JZ, I don't think it will work. TiVo updated its OS so that basically without a TiVo subscription, it's just a dead box.

A Roku is about $70, Hulu Plus (which you will need a subscription for in order to stream it anywhere other than a regular computer) is 7.99/mo and I think I pay about that for Netflix, too.

Yep, that's what I was budgeting for (plus Amazon Prime membership, which comes with discounts on season subscriptions for individual shows plus free streaming of a bunch of Disney and Nick shows that Matilda and Emmett love).

I kind of suspected that Tivo might block users from doing something like that with their extra sets, but hoped I might be wrong. Ah, well. Forging ahead with the Roku-and-multiple-subscriptions plan.

JZ, it looks like a couple of years ago it was possible: [link]

But the other threads that are more recent than this say TiVo caught wind and updated its OS to prohibit it. :(

On the one hand, rats for us and for the Tivo-lender who doesn't need it anymore and still needs to find a home for the big dead box; on the other hand, I can't really blame the Tivo folks, since I'm pretty sure if it was my company and my product I'd do the exact same thing.

Having attempted to cancel Tivo service, I reserve the right to not be sympathetic with them about anything. I called, I argued, I cancelled, and yet they kept billing me. I called again, I spent an hour on the phone, and FINALLY got them to reallyo trulyo cancel my service. AND refund the month they'd billed me. Apparently the first time they didn't think I meant it?

Well, if I tried to cancel TiVo I'd certainly be under the influence of some evil spell and need to be saved from myself. Isn't it really just excellent customer service that they're protecting you from a similar mistake?

I told them I was moving to Germany. During the FIRST call.

(Okay, it was a slight exaggeration; we were considering moving to Germany, but we were cancelling Tivo no matter what.)

But you didn't move to Germany, did you? Quod erat demonstrandum...

iPad question. I am considering giving my iPad2 to my Mother, as she only has a win95 computer that she never uses. The thing that is making me hesitant, is that she doesn't have internet service at her house, and it's the Wi-Fi only model.

So, my question, does anyone use their iPad for hot-spot locations only? I believe the library she lives near has free wifi. Just not sure how much of a pain it is when you don't have regular service. Clearly there is more to do on the iPad then just internet/mail/stream Netflix. But the reason for giving to her, is so she can send/receive emails with family across the land.

Also, I wonder how good she will be with the onscreen typewriter thing. Although, I seem to recall, she hunts/pecks, so maybe that won't be an issue at all.

Just wondering if it's a can of worms worth opening or not. Thoughts? Advice?

I would say,if I ever had an Ipad I would get a bluetooth keyboard. Throw in that purchase and it is no longer a zero cost gift but... And nothing to say on lack of home Interbunny.