done… and done.

Finally, I have it! I just picked up my brand new laptop from the post office today. It’s new, shiny, big and beautiful! Or something like that. Anyway it works like a charm, runs Windows VISTA (no problems so far) and I’m very pleased with it.

For the geeks some specs:

Asus Laptop G2S-7R088C
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 (2,2GHz)
2048 MB RAM
Geforce 8600m GT 256MB
17 Inch screen
250 GB HD

Well this was an unexpected turn of events. I’ve been working freelance for a while now for qelp. Qelp is a company which provides online mobile phone usage manuals, with screenshots to guide you through the process. They supply their software to providers like Hi and Telfort.

They approached me recently if I was interested in becoming their “development manager.” It’s a part time function where I will be managing the further development of the application. The actual development is being done in India, so I will be communicating a lot with the Indian developers.

At first I declined their offer, because I didn’t want to be too caught up in work while I’m staying in Tokyo. However, I talked with Wouter (“the boss”) extensively today, and he assured me that I would have enough time to enjoy my stay in Japan.

Add to this the fact that this is of course a great opportunity for me to get hands on experience with managing and I just couldn’t refuse. Starting December I’m a manager baby! Ok, I ain’t managing hundreds of people, but still, manager!

Argh it happened again, the AMPTP faces a strike of its writers! At least the writers unionized in the WGA are now officially on strike. What does this mean? Basically all our favorite shows are f#cked. Heroes is faced with an early ending of season 2, Lost will also run into problems, and so on and so on. What is it all about? Simply said: money. The writers currently don’t receive money for the extra sales, they only get money from the actual airing of the shows (or so I understand).

The problem is that the producers are of course making huge ammounts of money on the DVD sales and other extras. Apparently this also includes internet broadcasting and all other media not directly related to TV broadcastings. The writers have had it, and want their cut of the sales. The AMPTP refuses and now the WGA is on strike.

This leaves us with what? That’s right, f#cked up series! Let’s hope the people will work it out in time, or else we might end up losing some quality shows out there…

I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

Statement from AMPTP President Nick Counter

“Notwithstanding the fact that negotiations were ongoing, the WGA decided to start their strike in New York. When we asked if they would “stop the clock” for the purpose of delaying the strike to allow negotiations to continue, they refused.

We made an attempt at meeting them in a number of their key areas including Internet streaming and jurisdiction in New Media. Ultimately, the guild was unwilling to compromise on most of their major demands.

It is unfortunate that they choose to take this irresponsible action.”

Statement from the WGA:

“The WGA Negotiating Committee, on behalf of the Writers of Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), has issued the following statement regarding Contract 2007 negotiations:

Early today, the WGA completely withdrew its DVD proposal, which the Companies said was a stumbling block. Yet, the Companies still insisted on the following:

• No jurisdiction for most of new media writing.
• No economic proposal for the part of new media writing where they do propose to give coverage.
• Internet downloads at the DVD rate.
• No residual for streaming video of theatrical product.
• A “promotional” proposal that allows them to reuse even complete movies or TV shows on any platform with no residual. This proposal alone destroys residuals.
  

A “window” of free reuse on the Internet that makes a mockery of any residual.

The AMPTP made no response to any of the other proposals that the WGA has made since July. The AMPTP proposed that today’s meeting be “off the record,” meaning no press statements, but they have reneged on that.“