I just do not get the whole shoebox on wheels phenomenon. I guess i am just getting to old. Seeing as i hear they really only interest the 16 to 25 crowd.
Now get off my lawn.
Now get off my lawn.
Before i go blow around a $100 on something I'll rarely use.
Anybody have a starter battery charger i can borrow?
Anybody have a starter battery charger i can borrow?
Transformers 2 12.01 showing
Good to know this is how Astronauts spend their time in space. Actually, I'm kinda serious. If you're up there and can't take a moment to enjoy the infinite fun that Zero G provides...well...I just feel bad for you.
Received my Xbox 360 today.
If anybody is interested my Xbox live tag is "N3M3S1S 71"
If anybody is interested my Xbox live tag is "N3M3S1S 71"
I can not believe that i have not read anything anywhere about what a huge conflict of interest it is for an organization that represents workers (the UAW). Is now a partial owner of the company (Fiat/Chrysler) that employees the workers.
I just cannot see this working out well in the long run for Fiat/Chrysler. The UAW will just have to sell off its chunk when things improve.
I just cannot see this working out well in the long run for Fiat/Chrysler. The UAW will just have to sell off its chunk when things improve.
Must figure out a way to move myself farther away from my new monitor. It is large enough that i need to turn my head to see every thing.
I am currently using VGA as the PC input. As the monitor has no DVI in. Was wondering if anybody could tell me if i should get a DVI to HDMI adapter. Would it make that much of a difference?
new toy: http://www.hdtvsolutions.com/Sanyo-DP42
I am currently using VGA as the PC input. As the monitor has no DVI in. Was wondering if anybody could tell me if i should get a DVI to HDMI adapter. Would it make that much of a difference?
new toy: http://www.hdtvsolutions.com/Sanyo-DP42
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a
I purchased this two weeks ago. A few days later i received a check that was much larger than i was expecting. So i purchased a much larger monitor. So i am looking to get rid of the Acer for $20 less than i paid for it. Asking $120.00.
Perfect condition, Only two weeks of use.
I purchased this two weeks ago. A few days later i received a check that was much larger than i was expecting. So i purchased a much larger monitor. So i am looking to get rid of the Acer for $20 less than i paid for it. Asking $120.00.
Perfect condition, Only two weeks of use.
U2's CLAW
Kick ass
U2's largest production.
Kick ass
U2's largest production.
So with the end of the season of 24. I could start watching it. Not worrying about having to wait a week between episodes.
Got half way through. When the suspension of disbelief was shattered. I just can not wrap my brain around a small terrorist group taking the president hostage in the white house. Even with inside help.
Got half way through. When the suspension of disbelief was shattered. I just can not wrap my brain around a small terrorist group taking the president hostage in the white house. Even with inside help.
An Iowa man was convicted of possessing child pornography last week because some of the books in his vast collection of Japanese manga (comics) appeared to depict minors engaged in sexual acts. How exactly can a court determine whether a comic book character is a "minor" or not?
39-year-old Christopher Handley, an office worker, was brought up on charges of possessing child pornography in 2006 when customs officials seized a package for him. It contained several manga, some of which were "lolicon" that showed what officials said were children being sexually abused. There were also images of bestiality. Handley has a huge collection of manga, and only a few are lolicon. He also had absolutely no child pornography of any description in his house or on his computer.
Nevertheless, Handley entered a guilty plea. According to Threat Level, it was simply because his attorney had exhausted all other options:
"It's probably the only law I'm aware of, if a client shows me a book or magazine or movie, and asks me if this image is illegal, I can't tell them," says Eric Chase, Handley's attorney.
Chase says he recommended the plea agreement (.pdf) to his client because he didn't think he could convince a jury to acquit him once they'd seen the images in question. The lawyer declined to describe the details. "If they can imagine it, they drew it," he says. "Use your imagination. It was there."
The manga collector faces up to 15 years in prison for possessing comic books.
Handley is the first person to be convicted under the controversial Protect Act, which makes drawings of fictional characters into potential child pornography. How did this happen?
In 2002, the Supreme Court struck down the so-called Morphing Law, which held that fictional cartoon or photoshopped images depicting minors having sex would would also be treated as obscene (Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition). Under that decision, last week's conviction of Handley could not have happened. But in 2003, the Protect Law passed, which held that "a drawing, cartoon, sculpture, or painting" showing children in sexual situations could be ruled illegal if local community standards consider it "obscene." This is particularly relevant given that Handley was tried in an area, Southern Iowa, where average community members may not be aware of the styles and content of typical manga.
In the United States, the original intent of the child pornography laws was to protect children from sexual abuse. The idea is that when actual, living children (not images of them) participate in the making of sexual images, they are harmed. The US Supreme Court heard a case in 1982 (New York v. Ferber) whose outcome, in short, made any sexual images containing minors obscene and illegal - even if those images had redeeming social value. New York v. Ferber did not cover fictional images, only photography and film which involved actual children.
The Protect Act dramatically expands the scope of laws permitted under Ferber. But will actual children be protected by sending a man to prison for collecting fictional comic books?
As Comic Book Legal Defense Fund executive director Charles Brownstein put it:
This art that this man possessed as part of a larger collection of manga … is now the basis for [a sentence] designed to protect children from abuse. The drawings are not obscene and are not tantamount to pornography. They are lines on paper.
