Elegant Distractions

I think Tivo has pretty much figured out how to distinguish television advertising from the shows themselves. If they have the guts to take this to the next logical step, they will sell millions of units.

I had the distinct displeasure of 1) being sick and 2) watching live television. With three Tivos in the house, I normally refuse to watch anything live. The ability to fast-forward over advertising (and Ryan Seacrest yakking with contestants) has spoiled me completely in this regard.

So normally I would not have seen what went on yesterday. Tivo popped up a link to a video for Shell Oil -- during a Shell Oil commercial. Those Tivo evil geniuses knew it was the Shell ad, and the right ad, to boot. I saw the same thing for another advertisement.

Now, if they would only put this information in the hands of their customers we would have the one feature longed-for since the first VCR: smart ad skipping. Like jumping chapters on a DVD. A click of a button and the ads go *poof* and then its back to the show.

Of course they will not provide this feature because they are selling pop-up ads to companies like Shell, who would be loathe to buy them if Tivo made is even easier to jump past the ads. It is interesting to realize, however, that the technology exists and that Tivo is selling consumers out to generate more ad revenue for themselves.

Posted by director at 09:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Categories: Technology

The Spousal Unit recieved this bit of good news regarding Senate Bill 6900:

This bill never even got out of committee, and I wouldn't have supported it, if it did. But it's been curious that this round of emails heated up a couple of weeks after the bill died. Anyway, thanks for writing ... proved that my assessment was correct.

deb

Rep. Deb Eddy
48th District
Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah and the Points Communities e eddy.leg.wa.gov p 360.786.7848

Posted by director at 10:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Categories: Politics

The State of Washington is using the Great Climate Change Hoax to justify getting around the vehicle tax limitations voted into law by the citizens (known in Olympia as "revenue generators"). Here is the table showing the proposed tax scale, which will run from 1/1/2009 until new(er) rules take effect on 1/1/2012:

Engine Size (liters) Rate Schedule
Up to 1.9 $0
2.0 - 2.9 $70
3.0 - 3.9 $225
4.0 - 4.9 $275
5.0 - 5.9 $325
6.0 - 7.9 $400
8.0 or over $600

On January 1, 2012 the tax will be base on CO2 emissions according to this table:

CO2 Emissions (grams/mile) Rate Schedule
Up to 161 $0
162 - 193 $70
194 - 241 $225
242 - 266 $275
267 - 298 $325
299 - 362 $400
Over 362 $600

Of course, the State will not actually measure how much C02 comes out of your tailpipe (or your car...) but will rely on whatever source will generate the most revenues:

For the purpose of administering this section, the department shall rely on the grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission per mile as provided by vehicle manufacturers, or other sources defined by the department, to determine the grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission per mile of each vehicle.

Emphasis mine. For those who think this really is a climate issue, think again. The Ruling Class in Olympia has had it's collective knickers in a wad ever since the Revenue Generators began objecting to the tax gouging taking place in this state. And the masses have been not just objecting but doing annoying things about it, like voting for repeals. Of course Those Who Know What's Best For Us will seek any excuse to ratchet up taxes and in this case Glow Ball Wormening suits their purposes nicely.

Complain to your "Representative" here.

Posted by director at 02:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Categories: Politics

Apparently I was too preocupied with the fine weather this weekend to notice this:

Put simply, society has collapsed, and with it, many people's sense of connection to others, and their ability to see themselves as an active force in their own world.

It would be helpful if future societal collapses are announced beforehand so that people who are busy living their own lives won't feel so left out of the discussion when they get to work the next day.

Posted by director at 02:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Categories: Politics

Even Nature herself tires of the relentless winter gloom and every year at this time she takes a vacation. The glimpses into spring provide much-needed relief before the clouds and rains close ranks again for the remainder of the long march into Summer.

Posted by director at 01:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Categories: General