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November 29, 2004
Using Gmail for file storage
When Google began (and ended) the "Email Storage Race of 2004," the first question I got from nearly all of my non-techie friends was: "Can I use that space to store all my crap?" "Maybe, but it's not worth the trouble" was my usual answer. Well, someone's working, under the radar so far, to eliminate the trouble.
A very brilliant programmer by the name of Bjarke has developed a Windows Shell Extention that allows a user to access a Gmail file system from their local Windows Explorer. The shell creates a virtual drive on your machine for the Gmail file system and allows read and write access as if it were any other drive. That's right, just click on My Computer and your Gmail storage space will show up right next to your main hard drive or digital camera or external back-up drive. Maybe it'll be drive E:\. Double click and drag and drop.
This app carries with it several caveats:
- Firstly, Google does not condone this usage of their space. Obviously, when they offered 1GB of storage to every user, they did so knowing that the average user would never fill even a 10th of that space. This could changes things, including Google's poilcies. They could reduce storage or storage access, or find a way to block direct access entirely.
- Every time Google changes it's login scheme, this app breaks. They's changed it several times and that change is transparent from the front end, but this app attempts to log into the system in the same manner as Google's own lagin interface. When that algorythm changes, Google adjusts the interface, and the shell extention is left out of phase with the new routine.
- Lastly, this storage is not encrypted and not well guarded. It would not be terribly difficult for malicious folks to read and write to your directories. This is not a safety deposit box.
With that said: Give it a whirl!
Target jumps the gun
Perhaps a little overexcited at the commercial potential of today's pending Supreme Court debacle over medical marijuana, retail giant Target has listed the herbal stimulant on their web site for the bargain price of just $25.25.
Actually, I assume this item is a book entitled "Marijuana" and that Target has yet to update the product details on the web site. Honestly, I don't know because I don't care because it doesn't matter. Dude! It totally looks like Target's selling weed! Woohoo!
November 26, 2004
Microsoft gets tough with pirates
If, by 'tough', you mean they are giving away real copies of their software to people currently using pirated versions. That's what you meant by 'tough,' right?
"Kicking off its Windows XP Counterfeit Project, the software giant has invited 'anyone unsure as to the legitimacy of their Windows XP software' to submit their products for analysis.Software that is found to be counterfeit will be replaced for free subject to the terms and conditions of its offer, Microsoft promised."
Source: vnunet.com
I'm currently using the very first legitimate copy of Windows I've ever had at home. Ever. And I'm only using this one because my job bought me a full MSDN subscription so I get Microsoft software for free.
Why am I quick to admit I've stolen Microsoft's products in the past? What makes me think that's ok?
Well, consider that the last version of Windows was released around the same time as the last version of the Mac OS. Understand that while those are the two most common operating systems in the world, Windows' lead is comprised of nearly 90% of computer-owners, all of whom have machines not compatible with the Apple OC. Lastly, remember that the Windows XP Pro operating system was launched with a $295 price tag, a single-user liscence, a serial number scheme, required registration, and pesky online activation process that had most people on the phone with Microsoft asking for permission to install legitimate software. Mac users were greeted with OS X, a ground-level reinvention of the MacIntosh operating system that arguably took more time and money in it's development than all previously released Mac OSes combined. This package cost $90, had no online activation, or even a serial number. None. Install and go and enjoy the single largest leap forward Apple has ever made in an OS.
In addition to the hoops MS had us jumping through just to install, we are asked on an almost daily basis to install updates, patches, and service packs to suppliment what is apparently an OS wrought with holes. That is, some of us are asked. Most of us didn't uncheck the little box that gives Microsoft access to our machines to install and uninstall as they please and monitor certain tranfers in and out of our homes. We, by the way, were offered no compensation for the invaluable security, public image fuel, and promotional marketing information Microsoft has gotten from us in that way.
Why was Microsoft able to get away with demanding so much from it's consumers? Because they're the only game in town. When your only viable options are Linux or Mac, you realize you have no viable options. This is the monopoly that Microsoft says it does not have. Linux can't run the vast majority of commonly used and industry-standard software, and using Mac OS involves buying a new machine which is not compatible with your old one, or with any of the software you've already spent thousands on. Without Windows you may not be able to dial in from home or bring files back from the office. You're new copy of Half-Life 2 and you're $800 Photoshop CS liscence won't work. The only option is to accept the price gouge and anti-piracy runaround and buy Microsoft.
