Gus Digital

This past weekend, Russ and I went to see “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”.  This movie was presented in RealD 3D.  Now the theatre handed out 3D glasses, but these were not the typical blue and red 3D glasses, but polarized glasses that almost look like sunglasses.

The movie itself wasn’t the greatest, but watching the movie in 3D was a great experience.

I have experienced 3D movies through IMAX 3D before and that was amazing, but to see a 3D movie that is over 1 1/2 hours long and at the movie theatre is a different experience.

With the ability to download movies and people having home theatre systems with 50 inch plus flat screen monitors, the movie experience needed to change and  I believe this will help bring back people to the movie theatres.

Based on the RealD’s website:

RealD 3D is the global leader in 3D. We bring you the world’s leading 3D movie experience- RealD Cinema- and provide revolutionary new ways of seeing entertainment. RealD brings the third dimension to life and creates stunning 3D that is as real as the world around us and as mind-blowing as the imaginations of today’s greatest filmmakers.

This is not the 3D of years or decades ago, but a next-generation digital technology - bright, clear images which immerse the viewer in a realistic and powerful experience. In a RealD 3D theater you are seeing unparalleled visuals based upon 3D science used by NASA and others.

Because RealD 3D is digital 3D, it is easy on the eyes and every seat in the house is a great seat. Images not only come straight at you - the depth and clarity of the RealD experience pulls you into the movie.

With RealD 3D, you truly enter a new dimension.

How RealD 3D Works

Some movies that have used the RealD technology in the past have been:

1. Chicken Little
2. Monster House
3. Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas
4. Beowulf
5. Hanna Montana
6. and U2 in 3D

Just recently Cineplex Theatres has signed an agreement with RealD to have more theatres (175 of them) installed with the technology.  This will help with some up coming movies, especially the James Cameron - Avatar scheduled to be released in December 2009.

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I was given a site to go to the other day and I created the following video from TrimFlixx.com.  This is from Schick Quattro creators of the new Schick Quattro Titanium Trimmer.

This reminded me of the “Elf-Yourself” campaign by Office Max had this past Christmas.  You can see what I did with that here.

As you can see it is actually fun to make your video and I think Junior had fun being a muscle bound human playing with some clowns.  Granted I could have set him up to play with either college girls, rocker chicks, or some guys if I wanted, but I though the clowns would be more appropriate.

After making the video you can request to receive your hands on your own free trial version of the razor. I have been using it this week and I will post a review of it later.

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How on earth did I let it pass? July 20th was my second year blogaversary.  That is right I’ve been blogging for just 2 years now.

I started to remember when Rebecca, who was a co-worker at the time, suggested I start blogging.  I wasn’t sure what I would blog about, I wasn’t sure if it should have a theme or not, and I wasn’t sure what I would get myself into.

I thought I would just make my blog more of a personal diary, a way for my family back east to keep up with what I was doing.  I wasn’t expecting more than that.

This year I took a bigger step and moved from one blogging platform to Wordpress, got a domain name, and started self hosting the blog. I have started to be more involved in the blogger community and have started to become good friends with bloggers out there and I hope to develop more.

My readership isn’t huge, but for all that come here and read my blog I hope you are enjoying it and you can always leave me a comment or just email me at gfosarolli@gmail.com.

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There are a few bloggers in Vancouver participating this weekend in the Vancouver Blogathon. What is the Blogathon? Bloggers are encouraged to sign up for a charity and blog every 30 minutes for 24 hours straight. You can see more information at their wiki site.

I alas will not be one of the participants as I honestly don’t feel I could do it non-stop for 24 hours. I give great shut outs to the participants I know - Rebecca, Raul, Jenn and Nadia and Duane. You all are amazing for doing this and I’ll try to support anyone I can during the 24 hours.

I’m happy to see that awareness will be brought to your charities and the what they support.

Good luck all!

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Yesterday I finally got my Zune Kit from Matchstick.  I was excited to be one of 300 people in Canada to receive the Zune, even though some in the blogging community haven’t been too happy with Matchstick lately.

The kit came with a 8gb Black Zune model, an AC adapter and a premium headphones. The packaging is fairly neutral in colour combining earthy browns with some pink accent colours. I found it fairly trendy. Like the Apple iPod, the Zune comes with the standard headphones and a USB cord to connect it your PC.

Now I work with an Apple, and as such the Zune doesn’t support a Mac.  I have to run my Windows XP on a virtual computer to access the software which will activate the Zune and allow me to upload my music, video and photo files.

There were a few problems I found when trying to install the software. First it asks you to log in using your Windows ID account, if you have Hotmail or MSN you should be fine, otherwise you have to create one. Secondly after you finish with that, you are asked to create a “Zune Tag” name.  I tried to enter my name alone, but it wanted me to add something “funky” before it, so I settled for “WateryGusF”. After this it actually allowed me to download the Zune software.  The installation took between 30-40 minutes, which I thought was too much to install software on your computer.  You are then required to reboot, but once I did that, my virtual machine froze and I had to reinstall Windows XP all over again and go through the process.  Please note, if you do not have the Windows XP Service Pack 3, you will not be able to download the Zune Software and activate your Zune.

