"...and now for something completely different..."
I've been spending so much time posting rants about the RIAA, MPAA, and telemarketers that I've gotten away from the fun stuff.
Check this out - someone has put up a site showcasing Vintage Technology (via MetaFilter). This is your daddy's (or granddaddy's) high-tech. Vintage radios, tubes (or valves, depending on which side of the pond you're on), pre-LCD calculators, and more! Well-aged tech from batteries to vacuums. If you have a fascination in technology and its history, this site is worth wandering through.
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
China joins the spaceflight community
MSNBC is reporting that China has launched its first astronaut into space today. The mission, dubbed Shenzhou 5, represents the first manned orbital test of their space program. Launched from a base in the Gobi Desert, the mission will last about 20 hours and will complete 14 orbits. This makes China the third nation to develop manned spaceflight capabilities.
The astronaut (or taikonaut, as the Chinese call them) is LTC Yang Liwei, a 38 year old air force pilot.
While I'm sure that some people are worried that China is doing this for strictly military purposes, I'm less worried. It's only natural, especially given China's long history of terrestrial exploration. Space exploration is simply the next logical step. I've always had an interest in the American space program, and more recently, with the Russian cooperation on the International Space Station. I think it's great that more countries are stepping up to explore the Final Frontier.
My congratulations go out to LTC Yang and his family as do my best wishes for a safe return.
The astronaut (or taikonaut, as the Chinese call them) is LTC Yang Liwei, a 38 year old air force pilot.
While I'm sure that some people are worried that China is doing this for strictly military purposes, I'm less worried. It's only natural, especially given China's long history of terrestrial exploration. Space exploration is simply the next logical step. I've always had an interest in the American space program, and more recently, with the Russian cooperation on the International Space Station. I think it's great that more countries are stepping up to explore the Final Frontier.
My congratulations go out to LTC Yang and his family as do my best wishes for a safe return.
Monday, October 06, 2003
Dave Barry smacks telemarketers around - *again*
You may have heard about Dave Barry's column in August where he published the toll-free number of the ATA, a telemarketers industry association. He encouraged people to call *them* and complain about how they feel it is their constitutional right to call you anytime they want, even if you don't want them to. Quite a few people took Dave up on his recommendation and enough called to force the ATA to disconnect their number. The organization's representatives apparently have whined to the media about the supposed irresponsibility of the column, saying that the flood of calls have "inconvenienced" them and "wasted their time".
Waaaah. So, how's it feel to be in our shoes, teleslime? Like a little cheese with your whine?
Well, Dave's done it again.
In his column this month (via MetaFilter) he's published *another* number to the ATA. You go, Dave! Give the knife a little twist...
So, as Dave Barry says, don't call 317-816-9336. You shouldn't bother someone who doesn't want to be called, even if you have the legal right to... ;-)
Waaaah. So, how's it feel to be in our shoes, teleslime? Like a little cheese with your whine?
Well, Dave's done it again.
In his column this month (via MetaFilter) he's published *another* number to the ATA. You go, Dave! Give the knife a little twist...
So, as Dave Barry says, don't call 317-816-9336. You shouldn't bother someone who doesn't want to be called, even if you have the legal right to... ;-)
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
DMA execs won't eat their own dogfood
Well, well, well. It seems that *somehow* 11 top execs of the Direct Marketing Association have signed up on the National Do Not Call Registry, according to this story at newsday.com.
What's the matter, guys? You want to force 50 million of us to swallow your phone-spam, but you don't want any yourself? *BZZZT* Sorry, nice try. Thanks for playing.
Geez. Talk about hypocrites. You ain't getting off *that* easy.
There's some lively discussion (as always) over at slashdot about this.
What's the matter, guys? You want to force 50 million of us to swallow your phone-spam, but you don't want any yourself? *BZZZT* Sorry, nice try. Thanks for playing.
Geez. Talk about hypocrites. You ain't getting off *that* easy.
There's some lively discussion (as always) over at slashdot about this.
Monday, September 29, 2003
Webcomics corner - MegaTokyo
Since one of my favorite online pursuits is reading webcomics, it only seems natural that I share the good, the bad and the ugly, as I see it, with you. Just remember, I'm not a critic or a journalist. If you get confused or go cross-eyed after reading my rants, well, them's the breaks.
