Not everything we blog about here at Computer Geeks has to do with that nasty virus on your computer. We have feelings, and know when we’ve seen something great, and real, that we may never see in our lifetime again. Derek Jeter isn’t just a New York Yankee or a ?Major League Baseball player, he is what the MLB wants to be. Derek Jeter is what MLB should be, and lets be honest, Derek Jeter is who we should all strive to be in our life’s endeavors.
Last night I sat down in my office/gaming man cave (set up by Computer Geeks), turned on my iPad and put on my Beat’s Headphones so I could drown out planet earth for 3-4 hours and take a ride much greater than I could have expected. I just wanted to see my hero one last time at Yankee Stadium, because after 22 years, Derek Jeter was playing his last game at the house that HE BUILT. It didn’t start off great, as the visiting Baltimore Orioles blasted 2 home runs and took a 2-0 in the top of the first inning. Including a HR during Jeter’s last roll call, so disaster was in the air. But fret not, Captain Jeter showed he had a little bit of magic left on this day, blasting a run scoring double off of the wall, and later tying the game later that inning by scoring. GAME ON!
The middle of the game was relatively uneventful, until Jeter stepped to the plate in the 7th inning with the bases loaded. He hit a slow roller and made it tough for the SS who threw it into right field, scoring 2 runs, eventually leading to a 5-2 Yankee lead. This looked to be Jeter’s last at bat, as their Closer David Robertson, is as solid as they come, But not on this night. They gave up 3 runs tying the game at 5, and honestly I had never been more excited. I would get to see my hero, 1 more time, and know THIS IS IT.
Derek Jeter’s Final At Bat
The first batter gets a hit, then Brett Gardner bunts him over to 2nd, setting it all up. Derek Jeter, the Yankee Captain, my hero, and the man of the night was stepping to the plate. You could see it on his face, fighting back tears, not everyone gets this opportunity, this was his moment and he would not disappoint. I woke my 4 year old son out of bed, put him in my lap and told him “watch this Alex, this is what magic really is.” With tears in my eyes I watched in awe, as Derek Jeter slapped a base hit into right field, scoring the winning run for the Yankees 1 more time. It was AWESOME, I have watched the clip around 50 times already, I can’t tear myself away from it. I just witnessed magic, greatness and real joy from a man that has brought so much of it into my home.
After the game Derek Jeter announced that he would be playing his final weekend in Boston at Fenway Park, which I will be attending, but he wont be playing SS. He wants to leave that memory there, and what a memory it was…RE2PECT
It’ s pretty much the same old story, only more of it. Every smartphone store I passed by this weekend, lines were out the door. I’m just glad they had a kiosk so I could run in and pay my bill without the madness. And according to numbers, this weekend’s madness tops all others.
Numbers just released by Apple say the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus sold over ten million combined units in a 72 hour period. This sets a new record. And the US isn’t the only nation to thank, or blame, depending on the way you look at it. Australia, Canada, Japan, France and other nations took part as well. And this is probably just the beginning for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus domination. On September 26, these phones will be released in 20 more nations and in 115 nations by December 31, 2014. I will give Apple credit; this phone has it all. It’s got HD cameras, lightning speed wireless technology, fingerprint ID technology to protect from hackers, and you can even use it as a credit card thanks to Apple Pay. I will admit the prices aren’t bad either. One can get an iPhone 6 and 6 Plus for as little as $200-$300.
Now it’s easy for some to say the US, Canada and the first wave of nations are smartphone obsessed and consumer obsessed. But wait until China, India and BRIC nations’ turn for the iPhone 6. I wouldn’t be surprised to see to see fights break out over this. It’s happened before. But my question is why would anybody risk long lines and potential tempers just for this smartphone? It isn’t just the cool features. Something deeper is going on. Maybe you got to be the first one on your block to get it. Maybe it’s for bragging rights among family, friends and colleagues. I’m sorry, but I don’t have that urge. I’ll just wait a week or two or three and wait for the lines to get low. So if you’re one of those who just have to have the iPhone 6 or 6 Plus on the first day or weekend, why?
Imagine a huge technological product coming out. You mark it on your calendar. You take the day off because you’re going to be waiting in line for it. You even have your waiting in line strategy planned. But just days before the big day, you have to postpone such plans.
People all over China are finding themselves in that predicament. The much anticipated Xbox One was supposed to be released in China September 23, 2014. That date has suddenly been postponed. Not only that, Microsoft isn’t saying why. That’s going to add even more anxiety to the situation. They just said in a statement, ” …we are going to need more a bit more time to deliver the best experiences possible for our fans in China.” The statement goes on to hint Xbox One won’t be in China until the end of 2014. The price is expected to be around $600, that’s about 3,700 yuan in Chinese money. They promised those who already ordered will be the first to get the console, whenever the release date may be. They will also get an added bonus. Microsoft is cooperating with 25 game developers and 4,000 retailers in all the metro cities throughout People’s Republic of China.
