DoubleTwist: new sync app May 29, 2009
Posted by jphebert in Music, technology.Tags: 8900, aac, blackberry, curve, doubletwist, ipod, itunes, mp3, psp, sync
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I just gave a whirl to DoubleTwist, a new sync package which can sync up your media to any device (iPod, PSP, etc.). While this is an interesting package, I’ll stick to my trust told iTunes until they release a feature lacking in iTune which to me is a holy grail: dynamically downscale files when sync’ing. All my rips are in MP3 @ 256Kbps, so files are fairly large, and I manually convert to AAC 96Kbps prior to the sync.
I’ll also give it a whirl (DoubleTwist) on my wife’s Blackberry Curve 8900 since its much simpler/ligher than the Roxio one.
Silly NHL owners & CEO May 21, 2009
Posted by jphebert in Business, hockey.Tags: arizona, bettman, coyotes, hockey, nhl
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The Coyote’s future is at stake, or at least where they’ll play in the future. We’re now seeing two investors willing to keep the team in Arizona (where the only ice outside the rink is in your glass) and sell this to a public with “prior engagements” (Nascar, NFL, NBA, etc.). Local culture is around these sports, not hockey.
I think the goal of making a franchise work is a great one, but they’re at the point of cutting losses and moving on, loosing 70+M$ in the last few years should be a clue any investor should look at. Just move the team where it can be profitable (and that means somewhere people like hockey), I’m not saying go with Jim’s plan but where it snows would be a start..
The NHL needs to be held accountable to selecting cities for new teams. Arizona? Someone needs to go back and hit the books..
PowerDirector is impressive May 10, 2009
Posted by jphebert in family, technology.Tags: blue-ray, dv, dvd, hd, hockey, making dvd, video editing
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I’m in the process of making my son’s hockey team post-season DVD and decided to try the software which came pre-loaded on my wife’s new laptop we got last December. First – egad – I’m using low-feature OEM software! How many time has this happended? Almost never.
OK, I’m in and I have a bunch of slideshows to do with pics we took (easy as pie!), clean the source tapes (easy but not as efficient as others) and built the DVD template (not bad not great). What struck me is that I’ve done this all in minutes very easily without manuals just a few “F1″ moments.
When I upgrade my trusty DV camcorder to HD, I’m getting the full suide for HD/Blue Ray for sure. Rarely have I been impressed with a combination of simplicity and results.
Reference:http://www.cyberlink.com/products/cyberlink-dvd-suite/overview_en_US.html
Death Star destroys the Enterprise May 9, 2009
Posted by jphebert in General.Tags: death star, enterprise, Funny, kirk, ncc-1701, spock, star trek, star wars
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’nuff said – enjoy
Please someone fire Bettman May 7, 2009
Posted by jphebert in Business, hockey.Tags: arizona, balsillie, bettman, blackberry, coyotes, hockey, nhl, research in motion, rim
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I’m your average hockey watching and playing and coachign dad, but also a business decision maker. When I see egos get in the way of product/service quality and most importantly the customer it drives me nuts.
Seeing that Jim Basillie is offering a mountain of money to take a team which has filed chapter 11 in a non-natural hockey market to a place it can be profitable and create a strong following in record time makes a whole lot of sense to me. Yes I’m in Canada and would love to see a 7th team here. I’d prefer Quebec City but Hamilton is in a hot market for this product.
Now seeing good old Gary get all defensive on this is shameful. He said that he does not abandon markets, but when attendance is 10-20% of capacity, once has to ask the sanity of moving the Jets from Winnipeg to Arizona. I love Arizona by the way – phenomenal state. But seriously, who cares about hockey there as the best way to ensure attendance is to build a franchise in a market when people “get it”. Nobody plays recreational ice hockey there (lack of rinks, staff, coaches, etc.), and other sports are stongly entrenched.
So why keep Gary? He wants to put teams in the US to “expand” the audience and create growth. Not a bad idea at all, but secure your core markets first. Since he does not get it or his ego prevents logical decisions, the govenors should fire him. He’s costing the league millions and the NHL can barely make it on occasion on NBC and nowhere on the ESPN grid. Shameful.
For the future of hockey and its growth, there you have it, sending a team to an owner who will not be a fan in a dead market or to a passionate billionaire fan in a hot prospect market. If I’d behave like that I think I’d get fired.