39-year-old Christopher Handley, an office worker, was brought up on charges of possessing child pornography in 2006 when customs officials seized a package for him. It contained several manga, some of which were "lolicon" that showed what officials said were children being sexually abused. There were also images of bestiality. Handley has a huge collection of manga, and only a few are lolicon. He also had absolutely no child pornography of any description in his house or on his computer.
Nevertheless, Handley entered a guilty plea. According to Threat Level, it was simply because his attorney had exhausted all other options:
"It's probably the only law I'm aware of, if a client shows me a book or magazine or movie, and asks me if this image is illegal, I can't tell them," says Eric Chase, Handley's attorney.
Chase says he recommended the plea agreement (.pdf) to his client because he didn't think he could convince a jury to acquit him once they'd seen the images in question. The lawyer declined to describe the details. "If they can imagine it, they drew it," he says. "Use your imagination. It was there."
The manga collector faces up to 15 years in prison for possessing comic books.
Handley is the first person to be convicted under the controversial Protect Act, which makes drawings of fictional characters into potential child pornography. How did this happen?
In 2002, the Supreme Court struck down the so-called Morphing Law, which held that fictional cartoon or photoshopped images depicting minors having sex would would also be treated as obscene (Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition). Under that decision, last week's conviction of Handley could not have happened. But in 2003, the Protect Law passed, which held that "a drawing, cartoon, sculpture, or painting" showing children in sexual situations could be ruled illegal if local community standards consider it "obscene." This is particularly relevant given that Handley was tried in an area, Southern Iowa, where average community members may not be aware of the styles and content of typical manga.
In the United States, the original intent of the child pornography laws was to protect children from sexual abuse. The idea is that when actual, living children (not images of them) participate in the making of sexual images, they are harmed. The US Supreme Court heard a case in 1982 (New York v. Ferber) whose outcome, in short, made any sexual images containing minors obscene and illegal - even if those images had redeeming social value. New York v. Ferber did not cover fictional images, only photography and film which involved actual children.
The Protect Act dramatically expands the scope of laws permitted under Ferber. But will actual children be protected by sending a man to prison for collecting fictional comic books?
As Comic Book Legal Defense Fund executive director Charles Brownstein put it:
This art that this man possessed as part of a larger collection of manga … is now the basis for [a sentence] designed to protect children from abuse. The drawings are not obscene and are not tantamount to pornography. They are lines on paper.
Gakked it from ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
fwod
Tax Benefits
• Filing joint income tax returns with the IRS and state taxing authorities.
• Creating a "family partnership" under federal tax laws, which allows you to divide business income among family members.
Estate Planning Benefits
• Inheriting a share of your spouse's estate.
• Receiving an exemption from both estate taxes and gift taxes for all property you give or leave to your spouse.
• Creating life estate trusts that are restricted to married couples, including QTIP trusts, QDOT trusts, and marital deduction trusts.
• Obtaining priority if a conservator needs to be appointed for your spouse -- that is, someone to make financial and/or medical decisions on your spouse’s behalf.
Government Benefits
• Receiving Social Security, Medicare, and disability benefits for spouses.
• Receiving veterans' and military benefits for spouses, such as those for education, medical care, or special loans.
• Receiving public assistance benefits.
Employment Benefits
• Obtaining insurance benefits through a spouse's employer.
• Taking family leave to care for your spouse during an illness.
• Receiving wages, workers' compensation, and retirement plan benefits for a deceased spouse.
• Taking bereavement leave if your spouse or one of your spouse’s close relatives dies.
Medical Benefits
• Visiting your spouse in a hospital intensive care unit or during restricted visiting hours in other parts of a medical facility.
• Making medical decisions for your spouse if he or she becomes incapacitated and unable to express wishes for treatment.
Death Benefits
• Consenting to after-death examinations and procedures.
• Making burial or other final arrangements.
Family Benefits
• Filing for stepparent or joint adoption.
• Applying for joint foster care rights.
• Receiving equitable division of property if you divorce.
• Receiving spousal or child support, child custody, and visitation if you divorce.
Housing Benefits
• Living in neighborhoods zoned for "families only."
• Automatically renewing leases signed by your spouse.
Consumer Benefits
• Receiving family rates for health, homeowners', auto, and other types of insurance.
• Receiving tuition discounts and permission to use school facilities.
• Other consumer discounts and incentives offered only to married couples or families.
Other Legal Benefits and Protections
• Suing a third person for wrongful death of your spouse and loss of consortium (loss of intimacy).
• Suing a third person for offenses that interfere with the success of your marriage, such as alienation of affection and criminal conversation (these laws are available in only a few states).
• Claiming the marital communications privilege, which means a court can’t force you to disclose the contents of confidential communications between you and your spouse during your marriage.
• Receiving crime victims' recovery benefits if your spouse is the victim of a crime.
• Obtaining immigration and residency benefits for noncitizen spouse.
• Visiting rights in jails and other places where visitors are restricted to immediate family.
Note that if you are in a same-sex marriage in Massachusetts or a domestic partnership or civil union in any of the states that offer those relationship options, many of the benefits of marriage won't apply to you, because the federal government does not recognize these same-sex relationships.
Got all of the above from nolo.com on an article on family law. So folks, this is why "marriage" breaks beyond the realm of being simply a "religious ceremony". This is where it now exists in the land of the law. Now, there are people who claim that there should be civil unions available to homosexuals. Yet there are states that won't even give them that. On top of that even if they are granted civil unions, most of the above benefits and more are not available to civil unions. Worse yet, they can be disputed on the grounds that the union is not between a man and a woman.
