Why are CD-Roms the same size as 25 years ago?

[cpjust]

@cpjust: Best Buy recycles electronics, mostly for free, but there is a $10 fee for big things like TV's and monitors. However, your receipt is a $10 Best Buy coupon, so it still free if you buy something. Last time I was there they didn't even bother asking for the $10, actually.

I wonder if they do that in Canada too?
But I'd rather have someone re-use something before recycling it. The TV still worked fine, if you don't mind the small green or purple patches on white scenes...

[MK27]

I wonder if they do that in Canada too?

Probably, since there's no way they are doing that here because it's required by law or something. People in NYC tend to believe "recycling" means putting something in a garbage can instead of just dropping it where they stand.

But I'd rather have someone re-use something before recycling it. The TV still worked fine, if you don't mind the small green or purple patches on white scenes...

Leave it next to a clothing donation bin.

[nonoob]

I've seen it before and I don't understand this argument. I have a 42 inch LCD TV and I don't miss not having Blu-Ray. I actually have an hard time seeing how I can benefit from it that justifies the increased costs associated with a Blu-Ray player. Exactly Bubba's argument.

Ok, your mileage may vary. I've been collecting movies for a long time. Video tapes - regular VHS and S-VHS, laser disks, and now Blu-ray. I've appreciated going to a theatre when they showed a 70mm print, or even a really good 35mm transfer, or Imax... I guess I've developed an eye for the picture quality and I can still enjoy the underlying movie either way. Some people may not care so much. I don't have much of what anyone would call a "home theatre" by any means. Just a 46". I sit fairly close - perhaps 6-7 feet to get a 30 to 35 degree viewing angle as recommended. Just close enough to not resolve the pixels.

[happyclown]

Leave it next to a clothing donation bin.

Don't do that.

The major charities in Australia are complaining about having to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to remove rubbish that people leave at clothing bins.

The bins are not there for people to put furniture or appliances. They aren't a dumping site.

[MK27]

The major charities in Australia are complaining about having to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to remove rubbish that people leave at clothing bins.

If it's rubbish, don't leave it there. I did not say "drop your garbage off", that's cpjust's call.

Many/most of those aren't really charities anyway -- they resell. When I was homeless, an overflowing clothing bin was good news, because it meant you could take the stuff that didn't fit in the locked bin if you were alone, late at night, cold, on the street.* Otherwise, you had to go to a "charity" thrift store and pay for it. Wherever and whenever that is supposed to be.

So I am sure they can afford to dispose of some garbage at the same time, since they insist on keeping those bins locked, with one way doors like a post drop box, so no one in real need of charity can possibly get anything out of it. That is part of the operating expense of the business they are running by taking what otherwise might have been real charity for the destitute and instead institutionalizing a system whereby they and their "charity" get to keep all the proceeds from re-selling it to the slightly less destitute poor who frequent their business premises. Which no doubt much of that goes to "charitable" causes like exporting the New Testament to the Third World.

In short, I encourage you to leave it ALL outside the stupid locked drop box, and whatever those in need of charity don't want, "charity" can clean it up.

* of course I did not consider a TV useful

[cpjust]

Leave it next to a clothing donation bin.

It must have weighed at least 100 lbs! I just wanted someone (well 2 people actually) to come and take it right out of my home.

[jeffcobb]

Ok, your mileage may vary. I've been collecting movies for a long time. Video tapes - regular VHS and S-VHS, laser disks, and now Blu-ray. I've appreciated going to a theatre when they showed a 70mm print, or even a really good 35mm transfer, or Imax... I guess I've developed an eye for the picture quality and I can still enjoy the underlying movie either way. Some people may not care so much. I don't have much of what anyone would call a "home theatre" by any means. Just a 46". I sit fairly close - perhaps 6-7 feet to get a 30 to 35 degree viewing angle as recommended. Just close enough to not resolve the pixels.

For some movies that are really beautiful I like Bluray but it is not a magic bullet to make all movies look good. I have several PS3s kicking around here from when I worked at Sony and use them as Bluray players. On some flicks like the latest James Bond movie (forget the title) I could not see any difference between that and the standard def version. On Ponyo on the other hand, the colors were richer and the details were much sharper and was well-worth the additional cost (although admittedly while it did cost most, I got both versions with it so...)

[cpjust]

On Ponyo on the other hand, the colors were richer and the details were much sharper and was well-worth the additional cost (although admittedly while it did cost most, I got both versions with it so...)

Ponyo??

[jeffcobb]

Yeah Ponyo..what of it?

[C_ntua]

Nor was I, although I guess I can see where you got that idea. I was only considering the distribution of data. As for backups, by the way, I would prefer using one large solid-state drive (and seeing how costs are falling that may soon become a reality) for all the backups. There's no need to label if there is only one container.

Agreed on that. Even when you buy cds its much more convinient copying the info into a hard drive. My guess would also be that cds/dvds will be replaced by ...paper at some point. You will download anything you want. You can use barcode scanners or sth similar to get the address to download with a press of button. New album will be a piece of paper. Scan and download