Great Harvest Bread Co

Microsoft Commercial

The Microsoft commercial featuring the small business named "Great Harvest Bread Co." was a classic ad that aired in the late 1990s. The commercial was part of Microsoft's "Where do you want to go today?" campaign, which aimed to showcase the company's vision of how technology could help people achieve their goals and dreams.

In the commercial, we see the owners of Great Harvest Bread Co. using Microsoft technology to manage their business operations. The ad highlights how Microsoft's software can help small businesses like Great Harvest Bread Co. to streamline their operations, improve their productivity, and grow their business.

The commercial was a huge success and is still remembered fondly by many people today. It is a testament to Microsoft's commitment to innovation and its belief in the power of technology to transform people's lives.

Great Harvest Bread Co.

Gary Radnich - It Happened Tonight

Fun Sports Segment from December 5, 2000

Gary Radnich, a familiar and respected face in the world of sports broadcasting, brought a unique charm to KRON's sports segment with his feature, "It Happened Tonight." This particular piece of programming became a staple for sports enthusiasts who didn't want to miss out on the major happenings of the day.

"It Happened Tonight" was more than just a roundup; it was a narrated journey through the highs and lows of the sports world. Radnich, with his characteristic wit and enthusiasm, turned the day's events into a narrative that both informed and entertained. His approach was akin to sitting down with a friend who had the inside scoop on all the significant sports stories.

What set this segment apart was not just the content, which was meticulously curated to include only the most noteworthy events, but also Radnich's presentation. His rapport with the audience was built on a foundation of trust and camaraderie, which he had been cultivating since he joined KRON in the 1980s. Viewers tuned in not just for the sports news but for the way Radnich delivered it--with a mix of humor, insight, and an unscripted feel that made each broadcast feel personal.

The popularity of "It Happened Tonight" could be attributed to Radnich's ability to connect with viewers beyond the screen. He made each event, whether a breathtaking basketball buzzer-beater or a dramatic ninth-inning home run, resonate on a personal level. He understood that sports were not just games; they were stories of human endeavor, replete with drama, triumph, and sometimes heartbreak.

Moreover, Radnich's segment was a testament to the importance of sports journalism that goes beyond the scores. It provided context, background, and analysis that helped viewers understand the significance of each event. "It Happened Tonight" was not just about what happened in sports but also about why it mattered.

Gary Radnich's legacy at KRON is indelibly marked by "It Happened Tonight." It was a segment that managed to capture the essence of sports broadcasting by combining information, entertainment, and a personal touch that kept the Bay Area viewers coming back for more. In a world where sports segments can often feel interchangeable, Radnich's feature stood out as a nightly event that was as engaging as the sports it covered.

Watch "It Happened Tonight" on KRON

Apologies for the subpar video quality in this broadcast from December 5, 2000. The reception was quite poor at the time.

London won the 2012 Olympic bid.

Interesting side note, NBC paid the Olympic Committee $2 Billion to broadcast the rights for the 2010 Winter Games and the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

KRON Circular File

Pete Wilson Loved This Segment

In the world of television news, where stories are often grave and the atmosphere is tense, a unique segment on KRON's 11 pm newscasts stood out in the 1990s and early 2000s. The "Circular File" by Pete Wilson, a beloved news anchor, brought a touch of eccentricity and humor to the nightly news. These stories were bizarre, whimsical, and left viewers with a smile before heading to bed. Today, we're diving into the Circular File archives with three nights from my personal VHS collection, revisiting the quirky charm that Pete Wilson brought to the Bay Area's news scene.

Enjoy this Week's Clip

More to Come!

I'll publish more as I find them.

San Francisco Chronicle and KMart

Classic 1990s Commercials

I was recently going through my collection of old TV commercials and came across two that I thought were worth sharing. The first is a commercial for the San Francisco Chronicle's Matier & Ross columnists, and the second is a commercial for Martha Stewart's new garden furniture collection at Kmart.

Matier & Ross

The Matier & Ross commercial is from the early 1990s and features the two columnists, San Francisco Chronicle Matier & Ross Columnists, dressed up as old women. They are investigating the city and looking for scoops. They talk about the latest rumors and gossip by dressing up as two old ladies.

The commercial is funny and lighthearted, but it also does a good job of showcasing the Matier & Ross brand. The two columnists are known for their sharp wit and their ability to get the inside scoop on the San Francisco political scene. The commercial also highlights the fact that the Chronicle is a trusted source for local news and information.

Martha Stewart

The Martha Stewart commercial is from the late 1990s and features Martha Stewart talking about the new garden furniture collection at Kmart. She is dressed in a stylish gardening outfit and is surrounded by her beautiful garden furniture.

The commercial is well-produced and visually appealing. It also does a good job of showcasing Stewart's brand. Stewart is known for her good taste and her attention to detail.

