2 congressional panels echo Kay on Iraqi weaponry
well, duh.
Friday, January 30, 2004
Thursday, January 29, 2004
LegalTorrents - Your source for legal BitTorrent files
LegalTorrents - Your source for legal BitTorrent files
And the web begat Napster.
And Napster begat Gnutella.
And Gnutella begat BitTorrent.
And lo, the files were shared.
And the web begat Napster.
And Napster begat Gnutella.
And Gnutella begat BitTorrent.
And lo, the files were shared.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
Monday, January 26, 2004
=The Hill.com=
=The Hill.com=
Perhaps you want to join the revolution, jah? Wild stuff in the other Georgia after a peaceful coup.
Perhaps you want to join the revolution, jah? Wild stuff in the other Georgia after a peaceful coup.
The Corporation (kottke.org)
The Corporation (kottke.org)
Interesting idea. I had one similar a while back, where people could, in aggregate, measure the moral behaviour of corps (based on their own sense of morality), so this seems like a step in that direction.
Interesting idea. I had one similar a while back, where people could, in aggregate, measure the moral behaviour of corps (based on their own sense of morality), so this seems like a step in that direction.
BBC NEWS | Business | Gabriel to launch musicians' union
BBC NEWS | Business | Gabriel to launch musicians' union
They are certainly going to need one. Between the record companies and the fans stand, appropriately enough, the artists.
They are certainly going to need one. Between the record companies and the fans stand, appropriately enough, the artists.
Telegraph | News | Queen to give knighthood to Bill Gates - but you can blame it on Gordon Brown
Telegraph | News | Queen to give knighthood to Bill Gates - but you can blame it on Gordon Brown
I don't know if there is a text-based representation that can adequately express my disgust. At least a comment on /. made it look like this is politics. Ugh.
I don't know if there is a text-based representation that can adequately express my disgust. At least a comment on /. made it look like this is politics. Ugh.
Pandagon: Keeping It Real With George Dubbya
Pandagon: Keeping It Real With George Dubbya
Come on, don't make fun of these folks. At least they are trying.
Come on, don't make fun of these folks. At least they are trying.
Subconsciously, Athletes May Play Like Statisticians
Subconsciously, Athletes May Play Like Statisticians
This came off k5, and while I think this article is good to get you started, I found some other links that are much, much better.
This bayes stuff has really been helping me out in some of my research, it's going to allow me to quantify a bunch of things that I wasn't sure how to do so. Gettin' a little more excited, since the math is already there.
This came off k5, and while I think this article is good to get you started, I found some other links that are much, much better.
This bayes stuff has really been helping me out in some of my research, it's going to allow me to quantify a bunch of things that I wasn't sure how to do so. Gettin' a little more excited, since the math is already there.
Glimpse of a new type of matter: Frozen helium has been turned into a solid that behaves like a superfluid.
Glimpse of a new type of matter: Frozen helium has been turned into a solid that behaves like a superfluid.: "Researchers in the United States think they have found a new state of matter - a supersolid.
If their findings are correct, this state is deeply bizarre. Although it is a crystalline solid, it can 'flow' like the most slippery liquid imaginable - in fact, like a liquid with no viscosity."
Been wanting to post this for a week, wanted to read about it, but haven't had a chance to follow up yet.
If their findings are correct, this state is deeply bizarre. Although it is a crystalline solid, it can 'flow' like the most slippery liquid imaginable - in fact, like a liquid with no viscosity."
Been wanting to post this for a week, wanted to read about it, but haven't had a chance to follow up yet.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
Salon.com Technology | Is the war on file sharing over?
Salon.com Technology | Is the war on file sharing over?: "If one is willing to believe the happy talk from music business executives, the tide has finally turned against file sharing, thanks to the get-tough tactics employed by the Recording Industry Association of America. "
ha, if this war is over it's on the other side.
ha, if this war is over it's on the other side.
