107753094
submission
Cutting_Crew writes:
After the last remaining Blockbuster Video store closed in Australia on March 31st, there is only one remaining left on earth. That location is in Bend, Oregon and seems to be a thriving location, where they write out membership cards by hand and the system is rebooted using floppy disks, apparently only something one person, the general manager, knows how to do.
If you are wondering how there could be still blockbuster videos open since they went bankrupt back in 2010, the remaining stores left open were independent franchises and were separate from most of the other corporate stores, thus not part of the bankruptcy. There was also an Onion video before they even went bankrupt that's pretty funny.
I remember getting a membership way back in late 90s and new releases were $8 per night. Even then, that seemed way too expensive. What are your most memorable (good or bad) memories of your local blockbuster?
95946753
submission
Cutting_Crew writes:
Along with Yahoo messenger, MSN Messenger and ICQ, I used AIM extensively(without an AOL subscription of course). AIM will finally come to a halt on December 15th, 2017 as reported a few months ago and explained in AOL fashion over on their website .
I remember using it to keep it touch with friends, co-workers and yes, even tried dating back in the day using the Looking for love" feature not only available to AOL subscribers but also extended to AIM users as well.
Any memories you want to share?
73812825
submission
Cutting_Crew writes:
From the article:
"Last week, Ars published a story about the newest version of SteamVR, a virtual reality system made by Valve Software. The piece includes interviews with game designers praising the new system as well as writer Sam Machkovech's own experience using SteamVR at Valve's office in Bellevue, Washington. On June 16, Ars Technica was contacted by IMAX Corporation. The company said our story required a retraction because it included a brief reference to IMAX—included without IMAX's permission. "Any unauthorized use of our trademark is expressly forbidden"
If you look at the letter from the lawyer you will notice that it mentioned trademark and seems to think that merely using the name "IMAX" is somehow an infringement of that trademark. It sounds like someone is a little too scared of Valve. Apparently, they(IMAX) has never heard of or experienced the Streisand Effect. Here is a quick link to the PDF sent by the 'lawyer'.
29079395
submission
Cutting_Crew writes:
As we all know brick and mortar stores have been closing left and right recently. We had CompUSA, Borders and Circuit City all close its doors within the last 4 years.
According to what I think is a great a great article on Forbes.com , it is spelled out pretty clearly why Best Buy is next in line to shut its doors for good. Some of the reasons highlighted include a 40% drop is Best Buy stock in 2011, lack of vision regarding their online services, management too concerned with store sales instead of margins and blatant disregard for quality customer service.
The best quote for me over on page 3 regarding the shortage of products for some people who had ordered online for the Christmas holidays highlights the overall issue.
"The situation that Best Buy “encountered” has “affected redemption” of some orders. Best Buy doesn’t fill online orders, it seems. Rather, customers “redeem” them. So it’s the customers, not Best Buy, who have the problem. And those customers haven’t been left hanging; they’ve only been “affected” in efforts to “redeem” their orders. It’s not as if the company did anything wrong, or, indeed, anything at all."
