More importantly, why don't video sites recognise this and change the aspect ratio of the player to match? Also seems like there should be some way to tag mobile video formats with accelerometer readings (and therefore orientation) during recording.

I've found Console Calculator to be quite handy in the office environment, although it is (currently) windows only. The "virtual tape", minimize-to-tray, responsiveness, and absence of the space-devouring visual number pad help are great when you're working on another business app. I will be trying gtapecalc though!
http://www.zoesoft.com/console-calculator/

Does a customer
using IE6 to browse
have any money?

instantrimshot.com

I've played a little OSS RTS game called Globulation 2, it sounds just like the game you describe. Even though it's unfinished, it's a lot of fun to play and, and to give these commands (such as "Make a building here", "Attackers stand here" etc). It suffers in larger/longer games when units trip over each other and starve to death, or cannot survive the trip from the battlefront to the inn, but I think these issues can be resolved.
Try it out:
http://globulation2.org/

Dear RIAA,
Turnabout is fair play, you
rich smokers-of-cocks.

Love, Haiku 4 U
P.S. I look forward to
great music sans you.