Watching the TV on the Gaming Console?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by SharonDee

What, you never tried GameFly.com? Wow, that's pretty sad when the likes of me has done some Internet-thing that you haven't.

Or something.

Nope. Rental just doesn't really match the way I play games. I tend to favor games with a lot of replay value, so I like to own them. For the sort of games I'm likely to play once and forget, it's a better value for me to either wait for them to go on sale (between Steam, Impulse, Direct to Drive, and the bargain bin at Fry's, someone will eventually discount it) or else just borrow it from a friend.

[LadyShea]

between Steam, Impulse, Direct to Drive,

Splain

Mostly like you I limit purchases to games with a lot of replay value (for someone in the fambly), or that lend themselves to gaming marathons separated by long periods of doing something else. Years ago we'd rent games to see if we liked them enough to purchase them, but haven't done that since Kiddo started playing.

Unfortunately though, we've bought some real duds.

[Demimonde]

Pro tip from a former GameStop employee:

If you buy used, not only can you take advantage of discounts using the Game Informer subscription, YOU HAVE SEVEN DAYS TO TRY A GAME. Returns for buggy or unplayable disks is 30 day, but if you just plain don't like a game - and you bought it used - you can return it for a full refund that first week after purchase.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by LadyShea

Splain

Those are three online PC game vendors. They deliver purchases digitally, so you just buy a game and download it. Steam in particular is known for their ridiculous twice yearly (once in June and once around the holidays) sales.

[LadyShea]

I do tend to buy used 95% of the time, but certain games that we know we will play lots, and don't want to wait for, get full price paying for new. That means we pay full price to pre-order the new Lego games, in a nutshell.

Really have been totally worth it too. Althought I am a bit pissed at having to replay Harry Potter on accounta 2 game bugs preventing me getting 100% (stuck at 98.5) and preventing me unlocking Voldemort. I have figured out how to NOT create those bugs this time though.

[Crumb]

Why Netflix is splitting itself in two - The Oatmeal

[Adam]

Vaguely related, but interesting.

http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2011...co-splits.html

As OpenSecrets Blog has previously reported, this has been a busy year for Netflix in Washington. To begin with, the company's lobbying expenses have soared: During the second quarter of 2011, Netflix spent $110,000 on lobbying, nearly as much as the $130,000 it spent during all of 2010. In January, it hired its first full-time lobbyist, Michael Drobac, a former lobbyist for Expedia.

Netflix employees have also joined the fray in Washington this year, contributing about $40,000 so far in 2011, according to research by the Center for Responsive Politcs. The majority of that has come from one employee: Chief Operating Officer Ted Sarandos, who gave the legal maximum of $35,800 to the Obama Victory Fund, the joint fund-raising committee of President Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee.

Drobac, for his part, has donated $1,500 to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), $1,000 to Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), $1,000 to Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and $500 to Rep. Mary Bono Mack (D-Calif.), according to the Center's research.

Hastings, for what it's worth, has been a prolific contributor to Democratic causes since founding Netflix in 1998. According to the Center's research, he's given $238,900 to Democratic candidates and committees since then and $19,750 to Republicans

[LadyShea]

What are they lobbying for?

[Ensign Steve]

Net neutrality, I hope.

[Adam]

Open Secrets doesn't have any info on that, but my guess was the same as Mr. Steve's. It's in NetFlix's best interest for as many people as possible to have unfettered access to as much bandwidth as possible.

[Ensign Steve]

Until they go full evil and decide that Netflix is a top-tier organization and use that leverage to crush upstart competitors.

[LadyShea]

Until they go full evil

Stolen for future use

What are the chances they are lobbying for regulations that would be favorable to them wrt to, say, licensing and distribution?

[Kael]

We haven't used the dvd-in-the-mail side of the service for something like 2 years now. I'm not sweating the change, though I can see why others would be upset.

[Crumb]

So how do watch TV series where a few of the episodes are available only on DVD? I don't understand how they can separate without solving that problem.

[Kael]

Well, I know there's been a few where they all haven't been available for streaming. If I want to watch it badly enough I just find another source online, most of the time. I'll admit that the biggest reason we haven't used the dvd service is that we just don't sit down and watch movies in the living room much like we used to. Maybe that will change in the future and I'll miss the dvd service, I don't know.

