Which brings up an interesting concern I’m seeing more and more with the olympics. NBC’s coverage. NBC has mentioned a few times that they’re losing money, and viewers during their coverage of the Vancouver 2010 olympics this year. And I feel like they’re not covering enough of the events. I mean, the Olympics is much larger than the portion they cover during primetime, or in the few other channels that show coverage sporadically. I’m sure there’s plenty of Americans that want to watch events that actually don’t involve a medal-contender US Athlete.

For instance, I was watching curling a little bit this afternoon, with USA playing Germany. USA lost 7-5, and most of the other curling events were done, except for the Canadian team, facing Norway, and the game was tied 6-6 heading into Extra Ends… Close, and had to be exciting to watch… But they didn’t cover it and instead went into 15 minutes of talking and commercials… Time they could’ve spent covering the curling match.

That lack of coverage is what frustrates me. And my friend Jose and I were talking a little last night about what they could do to enhance coverage, and perhaps enhance even their profit…

Why isn’t there an Olympic “Premium” network for times like these? Similar to MLB Extra Innings, or the NFL Network. I would love to see something like 5 channels playing 24/7 coverage of the Olympics when they happen. That would be incredible. Even have an online version so you can login with your same account to watch it online if you’re not near a computer.

That’d be just plain perfect. Do it just like MLB.TV currently has… pay a certain fee for the “Season” (in this case, the 2-3 weeks of Olympics every 2 years), and you’d get access to 24/7 coverage. That shouldn’t be hard to maintain at all, no? Please, correct me if I’m wrong.

This way, you can cover CERTAIN events that you know that your mainstream viewers would like to watch (like USA vs Canada hockey, and Figure Skating), but any of the olympic fans that want more than that, can pay for it. It’s a small fee (I don’t know, 40-50 bucks?)

Hell, personally, I wouldn’t even care if there were announcers or not. Atleast show me the game statistics on the screen. But that’s a personal preference that I’m sure not many others would stand by. I just suggest the lack of announcers as an attempt to cut down on production costs.

Is this too far fetched of an idea? Would you be willing to pay for “premium” access to the Olympics?

Premium Coverage counts as this:

• 24/7 Channels (I’m thinking atleast 3 of them would be required)
• Access to ALL events online (so if the event/match you want to watch doesn’t fit into one of the channel slots, you can still watch it online)

Again, I think this is completely reasonable and far from unachievable.

And there is another plus to this whole thing: Your current audience. The one that doesn’t care about the olympics and is disappointed that their “regularly scheduled programming” disappeared for the next 2 weeks? They don’t need to worry about that ANYWHERE near as much as they do now, as NBC would be taking over their main networks for coverage of the Olympics far less.

Is there any restrictions that the IOC place on this kind of solution? The only thing that I could think of as to why NBC hasn’t done this yet is if perhaps they’ve been told the olympics must be free to everyone, in the spirit of the Olympic games being for everyone.

What do you think? What do you KNOW that I don’t and that I need to learn? Give me some comments!

And it brings something up that I’ve seen all the time, why can’t I just purchase the sign?

Honestly, why do we even put the sign out? Doesn’t that defeat the entire purpose of spending 100+ bucks installing a security system and paying 15+ bucks a month for monitoring services if the criminal will simply look at the sign and go “hmm… well, not worth breaking into that house if the alarm goes off!”

Sure, there’s a chance that the robber will continue with the break in anyways, and if you don’t have an alarm, well… shit. But if you do, it only reinforces the fact that this criminal is an idiot, and he’ll be rushing out before he has a chance to steal much.

Of course, I’m realizing that if the signs were open for purchasing anywhere, then people would realize immediately that they can’t trust the signs, and break ins would actually increase for those places that have a sign in front of the house.

I’m sure a lot of people would rather just purchase the sign than spend a lot of money on the actual system.

I know I would.

hmm.

Full Battery.

I spend the entire day playing around with it, online, playing Boom, checking out the latest tweets on Tweetie 2… you know, my usual day on the iPhone.

Next thing you know, it’s 10:30 at night, and I’m looking at my phone… Still full battery. How is this possible?

I ended up rebooting, obviously under the assumption that the battery life shown on the phone MUST be wrong, and then when I started it back up, unsurprisingly enough it wouldn’t even LOAD unless I plugged it into the wall.

This got me wondering on a bit. Given that the battery was completely dead to the point that I can’t boot it up (and honestly, I’m surprised the phone didn’t die on me earlier in the day, like around 3-4 pm), I wondered if I hadn’t rebooted, how long the phone would’ve lasted until it shut down.

The way it was acting, however, I came to the absurd conclusion that the phone never would’ve shut off. But of course the battery would die eventually.

