Jim Roepcke's weblog have browser, will travel (est. 1999)

Judge rejects appeal on Cheney papers

CNN.com (Reuters): Judge rejects appeal on Cheney papers

Hamas added to CDN terror list

CNEWS (CP): Hamas added to terror list

Self-destructing DVDs (and CDs)

CNEWS Tech News: Introducing...self-destructing DVDs

I mentioned this to Justin last week during our trip to Vancouver. I said, even if consumers might like this idea because they wouldn't have to return movies or have late fees (which Blockbuster says wouldn't be a problem, in the story above), it would be bad for business at video rental stores because people wouldn't HAVE to go back, and thus, stores would get about 1/2 as much traffic. Having the customers come back is a great way to get more business.

Disposable DVDs will just accelerate the NetFlix model, putting Blockbuster in a bad spot. And for that reason alone, I don't think this will happen.

When I brought up this concept with my brother-in-law Shane, who is 17, he immediately thought it was a bad idea because of the waste it would generate. I thought, what if rental places could collect the discs and send them back for recycling, or even offer credit in exchange for returned discs? Bring back 10 or 20 expired discs and get a free rental, that kind of thing. He didn't mind it as much then, and, that partially solves the problem of not having the customers having to return.

Imagine... instead of kids coming by asking for pop bottles for their soccer team fundraising, kids will be coming by asking for expired DVDs.

The new Redmonk

Steve Ivy is one of my best friends, and an amazing designer. He's had a rough time with the job market lately, but it's given him the opportunity to revisit his entire skill base and realize all the talent he possesses.

He's been doing some design work lately, and the results speak for themselves.

His weblog used to be at www.redmonk.net. Now that's the home page for redmonk.net interactive design & development. His weblog is now monkinetic.

He's done a great job on his new site, and even though you can't see it from looking (seamless is good), his site is tricked-out with lots of dynamic, time-saving and error-avoiding features that the Conversant CMS offers.

I'm impressed, jealous, and proud at the same time. I'm so glad to see Steve put it all together, leverage all his skills, and take the bull by the horns.

There aren't many people with his design skills that possess his development abilities. If you need design or web work done, contact Steve.