Subject URL: Clerks Uncensored (Animated) Review

I received the Clerks Animated DVD a couple of days ago from the fantastic ABSound.ca. I watched all six episodes last night and I have to say, it really wasn't very good at all.

I loved the animation style, I loved the voice acting... I just didn't find it all that funny. Most of the jokes were old, lame and fell very flat. Only in about two or three places in each episode did I find something genuinely funny.

The only episode I could possibly recommend anyone watch is the 90% average, 10% fantastic forth episode with it's brilliantly hiliarous random japanime ending and possibly the first and last episodes if only to get a feel for the show and for the amusing running start-of-show gags....

It's saving point is likely to be the commentary which sounded very amusing in the few minutes I listened to it before bed, with the crew talking mainly about random amusing crap and every now and then referring to the show.

I know fans of View Askew are going to get this DVD and I know I'm damn happy I saw it... but I'd urge you to at least find it and watch it all first before deciding if you actually want it.

Subject URL: Get the Clap for free

Eric Clapton has released his latest single "Superman Inside" from his new album "Reptile" on MP3.com. With the demise of CD Single sales expect a lot more commercial artists choosing internet distribution for single promotion. But where will I get my beloved b-sides?!

One hour and ten minutes. Forty minutes to get to the freeway, thirty minutes to get up the freeway + to work. I definitely need to do something about this. Be it move, leave earlier or find an alternate route... :(

Subject URL: ActiveMARK... more content 'protection'

TryMedia has just released a press release (linked above) for ActiveMARK, another content protection system. At first glance it looks just like Windows Media 7. The artist can package content and ask payment for pay-per-play, subscription etc. However I've just played with it and I'm a bit confused. How does it work?

It's an ActiveX Compontent Installer or stand alone EXE that runs in the background and the files are MP3s, not packaged... they play fine in Winamp... an old version of Winamp but about 30 seconds in it played a message to go to Trymedia.com to play the rest of the file.

I'll get back to you on this.

Back : Oh damn, it doesn't work under 2000 or NT ('coming soon'). Guess I won't play with it then. Still... the fact the file isn't some special format (it's still an MP3) AND you can play it in any MP3 player is a much better solution than any other I've seen.

Yikes : From the FAQ. "Please remember to save all your work before opening ActiveMARK-enabled content.". From the look this software can prevent your computer from saving, printing, screen capturing etc. while viewing the content. This is exactly what Microsoft is intending on doing with the newest versions of Windows.

I don't like it.

Subject URL: Gracenote CDDB helps filter Napster

I'm interested by the comment that Gracenote has a database of all the 'mispellings' that have been troubling Napster. Why?