I guess I’m still just surprised that the phone lasted as long as it did.

Wait, what was that? He only did one thing? Oh, cheat on his wife? That’s it? WTF.

Holy Hell, people, seriously. That’s all he did… Cheated on his wife. I’m far from condoning his actions… I absolutely despise cheating and do not stand for it at all, and will never do so myself.

But come on… Why do we hold celebrities and athletes to such high level… Hell, a level HIGHER than we hold ourselves?? So many in society cheat on their “loved” ones all the time, but you don’t see them having to leave their jobs over it, or losing their sources of income.

Hell, Gillette is now LIMITING TIGER WOODS’S ROLE IN ITS MARKETING over this!

I was reading, or listening to something (I think it was the Colbert Report) early last week, and he was mentioning how why did we expect Tiger to be part of a “perfect family?” All along, Nike and Gillette always portrayed him as a “man’s man”… Hell, Buick’s commercials never show him in a car with his family… He’s ALWAYS BY HIMSELF.

It’s really absurd how far the media, and the public, have taken his infidelity.

Honestly, stop this pathetic obsession of celebrities and athletes, and focus on your own lives, and making them as great as they can be. You’d be surprised how much better your life can be if you drop all of this pointless drama in the lives of the rich and famous, and see what’s around you that matters far more.

Tiger Woods is a great golf player, and his personal life has NOTHING to do with my enjoyment of golf, or my ability to watch him play 18 holes… Same goes for music, and movies. I don’t care what Tom Cruise did for vacation, or that him and Kate whatever her name is broke up. It doesn’t affect how good he is in the movies he plays in.

So why care about their personal lives?

But, as of right now there is an issue.

Some of you may immediately notice (well, the geeks would), that my address bar is currently showing a different domain name.

Well, I have been thinking about moving to a new serverhost for some time now, and finally decided yesterday to move. First things I did was pull down my site, and pull down all my database… And then waking up this morning, I discover that ALL of my sites on the old host, are no longer working. The issue has turned out to be “too many connections” for the mySQL databases… Which doesn’t make sense at all, honestly.

So, irony aside, I’m in the process of moving all of the sites over to the new host, as well as sending the domains over as I get the sites up and running.

For the time being, Blackened Sun is going to be listed at wordpress.hopvault.com … As soon as the new DNS is officially set for my new host, I’ll bring blackenedsun.com back over completely.

This has been one miserable 24 hours of trying to deal with all of this.

Patience, s’il vous plait

I’ve really paid attention to the LANGUAGE, and compared them to their competitor.

Case in point is the latest Verizon and AT&T Commercials that discuss the coverage of their respective networks, and how they try to compare themselves to each other.

Verizon for instance has a string of commercials out there lately that have been bragging about the size of their 3G coverage versus AT&T. Apparently my idea of AT&T being a great network in terms of 3G was false, but at the same time, as a typical cell phone user that doesn’t travel the United States that often, or to that many destinations, a fuller map really doesn’t make a difference to me. I have great 3G coverage here in Tampa, and I get decent coverage in MA. My hometown in Massachusetts doesn’t quite have 3G coverage, but closer to Boston, as I tend to be when I’m on vacation there these days, has plenty, as far as I can tell.

So really, as long as I have great 3G coverage where I need it, why would I care if it’s everywhere else, where I don’t, or won’t, ever need it?

Well, back to the subject, because of the string of Verizon commercials attacking AT&T coverage, AT&T takes an effort to counter, and have a recent string of advertisements that say “Verizon is lying and we want to set the record straight. We have the greatest coverage in the US”.

Sadly, I can’t find that commercial on youtube easily to share.

But immediately I picked up on something: AT&T does not mention 3G anywhere in their new commercial! They’re tricking users to believe that they’re simply countering the 3G argument with the “truth” (and a larger, more complete map), but in reality they’re trying to compensate for their obvious lack of 3G coverage vs Verizon, and hoping viewers don’t pick up on this little nuance.

Don’t even get me started on Sprint. They say they have the nation’s largest 3G network, and the country’s first 4G network. If they’re so amazing, why the hell do they not have a leg up on Verizon and AT&T? And what is this 4G anyways, and if it’s so amazing, why aren’t the new smart touch-phones taking advantage of this?

I kind of feel like I’m alone in this, pointing out the nuances of advertisements.  Then again, people tend to notice the lies in commercials pretty damn fast, and point them out immediately. But only the lies. AT&T didn’t lie about their coverage being greater than Verizon…. OVERALL coverage. However, their 3G coverage (according to the verizon commercials) is apparently SEVERELY lacking.

