Ronz Daily Dose Blog Shack

Digg Experiment- Can We Trick the Digg Team?

2006-04-24T07:12:00.000-07:00

I know you are wondering where your tech story is. I'm sorry to have tricked you. However, I am doing an experiment. I want to see how thorough the Digg team is at weeding out non-tech related stories. The results of this will give us incite into the level of scanning that digg.com does regarding submitted stories.

I want to see if the digg team actually reads stories. If they read this story, it will be pulled quickly from the website. If not, maybe it can travel to the front page.

My theory is that they only look to the title of a story to see if it is tech related or not. So if you are interested in seeing if this can get by the digg team, thanks for your help.

Digg and Plant a Seed- My Argument for Expanding Digg.com

2006-04-23T18:51:00.000-07:00

Here is my argument for why Digg.com needs to evlove into something greater than tech.

First of all, if you look at where the site is headed, it is definately not into technology. The most popular stories are lately very loosely related to technology. For example, "More Evidence that Sex is Good for You", "Ads Turn NY Manhole Covers into Coffee!", "The Ultimate Tax Shelter: Own your Own Business". How are any of these top rated stories tech related?

Basically, Digg is tranforming itself into the following: 1) A place to find very strange images, 2) A place to find odd web pages, 3) a site focused on POLITICS. As far as politics are concerned, I enjoy a good political debate. Yet every day politics is one of the most commonly submitted stories and often time makes the front page. Again, how is this tech related?

Digg.com was created with one mission: allow the users to have full control over editing and deciding what stories are submitted. By simply looking at what the vast majority of people are submitting, (Not tech related) it is obvious that people want to use digg for a greater purpose than just tech, global communication of ALL THINGS COOL. Every once and a while non-tech stories reach the front page and hint at something greater than just tech.

If the whole purpose of Digg.com is to give users total control, then let them have control. Instead, the control seems illusory. Users can submit anything they want, as long as it is tech related. This categorical exclusion denies stories which are as important as technology. Digg is still exerting powerful editorial control over all users.

While you may not agree with my desire to see Digg expand into other categies, you must admit, the site has a unique and powerful ability and finding ALL THINGS COOL and communicating them with others. We all see glimmers of Non-Tech reach the main page everyday. They are some of the best stories around. Digg is much more than tech and there is no logical reason to resist what its users are trying to communicate.

Let Digg evolve into whatever topics are socially relevant. Except of course, stories about animals.

-Ron Belluso, Digg Lover

How to Find Creative Stories for Digg.com

2006-04-06T11:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a simple list of ways to find great material for Digg.com:

1) Search for Apple related gossip of any type and then post it regardless of whether the same story has already been posted.

2) Search for anything Robot Related. I mean anything. It will fly to the front page for sure.

3) Write a story entitled "Don't Click This!" It will recieve some decent diggs.

4) Find any type of NASA related photos and title the post "MOST INCREDIBLE PICTURE OF SPACE". This should surely pump you to the front page.

5) Any story with the phrase "100 Dollar Laptop" in it will go straight to the front page! Try it out. It works!

* Warning: Never link to your own blog. You will be called names such as 1) asscrust 2) Butt pirate or 3) useless bucket of slime.

Apple to Release 80 Gig Ipod Cinema

2006-03-18T07:43:00.000-08:00

Here is the info that was passed onto me from a credible source:

In April, Apple will reveal two major additions to the Ipod family, A high end Ipod called Ipod Cinema with 3.5 Inch Diagonal screen just like the mockups, and revamped Nano's with choice of 8 or 16 giga flash. The Nano's will feature a slightly larger and more colorful screen, as well as improved coating to protect against scratches.

New Ipod Specs:

80 Gig HD
3.5 screen
-included in the box is an acryllic clear stand in order to hold the Cinema upright
-includes a coupon code for 1 movie in Apples Video Store.
-Source tells me the price will be very high end. 400-500 USD.

For all ipod products, there will be redesigned earbuds. I'm told they look identical, but sound slightly more Hi-Fi.

Take this info as you will. I'm just trying to pass it along.

How Much Would You Pay For an Itunes Full Length Movie

2006-03-16T11:19:00.000-08:00

This post begs the question, "How much would you pay for an Itunes feature length movie?" We have seen the first feature length Disney Musical for $9.99. This seems disgustingly high. I'll tell you right now I would never pay 10 dollars for a low resolution movie that has no DVD extras.

I believe the perfect price for an Itunes movie is roughly $4.99. This would take into account the low resolution and no bonus features.

We must ask though, at a price this low, wouldn't this hurt DVD sales? Apple definately has this on thier minds. It is a complex and interesting topic however. If the price is too low, the movie studios have just canibalized thier dvd profits. If the price is too high, nobody will buy these damn Itunes Movies.

