble grumble armyoftechno.com

You can enter your question or more details on the next screen.

Name: productivecitizen.com
Operating System: Windows XP
Browser type: Firefox 2.0

Question/details:
I said it in the headline,
but I guess here it is again...
Google documents should have a larger file size upper limit.
I ran into this while compiling a review sheet for my
CPA exam(yes they test that much information).
I had to use MS Word,
ewww, and now I am worried I failed the exam.
Please make google documents better at servicing my review sheet compiling needs and the needs of so many students using your fine free service.

PS
I have a website too,
armyoftechno.com, please buy it.

:
	Please provide as much detail as possible to ensure we provide the highest quality service. For example, if you received an error message, please include the text of that message.

The Haternet (an infinite series of reports)

Today's story is about a guy who thinks that the next generation video game consoles are dissappointing, I don't disagree totally with his statement. But the sea of hate that spewed forth from the legion of videogamers/fanboys was intense. You tube this!



[14:54] jbizzlefoshizzle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtIcOanQIwM
[14:54] jbizzlefoshizzle: my directorial debut
[14:54] PC: I agree with the name of it (Top 10 Reasons New Video Game Consoles Suck)
[14:54] PC: I am very dissappointed with this gen (xbox 360, nintendo wii, and p$3)
[14:54] jbizzlefoshizzle: he posted this blog
[14:55] jbizzlefoshizzle: got like 400 comments
[14:55] jbizzlefoshizzle: everyone hating on him
[14:55] PC: word
[14:55] jbizzlefoshizzle: a few agreeing
[14:55] jbizzlefoshizzle: but he's right
[14:55] PC: PCs are better
[14:55] PC: when pimped
[14:55] PC: still but (xbox) live anywhere could be the end of that
[14:55] jbizzlefoshizzle: we'll see
[14:55] jbizzlefoshizzle: live
[14:55] jbizzlefoshizzle: need to get back on
[14:55] PC: you're a retard
[14:55] PC: ehehe
[14:56] PC: that is classic
[14:56] PC: 375 posts calling him a retard
[14:56] jbizzlefoshizzle: i like how it ends
[14:56] jbizzlefoshizzle: makes me laugh
[14:56] PC: being hated and loved is what is important
[14:56] PC: cuz people care
[14:56] jbizzlefoshizzle: yeah
[14:56] jbizzlefoshizzle: as long as people care
[14:56] PC: if they don't feel strongly either way it is not worth doing
[14:57] jbizzlefoshizzle: exactly
[14:57] PC: I can check his writing?
[14:57] PC: hehehe
[14:57] PC: we are gonna edit it real nice
[14:57] PC: hehe
[14:58] PC: kicked in the face five times
[14:58] jbizzlefoshizzle: hehe
[14:58] jbizzlefoshizzle: man, i was trying not to laugh, that's why it's all shaky
[14:58] PC: noob
[14:58] PC: 32 two year old noob
[14:58] jbizzlefoshizzle: lol
[14:58] PC: hehehe
[14:59] jbizzlefoshizzle: i liked that
[14:59] PC: dude that is classic
[14:59] PC: I hate being called a noob on gears
[14:59] PC: I am 26
[14:59] jbizzlefoshizzle: yeah, wtf
[14:59] PC: I am blogging this
[14:59] jbizzlefoshizzle: haha
[14:59] jbizzlefoshizzle: thank you sir
[14:59] PC: random stupidity
[14:59] PC: gotta love it
[14:59] jbizzlefoshizzle: lol, it fits

Army of Techno taking casualties

In the last few years we at AOT have lost some soldiers, and today one more.
In response to our membership dues email:

"It's interesting that you put it like that, because I have been giving it a lot of thought, and I do want to opt out. I am a huge, huge army of techno fan, but I have come to the realization that the ship has sailed on me personally being a professional musician. I love it, but you can't balance a 12 hour per day job with actually being serious about music. I am firmly of the opinion that the label is loaded with talent and one or both of you could really become a major player in the music industry. I will gladly continue to help handing out CD's and things of that nature, but the last thing I want to do is drag down such an awesome thing as this label by not bringing the same enthusiasm to it that the other members do. I love you guys and I hope you don't hate me for this."