I don’t know who dropped the ball here, China, Microsoft or both. But I find it interesting that China didn’t even allow foreign based video game consoles in their country until 2000. I find it odd Xbox One is being delayed and no reason is being given. If I didn’t know any better, I think the Chinese government is behind this whole thing. Why do I even talk about China? Well, it’s the fastest growing economy in the world and is fast growing in technological advancement. So for this nation not to get it’s Xbox One on time is worth reporting. Plus, there’s still a lot of censorship in this nation. Could that have something to do with this sudden Xbox delay?
So you have a bad experience at a business anywhere in the US. So you talk about your bad experience online, such as Yelp. Then you get served with a lawsuit. Sounds farfetched? Why is Congress fighting about it?
Congressmen Eric Swalwell and Brad Sherman, both Democrats out of California, introduce the Consumer Review Freedom Act. This would ban ‘non-disagreement’ contracts and fine print certain businesses make their customers sign. So if this act pass, businesses can no longer stop consumers from giving bad reviews about them. This bill says that if businesses legally bind consumers from saying anything bad about them, particularly while reviewing them, businesses won’t be able to enforce it. This doesn’t include medical information, stock trading, or law enforcement issues, nor does it apply to business-employee relationships. For example, if two colleagues or if a boss and colleague are slandering each other, there’s no way Consumer Review Freedom Act. Then there’s the slander/libel question. If a business believes a disgruntle customer is outright lying, instead of just writing a negative review, they can take legal action.
This is where it can get murky. When I look at reviews before I make a purchase on something, the difference between a lie and a negative review is something I scrutinize very carefully. That’s because I’ve been on the other side. I’ve seen people write really nasty reviews and it’s brought to light that it’s a competitor trying to sabotage the business. I’ve heard many a case of disgruntle ex-employees, even family members doing this. But overall, I would totally support Consumer Review Freedom Act. If it’s not passed, this would give businesses the right to censor every negative review coming their way. And that would lead to all kinds of deception and false advertising. For businesses to sue every consumer saying something bad about them reminds me of the school bully who threatens another student for reporting them. Plus, to censor consumers is to infringe on their constitutional rights. Do you think the Consumer Review Freedom Act bill will become law?
Comcast, with it’s recent acquisitions, is now the biggest and most powerful cable company in the country. Now they’re implementing threats against a certain browser.
Users of an anonymous web browser called Tor say Comcast threatened to cut off their services it they continue to use Tor. Comcast’s reps are warning customers that Tor goes against Comcast’s policies. That’s pretty strong. I did some looking in on Tor. It turns out Tor is a browsing service that helps makes your Internet private. It makes it difficult for governments, private corporations and advertisers to track what you’re doing online. Now I will admit, at first, Tor was popular with some of the less pleasing members of society, like drug traffickers, ID hackers, human traffickers, sextortionists,? and cyber bullies. But since the Edward Snowden revelations came out in summer 2013, more and more law abiding citizens with privacy concerns have been using Tor. In fact, over 1.2 million use it. Comcast customers have been asked which sites are they using Tor for. Comcast defends it’s decisions by saying they need to monitor customer traffic in cast of court orders and other legal actions.
That response from Comcast alone makes me suspicious. Now I understand some people abuse a web browser like Tor just to fulfill a criminal lifestyle or other criminal or mean-spirited desires. And that part does deserves some regulation. But the cynic in me tells me something deeper is going on. Something tells me Comcast is threatening Tor because of the privacy issue. Not only that, I’m wondering if the NSA or other government agencies isn’t behind this as well. It almost strikes me as the reason Comcast hates this browser so much is because they can’t keep track of the consumers’ habits. But I could be wrong. What’s the real reason Comcast is coming down or Tor? Is it because of protection or surveillance?
You’ve invented a new product that has lots of potential. You know social media is a powerful force in advertising. So on what social media stage do you launch your product?
According to a study done by AOL Platforms, You Tube is the clear choice. It especially helps in introducing new products and demonstrating those products to win over customers. They studied over 500 million mouse cliques and 15 million social media conversations in Q1 2014. They studied which social media sites most affected online sales and when the purchasing power influences the customer. You Tube leads in both categories. Some believe You Tube being owned by search engine king Google is critical to this success. They also credit You Tube’s descriptive content.
This model uses three stages of social media advertising: purchasing decision, re-targeting, and research. The first stage, they’re introduced to a product for a decision. In the second stage, they see advertising for the same product over and over, driving it in the consumer’s head in hopes the customer gives in and purchases The third stage, the customers will research the product themselves, even compare and contrast rival companies before the purchase. Then the purchase is made. You Tube leads in all these categories. Google and Facebook came in second and Twitter came in last.
With Google, you can search and compare products, which is great for step three. With Facebook, every time you log in, you’re often bombarded with the same products and advertisements over and over. They’re good with the second stage. You Tube carries out all three stages beautifully. Their commercials introduce the product. These same commercials bombard you over and over again until you eventually cry uncle. You can use You Tube video to research, critique, compare and contrast products before making an informed decision whether to purchase. So again I ask, what social media stage do you launch your product?