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Verified Voting - Campaign To Demand Verifiable Election Results
Verified Voting - Campaign To Demand Verifiable Election Results: "A growing concern over the inadequacies of election equipment in the United States has recently been heightened by the problems of the 2000 Presidential election. Added to the mix is the election reform mandated by recent federal legislation attempting to address the concerns. The result is that many states are scurrying to replace their older equipment with new electronic voting computers. "
Reading from a QP post.
Reading from a QP post.
Ben Hammersley's Dangerous Precedent: I have a scream.
Ben Hammersley's Dangerous Precedent: I have a scream.: "The internet giveth, and the internet taketh away. While Lilek's remix is already 100 links and rising, Howard Dean's I have a scream speech is being remixed again."
Recycling the world in real time. Who needs the networks?
Recycling the world in real time. Who needs the networks?
2nd Act A Year Later, Sean Penn Returns to Iraq and Files a Personal, Candid Report From the Front
2nd Act A Year Later, Sean Penn Returns to Iraq and Files a Personal, Candid Report From the FrontMy reputation within our home is one of impulsiveness, hubris and an overall bloated sense of my own survival instincts. Of course, this is entirely unfounded, but we'll leave that for another day.
Update for the Penn slamming righties.
Update for the Penn slamming righties.
Monday, January 19, 2004
Fairvue Central >> Features >> Fourth Annual Weblog Awards
Fairvue Central >> Features >> Fourth Annual Weblog Awards
Good links for reading. Always interesting.
Good links for reading. Always interesting.
Friday, January 16, 2004
Thursday, January 15, 2004
IOL : Cannibal's penis fantasy revealed in court
IOL : Cannibal's penis fantasy revealed in court: "The victim of Germany's self-confessed 'cannibal of Rotenburg' was obsessed with having his penis 'bitten off' by a sexual partner and offered his boyfriend almost R40 000 to carry out the act, a court in Kassel heard on Wednesday."
It's a ... baaad world.
It's a ... baaad world.
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
Making Light: geek knitting
Making Light: geek knitting
More than you could possible want to know about knitting, up to and including the use of mathematical, biological, and just dang interesting patterns in the knits.
More than you could possible want to know about knitting, up to and including the use of mathematical, biological, and just dang interesting patterns in the knits.
Monday, January 12, 2004
monochrom: The Year Wrap-up
monochrom: The Year Wrap-up: "The entire earth�s surface stretches out over 510 million km^2, whereby 149 million km^2 is land (29.2%) and 361 million km^2 (70.8%) is water. The earth�s surface is in motion marginally and is displacing itself, but only by a few centimeters per year."
Love it.
Love it.
Boing Boing: A Directory of Wonderful Things
Boing Boing: A Directory of Wonderful Things: "My daughter was scared and shaken up by the ordeal and told us that she 'hated it.' At least the security people were polite to her. But they were like polite robots, unable to laugh at the fact that someone had mistakenly pegged a little girl as a potential terrorist. No, they insisted that she had to take off her shoes and get patted down and have a wand passed over her body and have her Hello Kitty suitcase opened and examined with a fine toothed comb."
Our children are going to expect an invasive police state. Dang, we screwed up.
Our children are going to expect an invasive police state. Dang, we screwed up.
KRT Wire | 01/12/2004 | Sheepish strategy kills Rams' season
KRT Wire | 01/12/2004 | Sheepish strategy kills Rams' season: "ST. LOUIS - (KRT) - Mike Martz, genius coach, had what many might think was a no-brainer Sunday.
Here he was, poised to finish off a comeback win in an NFC divisional game with one of the highest-scoring teams in football in a place where it hadn't lost in 14 games.
But the inexplicable happened on an afternoon of weird happenings.
Martz lost his nerve.
The Rams lost the game, 29-23."
The fans are always the harshest critics, great weekend of football. One of the best of the year.
Here he was, poised to finish off a comeback win in an NFC divisional game with one of the highest-scoring teams in football in a place where it hadn't lost in 14 games.
But the inexplicable happened on an afternoon of weird happenings.
Martz lost his nerve.
The Rams lost the game, 29-23."
The fans are always the harshest critics, great weekend of football. One of the best of the year.
