When my little girl went from being a benign, unmoving lump of sleeping, drooling baby to a terroristic unplugging, biting, chewing, eating, swallowing, gagging, breaking, pulling, tugging beast of a toddler, my home decor changed. When we moved into our excessive 4 bed / 2.5 bath home in 2007, we had dreams. We had a guest room, and a Disney room, and my home office taking up about 25% of the under A/C space. When the beast began terrorizing our home, we retreated into a fallback position and isolated her to the safest room in the house, my former office. I was relegated to Read the rest of this entry »
Archive for the ‘cable’ tag
Super Bowl and Porn, It’s Comcast-ic!
Ever had a story to report that was shocking, offensive, and hilarious all at the same time? Imagine this scenario, if you will:
You’re surrounded by family and friends watching the Super Bowl in your living room on your brand new, HD big screen TV. It’s the Steelers vs. the Cardinals and just when you think the Cardinals have all but lost, an amazing run by Fitzgerald switches the lead to Arizona and you can’t believe it. You watch the screen waiting for the replay, when instead of seeing a ball caught by Fitzgerald, you see a whole other kind of ball, courtesy of Club Jenna.
And yes, in this case, that ball is full “in your face” frontal male nudity. Literally, in your face.
Viewers in Tuscon, AZ watching the game via Comcast on KVOA channel 4 lived that exact scenario. For approximately 30 seconds after the touchdown, viewers in Tuscon watched the game transition from touchdown, to porn, and then right back to touchdown celebration. KVOA has posted this statement from Comcast:
Tucson, Arizona
Updated 8:30a — Comcast Releases Statement Apologizing to Customers
KVOA-TV is investigating pornographic material viewed during the Super Bowl by some Tucson area Comcast viewers. Just after the last touchdown by the Cardinals, approximately 30 seconds of pornographic material was shown. It appears this material was only viewed by some Comcast customers.
Comcast has released a new statement today:
“We are mortified by last evening’s Super Bowl interuption, and deeply apologize to our customers for the inappropriate programming. We are aggressively investigating the situation including the possibility of foul play,” said Kelle Maslyn, Comcast Corporate Affairs Manager.
When we contacted Cox last night, we received this statement:
“We have received no evidence that any inappropriate material was broadcast on any of our channels during the Super Bowl. The alleged incident appears to be isolated to the Comcast territory. We will offer our support to all appropriate organizations to help them determine what happened,” says Mike Dunne, Cox Director of Media Relations.
KVOA is dismayed and disappointed that some Comcast customers and their families were subjected to this material. Nielsen says, “KVOA will continue to investigate what happened to our clean signal and make sure our viewers get answers.”
If you would like to see the video, you can find it here: (although be warned, full frontal nudity not safe for work or kids or people who don’t like videos showing full frontal nudity):
US House Finds FCC Deception, Distrust, Abuse of Power
Look. Its Kevin Martin of the FCC. Hi Kevin.
The US Congress Committee on Energy and Commerce released a scathing report of the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) under Chairman Kevin Martin. The report, titled “Deception and Distrust: The Federal Communications System Under Chairman Kevin J. Martin” (sounds like a Lifetime movie), harshly criticizes both the FCC and Kevin Martin. Although, from the title alone, you had to have guessed the report wasn’t going to be flattering.
The committee found (among other things):
- FCC Chairman Kevin Martin manipulated, withheld, or suppressed data, reports, and information from other FCC commissioners and Congress.
- Important Commission matters have not been handled in an open and transparent manner; raising suspicions on unfair treatment.
- The Commission has failed to carry out important responsibilities regarding oversight of the Telecommunications Relay Service Fund (allowing customers to be overcharged while companies are overcompensated).
- FCC Chairman Kevin Martin’s “heavy-handed” management style has created distrust, suspicion, and turmoil among the five current Commissioners.
- Commission staff have not been efficiently managed.
The report uses such statements as “classic fleecing of America” (regarding overcharging customers), “undermined the ability of the FCC to accomplish its mission” (describing Martin’s management style), and “Chairman Martin’s manipulation of the Second Report calls into question the reliability of telecommunications information and analysis provided by the FCC to Congress.” Ouch.
The investigation was launched after allegations were received from FCC employees (current and former), other FCC Commissioners, and telecom reps. The Bi-Partisan Congressional committee launched the investigation in January, however did not hold the typically expected hearings “due to the climate of fear that pervades the FCC.” Apparently, witnesses were too scared to publicly testify.
The FCC provides authoritative rule making over VoIP, telecommunications (such as Cable, Wireless Phones, Telephones, POTS, etc.), television, and almost some part of electronic life that we touch daily.
More reading:
- Download the Report (PDF)
- CNET.com: Congressional report: FCC chair abused power
- Associated Press: House report finds leadership breakdown at FCC
US VoIP Market Grows like Weeds
Pike & Fischer recently published their Residential VoIP Market Outlook. The reports advises that more than 8.5 million household will start using VoIP within 2 years — bringing the estimated number of US residential VoIP users to 30 million by 2010. Clearly 2010 will be a VoIP odyssey.
Traditional POTS providers such as at&t and Verizon will notice decreasing numbers of residential customers while stand alone VoIP providers (such as Vonage, Packet 8, and voip.com), Cable companies, and wireless providers pick up the slack.
Comcast Revenues? Comcastic!
TMCnet reports a 44% increase for phone revenues in the 2008 3rd quarter. Although new subscribers have slowed, Comcast anticipates an additional 2 million users by the end of the year.
Cable Wrapping
Ok. If you’re even considering VoIP, you’ve probably had to deal with the dreaded network cables. But, if you’re a tech buff, then you’ve had to deal with Cable after Cable after Cable. Well, we all know that the tangle gods have designed cables for the amusement as they watch us mere mortals attempt to wrap, coil, or wind or corded cable into manageable objects. And with all out effort, we end up with a cable knot that only Superman could untangle.
Fear not our friends. Education and blogging have come together. And with the assistance of You Tube, we present the Cable Wrapping master and his lessons of VoIP Telephone Adapter Cord love. Ok, well he’s using speaker wire… but still. Enjoy.