John Oden / Stomper / Melvin / Twink / DJ Draftdodger


The main problem I have with this resignation is

"but you can't balance a 12 hour per day job with actually being serious about music"

That statement is complete bullshit. Ask the 99% of musicians that play music every free second they get. Ask the jazz musicians from back in the day. Ask anyone who didn't grow in a Disney test tube, succeeding in music is sweet because of the struggle to succeed.

I saw pre amsterdam john (Melvin),
then post wedding john (Stomper),
and both sucked in my opinion.

He used us,
left us with nothing
and he didn't care to call either of us,
maybe he was scared.
All I know is that John Oden is a quitter
and he can fuck off for eternity in my book.
Closing the door on something open to you is foolish,
AOT didn't ask you to leave, you wanted to.

You can voice your displeasure to him at john.oden@gmail.com

Akira - another great import from Japan

This is the entire film!

PC

Check out Aries Spears do his Rap impressions

Randomly stupid indeed.

PC

Riki Oh: The Story of Ricky

This is one of the greatest films in the history of the world.

PC

Mike Vick's special water bottle!

MIAMI -- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick reluctantly surrendered a water bottle to security at Miami International Airport that smelled like marijuana and contained a substance in a hidden compartment.

Police said Thursday it could be weeks before a decision is made on whether to file charges.

"We'll do an analysis and see what it is. There's no sense of urgency to it," Detective Alvaro Zabaleta said Thursday.

The bottle was found to have a compartment that contained "a small amount of dark particulate and a pungent aroma closely associated with marijuana," the police report said. The compartment was hidden by the bottle's label so that it appeared to be a full bottle of water when held upright, police said.

Vick entered an airport concourse Wednesday morning with the 20-ounce bottle. His initial reluctance to turn over the bottle aroused suspicion among airport security screeners, a police report said. He eventually handed it over and boarded his flight to Atlanta.

Police said the bottle was sent to the Miami-Dade County crime lab.

Vick did not immediately return a phone call early Thursday.

"We plan to look into the matter and discuss it with Michael Vick before having any further comment," Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts said.

Under Florida law, possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine. First offenders rarely do any jail time.

Two Transportation Security Administration screeners recognized the 6-foot, 215-pound Vick.

Vick's younger brother, Marcus, is a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins. Michael Vick was the overall No. 1 draft pick in the 2001 NFL draft. In 2006, Michael Vick passed for more than 2,400 yards and also topped 1,000 yards rushing.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

Gears of War Mad World Commercial Done Right

So I love Gears of War.
You can play me on Xbox Live.
My gamertag is ARMY OF TECHNO

Anyways a dude that played me on gears made this music video.
It is my remix of Mad World with Gears of War footage and parts of the commercial for the game. I think it is pretty tight. Check out his myspace, and continue to download new music from us!



Hey Microsoft, give me some ad revenue!

PC

The greatest wrestling match of all time

Mankind is by far the greatest of all time...

PC

Euros just love electronic music more enthusiastically

Xhibit a*:

*actually e,
Truly randomly stupid...
We love you Mr. T!

PC
AOT

A Wiitarded Wii Strap Accident

It wasn't me, but some overly excited texan broke the plastic ring that connects the wiimote to the fabric wrist strap. There is what is left, and my Walmart care plan, which covers remote controls, but only after the one year warranty of Nintendo's expires...
AND NINTENDO'S WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER THE DAMN WIISTRAP PEOPLE!
GRRRRR

Don't let a drunk person play Wii...

PC


PS

Texas sucks, goodnight Ohio

Madden freezes the Wii

This very thing happened to me today!
I blame EA, not Nintendo... for now...




PC

Check out my friend's movie about the Ohio Election malfunction

COMING SOON

Productive Citizen

Movie Pirate captured after running like hell...

Wall Street Journal reports -

LOS ANGELES -- A federal judge here sentenced Johnny Ray Gasca, a movie pirate caught red-handed several times, to seven years in prison, less time than he might have received under harsher laws he inspired.

