Questions for a Friday evening
Because I’m too tired to throw together a long essay on either of these issues, and because sunny Friday afternoons were meant to be spent eating ice cream outside instead of writing, here are a few question running through my head as I sit and watch the sun set this evening.
Who stays for the credits?
Every time I go to the movie theater (which is quite often, I’ll admit), I see the same phenomenon: a mass exodus as soon as the film is done and the credits start rolling. Nobody, it seems, stays for the credits. (I do, but that’s because I’m a nerd and love learning about random cinema trivia like who was the gaffer for a particular film.)
Which makes me wonder why the studio doesn’t just use the web for posting credits. After showing the main cast and crew, get the rest up on a website.
That way, the gaffer can not only get his name up on the site, but a photo, list of previous films, and more information. Better than just one line on a screen that no one reads, right?
If we can start by first getting studios to list film credits on a website, then maybe we can eventually get them to embrace digital media and start creating a financial model based on the web as well. Someday.
How does Apple hire booth staff?
In the past two months, I’ve been to three enterprise-related conferences where Apple has been a sponsor. Every time I have stopped by the Apple booth at these conferences, however, I have noticed that the Apple representative not only knew nothing about the Mac platform, but was often a PC user hired by Apple to staff the booth.
Example: at this past week’s event, not only had the booth staff never heard of Quicksilver or knew how to create a smart folder in iTunes, but every time they wanted to demonstrate any function, they’d launch Parallels to open an application (including web browsers) in Windows because they were more comfortable in that environment.
Why? Apple does such a fantastic job hiring evangelists on college campuses and geek events. How does it mess up so badly when it comes to enterprise? I’m sure there are a lot of Mac enthusiasts that would jump at the chance to represent Apple. Why not hire them?
When did hockey become so exciting?
I’ve always resented the coverage that hockey gets here in Canada (pre-season hockey often trumps playoff baseball in this country) and I’ve resented the fact that the hockey post-season runs into the summer even more.
This year, however, things are different. The hockey playoffs this year have been more than just interesting, they’ve been thrilling. Case in point: Don Cherry on ESPN, Sean Avery dancing in front of the net, a four-overtime game, throwback uniforms, Sidney Crosby shining like the star he is, and a Wings-Penguins final.
When did hockey decide to actually become exciting? Or more importantly, relevant? Sure the NBA playoffs have been pretty enthralling as well, but if you’re stuck watching sports coverage in Canada, hockey is a nice substitute to settle for these days.
As long as it doesn’t interfere with the World Series or my NFL season, I think I may just become a closet hockey fan after all. Just don’t tell my football buddies.
Why don’t I get a day off on Monday?
Yes, I know our long weekend happened a week early, but it just doesn’t seem fair that our neighbors down south get to celebrate Memorial Day while I’m at work. Couldn’t they have shifted Victoria Day a week later?
Enjoy your weekend, Memorial Day or not.