From wolfger at gmail.com  Mon Jan  5 09:17:41 2009
From: wolfger at gmail.com (Wolfger)
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 09:17:41 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] Zune 30 gig is now a brick
In-Reply-To: <495BDFFB.6080605@comcast.net>
References: <20081231.154941.23314.0@webmail07.vgs.untd.com>
	<495BDFFB.6080605@comcast.net>
Message-ID: <3b00b3330901050617m2a301209u4bbfcb194aa5fc5c@mail.gmail.com>

I understand the fix for the zune brickage is simply to let the
battery die. Don't have that link handy, because I could care less
about Zunes and Ipods. Basic MP3 player is the way to go. With Ogg
support, if you can find it.

On Wed, Dec 31, 2008 at 4:11 PM, Garry Stahl <tesral at comcast.net> wrote:
> gib at juno.com wrote:
>> http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-12-31-zune-mystery_N.htm?csp=27&RM_Exclude=Juno
>>
>> My $35 video player works fine.
>>
>
> It is also a prime example of the three most important words in computing.
>
> Backup, Backup, Backup.
>
> Never store one copy of anything you care about in one place.
>
> --
> Garry  AKA  --Phoenix--  Rising above the Flames.
>
> Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
> Star Trek mort. Viva la Star Trek admiraetur
> The Olde Phoenix Inn http://phoenixinn.iwarp.com
> Metro Detroit Linux Users Group http://www.mdlug.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> mdlug-discuss mailing list
> mdlug-discuss at mdlug.org
> http://mdlug.org/mailman/listinfo/mdlug-discuss
>



-- 
Wolfger
http://wolfger.wordpress.com/

The world is a mess, and I just... need to rule it.


From audiotech50 at gmail.com  Mon Jan  5 10:36:37 2009
From: audiotech50 at gmail.com (Michael Rudas)
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 10:36:37 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] Zune 30 gig is now a brick
In-Reply-To: <3b00b3330901050617m2a301209u4bbfcb194aa5fc5c@mail.gmail.com>
References: <20081231.154941.23314.0@webmail07.vgs.untd.com>
	<495BDFFB.6080605@comcast.net>
	<3b00b3330901050617m2a301209u4bbfcb194aa5fc5c@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <b67fb0380901050736m12f2b9a1v7ace01eeeba60486@mail.gmail.com>

--- Wolfger wrote:

> Basic MP3 player is the way to go. With Ogg support, if you can find it.

In THAT vein, here's an item that may be of interest:
"Refurbished Sansa c240 music player"
<http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0278626>

It's a STEAL at $18 (sale price)  -- though it does not play OGG
files, uses a custom USB cable, and has no direct support under Linux
(see below), it does have a kick-ass FM tuner (tuned RF), voice & FM
recording (decent), rechargeable 15-hour (claimed) Li-polymer battery,
and a MicroSD slot.

That's where the indirect Linux support comes in.  The player itself
plays MP3/WMA/WMA-DRM (the deprecated "Plays For Sure" -- uh-huh) and
its internal storage is managed using WMP 10 or 11 -- but files copied
to a MicroSD card, either externally or internally, play fine.
"2GB 4-in-1 SD Mobile Media Kit"
<http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0265993>

Another side benefit, for those running Windows -- the
free-to-download "Sansa File Format Converter" software is pretty good
and treats the c240 as a dongle.

The other Windows-oriented downside is that the unit NEEDS a firmware
upgrade that can only be done under Windows.

The provided earbuds are decent, but I'm not a big fan.  If you scan
dollar stores, the COBY Model CV-H47 headphones are comfortable and
REALLY decent-sounding -- for $1.00!

~~ Michael Rudas
    My home page: http://MRudas.2Ya.com
    My blog: http://FaveSoft.blogspot.com


From amajorov at sbcglobal.net  Mon Jan  5 12:12:26 2009
From: amajorov at sbcglobal.net (allen)
Date: Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:12:26 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] Zune 30 gig is now a brick
In-Reply-To: <b67fb0380901050736m12f2b9a1v7ace01eeeba60486@mail.gmail.com>
References: <20081231.154941.23314.0@webmail07.vgs.untd.com>	<495BDFFB.6080605@comcast.net>	<3b00b3330901050617m2a301209u4bbfcb194aa5fc5c@mail.gmail.com>
	<b67fb0380901050736m12f2b9a1v7ace01eeeba60486@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <49623F7A.1010607@sbcglobal.net>

If anyone's in need of the firmware upgrade that I had to do or an 
owner's manual, I've got both of them.

