Yesterday, Obama issued two memos and one executive order instructing government agencies to err on the side of making information public and not to look for reasons to legally withhold it.
A follow-up to the news that Google was laying people off... M$ is laying off 5000, Intel 5-6000, IBM an estimated 16000.
Oooh. Solid-state (ie: no moving parts) boats! No engines, no sails!
And how about a tech toy you can buy me?
22 January 2009
21 January 2009
20 January 2009
News from the Net
Ok, how much more does it take to convince you that conservative puritanical beliefs should not be running this country? How the hell can you justify charging someone with child pornography for taking a nude photo OF THEMSELVES! What better way to convince a child that a nude body is ugly or evil?
Well, this Judge might be loosing his job now that the RIAA is in charge of the DoJ.
Job market is taking another down turn.
Oooh me! me! me! I wanna go!
Google is closing down 6 services, including some that I use! Of course, their YouTube! service is serving the "corporate masters" over freedom of speech and fair use laws.
Well, this Judge might be loosing his job now that the RIAA is in charge of the DoJ.
Job market is taking another down turn.
Oooh me! me! me! I wanna go!
Google is closing down 6 services, including some that I use! Of course, their YouTube! service is serving the "corporate masters" over freedom of speech and fair use laws.
15 January 2009
Which is the right religion for you (new version)?
| You Scored as Satanism You scored as Satanism. Your beliefs most closely resemble those of Satanism! Before you scream, do a bit of research on it. To be a Satanist, you don't actually have to believe in Satan. Satanism generally focuses upon the spiritual advancement of the self, rather than upon submission to a deity or a set of moral codes. Do some research if you immediately think of the satanic cult stereotype. Your beliefs may also resemble those of earth-based religions such as paganism.
|
13 January 2009
Mini News from the Slashdot Net
first commercial OLED tv - too bad it is so small
treating ADHD with games - how long have I been suggesting that now?
Researchers closer to creating life
moon bricks... now if only they made moon legos.
treating ADHD with games - how long have I been suggesting that now?
Researchers closer to creating life
moon bricks... now if only they made moon legos.
08 January 2009
Goth crowd conforming to fascism
At the Munch yesterday, quite a few people showed interest in how the [name redacted to protect the club] first smoke-free Goth/Industrial night would go.
So a little background. Normally I am dancing within the first 3 songs. Usually there are not many people dancing during the first hour, but a few. Many people (very conservatively 70%) of the community smokes, and quite often on the dance floor. Personally, I find that I smoke (cloves) during Depeche Mode and not during MSI (aggressiveness of my dancing).
Last night, not one person danced for the first 1-1/2 hours. During the next 1/2 hour, one friend of mine danced to 1 song. During this time, there were more people outside smoking than there were in the club. That trend continued through the night to the point where there was a constant 20-30 people filling the entire sidewalk in front of [name redacted to protect the club] the entire evening.
About 1/2 the regulars I expected to see didn't show up. About 1/2 the crowd were people I have not seen before.
Quite a few people were complaining about the atmosphere. Some of the regulars left early because of it. The DJ was complaining about it and was discussing maybe putting in a smoke machine. I also heard discussion about them accepting the fine ($500/night, $2000/mo max) in order to keep their customer base. There is precedent for it since the last time Portland banned smoking inside, some of the clubs turned into the equivalent of speakeasys [and they had the largest customer base]. Quite a few people were talking about passing info along if that does happen, that they would drop this (and the other) clubs for one that allowed smoking.
I also was privy to conversations about whether DXFN was going to survive this change, and people making the same comment (give it 1 chance) about it.
There were multiple conversations about how the Goth crowd was conforming to fascism and how they would have loved the opportunity to vote on the issue.
Personally, at about 11:00 I told the DJ I wasn't planning on coming back again - I wasn't enjoying myself at all. He told me to give it one more chance because next week they were going to permanently open the courtyard so people could smoke. I did start dancing (pretty heavily at that) but if the courtyard doesn't work out, I probably won't go back.
So a little background. Normally I am dancing within the first 3 songs. Usually there are not many people dancing during the first hour, but a few. Many people (very conservatively 70%) of the community smokes, and quite often on the dance floor. Personally, I find that I smoke (cloves) during Depeche Mode and not during MSI (aggressiveness of my dancing).
Last night, not one person danced for the first 1-1/2 hours. During the next 1/2 hour, one friend of mine danced to 1 song. During this time, there were more people outside smoking than there were in the club. That trend continued through the night to the point where there was a constant 20-30 people filling the entire sidewalk in front of [name redacted to protect the club] the entire evening.
About 1/2 the regulars I expected to see didn't show up. About 1/2 the crowd were people I have not seen before.
Quite a few people were complaining about the atmosphere. Some of the regulars left early because of it. The DJ was complaining about it and was discussing maybe putting in a smoke machine. I also heard discussion about them accepting the fine ($500/night, $2000/mo max) in order to keep their customer base. There is precedent for it since the last time Portland banned smoking inside, some of the clubs turned into the equivalent of speakeasys [and they had the largest customer base]. Quite a few people were talking about passing info along if that does happen, that they would drop this (and the other) clubs for one that allowed smoking.
I also was privy to conversations about whether DXFN was going to survive this change, and people making the same comment (give it 1 chance) about it.