I think Apple will likely sell the movies for $9.99 unfortunetly. Cheap access to current movies would affect the DVD market too greatly.

What do you think.

(Post your replies under the comments on Digg.com)

How to Gather Thousands of Itunes Songs Legally!

2006-03-12T06:04:00.000-08:00

This is a very simple process and I have honestly increased my collection of must 10 fold. Here are the steps:

1) Look around the house for various cd's
2) Load the cd's into your computer.
3) Open Itunes.
4) Click "Import Music"
5) Enjoy!

Another technique I use is called "Library Raid". I visit my local public library with my computer and just start copying songs. This works ass well. If you have read this far, you have met Ronz. I will become infamous on digg.com in a very short time. My plan is to slowly build up a strong following of others who enjoy useless and meaningly postings. Thanks you and see you again.

Why Bloggers Are Ruining Digg.com

2006-03-12T05:23:00.000-08:00

Everyone has seen it, a person cites to a webpage or article by first talking about it on thier blog. This is generally done for one selfish reason, to bolster page impressions and garnish clicks for Google Adsense. We must ask ourselves: What is the effect of this practice on Digg.com. This article will hopefully explain that effect.

First, by linking to their own blogs, these selfish monsters are in effect importing their own ads directly into Digg.com. Digg has it's own Google Adsense running. Why should we be submitted to two instances of Ads? This lowers the direct and speedy delivery of news to viewers and must be stopped.

Finally, Digg.com is a reflection of society, there are some nice people, some smart people, and some greedy people. Let us all think about that.

In conclusion, Bloggers are a huge problem for Digg.com and we must not allow them to post stories on digg.com anymore.

Proof Of Monsters

2006-03-11T22:51:00.000-08:00

This photo was captured by my Uncle Ross while fishing off of the coast of Japan a few days ago. Uncle Ross tells me that he was fishing for roughly 2-3 hours when he heard a strange noise eminating from underneath his vessel. Unlce Ross stated that this noise "Sounded like a mix between a dying cat and a small Ferret." After roughly 2-3 minutes of hearing this sound, Unlce Ross saw some strange bubbles coming from the sea. Readying his motorola Razor, he was able to capture this single picture of the sea beast. Notice the fishes strange teeth and lizard like eyes. Abosutely incredible. After snapping this pic, the "fish" dove deeply into the water and was not seen again. Uncle Ross will be returning from Japan next week. Can't wait to talk to him...

Why 6G Ipod Video Will Surprise Everyone

2006-03-10T08:56:00.000-08:00

Before you read any further, please realize that the following is simply my opinion on Apple and my theory on what is coming in the next few months.

Basically, the internet, with all of the amazing Photoshop artists around, has created a product that simply does not exist. Each mock up of the "new" ipod has similar characteristics, it retains the same shape as a standard Ipod with a giant screen that takes up the entire surface of the device. This design was no doubt fueled by Apple's patent involving the touch sensative screen.

While I want nothing more than this Ipod to really exist, lets face it, there is simply nothing indicating that Apple will design the product to these obvious specifications. Look at history as well. When have us Apple fans ever successfully predicted the exact specifications of a product? Never. I would simply be incredibly amazed if we predict this one accurately. I do not doubt that an Ipod with a larger screen specifically designed for movie viewing is on the horizon, but I am keeping an open mind about the exact dimensions, look and feel of this device.

A huge problem for any device of this type will be battery life. For anyone who owns a 5G Ipod, you know that the battery is constantly draining. My battery will last me around 60 minutes of video from a full charge. That means that with a screen doubt the size, I would be relegated to 30 minutes of Ipod Video Juice. That is horrible. Apple will need a definite boost in power, and I speculate that the battery will be larger and heavier, perhaps taking up the entire length of the pod itself. For this reason, I believe that the standard Ipod shape may not be suitable for those purposes. Lets not forget that the thing needs a hard drive as well.

Whatever Apple unleashes on us in the coming months, hopefully April, I think it will differ substantially from the look and feel that current mock up designs of the 6G. Apple is truly an amazing company. I don't recall any other companies that have fans like us creating realistic products that do not yet exist. This is a magnificient thing and it keeps the buzz alive. I think Apple just has something up their sleeves that will surprise us all...

Welcome to my Blog!

2006-03-09T19:44:00.000-08:00

Hey there, this is a blog by Ronz Belluso. I intend to tell you some stuff from my unique POV. Here is a little about myself. I am 25. I am a 3rd year law student who will be taking the Massachusetts bar exam this July.

I love Apple and intend to dedicate many a blog to my views regarding any number of interesting topics. Alos, I love beast love. Just kidding. I didn't want you to get bored out there. Well, stop by anytime and remember: Revenge of the Nerds IV was excellent.