Talking points: restless in Redmond edition

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 23, 2009 9:30 AM EDT in Rocky Top Talking Points

I am waaaay up here in Seattle to take part in a focus group for the Sports Channel on Microsoft's Windows Media Center. Does anyone else think it odd that I have to go east to Charlotte from the Tri Cities to get to Seattle? I'm still trying to convince my body clock that it's perfectly fine that we arrived only two hours later than we took off despite being in the air for five. As of right now, it is still inconsolable. Anyway, on to the Talking Points.

Tennessee

In "one of the toughest losses [Pat Summitt has] ever had to deal with at Tennessee," the Lady Vols were bounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, losing 55-71 to Ball State. Thus ends what many are calling the worst year in Tennessee athletics in evah. Some are glad it's over. To me, though, it means summer with no athletics at all, and who wants that?
Mike Strange had what I think was the best take on the men also getting bounced out of the first round in the NCAA Tournament, calling it a game and season of almosts. Close games against Memphis, Alabama, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma State pretty much proved that although we had a pretty good season, this team for whatever reason didn't have that Pearl magic. Pearl is sick about it and couldn't watch any of the other tourney games. Me neither, and my bracket is not helping. I'll start again next year.
Bryce Brown's buddy Blake Bell is interested in the Vols despite the fact there is not one single "B" in the name of our school. Bell's a QB, by the way, and he says, "Having Bryce there is certainly a positive." Admit it, so are the alliterative possibilities, right Bell? After all, Ben Bartholomew may block for you. Speaking of Brown, we have high hopes of that one, as he's the 2009 entrant is this roster of Best of Class: Vince Young, Ernie Sims, Adrian Peterson, Derrick Williams, Percy Harvey, Jimmy Clausen, and Terrelle Pryor.
Hitting is contagious, and Rod Wilkes is infected. Confidence is also infectious, and the Kiffin Chimera is practicing some really reckless hygiene.

SEC

Chest bump to Gate 21 for this video from Blazer Chronicles:

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Pay Link$

Is there any way posters can let us know that we are headed to a pay site for their linked articles? Frustrating to click through and not be able to read. Maybe a $ in the link?

I don’t shell out the bucks for every Vol pay wall b/c the economy stinks.

Relatively new to RTT, so just asking (before the regulars rip my head off).

by memphispete on Mar 23, 2009 6:03 PM EDT reply actions

We can try

The problem is that for folks with access, it is sometimes difficult to determine what’s behind the wall b/c the wall really isn’t there. But I for one will try to keep that in mind because I know it can be frustrating.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 23, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

You use Firefox?

One trick is to get the IE tab extension. Then when you’re on the page in question, switch the tab over to the IE engine (but never put the password/username/whateverlogsyouin information into the IE side. Since IE and FF don’t share cookies (not even when IE is run within FF!), a paywall should show up.

That just makes is a single mouseclick. Not ideal, but about as lazy of a method as I can think of.

by David Hooper on Mar 23, 2009 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice

Great tip. Thanks.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 24, 2009 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Microsoft Interactive Bracket

I saw your Tube on that and thought that looked pretty cool, unfortunately only my wife’s computer has the 64 bit version of Vista. Still, looked nice — especially since you can FINALLY get around the whole second window issue.

So, can you bring me back a T-Shirt signed by Bill Gates? No? Hmmmm … then how about some left over plastic utensils from the airline?

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lawvol: Gate 21 - Life, the Universe, & the Bounce of the Ball

by lawvol98 on Mar 24, 2009 2:14 AM EDT reply actions

I spent all day yesterday looking for Bill. I don’t think he’s here. At least not at the Redmond Inn. I did almost get a t-shirt that simply said “Geek,” but decided against it. It’s already obvious.

I’m running 32-bit Vista; no need for 64, I’m told.

Rocky Top Talk

by Joel Hollingsworth on Mar 24, 2009 8:02 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd stay with 32-bit if I were you.

Windows 7 is rumored to come out in the fall; all accounts place it as a better option than Vista 64.

(Well, all accounts I’ve read up on. FWIW.)

by David Hooper on Mar 24, 2009 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Bill is on haitus, I do believe

And for those of us with more than 4 GB of RAM (actually, anything over 3), Vista 64 is very necessary!

I’m replying above hooper here, but yes, Windows 7 is indeed much better than Vista. Vista starts out great, but quickly becomes really slow and bloated. I’m running the Windows 7 Beta, and I am sad to say that it runs better (the beta!) than Vista. I can’t wait to shell out more cash for Windows 7, after just shelling out cash less than a year ago for Windows Vista :).

by rblakeh on Mar 24, 2009 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions