Auto-Resolution choosing video players.

So we've finally entered an era where most networks post their shows online to watch.  Great right?  I mean, you still have to watch ads, but we'll never get away from that.  So in this era, most people I know have broadband, and if they don't, they don't watch TV shows online.  So why then do the networks feel like they need to have auto-resolution choosing video players?  I feel they do a terrible job of choosing the right resolution.  Example:  I was catching up on this season's NCIS LA on cbs.com.  Their video player has the ability to show HD, but only when it chooses to.  Whenever I go to full screen, it goes to a higher resolution, but it would never go to HD.  A little background info: my school has 95 m/bits per second+ speeds.  And it's definitely not that my computer can't handle it.  And you know what, even if I do have to pause and let it buffer every once and a while, I'd still rather do that and be able to watch it in HD.  On a side note, ABC is the best with making all their shows available online, but their video player lacks volume control...

Fine Friday VII: Google+.

So I got Google+ pretty early (I'm a social network hipster).  I set up my profile, added some people I knew to my circles, and that was that.  Problem is, the amount of people I have in my circles is less than 25.  Apparently, I never realized how many of my friends on Facebook were under 18 (and thus cannot use Google+).  Another problem is that my stream never changes.  Of the 25 or so people I have in my circles, no one uses Google+.  If they do, they post the exact same things on Facebook at the same time.  But it does have some nice features.  The photo viewer is much nicer, and Hangouts are a clever idea.  But as of right now, I see no reason to switch exclusively to one or the other, so I use Facebook and Google+.  (Also my dad uses Google+, so that's a negative.)

Online math tests.

Not the math testing center, but this is at WKU.

My math class uses this online tool for homework and tests.  It's called MyMathLab.  Now, I'm okay with doing math homework on the internet with my computer.  It's no skin off my back.  Usually it's better, because I'm more likely to have a computer with me than a book, pencil, and paper.  The one problem though is tests and quizzes.  Since they are both administered over the same online tool, you have to take them on your own time.  But you can't just take them in your dorm, because then you could use WolframAlpha for every question.  You have to schedule an appointment at the Math Testing Center.  You know where the testing center is?  The top of the hill.  Furthermore, when you arrive, they wipe the entire memory of your calculator.  I lost my Calc-Art from Sophomore year :( .  Then you go sit in front of a computer in a cubicle while they watch you.  Even worse, the air conditioner in the room is loud and squeaks constantly.

Ridiculous shipping prices.

I am an avid purchaser of things online.  I just find that it is so much easier and faster to buy things online and have them shipped to me, or in some cases, pick them up at the store. But what really irks me is when the shipping charge is way more than it actually costs to ship the item.  Take for example shop.puma.com.  They charge $8 shipping for a pair of shoes, and only give free shipping on orders of $85 or more.  Another culprit can be found on amazon, but not amazon themselves.  The amazon stores.  They will undercut amazon's direct pricing by $2, then charge $10 for shipping on a 6 ounce package.  Considering that most things I buy online would fit in a USPS Flat-Rate box that costs $4.95, I should never be charged more than that for shipping.  What is even worse?  Places that choose their shipping rates based on item price.  See the chart in the picture for an example.  Why would it cost more to ship something that is $24 compared to something of the same weight and size that costs $25?