Seek: October 2007

Cornelia Clark Fort & Mulberry Canyon =

Posted at 03:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

Zune

The average twitterite not to mention the average nerd will think I am crazy should they read the next sentence. I recently bought a Zune and will even admit to liking it. I bought the Zune a little over a week ago but have waited until now to write a blog post so that I would have time to truly start forming my opinion. During that time I have been tracking the word "zune" on Twitter. I have not been completely surprised that the majority of tweets that I receive are negative towards Zune, even go so far as to seem prejudice against it. I was inundated with tweets yesterday when Woot put the 30 GB Zune on sale for $99.

I have previously spent considerable amounts of time copying music to the computer even going so far as to copy from old records, cassette tapes and live recordings; none of which could be called the easiest or fastest method. Given that fact, it might seem surprising that I have not previously purchased a MP3 player. Point of fact, I did once. Several years ago I purchased a MP3 player which was cheap and produced by neither Apple nor Microsoft. I disliked that mp3 player (because it behaved as cheap as it cost) and eventually gave it away to a young cousin. So, why did I choose to purchase an Zune and not an iPod?

Price per Megabyte of storage
The ability to listen to radio directly from the device
I have disliked iTunes every time that I have attempted to use it.
I own no other Apple products, therefore feel more familiar with Microsoft products.
Upon researching, I learned that Microsoft will be retroactively updating the current Zune software when their new generation of Zune products hit the market next month.

Do I have any regrets? I have spent more on accessories than I should have because of not comparison shopping. Also, I quickly filled up the 30 GB which makes me yearn for the 80 GB Zune. On the positive side, I am forced to weed out songs that I like least.

I do not regret purchasing the Zune. It is meeting my needs and then some.

At work, I use the headphones to listen to the Zune when I need to drown out the noises of the surrounding cube farm alleviating the risk of getting in trouble for violating policy by listing to music via the Internet.
At home, I connect the Zune to an old set of wireless speakers giving multi-room listening pleasure.
While driving, I use a FM transmitter to enable me to listen via the car's stereo system.
Alternatively, I have even used my notebook computer's speakers.

It is a natural reaction, I suppose, to be hyper-attentive to product specific information once purchased. The native reaction is to either have buyer's remorse or the opposite, buyer's infatuation. In that vein, I have been paying attention this past week. All of the above has led me to ask and attempt to answer two questions:

Why are early adopters and nerds biased or prejudiced against the Zune and pro iPod?
Does this apparent attitude represent the wider market?

The population of people that I am referring to as early adopters / nerds have widely adopted the Apple computer products. In this mode, they have chosen Apple products over a long period of time as preferable to Microsoft and PC based products. Therefore, these same people when comparing an Apple product versus a Microsoft product NOW would naturally prefer the Apple product. This is so, not necessarily because they are validating their prior decisions, but because they are naturally inclined to like familiar designs that are somewhat similar to products they have previously liked. In addition, someone who uses a Mac as a personal computer would not like or want a personal music player that is by nature incompatible.

Conversely, I believe that people who have been stuck in the business world (as I have) have over time remained more familiar with Microsoft products, not necessarily out of personal choice and personal decision making. Unless these people were particularly technical in nature they also chose to purchase Microsoft and PC products for use at home choosing to stay with the familiar. Such being the case, these same people who have not yet purchased a personal music device or MP3 player will be inclined to choose a Microsoft product (Zune) over an Apple product (iPhone).

Do you agree/disagree? Do you own a MP3? Zune or iPhone? Why?

Posted at 09:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

DAL vs NE

10/14/2007, 3:27 PM I liveblogged a cowboy game once before, I think I will give it another try. The game has already started. No one has scored yet, but NE is currently First and Goal. For some reason I am not feeling optimistic today, I guess that makes me a bad fan. Last week, I turned the game off with 20 seconds left believing that we have lost so you would think I would be making efforts to be attempting to be more faithful. I think I am afraid that if I believe I will be let down.

10/14/2007, 3:30 PM NE just scored a touchdown. I have the TV tuned in with the sound down and the remote within reach while the radio is turned up tuned to the Cowboys Radio Network. I am tracking "cowboys" on twitter which adds an element of interactivity to the experience of watching the game. Is it a matter of belief, like Tinker Bell's request, if we all believe truly believe will it make a difference? The "feel" of the game at this point seems to be going the other way. At this exact moment, Ware sacks Brady. Coincidence?

10/14/2007, 3:47 PM Trying to decide what kind of game I prefer to watch. Would I prefer that we blow out all other teams? Those games are not very exciting. When we are obviously outmatching the other team (think of the Longhorn game of yesterday), the game itself is boring. Same thought when we are obviously overmatched. In this case we are supposedly fairly even matched with similar standings in the league. The game has been hyped as a mid-season Super bowl. The cowboys have been considered the underdogs and they are living up to their billing.

