Disqus - Latest Comments for Daniel Peters

Re: Netflix announces $100 set top box

Daniel Peters — Wed, 21 May 2008 08:34:04 -0000

Netflix seems to have a huge user base, so I wouldn't be surprised if this thing actually takes off. I was immediately put off by the fact that this wont do hi-def but then I realized I'm probably not in the target demographic for this sort of thing.

Netflix already has some direct streaming available online, this simply removes the need for a computer in the equation and will do well with people that don't have a computer already hooked up to their tv. Again, I'm not part of that demographic.

I wonder if they'll really have the bandwidth to pump this stuff out. My friend uses the online streaming the offer and performance is far from steller, albeit somewhat adequate overall.

An interesting aspect of this streaming video service is the Netflix Media Center extender mentioned in a link on the engadget article. This could remove the need for Xbox360 (and media center computer users) to purchase the box altogether. Bad news for Roku, but good news for Netflix if a country full of xbox users suddenly want easily streamed full length movies for a low monthly price.

I'm almost tempted to think that piracy is still easy enough to contend with this, but streaming video is such a swift delivery method and perfect in a society that craves instant gratification. If Netflix finds a way to get Youtube and maybe some internet radio on this set top box but doesn't fall into the trap of trying to make a "TV Computer," this streaming content delivery service thing could really catch on.

Re: Generation X vs Generation Y

Daniel Peters — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:49:24 -0000

I'm a first year generation Y. I'm right at that point where I'm comfortable with most tech, but recall a time when www didn't exist in the popular mindset (7th grade i believe) and even when cell phones weren't ubiquitous.

The clash between generations is always interesting. I fondly recall a series of great rants from George Carlin where he disses the Baby Boomers. There is method in this, as each generation is raised by the last (or probably one before last). There is partly a reverse trickle of responsibility; certain mannerisms and pitfalls of one generation being the direct result of how the collective-stereotypical behaviors of the entire generation before them influenced and guided their upbringing.

I recall a time when i had a helicopter parent. It was around 4th grade. Parents are allowed to help you with your homework up to a certain point, but i find it ridiculous that a parent would choose their child's classes in college. College is supposed to be the short period in life where a child learns to be self sufficient and transmogrify themselves into an adult!

It's easy to look at the founders of microsoft, facebook, napster, and other famous success stories and want to drop out of college, but these are the few rare people who are willing to risk everything in a carpe-diem-esque attempt to hit the jackpot. How many people drop out of college to get their big start up going only to ultimately fail? There is no easy money.

I think Hawaii is an especially extreme case in heli-parenting. The cost of living here mandates a boomerang-generation of adults, and traditional paths to self-sufficiency rooted in home equity are practically nil here. I'm amazed when i chat with my cousins and other mainland friends and hear how calm they are about planning to buy a house. Being able to survive in hawaii's economic climate requires nepitism and guidance. It's not like we can drive to another state and try to become independent there.

Ah well, this we pretty stream of consciousness. Hope some of it is of use in highlighting a GenY's point of view.

Also, 2 bonus points for the Leary coffee reference!

Re: Can the blind hear hybrid cars?

Daniel Peters — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 22:16:44 -0000

I've always thought that making silent cars emit fake noise was a weird solution to this problem.

While entirely infeasible probably due to economic concerns, i would prefer a high-tech gizmo to address the issue.

Silent hybrid/electric cars will need a standardized method of broadcasting some sort of signal (perhaps with a wi-fi or wi-max device? cars are getting internet ready, it seems: link).

People who are in need of detecting silent cars sans vision will get small devices that detect these broadcasts, and can then somehow alert the user (verbally, or maybe through some advanced haptic response; positional vibrations to alert the user from which direction the vehicle is approaching?) Simple systems could just make a buzzing noise whenever a car enters a given proximity, but i could see them getting more advanced (advanced algorithms that only go off if a car will intersect with the user's sphere of influence.

I suppose that's a bit much to ask for in hopes of eventually having quieter streets... I live on the corner of Punchbowl and Vineyard, and I've got to say that loud "coffee-can muffler" cars and Harley's are WAY worse than the ambulances from Queens Medical Center.

Re: Stop the spam from StopRailNow and ZeroShibai

Daniel Peters — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:18:05 -0000

If going to college has taught me anything, it's to be skeptical of facts that are stated without any citation.

After my trip back in time to the early 90's to check out honolulutraffic[dot]com, i had a glance at the stoprailnow[dot]com site and was particularly intrigued by the fact that their "Why not rail?" page had many strong facts with nary a statistic or footnote to back it up.
The site claims that rail is noisy; I invite them to try to watch a movie at my apartment on punchbowl where Harley Davidsons and fat-mufflered civics are abound and then tell me that rail is louder than traffic.

Another fun tidbit from stoprailnow claims that rail will be tall and unsightly, complete with a little picture of a none-too suave looking train of some sort. Their "Better Options" page then suggests that an elevated expressway is better. The picture shows a staggeringly tall road. Contradictory?

The way I see it, there is only so much more room to make roads. Building more roads will make things smoother for a certain period of time and it will only get people to buy more cars. Gas prices rising will not curtail this as much as it will simply change the type of cars that people buy. http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/03/by-the-numbe...

In the end, I just want to know where stoprailnow is getting its facts. "Most Oahu residents oppose this project." It's stated on the front page. I see no source. No source, no weight. That's the way I see it.