Overall

Overall, I thought these two TV commercials were well-made and entertaining. They also did a good job of showcasing the brands they were advertising. The Matier & Ross commercial was funny and lighthearted, while the Martha Stewart commercial was elegant and sophisticated.

Bonus:

It is interesting to note that both of these commercials were made in the 1990s, a time when TV commercials were often more creative and memorable than they are today. It is also interesting to note that both of these commercials feature well-known and respected personalities. The Matier & Ross commercial features two of the most popular columnists in San Francisco, while the Martha Stewart commercial features one of the most popular lifestyle experts in the world.

I think these two commercials are a reminder of the golden age of TV advertising. They are well-made, entertaining, and effective. They also showcase the importance of using well-known and respected personalities to promote your brand.

iPrint and 1-800-Dentist

Classic 90s Commercials

If you're a certain age, you probably remember classic commercials like iPrint.com and 1-800-Dentist. These commercials were ubiquitous on TV in the 1990s and early 2000s, and they're still remembered fondly by many people today.

iPrint.com

The iPrint.com commercial was a simple but effective one. It featured a man sitting at his computer, printing out a document. The voiceover said, "iPrint.com: Your one-stop shop for all your printing needs." The commercial was catchy and memorable, and it helped to make iPrint.com a household name.

1-800-Dentist

Suzie Barrett was the 1-800 Dentist girl. She was the one who tried to convince you to call 1-800-Dentist and not use the Yellow Pages. Simple but effective advertising.

Interesting note: The commercial was done in one cut. There is no camera switching in this commercial.

Why these commercials were so effective

These commercials were effective for a number of reasons. First, the commercials were both very simple. They didn't have a lot of complex storylines or special effects. Instead, they focused on getting a single message across in a clear and concise way.

Finally, the commercials were both very relevant to their target audiences. The iPrint.com commercial was targeted at people who needed to print documents, while the 1-800-Dentist commercial was targeted at people who needed to find a dentist. By targeting their ads to specific audiences, the companies behind these commercials were able to reach more potential customers.

Watch the Two Commercials

Trip.com Job Scam

Watch Out for Text Message on Your Job Search

Trip.com is a popular online travel agency, but it's also the target of job scammers. These scammers pretend to be Trip.com employees or recruiters and offer fake job opportunities to job seekers.

How the scam works

Scammers typically contact job seekers via text message. They may post fake job listings on job boards. The scammers will often promise a high salary and flexible hours, and they may even send you a fake job offer.

However, if you accept the job offer, the scammers will likely ask you to pay a fee upfront, such as a processing fee or training fee. They may also ask you to provide personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account number.

If you send the scammers any money or personal information, you are likely to lose both. The scammers will not give you a real job, and they may use your personal information to commit identity theft.

Sample Text Scam

How to protect yourself

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from Trip.com job scams:

• Be wary of any job offer that comes from an unsolicited email, text message, or social media message.
• Do your research on the company before applying for any job. You can check the company's website and social media pages, and you can also read online reviews from current and former employees.
• Never pay a fee upfront for a job. Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay for a job.
• Never provide personal information to someone you don't know and trust. This includes your Social Security number, bank account number, and date of birth.

YouTube Shorts Template

Template to make sure you don't exceed the Max Length

YouTube Shorts are a great way to share short, engaging videos with your audience. But if you have old 720p videos that you want to use in your Shorts, you may be worried about how they will look.

That's where the new YouTube Short Template for Final Cut Pro comes in. This template makes it easy to showcase your old 720p videos in 1080p format, with a black top and bottom to make them look more polished and professional.

How to use the YouTube Short Template for Final Cut Pro

To use the YouTube Short Template for Final Cut Pro, simply download the template and import it into your Final Cut Pro project. Then, drag and drop your 720p video clips into the timeline and then drag and drop the template above the video.

You can use the template as a marker for the length of the show.

The template will automatically scale your videos to 1080p and add the black top and bottom. You can then customize the template to your liking, such as adding text, music, and other effects.

Download Template

Tips for using the YouTube Short Template for Final Cut Pro

Here are a few tips for using the YouTube Short Template for Final Cut Pro:

• Make sure your 720p video clips are at least 60 seconds long. This will ensure that your Shorts are the required length of 59 seconds.
• You can use the YouTube Short Template to create Shorts for any topic, but it is especially well-suited for showcasing old photos and videos.
• Be sure to add text and music to your Shorts to make them more engaging. You can also use other effects, such as transitions and filters, to make your Shorts more visually appealing.
• Once you are finished editing your Short, export it from Final Cut Pro and upload it to YouTube.