So, in short: When MS releases the next version of Windows and you spend all your money buying a new system running a 64 bit spec just so you can run it correctly, just remember that the best way to get a legitimate copy from Microsoft may be to steal it in the first place.
Microsoft gets tough with XP pirates
November 25, 2004
Thankskgiving Day Proclamation
George Washington, 1789
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.
-- G. Washington
November 23, 2004
DUBYA: The Movie
Someone has a lot of spare time and a surprisingly complete collection of Don Knotts films at their disposal.
November 19, 2004
Won't somebody please think of the children?!
2004 "10 Worst Toys" List
W.A.T.C.H.'s (World Against Toys Causing Harm... heh heh) annual "10 Worst Toys" list has hit the streets. This thing reads like gift list for low rent dads. I kinda love it.
Harmless fun or sliding death trap? Simtec Fun Slide Carpet Skates are high on the list of dangerous toys this year.
The list "nominates representative toys with the potential to cause childhood injuries, or even death." The claim that their "annual 'Toy Conference' has generated extensive national press and media coverage," and that "[f]ounder Edward M. Swartz and W.A.T.C.H. have fearlessly exposed potentially dangerous toys to the general public. As a result, children?s lives have been saved."
I'm all for saving children's lives, but... there must be a better way. Personally, I think these people suck a little.
Rall from grace
"WashingtonPost.com is no longer running the cartoons of hard-hitting liberal Ted Rall.Rall said he thinks the site dropped his work because of a Nov. 4 cartoon he did showing a drooling, mentally handicapped student taking over a classroom. 'The idea was to draw an analogy to the electorate -- in essence, the idiots are now running the country,' he told E&P."
Most of Rall's work is head-on liberal material, and a lot of it is very good. Personally, I don't remember being particularly offended by anything he's done, and let me be the first to tell you that the mentally retarded are not new ground for him. On occassion, Rall scews toward the obvious or the unrefined in an effort to get a point across. That's not the sign of an unfunny cartoonist, but that of a man with a message, however unpopular or unconventionally delivered.
Check out his web site.
And his blog.
Here, in his honor, are a few of his recent comics:
November 15, 2004
Investigate the Vote
No excuses.
This is easy.
Fuckin do it.
http://www.moveon.org/investigatethevote/
November 12, 2004
Pornogami
In elementary school, I use to juggle. I was never great, but I could do it. What I was great at was the yo-yo. I was a yo-yo maniac. I was a Tom Smothers devotee, and, yes... I was just as cool as I sound like I was. Also among my strange, circus-like talents was Origami. Sometimes I would teach it to the 1st graders for extra credit. My poor parents had rooms full of cranes and lizards and ducks and little frogs that jumped when you pushed down on their asses. I call them poor, but they can be thanksful I never had this book. This would have had me expelled in no time flat.
Come to find out it's not the only book of it's kind. Universe Press has a book titled Very Naughty Origami, and in reading about it I stumbled acorss one called Kokigami: Performance Enhancing Adornments for the Adventurous Man. Yes. Paper Adornments.
There is also an entire web site dedicated to providing resources to the horny paper folders of the world. Found, oddly enough, at the zork.net domain, Origami Underground aims to "inject a little irreverence into the oh-so-proper origami world." I'll leave it to you to decide how irreverent you're comfortable with.
November 11, 2004
Searching for engines
Microsoft just announced one. Amazon's is just a month old. The big boys are getting into the search engine game, but why bother?
On September 21, 1999, the Google search engine went gold and hasn't looked back. Google's meteoric rise to internet stardom is the stuff of dot-com legend. Who still uses Yahoo anyways? Google's unique search routine is widely considered the most efficient and intelligent in the game. Such is their kingship that no one has dared challenge it... until now. Google's search results are intelligent in that they give preference to sites based on relevance and connectivity as oppose to seniority, meta data, or sponsorship. So effective is this method, that most people never bother with the Google Advanced Search, if they're aware of it at all. What can MSN and A9 offer us that Google doesn't?