Mr. Gasca, a New Yorker who was discovered filming movies with a handheld camera three times in 2002 and 2003, became the poster boy for movie piracy. His brazen conduct led in part to Congress's 2005 toughening of movie piracy laws to make illegal filming a felony instead of a misdemeanor.

Mr. Gasca often enlisted friends to sit beside and in front of him at movies, so no one would stand up and interrupt his filming. He often snuck into pre-release screenings. When caught taping "Anger Management" in 2003, he dumped his tape into his friend's popcorn and escaped, but was later caught. In early 2004, he told his lawyer he needed to buy cold medicine and then escaped from a drug store. It took federal agents more than a year to track him down in a Florida motel, where he was found with stacks of movies and copying equipment.

Judge Dean D. Pregerson sentenced Mr. Gasca to one year for each of the three piracy charges, the maximum penalty under the older law. Under the new law, he could have received up to three years for each incident. The remaining four years stem from other charges, including false use of a Social Security number, witness retaliation, and escape.

After his sentencing, Mr. Gasca stood up and said the case was a conspiracy by the government, according to prosecutor Elena Duarte. Mr. Gasca's attorney did not respond to a call for comment. In July, Mr. Gasca told CBS News that he was working on a novel version of his previously written screenplay, "The Prince of Piracy."

The movie industry pushed hard for the tighter laws for in-theater pirates because they are the first link in elaborate distribution chains that create the millions of illegal DVDs that are sold world-wide.

"West Fuckin Virginia" T shirt on ESPN 11:00 PM EST Today

This guy in the crowd on ESPN West Virginny U vs Rutgers was wearing a "west fucking virginia" shirt, pretty awesome cuz it was live and they showed it nationally, and the dude was all hell yea, and wasted, so good for him, and hopefully someone tivoed it.


Word,

check out AOTV 2
PC

ADDED THE PICTURE

Even-gelicals Are Corrrupt

Saw this on the news, had to mention it.

Since everyone else is still pooping their pants about

John "Giant Douche" Kerry's remarks.

Have a nice day, PC

Haggard Admits Buying Drugs, Getting Massage

David Zalubowski

Copies of books written by pastor Ted Haggard sit on a rack of the bookstore in the New Life Church. AP

All Things Considered, November 3, 2006 · Members of the New Life Church in Colorado Springs have reacted with shock to news that their senior pastor, Ted Haggard, has stepped down after allegations were aired that he had a sexual relationship with a male prostitute.

The evangelical leader has admitted that he bought methamphetamine and received a massage from the man. But Haggard, who has been an outspoken opponent of gay marriage, denied having sex with him.

Thursday, the man, Mike Jones, told the Associated Press that over the course of three years, he and Haggard had sex dozens of times.

The New Life Church's acting pastor told parishioners Thursday night that Haggard acknowledged that some of the charges were true. When Haggard spoke to local reporters Friday, he said he bought drugs from Jones, but that he did not have a sexual relationship with him.

Haggard has also resigned as President of the National Association of Evangelicals.

Inside the cavernous foyer of the church, the scene was very much business as usual Friday. Christian pop played from speakers in the ceiling, and banners advertising the upcoming Christmas show hung from the ceiling. In the church's bookstore, a sign advertising "Pastor Ted's" books was still prominent.

Friday morning, in a corner of the vast parking lot at the 14,000-member church, teenagers Joclyn Garcia and Terra Bear came to pray before school, something they say they do fairly often.

The young women said they were shocked to learn that Haggard had admitted that some of the allegations against him were true.

"I thought it was elections, with the timing," they said. "Thought it was a complete scam. Now that he's admitting to it, its just hard. It's just heartbreaking to comprehend."

Terry Collins, an outreach volunteer who comes to the church every day, said that in the face of their pastor straying, the congregation needed to unite.

"Pastor Haggard, he's made some mistakes," Collins said. "I'm going to try to be a positive example."

Eric Whitney of member station KPCC reports.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6430392