There were multiple conversations about how the Goth crowd was conforming to fascism and how they would have loved the opportunity to vote on the issue.
Personally, at about 11:00 I told the DJ I wasn't planning on coming back again - I wasn't enjoying myself at all. He told me to give it one more chance because next week they were going to permanently open the courtyard so people could smoke. I did start dancing (pretty heavily at that) but if the courtyard doesn't work out, I probably won't go back.
07 January 2009
As many of you know, I didn't vote for Obama [ I voted for Jon Stewart ] because I felt he was in the pocket of the RIAA. Well, he's decided to prove it to everyone else by setting up the RIAA Lawyer Tom Perrelli to be in charge of the DOJ. Just what we need - let someone who has been breaking the law and abusing the public decide what is legal. It just goes to show that we are long overdue for a new form of government.
06 January 2009
SpaceBag commercial blunder?
So I was watching this SpaceBag commercial, and the lady puts some light colored cloth thingee into the cube, removed the air, then dumps dirt and water on it. After re-opening it, she pulls the top item back out and is proclaiming how it is keep clean and dry....
And yet, I can't help but feel like they made a blunder. I mean, why does this clean thing look like someone used it to mop up the mess?
11th Doctor Who named
1. William Hartnell (1963-1966)
2. Patrick Troughton (1966-1969)
3. Jon Pertwee (1970-1974)
4. Tom Baker (1974-1981)
5. Peter Davison - pictured (1982-1984)
6. Colin Baker (1984-1986)
7. Sylvester McCoy (1987-1996)
8. Paul McGann (1996)
9. Christopher Eccleston (2005)
10. David Tennant (2005-2010)
11. Matt Smith (2010 - ?)
11th Doctor Who named
1. William Hartnell (1963-1966)
2. Patrick Troughton (1966-1969)
3. Jon Pertwee (1970-1974)
4. Tom Baker (1974-1981)
5. Peter Davison - pictured (1982-1984)
6. Colin Baker (1984-1986)
7. Sylvester McCoy (1987-1996)
8. Paul McGann (1996)
9. Christopher Eccleston (2005)
10. David Tennant (2005-2010)
11. Matt Smith (2010 - ?)
11th Doctor Who named
1. William Hartnell (1963-1966)
2. Patrick Troughton (1966-1969)
3. Jon Pertwee (1970-1974)
4. Tom Baker (1974-1981)
5. Peter Davison - pictured (1982-1984)
6. Colin Baker (1984-1986)
7. Sylvester McCoy (1987-1996)
8. Paul McGann (1996)
9. Christopher Eccleston (2005)
10. David Tennant (2005-2010)
11. Matt Smith (2010 - ?)
What's in your wallet? I mean, your file
I thought I should preserve his final instructions in case any of us ever want to make our own request...
However, if you are being detained at the border or if you suspect a problem with your records, then by all means request a copy. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is required by law to make your records available to you, with some exceptions. Your request must be made in writing on paper and be signed by you. Ask to see the "information relating to me in the Automated Targeting System." Say that your request is "made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552)." Add that you wish to have a copy of your records made and mailed to you without first inspecting them. Your letter should, obviously, give reasonably sufficient detail to enable an official to find your record. So supply your passport number and mailing address. Put a date on your letter and make a copy for your own records. On your envelope, you should conspicuously print the words “FOIA Request." It should be addressed to “Freedom of Information Act Request,” U.S. Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229. Be patient. I had wait for up to a year to receive a copy of my records. Then if you believe there's an error in your record, ask for a correction by writing a letter to the Customer Satisfaction Unit, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Room 5.5C, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20229.
However, if you are being detained at the border or if you suspect a problem with your records, then by all means request a copy. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is required by law to make your records available to you, with some exceptions. Your request must be made in writing on paper and be signed by you. Ask to see the "information relating to me in the Automated Targeting System." Say that your request is "made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552)." Add that you wish to have a copy of your records made and mailed to you without first inspecting them. Your letter should, obviously, give reasonably sufficient detail to enable an official to find your record. So supply your passport number and mailing address. Put a date on your letter and make a copy for your own records. On your envelope, you should conspicuously print the words “FOIA Request." It should be addressed to “Freedom of Information Act Request,” U.S. Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229. Be patient. I had wait for up to a year to receive a copy of my records. Then if you believe there's an error in your record, ask for a correction by writing a letter to the Customer Satisfaction Unit, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Room 5.5C, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20229.
Liquid Knife
Synopsis:
PHILADELPHIA (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- It uses a fast moving stream of water to help the body heal. The new tool called the liquid knife allows surgeons to treat burn patients by removing dead skin without damaging healthy cells. It may help tiny burn victims grow up without unsightly scars.
02 January 2009
Future Attribute Screening Technology
It's a good thing no one distrusts the government or the people in power, because this is the type of technology that puts profiling to shame.
Excited to go home and see your sweetheart? Well, that makes you a terrorist.
Trying to get a job? Well, that makes you a terrorist.
Nervous because you distrust the new scanning technology? Well, that makes you a terrorist too.
Excited to go home and see your sweetheart? Well, that makes you a terrorist.
Trying to get a job? Well, that makes you a terrorist.
Nervous because you distrust the new scanning technology? Well, that makes you a terrorist too.
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