It’s funny and at the same time tragic how we’ve utilized technologies throughout human history. We discovered the atom, and created a massive weapon with it. Then with the internet, a truly technological evolution, and the most we can think to use it for is porn and social media.

If it doesn’t make you laugh to think about it, it can get you down. That’s why it’s so refreshing to read a story like this. Where we can see our technological advances served for the betterment of mankind.

If you have pacemaker, or know of anyone who has one then you know what a pain they can be. Having to be examined when going in for a checkup. Then if a problem is detected, oh boy, it gets really fun.

Well, there looks to be a shining light against the problems of pacemakers. Because, the first internet connected pacemaker is hooked up, and online. The device is hooked up to a New York woman, and so far things are looking good.

Her pacemaker is setup on a special medical frequency, as not to interfere with other electronic devices. The internet connection provides her doctor with easy notification of any problems. Also, her checkups can be done remotely through the device’s equipment.

As I stated previously, it’s so amazing to see our technologies used for the advancment of something beneficial. If you are a pacemaker owner, or know someone who has one I’d love to hear your input about this invention.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Ghostbusters, one of the all time classics in my book was released back in 1984. In the movie, Egon had a line that probably rings true more in this day and age than when the movie first came out; ‘print is dead’.

You can give Egon some kind of Nostradamus award, because it’s looking like he was right. It seems like stories of printed publications shutting down, or primarily going online are becoming more rampant. If you follow the link above you’ll see that EGM, a reputable gaming magazine that was going on 20 years was instantly shut down.

Rolling Stone, a magazine icon had to switch formats and page size to be able to fit onto newsstands. If you pick up a newspaper at a gas station, you’ll see smaller and smaller editions being printed. Even books are in trouble, as the popularity of the Amazon Kindle rises a bit. Now, there’s an iPhone app that brings you the power of the Kindle for free.

Don’t get me wrong, I love technology but sometimes it can be depressing. I’ve downloaded a couple of books onto my Kindle app, and it just doesn’t do it for me. There’s something about reading text on a screen, and just pressing a finger on the screen to turn the page that feels off. I think the day is still awhile off, but there will come a time there will no longer be print. It will be good for then environment, but what about the soul?

How have you viewed print media lately? Do you feel any sort of nostalgia for it, or do you say ‘bring on tech’ and don’t care?

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

The climate of digital distribution is going through the equivalent of global warming at the moment. Most of the mainstream, and popular downloading sites are seeing a massive increase of revenue, and downloads. Gameindustry.biz conducted an interesting, and compelling interview with the CEO of Gamersgate, Theodore Bergquist.

The questions, and thoughts raised in the interview will be ones vital in the coming years. How big will digital distribution end up becoming? Will it be a brick-and-mortar killer? If so, how can the job market fluctuate to keep people working?

As I read, and research more on the subject I’ve come to the conclusion that digital distribution is banking on two things. First, and most importantly is the strength, and quality of broadband connection. As it stands now, most people run anywhere between 5mbps - 10mbps. There’s exceptions but that’s par for the course. Within that average, downloading a game around 3-4GB takes around three to four hours to complete. The strength of the content provider is another key issue as well. So, as game sizes continue to rise the strength of broadband needs to as well. Because if someone is having to wait 5+ hours for a download, why not just go to Wal-Mart and pick the game up and have it downloaded within a hour?

Another key component of for the future of digital distribution is the psychology of the consumer. The internet savvy community generally presents a skewed view when talking about the future of online media. To the online community, brick-and-mortar stores should be shaking in their boots as in five years they could become obsolete. I think the more broad market is a different matter. I was at the mall the other day and it was to watch consumers make their way through various stores. I still believe that there’s always going to be a place for the retail world.

I believe there’s something ingrained in us that loves to go out to shop. There’s nothing online that can replace being able to pick up a product and try it out yourself. Plus, there’s a social aspect to shopping. How many times have you called up friends to go to the mall? The different aspects to consumer spending I believe will never go away.

That’s not to say that digital distribution won’t have its place in the world. I think you need only look to music for a look at how the online world has drastically changed things. iTunes is now the #1 distributor of music. Of course those file sizes greatly differ from what you see for movies, and games. Therefore, I think we still have awhile before digital distribution catches on as fast as the tech world believes it will. Like with any industry, predicting the future is nearly impossible.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

It’s becoming such a bore to hear about the RIAA, and lawsuits. You can’t open up a tech news website without seeing a new case that the RIAA has deemed important to bring upon an alleged pirate. These cases tend to not last long, and the defendants pay out a low settlement. Generally in the low thousands range. The ‘RIAA Watch’ has taken an interesting turn, as a lone North Carolina woman is taking the fight back to the RIAA. Her name is Shahanda Moursy, and is the plantiff in a counterclaim suit against the RIAA. Along with the organization, Moursy is suing Sony BMG, UMG Recordings, and Electra Entertainment Group.

Her attorneys cite many different reasons for the countersuit, but two of them really stood out to me. If you wish to read the entire suit, here’s the PDF.

“The “Digital Theft Deterrence … Act of 1999” is unconstitutional because it is essentially a criminal statute, punitively deterrent in its every substantive aspect, from which it follows that: a defendant prosecuted pursuant to this act is entitled to the process protections of the criminal law, including the rules and constitutional law of criminal procedure and the right to trial by jury empowered to act by general verdict; Congress has exceeded its power by placing the executive function of prosecuting an essentially criminal statute in private hands; and, Congress has violated constitutional separation of powers by requiring the judicial branch to try cases pursuant to their essentially criminal mandate by inappropriate civil process.”

It’s interesting to see that we have a piece of legislation granting private organizations procedures which are generally given to criminal cases. Here’s another interesting inclusion…

“The statutory damages Plaintiffs seek are unconstitutional because they violate Defendant’s right to Due Process granted under the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Plaintiffs seek statutory damages which, at a minimum, are $750 per song. The total cost of licensing the songs would have been approximately $0.99 per song and the total revenue to Plaintiffs from the songs, upon information and belief, would have been approximately $0.77 per song. Plaintiffs seek statutory damages that are, at a minimum, more than nine hundred and seventy four (974) times the amount of their actual damages.”

That’s quite a profit, making $750 off of something that generally costs $0.99. That’s just the minimum. The real tragedy is that these kinds of fines aren’t being brought against the wealthy, but generally people who are struggling financially. They are being made to pay 974 x the cost of a product. Justice indeed.

This will be one case to keep an eye on. Right now, the RIAA is trying to get the case thrown out. If you wish to read their claim, you can read the PDF, here. Hopefully, David will win against Goliath again.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!