If Microsoft’s purpose behind the Bill Gates/Jerry Seinfeld commercial was to get people talking, it certainly accomplished that purpose as people debate if it was funny, stupid, or, like the old Seinfeld show, a commercial about nothing. Along with the commercial, Microsoft has deployed a cadre of support people to stores to help people have a positive computing experience. Apple Geniuses, meet the Windows Gurus… NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/06/technology/06soft.html
So is Chrome really part of Google’s Master Plan To Take Over The World??? Newsfactor: http://www.newsfactor.com/news/Chrome-Hints-at–Big-Brother–Goal/story.xhtml
Cory Doctorow writes about how people may be reluctant to pay pennies for something, but have no problem laying down large amounts of dollars, or “Macropayments.” Locus Magazine: http://www.locusmag.com/Features/2008/09/cory-doctorow-macropayments.html
Careful with those visual edits! Some viewers got a surprise when watching John McCain accept the presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention this week: a view of their alma mater, Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood, California, as part of a melange of shots behind McCain while he spoke. The current assumption is that the flunky assigned to come up with background shots was told to include a shot of Walter Reed, meaning Walter Reed Medical Center. However it may have happened, the principal of the school is not happy his institution was apparently used to endorse a political candidate: CNet: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10033827-56.html
GameTap may have some competition, if you’re into retro computer gaming! Good Old Games promises to offer DRM free, Windows XP/Vista compatible versions of classic computer games for $5.99 or $9.99. Sign up now for the Early Access Beta, which begins 8 Sept. Good Old Games: http://www.gog.com/en/intro
Reports a few days ago said that Adam Savage of the Mythbusters said that the show was forced to cancel an episode on hacking RFIDs after giving in to pressure from the credit card companies. Now Savage is backing away from the story, admitting he may have gotten carried away and misremembered key events. CNet: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10031601-52.html
Speaking of great gaming deals, id Software, creators of Doom, Quake, et al, announced a price cut on the id Super Pack on Steam this weekend. The pack includes 22 games from Commander Keen through Doom 3, including most of the Doom and Quake expansion packs. Not bad for $34.99. Steam: http://www.steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=sub&SubId=440
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