KRT Wire | 01/12/2004 | Sheepish strategy kills Rams' season
KRT Wire | 01/12/2004 | Sheepish strategy kills Rams' season: "ST. LOUIS - (KRT) - Mike Martz, genius coach, had what many might think was a no-brainer Sunday.
Here he was, poised to finish off a comeback win in an NFC divisional game with one of the highest-scoring teams in football in a place where it hadn't lost in 14 games.
But the inexplicable happened on an afternoon of weird happenings.
Martz lost his nerve.
The Rams lost the game, 29-23."
The fans are always the harshest critics, great weekend of football. One of the best of the year.
Here he was, poised to finish off a comeback win in an NFC divisional game with one of the highest-scoring teams in football in a place where it hadn't lost in 14 games.
But the inexplicable happened on an afternoon of weird happenings.
Martz lost his nerve.
The Rams lost the game, 29-23."
The fans are always the harshest critics, great weekend of football. One of the best of the year.
Aljazeera.Net - US can keep 9/11 arrests secret
Aljazeera.Net - US can keep 9/11 arrests secret: "The US Supreme Court has ruled that the Bush administration can keep secret the names of hundreds of people questioned, detained or arrested since September 11.
The ruling on Monday, which is certain to dismay human rights activists worldwide, also allows the administration to keep away from public domain other basic details of the detainees and those questioned."
Hundreds? Didn't they say thousands? Heck, how should I know, I'm nothing but an American citizen, who used to have the right to not have to worry about the government spiriting me away on half-baked accusations..but now doesn't.
The ruling on Monday, which is certain to dismay human rights activists worldwide, also allows the administration to keep away from public domain other basic details of the detainees and those questioned."
Hundreds? Didn't they say thousands? Heck, how should I know, I'm nothing but an American citizen, who used to have the right to not have to worry about the government spiriting me away on half-baked accusations..but now doesn't.
Examining the "Liberal Media" Claim-- Journalists' Views on Politics, Economic Policy and Media Coverage
Examining the "Liberal Media" Claim-- Journalists' Views on Politics, Economic Policy and Media Coverage: "The conservative critique of the news media rests on two general propositions: (1) journalists' views are to the left of the public, and (2) journalists frame news content in a way that accentuates these left perspectives. Previous research has revealed persuasive evidence against the latter claim, but the validity of the former claim has often been taken for granted. This research project examined the supposed left orientation of media personnel by surveying Washington-based journalists who cover national politics and/or economic policy at US outlets."
Myth busting.
Myth busting.
Newsday.com - Poll: Alternative News Gaining Influence
Newsday.com - Poll: Alternative News Gaining Influence: "The public is increasingly concerned about bias in campaign coverage by the media generally. About the same number, 39 percent, say there is bias in campaign coverage as the number that says there is no bias, 38 percent.
The number who feel coverage is biased has grown steadily since 1988, when 62 percent said coverage was not biased. "
This is an article on how more Americans are running away screaming from 'network' news. This is a good thing. The fact that our media system is deteriorating is not.
The number who feel coverage is biased has grown steadily since 1988, when 62 percent said coverage was not biased. "
This is an article on how more Americans are running away screaming from 'network' news. This is a good thing. The fact that our media system is deteriorating is not.
Chemists crack secrets of nature's super glue
Chemists crack secrets of nature's super glue: "Chemists crack secrets of nature's super glue
ARLINGTON, Va.-Researchers have discovered that iron in seawater is the key binding agent in the super-strong glues of the common blue mussel, Mytilus edulis. This is the first time researchers have determined that a metal such as iron is critical to forming an amorphous, biological material."
I can't wait until the mussel's sue for patent infringement.
ARLINGTON, Va.-Researchers have discovered that iron in seawater is the key binding agent in the super-strong glues of the common blue mussel, Mytilus edulis. This is the first time researchers have determined that a metal such as iron is critical to forming an amorphous, biological material."
I can't wait until the mussel's sue for patent infringement.
Boston.com / News / Nation / Bush began Iraq plan pre-9/11, O'Neill says
Boston.com / News / Nation / Bush began Iraq plan pre-9/11, O'Neill says: "WASHINGTON -- President Bush and his senior aides began plotting the invasion of Iraq just days after he took office in January 2001 and not, as the administration has indicated, after terrorists struck against the United States eight months later, according to former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, who was forced from his post in December 2002."
