Facebook Sobriety Test?

Mashable recently posted an article about a new plug-in that acts as a sobriety test before you post on Facebook. It’s actually called “The Social Media Sobriety Test” with the tagline, “Nothing good happens online after 1 a.m.”

The idea is that you can set certain hours between which this plug-in will put you through a series of tasks before allowing you to access and modify your Facebook. If you fail the test, it will post to your FB that you are too intoxicated to be on Facebook.

Okay, I’m sorry, but does anyone else see how absurd this is? This plug-in is obviously marketed to the idiot youth of the world. I myself enjoy the social lubricant that is alcohol from time to time, and yes, I’m sure that I’ve had my moments where I wished I had had a filter… but if you have the ability to set certain hours within which you think you will be too intoxicated to make good social media decisions, don’t you think you might have a problem? Try an AA meeting instead.

Hulu Plus

Epicenter, part of Wired.com, recently posted an article about Hulu Plus.

What is Hulu Plus?

Well, I’m glad you asked. Hulu Plus is a new venture from our favorite free online television streaming website.  Hulu has made a name for itself by posting recent television shows (along with some movies) that are available for the public to watch. They are backed by many of the major television networks. How do they pay for all this? Commercials! Luckily, they are short. Some programs even offer you the opportunity to watch a long form commercial before you begin, then watch your show commercial-free. Sweet. Hulu Plus is similar to Netflicks, without the DVDs. Basically, with Hulu Plus, the user will be able to stream hulu, commercial free (because it costs $8 a month), over your television (if you have the right device).

What is my take?

Sweet! I love Hulu! I personally shut off my cable because I’m a poor college student, and switched to Netflicks. I love it. The only thing I miss about cable, is seeing new episodes of the shows I like. Hulu usually takes care of that just fine! Hulu Plus is a great addition to Netflicks.  In fact, they should get together and sell it as a bundle! The only problem is, I do not have any of the devices that Hulu Plus currently supports. I have a Wii, which works well for Netflicks, but is sadly unsupported by HuluPlus.

The bright side is, that Hulu Plus is only a wee baby at only two weeks old. I’m sure improvements (but hopefully not higher prices) will be seen in the near future.

Facebook to Sociallize, Twitter to work

Wired recently published this article titled “More Professor Are Using Twitter-but Mostly Not for Teaching”. The article discusses how professors are taking advantage of Twitter to spread ideas in their free time, but not using Twitter in the classroom.

I personally love Twitter.  I signed up for twitter a few months ago and didn’t use it to it’s fullest potential.  I had a private profile, and I only followed people I know in person.  While this is an okay way to use Twitter, I feel as though I now know the better way to use it.  When I started this class (ims 201) we were required to get a Twitter account and to start following various tech news companies (Epicenter, Wired, Mashable, etc.) and we were encouraged to seek out experts in our fields, or big companies in our fields.

I have found so many amazing Graphic Design firms, and professionals. Whenever I want to keep up with the latest GD news, or tech news, Twitter is a fantastic resource.  I am a fan.

“U.S. Acts to Quiet Blaring TV Ads. Welcome to the 1960s”

Epicenter posted an article on Sept. 30th 2010 about proposed legislation to lower the volume of television advertisements.

We all know how it goes.  You’re sitting there watching your favorite tv show (Futurama for me) and a commercial comes on. All of a sudden, you’re worried your neighbors may wake up and dogs are baying in the background, the windows are rattling, and you’re afraid your eardrums are going to burst because the commercials are so freaking loud.  So you turn the volume way way down. Then, when your show comes back on, you miss the first ten seconds of dialogue because your busy turning the volume back up.  It’s outrageous!

Ok, so in case you haven’t gotten it by now, I’m way overreacting.  I also thing that this proposed legislation is somewhat a waste of time.  Is this really the best use of our government? To save us 5 seconds and a minor annoyance? Additionally, I actually have considered getting rid of my cable because I watch the majority of my television online nowadays (sometimes during my studio classes I must admit) and I’m usually wearing headphones.

With websites like Hulu, CBS, ABC, etc., you can watch almost anything online.  Additionally, if you want to go about it the illegal way (which I would never dream of doing btw….), there is always Vuze, bitTorrent, uTorrent, limewire, or kazaa (the last two if you’re still living in the dark). Any of these P2P file sharing platforms gives the user unlimited access to the newest music, television shows, and movies… sometimes before they’re even officially released.

So basically, my opinion is very similar to the opinion of the Epicenter article.  I respect and agree with their perspective.  There are better things to worry about in this economy than whether commercials are too loud on television.  Get up, grab the remote, and just turn it down… not too difficult.