This week we discuss Microsoft’s ongoing embroilment with the European Union over monopolistic practices, and the Senate considers the fairness of the way the Internet is currently run, i.e., a small number of companies have a disproportionate share of the burden of bandwidth. It’s a complicated issue and the PowerUser team calls on their listeners for suggestions.
Also, Skype may soon be available on cell phones, and Motorola proposes allowing people to use their cell phone as a credit card, prompting Kristin to throw down Revelations and run for the hills.
‘Second Life’ offers, well, a second life to its online community. Virtually everything you could wish for, even a real-world income (pun intended). Brad provides us with a belly laugh as he talks about the early days of MMO’s. Also, is Take Two going to be sold?
And finally, the moment you’ve all been waiting for (drum roll) Jack Thompson gets his wish as a game developer actually makes the ultra-violent video game he proposed.
We take a call from Marcus in Alaska who asks about some Vista rumors he heard. Listen now to find out if you, too, can win a free version of the PowerUser.tv home game!
Important Links:
TechWorld: Internet ‘father’ calls for neutrality law.
The Nation: Senators Mull an Internet With Restrictions.
Host:
Kristin Hatcher
Tech news: This week Kristin, Derek and Brad bring you news of IE7, we are in awe of Cingular’s bold move, we applaud Apple for yet another good idea, and we describe ways to get around Google’s "Great Firewall of China". Also, some say that spending too much time online means not enough social interaction, but a new study proves otherwise. In your face, Mom!
Tax news: Bill Gates is so rich (how rich is he?) that the IRS must use a special computer just to deal with his taxes. Hardly surprising, considering that Kristin needs a special computer just to contemplate how rich Bill Gates is. A Texas politician has suggested a 100% tax on violent video games (among other proposed taxes). We wrap up our tax news with a look at Take 2’s books.
Game news: Los Angeles sues Rockstar Games for the pornographic content in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Also in the World of Warcraft we find out there is a bit of a “don’t ask don’t tell policy”. We also learn that there is some challenging new content for top-level gamers.
We answer a question for a caller this week about Windows Vista, and discuss our varied political spectrum based on an online quiz Brad found. Download now for your listening pleasure!
Important Links:
A separate computer just for Bill Gates’ taxes.
New York Times article on World of Wacraft.
Find out where you fall on the political map.
Listen to the show, then take the quiz and let us know where YOU fall on the political map!
Download
Full Show 
Segments :
Episode 27: Tech Segment
Episode 27: Game Segment
16MB
2/6/2006 3:54:58 PM
EST
Topics at a glance:
- IE 7 beta available to mortals.
- Cingular may soon have a patent on the emoticon .
- Apple makes some university lectures available on iTunes.
- Ways around the great firewall of China.
- Spending time on the Internet expands social networks, rather than restricting them.
- Bill Gates is so rich that the IRS has to use a special computer to deal with it.
Listen Now
22MB
2/6/2006 3:56:49 PM
EST
Topics at a glance:
- Taxed to death: the 100% game tax?
- Take 2's financials.
- Los Angeles sues Rockstar Games.
- WoW: Don’t ask don’t tell.
- WoW adds content for top level gamers.
Plus a question from the audience!
Listen Now
1/30/2006 2:04:40 PM
Host:
Kristin Hatcher
This week on the show Kristin, Derek and Brad discuss Google becoming part of
the Great Firewall of China by caving to the Chinese government's censorship
demands, E3 bans scantily-clad booth babes, the legalities (and ethical issues)
of selling pre-loaded iPods/video iPods on eBay for massive profits, and guess
what country spams the most? U.S.A! U.S.A!
Brad goes into great detail about Microsoft "Sparkle" and how it's certainly
not a "Macromedia Flash killer" as well as a good roundtable discussion about
training in the workplace; is it the company's responsibility or the employee's?
Disney buys Pixar for a gazillion-jillion dollars and two crappy TV networks
merge to create, well, a "doubly craptastic" network. Also, we field a call from
Nicholas in Canada who asks whether the PowerUser.TV panel believes certain new
Vista features are directly influenced by or being added to address Mac OS X
features.
Brad immortalizes the Disney-Pixar purchase in an impromptu song, Derek
unveils the theme song to his new show and Kristin (the silverback gorilla) lets
pirates have it with a right stern verbal lashing! Download it now for an hour
of entertaining tech news!
Important Links:
iPods sold on eBay with music, who has the rights?
Is Microsoft's Sparkle a Flash killer?
Training - A Company or a Worker's Responsibility?
Download
Full Show
Segments :
Episode 26: Brad’s musical Interlude
1MB
1/30/2006 2:06:01 PM
EST
The title speaks for itself.
Listen Now
1/23/2006 2:40:30 PM
Host:
Kristin Hatcher
This week Kristin, Brad and Derek marvel at Kristin's new Dell 24" monitor and discuss Windows XP Service Pack 3 being pushed back to 2007, how surfers can judge websites in the blink of an eye (literally), and iPod users with more money than brains.
Plus, the Bush administration subpoenas Google for private information concerning porn sites, XXX adult-oriented MMO and PlayStation 3 release date speculation.
We also bring you the Neowin.net front page news, WinCustomize news and QuarterToThree.com covers PC Gamer magazine dropping gold farmers' advertising. Brad fields 2 questions from listeners via Skype call-ins and we bid Tom Chick a fond farewell as he goes to work for a Yahoo!-owned podcast.
Important Links:
Google Won't Hand Over Files
Why PC Gamer Kicked Out Gold Farmers
Download
Full Show
Segments :
Episode 25: Tech Segment
Episode 25: Game Segment
20MB
1/23/2006 2:43:22 PM
EST
Topics at a glance:
- Windows XP SP3 won’t arrive until 2007
- Users judge websites in a fraction of a blink
- Paying for iPod lessons
- Google stands firm against government subpoenas
Listen Now
24MB
1/23/2006 2:47:08 PM
EST
Topics at a glance:
- Playstation 3 in November? Does this make the Xbox the new Dreamcast?
- Sex MMO
- No more gold farmers at PC Gamer
Listen Now
1/16/2006 3:47:09 PM
Host:
Kristin Hatcher
The PowerUser gang makes use of their new equipment this week and brings you
the following topics:
- CES wrap up (what we saw, what was cool. It’s 1080p in case you were
wondering).
- Mac news – tons of Mac news. Tune in to find out what plus a special
commentary.
- iPod…jeans??
- More threats to Internet anonymity.
Important Links:
Violent games ‘affect behaviour’
Perspective: Create an e-annoyance, go to jail
Download
Full Show
Segments :