What happens when you give a kid from the iPod generation a Walkman?  Well, the BBC did just that, plopping a first generation cassette player into the hands of 13-year-old Scott Campbell.  The results, well, will probably make you feel old.  It definitely makes me feel like an antique.

It’s amazing just how much has changed in the past five years when it comes to the progress of technology.  For example, was there ever a need for people to carry around 32 gigabytes of music in the old days?  No, we just carried around giant books of easily damaged CDs or a few tapes that we listened to until we were sick of them.  In a way, it’s an explanation of why the record industry has fought so hard against the rate of technological change.  Things have radically changed in such a short time and physical media, the method of music delivery that the industry knows inside out, isn’t there anymore.

Two merchants hold all the power these days, Apple and Amazon.  Do you know anyone who regularly buys MP3s from a source other than one of those two?  I can’t think of a single person, and I’m in the minority as an Amazon user who doesn’t bother with iTunes.  I’m not sure how the profit margins might work, but I’d guess that $15-20 CDs are more profitable than a $1 (or less) electronic file.

Anybody who uses any social networking site knows that sinking feeling.  You get that email saying, “So and so is following you on MySpace!” or whatever, and it turns out so and so is someone you never wanted to hear from again.  That’s the trouble Pacman is in right now, thanks to artist Scott Hampson.  It’s funny, but it’s funnier because we’ve ALL been there.

H/T: Kotaku

Mike Giepert noticed something unusual on his Mac.  When he glanced at his Mac Dock, he noticed that the icons were spelling out the word browse.  You can see it in the above screen capture.  Of course, that realization caused him to start exploring to see what other word combinations he could spell out using only program icons.  Check out his discoveries here, along with the discoveries of some of his readers.

The dock is one of the features of OS X I like the most; the fact that you can now communicate via the dock is that much more impressive.  I just wonder how many possible words you could wring out of simple program icons?

Taito, the Japanese arcade game manufacturer, also makes prize machines.  You know, those little machines that you feed 50 cents into so you can manipulate the claw around and attempt to scoop up a stuffed lion or zebra or something like that.  However, like most things, the prizes in Japanese game machines are way more awesome than the prizes we have here in America.

For example, in Japan?  Taito’s game machines give little electronic gadgets, most of which are powered by USB.  For example, they have a four-piace chocolate chiller (because when you’re working at the computer you need the calories chocolate can give you, apparently).  They also have some more interesting gadgets, like a USB mini-shredder, a mini-air conditioner-type device, and my favorite, a USB-powered single drink cooler (that looks like a fridge!).

If I could feed a machine a dollar and I had a shot at landing something like a USB shredder, I think I’d end up feeding it more thatn it would cost just to buy the thing off the shelf!  I love those claw games anyway, but if you give me something I could use rather than a fluffy critter, I’d spend hours in front of one of those things.

People are bored with the traditional doormats.  “Welcome” and the like are totally played out.  That’s why, for the truly geeky, Chiasso has some awesome “Enter” and “Home” doormats designed to look like computer keyboard keys!

I have to admit I’m a sucker for a good novelty doormat.  If it plays music or threatens me if I don’t leave?  So much the better.  A normal, generic welcome mat says nothing about the owner of the home in question.  You need to make an impression right away, so why not do it via flooring?

H/T: Design Milk

You seriously will not find a cheaper Blu-ray player on the market.  Meijer has a Curtis Mathes Blu-ray Disc Player right now for $99.  That includes shipping.  If I were you, and if I had even the slightest interest in ever owning a Blu-ray player, I’d run over and buy one right now.  Just remember to use the code DOTMJR09 when checking out!

The only qualm about this machine is that it apparently doesn’t have surround sound analog outputs (digital only) or Profile 2.0.  But does that really matter when it’s several hundred dollars cheaper than the closest cheap Blu-ray player?  I didn’t think so.

One of the modern marvels of the computer age has been the netbook.  Originally, I dismissed these mini-laptops.  Why would someone pay $350 for a netbook when you can get a full-sized laptop for about that price, I always wondered.  Then I read about Disney’s joint venture to market ASUS Netpal laptops and it hit me like a brick in the face.  Netbooks are perfect for kids!

