Media Life Web Shorts April 30, 2007
Posted by Mark Blei in : Uncategorized , trackbackFor sale on eBay: A slightly used, error-prone goalie
Online auction site eBay has long been known as a popular place to flog unwanted junk. Now one avid supporter of Italy’s AC Milan soccer club has taken this to the extreme by trying to sell AC Milan’s goalie on the auction site, according to a report from Reuters. The fan had apparently had enough of the Brazilian goalie’s mistakes after AC Milan lost 3-2 to Manchester United. A few years ago the 33-year-old goalie was revered after Milan won the Champions League final after a shootout in which Dida made three saves. But nowadays, Dida’s form is attracting criticism after a series of goofs. While Milan probably pays Dida a hefty salary, eBay users had only scraped together a bid of $97 for the star before the posting was pulled of the site – it seems people aren’t actually allowed to be sold on eBay.
Vudu: Delivering movies from web to TV, wire-free
Masses of messy TV cords are so yesterday, as users of the newest television technology may think if Vudu, a start-up in Santa Clara, Calif. is able to deliver on a device that will allow users instant access to films from the web. The small internet-ready movie box it is developing connects to the television and allows couch potatoes to rent or buy any of the 5,000 films now in Vudu’s growing collection, without a PC or cable subscription. Unlike some tech companies that have been sued over copyright infringement, Vudu has output deals signed with every major studio except Sony, according to The New York Times. Though Vudu hopes to challenge DVDs, movie theaters and cable on-demand programming, it could be years before such technology is perfected and accepted. It’s set to launch this summer.
‘Idol’ charity event sets record for call-ins and texts
“American Idol” fans aren’t just interested in embarrassing performances and instant stardom. Fans set a record for call-ins and text messages during last week’s two-night charity telecast “Idol Gives Back.” The star-laden event, which received a $100,000 donation from Ellen DeGeneres and one for $50,000 from Seattle Seahawks running back Shawn Alexander, has generated more than $60 million in donations for charities dedicated to fighting poverty in the U.S and Africa. Meanwhile, FOXNews.com said more is still being raised through company partnerships. Fox had promised to donate 10 cents for every call-in vote up to 50 million. That number was exceeded in the April 24 episode alone with 70 million toll-free and AT&T SMS votes cast, translating into $5 million. For a limited time, the audio and video performances of both the contestants and celebrity guests will be available for purchase on iTunes.
Student sues university over MySpace degree denial
If you want to be a teacher, influencing the minds of our nation’s young, it’s probably wise not to post a picture of yourself on the internet engaging in drunken debauchery. So goes the message from Pennsylvania’s Millersville University to student Stacy Snyder, who posted a photograph of herself drinking on her MySpace page. The university has refused to grant her an education degree and the teaching certificate that comes along with it, issuing her an English degree instead. In a lawsuit filed last week, Snyder asks Millersville to issue her education degree and teaching certificate, as well as $75,000 in compensatory damages. Snyder was to graduate last year from Millersville’s School of Education. But days before she was to don her cap and gown, campus officials discovered Snyder’s MySpace page, which featured a photograph of her wearing a pirate hat and sipping from a plastic Mr. Goodbar cup. The caption read, “Drunken Pirate.” Snyder, who is now 27 and works as a nanny, was of legal drinking age when the photo was taken. But Millersville officials called the image unprofessional and accused her of promoting underage drinking.
Comments»
no comments yet - be the first?