Month: July 2008

Profiler

This is one of the reasons why I really like Netflix:

For users of Profiles, I have good news to report: we will keep the feature with no plans to discontinue it.We were persuaded by the well-reasoned, sincere responses of loyal members who very much value this feature. As someone who enjoys helping his four-year-old daughter manage her one-DVD-at-a-time, G-rated sub-account, I identified with these thoughtful pleas to maintain Profiles.

Because of an ongoing desire to make our website easier to use, we believed taking a feature away that is only used by a very small minority would help us improve the site for everyone. Listening to our members, we realized that users of this feature often describe it as an essential part of their Netflix experience. Simplicity is only one virtue and it can certainly be outweighed by utility.

I’ve never actually used the Profiles feature myself (and don’t have any immediate plans to do so), but it’s refreshing to see a company respond to its customers and their wishes like this. They had planned to discontinue the feature, customers asked them not to, and they listened.

June sounded a lot like this

Here’s my mix for June, if you’re interested:

  1. “Inní mér syngur vitleysingur” by Sigur Rós
  2. “We’ll Be Free” by BLAMMOS
  3. “A Better Son/Daughter” by Rilo Kiley
  4. “3rd Planet” by Modest Mouse
  5. “I Heard Something” by Charlemagne
  6. “Frozen” by Tegan and Sara
  7. “The Case Continues” by Ute Lemper
  8. “Noisy Ghosts” by Tom Wilby
  9. “Bang Your Drum” by Wolf Parade
  10. “My Medicine” by Snoop Dogg
  11. “Kicker of Elves” by Guided by Voices
  12. “Space” by the Beta Band
  13. “Boomdeyada” from the Discovery Channel
  14. “Tramp the Dirt Down” by Elvis Costello
  15. “Plus Ones” by Okkervil River

As always, I’m very happy to do a one-for-one trade for your mix, if you have one.

Ouch, reloaded

Okay, I’m officially tired of being in pain.

I went to the orthopedist yesterday. A short visit, basically reiterating what I already knew: I have a herniated lumbar disc (L5-S1) that’s putting pressure on the sciatic nerve, thus causing the near-constant discomfort in my left leg and thigh, for which I need several weeks of physical therapy. He also referred me to another doctor to discuss epidural cortisone injections, which can often help ease the swelling and take pressure off the nerve. (There’s some debate, apparently, about their efficacy, so I may just stick with the PT.)

Now I just need to choose a physical therapist (from the long list the orthopedist gave me) and make an appointment.