For example, Disney’s ASUS MK90 and MK90H feature spill-resistant keyboards and ShockShield protection in case of sudden drops.  The MK90 has a 16GB solid-state hard drive, making it very resistant to shocks and drops (the H has a 160GB traditional spinning hard drive).  Both systems feature 1GB of DD2 RAM, Intel Atom N270 processors, 3 USB ports, wireless and wired Internet access capabilities, multi-card reader, and even a built-in 0.3 megapixel webcam.

That’s not all, though.  Each laptop comes with a host of security features to protect young surfers, media management software, picture editing software, Disney Magic Desktop, web browsers, and a number of customizable themes featuring Disney characters running on a Windows XP Home backbone. The $350 price tag is pretty sweet, too!

This machine is meant for kids, but with these kind of features, I have to admit I’m tempted to pick one up for myself.  While I’m not crazy about the Disney branding, you really can’t turn your nose up at this kind of portable computing power and damage resistance.  Does anyone have any good recommendations for grown-up netbooks?

There’s one thing I’ve always wanted:  a home theater.  I’ve talked about this time and time again.  However, there’s one thing better than a home theater, and that’s a home 3-D theater.  Little did I know you could build your own from scratch for the low, low price of $300.  Seriously!

Not only do they have step-by-step written directions, they also have a how-to video, a schematic like the one seen off to your side, and even places to go out and get good 3-D content for your personal viewing pleasure.  That’s pretty awesome, isn’t it?  It’s the complete set-up, the software needed, a calibration guide, and even the stuff to watch to test out your new 3-D system.

The only hard part to this whole affair would be finding two circa 2005 plasma screen televisions and a piece of very thin two-way mirrored glass.  Well, that and finding a pair of old-school 3-D glasses.  Other than that, it looks easier than building your own desktop computer or putting together a DVD rack!  I may have to keep my eye on eBay to see if I can put one of these together on the cheap.

Since we first picked up Guitar Hero 3 many moons ago, my father has routinely made the comment that someone ought to release a country version of the game.  Well, it’s not Guitar Hero; it’s Rock Band.  Other than that, his prognostication about a countrified version of the world’s most popular rhythm game series has come to fruition with the announcement of a Rock Band Track Pack full of country music.

Unfortunately, none of the tracks are good country except for maybe one or two.  All the rest are the awful modern pop-country that dominates radio playlists.  The two good songs?  Kenny Rogers doing The Gambler and Willie Nelson’s On The Road Again.  (Lucinda Williams might be okay, too.)

Maybe these bands have their fans, but I’m not one of them.  When I think of country music, I don’t think of the Dixie Chicks or Brad Paisley. Where’s the Johnny Cash?  Where’s the Waylon Jennings?  Where’s the Hank Williams (or Hank Williams Jr. or Hank Williams III)?  Where’s the good country music at?  Could they not afford any decent music?

I think I speak for the casual music fan when I say this:  Nobody’s going to squeal, “Oooh, Trace Adkins!”  Everyone would squeal, “Yay, Johnny Cash!  Folsom Prison Blues!”

Well, starting today and ending sometime early Saturday morning, every station you’re currently watching that broadcasts over the air will be converted from the old analog signal to the new digital TV.  Are you ready?  Apparently 2.8 million people are still unprepared.  I’d go out and find my converter box soon if it was me.

One good thing that has gone underreported is that the stations that have switched to digital now have more room for broadcasting purposes.  That means there are potentially more channels than before!  My local NBC affiliate, for example, has a secondary channel that broadcasts old movies and TV shows.  (That’s apparently pretty common).

I have to admit I’m pretty excited.  Granted, I have cable and look to keep cable for a long time to come, but I’ve already gotten my converter boxes just in case.  Like any good Boy Scout, I know to always be prepared.

Did you pick up a converter, just in case?  Are you excited about having even more channels with nothing worth watching on them?  What are your thoughts on the whole DTV fiasco?