For the sake of privacy (as this was originally a note on my friend’s private Facebook account), and by his request. All nicknames and screen names have been removed.

Plenty of moments where I can’t figure out who’s playing a prank with who, but god I was laughing so hard by the end of this.

Enjoy

(*kidsscreenname*): yoo

Justin: who is (*Screenname*)?

(*kidsscreenname*): justin u dont kno me

Justin: i know you are, but what am i?

(*kidsscreenname*): wat

Justin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOGWbzUM-y8

(*kidsscreenname*): wtf

Justin: yea

(*kidsscreenname*): U DID ALL UR HOMEWORK

Justin: so, who is this? donna?
because your friend tiffany was talking a lot of smack 2nite

(*kidsscreenname*): WHO IS DONNA
DIZ IZ (*GhettoNickname*)

Justin: you aren’t donna?

(*kidsscreenname*): NO

Justin: don’t lie
donna – you gotta get tiffany off my back

(*kidsscreenname*): NIGGA DIZ IZ (*GhettoNickname*)

Justin: you live in NY?

(*kidsscreenname*): omg

Justin: tiffany is a jersey girl

(*kidsscreenname*): nigga diz iz (*GhettoNickname*) u high

Justin: i don’t know – i bought this stuff from the janitor at school
wild stuff
it’s like, gives me energy, but makes me to read a book too

(*kidsscreenname*): wat was it called

Justin: 5 hour energy
i’ve seen a commercial for it
during judge judy

(*kidsscreenname*): u dont kno who diz iz

Justin: it’s donna

(*kidsscreenname*): who tha fukk iz dona

Justin: i really want a dog
i don’t want some ugly dog either

(*kidsscreenname*): u kno wat ima c u 2marrow

Justin: but wait, (*GhettoNickname*)

(*kidsscreenname*): yea

Justin: seriously, who is (*GhettoNickname*)?

(*kidsscreenname*): iz diz justin

Justin: yea

(*kidsscreenname*): (*kid’s real name*)

Justin: i was about to say

Justin: i was about to say
you aren’t donna
and i’m probably not the justin you were looking for
i’m guessing
i mean, yo, i thought donna was trying to get me
she’s crazy

(*kidsscreenname*): u go 2 skoll 23
skool

Justin: nope, i’m not in the city
I’m in the south

(*kidsscreenname*): ii

Justin: you like ny?

(*kidsscreenname*): WTF
u a stalker

Justin: naaa

(*kidsscreenname*): so how u kno where i b
telll me

Justin: only nyc calls their schools like that
by numbers
i know that from law and order
so i but 2 and 2 together

(*kidsscreenname*): ii
wat

Justin: you take care
be a leader
study hard

(*kidsscreenname*): y
y u tellin me diz n u dont kno me

Justin: yea
i’m just some dude you thought was justin … but i am justin … but not the justin who you probably go to school with
i’m from DC
i’m in DC
near obama

(*kidsscreenname*): do u kno any justinz

Justin: nope

(*kidsscreenname*): ok

Justin: he must be cool though

(*kidsscreenname*): diz iz justin aint it

Justin: what do you think my last name is?

(*kidsscreenname*): idk his last name

Justin: you think i live in nyc, right?

(*kidsscreenname*): yea
u gave me diz aim
i dont b in dc

Justin: my be the wrong AIM
must be

(*kidsscreenname*): ok

Justin: maybe his hand writing is like chicken-scratch

(*kidsscreenname*): ok
how many aimz u got

Justin: i think one

(*kidsscreenname*): how u think

(*kidsscreenname*): tellme or u gettin blokked who iz diz

Justin: no one can block me, i’m the fastest wide receiver
it’s justin

(*kidsscreenname*): shutup
wat justin

Justin: justin from DC

(*kidsscreenname*): blokk
bye

Justin: latr

For those that don’t know, LessConf was a conference put on this past weekend in Jacksonville, with a variety of talks for Entrepreneurs and Developers. It was definitely a great time, and I’m proud of Allan and Steve for their hard work putting this together. A complete success, and I’m excited for the next time they have it. Every one of the talks were great.

Every time I go to a conference, I always get that spark of motivation to work on my own projects, or just just feel so much better with the network connections. This time around, with all the talk on brands and what not, and Gary Vee’s very inspirational talk about brand equity and the amount of self-confidence he has really got me going about my brand, and I’m anxious to work on my own brand and side projects more.

There hasn’t been any new updates here as I have been very busy with moving into my new place, as well as out on the job search. So basically my hiatus that I figured was going to come, actually happened a little later than I thought.

I’m finally taking the time out this week to work on a couple things. Blackened Sun will have some changes being made to it, in terms of setting up my about page, as well as a portfolio/resume. So please excuse the mess if you see one.