Final Thoughts

The YouTube Short Template for Final Cut Pro is a great way to showcase your old 720p videos in 1080p format. The template is easy to use and can be customized to your liking. With a few simple tips, you can create engaging and visually appealing Shorts that your viewers will love.

iPhone and YouTube

Useful Information for YouTube Shorts

The iPhone 14 Pro Max has a stunning display with a native resolution of 1290 x 2796 pixels. This means that videos played on the device will look their absolute best, with sharp details and vibrant colors. However, not all videos on YouTube are uploaded in this resolution. So, how does YouTube scale up videos to meet the iPhone 14 Pro Max's native resolution?

The answer is a combination of algorithms and machine learning. YouTube uses a variety of techniques to scale up videos, depending on the original resolution and the device on which the video is being played. For example, if you are watching a video on a desktop computer with a high-resolution display, YouTube will use a different scaling algorithm than if you are watching the same video on a smartphone with a lower-resolution display.

In the case of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, YouTube uses a scaling algorithm that is specifically designed for high-resolution displays. This algorithm takes into account the pixel density of the display and the original resolution of the video to produce a scaled-up video that looks sharp and detailed.

In addition to scaling the video, YouTube also uses machine learning to improve the quality of the scaled-up image. Machine learning can be used to identify and remove artifacts from the scaled-up image, such as noise and blurring.

Overall, YouTube does a great job of scaling up videos to meet the iPhone 14 Pro Max's native resolution. This means that you can enjoy your favorite YouTube videos on the device's stunning display in all their glory.

XFinity Phone Scam

Do not give personal information!

In this digital age, scams and fraudulent activities have become increasingly prevalent. One such scam that has recently emerged is the XFinity Phone Scam. Today, we will discuss a real-life incident where a caller attempted to deceive the victim into revealing a verification code, subsequently gaining unauthorized access to their XFinity account. Fortunately, the victim's quick thinking saved them from falling victim to this deceitful act.

The Caller's Deceptive Tactics

Imagine receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be from XFinity, one of the leading internet and cable providers in the United States. The caller informs you that they have sent you a verification code via email and requests that you read it back to them. This may initially appear harmless, as it seems like a legitimate security measure to confirm your identity. However, this is where the scam unfolds.

The Trap Laid

The scammer's intention is to trick you into revealing the verification code, which they can then use to gain unauthorized access to your XFinity account. Once they have access, they can potentially exploit your personal information, commit fraud, or even make unauthorized changes to your account.

Quick Thinking and a Stroke of Luck

In the case of our victim, they had already discontinued their XFinity account before receiving the call. Consequently, the caller's efforts were in vain, as the victim no longer possessed an active XFinity account. The victim's refusal to provide the verification code left the scammer empty-handed. The jokes on them, indeed!

Protecting Yourself from the XFinity Phone Scam

While our victim was fortunate enough to escape unscathed, it is crucial to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to safeguard oneself from such scams. Here are some essential steps to protect yourself:

1. Awareness: Stay informed about the latest scams and frauds, such as the XFinity Phone Scam. Being aware of the tactics employed by scammers can help you identify and avoid potential threats.

2. Verification: Always verify the legitimacy of any phone call or email claiming to be from a service provider. Contact the company directly using their official customer service channels to confirm if the communication is genuine.

3. Personal Information: Never share sensitive personal information, such as verification codes, passwords, or financial details, over the phone or through email unless you are certain of the recipient's authenticity.

4. Two-Factor Authentication: Enable two-factor authentication for your online accounts whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security and makes it difficult for scammers to gain unauthorized access.

5. Reporting: If you encounter any suspicious calls or emails, report them to the appropriate authorities or the customer service department of the affected company. Your vigilance could help prevent others from falling victim to scams.

Listen to the Call

Handicapped Veterans Service Dogs Initiative PAC

Phone Scam

In recent years, phone scams have become increasingly prevalent, targeting vulnerable individuals and exploiting their goodwill. One such scam that has caught attention is the Handicapped Veterans Service Dogs Initiative PAC phone scams. This blog post aims to shed light on these deceitful tactics, enlightening readers about the nature of the scams and providing a sample phone call to illustrate their modus operandi.

The Handicapped Veterans Service Dogs Initiative PAC:

The Handicapped Veterans Service Dogs Initiative PAC is a legitimate organization dedicated to assisting disabled veterans by providing them with service dogs. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous individuals have taken advantage of this noble cause, using it as a disguise for their fraudulent activities.

The Phone Scam:

The Handicapped Veterans Service Dogs Initiative PAC phone scam typically begins with an unsolicited phone call. The scammers, posing as representatives of the organization, often use aggressive tactics to manipulate unsuspecting victims into making donations. They prey on the empathy and gratitude people feel towards veterans, exploiting these emotions for personal gain.

Sample Phone Call: