Side effects include Linux

Recently, I had some projects involving Raspberry Pi devices. I built a streaming device running a version of Android TV. It worked pretty well on one of my Raspberry Pi devices. A newer one has a firmware update that isn't compatible, so I'm limited to the older version, but it works.

I also build a Plex server for streaming local content at a location I manage. It works well. So well that I'm planning to replace a Windows Plex server I manage with a Raspberry Pi. I've acquired the stuff, I just need the time to do it. And time is a premium.

There were some hiccups along the way. My first attempt was a fabulous disaster. I even switch plans and tried out an Nvidia Shield device. However, before I deployed that, I tried Raspberry Pi running Plex one more time. It worked great.

If you're not aware, the Raspberry Pi OS is a version of Linux. I haven't dealt with a Linux device in years. Years and years. I was rusty. I wasn't exactly proficient with Linux, but had run a Linux desktop for a while, and a Linux Web server once, but like I said, it's been a while. So I was very rusty, and wasn't exactly a power user, as I am with Windows and Mac OS.

But the Linux bug is back. I've set up some Linux virtual machines, taking up precious time, and think I do want to spend more time using Linux as a computer operating system, both desktop and laptop. Most of the older laptops I have don't have 1080 resolution; most are 768, which isn't what I prefer, particularly on a 15-inch laptop.

Anyway, I'd like to use a Linux laptop, but I'm not going to replace Windows on my Surface laptop. With none of my retired laptops up to speed, I'll delay a decision on that. For now, I'll use Linux in a virtual machine, or on a Raspberry Pi.

But I'm keeping my eyes, ears, and mind open to other ways to run Linux. I don't know that I could or even should switch my primary operating system, but then, I probably don't need to. I switch back and forth between Windows and Mac OS today. Adding Linux to the mix should be fine. Only my primary desktop is a Windows device, and my primary laptop is a Mac. And my primary travel device is a Chromebook. Where would Linux fit in?

It may not. My Streaming Life got me back in touch with Linux. I'm not ready to say "goodbye" to that old reliable OS again. Not just yet.

Using Roku outside the USA

Roku launched in the USA back in 2008. It was a Netflix streaming box. In 2009, it became more that a Netflix streamer, and allowed other apps and services. Then Roku expanded outside the USA, partnering with NowTV in the UK, as well as with other companies. Roku is now sold directly in a number of countries. But not all. Not by a long shot.

Roku is sold and supported in:

• United States
• Canada
• France
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• Argentina
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Peru

That's it. Seventeen countries.

What happens in those countries? Well, the device works, but many apps don't. And, since the purpose is generally to run apps, then severely limits the use of the device for most people outside the supported 17.

How is it determined which apps are supported and which aren't? Roku leaves it up to the app developer. For example, Netflix supports their Roku app everywhere. But Amazon won't support its app outside the Supported 17 countries. While you can use Amazon in, say, Spain, you can't use the Amazon app for Roku in Spain.

Why would a country limit their apps? Netflix doesn't, so why do Amazon, Disney, and others? I don't know for certain, but probably because people are jerks. Let me explain.

First, people are jerks. You've met people, so you know what I'm talking about. And how that figures in is this way. If Roku isn't supported, but a service supports their app, they may worry about being held responsible for supporting the entire device. The way to avoid some jerk trying to hold them accountable for a device they didn't build is to not offer the app where the device itself isn't supported.

Roku isn't alone in this regard. Other platforms have certain apps that are only available in certain areas. So, if you do travel with your Roku or other streaming platform, you may encounter some issues that impact your Streaming Life when you travel out of country.

Antenna usage is up in the USA

Once upon a time, the way to watch TV was with an antenna. Then along came cable. And satellite. And now streaming.

The thing about streaming is that it plays well with antenna. Well, satellite does too, to a degree. Cable, not so much.

Cable essentially did away with the need for antenna, because cable systems carried the local channels. And cable was how many of us watched TV.

Satellite worked better with an antenna, because local channels weren't on satellite -- well, unless local was New York or Los Angeles.

With streaming, there is the option to watch locals from some live streaming services, but a streamer can save money with a cheaper service if local channels are available via antenna.

Even people who don't stream can watch a lot of content with an antenna, and may find that there is a lot to watch over the air.

According to Neilsen, the number of people watching TV over the air has continued to increase, and is 18.6 million households, abut 15% of the country.

Now, 15% is a lot less than nearly 100%, as it used to be before cable, but it's an increase over a year ago, and up from 10% a decade ago. That goes along with a drop in cable subscribers.

While over-the-air homes have grown, the share of homes with cable, satellite or telco pay-TV services -- what Nielsen calls Cable Plus has shrunk to 57% in the fourth quarter from 76% in 2018. Broadband only homes increase to 27% from 9% over the same interval.