More diry laundry coming soon to an editor's wastebasket near you. The Neocon idea to invade Iraq goes back to '97, IIRC, on the PNAC website. The idea to rebuild it was thought to be 'so dumb only a liberal could think it,', which is my own quote and the only way they could plan an invasion for 6 years, and a clean-up for 6 minutes.
More diry laundry coming soon to an editor's wastebasket near you. The Neocon idea to invade Iraq goes back to '97, IIRC, on the PNAC website. The idea to rebuild it was thought to be 'so dumb only a liberal could think it,', which is my own quote and the only way they could plan an invasion for 6 years, and a clean-up for 6 minutes.
Sunday, January 11, 2004
Thick-Skinned Gravastars Vie to Replace Black Holes, in Theory
Thick-Skinned Gravastars Vie to Replace Black Holes, in Theory: "As if black holes weren't mind-bending enough, a new hypothesis suggests an entirely new idea for Nature's densest objects. In fact, the idea goes black holes aren't holes at all but black bubbles with very thick skins.
The new idea, presented this week at a meeting of the American Physical Society, was conceived to provide an alternative to the exotic description of where stuff goes when a star collapses and becomes, in present theory, a black hole."
O.k. this is just getting more specific, IMHO. They are only 'black' because of the light thing, it's a human failing to put it in such terms. But thinking there is a 'surface' of some type, well, that's just curious.
Cool stuff.
The new idea, presented this week at a meeting of the American Physical Society, was conceived to provide an alternative to the exotic description of where stuff goes when a star collapses and becomes, in present theory, a black hole."
O.k. this is just getting more specific, IMHO. They are only 'black' because of the light thing, it's a human failing to put it in such terms. But thinking there is a 'surface' of some type, well, that's just curious.
Cool stuff.
Cosmic Cannon: How an Exploding Star Could Fry Earth
Cosmic Cannon: How an Exploding Star Could Fry Earth: "Shooting out jets of energy or blobs of stuff the size of Earth at nearly light-speed, exploding stars called supernovae may hold more potential peril than anyone had ever imagined, according to a growing suspicion among some researchers.
While scientists have long tried to link supernovae to mass extinctions on Earth, there is no solid evidence. But recent observations of high-energy emissions in space have some scientists suggesting that our planet may in fact get fried every now and then."
Curious, end-of-the-known universe scenarios.
While scientists have long tried to link supernovae to mass extinctions on Earth, there is no solid evidence. But recent observations of high-energy emissions in space have some scientists suggesting that our planet may in fact get fried every now and then."
Curious, end-of-the-known universe scenarios.
Wired 12.01: MEMO:To: The next head of the Motion Picture Association of America (to be opened upon arrival)
Wired 12.01: MEMO:To: The next head of the Motion Picture Association of America (to be opened upon arrival): "Congratulations on your new job - and on having the courage to take it. You arrive at a historic moment, with big shoes to fill and a tough challenge ahead. Jack Valenti's 37-year reign was a remarkable exercise in the use of political power to protect an industry. But it came at a cost. The film industry has treated as a threat any disruptive new technology that might change the way movies are distributed and consumed, lobbying vigorously for legal safeguards. Valenti did this all too well; the result of his skill on the Hill is an industry that instinctively hides behind the skirt of Washington and the courts."
This goes with the next two.
This goes with the next two.
No more sequels in DVD hacking case | CNET News.com
No more sequels in DVD hacking case | CNET News.com: "Norwegian police said Monday they would not appeal a landmark DVD piracy case for a second time, marking a final victory for a 20-year-old hacker and a defeat for Hollywood.
An Oslo appeals court cleared 20-year-old Jon Johansen, dubbed 'DVD Jon,' of piracy charges in late December, angering the U.S. film industry, which had hoped for a legal precedent to prevent unauthorized copying of DVDs around the world. "
See next post.