Also, I’m working on an exciting new project that I have been putting off for far too long. When I am finished enough to have people try it out, I will be announcing it here on my blog. A lot of the LessConf’ers as well as friends of mine already know bits and pieces of what I am hoping to develop and I plan to have something to show off by the end of this week. I think I can do it!

I believe my blog will be changing direction. I’m constantly torn on if this blog should discuss personal things, be a place for me to rant, or keep things professional and only discuss things related to my field of Web Development. I always felt like the blog should stay “professional” but I notice time and time again that I end up going out on a tangent and discussing my life, and other random thoughts I may have about things that happen around me. What are your thoughts on this? Do you like the blog posts I have so far, would you prefer a change?

I am going to promise at least one new blog post a week, though, regardless. I really want to make sure I keep this updated!

Sure, there were plenty of things that were at work well before that day, that affected us, but what the terrorists did on that one day changed the course of history immensely.

I still remember where I was that day. Some of us didn’t even know about it at first, like myself. I was walking into my Science class in high school to find the TV on CNN… and the scene on the screen was one of Hell on Earth. It was shortly after the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center, the dark smoke from the building blocking the sun from the camera, giving the sky this deep red color. It really did look vicious. I remember seeing the second plane crash into the towers on the tv, with utter shock.

I remember sitting out on the grass later, and everything around me just felt so surreal. I was just looking up at the cloudless sky, and seeing all of the plane jet streams heading in the exact same direction, to Logan International, spread across the entire sky.

It was incredible what happened the next few weeks. How all Americans finally FINALLY put aside all of their differences, and came together for the common good. However, the bad things also happened during the first two weeks. I’ve seen fellow students taking advantage of the moment by trying to get teachers to ignore teaching us. I know from their facial expressions and from their words that the students weren’t truly still devastated by the attacks, but wanted to not have to do work. That frustrated me to no end.

From this one devastating day, we endured 2 wars in two Middle Eastern countries, we’ve had laws passed to provide more security, and less privacy. I agree with some actions, and not with others, but I won’t get into that on here out of respect for the event that changed our lives.

9/11 had such an impact on everyone’s lives, in the United States and in some effect even abroad, that it’s definitely going to be one of those defining moments of the first decade of the 21st Century… I know it’s certainly helped shape the last 8 years of my life. How about yours?

From the article title alone, two things sprung to my mind:

• I didn’t know that Alan Turing, the Father of Modern Computer Science, the developer of the theoretical Turing Machine, was also the code-breaker of the dreaded Enigma machine of World War II that was vital to Nazi Germany war efforts.
• What in the world did they need to seek an apology for? I didn’t realize that Turing ever had a fall from grace.

Well, come to find out, Turing was the one that broke the Enigma machine, which is just plain awesome, given the importance of that to the Allies winning the European stage of World War II. He was one of many code-breakers of course, during that time, but the Enigma was definitely a major hurdle for the Allies.

Learning this gave me a higher respect for the man known as the Father of everything we know and use today when it comes to computers.

I mean, come on, EVERY day the majority of users on the internet use something that was originally created by Alan Turing. Every website you visit that uses a “security check” involving looking at an image with words and numbers that you have to type in. It’s called a Captcha and it’s known as a reverse Turing Test, testing the human instead of testing a computer (rather than vice versa. See the wiki entry for more information). The Turing Test was first described by Alan Turing in 1950.

Going back to the article, though. I was shocked to discover he was disgraced simply for being a homosexual. Well, for starters, I didn’t know he was gay before this article. That’s why I didn’t understand why they’d need to apologize. But of course, I realize that being gay was even more shunned upon back then than it is today, but it’s disappointing that someone, even with everything that they did for their nation, can become an outcast simply because of their sexual standings.

He was removed of his security clearance, because for some reason the government had (and still does, in the United States atleast, it seems) an opinion that homosexuals are more likely to be compromised, and more capable of divulging information. Grotesque enough, he was submitted to Chemical Castration for his choice in lifestyle, even if it was a completely private one at that, though he did agree to it in order to avoid a different sentence. It’s rather disappointing that he had to be subject to that. In fact, he committed suicide two years later, probably directly due to this (though this is not quite known).

I have brought this up in defense of homosexuality yet again, I think. I am not gay, but I tend to be a greater advocate for gay rights than even the homosexual people I DO know. I tend to speak out for equality more than they do. I certainly hope the UK Government comes through and apologizes for the way they treated Turing, especially after all of his contributions to their war effort, and what he stands for in terms of the last 50 years of advancement in Computer Science.

I hope you learned something new as well.