Allen

Michael Rudas wrote:
> --- Wolfger wrote:
>
>   
>> Basic MP3 player is the way to go. With Ogg support, if you can find it.
>>     
>
> In THAT vein, here's an item that may be of interest:
> "Refurbished Sansa c240 music player"
> <http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0278626>
>
> It's a STEAL at $18 (sale price)  -- though it does not play OGG
> files, uses a custom USB cable, and has no direct support under Linux
> (see below), it does have a kick-ass FM tuner (tuned RF), voice & FM
> recording (decent), rechargeable 15-hour (claimed) Li-polymer battery,
> and a MicroSD slot.
>
> That's where the indirect Linux support comes in.  The player itself
> plays MP3/WMA/WMA-DRM (the deprecated "Plays For Sure" -- uh-huh) and
> its internal storage is managed using WMP 10 or 11 -- but files copied
> to a MicroSD card, either externally or internally, play fine.
> "2GB 4-in-1 SD Mobile Media Kit"
> <http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0265993>
>
> Another side benefit, for those running Windows -- the
> free-to-download "Sansa File Format Converter" software is pretty good
> and treats the c240 as a dongle.
>
> The other Windows-oriented downside is that the unit NEEDS a firmware
> upgrade that can only be done under Windows.
>
> The provided earbuds are decent, but I'm not a big fan.  If you scan
> dollar stores, the COBY Model CV-H47 headphones are comfortable and
> REALLY decent-sounding -- for $1.00!
>
> ~~ Michael Rudas
>     My home page: http://MRudas.2Ya.com
>     My blog: http://FaveSoft.blogspot.com
> _______________________________________________
> mdlug-discuss mailing list
> mdlug-discuss at mdlug.org
> http://mdlug.org/mailman/listinfo/mdlug-discuss
>
>   



From drew4096 at gmail.com  Mon Jan 12 18:43:38 2009
From: drew4096 at gmail.com (Drew)
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:43:38 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] [mdlug] Ohbmy-behindma plan to digitize health
	care
In-Reply-To: <3b00b3330901120643u4cf1a2dcx2f492bda7184e5ab@mail.gmail.co
 m>
References: <20090112.091352.22258.0@webmail06.vgs.untd.com>
	<772222.9152.qm@web37904.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
	<496B51A5.308@gmail.com>
	<3b00b3330901120643u4cf1a2dcx2f492bda7184e5ab@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <6.2.3.4.0.20090112184217.0365e390@pop.gmail.com>

At 09:43 AM 1/12/09, Wolfger wrote:
>On Mon, Jan 12, 2009 at 9:20 AM, Aaron Kulkis <akulkis00 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > David Lane wrote:
> >> Why to you mess up his name like that?
> >
> > Because it's true???
> > The man's closest political and personal associates are all
> > self-declared enemies of the United States.
>
>"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open
>your mouth and remove all doubt."

I'm partial to "Obama bin Biden" myself...

----

- Drew.



From Raymond.Ingles at compuware.com  Tue Jan 13 10:35:28 2009
From: Raymond.Ingles at compuware.com (Ingles, Raymond)
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:35:28 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] [mdlug] Ohbmy-behindma plan to digitize
	healthcare
In-Reply-To: <6.2.3.4.0.20090112184217.0365e390@pop.gmail.com>
References: <20090112.091352.22258.0@webmail06.vgs.untd.com><772222.9152.qm@web37904.mail.mud.yahoo.com><496B51A5.308@gmail.com><3b00b3330901120643u4cf1a2dcx2f492bda7184e5ab@mail.gmail.com>
	<6.2.3.4.0.20090112184217.0365e390@pop.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B273@nasa-dtw-ex004.nasa.cpwr.corp>

> From: Drew

> I'm partial to "Obama bin Biden" myself...

 Yup, the other side, the ones that engage in namecalling, are
"moonbats". :->

 Sincerely,

 Ray Ingles                                           (313) 227-2317

                                1992:
 Republicans: Their candidate is a draft dodger, ours is a war hero.
 Democrats: It doesn't matter if our candidate went to Vietnam.

                                2004:
 Democrats: Their candidate is a draft dodger, ours is a war hero.
 Republicans: It doesn't matter if our candidate went to Vietnam.
The contents of this e-mail are intended for the named addressee only. It contains information that may be confidential. Unless you are the named addressee or an authorized designee, you may not copy or use it, or disclose it to anyone else. If you received it in error please notify us immediately and then destroy it.


From drew4096 at gmail.com  Tue Jan 13 20:13:47 2009
From: drew4096 at gmail.com (Drew)
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:13:47 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] [mdlug] Ohbmy-behindma plan to digitize
 healthcare
In-Reply-To: <319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B273@nasa-dtw-ex004.na
	sa.cpwr.corp>
References: <20090112.091352.22258.0@webmail06.vgs.untd.com>
	<772222.9152.qm@web37904.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
	<496B51A5.308@gmail.com>
	<3b00b3330901120643u4cf1a2dcx2f492bda7184e5ab@mail.gmail.com>
	<6.2.3.4.0.20090112184217.0365e390@pop.gmail.com>
	<319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B273@nasa-dtw-ex004.nasa.cpwr.corp>
Message-ID: <6.2.3.4.0.20090113201216.0377cc30@pop.gmail.com>

