Joe’s BestNetTech Profile

On the post: WSJ To Try Micropayments: What A Bad Idea

Joe ( profile ), 11 May, 2009 @ 06:50am

Re: um...no

That is what publications always tell their advertisers people about their readers. They are looking for a leg up, they are more engaged, etc. The truth is a reader is a reader, if they like the content they will pay for it. But if you put up a pay wall people with think twice before shelling out. Especially if they already subscribe to the traditional publication.

Then they ask themselves, "I know the WSJ knows i want a leg up on my competition" (Who also read the publication) why aren't they giving me this content for free?

Overall your argument is flawed and my guess is that you work for the WSJ, because no one is going to pay micro payments because they think their competition won't. Make the content free and get paid with ads. It makes a lot more sense for a business.

On the post: Scientist Makes Sure That No One Uses His Patent On Malaria Drug To Gouge The Poor

Joe ( profile ), 12 Mar, 2009 @ 08:06am

Yeah patents help out a ton in health care

Health care costs are WAY to expensive, i'm find with companies patenting their drugs but the overall profits they reap due to their molecular compounds are outragious. $10,000 a year for a drug doesn't make any sense, and I realize it's based on the small target market and how much health insurance will cover, but producing the drug doesn't have that type of cost, nor does research.

I say once a drug makes back research/production cost +10% a patent should be removed and opened up to the market at large. The 10% still offers a large amount of return, and i realize that regulations and testing make creating new drugs an issue, but honestly it's out of control at the moment and something needs to change.

On the post: There Is No New Business Model For Music?

Joe ( profile ), 12 Mar, 2009 @ 08:01am

It's not just music

As digital distribution gets cheaper, and creating content gets cheaper you will and probably are seeing this affect other things than Music. Look at TV, people have more choices so not everyone watches the same shows.

It's not only what people can watch but how they can choose how they want to experience their entertainment via the TV/online streaming video/mobile video/dvds or any other way of viewing video content.

We are seeing executives struggle at finding the next big show to work on the TV. where are the executives looking to create content that will be big on the internet and how to monetize the viewers? Yes some networks made Hulu which is great, but if they improved that experience they may find a more lucrative/more targeted market then they currently having using TV.

Allow users to watch Hulu content on their TV. (I already do but make it easy for everyone to do it)

Markets are shifting as consumers are given control of how they use content. Sadly the networks are failing at capitalizing on these people and they are seeing their "core business" falter. Instead of working to help people they are making rules/regulations to prevent the change because their core business will suffer.

On the post: NZ Censor Threatens To Jail Parents Who Buy Violent Video Games For Kids

Joe ( profile ), 11 Mar, 2009 @ 02:04pm

um...

Yeah i can't imagine this law helping kids, or parents. More or less it sounds like New Zealand is looking for a way to make money off of new fines that are impossible to enforce or prove.

People who throw out these asinine concepts should get put on notice, 3 dumb ideas in 3 months and they are out. If it's an idea this dumb just fire them.

Granted i have no idea who would decide if or if not the idea is dumb, nor who would oversee that level of beuracracy (spelling) but you get the picture.

No system is perfect but this guy should think before he talks.

On the post: Is It Impossible For Hulu To Survive?

Joe ( profile ), 26 Feb, 2009 @ 08:17am

Hulu is good

I don't see what the problem with hulu having advertising presence is. It is small commercial segments than on traditional TV, and overall a pretty solid experience. I do wish they had more content from the other broadcast networks like CBS and CW but I can live with what they offer.

I spend at least 4 hours on hulu a week (granted i play it on my TV rather than my PC). and I really enjoy the service. I will admit though that they could use slightly better streaming technology as when playing on a large TV some content is frustrating to watch due to the stutter.

On the post: If You Stand On One Leg, Twist Yourself Around And Squint Into This Light… The US Is #1 In Broadband. Maybe

Joe ( profile ), 24 Feb, 2009 @ 07:54am

I wonder

How much the telco's paid this guy to figure out a way to get the US labeled as #1 in broadband. Seems pretty out there to me.

On the post: It's Not The Internet Making People Dumb… It's Other People Who Benefit From You Being Dumb

Joe ( profile ), 11 Feb, 2009 @ 01:41pm

Using the internet doesn't make you dumb, it can be hard for people to use if they aren't familiar

The problem with the internet (which isn't it's fault) is that people make rash decisions, and the internet allows them to make decisions quicker than they would if say they had to go to the post office with a letter, or go to a bank and talk to a teller about removing their life savings.

The speed of transactions/conversations/decisions have shrunk to an obscenely small amount of time, as communication has become increasingly easier.

I guess the next evolution is video conferencing, maybe when people start seeing those they are talking to who are trying to hussle them body language may tip them off on whats going on.

Or at least offer photos of the scammer given that i'm sure most video conversations will end up saved etc. Of course then they will start paying teenagers to "act/play parts" for them, or create avatars that look human/act human to allow them to scheme idiots ten fold.

On the post: Can The Solution To Spam Be Hoax Spam?

Joe ( profile ), 04 Feb, 2009 @ 07:36am

Re: Re: Fine them (entrapment)

That would be classis, rick roll spam. Just add in some $ figures for how much spammers can get them for so they know they were rick rolled, but it's better than the alternative.

On the post: Is Technology On The Verge Of Killing Copyright Dead?

Joe ( profile ), 02 Feb, 2009 @ 08:29am

a lot of content creators just don't understand what Word of Mouth can do

This is definitely interesting and I agree that it will take longer for copyright laws to die or redefine themselves. I also agree whole heartedly that some people just don't get what open communications can do for a brand. Especially something already iconic.

