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XM on DirecTV

The long-promised XM channels have finally shown up on DirecTV. Over 50 different channels covering all types of music. (How many does XM offer on their paid subscription? – Ok, I checked, over 150).

Stations include the Squizz, Fred & Ethel, so I’m definitely set. Then you have your standards, like 80’s, pop, rock, a few R&B stations.

What’s nice, is similar to DirecTV’s last music service, Music Choice, is each song pops up with some text on the TV screen showing you artist, song, album, year, etc.

With no extra cost to me as a DirecTV subscriber, I can’t complain, and I’ll use ’em from time to time.

  • in Humor
  • 1 min read

Latest Meme

Latest Meme – What color should your blog be?

Figures:


Your Blog Should Be Purple


You’re an expressive, offbeat blogger who tends to write about anything and everything.
You tend to set blogging trends, and you’re the most likely to write your own meme or survey.
You are a bit distant though. Your blog is all about you – not what anyone else has to say.

  • in General
  • 1 min read

Basement Progress

Basement progress is slow, but I’ve enjoyed the first two days of my vacation.

There is so much drywall dust it’s amazing – I’ve vacuumed, and swept no less than 4 times, and still there is a coat of dust on the floor.

We’ve got the paint, did some shopping today and picked out the tile, carpet, and maybe some cabinets. Got the plastic and some painters tape, and tomorrow the real fun starts.

  • in EFF
  • 1 min read

Support Bloggers' Rights

The EFF has launched their latest campaign, in support of bloggers’ rights.

Follow the link to see the rights you should have, and how the EFF is fighting to defend your rights every day.

Like many other sites, including BoingBoing, I’ve added a badge to the right in support of the EFF and their efforts.

Join the EFF – they’re even offering a discount off their member rate. It’s tax deductible, and one of the best non-profits you can donate too. I’ve been a Pioneer member going on 4 years now.

Defend your rights before it’s too late. They need your support.

  • in General
  • 1 min read

On Vacation

Away from work for the next 10 days or so.

Time to make some progress on the basement!

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket

I don’t understand the black out rules around NFL’s Sunday Ticket on DirecTV.

Last week, the Packers the play the Steelers at 3:15 on CBS. CBS stays long on the Raiders / Chiefs, so I flip to the Sunday ticket channel for the Packer game. No go, it’s blacked out, as it usually is when broadcast on the local station.

While I appreciate CBS for staying with the hot game, I was annoyed that I couldn’t see the game I wanted to see, when I supposedly pay for “all” the games.

Yesterday, the Packers are at the Falcons, 3:15 on Fox. The Vikings are the noon game, and are going long. I switch to the Sunday ticket channel, assuming the Redskins / Buccaneers game is the game of the week at 3:15, and watch the Packer game on Sunday ticket. At halftime, the signal is disconnected. Sure enough, the Packer game is on the local Fox affiliate.

So why one week do I get the game and one week I don’t? Is it up to Fox and CBS to determine when DirecTV puts the blackout in effect? Worked out for me yesterday, but still annoying.

Watching all 6 Star Wars (at the same time)

And… we’re back.

Not that this hasn’t already posted everywhere on the intraweb right now, but is still very cool. Someone with way too much time on their hands has transcoded all 6 Star Wars movies and is watching them simultaneously and noting all the similarities.

Some are to say, at the least, quite interesting parallels in some of the movies, just from a time perspective.

Check it out here.

  • in General
  • 1 min read

Will Resume Soon

Work’s been kicking my ass, and I’m traveling this week – blogging will resume soon.

Blizzard is spying on you

Donna Wentworth gives you an overview of how Blizzard is spying on you.

If this was the government, as the article points out, they’d have to get a warrant.

What’s even more distrurbing to me, is the blog comments on this article – the gamers just don’t care if it stops cheating. This is right up there with those who say “I have nothing to hide, let the government videotape/phonetap/etc”.

Where do personal rights start and end? Just because you click on a EULA, does it really give a software company the right to capture what programs you’re running, who and what you’re communicating over instant messenger, and what websites you’ve visited?