10/14/2007, 3:54 PM NE touchdown. 2:14 left in the first quarter. Just to finish up my thought, these types of games are the most engaging, but as a fan prefer the best of both worlds. More precisely, games where the game is fairly close but MY team (Cowboys) are obviously in the winning position. Trash talk coming both ways on twitter.

10/14/2007, 3:58 PM Barber just broke a run, but he had to fight for almost every step. We really need to have some success at this point, or the Patriots are going to get too far ahead. At the very least, the defense MUST hold.

10/14/2007, 4:03 PM Finally they are getting TO involved. Game on! "Barber the Spark" (quoting the Cowboys Radio Network). Heh. Sounds like a tag that might follow him around awhile.

10/14/2007, 4:06 PM Cowboys Field goal. At least we are on the score board and won't be skunked.

10/14/2007, 4:13 PM That was a close one. "It's not your candy store." NE came close to another runaway touchdown. The crowd is in the game, here's hoping they stay that way.. Fumble! Cowboy Touchdown rumbling in by number 97! I believe! I believe! Everyway Cowboy Fan must believe! Anything in quotes above or below are straight from the radio broadcast. If we can just stay in this game, we always come out even better after the half.

10/14/2007, 4:21 PM BAD CALL! I understand why there is not Instant Replay on everything but COME ON! That penalty for a neutral zone encroachment was obviously mistaken. When three or more defensive players hit an offensive player taking them down, can we call it a swarm? Come on Cowboys! Hold them. More points not needed right here. 7:10 2nd quarter at 3rd & 9 and NE takes a timeout? That was weird. Current Score 14-10. The Fans climb to their feet. A stop now would be ideal. Where were the defensive players? We just let him for 19 yards. NE is eating a lot of time off the board. Does that work for or against us? Dallas penalty.

10/14/2007, 4:29 PM NE Player hurt. Player walking afterwards though.

10/14/2007, 4:31 PM NE Measurement for the first down. "2 links short of a sausage" 3rd down, 1 to go. Measuring again. Still Short! NE going for it at 4th and 1. Quarterback sneak which got the first.

10/14/2007, 4:35 PM After all that, NE gets an easy Touch Down! Geez. 3:34 left in the half and the only touchdown that we have had was defensive. Let me try again, I believe! I believe! …. I'm not sure I believe enough.

10/14/2007, 4:37 PM The Cowboys now have the ball, the question is if the offense has been on the sideline for so long that they have grown cold. Well okay, that was a quick moving of the chains. So maybe sitting on the bench was helpful. "Even a field goal makes it a one possession game." Is there such a thing as a good penalty. Has Witten been involved in the game yet? Also noticing that Tony Romo isn't having the opportunity to put his magic legs to work like he has been. When the defense comes for him, they are coming strong giving him less time to work. TWO MINUTE WARNING. Time for some Popcorn!

10/14/2007, 4:46 PM I missed 35 seconds of the game. "The first half will be about how the second half will be played." Witten is involved. Even those that don't care about the game , are commenting on Twitter [(docrock): going back to sleep... I hate the Patriots... and the Cowboys soo imma just sleep.]

10/14/2007, 4:53 PM TOUCHDOWN! While all that confusion was happening on the field, I was having my own confusion with my software and lost a couple of comments. I would do it all over again though for that touchdown. Now the defense MUST hold them. Currently 21 to 17 and we are hanging in there having finally had an offensive touchdown! (Too many exclamation points?) NE runs out the clock? What? Just hand us the momentum why don't you? Twitter is still amusing me [(ryanstewart): I'm so confused. I hate both the Cowboys and the Patriots. I wish there was a way they could both lose.]

10/14/2007, 5:00 PM Half Time.

10/14/2007, 5:11 PM And we are back. Short half-time. NE has the ball first and they are in the shot gun. Shaken up Patriot possibly seriously hurt. Always scary moments. Is the game worth a man's life? Actually two men's lives. The guy who made the hit, liekly lives with the consequences. I also always wonder about the ethics in these situations. The networks always go to commercial. They make money off of a hurt person. They are helping him off. Relief, but he looks none too healthy.

10/14/2007, 5:16 PM "The cowboys go to their dime defense." First play, Brady is sacked and NE must punt. Hope that herald's how the remaining of the game will go for NE. You have to wonder If both teams will come out of this game better having played each other no matter who wins.

10/14/2007, 5:19 PM 3rd 13:45 to go, Cowboys ball. Julius Jones busts a run. It's like he had the defense fooled at first. Julius again! Love it when players make a second effort! Tweets are beginning to come in from California expressing unhappiness for missing THIS game [(jennielin): (Autoreply) Everyone gets to watch the Pats play the Cowboys, the game that everyone is calling the game of the season... except for Cal ...] 3rd & 4 quickly becomes 1st & goal.

10/14/2007, 5:24 PM TOUCHDOWN! Believing, seriously believing! "Have we got a football game? We've got a football game!" From Twitter [(tconn): cowboys v. pats. classic.] Score 24 to 21 in our favor. Penalty against NE during the kickoff return. They were backed up but now OUR defense must stop them.