At 10:35 AM 1/13/09, Ingles, Raymond wrote:
> > From: Drew
>
> > I'm partial to "Obama bin Biden" myself...
>
>  Yup, the other side, the ones that engage in namecalling, are
>"moonbats". :->

http://www.tickerforum.org/smilies-local/moonbat.gif 



From peter at petertheplumber.net  Sat Jan 24 08:41:49 2009
From: peter at petertheplumber.net (Peter Bart)
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:41:49 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] Software Download vs Physical Media was Re: [mdlug]
	Suggestions	for games for an elderly parent? Starcraft
Message-ID: <1232804509.31744.42.camel@plumber-notebook.site>

?On Thu, 2009-01-22 at 08:24 -0500, Ingles, Raymond wrote:
> > From: Peter Bart
> 
> > I don't know about that. I would have been in the front of the
> line to
> > buy software just a few years ago. Then I learned to use
> repositories.
> 
> Software on physical media is on its way out. There's just no point in
> a world with decent download speeds. One game maker recently said
> there
> are kids born today who will never buy a game or movie on physical
> media.
> 
	Without a doubt, I don't have physical media for most of the software on my
computers. Only the OS disc.

> 
> Music will go first, it's smallest. It's already dying fast. 
> 
	Interestingly enough I prefer to buy the music cd's, don't know why.
The plan is to rip them to other discs and keep the originals at home. I
will listen to internet radio on occasion, but the multitude of online options
have never caught on with me.

> Software 
> will go next, it's larger than music but still, you can download a
> whole
> distribution onto one CD. Movies will be last - Blu-ray probably has
> ten
> years, maybe, until the net infrastructure gets fast enough to support
> regular multi-gigabyte downloads.
> 
	I heard somewhere else that Blue ray's life is allready limited due to
streaming players like the Roku Netflix player I have. An update to the
Roku firmware has been released and now the player is HDMI capable. Also
I will be able to access the Amazon movie library shortly with the Roku.
I haven't been to a video store in years, all my content is downloaded.
Best of all I don't pay for the Netflix movies, I will have to pay for
the Amazon ones. I pay a monthly membership fee for Netflix two at a
time dvd service and the Roku stream is included. I bought the Roku so I
don't pay anything for that. Between this, broadcast, Hulu, I don't see
a need for cable. 

Best Regards,

-- 
Peter Bart <peter at petertheplumber.net>
Peter The Plumber



From Raymond.Ingles at compuware.com  Tue Jan 27 11:33:45 2009
From: Raymond.Ingles at compuware.com (Ingles, Raymond)
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:33:45 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] Software Download vs Physical Media was Re:
	[mdlug]Suggestions	for games for an elderly parent? Starcraft
In-Reply-To: <1232804509.31744.42.camel@plumber-notebook.site>
References: <1232804509.31744.42.camel@plumber-notebook.site>
Message-ID: <319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B292@nasa-dtw-ex004.nasa.cpwr.corp>

> From: Peter Bart
> > Music will go first, it's smallest. It's already dying fast.
> >
> 	Interestingly enough I prefer to buy the music cd's, don't know why.

 I mostly do that, too, but un-DRM'd music's becoming more common.

> 	I heard somewhere else that Blue ray's life is allready limited due
> to streaming players like the Roku Netflix player I have.

 Sort of. The net infrastructure isn't capacious or reliable enough to deliver full HD content on a regular basis, yet. So, for high-end HD, Blu-ray's close to the only option right now. For F/X-heavy, 'spectacle' movies, Blu-ray does make a difference.

 Of course, it's still an open question if that's really going to make a difference in the market. You need a good-sized HD TV to really get the benefits of Blu-ray, and even then a lot of people don't care about the increase in quality. (Compare how many people find 128kbit CBR mp3s to be 'good enough'.) Even for me, dramas, chick-flicks, and comedies don't really gain anything from Blu-ray, an upscaled DVD is fine.

> I pay a monthly membership fee for Netflix two at a
> time dvd service and the Roku stream is included.

 We subscribe to the similar Blockbuster service. Blu-ray's the same price as DVD, which is nice. I'll be curious to see how their streaming option shapes up.

Sincerely,

 Ray Ingles                                        (313) 227-2317

  "Rune Slot is the first culturally accurate depiction of what
   might have happened if one of the Vikings' slot machines had
     gone nuts, walked off with their Sorrowbringer, and then
 started murdering them. It's also got the best payouts in town!
       Though it might eat your soul." - Old Man Murray
The contents of this e-mail are intended for the named addressee only. It contains information that may be confidential. Unless you are the named addressee or an authorized designee, you may not copy or use it, or disclose it to anyone else. If you received it in error please notify us immediately and then destroy it.


