Blockbuster, Netflix, Hulu, Oh My!
There’s been a lot of news recently in mail-home and online streaming space, which are two places college students enjoy. The ease of getting movies mailed to you to watch when you’re bored, or the ability to go online and stream your favorite movie or that TV show you missed last week. But Blockbuster, Netflix, and Hulu have made announcements to diversify not only what you get, but how you get it. Read through to see what’s new.
Blockbuster Adds Games To
While the company that used to be a behemoth in the rental industry flirts with bankruptcy and tries to compete with Netflix, it is trying to differentiate itself. Blockbuster By Mail, their DVD rentals at home program, announced today that games would also be included. So users can rent movies, games, and TV series at their home via the mailbox. $9 a month will get you 1 DVD or vide game at a time, with plans going up to $17 a month for 3 DVD’s or games at a time. The Total Access plans are only worthwhile if there is a Blockbuster in the area (the nearest stores are in Belpre and Parkersburg)…which there isn’t.
If you’ve been tempted by this deal, consider the major points between Blockbuster and Netflix. Sure, you get to rent games with Blockbuster. But at the same price point ($9) you could stream movies to your computer, XBOX 360, Wii, Playstation, and eventually, mobile phones. Online streaming is separate with Blockbuster, and costs vary from rental to outright purchase (but offers streaming to computers, mobile phones, and TV’s). So the question is, which do you value more? Online movie streaming, or Video Game Rentals?
Netflix Gets More Online Movies
Speaking about the whole online streaming universe, Netflix announced today that it’s increasing their streaming library in a huge way. New movies from Paramount, MGM, and Lionsgate will be able to be streamed online 90 days after their DVD release, starting September 1st.
This also means that their back catalogues will also be available, starting that same day. According to the press release, this could mean nearly 3,000 new movies available for streaming via Netflix. Like I mentioned earlier, $9 will get you one DVD at a time, and unlimited movie and tv streaming.
Hulu Plus Coming
Most students don’t have TiVo’s or DVR’s on campus, and with busy lives away from the TV, yet great shows on every day, it’s hard to keep up. Hulu fixes that problem, for the most part, but if you were looking for more, it’s here.
Hulu Plus gives you access to previous seasons of shows, and unlocks a back catalogue of many other shows not available to the typical Hulu user. It also allows you to stream Hulu Plus content to your TV, Playstation 3, iPhone, and iPad (supposedly more devices are coming soon, including the XBOX 360). Costs $10 a month, but is currently in a limited preview, so you have to apply for the privilege to use the service at the moment.
Even with the monthly payment, you’ll still be forced to watch ads during the shows. And don’t worry, free Hulu will still be around.
Posted by Patrick_H Date: Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Categories: Deals, Entertainment, Gaming, Movies, Off Campus, Students
Tags: Blockbuster, By Mail, College, DVD, Hulu, Marietta, Microsoft, movie, Movies, Netflix, Nintendo, Ohio, Playstation, Plus, rental, Rentals, Sony, Streaming, TV, Video Game, Video Games, Wii, Writing on the Mall, XBOX 360
CAMPUS ALERT: Former Food Service Worker Makes Threats Against Former Co-Workers
The Campus Alert System was activated today to report  that a former food services worker has made threats against former co-workers.
The threat was allegedly made by Ronald Scott Science, who according to sources made pizza at Gilman Dining Hall.
A quick search of the suspect shows 33 items, which lists mostly traffic violations, but does include an assault charge. Â This was confirmed by a 2004 notice from the Washington County Sheriff. Â Also, he was charged with domestic violence in 2007.
Here is the full release from the College’s Timely Notification report. Â You can also listen to the notification, which mentions Science’s name, at this link.
Marietta College Police were notified late this afternoon that a former food service employee has allegedly issued threats against his former co-workers and could be contemplating a return to campus with the intent to do them harm.
The College Police are working with the Marietta City Police to locate the suspect, Ronald Scott Science.
All Marietta College students, faculty and staff are asked to be alert to this threat and report any suspicious or erratic behaviors to campus police immediately.
Please do not attempt to intervene should you witness a dispute between food service employees and, once again, notify campus police immediately.
Please stay tuned to Writing on the Mall for the latest news regarding this case.
Posted by Patrick_H Date: Friday, April 9, 2010
Categories: Campus, Food, Off Campus
Tags: Campus Alert System, College, College Police Service, CPS, Gilman Hall, Marietta, Marietta City Police Department, Ohio, Ronald Scott Science, Washington County Sheriff, Writing on the Mall
Front Street Fire Ruled Arson
The Marietta Times is reporting today that the Front Street Fire has been ruled an Arson.
You can read the full article here.
There is a $5,000 reward for information in the case.
To report information about the arson, Â contact the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Fire & Explosion Investigation Bureau at 800-589-2728 or the Marietta Police Department at 376-2007
Posted by Patrick_H Date: Saturday, March 27, 2010
Categories: Marietta, Off Campus
Tags: Arson, College, Fire, Fire Marshal, Front Street, Front Street Deli, Marietta, Marietta Wine Cellar, Ohio, Riverside Artists Gallery, Writing on the Mall
Posted by Patrick_H Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Categories: Marietta, Off Campus
Tags: College, Demolition, Fire, Front Street Deli, Junior, Marietta, Marietta Wine Cellar, Ohio, Riverside Artists Gallery, Robert Kalter, Shianne Preston, Students, Video, Writing on the Mall
VIDEO: Last Wall Standing Comes Down
A demolition crew was brought in to knock down several of the walls that still stood after the Front Street Fire this morning that claimed three businesses. Â While full coverage of the demolition will come later, here is vide of the last wall standing coming down with the help of a wrecking ball.
