Entries for Jason Ipock

The all-important Azeroth vote [The all-important Azeroth vote]

Jason Ipock — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:37:22 GMT

For those people interested in how Night-elves and Shamans are leaning this political season...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5Kg-K7em20

in reply to The all-important Azeroth vote

Economics question: what would your response be? [Economics question: what would your response be?]

Jason Ipock — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:10:21 GMT

Some of us are directly impacted by the downturn in the economy. Most of us who own 401k / 403b / IRA plans have seen a dramatic drop in value. Some people who were planning on retiring in the next few years won't be able to, since they can't rely upon their stock investments or any value in their home (as it likely has dropped).

My question is, what do you tell someone who is very close to retirement (or maybe not..) that says, "I don't have to worry about the stock market. I am a state employee with a great pension"... ?

in reply to Economics question: what would your response be?

Question for Canadians... [Question for Canadians...]

Jason Ipock — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:58:50 GMT

OK, my wife and I occasionally watch a show produced in Canada where the host does some sort of a financial make-over of a person/couple after going over how bad their finances really are. It's a little cheezy, but it does have its moments.

One thing we've noticed is, with the people involved, there is usually a LOT of bank line of credit debt, but not much credit card debt. But, in the states, it seems like the bulk of a lot our debt is credit card, not line of credit.

My question to you is, is this a norm in Canada? More line-of-credit debt than Credit Card debt? Or has the TV show picked people with high line-of-credit debt?

Just curious.

in reply to Question for Canadians...

Windows Not Walls Campaign - Kicking Off [Windows Not Walls Campaign - Kicking Off]

Jason Ipock — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:22:41 GMT

It appears as though the Windows Not Walls campaign is supposed to be kicking off today.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1548

Anyone have any idea where to see the ads / etc.?

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Spotting Windows Marketing in the wild [Spotting Windows Marketing in the wild]

Jason Ipock — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:43:34 GMT

I started watching web episodes of Gemini Division and found a bunch of Microsoft product placements (Live Search, Windows, etc.). The main character has a pretty cool gadget. Not sure if it's based on some real device or not.

Anyone else see any 'stealth' product placements for Windows? I hope this isn't part of the hundred million dollar + campaign.

in reply to Spotting Windows Marketing in the wild

Mesh's Future [Mesh's Future]

Jason Ipock — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:30:34 GMT

I've been playing with Mesh for a couple of months and like it! My wife and I use it to share files and it works absolutely great!

My concern is that I'm about to recommend the concept to some friends who run a non-profit corporation for some internal use. The problem I have is, will it remain free? If so, I think they'd get some good use out of it. If it will cost money, then I'm going to look into another option.

Has anyone heard anything??

in reply to Mesh's Future

Royalty-Free images [Royalty-Free images]

Jason Ipock — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:24:49 GMT

What do people use for royalty-free images when making a design? I'm trying to find a place that has images available for use on web pages, but I don't want to have to pay an arm and a leg for them.

I know they exist - I found one on the net a few years back, but can't remember what it was.. :(

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Apple-related Question - I don't understand this statement. [Apple-related Question - I don't understand this statement. ]

Jason Ipock — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:35:34 GMT

I have heard some people, including a few friends, say that they use a Mac because, "It's better for graphics."

I suppose I should have asked them, but, what, exactly, does this mean? Don't both PCs and Macs use the same graphics cards? I thought DirectX was a lot easier to work with than OpenGL, generally speaking, with newer graphics hardware?

What is it I don't understand? A quick search on the net doesn't help me.

in reply to Apple-related Question - I don't understand this statement.

New Apple Ads [New Apple Ads]

Jason Ipock — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:27:45 GMT

That brings up an interesting point (and a reason to try the "Start Related Discussion feature)

Many Apple ads are brilliant for one main reason: they demonstrate how easy it is do to something: they show you what you need to do to accomplish your task: "This is how you install an application on an iPhone". "This is how you do XYZ." People can see for themselves how to do something and fosters the belief that they are empowered to make their own decision (even though they're being marketed to).

I cannot recall a Windows (or even PC) commercial which comes close to that. I remember "Dude, you're getting a Dell!". Some gateway spots.. Some pictures of people smiling over Windows Photo Gallery.. But nothing like, "This is how you burn pictures on your DVD". You know: the things that the Microsoft employees were doing to the people in the Mohave experiment.