From peter at petertheplumber.net  Tue Jan 27 21:15:39 2009
From: peter at petertheplumber.net (Peter Bart)
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:15:39 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] Software Download vs Physical Media was
	Re:	[mdlug]Suggestions	for games for an elderly parent? Starcraft
In-Reply-To: <319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B292@nasa-dtw-ex004.nasa.cpwr.corp>
References: <1232804509.31744.42.camel@plumber-notebook.site>
	<319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B292@nasa-dtw-ex004.nasa.cpwr.corp>
Message-ID: <1233108939.31744.73.camel@plumber-notebook.site>

On Tue, 2009-01-27 at 11:33 -0500, Ingles, Raymond wrote:
> > From: Peter Bart
> > > Music will go first, it's smallest. It's already dying fast.
> > >
> > 	Interestingly enough I prefer to buy the music cd's, don't know
> why.
> 
>  I mostly do that, too, but un-DRM'd music's becoming more common.
> 
> > 	I heard somewhere else that Blue ray's life is allready limited due
> > to streaming players like the Roku Netflix player I have.
> 
>  Sort of. The net infrastructure isn't capacious or reliable enough to
> deliver full HD content on a regular basis, yet. So, for high-end HD,
> Blu-ray's close to the only option right now. For F/X-heavy,
> 'spectacle' movies, Blu-ray does make a difference.
> 
>  Of course, it's still an open question if that's really going to make
> a difference in the market. You need a good-sized HD TV to really get
> the benefits of Blu-ray, and even then a lot of people don't care
> about the increase in quality. (Compare how many people find 128kbit
> CBR mp3s to be 'good enough'.) Even for me, dramas, chick-flicks, and
> comedies don't really gain anything from Blu-ray, an upscaled DVD is
> fine.

	Same here, but I'm still watching on a rather old Sony Trinitron.

> 
> > I pay a monthly membership fee for Netflix two at a
> > time dvd service and the Roku stream is included.
> 
>  We subscribe to the similar Blockbuster service. Blu-ray's the same
> price as DVD, which is nice. I'll be curious to see how their
> streaming option shapes up.

	I can say since I went to the ATT 6Mb/s DSL supposedly I've been
getting better quality video, like I can tell. There's four little dots
on the screen, next to the progress bar when first starting a movie. All
of them are now checked vs only one or two on my previous plan. The more
that are checked the better your movie quality. I can say when the Roku
streams it does get about 5.5Mb/s. It uses that for a a short time then
it apparently plays from a buffer for the same short time, and so on. ie
It's an on off connection all through the movie. Now with dropping
prices on HDTV's and the Roku being able to stream HD we'll probably get
one, I'm not looking forward to trying to wade through the hype. So
we'll see if that makes a difference

Best Regards,
-- 
Peter Bart <peter at petertheplumber.net>
Peter The Plumber



From Raymond.Ingles at compuware.com  Thu Jan 29 09:57:46 2009
From: Raymond.Ingles at compuware.com (Ingles, Raymond)
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:57:46 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] Software Download vs Physical Media
	wasRe:	[mdlug]Suggestions	for games for an elderly parent? Starcraft
In-Reply-To: <1233108939.31744.73.camel@plumber-notebook.site>
References: <1232804509.31744.42.camel@plumber-notebook.site><319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B292@nasa-dtw-ex004.nasa.cpwr.corp>
	<1233108939.31744.73.camel@plumber-notebook.site>
Message-ID: <319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B29D@nasa-dtw-ex004.nasa.cpwr.corp>

> From: Peter Bart
> > Even for me, dramas, chick-flicks, and
> > comedies don't really gain anything from Blu-ray, an upscaled DVD is
> > fine.
> 
> 	Same here, but I'm still watching on a rather old Sony
Trinitron.

 That's the other factor. HD TV's are still the minority. Color was a
big leap; higher-resolution pictures are cool, but still fairly
optional. Just because it was the same price, we watched "Pineapple
Express" last night on Blu-ray... like I said, comedies don't gain
anything from higher-def that I can see.

> Now with dropping
> prices on HDTV's and the Roku being able to stream HD we'll probably
get
> one, I'm not looking forward to trying to wade through the hype. So
> we'll see if that makes a difference

 My own two cents: Plasma is brighter and better contrast, but still has
a price premium and risks burn-in. If you've got the right location for
it (lots of wall space, a ceiling mount, dark room) a projector can be
really nice. DLP TVs are a good bargain, but have a pretty narrow
viewing angle.

 LCDs are cheaper and lack most of the disadvantages of the other types.
One minor factor: if you get one that can refresh at a 120Hz rate, it
looks like the tech is about here for good-looking, 60fps 3D images:
http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09%2F01%2F08%2F1447241

Sincerely,

 Ray Ingles                                               (313) 227-2317

    "Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but
             what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
The contents of this e-mail are intended for the named addressee only. It contains information that may be confidential. Unless you are the named addressee or an authorized designee, you may not copy or use it, or disclose it to anyone else. If you received it in error please notify us immediately and then destroy it.