Posted by Patrick_H Date: Monday, March 22, 2010
Categories: Marietta, Off Campus
Tags: College, Demolition, Fire, Front Street, Front Street Deli, Marietta, Marietta Wine Cellar, Ohio, Riverside Artists Gallery, Video, Writing on the Mall
PHOTOS: Front Street Fire Aftermath
Writing on the Mall traveled down to Front and Butler to survey the damage. Â The photos that follow are what we encountered.
Posted by Patrick_H Date: Monday, March 22, 2010
Categories: Marietta, Off Campus
Tags: College, Demolition, Fire, Front Street, Front Street Deli, Marietta, Marietta Wine Cellar, Ohio, Photos, Riverside Artists Gallery, Writing on the Mall
Marietta Wine Cellar, Front Street Deli destroyed in Fire
According to the Marietta Times, a small fire grew large enough to take out three local businesses.
The Marietta Wine Cellar, Front Street Deli, and Riverside Artists Gallery are all being called a “total loss” by Mayor Michael Mullen.
One firefighter was said to be taken to the hospital. Â The Marietta Fire Department received assistance from Belpre and other local volunteer fire departments in the area.
I’ll try to stop down there later today to get some photos of the scene. Â According to the story, there is only one wall left.
For more information, check out the whole story at The Marietta Times.
Posted by Patrick_H Date: Monday, March 22, 2010
Categories: Marietta, Off Campus
Tags: Belpre, College, Fire Department, Front Street Deli, Marietta, Marietta Times, Marietta Wine Cellar, Ohio, Riverside Artists Gallery, Writing on the Mall
What You Missed Last Week
Here are all the stories we ran last week while you were all off in paradise:
- 98.5 Provides Diverse Listening Opportunities by Joe Dillon
- Forensics Team Adds Life to College by Allison Holton
- Marietta Gourmet Coffee Shop “Stoked” to Serve More College Students by Jen Emmert
- “Pioneer Pledge” to Replace College Creed by Dave Hood
- Career Center, Internships Help Find Your Passion by Chris Miller
- Resident Assistant Positions Growing Interest by Danielle Staub
Posted by Patrick_H Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Categories: Campus, Off Campus, Site, Students
Tags: 98.5 WCMO-FM, Career Center, Chris Miller, College, College Creed, Danielle Staub, Dave Hood, Forensics, Internships, Jen Emmert, Joe Dillonm Allison Holton, Marietta, Ohio, Pioneer Pledge, RA's, Resident Assistants, Stoked Coffee, Writing on the Mall
WotM Weather Center: River Gauge, Marietta Floods, and You
This post is an educational tool for those unfamiliar with the flood plain of Marietta, OH. Â Currently, there is a FLOOD WATCH for the Marietta area, with projections of river levels reaching Action Stage by the 16th. Â Watch Writing on the Mall for projection updates as they are posted by the National Weather Service.
So you may be wondering what River Gauge is. Â It’s the measurement taken at select sites up and down rivers across the country to help better map river levels. Â There are two gauge sites near Marietta: one at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum Rivers on the Harmar side of the Muskingum, and one at the Willow Island Lock just upriver.
These gauge readings can tell us how close we are to flood stage at certain points.  At Marietta, as you can see on the image above, we start getting worried around the 33 foot mark, which is labeled an Action Stage.  Between 33 and 35 feet, the river threatens to overflow at its lowest points.  Action Stage also serves as a way to alert the community that the floodwaters could raise at any point.
Floodwaters between 35 and 38 feet are considered Flood Stage at Marietta. Â Flooding first hits Don Drumm Stadium, as it is one of the lowest areas in town. Â It takes 37 feet to affect Fourth Street housing.
Moderate Stage is when flood waters are between 38 and 40 feet. Â At this stage, most of the West Virginia area along the river is flooded. Â Flooding could affect the Hermann Bowl and areas along the creek.
When you get above 40 feet, you enter the Major Flood Stage, which is where seven of the ten largest floods in Marietta history have peaked. Â At 40 feet, a majority of Marietta is flooded, along with Harmar and low-lying areas of Williamstown. Â The largest flood in Marietta history topped out at over 58 feet. Â You can still see markers on first street to commemorate the largest floods, with more recent markers showing where the 2004 flood was. Â The September 2004 flood was nearly 45 feet, while the January 2005 flood was around 44 feet.
Posted by Patrick_H Date: Thursday, March 11, 2010
Categories: Campus, Marietta, Off Campus, Students
Tags: Action, College, Don Drumm Stadium, Flood, Fourth Street, Gauge, Hermann Fine Arts Center, Major, Marietta, Moderate, Ohio, Stage, Writing on the Mall
UPDATE: Robison Agrees to Plea Deal, Will Be Sentenced in March
According to an article posted today by the Marietta Times, former MC student Tom Robison has agreed to a plea deal.
Robison still faces up to 10 years in prison for the stabbing, but had a third degree felony charge for tampering with evidence removed.
According to court testimony, Robison felt the man he stabbed had money, and followed him from The Locker Room bar.
Robison has been in jail since the stabbing occurred. Â He is in jail withough bond, waiting for his hearing on March 15th.
For more on the court hearing today, check out the Marietta Times article.
Posted by Patrick_H Date: Friday, February 5, 2010
Categories: Marietta, Off Campus
Tags: College, March, Marietta, Marietta Times, Ohio, Tom Robison, Update, Writing on the Mall