For those who are out there who support the ban on gay marriage, feel free to use all the "excuses" you want. Hide behind religious dogma. Use conservative reasoning. Make your empty claim how gays will ruin marriage while the +50% of straight marriages that fail doesn't. Guess what? This makes you a prejudiced dipshit. You are discriminating against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgenders. That is the truth. Can you give good logical reasoning on a scientific or spiritual level that supports this attitude of banning gay marriage (outside of simply being a bigot)?
For the religious out there... take this into consideration. God knows all and sees all. God knows what will happen. God created the heavens and the earth along with all the creatures that populate it. There are hundreds of animal species that exhibit homosexual behavior. These species still flourish. AND it is found naturally in the animal kingdom. So... when you think about it... God created homosexuality.
Hmmm... so who out there wants you to be hateful towards people who love each other? Who wants you to fear love? Well I don't know... who could it possibly be. SATAN?!?!?
Well isn't that special.
fwodTax Benefits
• Filing joint income tax returns with the IRS and state taxing authorities.
• Creating a "family partnership" under federal tax laws, which allows you to divide business income among family members.
Estate Planning Benefits
• Inheriting a share of your spouse's estate.
• Receiving an exemption from both estate taxes and gift taxes for all property you give or leave to your spouse.
• Creating life estate trusts that are restricted to married couples, including QTIP trusts, QDOT trusts, and marital deduction trusts.
• Obtaining priority if a conservator needs to be appointed for your spouse -- that is, someone to make financial and/or medical decisions on your spouse’s behalf.
Government Benefits
• Receiving Social Security, Medicare, and disability benefits for spouses.
• Receiving veterans' and military benefits for spouses, such as those for education, medical care, or special loans.
• Receiving public assistance benefits.
Employment Benefits
• Obtaining insurance benefits through a spouse's employer.
• Taking family leave to care for your spouse during an illness.
• Receiving wages, workers' compensation, and retirement plan benefits for a deceased spouse.
• Taking bereavement leave if your spouse or one of your spouse’s close relatives dies.
Medical Benefits
• Visiting your spouse in a hospital intensive care unit or during restricted visiting hours in other parts of a medical facility.
• Making medical decisions for your spouse if he or she becomes incapacitated and unable to express wishes for treatment.
Death Benefits
• Consenting to after-death examinations and procedures.
• Making burial or other final arrangements.
Family Benefits
• Filing for stepparent or joint adoption.
• Applying for joint foster care rights.
• Receiving equitable division of property if you divorce.
• Receiving spousal or child support, child custody, and visitation if you divorce.
Housing Benefits
• Living in neighborhoods zoned for "families only."
• Automatically renewing leases signed by your spouse.
Consumer Benefits
• Receiving family rates for health, homeowners', auto, and other types of insurance.
• Receiving tuition discounts and permission to use school facilities.
• Other consumer discounts and incentives offered only to married couples or families.
Other Legal Benefits and Protections
• Suing a third person for wrongful death of your spouse and loss of consortium (loss of intimacy).
• Suing a third person for offenses that interfere with the success of your marriage, such as alienation of affection and criminal conversation (these laws are available in only a few states).
• Claiming the marital communications privilege, which means a court can’t force you to disclose the contents of confidential communications between you and your spouse during your marriage.
• Receiving crime victims' recovery benefits if your spouse is the victim of a crime.
• Obtaining immigration and residency benefits for noncitizen spouse.
• Visiting rights in jails and other places where visitors are restricted to immediate family.
Note that if you are in a same-sex marriage in Massachusetts or a domestic partnership or civil union in any of the states that offer those relationship options, many of the benefits of marriage won't apply to you, because the federal government does not recognize these same-sex relationships.
Got all of the above from nolo.com on an article on family law. So folks, this is why "marriage" breaks beyond the realm of being simply a "religious ceremony". This is where it now exists in the land of the law. Now, there are people who claim that there should be civil unions available to homosexuals. Yet there are states that won't even give them that. On top of that even if they are granted civil unions, most of the above benefits and more are not available to civil unions. Worse yet, they can be disputed on the grounds that the union is not between a man and a woman.
For those who are out there who support the ban on gay marriage, feel free to use all the "excuses" you want. Hide behind religious dogma. Use conservative reasoning. Make your empty claim how gays will ruin marriage while the +50% of straight marriages that fail doesn't. Guess what? This makes you a prejudiced dipshit. You are discriminating against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgenders. That is the truth. Can you give good logical reasoning on a scientific or spiritual level that supports this attitude of banning gay marriage (outside of simply being a bigot)?
For the religious out there... take this into consideration. God knows all and sees all. God knows what will happen. God created the heavens and the earth along with all the creatures that populate it. There are hundreds of animal species that exhibit homosexual behavior. These species still flourish. AND it is found naturally in the animal kingdom. So... when you think about it... God created homosexuality.
Hmmm... so who out there wants you to be hateful towards people who love each other? Who wants you to fear love? Well I don't know... who could it possibly be. SATAN?!?!?
Well isn't that special.
I really miss California most of the time. This is not one of those times.
If you do not support gay marriage your entitled to that opinion. Why on earth can you not just look the other fucking way.
I do not believe that a higher power exists. I do not go around trying to ban churches and/or burning bibles. However that is EXACTLY what you are succeeding in doing to my friends.
If you do not support gay marriage your entitled to that opinion. Why on earth can you not just look the other fucking way.
I do not believe that a higher power exists. I do not go around trying to ban churches and/or burning bibles. However that is EXACTLY what you are succeeding in doing to my friends.
What you are saying, You Vietnam veteran baby killing fuck. Is that green lights do not mater. You always have the right of way. Even when turning on a red because you want everyone to feel sorry for you. As you are a Vietnam veteran.
Even though i had the green turn arrow. You had right of way.
I have the utmost respect for those that have served in the armed forces. Even more so for those that did so during times of war. However do not EVER expect me to feel sorry for you, when your fuckups effect me.
WTH!!
Was waiting for a green left turn arrow at a red light. When the light turned green for me. I started moving. The oncoming individual turning right did not yield. Causing us to have a fender bender. Police faulted him. Yet he feels he did no wrong. Saying it is entirely my fault. That me and the officer are wrong. That i should have made sure to yield to him when i had the green arrow to turn from Cobb PKWY North to Windy Hill West when he was turning right from Cobb PKWY South to Windy hill West on a red light. That i should not have accelerated so fast. That i should have stayed in my lane. That my green light DOES NOT MATER. That every other car yields when watching the intersection. But he is a feel sorry for me veteran who is immune from all laws.
Even though i had the green turn arrow. You had right of way.
I have the utmost respect for those that have served in the armed forces. Even more so for those that did so during times of war. However do not EVER expect me to feel sorry for you, when your fuckups effect me.
WTH!!
Was waiting for a green left turn arrow at a red light. When the light turned green for me. I started moving. The oncoming individual turning right did not yield. Causing us to have a fender bender. Police faulted him. Yet he feels he did no wrong. Saying it is entirely my fault. That me and the officer are wrong. That i should have made sure to yield to him when i had the green arrow to turn from Cobb PKWY North to Windy Hill West when he was turning right from Cobb PKWY South to Windy hill West on a red light. That i should not have accelerated so fast. That i should have stayed in my lane. That my green light DOES NOT MATER. That every other car yields when watching the intersection. But he is a feel sorry for me veteran who is immune from all laws.
Fallout Boy tomorrow, Bruce Springsteen Sunday, and Dave Matthews band Tuesday and Wednesday
Am i the only gamer who does not play MMORPG's?
It is like a recent friend who is tired of people asking a certain question. As soon as people find out i am a gamer. Hey do you play ____________ MMORPG?
It is like a recent friend who is tired of people asking a certain question. As soon as people find out i am a gamer. Hey do you play ____________ MMORPG?
Happy birthday klb7862
klb7862
Happy Birthday jolefay
jolefay
I consider myself pretty password savvy. All my passwords are a minimum of 8 characters. Financial are a minimum of 10. They differ across every website. They contain both the alphabet and numerals. While never requiring me to write them down. None of that abc or 123 stuff. No names or birthdays or anniversaries Etc Etc.
So when i come across a website like the one that allows me to pay my water bill. But demands i use a password that meets strict requirements. Like a certain amount of both the alphabet and numerals both capital and lower case. It basically requires that i write it down some where. It gets my panties all up in a bunch ;).
I refuse to use such websites. Even if it requires me to get a money order and mail it snail mail.
Love being punished because most people consider
http://www.threadwatch.org/node/140
http://blog.jimmyr.com/Most_Common_Pass
exceptable passwords.
So when i come across a website like the one that allows me to pay my water bill. But demands i use a password that meets strict requirements. Like a certain amount of both the alphabet and numerals both capital and lower case. It basically requires that i write it down some where. It gets my panties all up in a bunch ;).
I refuse to use such websites. Even if it requires me to get a money order and mail it snail mail.
Love being punished because most people consider
http://www.threadwatch.org/node/140
http://blog.jimmyr.com/Most_Common_Pass
exceptable passwords.
Am i like the only gamer in the world that does not play WOW.
I love it when employees at electronic businesses try to sell me on high end cables. By saying that is what professional A/V techs use.
As i say:
SO! do you work with the people i work with? Or are you saying the people i work with are not professionals? Seeing as you claim to know what professional AV techs use for cables.
Actually having an AV professional in front of them does nothing to change what they were told by the training manuals. Or the commission they get on the more expensive cables.
As i say:
SO! do you work with the people i work with? Or are you saying the people i work with are not professionals? Seeing as you claim to know what professional AV techs use for cables.
Actually having an AV professional in front of them does nothing to change what they were told by the training manuals. Or the commission they get on the more expensive cables.
Happy Birthday mina0407
mina0407
I am getting 1 MB/s constant download with bit torrent. Oops let me change that 1.5 MB/s. WOW 1 GB of files down in 13 minutes. This is an insane speed for a torrent client. At least for me it is. Never had better than 500KB/s.
Heroes, 24, and Terminator all down together within 15 minutes.
Heroes, 24, and Terminator all down together within 15 minutes.
War films have gotten stale... So the Japanese invents CAT SHIT ONE... A film about quite fluffy bunnies fighting evil Camels in a desert with full on assault rifles, RPG, along with other lethal death shit! This has been known to horrify some, to the delight of many others.
Icon test ;)
I find this slightly amusing
On the other hand i do not find 'this' amusing.
http://i.gizmodo.com/5188521/texas-deci
"In Austin, creationists have managed to include several amendments aimed at casting doubt on the theory of evolution. The amendments may affect the content in science textbooks across the country."
