Something Catchy

So the Xbox 360 just got some more functionality with the new dashboard.  The big addition that I have been waiting for and probably everyone else who has a 360 is the announcement that if you have a netflix account you can now watch streaming content on your xbox.  So I have been using the new feature for most of the day roughly 4 hours or so to play with the new dashboard and the new features.  I am going to talk about some of the additions and then jump right into the main event, netflix.

The first thing you are likely to see after the epic intro video, is the addition of avatars.  Now the avatars are pretty cool and I preferred making my avatar than when I made my Mii (Nintendo Wii).  I think that making the avatar was more enjoyable than making a Mii, even though there are less options.  Also they have done away with the blades, sort of, they still exist but it’s more of a mini menu.  The new layout is more like iTunes with the pop up art work and each option is assigned its own box art.  The main problem with the new dashboard though is how heavy it is.  From booting to logging into Xbox Live it takes around 10 seconds or so, maybe longer.  I also had my Xbox freeze while using the new dashboard, it was only once but that’s once too many.  Now on to the main event.

Netflix!  So the addition of netflix is pretty cool.  You have to download the software for netflix which only takes a minute or so probably less depending on your connection.  Once installed you are given a code which you enter on the netflix website.  Once that’s all said and done you can now stream you netflix instant view movies on your xbox.  Complaint number one, i would have liked to have full netflix functionality in which I can add and delete movies like I can on my computer.  However the way it works is there are a certain amount of movies that can currently stream, so you add those to your streaming queue via a computer and it will show up on your xbox if its currently on the list of movies that will play on the xbox.  I have already had about ten movies on my queue that aren’t available on the 360, lame.  Second complaint the movies are added in the order in which you added them, so if you threw a bunch of titles up at once, guess what you have a really unorganized list.  I would really have liked to see some different sorting options, I mean if it was anything like any Microsoft Os I would have 50 different sort views that I would probably not even use, so a sort by title or genre would have been really nice and I don’t think I am asking too much.  Now another complaint is about the website, it used to be that if you added a title to your queue you would have a pop-up window with suggestions, but now it redirects you to a page of suggestions, so in order to get back to where you were you can either open each title in their own window before adding them, hitting the back button in your browser for each selection or clicking through the menus which is how you got there in the first place.  The overall quality of the streaming content is good, though when they said streaming HD i didn’t think it would be a sub category, which it is, not all the content is HD only a small selection is.  I would also like to see more Tv shows on there, right now the selection is slim.  Overall it’s a nice feature and I am sure it will get better and my complaints will be addressed.  Netflix is a great company with a great product, I have been using them for over a year now and absolutely love it, they are a company that listens to their customers and cares what they have to say.

So I was wondering if they will have a streaming only option.  Might be an interesting idea, though would anyone be interested in something like that?  Well just something I was thinking about, let me know what y’all think about it,  Do you like the new experience or hate it?

-mikey

So I am sitting here watching TV and decided to post an update.  I think I will either begin working on my book again or on a new comic.  I know Jacob told me yesterday he wanted to me go over The Proud and clean it up if need be, though I would like to also do the art work.  Mainly the problem is that it’s hard to get Kenny motivated.  He is an amazing artist, but that doesn’t mean anything if no progress is being made, so we either find a new artist or Jacob and I try to do it ourselves.  If anyone is reading this that does visual art if you are interested, we would need the first 5 pages and then we will try to sell it to a publisher and see where it goes from there.  Well I need to go to the grocery store and get gas, so I will post again soon.

-mikey

Well here I am writing to you from work.  This post doesn’t really have a purpose other than I felt I should write something, so I am still coming up with a topic. 

Here we go, I started my new schedule today, which I am trying to make the most of.  I don’t particularly like working Saturdays, but today is just slow and there isn’t a lot to do today.  I wish I would have brought my book on xhtml, however I thought it would be busier so I left it, big mistake.  It’s always annoying when you could be productive, but for whatever reason you are restricted.  At any rate I have decided to keep this blog as a personal blog.  I started a music blog on blogspot, check it out Envelope of Sound.  The primary focus of the new blog is music reviews, but who knows where it will go from there.  Also Kenny and I are talking about starting a joint blog for movie reviews, I will keep you updated when that surfaces.

I am betting that there are a few people out there that are wondering why I am learning xhtml, so I will address that right now as well as let slip a little info on an upcoming project.  I am currently learning xhtml for Squadron Media, a joint effort between Don, Cory, Andrew and myself.  We currently have a few things in the works, though I can’t go much in depth about the projects other than it has to do with web development, when we launch the projects I will post about them here, rest assured. 

Oh yeah the comic is written, still need to get the art done and then we will try to get it to a publisher so we will see how that goes.  Another project that is in the works is Ameriken Samurai with Kenny and Jacob, so when all that business is situated and it’s launched I will let you know.  I also have a few other comics that are in the works, currently two of them are being co-written with Jacob so it should come out nicely, and once again when those are done we will find an artist and then try to take the finished product to print.  Now the last project I am going to mention for now is a music effort that Jared and I are undertaking, once again when more info arises and somethings are completed I will post about them more in depth here.  Well Until then, take care.

-mikey

So I decided to give everyone a little update.  Today I made the switch to linux on both of my computers, I am using a distro called Linux Mint and I must say I love it.  It’s a great OS and I highly recomend it.  Also I have a few projects that I am currently working on and hopefully I will get some stuff down on paper and then I can give ya’ll a litte more info.  Well I have work in the morning so I will drop a line later.

-mikey

So this week has been fairly productive.  I have gotten out and met a lot of interesting people.  On Thursday night I went to the Social Media Club meeting with Don, Cory and Jacob.  Lots of interesting people with some really good ideas, I am pretty excited about this whole social media thing.

On Friday I went to the car show off Topperwein with Andrew and Cory.  I met some more interesting people there.  I have never really been that much into cars until fairly recently, there has always been the respect but not some much the enthusiasm.  However after talking to people and seeing what they have done to their cars, it’s very impressive and inspiring.  I have an old Mercury Comet that I have been thinking about fixing up, if i can get un-lazy and extremely motivated that might come to fruition.

So I am almost done with this book I have been reading “Hunt for the Skinwalker,” and I must say it is a trip, anyone interested in the paranormal should give this book a once over.  I got it from the library here and have seen it at several libraries through out the city, so if you happen to be by a library and have some time to kill definitely check it out.  I should probably say something about what is going to happen Saturday, well I have no plans other than finishing my book, maybe I will do that laundry that I should have done a week ago.  Things to ponder, well I am out for now catch you on the flip side.

-mikey

So this is my first post, as you can see I have decided to start over.  I gave drupal the boot, mainly because I just felt it was time for a change.  So this site has been relegated to a blog which will probably work out best.

-mikey