Holiday stories - assorted notes

First off it was really interesting to have a look at the total Scandinavian sales for the X360, PS3 and Wii from Video Game Chartz - very similar starting curves, up to around 10k, despite vastly different settings and price points. Then for the last few weeks it is easy to see the combined effects of pre-xmas sales push, new versions and increased availability. With 350k units the X360 has a good lead, but the Wii has passed 300k and the PS3 is actually up to 200k (due in large part to the new cheaper version sans PS2 compatibility - not that big an issue since a lot of homes have one already, estimated total sales of 3m units, compared to some 600k for the original XBox)

The site was part of an article on the Wii and StumbleUpon for viewing videos easily - which could be another roadblock for paid IP services, be it TV or VOD. Which might help explain part of the reasoning behind MS latest re-org on their assorted TV/media/video services, which has apparently been an unknown fact for close to two months. Almost an feat in and of itself in this digital age. Or perhaps mostly an indication of the role of Microsoft in the TV related world?

And then, speaking of knowledge of the World - and all the strange things in it, a Pew report on knowledge of current affairs got some coverage over at RI; " Building the News Habit in the Digital Age" - with Daily Show and Colbert Report out-pacing the national average by 20%-points in getting a "high" level (15 or more of 23 correct). So, either they are up to speed before they watch, or laughter helps with fixing facts. You figure it out!

On that note (most likely); here's to a bright new 2008 and another set of irregular posts!

...and the sun is nice today, time to get out and enjoy it right now...

measure or count? (Update)

FoE2 Podcast: Metrics and Measurement

"the metrics and measurement panel from FoE2 available for download in audio and video forms.

information here, can be accessed in audio, 320x240 video, and 640x480 video. "

(more comments when I get around to watching the whole piece -note that the small video is a 600 mb download)

Top line: some interesting points and case discussion, a bit of numbers on dvr and online use - especially interesting putting it in context of total time spent and multiplying up the numbers. In short: Yes, there is a lot going on, but "most people" are still watching television - a lot.

What do YOU want?

Article over at Poynter - "Customized Print Papers: Possible Today" - on the advances in printing technology making the old dream of getting "your own" newspaper delivered, with relevant ads, without the sports and with an extra helping of reviews. Just like Google reader - only in print...

"SRDP presses are now economical to purchase and operate only for daily newspapers of less than about 10,000 circulation" - so in other words they would be perfect for small, nimble ultra local start-ups, serving a high-paying niche. Or perhaps for company news in large factories or cube-farms. And that makes the leap into resorts and leisure only a small step away. Consider having one in Jamaica, delivering up localized versions adjusted for each cruise line as the ships come in every day during the season.


on a sidenote, it looks like the xbox live is expanding in (parts of) Europe as well this coming week - as reported by Last 100 in a remark, whilst really covering the update allowing for divX playback

...and the sun will soon turn around, from our point of view - xmas is around the corner...

Adorable fwoosh

Looking For Group - Page 95
the Mini-Richard is just too much... "or Ye Be Adorable" as it is said - truly a great comic, mixing in adventure, comedy and some sombre themes. And sometime next year i'll be the joyful recipient of a figurine. (Listening to Live - Night of nights, of the Songs from Black Mountain album)