iTunes vs. Netflix

I have not had an opportunity to try out either iTunes movie rentals or Netflix streaming (though my wife has used the Netflix streaming with a free trial we had). The news has been trying to pit Netflix vs. Apple, but I think that this blog post in the NY Times hits the nail on the head. Apple is really competing with Blockbuster (and the on demand cable options). Apple will have many newer titles that Netflix just can't afford to have with its unlimited streaming. I think it will also appeal to completely different audiences, albeit with some overlap. Personally, I have no interest in paying $3.99 for a rental that I can only watch for 24 hours. I'd much rather use a DVD-by-mail program or Redbox at $1 per day. The people this will appeal to are those who will be going on a trip and want to watch it on their iPod, those who for one reason or another can't get out of the house at the time, or impulse renters. Netflix's streaming will appeal more to people like me (budget conscious, knows how to hook up their laptop to the tv, doesn't mind watching older movies/shows). I think both programs will do well, but I see this as being another nail in Blockbuster's coffin, not Netflix's.

Kirk vs Picard

This will be of interest to the writers/Trekkies (Trekers?) in our audience. George Takei
and Wil Wheaton have announced a writing competition where every week a story with the theme of Kirk vs. Picard will be picked as a winner. Not being much of a Star Trek writer, this doesn't interest me too much, but those that enjoy writing sci-fi and Star Trek (yeah you Nomad) would probably be smart to enter one of their fabulous stories.