MPAA vs. RealDVD

by Casey Lynn
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

RealDVDRealNetworks has a piece of neat new software–RealDVD, which lets you rip the contents of a DVD onto your computer, just as you would an audio CD. Granted, the technology already exists, but you can see why Hollywood wouldn’t like the idea of this being an easy and legitimate activity for the general public. Currently, ripping a DVD isn’t the sort of thing that a casual computer user can easily do (the common software for the task isn’t exactly user-friendly, and often difficult to find), but RealDVD, at at introductory price of $30, is apparently at a difficulty level on par with iTunes. Additionally, RealDVD would be a legal way to get digital copies of your movies. The copyright protection remains, and in fact it adds another layer of DRM (probably what makes the movies only playable through the program).

Of course, the MPAA is already questioning its legality. They filed a lawsuit against RealNetworks a couple of days ago, seeking an injunction to stop distribution of the software.

The obvious question is: how is this any different than what has been going on with CDs for ten years? Maybe it’s not, and maybe that’s why MPAA’s legal complaint rests on a contract dispute rather than copyright. I was going to walk through the complaint, but it appears that that’s already been done for me. The bottom line is that RealNetworks was given a license to build products to play DVDs, not to copy them.

What do you think? If this technology is held to be legal and makes its way into the mainstream, is it going to spell doom for Hollywood because everyone will start ripping the DVDs they rent from Netflix instead of buying copies for themselves? Because of the copy protection, this is probably more of a concern than inducing piracy, but it seems like a legitimate one.


Dell O2 PC: A New Approach to “Green Computing”

We all know it; when manufactured, electronic devices create a tiny amount of pollution, and that’s where Dell wants to make things right. The O2 project is their answer to the problem, and I have to say that while their intentions are commendable, I doubt that it will ever make it to the real world, at least not in the near future.

In its current form, the O2 PC features some nice decorative elements such as a bamboo finish and some space to put a potted plant. I think the whole “plant” idea is rather interesting, but I’m having trouble imagining people watering their plant without spilling a drop over their PC. The computer would definitely have to be totally waterproof.

On the technical side, the O2 is composed of a biodegradable polymer skin based on cornstarch and bamboo. All the computer’s components can be easily recycled or re-utilized in case you don’t want to keep the system as a simple flower pot once you get that whole new 48-core system.

[Via Tuvie]

New “The Spirit” Trailer Out Online: It Makes Sense this Time

If you saw the first trailer for The Spirit a while ago, you probably either said “What?!?!” or “Oh, I read that graphic novel.”  If your answer was the latter, this is just eye candy for you.  If you are in the first catagory, then this new trailer sheds a whole lot of light on the theme of the movie.  Personally, I feared it was some movie that was simply trying to capitalize on the sucess of other graphic novel-based movies (such as 300 and Sin City).  Watch the trailer for yourself and I think you’ll see it in a different light.

Wow, looks like it could be fantastic.  In fact it seems as though it was specifically crafted to ease our withdrawl after the newest Batman movie.  Eccentric villains, a shadowy protagonist, and a dark city…it’s a perfect fit!  The Spirit even has that gravelly voice.

I’m not a humongous graphic novel fan, but this movie promises to be an action-packed hero saga if ever there was one.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s the Wing Suit!

By Mark O’Neill
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

Forget the Swiss Human Jet flying across the English Channel.  That’s child’s play compared to the Wing Suit!   This is the kind of stuff that makes Superman look like a learner driver.

To do what you are about to see, you need to have a stomach made of iron, a strong heart, a good parachute, and a highly understanding insurance company.   You also have to be completely and utterly insane.

Jury consultants checking out potential jurors online

By Mark O’Neill
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

For some reason, I have managed to avoid jury duty up to now.   Maybe it’s the fact that I have moved around so much in my life and lived in so many countries.    But if I ever decide to settle back in the United Kingdom permanently, I’ll be sure to get my online information in order right away.   That’s because jury consultants are apparently now checking out potential jurors using the internet.

One of the main things they are looking for is if you have spoken out on any important issues.   So if I ended up being considered for a jury for example, they might look at my articles on this website to see if I have expressed any opinions on any particular subjects (let’s hope any RIAA lawyers aren’t checking up on me!).   Or they may Google my name to see if I have written any letters to a newspaper editor on any important subjects.   They may also check my Facebook account to see if I am friends or relations with anyone else in the jury pool.

