cam, 182 words, 0 comments, Magazines, Publishing, PCMag

Via Ged, PCMag is closing down its print edition:

The magazine, which was started in 1982, has a storied history, but its print base eroded over the years as its core brand of journalism--news you can use while shopping for computers--moved online. It cut back from bi-weekly to monthly earlier this year. PCMag, which literally invented the idea of comparative hardware and software reviews, at one time during the '80s averaged about 400 pages an issue, with some issues breaking the 500- and even the 600-page marks.

I used to be an avid consumer of electronic and computing magazines - in the early 1990s. I only ever buy magazines when I am waiting at the airport and when it is inconvenient for me to use my laptop; such as no wireless, forced to wait in a standing position, or my laptop batteries are nigh on dead. Even then, I tend to buy The Economist only. These days there are a million and one hardware websites which compare graphic cards, etc against each other. PCMag is now fighting in that space only. (reply)

cam, 259 words, 1 comment, GM, General Motors, Chevrolet, Holden Commodore, Pontiac G8

The October 2008 production and sales break-downs for GM are in their investor section. This contains information on what brands are selling what volume and what cars/trucks are selling the best from GM's inventory. Of the GM brands active in the US, and there are a few, Chevrolet was the best seller by a long shot:

• 107,313 - Chevrolet
• 21,109 - GMC
• 13,054 - Pontiac
• 9,541 - Cadillac
• 8,583 - Saturn
• 7,642 - Buick
• 1,975 - Saab
• 1,368 - Hummer

So what does GM sell the most of?

• 31,689 - Chevrolet Silverado
• 22,107 - Chevrolet Impala
• 11,256 - GMC Sierra
• 10,874 - Chevrolet Malibu
• 6,788 - Pontiac G6

The Silverado and Sierra are the same truck just with a different badge. Of the Australian connection the Pontiac G8 (Holden Commodore) sold 1,082 units in October 2008 which isn't that much, but then, Saab sold a grand total of 1,659 in the same month. Of the Corvette marque there were 1,170 sold in October.

It looks like, that even with higher oil prices, the SUV and full size pickup is still the most popular of GM's offerings. I suspect those that are attacking the manufacturers in the US for not making fuel efficient cars that people want to buy are projecting what they think GM should be producing rather than the reality of what US consumers actually buy.

It is easy to forget that Toyota and Nissan both offer full size pickup trucks in the American market. They are locally built as well. The Ford F150 outsells the Toyota Camry. The Ford pickup is the best selling vehicle in America. (reply)

cam, 167 words, 1 comment, Movie, Get Smart

I downloaded Get Smart from iTunes the other night and watched it over three days as I got time. It is a very funny movie. I enjoy the dumb physical comedy and this had plenty of belly laughs from stupid events and jokes. One of the things I noticed was how many big names comedians were in the movie. For instance Bill Murray was Agent 13.

Max Smart has changed. He isn't the well-meaning oblivious doofus that he was in the TV series. He is more knowledgeable, sophisticated and even an action star in this one. I could have done without the final action sequence with aircraft and trains. It was more like The Island than Max Smart in that section. There was also the cliche of Max being thought a double agent, etc, and then winning back their trust, etc, etc. Boring. I guess even comedic secret agents have to change with the times.

Anyway, I give it five Dolph Lundgrens. Will watch again. (reply)

cam, 75 words, 1 comment, US 2008 Presidential Election, Electoral Map, Cartogram

Another revisioning of the electoral landscape for the US election from Axis Maps.

Rather than a cartogram which warps the map based on population, this map tries to show the population data through color. So a bright blue segment of the map means strong support for Obama from a large number of people. It is a stunning map and an interesting way to try and deal with the third dimension of data. (reply)