Asymptomatic

I expect that the common consumer dodders along, taking what they're given, and doesn't see many mistakes with the products that they use day-to-day. Some products are pretty easy to get right the first time, since they're simple and elegant. Others, particularly those involving technology, are harder to get right, and usually require some revision to get as good as they could be.

My personal gripe with cell phones over the years to make them into the devices they should be is a great example of how technology exists to make a device really good, but for one reason or another, it just never gets there. Another great example is the iPad.

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I had to replace my not-so-old Logitech webcam with something new, since it did not work under 64-bit Vista. The VX-7000 does work with 64-bit Vista, and was the highest quality camera Microsoft offered that would attach to my desktop monitor. (The supposedly higher resolution NX-6000 has a much smaller monitor connector, designed for notebook-thickness screens, but also boasts a better picture.)

I installed the camera easily, the only issue being that the CD did not autoplay and I had to run the setup manually from the disc.

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I just watched the movie Hot Fuzz. Absolutely recommended.

It's a kind of police comedy, but with an action element. It's difficult to relate to any movie I can recall.

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Have you caught any of the new shows so far?  Last week I saw a few.

Berta and I watched Supernatural, and I talked to the guys on Saturday night about it. The show is about two brothers whose mother was immolated in a supernatural event when they were young.  Their father has apparently been hunting down supernatural things ever since, sometimes with their help.  The younger of the two brothers goes to college and is doing well outside of this life when his brother shows up and says that their dad has gone missing for an unusually long length of time.  Certain events unfold, and the two of them head out on a mission to find their dad.

The guys and I feel basically the same way.  The first show came off a little flat.  There were also some strange inconsistencies that I hope don't permeate the whole show.  For example,  did the one brother really expect to get away with showing a fake ID to the police and claiming he was with the FBI?  I hope that doesn't become a cliche, like it's his "special power" - impersonating authority.

It's been a long summer, and maybe I'm just expecting a little more from my TV than a good idea handed to $5/episode writers.  That's what I feel like I'm getting.  But what else does TV have to offer this season?  Let's see...

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