The creationists really need to go back to school. As they need a better understanding of what a theory is. As that is what they keep attacking. Guess they conveniently ignore the fact that nearly all science is a theory. Gravity is a theory. Physics is a collection of Theories. Most Medicines are based on Scientific Theories.
Sad thing is even the Vatican thinks they are crazy
http://www.unattributable.com/2009/03/v
http://heysayheisei.com/for_my_sake/200
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/2953587
I sit somewhere between Atheist and Agnostic. When i hear people mention their beliefs i do not try to shove my beliefs down their throat. I just sit their politely then go about my business. You live your life your way and I'll live mine my way.
Some of those that believe in a higher power have for years tried to shove their beliefs down other peoples throats. Discovering that does not work as well as they would like. They have discovered a new way. Lets legislate our beliefs. Making our beliefs the law of the land.
To you i say FUCK YOU
I see an anti religion war/revolution/backlash coming in the not to distant future if this keeps up.
On the other hand i do not find 'this' amusing.
http://i.gizmodo.com/5188521/texas-deci
"In Austin, creationists have managed to include several amendments aimed at casting doubt on the theory of evolution. The amendments may affect the content in science textbooks across the country."
The creationists really need to go back to school. As they need a better understanding of what a theory is. As that is what they keep attacking. Guess they conveniently ignore the fact that nearly all science is a theory. Gravity is a theory. Physics is a collection of Theories. Most Medicines are based on Scientific Theories.
Sad thing is even the Vatican thinks they are crazy
http://www.unattributable.com/2009/03/v
http://heysayheisei.com/for_my_sake/200
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/2953587
I sit somewhere between Atheist and Agnostic. When i hear people mention their beliefs i do not try to shove my beliefs down their throat. I just sit their politely then go about my business. You live your life your way and I'll live mine my way.
Some of those that believe in a higher power have for years tried to shove their beliefs down other peoples throats. Discovering that does not work as well as they would like. They have discovered a new way. Lets legislate our beliefs. Making our beliefs the law of the land.
To you i say FUCK YOU
I see an anti religion war/revolution/backlash coming in the not to distant future if this keeps up.
California to reduce carbon emissions by... banning black cars?!
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/25/cali
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/25/cali
Each of them knows part of the secret to resurrection. Their going to a, interact with the data flow in the water and then, I don't know. It's a lot of complicated technical talk about sharing information with the five of them then transferring it over to the colonies somehow.
But you are keeping two civilizations waiting.
http://i.gizmodo.com/5175246/safari-cra
At the annual Pwn2Own competition, where hackers compete to crack software as fast as possible so you don't sleep at night, browsers were on the first day's menu. And Safari went down in seconds.
Security researcher Charlie Miller hacked Safari in just 10 seconds, then used a remote-execution exploit to take over the up-to-date MacBook and make it do his dirty bidding. Firefox and Internet Explorer 8 (which you can download at noon today) fell within a few hours to Nils, a master's student who busted all three browsers wide open. They each won $5000. Day 2 will offer more $5000 prizes for discovering new bugs in Firefox, Chrome and Safari.
Mobile phone OS's will also be part of the event, with $10,000 for cracking any of the five majors: iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Symbian and Android. Care to take bets on which one will go down first?
At the annual Pwn2Own competition, where hackers compete to crack software as fast as possible so you don't sleep at night, browsers were on the first day's menu. And Safari went down in seconds.
Security researcher Charlie Miller hacked Safari in just 10 seconds, then used a remote-execution exploit to take over the up-to-date MacBook and make it do his dirty bidding. Firefox and Internet Explorer 8 (which you can download at noon today) fell within a few hours to Nils, a master's student who busted all three browsers wide open. They each won $5000. Day 2 will offer more $5000 prizes for discovering new bugs in Firefox, Chrome and Safari.
Mobile phone OS's will also be part of the event, with $10,000 for cracking any of the five majors: iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Symbian and Android. Care to take bets on which one will go down first?
that was an interesting experience.
So i am out on my porch about 3am having a death stick. When i notice a tow truck prowling the complex. I think to myself it is probably a repo. However just in case it is not i will be a concerned neighbor and go check it out. Yes most people would probably call the cops at that point. Not me, i know i am an intimidating looking fellow. (yes i know probably get my self shot this way some day) anyway. I go outside following the sound of the engine noise the tow truck makes. I see the truck hooking up to a vehicle. At this point i am standing about a hundred feet away just watching. The driver starts to lift the vehicle which sets off the car alarm. So i slowly approach the tow truck. The driver notices me and asks 'how can i help you'. I answer with 'i am just a concerned neighbor, would like to ask if you could show proof that you are authorized to take this vehicle' Which he immediately gets confrontational "YOU COME ANY CLOSER YOU ARE GOING TO JAIL" As the driver gets into the truck. I walk around to drivers side, keeping my distance with the previous threat in mind. I am like "Hey man i am not here to cause any shit just asking out of concern. He starts turning the truck which brings it closer to me. Again he threatens me with the going to jail thing. At this point i am like wtf he is threatening me with going to jail if i come any closer to his truck as HE drives it closer to me. He jumps out of his truck and starts threatening me with physical violence. I take a step back again requesting the before mentioned information. He ignores me and gets back into the truck at which point i walk just close enough to see what the company name is on the side of the truck. Threatening me again as he drives off.
