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Step 4Watching TV online! ...without getting scammed!
A fun way to survive boredom is watching TV online! There's a lot of scams surrounding this, so I'll show a few different methods and explain how not to get suckered in. Tons of software is available to those who pay, but even the pricey ones usually aren't worth it. So why not go with free? It's hard to be screwed over when you haven't paid anything.
First, let's decide what category you fall into. Can you install software on the computer you're using? If yes, try out TVU Player. It's certainly not a substitute for cable or satellite, but it provides live entertainment at work. The channels of most interest are CBS, SpikeTV, Comedy Central, Sci-Fi, Fox, Nickelodeon, and currently HBO. The other streams are pretty much available for free elsewhere on the web. This is one of the biggest tricks or scams on the web; all those ads saying "Watch Satellite TV for Free on your PC!" just centralize the thousands of public streams already available for free, then charge for it. They make false claims ("We just added Cartoon Network, FX, etc etc!"), but after paying and installing you find only several hundred public access channels and free foreign content.
Can't install programs on your work PC, or don't dare? Ok, try TV Life. It's not perfect- links go dead and it can be awhile before they are fixed. I was able to watch about a season's worth of Robot Chicken, though, and had more than enough Family Guy for my six hour shift the other night. They also have all the new and classic Doctor Who episodes! No matter what your taste, they likely have a few shows you'd enjoy. Oh, and they're free as well, which makes it pretty easy to forgive the dead links ;-) Another good very similar site was TV Links, but they look to be currently down. And for even more TV shows check out All U C.
There's other options, not so wonderful but likely more legitimate... like Freetube. As I explained above, they just gather free streams from across the web for you to view in your browser. At least they do it for free. Streamic does basically the same thing as well. If you have Winamp 5.5 installed, you can use the built-in Shoutcast tuner, or use Don't Watch Me; a somewhat badly designed website that lists Shoutcast streams. Channel Chooser does have some live stuff, but too many of the links pop up websites for my taste. If you actually like some of the legit public streams you find, the biggest database of all of them is here. Other random options are PokerGently, ViewMyTV, and AllOfTV. That last one might be a scam... it's hard to tell until you register. Lots of dead links with promises of alternates if you 'Log in.'
Your last option (or first, depending on what you like to watch) is to view full episodes from the company's websites. You're usually stuck watching ads, but your conscience can rest easy as it's 100% legit. Head over to CBS to watch CSI, Numb3rs, or soap operas; stop by ABC to see Lost, Desperate Housewives, and Grey's Anatomy; FOX is now claiming they offer full episodes online as well, though they hide the links pretty effectively.
So fill up your bookmarks with your favorites, put on a set of headphones, and escape cubicle boredom for one more day at least! If your boss catches you and puts a stop to it... well, read on and find something else to do :)
First, let's decide what category you fall into. Can you install software on the computer you're using? If yes, try out TVU Player. It's certainly not a substitute for cable or satellite, but it provides live entertainment at work. The channels of most interest are CBS, SpikeTV, Comedy Central, Sci-Fi, Fox, Nickelodeon, and currently HBO. The other streams are pretty much available for free elsewhere on the web. This is one of the biggest tricks or scams on the web; all those ads saying "Watch Satellite TV for Free on your PC!" just centralize the thousands of public streams already available for free, then charge for it. They make false claims ("We just added Cartoon Network, FX, etc etc!"), but after paying and installing you find only several hundred public access channels and free foreign content.
Can't install programs on your work PC, or don't dare? Ok, try TV Life. It's not perfect- links go dead and it can be awhile before they are fixed. I was able to watch about a season's worth of Robot Chicken, though, and had more than enough Family Guy for my six hour shift the other night. They also have all the new and classic Doctor Who episodes! No matter what your taste, they likely have a few shows you'd enjoy. Oh, and they're free as well, which makes it pretty easy to forgive the dead links ;-) Another good very similar site was TV Links, but they look to be currently down. And for even more TV shows check out All U C.
There's other options, not so wonderful but likely more legitimate... like Freetube. As I explained above, they just gather free streams from across the web for you to view in your browser. At least they do it for free. Streamic does basically the same thing as well. If you have Winamp 5.5 installed, you can use the built-in Shoutcast tuner, or use Don't Watch Me; a somewhat badly designed website that lists Shoutcast streams. Channel Chooser does have some live stuff, but too many of the links pop up websites for my taste. If you actually like some of the legit public streams you find, the biggest database of all of them is here. Other random options are PokerGently, ViewMyTV, and AllOfTV. That last one might be a scam... it's hard to tell until you register. Lots of dead links with promises of alternates if you 'Log in.'
Your last option (or first, depending on what you like to watch) is to view full episodes from the company's websites. You're usually stuck watching ads, but your conscience can rest easy as it's 100% legit. Head over to CBS to watch CSI, Numb3rs, or soap operas; stop by ABC to see Lost, Desperate Housewives, and Grey's Anatomy; FOX is now claiming they offer full episodes online as well, though they hide the links pretty effectively.
So fill up your bookmarks with your favorites, put on a set of headphones, and escape cubicle boredom for one more day at least! If your boss catches you and puts a stop to it... well, read on and find something else to do :)
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