ricco67 Posted October 18, 2004 Share Posted October 18, 2004 LA, The major difference between blockbuster and Netflix: Blockbuster won't do "adult" fare. Netflix does and will. From what I understand, netflix also has a wider selection. So the market will sort it out the darwinian way.Ricco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Saw a mention on TV today that Netflix is lowering its rate starting next month. Just a few bucks, but it's enough to get me on board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 A place I worked used to have a lot of above-ground cabling running across the campus (sort of like telephone or cable TV lines). These tanks would feed nitrogen into those lines to force the oxygen out. Without oxygen, the cables wouldn't rust inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Asked my brother-in-law, who's some kind of engineer (electronics? he works a lot with radio) and received this reply:Interesting question! My first thought upon reading your message was that thenitrogen was used for pressurizing the telephone cables. I went on line andfound this link to a picture:http://www.hollenback.net/index.php/NyOfficeNitrogenTanksDo they look like these?In days of yore, telephone signals were sent via coaxial cable over longdistances. In order to prevent water from getting into the cable at connectionpoints, the cable was typically pressurized by a dry inert gas to keep apositive pressure inside the cable. Nitrogen is used extensively for this, asis sulfur hexafluoride. If you follow the hose from the tank up the pole youshould see it go into some type of fitting attached to a fat black oraluminum-colored cable.It may be that some areas of Houston still have coaxial cable in their localtelephone systems, although I would have thought that everything would have beenconverted to fiber optic cable by now. It also might be the cable TV system asthey also use coax cable.The tanks in the picture (link) are unfamiliar to me so I don't know what kindof pressure to expect. If the tanks are about 5 feet tall and look like weldingtanks then it's possible to have as much as 2000 psi in them.As far as hazards go, the only real problem might occur if a tank is toppledover and the valve broken off. In this situation the tank becomes a rocket ortorpedo with incredible results. Like going through concrete walls, etc. In reading the on-line resources it appears that some of the phone network stilluses coaxial cable and that these are deteriorating over time. It may be thatadditional pressurization is required because of known leaks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midtown_resident Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 That's exactly what they look like... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 A small "arthouse" theater like the Aurora Picture Show is the way to go for Midtown.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Saw in the paper that Aurora is going to start showing movies at Dean's (the Home Of Easy Credit building) downtown on Main. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midtown_resident Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 LAguy...i'm not waving a flag cheering for one or the other. I could personally care less, as long as I can still get my dvds this way.Bottom line truth: don't expect brick/mortar to stick around and survive. It isn't gonna happen. Whether it's BBV or NF, my point is that this mode of exchange is far better and has more survivability in today's market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssullivan Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 I hadn't noticed these until reading this thread yesterday. Then this afternoon while headed home on MetroRail I noticed two of them connected to a SBC utility cabinet on Fannin at MacGregor, on the south side of Hermann Park. Now I'll probably be seeing these things all over the city since I know to look for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssullivan Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Netflix also has more than twice the selection of the average Hollywood Video or Blockbuster, and it's rare I have problems getting a movie I want when I want it. I like a lot of independent and gay/lesbian films, and those can be hard to find at the traditional video stores. Besides, with Netflix I don't ever have to make a trip to the store. That alone is worth paying a couple of extra bucks a month.And I love their software. If you've been rating all of the movies you rent, the system "learns" what you like based on your rental history and ratings and starts to suggest films you may have never heard of that you'll probably like. After over two years as a Netflix customer, I find this to work really well. I've rented several outstanding selections I wouldn't have even known about otherwise.Netflix did go up in price about $2 back in June, but $23.80 a month for unlimited DVDs with three out at a time, no late fees, no shipping fees, and delivery right to my door is not bad. And some of my friends love that I have the service because they get invited over to see films they've been trying to find at Blockbuster for ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricco67 Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 You poor guy. You're seeing the rhino in the room now, eh? Ricco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CincoRanch-HoustonResident Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 I am still going with Blockbuster and Hollywood Video. Netflix just isn't my thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westguy Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Blockbuster makes the studios release "family-friendly" cuts of the films, so Netflix is the most reliable way to make sure you actually are watching the film you rented. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 I'll never use Net Flix, either. It's not my thing. I don't pay my bills online either, there ;-)And check out a Video Store in the burbs - their buisness is far from hurting. And Block Buster continues to open new stores.A small "arthouse" theater like the Aurora Picture Show is the way to go for Midtown.That would be nice, but with Rice Media Center, MFA Film, and Greenway less than five miles away, competition would be tough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Blockbuster makes the studios release "family-friendly" cuts of the filmsI don't think this is true. At least not in my expericence.Proof? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 re: Netflix - do you ever have problems with movies that are unavailable for long periods of time? As I understand it, you make a list of movies you'd like to see, and they send whatever is in stock.I've mentioned this before (on the previous forum) but it bears repeating: Cactus Records on Shepherd at W. Alabama has a great selection, especially for gay/lesbian, foreign, art house and classic films. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 There is also a Mom and Pop on Waugh and also on Montrose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 If my observations are welcome, of course I'll be happy to contribute what I can. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not an 'official' Midtown resident (I live just west of Spur 527), but I frequent Midtown on a daily basis.midtown_resident, you had mentioned on another thread that you were interested in forming or joining a Midtown neighborhood association. The blog seems like a good start. The greatest hurdle IMO is getting the word out. Surely many of our neighbors would welcome an opportunity to address the concerns of those who live in Midtown; it's a matter of reaching them. The internet has great potential to bring people together; for better or worse, it too suffers from sprawl. For all I know, there are already people having parallel discussions on other websites. A solution that comes to mind is old-fashioned and tedious, which is to blanket the neighborhood with flyers. This is the way other neighborhood associations were formed, and it's effective, expensive and a lot of hard work. An alternative is to Google our little hearts out, and 'spam' anyone who mentions Midtown concerns on other boards or usergroups.Maybe we can use Google to our own advantage. I just Googled "midtown neighborhood association" houston and came up with...nothing. If we repeat Midtown Neighborhood Association, in Houston, often enough, Google will see that we're saying Midtown Neighborhood Association and will respond to anyone who is searching for Midtown Neighborhood Association in Houston.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>It worked! The above post can be accessed by typing "midtown neighborhood association" houston in Google. Here's hoping people do so, and respond... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Very cool. The Googlebot comes around here about once a day and reads everything. I remember at the old HAIF, most of the members I asked said they found out about this place through Google. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midtown_resident Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 re: Netflix - do you ever have problems with movies that are unavailable for long periods of time? As I understand it, you make a list of movies you'd like to see, and they send whatever is in stock.I've mentioned this before (on the previous forum) but it bears repeating: Cactus Records on Shepherd at W. Alabama has a great selection, especially for gay/lesbian, foreign, art house and classic films.<{POST_SNAPBACK}>I haven't had a problem getting any movies on my list - and that includes new releases. I've been enormously pleased with the process. I was a big doubter before i did it....Anyone here who has doubts...should just try it for free for a month.BTW...if you sign up through the continental airlines frequent flyer site, you can get 1000 onepass miles...for those that care! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonsemipro Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 Well for me. I don't need video rentals anymore. I rather buy then rent. Besides, I get my movies before blockbuster and hollywood video, and no it's not bootleg. It's a legit copy like you buy at the retail stores. I sells them for $10. The movies that is out in theaters now, I can get them with perfect quality. So for me, renting movies is out of the question, anyway, I thought blockbuster is losing money, cause I read an article on internet that people rather buy then rent. Majority of people now going to Nextfilx, but blockbuster is trying to do the same too like Nextfilx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssullivan Posted October 19, 2004 Share Posted October 19, 2004 re: Netflix - do you ever have problems with movies that are unavailable for long periods of time? As I understand it, you make a list of movies you'd like to see, and they send whatever is in stock.In over two years as a Netflix customer, only twice has a DVD that was at the top of my list not shipped to me because it was out of stock. And when that's happened, I've still received it on my next shipment. It does happen but it's very rare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineda Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 Thanks for all the comments re; Netflix. Last night after waiting in line for about 30 minutes at Hollywood Video, who only staffed two teenagers on a Friday night (which is not fair to the kids working there or to the customers), and paying late charges because a movie was returned a hour late last time, I told the family we are switching to Netflix. Can't wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CincoRanch-HoustonResident Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 One thing will make you switch to Netflix? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineda Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 This latest adventures in renting videos was actually just the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak, Cinco. I had heard about Netflix and after reading the favorable comments made by many of members here, decided to give it a try. I guess I just have a low level of tolerance for antiquated methods, and trust me, waiting 30 minutes in a line is not worth the hassle when something better is available. Kinda like you and the Metro bus, huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midtown_resident Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 One thing will make you switch to Netflix?<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Looks like pineda mentioned more than just one thing...1. Wasting 30 minutes in the store2. Long lines3. Late feesThree things that you won't deal with when you use Netflix... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
20sGirl Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 I can definitely see the benefits of NetFlix. Especially if you have kids who like to watch alot of movies. (I don't but that's what I hear from friends who have kids) This way, you have a constant flow of new movies and you don't have to make room for their storage in your house.The Blockbuster near me is awful. It's a choice between Spanish movies and big Hollywood blockbusters (hence the name I guess.)Someone mentioned Cactus for movies. Their selection is awesome but sometimes hard to find on DVD. Also, you can't rent a whole bunch of movies at one time because their due date is so short. The price is right though, and if you live near Cactus, it's a great alternative to the typical Hollywood drivel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssullivan Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 Another advantage for Netflix - as of November 1, prices are going down several dollars! I just saw this when logging into my account. The standard, 3 at a time plan is going to be $17.99, a $4 reduction in the current price, and $2 cheaper than the plan was before the price increase this summer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
editor Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 There is also a Mom and Pop on Waugh and also on Montrose.Is it legit? I thought it was an "Adult" video store.(Since when did "adult" = "pornography?") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted October 23, 2004 Share Posted October 23, 2004 (edited) Is it legit? Edited October 23, 2004 by dbigtex56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdude Posted October 25, 2004 Share Posted October 25, 2004 Does Netflix charge you the same fee no matter how many movies you rent? Seems like you would have to plan ahead for what movie you want. I go more spur of the moment.Just went to Hollywood for the first time. The selection looked even better than Cactus, although it was packed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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