An Oslo appeals court cleared 20-year-old Jon Johansen, dubbed 'DVD Jon,' of piracy charges in late December, angering the U.S. film industry, which had hoped for a legal precedent to prevent unauthorized copying of DVDs around the world. "
See next post.
Yahoo! News - Secret Movie Moguls
Yahoo! News - Secret Movie Moguls: "Nearly halfway around the world from Hollywood, a 17-year-old high-school student is trying to make a name for himself as a film distributor.
Unlike the moguls in Tinseltown, though, he and his colleagues in a group called MysticVCD don't cut deals, take meetings or campaign for Oscars (news - web sites). Instead, their goal is to put a movie on the Internet first, long before it's officially released on tape or disc. If MysticVCD wins the race, the digital copy it produces will be downloaded onto tens of thousands of computers around the globe, potentially reaching more screens than the film itself did in theatrical release."
When you look at the 'why' this is done, you can start to realize that this is an np-hard political problem to deal with. A number of other factors also make innovative solutions an absolute necessity.
Unlike the moguls in Tinseltown, though, he and his colleagues in a group called MysticVCD don't cut deals, take meetings or campaign for Oscars (news - web sites). Instead, their goal is to put a movie on the Internet first, long before it's officially released on tape or disc. If MysticVCD wins the race, the digital copy it produces will be downloaded onto tens of thousands of computers around the globe, potentially reaching more screens than the film itself did in theatrical release."
When you look at the 'why' this is done, you can start to realize that this is an np-hard political problem to deal with. A number of other factors also make innovative solutions an absolute necessity.
LA Weekly: News: Music Industry Puts Troops in the Streets
LA Weekly: News: Music Industry Puts Troops in the Streets: "Though no guns were brandished, the bust from a distance looked like classic LAPD, DEA or FBI work, right down to the black 'raid' vests the unit members wore. The fact that their yellow stenciled lettering read 'RIAA' instead of something from an official law-enforcement agency was lost on 55-year-old parking-lot attendant Ceasar Borrayo.
The Recording Industry Association of America is taking it to the streets."
Coming soon to a block near you.
The Recording Industry Association of America is taking it to the streets."
Coming soon to a block near you.
Friday, January 09, 2004
"Notes From the Underground" by Nicholas Thompson
"Notes From the Underground" by Nicholas Thompson: "Every two weeks or so, I pack up my Taylor acoustic guitar, fill my backpack with CDs of my music, and head down into the New York City subways to busk away. I make good money, and I get to watch and study people, too. For example, I can now tell from about 50 feet away whether a woman is likely to give me money. "
More useful, unsolicited advice for the recording industry.
More useful, unsolicited advice for the recording industry.
The Daily Telegraph | Secret photo of a cowering dictator
The Daily Telegraph | Secret photo of a cowering dictator
Up close and personal. Right-click, save-as.
Up close and personal. Right-click, save-as.
Monday, January 05, 2004
FT.com / Business / US
FT.com / Business / US: "The survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project showed about 14 per cent of Americans downloaded music files over the internet in the four weeks ending on December 14. That compared with 29 per cent last May, just before the Recording Industry Association of America announced it was preparing to sue people who shared unauthorised music files over the internet.
'We have never seen another internet activity drop off to this degree,' said Lee Rainie, director of Pew. 'The drop-off was just striking, particularly since overall internet activity goes up and up.'
But critics of the RIAA's controversial lawsuits say it is too early to draw any conclusions.
Fred von Lohmann of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an internet users' campaigning group, noted that data from internet tracking services showed little decline in activity on online peer-to-peer services such as Kazaa.
It is impossible to know the true extent of the decline from the Pew survey. For example, the threat of legal action has made respondents a lot more wary about admitting they download music."
True dat. Since this action forced me over the edge into boycott territory, it's tough to say, for me at least, that it is helping their cause.
'We have never seen another internet activity drop off to this degree,' said Lee Rainie, director of Pew. 'The drop-off was just striking, particularly since overall internet activity goes up and up.'
But critics of the RIAA's controversial lawsuits say it is too early to draw any conclusions.