[Sock Puppet]

There's an even longer version of the Netflix I-Can't-Believe-It's-Not-An-Apology here (Jesus Crispy Fucknuggets, that's a ridiculous URL), with a hilarious avalanche of negative comments. It's simultaneously commendable and mind-boggling that they haven't disabled said comments.

This one is on the very first page:

Dear Reed,

I messed up too. And I owe you an explanation as well.

I know my rumblings of discontent (mostly voiced at my girlfriend or leukemia-ridden cat) over our increased Netflix bill reflect themselves in your company's guilt-induced, psuedo-humble email. I'd like to tell you now, first an foremost, it was never my intent to grumble at the price-change. I mean, let's be real here. I live in the greatest country in the world. If my biggest concern is a ten dollar increase in monthly charges to stream a bunch of shitty horror films, I'm doing ok, right? I mean, why should I watch that last season of" Battlestar" anyway? It's pretty shitty from what I understand. Same goes for the "Nightmare on ElmStreet" remake. I don't need a bunch of shit showing up in my mailbox that I don't even remember ordering in drunken stupor.

... Reed, my problem lies with this false sense of placation. I don't really buy this "I know you're mad at me, but I made you french toast...but you're going to have to go to the neighbors to get syrup and powdered sugar for your french toast" email.

Reed, here is what I'm saying and why.

Qwikster is lame.The name is lame. The idea behind the name is lame. Dial-up lame. What a terrible, terrible name. It brings up connotations of that chocolate bunnie drink that you would valiantly attempted to pour into an ice-cold glass of milk, only to watch the powdered coco-crystals coagulate and spin in a whirlwind of sadness in front of you, all while that smart-assed bunny cackled at your misfortune. How many times would you fall prey to the Qwikster Bunny before opting for a ready-made Yoo-Hoo? How many times?

You effectively gave away your brand loyalty to a strange company that no one trusts and that seems to be named after a court case in which Metallica sued a high-school student. Good job. This email, with it's false sense of humility, irrational logic, and over-apologizing only indites you. Why not just call it? Raise prices. Be honest about it. You get to STREAM MOVIES FOR CHEAP. Expand your selection of streaming videos. Scrap the DVD delivery. Not that simple? I'm sure someone, after watching your terrible political side-stepping, will make it simple. Shouldn't you reap those benefits? As blind as they might be, the public is hyper-aware of their entertainment options, and any bullshit that might entail will quickly be streamlined, or better yet, jettisoned completely. Take responsibility for a service most people have honestly taken for granted. I'll gladly pay for streaming video. Just make my copy of "Weekend At Bernies' 3: Xanadu" available for instant cue and get rid of the DVD delivery...after all, if the US postal service is in danger of becoming a dinosaur, why should I use it to watch Jurassic Park 3?

Sincerely,

Zach Oden

[LadyShea]

only to watch the powdered coco-crystals coagulate and spin in a whirlwind of sadness in front of you

You effectively gave away your brand loyalty to a strange company that no one trusts and that seems to be named after a court case in which Metallica sued a high-school student. Good job.

As blind as they might be, the public is hyper-aware of their entertainment options

so beautiful

[livius drusus]

Umbrage! I take umbrage at the disparaging of a most beloved advertising cartoon mascot and its delicious product line which includes the greatest of all sugar-based powdered milk additives: Strawberry Qwikster.

[SharonDee]

She doesn't like mayonnaise, she turns up her nose at cilantro, but Strawberry Quik she defends?

It's like I never knew you.

[livius drusus]

I'm sorry you can't appreciate the wonder of pink milk, Sharon. Qwikster question: when did your heart die?

[Adam]

As long as you don't defend Banana Qwikster. That shit was an abomination.

[LadyShea]

With the exception of banana Runts (and you know, actual bananas), all banana flavored anythings are repulsive by definition.

[Ensign Steve]

What about banana Laffy Taffy!

[LadyShea]

Repulsive by definition!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by LadyShea

With the exception of banana Runts...

You're dead to me, Shea...dead!