I go back into my apartment and look up the non emergency police number. They inform me that yes a repo is happening in the complex tonight. I explain what happened and the officer asks if i want to file a complaint seeing as i was threatened. I think about it, sure why not. Anyway an officer calls me up about ten minutes later. Goes on about how they (the repo men/women) have a very stressful job and do not like ever being approached. Even with good intentions. He did mention the threats of going to jail are hollow threats. Just said as it does scare off some people. Goes on to tell me repossessers are required to inform the police department, which they did. If they do not they get a rather nasty fine.
Suffice to say i dropped it.
If i ever see that gentleman again i am going to have some choice words for him.
So i am out on my porch about 3am having a death stick. When i notice a tow truck prowling the complex. I think to myself it is probably a repo. However just in case it is not i will be a concerned neighbor and go check it out. Yes most people would probably call the cops at that point. Not me, i know i am an intimidating looking fellow. (yes i know probably get my self shot this way some day) anyway. I go outside following the sound of the engine noise the tow truck makes. I see the truck hooking up to a vehicle. At this point i am standing about a hundred feet away just watching. The driver starts to lift the vehicle which sets off the car alarm. So i slowly approach the tow truck. The driver notices me and asks 'how can i help you'. I answer with 'i am just a concerned neighbor, would like to ask if you could show proof that you are authorized to take this vehicle' Which he immediately gets confrontational "YOU COME ANY CLOSER YOU ARE GOING TO JAIL" As the driver gets into the truck. I walk around to drivers side, keeping my distance with the previous threat in mind. I am like "Hey man i am not here to cause any shit just asking out of concern. He starts turning the truck which brings it closer to me. Again he threatens me with the going to jail thing. At this point i am like wtf he is threatening me with going to jail if i come any closer to his truck as HE drives it closer to me. He jumps out of his truck and starts threatening me with physical violence. I take a step back again requesting the before mentioned information. He ignores me and gets back into the truck at which point i walk just close enough to see what the company name is on the side of the truck. Threatening me again as he drives off.
I go back into my apartment and look up the non emergency police number. They inform me that yes a repo is happening in the complex tonight. I explain what happened and the officer asks if i want to file a complaint seeing as i was threatened. I think about it, sure why not. Anyway an officer calls me up about ten minutes later. Goes on about how they (the repo men/women) have a very stressful job and do not like ever being approached. Even with good intentions. He did mention the threats of going to jail are hollow threats. Just said as it does scare off some people. Goes on to tell me repossessers are required to inform the police department, which they did. If they do not they get a rather nasty fine.
Suffice to say i dropped it.
If i ever see that gentleman again i am going to have some choice words for him.
"The ever-quotable speculative fiction writer Harlan Ellison has launched a lawsuit against Paramount and the Writer's Guild West for rights to residuals surrounding his famous and award winning 'City on the Edge of Forever' episode for the original Star Trek series. Ellison, recently featured in the documentary 'Dreams with Sharp Teeth,' said that 'The Trek fans who know my City screenplay understand just exactly why I'm bare-fangs-of-Adamantium about this.' Regarding his lawsuit, he had this to say: 'The arrogance, the pompous dismissive imperial manner of those who "have more important things to worry about," who'll have their assistant get back to you, who don't actually read or create, who merely "take" meetings, and shuffle papers — much of which is paper money denied to those who actually did the manual labor of creating those dreams — they refuse even to notice... until you jam a Federal lawsuit in their eye. To hell with all that obfuscation and phony flag-waving: they got my money. Pay me and pay off all the other writers from whom you've made hundreds of thousands of millions of dollars... from OUR labors... just so you can float your fat asses in warm Bahamian waters.
Been ten years, still has the same effect.
I thought that the promise of digital television was specialized programming for niche communities. From what I can see, all the channels now carry the same crap.
I can't tell the difference between SciFi, Spike, or even Soap TV (not that I watch it or anything.)
From what I can tell, the future of television will be 250 channels of "Law and Order" re-runs.
I can't tell the difference between SciFi, Spike, or even Soap TV (not that I watch it or anything.)
From what I can tell, the future of television will be 250 channels of "Law and Order" re-runs.
What this chumwits fail to realize is that geek is bigger and broader than ever. Consider the inroads computers and video games have made into the landscape. Video games are an umpty-billion dollar a year industry and are either threatening to or have already surpassed music and movies as the biggest consumer entertainment market. This really surprises me. I mean, I like gaming but I didn't think it was that huge but there it is.
There's always been a demand for escapism entertainment. Now you can argue about hard SF and sci-fi like geeks argue trekker vs. trekkie. It doesn't really matter -- escapism is huge. Now you could be talking comic book fantasy or spaceships and aliens scifi or brooding sexual vamps and werewolves, it doesn't matter. Those of the female persuasion have embraced this sort of thing just as vigorously as the boys. Let's not overlook the amazingly huge impact of Japanese media as well -- manga, anime, etc.
The difficulty the big media types have here is they want to go for the biggest audience. They're still stuck in the 50's when a popular show could capture half the audience across the entire country. They simply can't abide by the idea of serving a niche and serving it well, keeping the overhead low so that they can enjoy a modest, dependable income.
There's a huge market out there for brain-boggling entertainment. People want the unusual, want the unexpected. The problem is that the Sci-Fi Channel has insisted on doing it in the most ignorant, pigheaded, and insulting manner possible.