Fred von Lohmann of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an internet users' campaigning group, noted that data from internet tracking services showed little decline in activity on online peer-to-peer services such as Kazaa.
It is impossible to know the true extent of the decline from the Pew survey. For example, the threat of legal action has made respondents a lot more wary about admitting they download music."
True dat. Since this action forced me over the edge into boycott territory, it's tough to say, for me at least, that it is helping their cause.
The Australian: Bush-Hitler ads draw fire [January 06, 2004]
The Australian: Bush-Hitler ads draw fire [January 06, 2004]: "TWO political advertisements comparing US President George W. Bush to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler have drawn outrage from Bush's Republican Party and anger from prominent Jewish groups.
The two ads were among 1500 entries in a contest affiliated with the left-of-centre, Internet-based advocacy group MoveOn.org, with the winner to be announced on January 12, but they are not among the 15 finalists."
I guess that's how you get some press. In other news, Godwin calls off 2004 election.
The two ads were among 1500 entries in a contest affiliated with the left-of-centre, Internet-based advocacy group MoveOn.org, with the winner to be announced on January 12, but they are not among the 15 finalists."
I guess that's how you get some press. In other news, Godwin calls off 2004 election.
VOANews.com
VOANews.com: "The speaker says the occupation of Iraq is nothing but a prelude to the occupation of the entire Arab world. He says the fight is us against them, evil versus good and will last until the end of time. He says that if Muslims don't defend Iraq today, tomorrow Saudi Arabia will be occupied. He said it is a religious and economic war that must be fought with arms, not dialogue."
Coming soon to a theatre near you, World War IV, because III was a flop.
Coming soon to a theatre near you, World War IV, because III was a flop.
2003 MP3 Losers
2003 MP3 Losers
The winners are linked later. Again, a yearly tradition and pretty much dead on. I can't wait to get my archos video player (I've got the small screened one). After ripping my entire media collection to put on a data brick (en route), I'd like a simple interface to add and remove media from it.
With the new broadcast flag coming, it might be difficult, but I should be able to put together a full 'media canon' before too long.
With the coming bibliography, it will be time to start talking about what is there, rather than wondering about if there is anything there at all.
The winners are linked later. Again, a yearly tradition and pretty much dead on. I can't wait to get my archos video player (I've got the small screened one). After ripping my entire media collection to put on a data brick (en route), I'd like a simple interface to add and remove media from it.
With the new broadcast flag coming, it might be difficult, but I should be able to put together a full 'media canon' before too long.
With the coming bibliography, it will be time to start talking about what is there, rather than wondering about if there is anything there at all.
sunspot.net - print edition
sunspot.net - print edition: "They had heard a rumor circulating through the hot, dusty villages of northern Nigeria that the vaccine had been contaminated with an anti-fertility agent that would sterilize their children or perhaps infect them with the AIDS virus, all part of an American plot to depopulate the developing world. The villagers believed it.
It didn't matter that the World Health Organization, the Nigerian government and dozens of doctors and scientists dismissed the allegations as baseless, assuring the public that the vaccine taken by 1 billion children worldwide is safe.
'We just didn't like the vaccine,' says Umar."
This is what's called a 'credibility gap', or, in the common vernacular, a 'Bush gap'.
It didn't matter that the World Health Organization, the Nigerian government and dozens of doctors and scientists dismissed the allegations as baseless, assuring the public that the vaccine taken by 1 billion children worldwide is safe.
'We just didn't like the vaccine,' says Umar."
This is what's called a 'credibility gap', or, in the common vernacular, a 'Bush gap'.
Thursday, January 01, 2004
Welcome to uComics Web Site featuring Tom the Dancing Bug -- The Best Comic Site In The Universe!
Welcome to uComics Web Site featuring Tom the Dancing Bug -- The Best Comic Site In The Universe!
A quick rundown of Iraq profiteering.
Kinda funny, but I think many of the contractors are retired miliary and para-military, so, uh, maybe that's o.k.
Kinda...
A quick rundown of Iraq profiteering.
Kinda funny, but I think many of the contractors are retired miliary and para-military, so, uh, maybe that's o.k.
Kinda...
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