For this first installment, I'll begin with my unqualified favorite - MegaTokyo. MegaTokyo is a bit hard for me to describe. Part manga, part gamer comic, but stretching the boundaries of both. Alternating between moments of deep reflection and sheer lunacy (sometimes in the same strip), Piro keeps me coming back for more.
The story revolves around two American gamers (Piro and Largo) who somehow find themselves on a flight to Tokyo. After generally enjoying themselves for a day or two, they realize they don't have enough money to get home. Stranded in Tokyo, they take up residence and try to get through day to day, with each being a bit more bizzare than the last.
I'm not hardcore into manga or anime like some people, but I've started to develop an appreciation for it. I am big into videogaming, however. What's neat about MegaTokyo is that it bridges both worlds and fills in the gaps quite nicely.
My admittedly poor description doesn't do any justice to this gem. Check it out - MegaTokyo is l33t, d00d ;-) With updates on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, it's definitely worth a read.
For this first installment, I'll begin with my unqualified favorite - MegaTokyo. MegaTokyo is a bit hard for me to describe. Part manga, part gamer comic, but stretching the boundaries of both. Alternating between moments of deep reflection and sheer lunacy (sometimes in the same strip), Piro keeps me coming back for more.
The story revolves around two American gamers (Piro and Largo) who somehow find themselves on a flight to Tokyo. After generally enjoying themselves for a day or two, they realize they don't have enough money to get home. Stranded in Tokyo, they take up residence and try to get through day to day, with each being a bit more bizzare than the last.
I'm not hardcore into manga or anime like some people, but I've started to develop an appreciation for it. I am big into videogaming, however. What's neat about MegaTokyo is that it bridges both worlds and fills in the gaps quite nicely.
My admittedly poor description doesn't do any justice to this gem. Check it out - MegaTokyo is l33t, d00d ;-) With updates on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, it's definitely worth a read.
DING! DING! Round 3... let's get ready to ruuuuuuuuuumble!
The AP (via boston.com) is reporting this evening that, in order to counter judicial attacks on the National Do Not Call Registry, the Federal Communications Commission is stepping in to take over the list from the Federal Trade Commission.
The FTC was blocked by a court order last week by a federal judge in Denver who stated that it is his opinion that the registry is unconstitutional. Since the judge's order only applies to the FTC, however, the FCC claims that as the enforcer of telecommunication regulations they also have a right to enforce the list. In effect, they've flipped the courts an executive bird, so to speak.
Earlier today, President Bush signed Congress' bill from last week explicitly authorizing the FTC to enforce the list. The FTC still has to deal with the most recent court order before it can implement the law.
w00t! Who says you need to watch pro wrestling to see some serious smackdown! It's not every day that you see both the executive *and* the legislative branches open a serious can o' whoop-ass on the judiciary.
'Bout time, too. Just about everyone I know is tired of telemarketers pestering them at all hours of the day. Hey, DMA, you can run but you can't hide. Congress and the Prez has you in their sights!
The FTC was blocked by a court order last week by a federal judge in Denver who stated that it is his opinion that the registry is unconstitutional. Since the judge's order only applies to the FTC, however, the FCC claims that as the enforcer of telecommunication regulations they also have a right to enforce the list. In effect, they've flipped the courts an executive bird, so to speak.
Earlier today, President Bush signed Congress' bill from last week explicitly authorizing the FTC to enforce the list. The FTC still has to deal with the most recent court order before it can implement the law.
w00t! Who says you need to watch pro wrestling to see some serious smackdown! It's not every day that you see both the executive *and* the legislative branches open a serious can o' whoop-ass on the judiciary.
'Bout time, too. Just about everyone I know is tired of telemarketers pestering them at all hours of the day. Hey, DMA, you can run but you can't hide. Congress and the Prez has you in their sights!
Thursday, September 25, 2003
Hooray for Congress!
I can't believe I'm actually saying that. On the heels of yesterday's story where an Oklahoma federal judge struck down the National Do-Not Call List, this story on Yahoo! News (via Slashdot ) reports that *both* houses of Congress overwhelming passed a bill to back the FTC's creation of the list, giving them explicit authority.
Wow. I don't think I've ever seen them collectively move so fast on a similar issue. I'm a little speechless, so I'll quote a couple of the players:
"This legislation got to the House floor faster than a consumer can hang up on a telemarketer at dinnertime," said Massachusetts Rep. Edward Markey.