Lesson observed: when people see what they can do on Vista and how easy it can be (or easy for most things..), positive perception of Vista was increased. Do you think Microsoft will learn the lessons?

EDIT: I thought that this feature would have copied the reference I had to another post. I was referring to Jamie's comment about two new Mac commercials, where it's shown people can take their PC to the store and have all their files transferred. Hey: it beats the $20.00 "copy" cable sold by some PC manufacturers.

in reply to New Apple Ads

At the risk of sounding like a jerk and being insensitive.. [At the risk of sounding like a jerk and being insensitive..]

Jason Ipock — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:14:31 GMT

I was reading Steve Job's Obit today.. (No, he's not dead.. Someone prematurely posted it. A link is: here..)

In it, Jobs is listed as being Buddhist.. If memory serves me right, Buddhists believe, from the four noble truths, that Suffering exists, and the goal of Buddhism is to end suffering (at least, on an internal basis). The root cause of suffering is (and I just got a quote) "attachment to or craving for worldly pleasures OF ALL KIND" (emphasis mine). Additionally, suffering only ends when one is released from those desires (via Nirvana). Buddhists who are reading this, please correct me where I'm wrong - I want to make sure I understand this right.

If this is the case, one can make a very strong argument in the Apple (along with multitudes of other companies) do nothing but attempt to create desire and envy in their customers (and potential customers). The iPod alone is picture-perfect example of "worldly pleasures".

Does this not seem contradictory? To me, a Buddhist who supports attempts to increase desire for worldly pleasures is similar to a Jew/Christian/Muslim who promotes Atheism. And as CEO, of course Jobs wants people to desire his product..Right??!

I'm certain I'll get a few responses saying how Apple and such aren't really trying to induce desire in people (and if you honestly believe that any corporation is not trying to get people to desire their product, you're delusional...), but seriously.. What's up with that? Or maybe he's someone interested in Buddhism and ascribes to some of their values, but not the core tenants? Now --that-- I'll believe.

Anyone think I'm unreasonable?

in reply to At the risk of sounding like a jerk and being insensitive..

Windows Media Center Extenders [Windows Media Center Extenders]

Jason Ipock — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:55:36 GMT

Does anyone here use the WMC extenders routinely? I use my XBox 360's extender at least twice a day, and I was wondering if anyone has some good anecdotes on how well multiple extenders work within a house.

I have a very beefy box and really awful wi-fi in the house. Cough the wrong way near my Router or XBox 360 and I'll need to spend 15 minutes tuning and repositioning the antenna to get a signal good enough for standard TV.

in reply to Windows Media Center Extenders

Apple is getting countersued [Apple is getting countersued]

Jason Ipock — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:11:29 GMT

Regarding Psystar: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10026033-37.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

I'm curious what everyone's thoughts are on this. Personally, I don't see *just* Psystar being a threat to Apple. The only people who would really buy one of their Open Computers would be the tech-savvy and the curious enthuiast. I can't imagine someone who needs a sole computer for personal use would buy one. It just isn't worth the risk. And the first guy who buys for his significant other a Psystar Open Computer when they say how much they want an Apple would be at serious risk for sleeping on the couch.

That being said, If psystar's suit is successful, it might open the door for other companies to make their own clones. Or better yet, a pre-installed dual / triple boot computer (OS X, XP/Vista, Ubuntu). Talk about a great opportunity for marketing.. (Need Windows? Want to run OSX? We can do both for you off the shelf!)

I can't see the law suit being successful, though. Not due to merit, rather, resources. Psystar is not wealthy enough to fend off Apple, whether they're right or wrong. Kind of sad, really. I'd love to hear what a judge would say in an American court.

in reply to Apple is getting countersued

I'm feeling a little down.. [I'm feeling a little down..]

Jason Ipock — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:38:23 GMT

Via netflix, I just completed the last episode of the last season of "The Wire". It's a bit sad.. I guess it's a sign of good TV making, but I felt like I really got to know those characters.. Cheering for "Bubbles"... Happy for / Angry at / etc., Officer McNulty. I felt like, after all that, they really need to keep telling the story!

Oh well, I guess there's a life cycle to everything.

in reply to I'm feeling a little down..