For starters, Sci-Fi Channel Original Movies universally mean piss awful drek spanked together with the most miserable of standards, CGI monster of the week crap that's poorly conceived, written, acted, and directed. Rod Serling was able to create art with crappy cameras and a SFX budget of cigar butts and sawdust. Sci-Fi doesn't care. They just want to crank out low-expectation shit and expect people to lap it up. What about when they put that contemptible fuckspat John Edwards on? Not the presidential candidate but the spook whisperer. How in the hell is this sci-fi? And what about that Ghost Hunters crap? I can well appreciate the odd UFO and cryptid show but Sci-Fi stuck to this tabloid crap the way the History Channel clings to WWII shows.
I think the biggest problem they have here is that their product is aimed at bright geeks but management wants to market it to idiot chump TV watchers who throw money at anything with tits and explosions. Proper geeks will either Tivo what they want to watch or buy the DVD's -- advertising-supported television will simply not be cost-effective here. But this is going to be the future, folks. People are getting used to watching their TV curled up in bed on the laptop or on the train with the ipod or just plug the computer into the TV and watch the torrent. People have demonstrated they will pay money to watch the show but they're not going to pay through the nose. And there are so many new areas of entertainment to explore, the market for old school passives is going to keep suffering from greater competition.
I think what we're seeing here is the same cause for the failure of Air America. Right wing radio listeners tend to be whiter, older, and have grown up listening to radio. There's not many converts amongst the youth. The target audience for Air America, the liberals, tend to be less likely to listen to radio to begin with and more likely to be getting their news and views from alternative media or television. This was a fight Air America could not win because the market simply wasn't there, even as Air America hosts in other venues such as Rachel Maddow are enjoying phenomenal success.
Once Galactica is finished will they even have anything scifi-related in the line-up? I know they canned the Dresden Files on account of being too expensive and the push to end Galactica is along similar lines. What, are these people stupid? Do they not realize scifi shows are always the most expensive there are to produce and have been so since the first Star Trek? They make up for it by having the most rabid fans who can be depended on for merchandising revenue. DVD's, video games, collectibles, you name it, they'll buy it.
The same bullshit was tried on TNT when they picked up B5 and Crusade. "Um, yeah, we know that you guys built up your huge success and came to our attention by doing what you do and being who you are. That being said, we now want to muck with the formula and put in violence and titty to appeal to the idiot mouthbreathers with money market, thereby also alienating the audience we're paying for. Can you do this?"
The future is going to see the death of the studio system and direct marketing to fans. I used to think this would be later rather than sooner but I think now it will be sooner rather than later. The technology is here and, more importantly, audiences are becoming accustomed to the new way of doing business.
So good-bye, Sci-Fi. I'll be pleased not to be so directly disappointed in you anymore.
There's always been a demand for escapism entertainment. Now you can argue about hard SF and sci-fi like geeks argue trekker vs. trekkie. It doesn't really matter -- escapism is huge. Now you could be talking comic book fantasy or spaceships and aliens scifi or brooding sexual vamps and werewolves, it doesn't matter. Those of the female persuasion have embraced this sort of thing just as vigorously as the boys. Let's not overlook the amazingly huge impact of Japanese media as well -- manga, anime, etc.
The difficulty the big media types have here is they want to go for the biggest audience. They're still stuck in the 50's when a popular show could capture half the audience across the entire country. They simply can't abide by the idea of serving a niche and serving it well, keeping the overhead low so that they can enjoy a modest, dependable income.
There's a huge market out there for brain-boggling entertainment. People want the unusual, want the unexpected. The problem is that the Sci-Fi Channel has insisted on doing it in the most ignorant, pigheaded, and insulting manner possible.
For starters, Sci-Fi Channel Original Movies universally mean piss awful drek spanked together with the most miserable of standards, CGI monster of the week crap that's poorly conceived, written, acted, and directed. Rod Serling was able to create art with crappy cameras and a SFX budget of cigar butts and sawdust. Sci-Fi doesn't care. They just want to crank out low-expectation shit and expect people to lap it up. What about when they put that contemptible fuckspat John Edwards on? Not the presidential candidate but the spook whisperer. How in the hell is this sci-fi? And what about that Ghost Hunters crap? I can well appreciate the odd UFO and cryptid show but Sci-Fi stuck to this tabloid crap the way the History Channel clings to WWII shows.
I think the biggest problem they have here is that their product is aimed at bright geeks but management wants to market it to idiot chump TV watchers who throw money at anything with tits and explosions. Proper geeks will either Tivo what they want to watch or buy the DVD's -- advertising-supported television will simply not be cost-effective here. But this is going to be the future, folks. People are getting used to watching their TV curled up in bed on the laptop or on the train with the ipod or just plug the computer into the TV and watch the torrent. People have demonstrated they will pay money to watch the show but they're not going to pay through the nose. And there are so many new areas of entertainment to explore, the market for old school passives is going to keep suffering from greater competition.
I think what we're seeing here is the same cause for the failure of Air America. Right wing radio listeners tend to be whiter, older, and have grown up listening to radio. There's not many converts amongst the youth. The target audience for Air America, the liberals, tend to be less likely to listen to radio to begin with and more likely to be getting their news and views from alternative media or television. This was a fight Air America could not win because the market simply wasn't there, even as Air America hosts in other venues such as Rachel Maddow are enjoying phenomenal success.
Once Galactica is finished will they even have anything scifi-related in the line-up? I know they canned the Dresden Files on account of being too expensive and the push to end Galactica is along similar lines. What, are these people stupid? Do they not realize scifi shows are always the most expensive there are to produce and have been so since the first Star Trek? They make up for it by having the most rabid fans who can be depended on for merchandising revenue. DVD's, video games, collectibles, you name it, they'll buy it.
