RockRaines

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 3, 2010 -> 12:40 PM) I know Verizon and Sprint are both moving to 4G networks, both are on the CDMA technology (which is also used in parts of Asia as well, but not used much, if at all in the European zones). The initial versions of 4G will not provide super significant improvements because there is still a lot to do and technically speaking ATT currently has more potential for there 3G to be faster than the current early versions of Sprint/Verizon's 4G. That will change in time and they are stating that in the next year to two the 4G coverage that will be provided by Verizon/Sprint will be superior to what ATT currently has and has in the pipeline (not to mention the fact that currently, in general, ATT lags behind the other major carries due to their distressed network). Sprint will be using the Wimax which people have some doubts about as to how strong of a technology it really will be. The big thing that Verizon and Sprint have is that they have actively managed there network. Hell, you could make a case that Sprint has spent the most money developing and enhancing its network (both now and for the future) and during that time they have suffered in the phone department (pretty s***ty phones compared to Verizon/ATT). However, that is starting to change as well now that they will have phones developed specifically for the network they will be rolling out. From what I have read in terms of highest speeds and the 4G success, the 1-3 year plan indicates that Sprint & Verizon will be battling each other with ATT behind. That said, ATT still has the Apple contract which is huge for them. Whether Apple eventually backs out of that agreement and pays the penalties associated with that (I assume mega $) who knows. If that were to happen it would alleviate some of ATT's problems but also put them in a really really bad position. If I were to bet my money on any phone company completely dominating, it would be Verizon. They have the best combo of unique phones & current/future network coverage. Sprint is a sleeper in this but they took a massive hit for years and years of s***ty customer service (they got complacent). Since than Sprint has gotten its act majorly in gear but who knows. The company I wouldn't be my money on would be ATT. They just have a lot of things going against them currently. However, major improvements to GSM would enable ATT & Tmobile (who I believe is on GSM as well) to potentially flourish. Now we're talking. The thing is that ATT's GSm technology has the backing of all of Europe, Asia and South America as far as development goes for both their 4G technology and any enhancements to their already superior 3G technology. The 4G technology that Verizon is rolling out is a very small footprint and many doubt the actual funding behind such a move as they would have to really start abandoning their 3G technology and make a commitment to the 4G LTE network that at the moment is almost exactly like the GSM 3G network. With such a large worldwide market share, GSM is clearly the leader in this space regardless of what maps on commercials tell people. GSM as of right now is the standard for cellular service, while CDMA is a nice bit player in America. I would actually put alot more stock into one of the Asian or European GSM companies to expand through ATT into the US and really make this a serious turf war. If I was to bet on a technology, I still think its whoever solves the cell network/WiMax issue. If a carrier can somehow seamlessly marry coverage from traditional cell towers and VOIP from an internet provider including home and public networks, then we have a very reliable, fast and technologically superior provider.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 3, 2010 -> 10:40 AM) I stream Pandora every day on my drive to and from work though. So for me, I'd be f***ED. Thankfully I am on a superior network than that s*** ATT network at a superior price point as well. Define superior network. Each provider has its shortfalls, Verizon's network is a CDMA network which is good for now, but with more data streaming and users demanding flexibility for overseas travel, it is not sufficient in the long term. Verizon is actually moving to an LTE standard in the next few years, which is the only way they will get to 4G. GSM technology is about 10 times more prevalent around the world and is a much more mature and understood technology. This is what is used by ATT and most of the overseas providers. GSM covers about 85% of the world wide market, while CDMA is about 10%. The funny part is that in areas of more CDMA useage, GSM technology actually has a harder time working because of the interference caused by those devices. Of course in anywhere but the USA, this is not an issue whatsoever as GSM is pretty much the standard. In the US, coverage for CDMA seems much more prevalent because of the inclusion of analog networks, which will be phased out in the upcoming years. GSM is definitely lagging behind in rolling out the 3G coverage to its users, but analysts dont think this will be the case for long. With many more providers using the GSM standard around the globe, development has both more funds and more people behind it to continue to grow the technology into the future. I use ATT because my company demands it for our worldwide travels, but for me, Verizon has always have much more stable coverage around the country, though in Chicago, ATT has always been strong for me. The growth of the iphone definitely caught ATT and its network by surprise, and with the new capabilities of the Iphone with possible ichat video streaming, I am guessing they are dumping money into expanding their 3G network. GSM has its positives and negatives, but coming from a technology background, my guess is that usually the global standard forces out the outlier like Nextel's technology which is being completely phased out. It will be interesting to see where Verizon goes with what could be their lone standard for this technology moving forward. Are they really trying to build a new 4G standard, or will they eventually move to GSM. Its an interesting conversation. Sorry for the essay, but I think its a very in depth topic much more advanced then "crappy network".