After finally installing and activating the Zune I became a happy man.

I uploaded a couple of CD’s and the process wasn’t too bad, but you do have to “sync” your Zune afterwards. Granted I haven’t read any manuals, so I’m going with the flow - so to speak.

The screen is fairly bright and offers a great experience.  The centre “wheel” looks similar to an iPod, on that note, the Zune reminds me of an iPod Nano 1st and 2nd generation, with the USB and headphone connections located at the bottom of the unit.  The upper side has the “hold” button. 

I haven’t fully tested everything out yet, I have tested the Music, Video and Photos, all of which look great on the screen.  I have tested the Radio and listened to our man Buzz Bishop from 95Crave on my way home today and was impressed to see the Zune showing the artist and song that was being played. I’m looking forward to testing out the “Social” feature and share some music with other Zune owners.

Overall I’m enjoying the unit, but keep comparing it to the iPod, which I’m sure we all will.

Hopefully I’ll update with more information as I see fit.

Update: I forgot to say that I am participating on ChatThreads, so please help me by filing out their survey

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The Canadian Wireless spectrum auction is now completed and the winner is….the Canadian Government which will net $4.2 billion dollars, based on the CBC report.

What does this mean, well we will now have a new national cellphone provider - Globalive who currently sells home and long distance service under Yak.

As per the Federal Industry Minister, Jim Prentice, says this will bring in more competition and will benefit the Canadian consumer. I’m currently not so sure about that. This auction itself brought in more money than expected, almost 4x as much. This means current suppliers like Telus, Bell and Rogers paid more for the auction and will of course pass on this to their consumers with higher rates. Also the new player will probably want a big cut of the “Canadian cellphone pie” and will charge higher rates just because we are so use to these rates here in Canada.

I honestly hope I am wrong in this, but really time will tell.  We have to wait for 30 days from now before Globalive announces its plan and how long it will take to be operational.

The good news is that the new player will have 3G capabilities and run under GMS, which is what Rogers and Fido currently run under.  Hopefully they will introduce the iPhone to their line and give Rogers a run for their money.

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Dr. Horrible is here, but only for limited time on the internet and for free.

Brought to you by Josh Whedon, the creator of the Buffy the Vampire series, join Dr. Horrible as he video blogs and sings about his love Penny and the Super Hero, Mr. Hammer, he despises.

Truly an awesome piece of work divided up into 3 separate acts that run free on the internet until this coming Sunday (July 20th). Watch it now, before it’s gone (but not for good).

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Well Rogers you did it! You have crushed my dreams of owning an iPhone.  How does that make you feel? What’s that? You don’t care? Yeah I figured as much.

I have been going back and forth with Rogers this past week trying to attempt to get an iPhone.

First they tell me I’m not able to upgrade until I have been with them for 12 months.  When I question this and let them know that they are treating their “new customers” like dirt, they return with another offer.  What is that offer? Cancel your contract and pay $400 and then get a new three year contract and start like a new customer.  I’m not at that point yet.

My hopes grew when a friend referred me to FIDO’s site and they have “something in the works” for people who don’t qualify for an upgrade and are new customers.

When I questioned Rogers on this, their response:

We are unsure of what FIDO is planning, however, be advised that the terms for obtaining the phone are the same between FIDO and Rogers. We do not have any information about anything planned in the future by FIDO and the IPhone, nor at the present time does Rogers. This product has been available for less than a week now and the terms are still applicable.

What? As a parent company you have *no* idea what is in the works?

I think my frustration is more on the “hush hush” that Rogers has. I think if they just open up and tell people that something is in the works that would be great!

I’m even willing to pay a premium to get the iPhone now, but just not willing to spend $400 and cancel and then renew again.

At this point my dreams have been crushed.  We’ll see how I feel in a few days, weeks or months.

As a new Rogers customer I feel like I’m in prison waiting for my parol hearing to come in 12 months to decide if I qualify for the phone.

I fully regret signing up with Rogers and I should have gone with FIDO long time ago!

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Today is youngest nephew Steven’s birthday.

When I was in Toronto last month I got reconnect with him and find out what a truly amazing kid he is.  He loves to go-kart race and currently competes.  I believe this boy is going to be a future Indy car racer or will be involved in some kind of stunt work.

Although I can’t be there to celebrate with him, I wanted to take the time to wish him a fantastic day.

PS your birthday card is in the mail today

UPDATE: Again I got the dates screwed up.  Steven’s birthday is actually on July 17th!!!  Happy Birthday Steven!

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The other day I put my name in for the Social Media Club’s 42 interim board member, and you can now vote for me at their site.

I believe we need some more Canadian representation, with currently only one other Canadian - Megan Cole.

The Social Media Club helps to

bring together journalists, publishers, communications professionals, artists, amateur media creators, citizen journalists, teachers, students, tool makers, and other interested collaborators. Essentially the people who create and consume media who have an interest in seeing the ‘media industry’ evolve for everyone’s benefit. We are more than just USERS, we are the reason the tools exist - we are the people who communicate our thoughts and ideas near and far.

I look forward to seeing this club grow. We have some great people in the Social Media scene in Canada and I hope to bring them all together and grow as a community with your support.

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