I've been happy with my antenna, and continue to use it. For me, I don't subscribe to a live streaming service, as I can find enough live TV from my antenna or from free services with my streaming device.

If you don't have an antenna supplementing your Streaming Life, it may be worth considering.

Roku "What to Watch" finally debuts

When Roku announced OS 11 a little over a month ago, they mentioned some features that would "roll out in the coming weeks."

Many people -- I'd say most people -- took this to mean that Roku OS 11 would roll out soon and would include the listed features. Only, that's not what it meant.

What happened was that OS 11 began rolling out -- one of my Roku devices updated the same day as the announcement, another a week or so ago, another this week, and others soon, I expect -- but the rollout did not have the features mentioned.

I asked Roku about that and was told that the features would be rolling out separately. That would have been good to know. Well, now the features have arrived. Well, the feature, not features. Because there is only one visible on the Roku screen. And that's the "What to Watch" function.

The Roku Blog listed two features that would show on the Home Screen. Only one of them, Live TV, had actually rolled out with 10.5 some time earlier. What to Watch was new for OS 11.

What to Watch on Home Screen Menu –What to Watch is a new destination added to the Home Screen Menu, leading to movies and TV shows from a variety of streaming channels, including those you most frequently interact with. What to Watch provides easy access to a personalized selection of new titles that were recently added, recommendations for users based on popular and trending content, and so much more.

After more than a month, it finally showed up this weekend on my Roku devices. At least, the devices with OS 11 running.

What to Watch has content from various apps I have installed, which I like. And from apps I don't have, which I don't like.

I actually thought at first that Roku was only listing content from apps I had installed. The first few categories I checked -- Popular for You, Trending Now, Sitcoms -- all had content from app I had installed, and only from apps I had installed. That was something I liked. Sure, I have apps installed that don't have an active subscription, but at least limiting the content to apps I have was a good thing.

Except that's not really what's going on. When I got down to Suspense, some content was from apps I didn't have. Well, one item. And on some other categories as well. Digging down I found that most of the content offered that wasn't on apps I had installed were available on Roku Channel via subscription. But not all. There was some content suggested that weren't part of Roku Channel in any way, and were only available in apps I didn't have installed. Specifically, it listed Kolchak: The Night Stalker for me to watch, offering a service I'm not using or have an app installed.

That's disappointing. I understand the desire to push content that requires a subscription, or even to install other apps that don't require a subscription (Kolchak was free on the app that I don't have, ). But I prefer to only see content to which I actually have access.

The new Plex Discover feature connects to my other apps, but also offers content that is outside of those parameters. However, those items are on a separate listing, and not mixed in with other content. I prefer that approach.

Still, it's an overall improvement for Roku, though one I won't use a lot. But it's good to know it's there if I do want to try it. If you're a Roku user, check it out. That is, if Roku OS 11 has worked its way into your Streaming Life.

Going to the movies

I used to go to the movies a lot. When I worked in Jacksonville back in the 1980s, I would go at least once a week to Orange Park, just south of Jacksonville, and go to the movies. There were theaters in Jacksonville, of course, but at Orange Park, there were three theaters, and around 15 different movies playing, within a couple of blocks of each other, meaning I could find something to watch.

Over the years, I stopped doing that, and now rarely go out to the movies. The last couple of years haven't really had that much of an impact on me, as the movie experience isn't what it used to be. I can watch a movie on my big screen TV in the comfort of my own home. If I have to step to the bathroom, I can pause the movie and miss not one minute. Watching movies at home is a more comfortable experience.

However, I do miss going to the movies. Locally, there's a theater with a very nice setup, where I can sit in a recliner and have snacks and drinks brought to me. It's nice. And, being in Georgia, we've been acting normal for some time. Going to the movies is, and has been, a thing nearly the whole time. I haven't gone, but that's only because there's not been anything I wanted to watch.

There are areas where theaters haven't been open, or local ordinances or decrees have made going to the movies difficult. That's true in Georgia as well, though normally in larger cities. But that's changing. And, not just here, but everywhere it seems.

Fandango released a survey recently that shows 19 out of 20 people in the USA plan to see multiple movies in theaters this summer, according to USA Today.

Now that moviegoers are returning, it doesn’t seem like they’re going anywhere: According to the survey, 96% of ticket buyers plan to see multiple movies in theaters this summer (64% specify they will see five or more). And even though some major movies, like this weekend's "Cruella," are releasing theatrically and on streaming services the same day, 87% say the moviegoing experience can’t be duplicated at home.

None of the top ten movies in the report are movies I have any interest in seeing, but lots of people will want to see them. I'm glad they'll have the opportunity. I've had the opportunity for some time, but haven't gone just to go. There's nothing I want to see.

But, if something I want to see does hit theaters, I'll be there. Until then, I'll be sitting at home, enjoying my Streaming Life.