QUOTE (chw42 @ May 24, 2010 -> 03:04 PM) If I'm the average person coming out of high school who is not anti-Apple and has been brainwashed to worship Apple by most of my peers and I was having a tough decision deciding between IIT and another school, I'd probably want to go to IIT because of this. I love how liking Apple has to mean you were brain-washed. Not that you have had a superior end user experience with the hardware.

Im all for a computer ump. Have a green light and a red light behind the plate, one for balls and one for strikes. The actual calls in the IF would be tougher to figure out, but the human error part is starting to get ridiculous in some of these sports.

I havent watched much either. My seats arent going to be filled this weekend either as I feel like there are more important things to do.

I dont like our chances if the Refs continue to let Pronger do whatever he wants without a penalty. I counted 5 different no-calls on obvious crosschecks last night and most of them were in front of a linesman or referee. If they continue to not call that, our rushes to the net will be ineffective when he is on the ice.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 2, 2010 -> 05:39 PM) Isn't Lee a FA after this season? To me, he's the infield version of Alexi Rios. I'd love to have him be our next 1B. He'd be a monster at the Cell, as he loses more home runs than anyone on the Cubs due to the wind blowing in. both are FA, both are relatively the same age, Konerko is producing, maybe the Cubs would flip him? I would rather have DLEE every day of the week to be honest.

I would like to flip Konerko to the Cubs for D Lee

I cant believe how expensive bleacher seats have gotten.

QUOTE (Steve9347 @ Jun 2, 2010 -> 04:47 PM) Mistake #1 - not believing in the Hawks right now. Mistake #2 - paying attention to anything coming out of Philly right now that isn't said by a Blackhawk. Ha, true. I believe, just dont think they are that much better that they can steal both games out of Philly.

QUOTE (Thad Bosley @ Jun 2, 2010 -> 03:33 PM) Why Mark Teahen is considered to be a starting player on a Major League Baseball team continues to blow my mind. His skill set screams "25th man on the roster" to me. He is not a good offensive player by any stretch of the imagination. Even without the injury, he was on pace to hit 10 home runs and drive in 49 RBIs this season, a staggerlingly low output for a guy who doesn't do anything else especially well, offensively speaking. And of course we all know now too well just how lousy he is with the glove. The only thing even remotely approaching value that he brings to a team is versatility. You can, ostensibly, plug him into five positions on the field, but even then, he's probably not your first choice as a replacement. No, from what I've seen with my own eyes this year, and what his five year track record strongly suggests, he really is the left-handed version of Jayson Nix, who just happens to be the 25th man on our team at the moment! Love your projections, especially when you didnt take into account his ridiculously slow start due to tinkering in his swing. He was coming on pretty good of late, and looked to be back to his career norms. And it was only a year or so ago when people were calling for more players that can hit the ball the other way with authority for a change of pace in the order, well Teahen does that fairly well. And I honestly dont think he will be that bad over the course of a season at 3B at all. The skill is there, I think alot of it is becoming familiar with being at 3B full time.

QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ Jun 2, 2010 -> 03:22 PM) Of course there is reason to believe. Hawks have won 7 road games in a row...clearly they're comfortable in another building. Also, for as much talk there is out of Philly that they 'outplayed' the Hawks....they haven't fricken won. The other side of that is the Hawks haven't come close to playing their best game yet. An early couple goals by the Hawks could be the end of Philly and their 'crowd'. An early couple by Philly could be enough to shut down the Hawks in their building too, but the Hawks won't quit. So I think it will be a battle. I like the over pick....I'm thinking a 4-2 game....and if Philly is going to win a game this series, it will most likely be this one, but their odds go no higher than 50% in my book. It's a crap shoot, a coin flip. Indian Head or Weird Flying P?? call it in the air. I think Philly takes this one to be honest. And I love the "talk" out of Philly that the Hawks have gotten lucky bounces, this coming from a team that scored on a freaking knuckle puck.

Our pitching has yet to get hot which is encouraging, if they could get hot and win lets say 7 or 8 in a row and then continue winning series we could jump back into it. However its not very likely.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 1, 2010 -> 07:52 PM) Wow, that's just a stupid idea. Pierre, STOP BUNTING! I was actually calling for the bunt there. 2B and 1B were playing back, he puts it down and gets a run in and advances the runner. Obviously he needed to get it down though.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jun 1, 2010 -> 06:32 PM) If Teahen was a FA after this season, I would say good riddance and I don't really care that he's gone. Meh, he was really coming on when he got injured.

QUOTE (chw42 @ Jun 1, 2010 -> 07:40 PM) I don't think that was a good throw by Mark, but Alexei looks totally out of position there. Paulie probably should have had that scoop too. Mark threw it to the wrong side of the bag.

QUOTE (iamshack @ Jun 1, 2010 -> 05:53 PM) I wish you luck, Rock...you are a madman... Legs and back today...ugh, sore... Since it was such a nice day today I did a long run in place of plyo. I figured since I almost puked in the home stretch that it did the job. S&A with ARX tomorrow.

So the Cubs attendance is down? Only 1 sellout thus far this season? Avg-ing 93 percent full.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jun 1, 2010 -> 04:07 PM) Are you sure that you want to be there? love boat....

Alright, starting a 90 day challenge to my bday. My goal is single digit body fat, ripped up 6 pack, and hopefully not as much flat out weight loss as my other round. Doing the typical P90X 90 day schedule with some insanity subbed in for kempo, plyo and legs and back. I will also be doing 1 on 1 with Tony's Fountain of youth yoga instead of the 90 min bore. Starting at 183 lbs 13% body fat-ish 33 in waist for a 6"1" guy, I would like to stay around 180, so I will be ingesting alot of protein.

QUOTE (bmags @ Jun 1, 2010 -> 02:51 PM) meh, st. louis. Truth. And the missed cross-checking calls on Pronger is getting ridiculous. Its like there is a whole different rule set for him.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jun 1, 2010 -> 12:54 PM) Brett Lillibridge as our first “deserved” call-up is a pretty damning declaration on the state of the White Sox minor league organization. Ka-Ching. Right on the money bolt.

QUOTE (GoodAsGould @ Jun 1, 2010 -> 02:16 PM) While I'm sorry for your lost, you completely are off base in the point he was making. He didnt say Lance Armstrong is compareable to Hitler just that beating cancer doesnt make him a saint.. which is sometimes is the treatment he gets even through some questionable things. He didnt just beat cancer, look at all the people he has helped since he founded Livestrong. That in my mind makes him a saint. Anyone who can dedicate a portion of their life to a non-profit organization that helps thousands and thousands of people a year as well as funds extremely important research for treatment of a horrible disease is more than just "a guy who beat cancer."

I puked all over my keyboard. If there is a player in our minors who has proven is he more completely worthless at the MLB level than Lillibridge I'd like to find him. He is garbage. BLAH.

QUOTE (Brian @ Jun 1, 2010 -> 10:40 AM) Was it Eager who was yelling at him on the benches that it was his best hit of the season? Burish. He said it was the first good hit he had all season. Apparently Philly thought they could out muscle the Hawks with one goon who isnt even very big. I love how he was the talk of the pregame and intermission reports yet the only damage he did was to his own player.