After my last scathing review, I am happy to say that a number of things have changed, however, I still feel that Google TV is seriously missing focus.

At the very core of GoogleTV is an internet-connected device that interfaces with my set-top box and can overlay information on my TV.  They clearly do not understand what a fantastic idea they have and the potential for greatness!  The internet connected device can automatically get any information AND make intelligent judgements. The interfacing with my set-top box means it can ACT on the information and intelligent judgements.  The ability to overlay information means it can display information the information without having to change an input or obscure the TV.

Given these three core facts, GoogleTV should be a full GUIDE REPLACEMENT.  As good as my current guide is (I do like it), it’s just a LIST.  It does not know me, it does not recommend anything for me.  This is where GoogleTV should fit in.

GoogleTV SHOULD:

• allow me to rate shows
• know my favorite/hated shows
• change my guide based on my favorite/hated shows
• display a “what’s on” considering my favorite/hated shows
• display a schedule of just my favorite shows or hide hated shows
• notify me when a new episode of my favorite show is on
• allow me to search channels for the next showing a show (new or syndication)

Do you see where I’m going with this one?  This device has the ability to know my guide, has the ability to know what I want to watch, and has the ability to help me watch what I want to watch; yet does NONE of it.

There’s a third-party app called TV Show Favs which helps, but it’s a weakly developed app which was designed for the phone.  With the app, I can mark my favorite shows, but the phone-only widget (not designed for Google TV so it looks non-proportioned) only shows the next new episode on the main channel, nothing about syndication.

In fact, there was one function I loved in Google TV 2.1 that they REMOVED for 3.x; the ability to search for a show.  Open up the search bar, type in “Family Guy” and it would tell you when the next showing is.  Now with the updated “TV & Movies” app, they are more interested in selling you an Amazon Instant Download subscription.

The only favoring allowed in Google TV is for channels. I could not give less of a shit which channel something is on as long as I have it.  Does it matter that Seinfeld is on TBS or my local affiliate?  NO!   I want to watch the show, so tune to it.  Other than your teenage daughter watching MTV all day, is anyone loyal to a channel?  Does anyone wonder “Hey, what’s on my favorite channel?” or do they wonder “Hey, what channel has something I like on?”

Currently, Google TV feels like a touchscreen-less and plan-less phone with a new remote that my girlfriend has to learn.  I see no benefit to the common user.  I spent fifteen minutes showing my girlfriend how to use the device, when I realize all I was teaching her was how to do the same thing she normally does, with a bigger remote.  Where was the benefit?  Where was the enhancement?

Google, you are in a tough position.  You need to be able to make a device my parents can use while at the same time allowing me the freedom to change and modify it as I see fit.  Good luck.

My first attempt at a home theatre system was  an XBMC on an original Xbox.  Once that outlived its usefulness (read: I got a girlfriend who didn’t want to use a controller as a remote), I transitioned to an AppleTV running XBMC.  When GoogleTV was announced, I thought it was the answer to my prayers, I was wrong.

The main problem is other companies. Do I fault Google?  Yes, a little. However, additional faults lie with Logitech, Motorola and the content distributers.

I figured with the recent price drop of the Logitech Revue to $99, how bad could it be?  Boy, was I wrong.

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The only good thing about Tom Brady tearing his ACL in the Week 1 opener is the crying of all those fantasy football players.  The screams of agony of thousands of “virtual coaches” as they watch their No. 1 draft pick get sidelined for the season.  Do not feel sympathy for them; these are the same bunch of jocks who thought playing Dungeons and Dragons was queer.  Now 30 years later, when their wives won’t give up the balloon knot, they have to sit in some guy’s living room in a circle around a table and fantasize they are something they are not.  Delicious irony.

I love my little Macbook.  It’s so cute.  And this coming from a guy who has Windows experience back to 3.1, and whose primary job responsibility is to support and manage a Windows domain and hundreds of clients.  So why is my Macbook so nice?

For one main reason: it’s polished. That critical “step-back” after everything is done to say “what can we improve now?”  This is something that Microsoft and companies who build Intel PCs are seriously lacking.

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Sometimes I wish a natural disaster would occur just so people would be distracted and I could get items on eBay much cheaper.

Why should fans be loyal to sports teams, when the players aren’t loyal to the fans? Each year (read: end of contract), players have to decide if they want to go to another team to make more money or stay where they are. The only reason most players stay on a team for any length of time is because they are bound by contracts.*

I, however, am not. I’m not bound to the Phillies(/Eagles/Flyers/Sixers) just because I live near Philadelphia. I’m a fan. I demand action, and excitement. If my “team” isn’t giving me action or excitement, why can’t I choose another? Tell me honestly, WHY do I have to be a fan of only one team?