For example I heard that the author of twilight wrote a 5th book but it got leaked online, so she is opting not to release that title. I don't understand how that makes any sense, if the book was good people would still buy it because they want to add to their collection, and some will want to wait to read it until they can read the final version.

I fail to see why an author would do that especially for a brand they created just due to a leak of her work. She should still sell it and see how her sales do, if the title sucks it may tank, if it's good and people know it through word of mouth she may see more immediate sales then she did with her previous work, and possibly more people buying a collection rather than just that one title.

On the post: Lawyer Sues Citibank For Not Stopping Him From Losing Money In Nigerian Scam

Joe ( profile ), 29 Jan, 2009 @ 02:01pm

Typically

I always side against a lawyer, but given the full story i guess i can see where they are coming from. If nothing else maybe this will spur banks to change their policies and be more clear about what has cleared and what is final.

Nigerians seem to learn quick, you would think that we could stay ahead of them but some of these tricks almost seem to crafty.

On the post: Raising Some Questions About Smoking Gun Sex Offender Profiles On MySpace

Joe ( profile ), 28 Jan, 2009 @ 11:08am

Protecting the children

I feel like i read this line WAY to much on this site. I understand it's the topics being covered but it almost feels like overkill.

On the post: Mobile Operators Want Anything That Might Force Them To Compete… Taken Out Of Stimulus Bill

Joe ( profile ), 28 Jan, 2009 @ 11:05am

I am excited now

As long as they dont' change this part of the program i can't wait. I'm so sick of providers not competing with eachother on price (with a few small exceptions) and how badly the consumer gets steam rolled by these providers for a services that can't nearly cost what they ask in price.

On the post: Senate Delays Digital TV Transition; Will The Situation Be Any Different In June?

Joe ( profile ), 27 Jan, 2009 @ 08:27am

anyone who doesn't know about this isn't watching broadcast tv

The real issue in my opinion is cable providers ads trying to get non-cable subscribers to subscribe due to the digital transition. Anyone who hasnt' seen ads or read about this is living in a bubble and not watching tv.

I say push on and when their tv's don't work and they call their manufacturer/store asking about their product make sure those people are informed so they can explain what happened in lamens terms.

On the post: A Patent-Holding Software Engineer Explains Why Software Patents Harm Innovation

Joe ( profile ), 22 Jan, 2009 @ 10:09am

Re: Eloquence

Agreed...that one sentance was pretty much exactly what is happening.

On the post: HBO Forcing Takedowns Of Privately Filmed Videos Of Obama Inauguration Concert

Joe ( profile ), 21 Jan, 2009 @ 02:10pm

technically...

Every government function is funded by tax payers...doesn't stop anyone else from profitting where they shouldn't.

Also when have you ever been paid back for your tax contributions?

On the post: Circuit City Liquidation Prices Still More Expensive Than Wal-Mart

Joe ( profile ), 21 Jan, 2009 @ 02:06pm

Total Rip off

I went to circuit city to check out the sales after i heard about the store closings. They have no signage explaining what is and what is not on sale, nothing is tagged, it is all selling for the regular price.

Line was huge though, I opted to just leave. I'm not saying it is right for people to wait for a store to go bankrupt before buying, but there was no incentive to pick up any of their inventory.

KB Toys on the other hand had some excellent going out of business sales, we picked up some things we didn't need yet just because it probably wouldn't be that cheap again.

On the post: EZPass Toll System Saves Tons Of Money… So Maryland Wants To Charge People For It

Joe ( profile ), 14 Jan, 2009 @ 02:09pm

Re: Re:

that is a cross band transaction fee...they always try to get you somewhere, and they warn you on the machine of the initial charge. unfortunately your bank tries to make money off of you too.

sad but true.

On the post: 'Up To' Marketing Strikes Again: UK Customers Get 45% Of Promised Broadband Speed

Joe ( profile ), 09 Jan, 2009 @ 09:02am

Re:

Agreed. ISPs get too many breaks in their promises.

On the post: It's Not A Television, It's Just Another Screen

Joe ( profile ), 09 Jan, 2009 @ 08:29am

I set my TV to work with my computer and ditched cable

I got rid of my cable service just before the new year. I really don't miss cable as there are only 3 - 4 shows i can't watch a few days later then they are broadcast, that I miss.

My wife misses her Jon & Kate plus 8 and cooking channel, and doesn't really understand how to work the TV between free broadcast TV and the internet tv we run via hulu and youtube. She does understand how to run netflix through my xbox though so she is still busy catching up on shows we never watched before like 30 rock.

I know that cable operators hate what i'm doing as they are losing around $80 a month they used to get from me, but i still pay for internet service and phone. I just can't rationalize paying $80 a month for TV when i can get what i need online for free.

Now i just have to wait to see when and how severely they end up capping internet useage. I'm sure this will be their response to users like me.

On the post: Has Our Economy Become Dependant On Bubbles?

Joe ( profile ), 08 Jan, 2009 @ 02:50pm

um...what about the gas bubble?

I know you are talking about "technology" and "housing" bubbles, but what about the gas bubble? Do you honestly think that gas naturally went up to $150 per barel? almost 4 times the current worth of a gallon of gas? That bubble crippled the economy, raising inflation and squeezing almost every american outside of urban areas and the Omish.

The housing bubble led to the gas bubble as people fled to the "commodities" after the bubble started to burst and people tried to save their money by being in something stable...to the tone of $60 Billion dollars more than usual being dumped into one commodity...without even going into gold/platinum/pork bellies and OJ.

That was a big bubble and dumb investors jumped in as analysts trying to get as much return as possible talked up $200 gas.

I didn't invest as it was an obvious bubble, but unlike other bubbles where just investors are hurt the general consumer got hurt, and not in just the US, it was felt across the globe in almost every developed nation not subsidizing it's energy costs.

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