From wolfger at gmail.com  Mon Jan  5 09:17:41 2009
From: wolfger at gmail.com (Wolfger)
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 09:17:41 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] Zune 30 gig is now a brick
In-Reply-To: <495BDFFB.6080605@comcast.net>
References: <20081231.154941.23314.0@webmail07.vgs.untd.com>
	<495BDFFB.6080605@comcast.net>
Message-ID: <3b00b3330901050617m2a301209u4bbfcb194aa5fc5c@mail.gmail.com>

I understand the fix for the zune brickage is simply to let the
battery die. Don't have that link handy, because I could care less
about Zunes and Ipods. Basic MP3 player is the way to go. With Ogg
support, if you can find it.

On Wed, Dec 31, 2008 at 4:11 PM, Garry Stahl <tesral at comcast.net> wrote:
> gib at juno.com wrote:
>> http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2008-12-31-zune-mystery_N.htm?csp=27&RM_Exclude=Juno
>>
>> My $35 video player works fine.
>>
>
> It is also a prime example of the three most important words in computing.
>
> Backup, Backup, Backup.
>
> Never store one copy of anything you care about in one place.
>
> --
> Garry  AKA  --Phoenix--  Rising above the Flames.
>
> Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
> Star Trek mort. Viva la Star Trek admiraetur
> The Olde Phoenix Inn http://phoenixinn.iwarp.com
> Metro Detroit Linux Users Group http://www.mdlug.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> mdlug-discuss mailing list
> mdlug-discuss at mdlug.org
> http://mdlug.org/mailman/listinfo/mdlug-discuss
>



-- 
Wolfger
http://wolfger.wordpress.com/

The world is a mess, and I just... need to rule it.


From audiotech50 at gmail.com  Mon Jan  5 10:36:37 2009
From: audiotech50 at gmail.com (Michael Rudas)
Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 10:36:37 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] Zune 30 gig is now a brick
In-Reply-To: <3b00b3330901050617m2a301209u4bbfcb194aa5fc5c@mail.gmail.com>
References: <20081231.154941.23314.0@webmail07.vgs.untd.com>
	<495BDFFB.6080605@comcast.net>
	<3b00b3330901050617m2a301209u4bbfcb194aa5fc5c@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <b67fb0380901050736m12f2b9a1v7ace01eeeba60486@mail.gmail.com>

--- Wolfger wrote:

> Basic MP3 player is the way to go. With Ogg support, if you can find it.

In THAT vein, here's an item that may be of interest:
"Refurbished Sansa c240 music player"
<http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0278626>

It's a STEAL at $18 (sale price)  -- though it does not play OGG
files, uses a custom USB cable, and has no direct support under Linux
(see below), it does have a kick-ass FM tuner (tuned RF), voice & FM
recording (decent), rechargeable 15-hour (claimed) Li-polymer battery,
and a MicroSD slot.

That's where the indirect Linux support comes in.  The player itself
plays MP3/WMA/WMA-DRM (the deprecated "Plays For Sure" -- uh-huh) and
its internal storage is managed using WMP 10 or 11 -- but files copied
to a MicroSD card, either externally or internally, play fine.
"2GB 4-in-1 SD Mobile Media Kit"
<http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0265993>

Another side benefit, for those running Windows -- the
free-to-download "Sansa File Format Converter" software is pretty good
and treats the c240 as a dongle.

The other Windows-oriented downside is that the unit NEEDS a firmware
upgrade that can only be done under Windows.

The provided earbuds are decent, but I'm not a big fan.  If you scan
dollar stores, the COBY Model CV-H47 headphones are comfortable and
REALLY decent-sounding -- for $1.00!

~~ Michael Rudas
    My home page: http://MRudas.2Ya.com
    My blog: http://FaveSoft.blogspot.com


From amajorov at sbcglobal.net  Mon Jan  5 12:12:26 2009
From: amajorov at sbcglobal.net (allen)
Date: Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:12:26 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] Zune 30 gig is now a brick
In-Reply-To: <b67fb0380901050736m12f2b9a1v7ace01eeeba60486@mail.gmail.com>
References: <20081231.154941.23314.0@webmail07.vgs.untd.com>	<495BDFFB.6080605@comcast.net>	<3b00b3330901050617m2a301209u4bbfcb194aa5fc5c@mail.gmail.com>
	<b67fb0380901050736m12f2b9a1v7ace01eeeba60486@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <49623F7A.1010607@sbcglobal.net>

If anyone's in need of the firmware upgrade that I had to do or an 
owner's manual, I've got both of them.