And my favorite, from Louisana Rep. Billy Tauzin,"We should probably call the bill 'This Time We Really Mean It Act' to cure any myopia in the judicial branch,"
Of course, the DMA continues to whine, but their days are numbered, IMHO.
UPDATE -- Thu Sep 25, 11:30pm: AAARGH!!! The list has been struck down --*again* -- this time by a judge in my own backyard, according to MSNBC.
What *is* it with these judges? While I can see some of the concerns that this new judge has, I still have a hard time swallowing the fact that telephone harassment (and in many cases it *is* harassment as they simply won't accept 'no' for an answer) is constitutionally protected by the First Amendment.
Oh, well. Off to appeals court we go...
Wow. I don't think I've ever seen them collectively move so fast on a similar issue. I'm a little speechless, so I'll quote a couple of the players:
"This legislation got to the House floor faster than a consumer can hang up on a telemarketer at dinnertime," said Massachusetts Rep. Edward Markey.
And my favorite, from Louisana Rep. Billy Tauzin,"We should probably call the bill 'This Time We Really Mean It Act' to cure any myopia in the judicial branch,"
Of course, the DMA continues to whine, but their days are numbered, IMHO.
UPDATE -- Thu Sep 25, 11:30pm: AAARGH!!! The list has been struck down --*again* -- this time by a judge in my own backyard, according to MSNBC.
What *is* it with these judges? While I can see some of the concerns that this new judge has, I still have a hard time swallowing the fact that telephone harassment (and in many cases it *is* harassment as they simply won't accept 'no' for an answer) is constitutionally protected by the First Amendment.
Oh, well. Off to appeals court we go...
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
Court disconnects national "do not call" list
A federal judge in Oklahoma has ruled that the Federal Trade Commission has no authority to set up a national "do not call" list, in a story published at CNN (via Metafilter).
Ok, let me get this straight -- a bunch of telemarketers are claiming they have a constitutional right to interrupt my dinner, on a phone line I paid for, to demand that I buy something from them?
I don't think so, Tim.
Apparently, this judge feels that the rights of a bunch of sleazy sales droids trump those of the millions they harass daily. I wonder if he'd think differently if he were the one forever getting dinnertime pitches for newspapers, mortgages, and long distance service...
Ok, let me get this straight -- a bunch of telemarketers are claiming they have a constitutional right to interrupt my dinner, on a phone line I paid for, to demand that I buy something from them?
I don't think so, Tim.
Apparently, this judge feels that the rights of a bunch of sleazy sales droids trump those of the millions they harass daily. I wonder if he'd think differently if he were the one forever getting dinnertime pitches for newspapers, mortgages, and long distance service...
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Oooh... shiny...
Well, I've moved the site over to Blogger - my thanks to the wonderful people at Pyra and Google for providing this service. Hopefully it'll make it easier to stay updated more than once every few months.
Saturday, May 31, 2003
'When it rains, it pours...'
Be careful what you wish for, you may get it. We've been in a drought situation for the past two years here in the American West, and everyone's been praying for rain. It looks like our prayers have been answered -- a little too well. As I type, there's a nasty thunderstorm brewing to the west of us. So far this year, we've seen more moisture in the past two months than we have in the past two *years*.
For those interested in weather, there are tons of resources online. Of course, most everyone knows about The Weather Channel's website, weather.com. Another good website, my personal favorite, is the National Weather Service's website at weather.gov. By clicking your stateon a map, you go directly to the site maintained by your closest NWS office. From there you can see the latest forcast, check the most recent satellite and doppler radar imagery, and get up to the minute weather statements, straight from the horses mouth.
And finally, my nomination for Asshats of the Month - from an article on the website for Britain's Channel 4 (via MetaFilter) -- British insurance company The Accident Group has laid off a large number of employees using a (IMHO) sneaky and underhanded tactic. Instead of sending letters or calling an all-hands meeting like most companies do, the assclowns at this organization fired their employees by sending them a text message via cellphone! They then proceed to inform those fired (and I paraphrase) "oh, and by the way, we aren't paying you for May, either".
Damn.
I thought that some of my former employers were cold-blooded. These blokes have it down to an artform.
For those interested in weather, there are tons of resources online. Of course, most everyone knows about The Weather Channel's website, weather.com. Another good website, my personal favorite, is the National Weather Service's website at weather.gov. By clicking your stateon a map, you go directly to the site maintained by your closest NWS office. From there you can see the latest forcast, check the most recent satellite and doppler radar imagery, and get up to the minute weather statements, straight from the horses mouth.
