Digital City No. 39: Billy Mays vs. The Conduit vs. Windows 7 Video
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The 404 388: Where there's a tesla coil in the room
Somehow we make it past the wild tesla coil in the room to bring you an awesome (if not kind of late) show! Today we show you how to self-destruct your private data, discuss how 3D is totally lame, and why we think Jon Stewart should run for president.
BOL 1075: One laptop per felon
Or perhaps we should call it OLPC. One laptop per criminal. But the idea of letting prisoners use computers is good, but fraught with peril. Also we start a new PSA campaign where Billy learns that email can be dangerous. And that's one to grow on.
In 1955, a tough skinny guitar-slinger who called himself J.R. Cash walked into the soon-to-be-famous Sun Studios in Memphis. It was a moment that would have an indelible effect on American culture. With his driving freight-train chords, steel-eyed intensity and a voice as deep and black as night, Cash sang blistering songs of heartache and survival that were gutsy, full of real life and unlike anything heard before.
That day kicked off the electrifying early career of Johnny Cash. As he pioneered a fiercely original sound that blazed a trail for rock, country, punk, folk and rap stars to come, Cash began a rough-and-tumble journey of personal transformation. In the most volatile period of his life, he evolved from a self-destructive pop star into the iconic "Man in Black" - facing down his demons, fighting for the love that would raise him up, and learning how to walk the razor-thin line between destruction and redemption.
The story of the young Johnny Cash and his incendiary love affair with June Carter Cash comes to life in "Walk the Line," directed by James Mangold from a script by Mangold and Gill Dennis, based on Cash's books "Man in Black" and "Cash the Autobiography". Joaquin Phoenix plays Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon is June Carter. Phoenix and Witherspoon sing every note of their roles themselves in live performances that capture the spirit of the music that drove Johnny and June's relationship.
At the film's core is the passionate and revved-up music that knocked the complacency out of popular culture in the 1950's, which Mangold felt could only be captured in its most emotional and authentic from by having the principal cast perform many of the film's songs live. "The early fifties were the height of the smooth post-war sound, Doris Day and 'easy listening,'" says Mangold. "Musak was invented the year John released his first singles; even country music of the early fifties was highly produced, the edges smoothed for greater 'appeal'. One of the things I wanted the music in the film to convey was the startling roughness, the good humor, the cockiness, the urgency, heat and fire that shook people when these boys first played to crowds."
This movie was nominated for numerous Academy Awards. Click here to see videos of other Oscar nominees on Download.com.
Use your laptop as a desktop, with the easy installation of a docking station.
Loaded: More small and cheap laptops
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Buzz Report: Buzz it like it's hot
More gadgets on fire this week, including, possibly, Fujitsu laptops and a surprisingly flammable little kitty-cat.
Retailers prep for the masses on Black Friday
Shoppers around the nation set their alarms extra early to welcome Black Friday, the traditional start to the holiday shopping season. At electronic superstores like Circuit City, $299 laptops were among the first big items to sell out. As CNET News.com's Kara Tsuboi found out, people didn't seem to mind waiting in hour-long lines to buy fancy TVs if it meant cashing in on super savings.
Turning a PC into a Bluetooth hub
ZDNet's Patrick Houston looks at a new wireless desktop product that connects to your PC or laptop and interacts with Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Digital City No. 40: Google's Chrome OS vs. stealing cell phones vs. NYC subway map phone apps
This week on the Digital City, topics include Google's new Chrome OS, and what it means for Netbooks and Microsoft; some not-too-bright cell phone thieves; how Scott semi-scammed a new iPhone 3GS; and some new apps for navigating the NYC Subway system.
The new iPhone software gets pwned in record speed, Windows is a big disappointment on One Laptop Per Child's XO laptop, and Panasonic wants to give your family an HDTV for posterity.
