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OCEntertainment
11/24/09

In reply to Okay, It's Time to Break Up With Hulu
#rants ?

I'm not quite ready to abandon ship just yet. TPTB behind Hulu have a history of being dicks. But what could we expect from the crew that, until recently, has held an ironclad grip over television content. They're uncomfortable, writhing in a pool of their own irrelevance and it shows. And yet, Hulu still has shows online. They're trying. Not hard and certainly not well, but they're trying.

I want to hear how the possible paid Hulu service would work. As stated before, if it would allow more access to shows (and more reliably), remove idiotic restrictions from set-top boxes, and for a reasonable price, I'll jump on board.

Hulu is treading on thin ice, though. It's as though they've seen how popular their concept is and, rather than get excited at new business, they've decided to cower in fear.

Come on, big content. Grow your balls back.
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NorwoodIsMyHero
11/24/09

@OCEntertainment: Would those be the ones kicked in by falling ad revenues? I'm not sure what they are going to do here. A new format is needed for "Big Content" as it where. Viewers may like big budget content with limited or no adverts, but the pocketbooks of content providers don't seem to. Some form of pay Hulu with limited ads plus continuing free showing on the networks might be the best way to go.
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OCEntertainment
11/24/09

@NorwoodIsMyHero: Frankly, I'd settle for a different interface! I don't think that all content needs to be free. In fact, I look forward to the (inevitable) day when I can pay one price for a comprehensive package that allows access to every episode of the current season of a show, and the ability to access said shows from a damn proper search box with a keyboard.

AT&T's U-Verse interface is junk, and the days of needing to be bound to a broadcast (as opposed to maybe a simple release) schedule are ready to be long gone.

My wallet and I are eagerly awaiting the day a content provider has the guts to make such a system.
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NorwoodIsMyHero
11/24/09

@OCEntertainment: I'd bet a few content providers will end up going bust in attempts to figure out how to best serve up their content in the future. I sincerely hope that good content doesn't get scrapped due to the transition, but I'm afraid it will be inevitable in a quest to end up in the best spot for both consumers and industry.

As long as people are willing to pay something there can be hope. If people aren't though, there's every reason for content providers to kick and scream like little kids who don't want to take off their favorite outfit after wearing it for a week.
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maven2k
11/24/09

@OCEntertainment: I totally agree, even though I am a cheap ass, I would pay for something good. I can't wait for the day that I can get rid of my cable tv, but they're gonna make that hard on the networks to do because they will lose a boat load of cash if cable became irrelevant (to everyone).
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OCEntertainment
11/24/09

@NorwoodIsMyHero: That may yet prove difficult. I disagree that folks being unwilling to pay automatically gives business folk the right to kick and scream. They're business folks. Their jobs are to convince us that their product is worth our money, or else make it worth it. Not to whine because we don't pay for a product.

Interestingly, while some content may get "scrapped due to the transition", content creators are separate (though tied) to content providers. And the folks who have the drive to create media enough will find some venue. The idea that one can't make money on the internet is a false one, and I've seen too many examples to the contrary. And I believe that if the big networks won't step up and eventually fall by the wayside (incredibly unlikely, and I hope it doesn't happen), someone will be there to fill the gap.

You're correct that the devaluing of content is a problem. I think folks should be reminded that it's important they value the people who make the videos/music/images they enjoy. I just don't feel that locking down content even farther, placing a label of "potential enemy" on your viewers is the best way to encourage growth.

Hulu has the chance to go either way with this choice, and I hope they make the right one.
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psychonaut2021:That's Mr Psychonaut to you!
10/27/09

In reply to Hey Microsoft: We Need Aliases for Xbox Live Gamertags
My XBOX Live tag also happens to be Psychonaut2021. Yays.Duke Nukem 3D anyone? Perhaps some BlazBlue?
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Edited by psychonaut2021:That's Mr Psychonaut to you! at 10/27/09 6:32 PM

not_a_virus.exe.vbs
10/27/09

In reply to Hey Microsoft: We Need Aliases for Xbox Live Gamertags
I was just thinking about this the other day. I recently added a bunch of people from school, and I forgot who everyone is already. #xboxlive
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fuchikoma
10/27/09

In reply to Hey Microsoft: We Need Aliases for Xbox Live Gamertags
I just don't keep 100 people on my friends list... but since you can rename MS Live Messenger users, I don't see why you couldn't do it for gamertags. #xboxlive
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Undead Ponies
10/27/09

In reply to Hey Microsoft: We Need Aliases for Xbox Live Gamertags
Frooch,

I'm with you 110%. From a user standpoint, nothing irks me like having to abandon a username that I cared for for years.

Let's say you get kicked off of XBL. Sure, you can start a new gamertag but you lose all of your friends and achievements.

It's a real pain in the virtual tuchus.

#irony #meta
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Edited by Undead Ponies at 10/27/09 1:30 PM Undead Ponies was starred Undead Ponies was unstarred

MANCREEP
10/27/09

@Undead Ponies: If someone gets kicked off XBL, i'd like to think there would be a good reason(glitching, using modded controller/console, cursing like a unfiltered 15 yr old, ect) in which case, we're all better off without them. :) #xboxlive
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ripfire
10/27/09

@Undead Ponies: "Let's say you get kicked off of XBL."

That doesn't happen on just anyone. What did you do? #xboxlive
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Undead Ponies
10/27/09

@MANCREEP: @ripfire: I didn't get kicked off of XBL.

