5/08/2007
ABC, Cox Kill Ad Skipping
Walt Disney Co.'s two big TV networks, ABC and ESPN, have struck a deal with cable operator Cox Communications Inc. to offer hit shows and football games on demand -- but with the unusual condition that Cox disables a TiVo like fast-forward feature that allows viewers to skip ads, the Wall Street Journal reports.The agreement only applies to programs available on Cox's video-on-demand menu, so it doesn't affect viewers using digital video recorders to fast forward through ads. Nevertheless, it sets a valuable precedent for broadcasters. TV networks have been struggling as audiences erode and ad sales drop because new technology -- including rapidly growing video-on-demand services -- allows viewers to avoid commercials altogether.
The deal, expected to be announced today at the National Cable Television Association's annual convention in Las Vegas, could make it easier for the major networks to make their most popular shows available on demand free. Because networks have found it difficult to sell advertising for on-demand broadcasts, most offered only a few shows -- and viewers usually have had to pay a fee of 99 cents per episode to watch those.
[Via LABusinessJoural.com]
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YouTube
prevents viewers from downloading files off their site. But there
are ways around this. Here's a step-by-step tutorial on how to
rip video files off YouTube.com and convert them for your Video
iPod.
Wicked Lasers named their new flashlight the TORCH... and for good reason. The "TORCH" is technically a flashlight. It looks like a flashlight. Operates like a flashlight. But this is no ordinary flashlight. The TORCH is so bright that its beam can ignite flammable objects as fast as fire. 
The average teenager these days probably has no idea who poor old Wilford is. But if you grew up during the 80's, then you probably remember Wilford from movies like Cocoon, The Natural and his many Quaker Oats Oatmeal commercials. Does Wilford Brimley really look like a cat? You decide.
As Twitter continues to gain in popularity and users, those of us already on Twitter might find ourselves in a position where we have to explain Twitter to a non-techie type person like Grandma. So what do you say when someone asks you something silly like "What is the Twitter?" or "Are you taking the Twitter?"
Bugs tend to freak us out. Mosquitoes, spiders, wasps, centipedes... you name it. If it crawls, bites or buzzes anywhere near our faces, then we squirm, swat and run. But what's worse than a little bug crawling on or biting you? How about a really, really big one? Here are some of the biggest bugs on Earth. Enjoy!. 
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Want
to upgrade the RAM in your
Mac Mini? You can definitely save a few bucks by buying a stripped
down Mac Mini and upgrading the RAM yourself. But before you
can install that extra RAM, you'll need to take a walk down to
your local hardware store and grab a couple putty knives.
Need
something to watch on your iPod or iPhone? Here's a tutorial that
explains how to use a program called Handbrake to rip DVD's
into iPod compatible MPEG-4 video files.
Is a weak arm or physical stamina keeping you from taking your Nintendo Wii gaming experience to the next level? Perhaps you should look into getting the Nintendo Wii Nunchuck Controller. This accessory adds even more innovation to the next generation of gaming and does it all with less physical movement.
Are
you trying to eject your iPod from your computer but the "Do
Not Disconnect" won't go away? Don't worry, this is a common
problem with a fairly easy solution.
So
Napster's gone pay, KaZaA is chock-full of viruses and spyware,
and you need someplace to get your file sharing on. Luckily
for you, there's BitTorrent! Here's a
tutorial to get you started. 