Allen

Michael Rudas wrote:
> --- Wolfger wrote:
>
>   
>> Basic MP3 player is the way to go. With Ogg support, if you can find it.
>>     
>
> In THAT vein, here's an item that may be of interest:
> "Refurbished Sansa c240 music player"
> <http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0278626>
>
> It's a STEAL at $18 (sale price)  -- though it does not play OGG
> files, uses a custom USB cable, and has no direct support under Linux
> (see below), it does have a kick-ass FM tuner (tuned RF), voice & FM
> recording (decent), rechargeable 15-hour (claimed) Li-polymer battery,
> and a MicroSD slot.
>
> That's where the indirect Linux support comes in.  The player itself
> plays MP3/WMA/WMA-DRM (the deprecated "Plays For Sure" -- uh-huh) and
> its internal storage is managed using WMP 10 or 11 -- but files copied
> to a MicroSD card, either externally or internally, play fine.
> "2GB 4-in-1 SD Mobile Media Kit"
> <http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0265993>
>
> Another side benefit, for those running Windows -- the
> free-to-download "Sansa File Format Converter" software is pretty good
> and treats the c240 as a dongle.
>
> The other Windows-oriented downside is that the unit NEEDS a firmware
> upgrade that can only be done under Windows.
>
> The provided earbuds are decent, but I'm not a big fan.  If you scan
> dollar stores, the COBY Model CV-H47 headphones are comfortable and
> REALLY decent-sounding -- for $1.00!
>
> ~~ Michael Rudas
>     My home page: http://MRudas.2Ya.com
>     My blog: http://FaveSoft.blogspot.com
> _______________________________________________
> mdlug-discuss mailing list
> mdlug-discuss at mdlug.org
> http://mdlug.org/mailman/listinfo/mdlug-discuss
>
>   



From drew4096 at gmail.com  Mon Jan 12 18:43:38 2009
From: drew4096 at gmail.com (Drew)
Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:43:38 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] [mdlug] Ohbmy-behindma plan to digitize health
	care
In-Reply-To: <3b00b3330901120643u4cf1a2dcx2f492bda7184e5ab@mail.gmail.co
 m>
References: <20090112.091352.22258.0@webmail06.vgs.untd.com>
	<772222.9152.qm@web37904.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
	<496B51A5.308@gmail.com>
	<3b00b3330901120643u4cf1a2dcx2f492bda7184e5ab@mail.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <6.2.3.4.0.20090112184217.0365e390@pop.gmail.com>

At 09:43 AM 1/12/09, Wolfger wrote:
>On Mon, Jan 12, 2009 at 9:20 AM, Aaron Kulkis <akulkis00 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > David Lane wrote:
> >> Why to you mess up his name like that?
> >
> > Because it's true???
> > The man's closest political and personal associates are all
> > self-declared enemies of the United States.
>
>"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open
>your mouth and remove all doubt."

I'm partial to "Obama bin Biden" myself...

----

- Drew.



From Raymond.Ingles at compuware.com  Tue Jan 13 10:35:28 2009
From: Raymond.Ingles at compuware.com (Ingles, Raymond)
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:35:28 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] [mdlug] Ohbmy-behindma plan to digitize
	healthcare
In-Reply-To: <6.2.3.4.0.20090112184217.0365e390@pop.gmail.com>
References: <20090112.091352.22258.0@webmail06.vgs.untd.com><772222.9152.qm@web37904.mail.mud.yahoo.com><496B51A5.308@gmail.com><3b00b3330901120643u4cf1a2dcx2f492bda7184e5ab@mail.gmail.com>
	<6.2.3.4.0.20090112184217.0365e390@pop.gmail.com>
Message-ID: <319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B273@nasa-dtw-ex004.nasa.cpwr.corp>

> From: Drew

> I'm partial to "Obama bin Biden" myself...

 Yup, the other side, the ones that engage in namecalling, are
"moonbats". :->

 Sincerely,

 Ray Ingles                                           (313) 227-2317

                                1992:
 Republicans: Their candidate is a draft dodger, ours is a war hero.
 Democrats: It doesn't matter if our candidate went to Vietnam.

                                2004:
 Democrats: Their candidate is a draft dodger, ours is a war hero.
 Republicans: It doesn't matter if our candidate went to Vietnam.
The contents of this e-mail are intended for the named addressee only. It contains information that may be confidential. Unless you are the named addressee or an authorized designee, you may not copy or use it, or disclose it to anyone else. If you received it in error please notify us immediately and then destroy it.


From drew4096 at gmail.com  Tue Jan 13 20:13:47 2009
From: drew4096 at gmail.com (Drew)
Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:13:47 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] [mdlug] Ohbmy-behindma plan to digitize
 healthcare
In-Reply-To: <319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B273@nasa-dtw-ex004.na
	sa.cpwr.corp>
References: <20090112.091352.22258.0@webmail06.vgs.untd.com>
	<772222.9152.qm@web37904.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
	<496B51A5.308@gmail.com>
	<3b00b3330901120643u4cf1a2dcx2f492bda7184e5ab@mail.gmail.com>
	<6.2.3.4.0.20090112184217.0365e390@pop.gmail.com>
	<319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B273@nasa-dtw-ex004.nasa.cpwr.corp>
Message-ID: <6.2.3.4.0.20090113201216.0377cc30@pop.gmail.com>