A9 offers us a discount at Amazon.com equal to ?/2% (1.57%). This allows for a nice 'share the pie' slogan, but not much savings. Arriving at a9.com, the first thing you're likely to notice is how handsome a page it is, compared to Google. Personally, I appreciate Google's deliberately plain appearance and lack of self-promotional flare, but let's face it: Google is ugly. A9 features multiple search categories. By default, any search will return two results columns, one of relevant web sites, and one of relevant images. Click the category buttons to the right to add and remove additional categories including Books, History, Movies, Reference, and more. Other fancy-pants features include personalized search history, bookmarks and a diary. Drag and drop bookmarks, keep a diary, adjust nearly every aspect of your experience from the preferences page, allow your entire damned life to revolve around this web site! A9 aims to be your home page, not just your search engine.
The new MSN Search Beta has it's own idea of what a search utility should be. The beta is a small, elegant rectangle with a text field and a submit button. In place of Google's "I'm Feeling Lucky" button, MSN adds a "Near Me" option for geographically relevant searches. Above the field are the familiar search category buttons: Web, News, Images. These function in much the same way as Google categories. Beneath all of this, however, is a rather innocuous buttons caleld "Search Builder." Click this and a new panel will appear with a plethora of advanced search options such as: Domain, Links To, Country, Language, and Results Ranking. These options allow for an incredibly detailed search routine. Options and preferences are accessible through a "settings" button. Where Google looks sparse and A9 overwhelming, MSN Search is clean, accessible, and attractive.
In my limited tests, I did not witness slower-than-acceptable return times from either engine, even in my more complicated searches. I'll look forward to trying them both on in the next couple weeks, but I think I'll always root for Google. Now if they'd just get this Blogger shit working...
November 05, 2004
I believe the children are our future
Feed them well and let them rue the day.
The Future
These are our children. This is what's happened to them. And this is why. We are a fat, stupid people. We elect maniacs, support their failures, spoil our children, and taunt the world with our inexplicable good fortune. We are the proudest of fools.
The Past Weak
I had a bit of a debate with a coworker about who to fault for the passage of legislation we disagree with most. Can we honestly fault our senators and legislators for those poorly constructed, narrow-minded, ultra-conservative measures passed in this past week's elections? My opinion is that the blame should fall squarely on the fat heads of the American populace. She believes that a dirth of respectable, forward-thinking legislators results in a constant 'lesser of two evils' ballot. They are governed by politics and not policy. It's an old argument and, if not worded carefully, can sound terribly naive. "There can't possibly be that many senators who honestly supported the USA PATRIOT Act," she reasons. Shit. that's true.
It's fair enough to say that if there are no leaders, there can be no followers. But what becomes of a senator who flies in the face of both conventional wisdom and his own constituancy? He's probably not long for the Senate, and what good can he do once ousted from the system? Is there something to be said for 'playing the game?'
The Cultural Divide
I think it's time to stop screaming about our leaders being behind the times. It's time to accept that the majority of the American people share those same seemingly outdated ideals. We, the educated few who think so little of the flyover states, are the minority, and we have been bested. Not because they were better organized or devious in methods... But because there are more of them than us.
Another idea we need to let go of is the 'cultural divide.' This country is an oozing mass of confused 'grey area,' shamefully lacking in grey matter. The undecided and the uninformed come together with the unmotivated and the uninterested to become a massive albatross around our neck. We have informed and opinionated citizens on both sides of the 'divide,' but it's the grey area that keeps us weak.
The Damage Done
As a people, we have chosen an aggressive, intolerant, christian facade. One of pre-emptive wars and sexual inequilaity and who's bar tab is in the trillians. We have excused our leaders for mistakes made, and encouraged them to move forward with mistakes in the making. Accountability has been forsaken in favor of a fake cowboy with a folksy charm. Even the south forgets that he's a graduate of Harvard and Yale and hails from Connecticut. The American people have done this to themselves and their fat children will keep the banner flying high.
November 03, 2004
I quit...
...America
I totally quit America.
I'm listening to Kerry's concession speech right now and I feel like I could cry. He just told us that "We are America, and America ALWAYS moves forward." We most certainly proved otherwise in the past day. Our nation has taken a giant leap backwards. The conservative, evangelical antithesis of modernity has reared it's godly head and declared "Up with Bush! Down with Faggots! Jobs are overrated anyways!"
In a lifetime of disappointment with the people around me, I have never been more so.