10/14/2007, 5:36 PM NE Touchdown. We're still in the game but it would have been nice to have stopped them here. "slugfest now. New England 28 Dallas 24." Is this going to be a game that comes down to who has the last possession of the game? Seems like there are more commercials in this game than there is game time to this game.

10/14/2007, 5:41 PM First play of the game we get a flag and the ball went no where. Half the distance to the goal so we are backed up to the 10. "That's just where you want to be against the pats." Unbelievable. Pats let him go. Unbelievable. 2nd play still looking ugly, something is going to have to turn around. What's with Romo's clothes, he keeps having to readjust his socks? Third play, ugly again. So we have to punt. This game might drive me to drink. What's with the tackling in this game? Just saw the replay. Thu punter (number 1) looked like he thought he was going to have to punt, but in no way looks up to the job. Bet he was thankful.

10/14/2007, 5:46 PM NE Touchdown? Flags, replay, and everyone is arguing with the refs or at least getting in their faces and getting as close as possible. Challenge! Where is our challenge! He was bobbling the ball, no control. We need a miracle! Come on refs! On the replay both players biggest challenge at the end was fighting the wall. It's a wonder that neither of them was hurt. Penalties are killing us in this game. YEAH! No Touchdown. The roughing the passer penalty hurts though. 1st & 10 at the 28. "Nice play. 29 for no gain." Come on Cowboys we need a stop! Let's call a momentum change! Seems like the Offense have been on the side zone for a long time. Hope they are getting ready. So, NE goes for a field goal which would make it a one score game. NE field goal. 2:14 remaining in the 34rd quarter. NE 31, DAL 24. "Can we just enjoy a great game?" No, not really. Well, maybe. But the nerves are on edge.

10/14/2007, 5:55 PM Cowboys got the ball. Handoff to Barber. First Down. "One man generator." Again Twitter says it all [twitter: (gregcangialosi): The Cowboys vs. Patriots game is where its at. Thats some football.] Over the middle to TO but flags are down. Illegal shift? What's that? Penalties are killing us, but then I've already said that. 3rd & 14 TO caught the ball but a yard short of the touchdown. End of the 3rd quarter. Just flipped channels. Bet NBC is hating having to compete with this game. I usually watch them but not tonight (at least not yet). Makes me wonder if they've mentioned this game. Wouldn't that just send the audience to the competition?

10/14/2007, 6:02 PM Start of the fourth quarter. Fourth & 1 and the Cowboys are going for it? Scary. Barber made the yardage and then some, fumbled the ball, got it back, but a holding penalty brings it back so we have to punt. Romo was yelling as came to the bench and who can blame him? I like it better when he is smiling. Let's just hand the game to the patriots why don't we? Brady runs for a first down.

10/14/2007, 6:09 PM NE Touchdown. More serious lack of tackling. What's the deal? Cowboys are up by 2 touchdowns and I am feeling down and depressed. "Still 12:21 to play" I needed that. I needed that runback even more. That was a mood lifter. Thank you Cowboys. Just like that we are first down and goal (psssst… cowboys - NO PENALTIES!) Field Goal. Would have preferred a touch down, but I guess some points are better than none.

10/14/2007, 6:18 PM Kick off. "Right now you could make Brady start in their own locker room and they would still score." Whose side are you on?

10/14/2007, 6:22 PM Ware is down. Looks like a big loss for us. (He comes back though.)

10/14/2007, 6:26 PM Nice to see NE hurt by penalties too. The radio broadcasters on the Dallas network are being very negative against Dallas. Seriously, whose side are they on? The Patriots are close to their next touchdown. We need some serious energy. This would be the perfect place for something big to happen. A stop, an interception, anything. 4th with 4:06 to go, 3rd and goal. Defense! Defense! Defense! Not quite a stop but a field goal. Seriously the radio broadcasters have seemingly wrote the Cowboys off. Last week we pulled it off with only 20 seconds to go. Oh, now they decide to try to save their jobs "crazy things happen." If we lose this game, I don't think it will be because the Patriots beat us, but because we beat ourselves and as I write this the Patriots get an interception. Yuck. Have we all just given up?

10/14/2007, 6:37 PM 2:13 remaining in the game and NE takes a timeout. Are they just trying to burn down the clock? The radio guys aren't even bothering to call the game, much.

10/14/2007, 6:38 PM Two minute warning. Or course, it's easier for me to rag on the radio guys than face my own bad fan attitude. "Be careful of the Vikings." Fourth and goal from the 1, will they take the knee? NE Touchdown. Final Score? 48 to 27. "The score is getting ugly." "Dallas gave New England the best fight they had all year long." Now the radio heads are talking about the next time we face them, would be the Super bowl." So as a fan, I want the cowboys to run the table the rest of the season. For that matter, I want BOTH teams to run the table the rest of the season. Wouldn't that be something? A rematch in the Super bowl with the Cowboys winning of course. See you then.