At 10:35 AM 1/13/09, Ingles, Raymond wrote:
> > From: Drew
>
> > I'm partial to "Obama bin Biden" myself...
>
>  Yup, the other side, the ones that engage in namecalling, are
>"moonbats". :->

http://www.tickerforum.org/smilies-local/moonbat.gif 



From peter at petertheplumber.net  Sat Jan 24 08:41:49 2009
From: peter at petertheplumber.net (Peter Bart)
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:41:49 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] Software Download vs Physical Media was Re: [mdlug]
	Suggestions	for games for an elderly parent? Starcraft
Message-ID: <1232804509.31744.42.camel@plumber-notebook.site>

?On Thu, 2009-01-22 at 08:24 -0500, Ingles, Raymond wrote:
> > From: Peter Bart
> 
> > I don't know about that. I would have been in the front of the
> line to
> > buy software just a few years ago. Then I learned to use
> repositories.
> 
> Software on physical media is on its way out. There's just no point in
> a world with decent download speeds. One game maker recently said
> there
> are kids born today who will never buy a game or movie on physical
> media.
> 
	Without a doubt, I don't have physical media for most of the software on my
computers. Only the OS disc.

> 
> Music will go first, it's smallest. It's already dying fast. 
> 
	Interestingly enough I prefer to buy the music cd's, don't know why.
The plan is to rip them to other discs and keep the originals at home. I
will listen to internet radio on occasion, but the multitude of online options
have never caught on with me.

> Software 
> will go next, it's larger than music but still, you can download a
> whole
> distribution onto one CD. Movies will be last - Blu-ray probably has
> ten
> years, maybe, until the net infrastructure gets fast enough to support
> regular multi-gigabyte downloads.
> 
	I heard somewhere else that Blue ray's life is allready limited due to
streaming players like the Roku Netflix player I have. An update to the
Roku firmware has been released and now the player is HDMI capable. Also
I will be able to access the Amazon movie library shortly with the Roku.
I haven't been to a video store in years, all my content is downloaded.
Best of all I don't pay for the Netflix movies, I will have to pay for
the Amazon ones. I pay a monthly membership fee for Netflix two at a
time dvd service and the Roku stream is included. I bought the Roku so I
don't pay anything for that. Between this, broadcast, Hulu, I don't see
a need for cable. 

Best Regards,

-- 
Peter Bart <peter at petertheplumber.net>
Peter The Plumber



From Raymond.Ingles at compuware.com  Tue Jan 27 11:33:45 2009
From: Raymond.Ingles at compuware.com (Ingles, Raymond)
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:33:45 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] Software Download vs Physical Media was Re:
	[mdlug]Suggestions	for games for an elderly parent? Starcraft
In-Reply-To: <1232804509.31744.42.camel@plumber-notebook.site>
References: <1232804509.31744.42.camel@plumber-notebook.site>
Message-ID: <319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B292@nasa-dtw-ex004.nasa.cpwr.corp>

> From: Peter Bart
> > Music will go first, it's smallest. It's already dying fast.
> >
> 	Interestingly enough I prefer to buy the music cd's, don't know why.

 I mostly do that, too, but un-DRM'd music's becoming more common.

> 	I heard somewhere else that Blue ray's life is allready limited due
> to streaming players like the Roku Netflix player I have.

 Sort of. The net infrastructure isn't capacious or reliable enough to deliver full HD content on a regular basis, yet. So, for high-end HD, Blu-ray's close to the only option right now. For F/X-heavy, 'spectacle' movies, Blu-ray does make a difference.

 Of course, it's still an open question if that's really going to make a difference in the market. You need a good-sized HD TV to really get the benefits of Blu-ray, and even then a lot of people don't care about the increase in quality. (Compare how many people find 128kbit CBR mp3s to be 'good enough'.) Even for me, dramas, chick-flicks, and comedies don't really gain anything from Blu-ray, an upscaled DVD is fine.

> I pay a monthly membership fee for Netflix two at a
> time dvd service and the Roku stream is included.

 We subscribe to the similar Blockbuster service. Blu-ray's the same price as DVD, which is nice. I'll be curious to see how their streaming option shapes up.

Sincerely,

 Ray Ingles                                        (313) 227-2317

  "Rune Slot is the first culturally accurate depiction of what
   might have happened if one of the Vikings' slot machines had
     gone nuts, walked off with their Sorrowbringer, and then
 started murdering them. It's also got the best payouts in town!
       Though it might eat your soul." - Old Man Murray
The contents of this e-mail are intended for the named addressee only. It contains information that may be confidential. Unless you are the named addressee or an authorized designee, you may not copy or use it, or disclose it to anyone else. If you received it in error please notify us immediately and then destroy it.


