Nuckin' Futs- Jib Jab at it Again, 2006 Year in Review

Title says it all, check it out!

Croc's on a plane?

Apparently some guy decided it would be a cool prank or something... didn't work.

Hawiian Salute

funny email story/joke going around I have to share if you haven't seen it b/c I found it hilarious:


"The other day I went up to a local Christian bookstore and saw a honk if you love Jesus bumper sticker.




I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting, so I bought the sticker and put in on my bumper.
I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in thought about the Lord and how good He is and I didn't notice that the light had changed.
It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed.

I found that LOTS of people love Jesus. Why, while I was sitting there, the guy behind started honking like crazy, and when he leaned out of his window and screamed, "for the love of God, GO! GO!" What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus.

Everyone started honking! I just leaned out of my window and started waving and smiling at all these loving people.

I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love. There must have been a man from Florida back there because I heard him yelling something about a sunny beach...

I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air. When I asked my teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant, he said that it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something.

Well, I've never met anyone from Hawaii, so I leaned out the window and gave him the good luck sign back.

My grandson burst out laughing, why even he was enjoying this religious experience.

A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me.


I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed.

So, I waved to all my sisters and brothers grinning, and drove on through the intersection.

I noticed I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again and I felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared, so I slowed the car down, leaned out of the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away.

Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks! "

Horse Play?

found this article I stumbled across rather amusing... particularly the part where they charged the guy with "operating a non-motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicants". Can't say I've heard of that one before, Poor Horse...

Secret Google Search Engine?

Learned from my IST search engine course that searchmash is apparently Google's secret experimental search engine. check it out!

I'm back

back blogging after being sick and very busy for the last few weeks with college and stuff (well still sick unfortunately) ... can't resist posting this pretty hilarious craig's list ad I came across via my google job. People sure do use that for everything!

Random Fact Time

ok, so I haven't updated for a while, with moving and and getting used to college life. But here's a really interesting fact/comparison I found while reading my IST hw/book on search engines. In 2005 "Google had over 175,000 computers devoted to it's search engine. That's more than existed on Earth in the early 1970's." Maybe it's just me but I find that an amazing statistic. As a side note this book ("The Search" by John Battelle) provides a pretty interesting scenario in how Google's search database could be used to create HAL from 2001 A Space Odyssey, and the connection between search engines and AI.

Security a Little Jumpy these Days?

Apparently one of the 7 diverted flights recently was accounted for by a person losing his iPod... details on this rather hilarious (and apparently true) WoW forum post that I came across via google...

The New Word?

check out writely.com, a word processing program beta release that will eventually be merged into existing google accounts, looks cool so far, does all the traditional word stuff, saves as .doc or .pdf, and most importantly without all the auto-formatting headaches of Word. I think I konw what I'm using for papers this year!

Talladega Nights....

WARNING: spoiler, and possible bias ahead (being a nascar fan)

ok this should be an interesting post. Finally got to see the movie last night, contributing to it's very impressive opening weekend. After seeing it, I must say this surprises me for several reasons. First of all from the start, I didn't think it would have a big following outside of the Nascar crowd, though the box office numbers apparently prove me wrong. Secondly, it will be interesting to see how well it maintains this attention and interest, considering it didn't strike me as the movie that most people will want to see more than once (myself included more than likely). I would definitely say Anchorman was better, as in my opinion Talladega Nights, while it had its moments, just couldn't pull everything together to really develop the plot and make it interesting. I mean kid grows up without dad, takes to racing to prove himself, gets "injured" then returns with motivation to beat his enemy on the track (the French driver), while realizing he's doing it for himself not his dad. Not exactly very creative or original. In addition, the ending came off as rather contrived (I mean who didn't see that footrace coming?). That and the whole thing with the gay French driver got old and annoying pretty quick, I mean there were times where I was thinking they should have called it "Brokeback Racing". There were some funny lines ("don't snort these lucky charms") , and Ferrell was his usual wacky self. However I think as a Nascar Movie, Days of Thunder was better, and as a comedy, I'd go with Anchorman.

As a side note, I wonder how much Applebees paid for that. First time I've actually seen a commercial during a movie... granted it was part of the "satire" of Nascar's commercial obsession, however they could have done it with a fake company like the products Ricky Bobby was pitching in the beginning.

