Affiliate Marketing, Google, Movies

Adsense Video Units coming to the UK

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A while back Google launched Video Units for its Adsense network allowing publishers to place Video units from YouTube on their website and earn commission based on related adverts. Perfect for websites like What DVD you’d think?

No actually, in their infinite wisdom Google made this functionality available to US based publishers only. After all, only people from America use the Internet, despite What DVD being mainly focused at the US, because my registered address is in the UK, I was frozen out.

Now they’ve decided to roll out the video units to the UK, Ireland and Canada. From Google’s Adsense Blog.

With this new launch, publishers in the UK, Ireland and Canada will be able to show videos from our YouTube content partners and choose those videos by category, individual YouTube partner, or have video automatically targeted to their site. Based on publisher feedback, we’ve also just added a feature which lets you choose individual videos to be displayed in your video units.

About time too. Now I can start loading up some websites with Video content. One or two sites spring to mind 😉

Internet

Nationwide email scam

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Every now and then I get spam emails through from PayPal and eBay. I imagine we all do, and some of us, the select few ‘special’ ones actually click on them and enter their credit card details.

Aww bless.

Today I received one from Nationwide. It might have convinced me it was real had it not been for a few small give-away signs.

  1. I don’t actually bank with Nationwide
  2. They spelled Nationwide wrong in the email field (Nationwlde)
  3. The email was sent to ‘undisclosed recipients’ – banks do not do this

I pity people who fall for this kind of crap but if anyone has I guess it just emphasises the old proverb; a fool and his money are soon parted.

Nationwide

Royal & SunAlliance, Stolen Car

My car is now being worked on at BMW Bluebell

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I just heard from Deborah in the Bristol office of Royal & SunAlliance. It seems the engineer for RSA isn’t going to be looking at my car today, he’s going to do it tomorrow. After all, I’ve waited 16 months why rush. That seems to be their policy. He has however authorised BMW to repair the ariel on the car and to change the lockset, which they should be doing now.

I never actually heard from RSA as to why they’ve reversed their decision on changing the lockset to my car as all along for the past 6 months they’ve insisted they won’t be paying to change the locks, then suddenly they changed their mind.

No doubt the coverage they’ve received on MrDaz.com played some part in their ‘about face’ ;).

Rants

Government cracks down on benefit cheats

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About bloody time. It seems the Government are finally planning to crack down on the sick, lame and lazy of Great Britain – which spells bad news for Cwmbran, and for Yoda. They’re introducing new, tougher, tests for people claiming they can’t work through so called illnesses such as depression and a bad back.

From the BBC.

Fewer sick and disabled people will qualify for disability benefits for being unable to work, after a new test is introduced from next year.

Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain says the changes will end what he calls “sick-note Britain”.

The new disability test could cut the number of annual claimants by 20,000.

This also spells bad news for my ex-wife’s parents, both of whom are work dodging scroungers. Her father claims a ‘bad back’ while her mother has ‘depression’. It looks like with these new tests they may be forced to look for work. I’d pay to see that.

In all seriousness this does really infuriate me as I have double scoliosis of the spine meaning my spine is twisted in two places creating a figure ‘S’ shape. I have a steel rod attached to it to straighten it out, meaning I should be a few inches taller than I am now! If I walk more than a few miles or stand up straight for more than a few minutes my back starts to give in and my legs go dead due to the lack of circulation. Yet I work. I could quite easily skive off like my ex-wife’s father but for some reason the lure of being a tax dodging, work-shy fraudster just doesn’t appeal.

Humour, Rants

Merry Chavmess from Wythenshawe

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It’s that time of year again where the chavs of the UK decorate their humble abodes with the bright, the glary and the downright tacky. Yes, it’s November 18th, it must be slap the Chrimbo decorations on your house time.

November!

Here’s the first one I’ve seen, right opposite our house (outside of our secure compound of course).

Christmas

Doesn’t that look festive?

Doctor Who

I am the Doctor

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I just found this picture on my PC from the days when my ex-wife didn’t want to kill me. She took this photo and sent it in to one of her women’s mags for a look-a-like contest. I didn’t win sadly, the Posh Spice won the round just because she put some glasses on.

Bloody rubbish eh?

What do you think? Should I have won?