I was just using it as an example of being booted from any service with social networking capabilities, be it XBL, Facebook, or even a Gawker Media site. #xboxlive
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SewerShark: LOOK BEHIND YOU, A THREE HEADED MONKEY!!!
10/27/09

@Undead Ponies: as far as I know, only your console get kicked off XBL, not your account .
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Edited by SewerShark: LOOK BEHIND YOU, A THREE HEADED MONKEY!!! at 10/27/09 2:15 PM

ripfire
10/27/09

In reply to Hey Microsoft: We Need Aliases for Xbox Live Gamertags
You can always use the description line as an alias. #xboxlive
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Jagster
10/27/09

@ripfire: Huh? As far as I know, only the gamertag owner can currently change any details for that account. Unless you know a way for friends to add a description. #xboxlive
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ripfire
10/27/09

@Jagster: Umm. You can call them up and say "Hey buddy, can you change your description as 'TwinklToes'? It's easier for me to remember you that way. Thanks!" :) #xboxlive
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Jagster
10/27/09

@ripfire: Or Microsoft could just add an alias field save people from having to call each of their friends and bug then to death so that they take the few minutes and add their real name to their profile. Even then, some people, for whatever reason, are so paranoid that they still won't do it. #xboxlive
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
10/27/09

In reply to Hey Microsoft: We Need Aliases for Xbox Live Gamertags
My problem isn't that people have strange names. It's that they keep changing their names and avatars to ever more strange things...

(Says the guy using Monkey Fighting Snake) on Steam... #xboxlive
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
10/27/09

@Lite: hates Illinois Nazis: The reference, for those who don't get it... #xboxlive
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mikecoscia
10/27/09

In reply to Hey Microsoft: We Need Aliases for Xbox Live Gamertags
I agree, I have wanted this feature forever. Was even thinking about changing my tag to my full name. Makes life easier. #xboxlive
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seishino
10/27/09

@mikecoscia: Agreed. I have about 50 friends that I know in real life and see all the time. But I have no idea who is BFG1018X, and the icon from Halo doesn't help.

In the meantime, I encourage everyone over the age of 18 to put their real name in the name box so that friends can see who ya' are. Please? #xboxlive
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anexanhume
10/27/09

In reply to Hey Microsoft: We Need Aliases for Xbox Live Gamertags
On the other hand, everyone knows who Mr Fleshlight is. #xboxlive
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PurpleMonkeyDishwasher:
10/27/09

In reply to Hey Microsoft: We Need Aliases for Xbox Live Gamertags
This is a great point but I think Microsoft would only consider this "if people could create custom aliases for each person on their friend's list." I think if you allow people to display their real name, there might be some uproar about privacy and stuff from the users. There's also some friends you might pick up where you actually don't really know who they are but you met them playing some game. For some people, it's actually comforting to have that username almost as an escape. Everyone online calls them by that name and doesn't want them to know their real name. #xboxlive
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ripfire promoted this comment

ripfire
10/27/09

@PurpleMonkeyDishwasher: Do people still care about privacy on the internet when they display their entire lives on Facebook or Twitter? #xboxlive
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RoboBagins
10/27/09

@ripfire: Not everyone is on Facebook and twitter. And there are those who have two or more distinct online presences, the one associated with their real name and face, and the one they use when they want to pwn some n00bs in teh hal0z.

Aliases would be great on all systems. though. Just make it client side or something. #xboxlive
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jurrasix
10/27/09

In reply to Hey Microsoft: We Need Aliases for Xbox Live Gamertags
Right so instead of everyone having a unique gamertag, I can have 30 Jeff's on my list... #xboxlive
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Adam Frucci
10/27/09

@jurrasix: You know 30 Jeffs? #xboxlive
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Lite: hates Illinois Nazis
10/27/09

@Adam Frucci: Yeah, his brother Jeff, his other brother jeff, and his...

Kinda like George Foreman. #xboxlive
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jurrasix
10/27/09

@Adam Frucci: No, but I do have quite a few Mike's and when we are all in a party I have to refer to them by their GT instead.

Either way you're just adding more names for me to try to remember, because in game it's going to show GT's.
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Edited by jurrasix at 10/27/09 12:57 PM jurrasix was starred jurrasix was unstarred

loonyjason
10/27/09

In reply to Hey Microsoft: We Need Aliases for Xbox Live Gamertags
People CAN enter their real names. And when you select them in the friends list, it shows the name if it's been entered.
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bibble3000
10/27/09

@loonyjason: yeah it says their name and then their motto or whatever. so on mine it would say

'Bo - WhimmyWhamWhamWhazzle!!!' #xboxlive
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Kaiser-Machead
10/27/09

In reply to Hey Microsoft: We Need Aliases for Xbox Live Gamertags
How about C.I. Whitefish? #xboxlive
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Wburg
10/23/09

In reply to Happy Birthday iPod, You're Doomed
Just a typo:

"touchscreen in solute"

should be:

"touchscreen in salute"
:) #ipodbirthday
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dragon:ONE
10/23/09

In reply to Happy Birthday iPod, You're Doomed
So, when do we get the iTouch Kids' edition?

Y'know... the iPod Touch for children? #ipodbirthday
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EBone
10/23/09

@dragon: ONE: Chris Hansen would like you to have a seat right over here... #ipodbirthday
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