The Future of Media #81: Get Out Your Crystal Ball

I think streaming movies directly to your television will have the most influence. I do not think hard copies (DVDs, Blu-rays, etc.) will be thrown by the wayside yet. Personally, I enjoy owning a physical copy of what I have, that way it won't accidentally get erased. Streaming content is an excellent way to gain access to things you otherwise would not be able to see. I do enjoy all the extras that come on DVDs, like the commentaries and making of's. I have used some varieties of streaming videos and the quality is usually good.

I am not an early adapter of technology. I like to wait and see how new things will react with everyday life. It took me 5 years after the iPod was introduced to actually break down and buy one. Now I don't know what I would do without it. I do appreciate new technology, but I like for things to have the bugs worked out before I invest my hard earned money.

#80 The Future of Media: Movies

1. I have used many of the sites listed to watch movies already. I prefer watching movies on a TV but I am willing to watch things on my computer screen if that is the only way to obtain the movie.

2. I use these sites, especially IMDB to keep up with current releases. I enjoy seeing new trailers to preview what is coming out soon. I also use it if I find an older movie I have never heard of. I can find out what the movie is about and who stars in it.

3. At this time, I would not use any of the fee-based services. Too many bills pile up. If I were to one day get rid of cable, I would probably subscribe to Netflix. Overall, I enjoyed this exercise since it fed off of many things I already use.

The Future of Media #79: Television

1. I use Hulu all the time. A lot of my favorite shows are listed there. I find it is a nice substitute for a television (sometimes). I mainly use it when I am somewhere without a TV or if my DVR cuts off the end of a show. I used Hulu all the time before I got a DVR. Many of my favorite shows no longer have full seasons listed. Now they have a rotational schedule (every Monday a new old episode takes the place of the oldest).

2. I have not watched a TV show on my cell phone. I use my phone as a phone and that is that. If rates were cheaper, I may one day get regular Internet access on my phone, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

3. I have never posted videos online. I do not regularly watch any streaming channels.

#30 Spring Cleaing: Take a Load off Our Drives

I did not have very much on any of the drives to clean up. I deleted duplicate files and made sure all the web reporter lists I have were current. I looked around to see what was on all the drives and found things I did not know were there. My z drive is pretty clean and organized. I do not have many things that need to be saved for extended periods. I have used the S drive before. It is very easy to access and save a file on the s drive. I have always tried to keep files on the computer organized. I found this very helpful when I was in school with many different classes all going on at the same time.

#29 Spring Cleaing: E-mail

I have cleaned up my e-mail account. I have created folders and filed everything that needed to be kept. I have deleted everything that I no longer needed and purged the trash bin. I am usually very good about keeping up with my e-mails. If I receive something, I usually handle it within a few minutes or at the very least, some time later that day. I will now have a place to put things to keep my inbox clear for new items only.

#28 Spring Cleaning

I do not really have an organizational system at this time. I like the GTD method because you can start with little things and work your way up towards total organization. I like the idea of figuring out what needs to be done in what order and doing it quickly. I am a horrible procrastinator. I like the idea of using a "bucket" and emptying it weekly. This would ensure that everything that needs to be done will get done promptly. All the ideas GTD present are good ones and I hope I will be able to start implementing some of them in both my professional and personal life.

I tried the Google Calendar application. I think this could be useful because I can look at it no matter where I am (as long as there is Internet) and see what my future schedule will bring.

Sound #25

I still use CDs in my car. Burning a disc is a very simple process once you get started. I have used many different programs over the years and the directions are typically straight forward.

I think musicians would benefit more from a more open sharing policy. Looser restrictions allow more people to experience an artists music. If the artist is good, they will sell more because people get to sample their work through downloads. I have downloaded a song or 2 from an artist in the past and bought the complete album from the store later. Fans will support an artist by buying their music if they enjoy it. Fans know that if no one buys the music, that artist will not make any more.