Doctor Who

General

Ghostbusters Video Game to star original cast

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I don’t normally feature video game news on MrDaz.com but this one had to get a mention. I’m a HUGE Ghostbusters fan. I mean seriously huge. I bought a Laserdisc player and a DVD player just to have Ghostbusters on those formats. I own several copies of the film on various formats and can recite the whole script from beginning to end.

I am an Odeon Ghostbuster, and have the badge to prove it.

So, when I found the following press release I had to share it. Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis will be scripting the new Ghostbusters game, how cool is that?

Sierra Entertainment Calls On The Ghostbusters To Save The World Again

Ghostbusters The Video Game to Bring Back Original Film Cast to Deliver Next Chapter to Blockbuster Films

Reading, uk (16th November, 2007) – Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, announced today development of Ghostbusters™ The Video Game, based on the classic films that have transcended and entertained generations of audiences. To deliver a special gaming experience to the tremendous Ghostbusters’ fan base around the world, the game will feature the original film cast from the classic Ghostbusters films, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson, back again for the first time in more than 20 years. Supporting the ghost busting crew are the talents of Annie Potts, Brian Doyle Murray and William Atherton. Equipped with a variety of unique weapons and gadgets, players will hunt, fight and capture a wide range of supernatural villains in a funny and frightening battle to save New York City from its latest paranormal plague.

Ghostbusters The Video Game, is expected to ship fall 2008.

“Sierra Entertainment is extremely excited to not only deliver fans, old and new, this next chapter in the Ghostbusters universe, but to allow them inside the universe for the first time,” said Martin Tremblay, president, Worldwide Studios for Sierra Entertainment. “Our collaboration alongside Terminal Reality and Red Fly Studios also includes working closely with the team at Sony Pictures Consumer Products. Together we will create the ultimate Ghostbusters experience, full of the characters, ghosts and other paranormal creatures so many have come to adore over the years.”

“Ghostbusters is one of Sony Picture’s most valued film franchises,” said Mark Caplan, vice president, Hardlines for Sony Pictures Consumer Products. “In setting out to develop a game, our criterion was to find a game company who was interested in keeping true to the Ghostbusters world that talent and filmmakers had originally created. The team at Sierra Entertainment took the time to prove to us they had what it takes. From the moment we green-lit the game, we have certainly seen a lot of passion and commitment coming from Sierra Entertainment and both development teams. Fans are going to be impressed with the game’s ability to deliver a very authentic Ghostbusters experience, as well as its capacity to blow out the Ghostbusters universe to new heights.”

Like the films before it, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis will return to scribe the script and event-driven storyline for the video game that will lead the player through the trials and tribulations of the world’s leading paranormal ghost busting team. Ghostbusters The Video Game will create a totally unique experience and gameplay environment that authentically recreates the whimsical time period of the film, expanding the lore and supernatural events that seemingly plague New York City.

About the Game
When Manhattan is once again overrun by ghosts and other supernatural creatures, players will take on the role of a new recruit joining the famous Ghostbusters team. Developed by acclaimed studio Terminal Reality, Ghostbusters The Video Game will make its debut on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC and Red Fly Studios will develop the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ versions of this seminal entertainment brand.

About the Film
Ghostbusters, released in 1984, is one of Columbia Pictures’ highest grossing films, spawning a hit sequel in 1989 and three successful animated television shows. Ghostbusters and its sequel grossed over $580 million worldwide. Ghostbusters merchandise has exceeded $1 billion in retail sales. The original film, written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, produced and directed by Ivan Reitman, starred Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis as ghost hunters for hire, cleaning up Manhattan’s buildings of slime-spewing spooks.

ReviewMe

Rent a garage in London

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As a follow up to a previous review where you can rent parking spaces around the UK; have a look at this part of the same website where you can find garages for rent around the London area.

Now I’ve always been interested in this aspect of making money as often buying property to let can be out of some people’s range. Buying garages to let however is a little more within the price range of more of us. Unless of course you happen to live in areas such as London! I saw a garage in little old Bristol sell recently for over £70,000. What’s become of the world? Surely there are cheaper ways to park your car?

As it seems there aren’t, and in London where space isn’t so much at a premium as it’s gone altogether finding a garage for your prized Bentley Continental GT can be a tricky affair. Luckily with this website you can track down London garages via their search facility for as little as £100 per month. Many of the garages are just a short walk from the local tube station.

This seems an excellent idea for those of you looking to keep your motors protected in the London area, and an even better idea for those of us (and I include myself in that) considering making money from parking space and garage letting.

So much anger, so little time