There’s so much information about us online that a jury consultant’s job is so much easier these days than it used to be.   Everything is available by search engine or social network.   People write blogs or maintain websites.   They write letters to newspapers and they operate online businesses.    They socialise via Twitter or Friendfeed.    Whether people realise it or not, they are leaving so many footprints behind for a future lawyer or jury consultant to pick up and question them with later.

So the next time you are being questioned for a jury and you are asked a question, think twice before lying – the lawyer may be a subscriber to your Twitter feed!

Web 2.0 Furniture: the @ Chair

Let’s admit it, traditional chairs are usually ugly and boring, but it’s certainly not the case with this one.

Designed by Brodie Neill and made out of a combination of carbon fibre and chrome, the @ Chair will show to your fellow geek friends that you really are “in” when it comes to the latest trend in Web 2.0 furniture. I’m not exactly sure how comfortable this thing is, but it certainly looks fantastic.

Mark Ecko Releases Star Wars-Branded Clothes

Star Wars fans rejoice, Mark Ecko has just unveiled his new collection of Star Wars-branded t-shirts and hoodies. While some of them may look totally ridiculous, such as the Storm Trooper hoodie, there are a few items on the list on which I wouldn’t mind putting my hands onto. Unfortunately, at $98 per hoodie and $38 per t-shirts, the collection is a bit pricey, but you can get $10 off + free shipping on orders of $100 or more by using the “STARWARSFAN8” coupon code during the checkout process.

[Via Giz]

The Best Show You’ve Never Heard Of: ReGenesis

by Casey Lynn
Contributing Writer, [GAS]

Living in the U.S., I feel like I often miss out on jewels of television shows because whereas it’s common to run popular American shows in other countries, we rarely get the same consideration.  Or if we do, then they’re “Americanized” versions, which sometimes works (see: The Office) and sometimes doesn’t (see: Coupling). And don’t even get me started on BBC America, which my cable line-up doesn’t even offer (and has a repertoire of about five different shows anyway–but I give them kudos for including Torchwood).

Of course, the show that I’m bringing to your attention today hails not from the UK, but from Canada. So for our Canadian readers who saw this headline and scoffed, I can only say that I’m jealous that you probably discovered this gem four years ago. ReGenesis is about lab in Toronto where a group of scientists investigate things like bio-terrorism, environmental issues, and mysterious diseases. It’s science bordering on science fiction, and it’s fantastic. It seems like most of the science procedurals we see lately are crime-based (CSI, Bones) or heavy science fiction (Fringe).

I included the main character, Dr. David Sandstrom, as an honorable mention in my list of sexy geeks. I don’t see the character as quite as misanthropic, but I’ve heard comparisons to House. And Peter Outerbridge is one of those actors who always makes me think, where have I seen him before?, because of his roles on a lot of different shows. In fact, you may recognize him from the pilot of Fringe. His part there was so small, though, that I wonder if he’s going to be showing up again. And speaking of faces you might recognize, Ellen Page (the rising star of Juno) plays Sandstrom’s daughter Lilith in the first season.

Of course, now you non-Canadians might be thinking–fantastic, now I know of a potentially great show I can’t watch! Which brings me to the reason I’m writing about this in the first place. Some random flipping through upcoming dates on my TIVO the other night revealed that ReGenesis plays sporadically on CBS, usually at 2:07am. This may not be true for where you live, but if you have TIVO (or a TV Guide), it’s at least worth checking out.

And even better? If you don’t mind your television Internet-style, the first two seasons are available on Hulu.com, so you can watch it from the beginning. There are four seasons altogether, and I’m hoping that Hulu will put the rest up eventually, because I haven’t seen all of the episodes myself. According to Wikipedia, there’s a planned North American DVD release in the near future. Not so imminent as to be listed on Amazon yet, but if you happen to be in a Region 2 country (or have a region-free DVD player), you can already get Season 1.

I know that there’s a lot of exciting new television right now, but at the very least this might be a good one to file away for entertainment during mid-season repeats!