And the jocks cry, “duuuude, you bandwagon jumper! Where were you when we were on a 10 game losing streak?” You know where I was? Supporting a team which DESERVES my energy by giving me fantastic games to watch. But I know your anger stems from your jealousy of me, watching me jump up and down in elation as the team I’m rooting for scores again, and it’s OK. It’s a perfectly acceptable response, you just need to recognize that as a human, if I’m going to invest my time, money and emotions into a team and I don’t get a return, I need a new investment.

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I’m not a nice guy.  But, I do pride myself on being fair.   If I pick on someone, I expect them to do the same, there is no double-standard in humor.

However, where I find myself lacking in being a human is playing with the animals down by the watering hole (read: Xbox Live).  I believe that there are violations to which Xbox Live removal should be mandatory.   If I haven’t been talking trash, playing respectfully, there’s no reason to act like your mother never loved you.

Presented, for approval, are the Xbox Live Commandments…

1. Thou shalt not send invites for Xbox games after the sequel has been released for Xbox 360.  It is beyond comprehension.
2. Thou shalt not send invites while someone is “Watching DVD/Movie”.  It is akin to talking during a movie in a theatre.
3. A maximum of two invites are permitted to a gamer currently engaged in a match.  It’s possible during the aftermath of the firefight they have forgotten about your invite and a reminder is permitted.
4. Thou shalt make use of the “Mute” function on the headset.  Talking on the phone or anyone not on Xbox Live while your headset is transmitting is grounds for booting from the party.  Nobody cares what ‘everyone’ is doing later.
5. Thou shalt respect the GamerChix (this applies to all women gamers, PMS, etc).  This rule does not supercede all other rules.  Exceptions to this rule are permitted for any gamer breaking the other commandments.
6. Thou shalt not mistake Xbox Live for a dating service.  This includes improper use of the video camera.
7. Thou shalt not take the game seriously.  It is a game.  Some people are better than others at playing the game.  Unless you get paid for playing games, bragging about how good you are via Matchmaking just makes you look silly.

These are in addition to the general Video Game Console Commandments, where you might remember such laws as the “Sweaty Hands” edict of 1986–any person with excessively sweaty hands, must supply their own controller.

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Sputnik launch by Russia, essentially the beginning of the Space Age. It’s times like this that makes one marvel at the capabilities of human ingenuity.

When one considers the hundreds of years it took to go from using stone to bronze to iron, and the thousands of years to just get to the Stone age, it really shows the human potential when you consider the Industrial Revolution was only a mere 150-year span.

In a paltry 50 years, we have a (relatively) stable space program with regular human flight, created a world-wide electronic data network, developed nuclear power and even gave blacks the right to vote.

And now, I can’t help but think what will happen in my lifetime (hopefully another 50 years). Will commercial space flight be available? Will everything be Internet-ready? Will there be a black President?

Regardless of how many resume resources there are on the net, I have yet to find someone who knows how to write one. Here is a subset of my many resume peeves.

• Multiple Pages – I highly doubt you are so skilled and have achieved so many notable accomplishments to warrant two pages. Unless you are preparing a Curriculum Vitae, follow the KISS ASS method; Keep It Simple, Short And Sweet, Stupid.
  • Waste of Space - By merely handing me your resume, I understand your Objective — to get a job.
  • Nobody Likes You – There is no need to tell me your references are available upon request.
• Nobody Cares About Your Personal Life – A sure-fire way to not get the interview is to get way too personal on your resume.
  • Communication Breakdown – I will not hire DrexelShaft4U@gmail.com, DarkElven1@aol.com, or FansyPanties69@hotmail.com. Get a more professional email address, and don’t use the email address of the company where you currently work.
  • Instant Lawsuit – If you place an interest, hobby or organization on your resume that could be controversial, there can be grounds for legal action if you aren’t hired; regardless if you bombed the interview. Therefore, you will not be granted one.
• Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader – Proper grammar and spelling are a sign of fine craftsmanship. If you failed to perfect something you had plenty of time to work on, how am I supposed to believe you can follow-through on a task during crunch-time.

It’s no secret that most of the country hates Eagles fans.  From their bad attitudes to the band-wagon jumping, they make up some of the most deplorable humans in sports fan history.

Last night I’m at a bar in Philadelphia, and there’s a Phillies game on (vs the Washington Nationals).  It’s closely tied at 1-1 for most of the game, tensions are mounting.  As we go into the 10th inning, nearly everyone at the bar is watching the game.

The “Phils” have runners at first and second, no outs.  *crack* Up the middle and off the shoe of the center fielder! The runner at second base rounds third base and heads for home!  SCORE!  2-1 Phillies!

And the bar erupts, “E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!”.

WHAT?  Are you kidding me?  Do you realize how stupid this looks?  Chanting a FOOTBALL team cheer during a BASEBALL game?  Your LAST PLACE Eagles aren’t even PLAYING!  I wanted to buy hot coffee just to throw in their faces.