From peter at petertheplumber.net  Tue Jan 27 21:15:39 2009
From: peter at petertheplumber.net (Peter Bart)
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:15:39 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] Software Download vs Physical Media was
	Re:	[mdlug]Suggestions	for games for an elderly parent? Starcraft
In-Reply-To: <319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B292@nasa-dtw-ex004.nasa.cpwr.corp>
References: <1232804509.31744.42.camel@plumber-notebook.site>
	<319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B292@nasa-dtw-ex004.nasa.cpwr.corp>
Message-ID: <1233108939.31744.73.camel@plumber-notebook.site>

On Tue, 2009-01-27 at 11:33 -0500, Ingles, Raymond wrote:
> > From: Peter Bart
> > > Music will go first, it's smallest. It's already dying fast.
> > >
> > 	Interestingly enough I prefer to buy the music cd's, don't know
> why.
> 
>  I mostly do that, too, but un-DRM'd music's becoming more common.
> 
> > 	I heard somewhere else that Blue ray's life is allready limited due
> > to streaming players like the Roku Netflix player I have.
> 
>  Sort of. The net infrastructure isn't capacious or reliable enough to
> deliver full HD content on a regular basis, yet. So, for high-end HD,
> Blu-ray's close to the only option right now. For F/X-heavy,
> 'spectacle' movies, Blu-ray does make a difference.
> 
>  Of course, it's still an open question if that's really going to make
> a difference in the market. You need a good-sized HD TV to really get
> the benefits of Blu-ray, and even then a lot of people don't care
> about the increase in quality. (Compare how many people find 128kbit
> CBR mp3s to be 'good enough'.) Even for me, dramas, chick-flicks, and
> comedies don't really gain anything from Blu-ray, an upscaled DVD is
> fine.

	Same here, but I'm still watching on a rather old Sony Trinitron.

> 
> > I pay a monthly membership fee for Netflix two at a
> > time dvd service and the Roku stream is included.
> 
>  We subscribe to the similar Blockbuster service. Blu-ray's the same
> price as DVD, which is nice. I'll be curious to see how their
> streaming option shapes up.

	I can say since I went to the ATT 6Mb/s DSL supposedly I've been
getting better quality video, like I can tell. There's four little dots
on the screen, next to the progress bar when first starting a movie. All
of them are now checked vs only one or two on my previous plan. The more
that are checked the better your movie quality. I can say when the Roku
streams it does get about 5.5Mb/s. It uses that for a a short time then
it apparently plays from a buffer for the same short time, and so on. ie
It's an on off connection all through the movie. Now with dropping
prices on HDTV's and the Roku being able to stream HD we'll probably get
one, I'm not looking forward to trying to wade through the hype. So
we'll see if that makes a difference

Best Regards,
-- 
Peter Bart <peter at petertheplumber.net>
Peter The Plumber



From Raymond.Ingles at compuware.com  Thu Jan 29 09:57:46 2009
From: Raymond.Ingles at compuware.com (Ingles, Raymond)
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 09:57:46 -0500
Subject: [mdlug-discuss] Software Download vs Physical Media
	wasRe:	[mdlug]Suggestions	for games for an elderly parent? Starcraft
In-Reply-To: <1233108939.31744.73.camel@plumber-notebook.site>
References: <1232804509.31744.42.camel@plumber-notebook.site><319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B292@nasa-dtw-ex004.nasa.cpwr.corp>
	<1233108939.31744.73.camel@plumber-notebook.site>
Message-ID: <319C03F7A120754B9128CF308BF5E0370120B29D@nasa-dtw-ex004.nasa.cpwr.corp>

> From: Peter Bart
> > Even for me, dramas, chick-flicks, and
> > comedies don't really gain anything from Blu-ray, an upscaled DVD is
> > fine.
> 
> 	Same here, but I'm still watching on a rather old Sony
Trinitron.

 That's the other factor. HD TV's are still the minority. Color was a
big leap; higher-resolution pictures are cool, but still fairly
optional. Just because it was the same price, we watched "Pineapple
Express" last night on Blu-ray... like I said, comedies don't gain
anything from higher-def that I can see.

> Now with dropping
> prices on HDTV's and the Roku being able to stream HD we'll probably
get
> one, I'm not looking forward to trying to wade through the hype. So
> we'll see if that makes a difference

 My own two cents: Plasma is brighter and better contrast, but still has
a price premium and risks burn-in. If you've got the right location for
it (lots of wall space, a ceiling mount, dark room) a projector can be
really nice. DLP TVs are a good bargain, but have a pretty narrow
viewing angle.

 LCDs are cheaper and lack most of the disadvantages of the other types.
One minor factor: if you get one that can refresh at a 120Hz rate, it
looks like the tech is about here for good-looking, 60fps 3D images:
http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09%2F01%2F08%2F1447241

Sincerely,

 Ray Ingles                                               (313) 227-2317

    "Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but
             what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
The contents of this e-mail are intended for the named addressee only. It contains information that may be confidential. Unless you are the named addressee or an authorized designee, you may not copy or use it, or disclose it to anyone else. If you received it in error please notify us immediately and then destroy it.


