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Are you old enough to remember the classic Snake video arcade game from the 1970s? Hogofilms has updated this game for the Roku with a free 10-level version and a full version for only 99 cents that provides 50 levels of play and an unlimited random-play mode.

Roku recently introduced the ability to purchase channels and apps directly from your Roku player. Unfortunately, Roku provides no on-screen instructions, only a "buy" option. When I attempted to buy a game app, I got a notice that the "operation is not supported at this time". Not very helpful! Roku is hopefully working on a more-informative notice, but in the meantime here are instructions on how to set up your account to allow on-screen purchases directly from your Roku digital video player.

This Webby Award-winning provider of original videos from independent producers has brought four of their comedy series to Roku. In the lineup are cooking tips from the Ghetto Gourmet, a chronicle of a man dating in New York City, a "mockutorial" for Photoshop users, and a series that is billed as "an evil, comic soap opera". Is My Damn Channel worth adding to your Roku channel list? Read on and decide for yourself.

UPDATE (December 6, 2011): After releasing the standalone NBC News channel, Roku has pulled all NBC content off of the Roku Newscaster channel. Full-length NBC shows can still be found on Mediafly OnAir.

I hope all of you had a great 2010. If you want some insight into what's in store for you in 2011, check out these two Roku channels.

(Click here to see the updated list of Essential Roku Channels.)

A lot of you probably just got a Roku digital video player for Christmas. You've hooked it up and watched a few films or TV shows on Netflix, maybe you've even subscribed to Hulu Plus. But you're wondering about those 100+ other channels, and which ones are worth watching. To help you venture beyond Netflix, here is my "starter pack" of Roku channels.