Youtube Video - The Bar Dogs from 1986

I know this is some old footage of a 'human interest' story from the UK that was recently picked up by a Dutch television show. (Hence the subtitles at the bottom).  I watched it this morning and I thought it was hilarious. I'm not sure who is funnier, the dogs at the bar or the actual bartender, who is quite the card himself.   I'm a big fan of the German Shepherd and one day plan to have one, just don't tell that to my current guys.  
I always appreciate timeless laughs.  :)

Youtube Video of Canadian Army Rebuilding a Jeep in the Street in 4 Minutes.

A little birdie who's a secret contributor to this blog site sent me this video of our boys in the Army doing a demonstration on their mechanical abilities. They roll in with a running, operational Jeep, take it apart down to the frame, and then re-assemble it and drive away all in about 4 minutes.  Pretty neat to watch, and makes you think you should be getting a better price at the repair shop for any Jeep repairs now.  Enjoy!

Vancouver Canucks Hockey Blog: Pre-Season Depth Chart Rankings (Version 3)

Vancouver Canucks Hockey Blog: Pre-Season Depth Chart Rankings (Version 3): "As expected the Vancouver Canucks have made some roster cuts after their weekend games. The following players are on their way to the Manito..."

Canucks Cut Roster by 10

The Vancouver Canucks cut 10 players from their roster today, with one surprise to many somewhat hopeful fans. Jordon Schroeder, or is it Schraeder, was sent to the Manitoba Moose to start their training camp this week. Jordan Schroeder is US born player who starred at last year's World Junior Championships, helping Team USA upset Team Canada in the final game.  It was his play at this tournament which had Canuck fans hopeful for a continued, somewhat speedy rise to a roster spot on the NHL club this season.  It appears that is not to be, at least for the start of this NHL season. 

Boxee Box by D-Link, Apple TV - Have to ask Why?

So I'm hitting up my favorite online shopping mall the other day, and I come across the Boxee Box from D-Link. Being a complete techno nerd I say to myself, "Whats this?" and click on the information. http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/boxee.aspx 
As I'm scrolling through the 'features' I just had to start shaking my head and wondering why an excellent manufacturer of routers (I currently have a D-Link Wireless N rocket ship) be pulling themselves into this market? I just don't understand the timing or the reasoning behind this. 
Let's dive into what is says it does; It streams movies, TV shows and your home movies and pictures to your computer wirelessly. It connects to your TV via HDMI. It claims to have "free movies" AND "new releases."  To me that means the free movies are ones nobody watches and the new releases you need to pay for. Perhaps I'm wrong? I could be, it's not out just yet. 
As many who are technical will know, there are many options for media content available online from free to $7.99 a month for Netflix. (Just available in Canada) The price of the Boxee from D-Link is targeted for $199.99 in Canada. I noticed this product a couple weeks after Steve Jobs big announcement that the Apple TV offering has been revamped and resized and repriced and will be available soon.  In typical Steve Jobs fashion he's pretty impressed with this little product and wanted to tell the world about it. Now, I'll admit, the Apple TV like many of Apple's current products really does have a cool factor. It's tiny, comes with a slick little remote, and has the HDMI output to your TV that the Boxee Box offers. We are talking about two very similar uses for two different looking products, and well, two different price points.  Apple is really looking to make money through it's iTunes platform and it wouldn't surprise me if the little Apple TV somehow manages to not play some of the free content on the web, and some may really dislike that.  They also may dislike iTunes in general, the new Ping product, and the Boxee Box may do a better job with that type of "user experience."  The fact of the matter is, the Apple TV is scheduled to be a lot less money. Apple TV - Best Buy 

Xbox 360 Slim

My big problem with these two products?  Well, there are two big problems in my mind. They would be simply, Playstation 3, and Xbox 360.  Both these products have been on the market for a number of years now, and both of these products will do exactly what the Boxee Box and Apple TV do. In fact, they do more. Much more.  I can stream HD movies to both my X360 and PS3, I can play games with both, I can surf the internet with both, I even have Blu Ray capability on my PS3, which just recently updated itself in order to read 3D Blu Ray discs. That's right, no upgrade needed for me (other than the TV), Sony just handed me 3D capabilities via firmware update online for free, just this week. 
Cost of Xbox 360 Slim, with 4GB HD and built in Wireless N : $199.99
Xbox 360 4GB Console
Cost of Playstation 3 120Gb Console : @299.99
PlayStation 3 120 GB
Don't let the cost of the PS3 scare you away.  If you just bought an Xbox you'd then have to go buy a Blu Ray player, or a 3D Blu Ray player if that ever catches on with cheaper TV costs, so you're probably in a big savings right there if you take that into consideration.  The PS3 also allows you to play games online without additional costs, where the Xbox charges you for Gold membership to Xbox Live to do so.  They are both capable machines, and you get a lot more for your money with either of them then the first two products mentioned. 
I really don't get the D-Link product, and why they would go here. I guess the jury is out and I'm judging something before it's hit the market, but I sense a failure coming here.  I'll give the Apple unit some credit based on it's size and price point alone. It will allow someone not wanting to have a larger item next to their TV, or spend the extra $70. (Although you and your kids would love the games).