And finally, my nomination for Asshats of the Month - from an article on the website for Britain's Channel 4 (via MetaFilter) -- British insurance company The Accident Group has laid off a large number of employees using a (IMHO) sneaky and underhanded tactic. Instead of sending letters or calling an all-hands meeting like most companies do, the assclowns at this organization fired their employees by sending them a text message via cellphone! They then proceed to inform those fired (and I paraphrase) "oh, and by the way, we aren't paying you for May, either".
Damn.
I thought that some of my former employers were cold-blooded. These blokes have it down to an artform.
Monday, May 19, 2003
'This disc will self-destruct in 5 seconds...'
Whew... things are still a bit of a blur. Still trying to get our current house sold. It looks like we have a few prospective buyers interested. And just in time -- it looks like the builders will soon begin digging the foundation of the new house. I can't believe how quickly things are moving...
Well, it looks like Clue continues to spread. An editorial at CNNMoney (via Slashdot) talks about how proponents of 'digital rights management' should take a lesson from Intuit's faux pas with its activation scam^H^H^H^Hscheme for TurboTax. For those not familiar with the story, Intuit included copy protection code in the latest version of their tax preparation software. All fine and good, except for the fact that the copy protection included writing data to the boot sector of the user's hard disk. This is a cardinal no-no, as doing so can cause unrecoverable corruption of the data on the hard drive... which is exactly what happened in some cases. Add that to the fact that they didn't tell their customers what they were doing and you end up with a company in deep doodoo.
The consumer backlash that Intuit experienced is just what the RIAA and MPAA and their members are heading for. By creating CDs that won't play in some players to creating DVDs that self destruct, the **AAs are slowly but surely driving their customers away by assuming everyone wants to steal their product.
How would you feel if you bought a CD, then found out that you couldn't listen to it while you were working on your PC? And when you took it back to the store you're told 'What, you want to listen to that on your PC? What are you, some sort of thief?' Sure, there is a lot of online trading of music and other entertainment that violates copyright laws. Does that mean that everyone should be treated as a criminal because of what they might do?
Do corporations have the right to sell (IMHO) crippled products such as these? Sure they do. Do we, the consumer, have the right to invite them to collectively perform acts of self-copulation and include the horses they rode in on? You bet.
The best way to stop them is to not buy their defective products. Don't spend your hard-earned cash on CDs that only play on 'approved' players or on DVDs that quit working after two days. If it doesn't sell, they won't make it.
Once we get Corporate America to understand this, maybe Congress will get around to figuring it out...
Well, it looks like Clue continues to spread. An editorial at CNNMoney (via Slashdot) talks about how proponents of 'digital rights management' should take a lesson from Intuit's faux pas with its activation scam^H^H^H^Hscheme for TurboTax. For those not familiar with the story, Intuit included copy protection code in the latest version of their tax preparation software. All fine and good, except for the fact that the copy protection included writing data to the boot sector of the user's hard disk. This is a cardinal no-no, as doing so can cause unrecoverable corruption of the data on the hard drive... which is exactly what happened in some cases. Add that to the fact that they didn't tell their customers what they were doing and you end up with a company in deep doodoo.
The consumer backlash that Intuit experienced is just what the RIAA and MPAA and their members are heading for. By creating CDs that won't play in some players to creating DVDs that self destruct, the **AAs are slowly but surely driving their customers away by assuming everyone wants to steal their product.
How would you feel if you bought a CD, then found out that you couldn't listen to it while you were working on your PC? And when you took it back to the store you're told 'What, you want to listen to that on your PC? What are you, some sort of thief?' Sure, there is a lot of online trading of music and other entertainment that violates copyright laws. Does that mean that everyone should be treated as a criminal because of what they might do?
Do corporations have the right to sell (IMHO) crippled products such as these? Sure they do. Do we, the consumer, have the right to invite them to collectively perform acts of self-copulation and include the horses they rode in on? You bet.
The best way to stop them is to not buy their defective products. Don't spend your hard-earned cash on CDs that only play on 'approved' players or on DVDs that quit working after two days. If it doesn't sell, they won't make it.
Once we get Corporate America to understand this, maybe Congress will get around to figuring it out...
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