If you're a tivo user as I am, or are considering getting one, you might want to know that TiVo's lawsuit against EchoStar (DishNetwork) over a patent dispute began today. PVR Wire has a summary of what happened today, and so does the unofficial Tivo Blog. The best summary is at Thomas Hawk, and there is also an article on Washington Post. 

TiVo is arguing that at issue here is that when they showed Echostar (owner of the DISH satellite network) a prototype TiVo way back when, rather than work out a deal with TiVo Echostar just kept the prototype and copied it

Why should you care? I'm not sure. If TiVo means, its a huge cash windfall for the company. If TiVo's patent is overly broad, it covers a method for "recoiding one show while watching another", that would give them an unfortunate tool to use to stifle their own competitors.  At the moment though, the main threat to TiVo's survival is cheaper, less functional DVR's being promoted by cable and satellite companies.

Some industry observers have put TiVo's chance of victory at 70% or more and see EchoStar paying TiVo damages of \$95 million-\$300 million. Possibly more important for TiVo, a ruling instantly would strengthen its hand in negotiating what have been very elusive licensing deals with cable TV companies that have been selling their own less-expensive DVRs and cutting TiVo out of the loop.

• The atmosphere in the stadium was great, better than I remember last year's home opener against Chivas. Kudos to the Metrostars for putting their short busses to use. It felt like playoff game at times, especially as DC equalized in the second half.
• Eskandarian, I'm so glad you scored and scored early. I was afraid he'd return to the field only to go through a dry spell like he had at the start of 2005. Of course, hopefully he can keep scoring.
• Freddy, you weren't muscled off the ball much as I could tell. Although you still dribble too much and made some horrible passes. Unless I'd read it, I wouldn't have realized you got 2 assists.\
• Nowak's risk in the second half paid off, bringing in Eski for Simms. It looked like the team lined up in a 4-3-3 and really pressured the Metro defense. After the first goal I told Staci two things - "NY's defense can't withstand this pressure. I don't think United can sustain it the whole half though".\
• Let's save the best for last. Troy, the season is long so work out whatever nerves now. Any more gift goals like the 2nd and you'll be watching most of it from the bench.\

I also took a couple of pictures at the game, nothing spectacular except for this post of La Norte going crazy after a United goal.\

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1. Goalie: United has never had a dominant keeper like Matt Reis or Joe Cannon that's anchored the team. Rimando has great reflexes but can make you nervous at the same time. The early keepers had such solid defenses in front of them that it's almost not fair. Advantage: Scott Garlick, cause he's been a good keeper no matter where he's played.

2. Defenders: This is pretty easy - Nelsen was stellar, especially in
3. Agoos was a solid left back and contributed a lot to United's attack. Eddie Pope scored so many important goals for the club that you can't ignore him. The last spot for me is between Llamosa, a smart defender and accurate tackler, and Petke, a tireless and spirited stopper. I have to go with Petke for the energy he brought on to the field and how well he complimented Nelsen.

3. Midfielders: Etcheverry is a lock, although you could maybe might be able to in some ways argue that he potentially should have retired a year or two sooner.  Check Ben Olsen, except for the injury years he's contributed. John Harkes is my 3rd choice. Finally, I have to include Christian Gomez, his arrival sparked our title run in 2004, I don't think we'd have made it there without him.

4. Forwards: I have to go with the other Bolivian on the ballot, Jaime Moreno. Can't argue that one. The other is harder to choose. Arce and Lassiter had great seasons early in their career but depended to much on others creating for them. While, Eskandarian has only had one good season with the team, but it was a championship season and much like Gomez, without his goals United would not have lifted any hardware.

For coach, is there really any option.  Bruce Arena, enough said.\

Finally, a few words about a couple other players that I left off.   Brian Namoff, Brian Carroll, and Josh Gros are still young players, but promising. I had a hard time excluding Earnie Stewart but he brought a lot of intangibles to the team that while vital, are hard to measure.  Chris Albright, you couldn't score at RFK if you were the only one on the field, I can't believe your listed as an option under forwards.  Stoitchkov is only on this list because the front office is afraid of what might happen if they had left him off.\