GLMT Discs: Made in the USA

I'll just come right out and say it: this recession sucks. There's really no way around it. How did we get to this point? Well, one could go on forever with a million different explanations (I'll spare you my personal opinion). Instead, I prefer to focus on something more positive - the things I have control over. This includes how I spend the few precious extra dollars I have. One thing I have been more conscious of is buying local products; using the power of the free market to help those closest to me. I've been taking the extra moment at the store to look for the sticker that tells me where a product was made. If I see “Made in the USA,” I find myself just a little more likely to put that thing in my cart.

With that, I am proud to say that GLMT replicates discs right here in the United States. No outsourcing to China here; the machines are right here in Mequon, Wisconsin, with American workers cranking out the product. Discs go straight from the replication machine, to the printing press, to the packaging line, without ever leaving the building! We don't slap a big “made in the USA” sticker on the back (we'd rather make sure your drive can read the data), but we want you to know that when you buy from us, you're keeping jobs right at home.

1GB Doesn't Necessarily Mean 1GB

Actual capacity does in fact differ from the stated capacity of a USB drive. When you are supplying data to be uploaded to a USB drive, it's best to leave at least 10% of blank space to ensure that none of your data gets cut off.

For example, on a 1GB flash drive, we recommend supplying no more than 900MB of data to be uploaded. Due to rounding by manufacturers and a whole lot of fun computer terminology - we need to be aware that not all sticks carry their stated capacity.

Technology presumes there's just one right way to do things and there never is. ~Robert M. Pirsig

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO GET FOR FREE?

Promotional Items at their Best

I admit it. When I notice free stuff being handed out I at least have to see what it’s all about. I love to grab the little note pads and Post-Its with other companies’ logos on them. All my pens have either my dentist’s or pharmacist’s name carefully imprinted on the plastic.

My favorites, though, are the ones I can use over and over again like my company T-shirts or my mugs. All these promotional items are given away for free but have value to me. I wear my T-shirts everywhere and advertise my company. I use pens and pencils, mugs, note pads, whatever else, and people notice.

My favorites, as you may have noticed, can be used in everyday life. I love a free-something that fits in with my life. The very best one now, I think, is the USB stick some companies are starting to hand out.

This is the best of both worlds. The outside can be imprinted with a company logo, and it can also contain a message or a program the consumer can view and interact with on a computer. Best of all though, for me, is the extra space left over on the flash drive where I can store my photos or music, whatever I want to move around.

Custom printed USB Thumb Drives are now available at GLMT. They come in all sorts of colors and options, and I promise you, we will love them forever!

Universal Serial Bus?

Yep. That is what USB stands for. USB sticks have quickly evolved into an effective way to distribute information and promote your products and services.

USB sticks have many names. Here are all of the names that I have found:

1. Thumb Drive
2. Jump Drive
3. Memory Stick
4. Jump Stick
5. Flash Stick
6. Memory Key

Please comment below with more names of sticks!

Organizing Your iTunes Library

Seeing this a lot in your iTunes music library?

I've recently had a lot of friends ask me about "quirks" with their iTunes library. And by "quirks", I mean missing ID tags, cover art, etc. This is usually caused by getting music from a variety of different sources like a friends hard drive. I'm here to tell you that help has arrived... in the form of Tune Up Companion. It is a plug in for iTunes that helps solve these issues. Instead of manually going through your music library to add artist name, song title, cover art, etc, Tune up automatically does this for you with a drag & drop interface. There is a free version that offers limited "clean ups" and a few different "pay" versions. Check it out here.

GETTING HIP WITH IT
Staying with and sometimes ahead of the times

I like to think of myself as somewhat with the times when it comes to technology. I am definitely not one to jump in on any new thing though. I like any new invention to get broken in by someone other than me. As such, I still do not have a DVR. I realize this has been out for a while, but my life is not so incomplete without it and I have not taken the plunge.

I have, however, discovered the wonderful world of Hulu.com. Hulu is a website where you can view all kinds of TV shows, clips, and movies originally aired on TV stations. I have found it a wonderful place to catch up on all the episodes of Fringe I missed or was unable to watch all the way through due to a screaming toddler.

Hulu will offer episodes for viewing about 8 days after it originally aired, with limited commercials. Whenever I watch I believe I only see about three or four commercials come on during an entire show. Because Hulu consists of only certain networks, not everything is available.

This website discovery has been great for me. I will have it playing on the computer next to me at night while I am working on my projects. I feel liberated. I am no longer chained to what is on TV that night. Together with my Netflix streaming capabilities, I feel my viewing potential is without boundaries. It must feel close to what it’s like to have a DVR!

DVD Recordable Compatibility Issues

An issue that comes up now and then is one that we unfortunately have a hard time explaining to our customers - the issue of DVD-r compatibility. Let me first explain quickly the difference between a burned (duplicated) DVD-r and a pressed (replicated) DVD.

A replicated DVD is usually done here at GLMT on quantities 500 and greater. Very few (if any) compatibility issues arise from this process because all players are designed to read a pressed disc.

A duplicated DVD-r is the process of burning discs in towers - similar to a home computer burn. This is usually done on quantities less than 500. The problems that lie within this process are more than one...

1. Due to the different reflectivity of DVD-r, not all players are designed to read this format.

2. The variables involved in computers - customer's may have to download certain software to play the DVD-r (in older PC's you may have to upgrade your windows media player).

3. Another issue may lie in the authoring of the disc - GLMT can author your disc to ensure the highest probability of compatibility.

4. Poor quality media - here at Great Lakes we use the highest quality Taiyo Yuden Grade A media for all burning.

5. Playing a DVD-r in a CD drive - Funny yes, but it's happened more than once.

And finally, sometimes we're not really sure. It may play in your set top player, but not in your computer. Or it may work in your PC, but not a Mac. Because of the number of variables involved, it is difficult for us to pinpoint the exact problem. Studies show that about 85% of all DVD-r's will play in existing drives and players.

For the highest compatibility, let GLMT handle your project. We can author your disc, use top quality burning media, and test your disc among a number of players.

Have you had problems with DVD recordables?

2012.... The End...


More and more reports are coming out that Blu-ray will exceed DVD in sales in 2012.

See engadged blog: http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/06/24/blu-ray-disc-sales-estimated-to-exceed-dvds-in-2012/

Was this a cheap ploy to draw conspiracy blog readers to the site? Yes, and it is shameless. I give full credit to our Lead New Media Specialist (DVD Authoring) Vince Clore for the ploy.