content

A bit of a quack

We love screen-capture utilities, perhaps because they can be both incredibly useful and a lot of fun. DuckCapture promised to be one of the better ones we've tried, and we were especially excited about checking out its autoscroll feature. Unfortunately, DuckCapture wasn't all we had hoped. It works well for the most part; but for us, it had one fatal flaw.

The program has a straightforward interface, with icons that users can click to select the region, window, full screen, or scrolling page that they want to capture. The scrolling feature is especially cool; click on a long … Read more

How to create a BitTorrent personal content channel

BitTorrent 8, released last week in beta, contains a sharp new feature that makes it easier than ever to create torrents of your personal files and share them with a personal group of friends or colleagues. The feature implementation isn't expected to change by the time that BitTorrent 8 graduates to its final version, so this How To ought to be viable for some time.

Once you've installed BitTorrent 8 beta (download), take a quick tour of some of the public content channels that come with the program. This part isn't essential, however, it's worth seeing … Read more

How 3D content works: Blu-ray vs. broadcast

As 3D content becomes ever more available, the differences in how it works become important. Just like all HD isn't the same, all 3D isn't the same either.

More than a simple "how it works," this guide will help you understand why some 3D looks better than others.… Read more

Seagate GoFlex Satellite: iPad owners' delight

If you ask Steve Jobs what do to if you want to carry your entire digital library on your iPad--a library consisting of hundreds of gigabyte of data--he'd probably lower his voice and tell you how shiny the device is, point out that it's super thin, and remind you that the iPad offers 10 solid hours of battery life. And then you'd likely be so carried away by the magical Smart Cover that you'd forget your original question. You might even feel guilty for asking.

If you ask me, however, I have a more direct answer: … Read more

Google algorithm tweak socks Demand Media traffic

Demand Media, which operates sites such as eHow and Livestrong, has been hit hard by Google's algorithm changes, the company revealed yesterday.

"In February and April, we experienced two major algorithm changes," Demand Media CEO Richard Rosenblatt said during his company's first-quarter earnings call yesterday. "For eHow, here is the impact: as compared to the levels before the first February change, we saw a net decline in search engine referrals of 20 percent."

Google's algorithm update gives less weight in its results to so-called "content farms" that provide low-quality, quick answers … Read more

Demand Media downplays Google algorithm hit

Demand Media said today that its first-quarter results remain on track and that its second-quarter page view growth will be on par with a year ago.

The company made the statement after Google rolled out its international update for its new algorithm, which is designed to improve content quality. Sistrix noted that Demand Media's eHow took a hit on the international rollout.

Reading Demand's statement and blog post, it appears that the company has weathered the worst of Google's algorithm storm. However, this algorithm change is likely to play out over the coming quarters. CNET has been tracking the algorithm change fallout, … Read more

A visit to the CBS vault

The U.S. government has Fort Knox, families have safety deposit boxes, and gym-goers have lockers--sacred places where valuable things are stored and protected. To extend the analogy, content companies like CBS have libraries; catalogues of hits old and new that represent the foundation of the entertainment business and the source of current and future income. We call ours the content vault. Check it out in the above video.

In any business, the key to long-term success is seeing beyond the flavor of the month to consistently create and sell a stellar product. At CBS, our biggest asset is and … Read more

YouTube TV

Links from Thursday's episode of Loaded:

YouTube may start offering original content on new channels

Toyota will use Microsoft's Azure technology in its electric vehicles to establish a cloud platform by 2015

LinkedIn lets you access and sign into other sites with your LinkedIn account, much like Facebook Connect

A new version of Final Cut Pro may launch next week

GameStop may create a gaming tablet

Netflix acquires the rights to stream the "Mad Men" TV series

The next NBA Jam game will be called NBA Jam: On Fire Edition

Report: YouTube to offer original content

Google is planning to spend as much as $100 million to develop original content for YouTube as part of a site redesign around channels based on categories, according to a report published in The Wall Street Journal today that cites unnamed people familiar with the matter.

"YouTube is looking to introduce 20 or so 'premium channels' that would feature 5 to 10 hours of professionally-produced original programming a week," while other channels would be created from existing content on the site, one of the unidentified sources said, according to the story.

The changes will happen over time beginning … Read more

Why Hollywood isn't afraid of Amazon's cloud

Amazon's new cloud service has generated a lot less angst in Hollywood than it has at the major music labels.

On Monday evening, Amazon announced the Cloud Drive, which enables users to upload e-books, songs, films, and any other digital media to Amazon's servers. Users can then access their content from any Web-connected devices. Among the major Internet companies delivering digital entertainment, Amazon is first to make good on the promise of ubiquitous access to content.

Amazon gave very little notice to the major film studios or record labels that it planned to handle their content this way, … Read more