The same bullshit was tried on TNT when they picked up B5 and Crusade. "Um, yeah, we know that you guys built up your huge success and came to our attention by doing what you do and being who you are. That being said, we now want to muck with the formula and put in violence and titty to appeal to the idiot mouthbreathers with money market, thereby also alienating the audience we're paying for. Can you do this?"
The future is going to see the death of the studio system and direct marketing to fans. I used to think this would be later rather than sooner but I think now it will be sooner rather than later. The technology is here and, more importantly, audiences are becoming accustomed to the new way of doing business.
So good-bye, Sci-Fi. I'll be pleased not to be so directly disappointed in you anymore.
March 30th is the last day to send in your comments. Send an email to regs.comments@federalreserve.gov with "Docket No. R-1343" in the subject line.
Tell the Feds that you don't want your bank levying overdraft fees on you until you say, yes Mr Banky, I want to end up paying $28 for a Coke. The Feds are considering Regulation E: R-1343 and of critical concern is whether overdraft fees will be opt-out or opt-in. Obviously people shouldn't overdraft, but what started out as a service for customers has, in some cases, turned into kicking a guy in the nuts while he's down and taking his wallet.
Why don't they just deny a debit charge if there's not enough money in the account? Because then they don't make as much money off fees.
Another one: Banks like to process checks largest to smallest instead of order received. This way they max the chances you'll overdraw and then they can charge more overdraft fees. Since these overdraft fees are racking up on increasingly smaller items, people can end up owing the bank more in fees than they would the original merchants.
The banks want overdraft programs to be opt-out. We want it to be OPT-IN.
http://consumerist.com/5170947/tell-t
Tell the Feds that you don't want your bank levying overdraft fees on you until you say, yes Mr Banky, I want to end up paying $28 for a Coke. The Feds are considering Regulation E: R-1343 and of critical concern is whether overdraft fees will be opt-out or opt-in. Obviously people shouldn't overdraft, but what started out as a service for customers has, in some cases, turned into kicking a guy in the nuts while he's down and taking his wallet.
Why don't they just deny a debit charge if there's not enough money in the account? Because then they don't make as much money off fees.
Another one: Banks like to process checks largest to smallest instead of order received. This way they max the chances you'll overdraw and then they can charge more overdraft fees. Since these overdraft fees are racking up on increasingly smaller items, people can end up owing the bank more in fees than they would the original merchants.
The banks want overdraft programs to be opt-out. We want it to be OPT-IN.
http://consumerist.com/5170947/tell-t
Here we comes another TNT clone
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/03/sci_
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/03/sci_
Here is an easy way to make $170,000 and fuck over the population.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11919
The largest police enforcement operation ever in Northern California took place Saturday and netted at least 170 citations and arrests, according to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
The operation began at 2 p.m. Saturday, and involved more than 30 law enforcement agencies in the largest shoulder tap decoy operation ever assembled in the region, according to the department.
The operation targeted adults who purchase alcohol for people under 21 years old and had minors stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol while indicating in some way that he or she is underage.
As of 11 p.m., 126 individuals were cited for furnishing alcohol to minors, while police also made arrests for violations including driving under the influence, possession of illegal narcotics, being drunk in public, stolen vehicle charges, and probation violations.
The operation was conducted in multiple cities and counties throughout Northern California to reduce youth access during the St. Patrick's Day holiday.
A task force of about 180 police officers from Alcoholic Beverage Control, Cotati, Healdsburg, Sonoma State University, Berkeley, Martinez, Vacaville, Fairfield, Burlingame, Daly City, Millbrae and Pacifica and other departments took part in the operation.
Law enforcement agencies from other Northern California counties included Solano, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Sonoma.
The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_11919
The largest police enforcement operation ever in Northern California took place Saturday and netted at least 170 citations and arrests, according to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
The operation began at 2 p.m. Saturday, and involved more than 30 law enforcement agencies in the largest shoulder tap decoy operation ever assembled in the region, according to the department.
The operation targeted adults who purchase alcohol for people under 21 years old and had minors stand outside a liquor or convenience store and ask patrons to buy them alcohol while indicating in some way that he or she is underage.
As of 11 p.m., 126 individuals were cited for furnishing alcohol to minors, while police also made arrests for violations including driving under the influence, possession of illegal narcotics, being drunk in public, stolen vehicle charges, and probation violations.
The operation was conducted in multiple cities and counties throughout Northern California to reduce youth access during the St. Patrick's Day holiday.
A task force of about 180 police officers from Alcoholic Beverage Control, Cotati, Healdsburg, Sonoma State University, Berkeley, Martinez, Vacaville, Fairfield, Burlingame, Daly City, Millbrae and Pacifica and other departments took part in the operation.
Law enforcement agencies from other Northern California counties included Solano, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Sonoma.
The penalty for furnishing alcohol to a minor is a minimum $1,000 fine and 24 hours of community service.
easy gig today. Am operating the video ribbon board at Gwinnett Arena. For the Georgia High School Basketball Championships. Get to sit in the video booth all day at a bunch of computers. Changing the advertisers between games. Real hard day. :)
Anybody know anybody that likes britney. That wants a crew shirt. If not it will just be another jiz rag. Sad thing it is one of the better crew shirts. It is up there in the top ten percent we get. Most shirts we get just have some crappy logo on the front. This one has a huge one on the back as well
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