27097490
submission
milbournosphere writes:
The FCC today adopted the Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act, or the CALM act. From the FCC press release:
"The rules adopted today require that commercials have the same average volume as the programs they
accompany. The rules also establish simple, practical ways for stations and MVPDs to demonstrate their
compliance with the rules. They carry out Congress’ mandate to give viewers relief from overloud
commercials while avoiding unnecessary burdens on television stations and MVPDs."
The CALM act will take effect on 13 December, 2012, which gives networks and TV stations one year to become compliant.
Link to FCC press release: http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db1213/DOC-311479A1.pdf
24465296
submission
milbournosphere writes:
Arthur C. Nielsen passed away Monday at the age of 92. He's known for ratings company holding is name, and has no doubt helped to shape television as we know it.
From the article:
'"If you can put a number on it," Arthur C. Nielsen Jr. said his father once told him, "then you know something."
It was a lesson the younger Nielsen — who died Monday at age 92 — never forgot. His lifelong efforts remade his father's once-obscure Chicago market research firm into a sprawling, worldwide measurement giant with a brand name that, in the U.S. at least, became a household synonym for television ratings.'
24447388
submission
milbournosphere writes:
It appears that his death is not being exaggerated this time. Apple has confirmed in a press conference that Steve Jobs has passed away at the age of 56. Rest In Peace. There might have been those who disagreed with his practices and ideologies, but there's no denying that he changed the world he lived in.
24158018
submission
milbournosphere writes:
The FCC has finally finalized their proposed rules regarding net neutrality. They go into effect on 20 November, a year after they passed in a 3-2 vote.
FCC's summary of their rules:
"First, transparency: fixed and mobile broadband providers must disclose the network management practices, performance characteristics, and commercial terms of their broadband services. Second, no blocking: fixed broadband providers may not block lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices; mobile broadband providers may not block lawful websites, or block applications that compete with their voice or video telephony services. Third, no unreasonable discrimination: fixed broadband providers may not unreasonably discriminate in transmitting lawful network traffic."
It should be noted that some of the language is a little ambiguous; who is to decide what constitutes 'unreasonable discrimination'?
23689984
submission
milbournosphere writes:
Over the Labor Day Holiday, Netflix has started to crack down on concurrent streaming. Unless you have a plan that allows for 2+ DVDs out at a time, you will be limited to watching only one movie at a time:
"Some membership plans allow you to watch simultaneously on more than one personal computer or Netflix ready device at the same time. If you are on the 1 disc out at-a-time plan [or stream-only plan], you may watch only one device at a time. If you are on the 2 discs out at-a-time plan, you may watch on up to two devices at the same time. Members on the 3 disc plan can watch on up to three devices. The maximum is four devices simultaneously, and that is available for members on the 4 or greater discs out at-a-time plans."
It looks like this text has always been in effect, and that Netflix is just now getting around to enforcing it.
23392534
submission
milbournosphere writes:
It appears that GameStop has a guilty conscience. They are offering a $50 gift certificate to any person who bought the new Deus Ex at GameStop. You may recall that GameStop has admitted to removing the OnLive codes good for one free game from new, unopened copies of the game.
From GameStop's email communication:
"For your inconvenience, we would like to offer you a free $50 GameStop gift card and a Buy 2 Get 1 Free pre-owned purchase. We want to earn back your trust and confidence in the GameStop experience. Please bring in this email and your store receipt or order confirmation from GameStop.com and present it to a Game Advisor."