PSU prof. to use Facebook for course assignments

well this is certainly interesting. An IST professor at Penn State is planning to use facebook for course assignments and announcements. I wonder what the average college student will think of having their prof. on facebook? Depends on who the professor is, I suppose...

Microsoft's Farewell to Gates

this rather hilarious clip recently played on the Late Show with David Letterman

Go Google!

Well looks like Google made the list of top 10 most popular sites for college students according to this article, found via Digg. No major surprises in the list, at least in my opinion, mostly what I expected, well ok the music one surprised me, guess I thought it would be itunes or Napster...

Corn Stover, a new energy source for Ipod's and cell phones?

Apparently a possibility based on this article stating that Penn State Researchers that who

"are developing new ways to use corn stover, which are the dried stalks and leaves left over after a harvest, as a form of electricity generation."

Hmmm. maybe that will help my problem of always forgetting to recharge stuff...

Retro Nintendo

I know at least one of you out there reading this should enjoy this retro nintendo commercial from the 80's for the original NES. Also makes you wonder, what will people be saying about the Wii 20 years from now? heh

Fuelish or Foolish???

Not quite sure I see the point of this $80 hydrogen fuel-cell toy car,

"Complete with its own miniature solar-powered refueling station. "

Would anyone actually buy that? and why? Seriously though, the technology behind eventually getting hydrogen powered cars on the road does look promising.

Pirates, How observant were you?

interesting site I came across listing so far 53 errors from Pirates of the Carribean 2 Dead Man's Chest.

Sony vs. Nintendo (and what the heck, let's throw MS in the mix as well)

read this article on the copy/paste game, where apparently Sony is again "copying" Nintendo's ideas... though probably poorly phrased this sentence caught my attention:

"Sony alleges that Microsoft is copying their ideas while Sony is copying Nintendo's ideas"

So wait, Sony is admitting they are copying Nintendo's ideas? heh

Funny Google

Check this out!
Note to Microsoft--- You better stock up on that stuff for the Vista release!

Only the Government...

could come up with this report. I don't want to know how much money went into the research that concluded the "Old MacDonald's Petting Zoo near Huntsville, Ala., a bourbon festival, a bean festival and the Kangaroo Conservation Center in Dawsonville, Ga." are highly vulnerable terror targets that should receive increased federal funding while failing to identify "Times Square, the Empire State Building the Brooklyn Bridge or the Statue of Liberty as a national icon or monument".
I can't make this stuff up! article here

Facebook vs. Patriot Act

got pointed to this slashdot link courtesy of Zach, and got me thinking about the continuing privacy debate on sites like facebook and myspace. I've always been less outspoken against the "privacy invasions" than some in the past mainly because I always felt if you're not hiding anything to begin with, why should you care? Or if you're dumb enough to brag online about committing some illegal activity or whatnot. However to me using these sites against you for employment rather than legal purposes crosses some sort of invisible line, and should not be happening.
Regardless people have to realize what they put out there is not private, more so with myspace, as evidenced by the number of times you will come across random myspace sites on several search engines.

Pirates? With Lightsabers???? AAARRRRRR

check out this short but amusing YouTube Video.

Now I wanna see Cpt. Sparrow take on Yoda!

Independence Day

Well here's my patriotic post for the day (about 2 hours early but close enough...). Nothing more patriotic than driving home past the fireworks of a nearby country club after a day of car shopping (domestic of course :) ). Anyway happy fourth to anybody out there reading this! And though it may be cliche, I can't end this post without mentioning the true spirit of the holiday in recognizing thoee brave enough to continue to defend our freedom, even in these difficult times.

Payback Spammer!

this post to this slashdot article on the revenge against the Nigerian spammer inspired by the secret spammer that (unsuccessfully) tried to infiltrate my blog. BE CAREFUL WHO YOU SPAM, OR HOPEFULLY YOU'LL BE NEXT! And for those reading this legitimately wandering what the heck I'm talking about, be weary of anonymous blog comments that manage contain advertising (ppc) links.

Busy Blog Day

Ok so I'm bored at work with nothing better to do! check this out though, pretty interesting concept... of insurance protection against RIAA fines from a Swedish file sharing service. Interesting, but it could be quite profitable for them as the article suggests, and could be a concept that could take off and spread quickly.

Serves Them Right!

Well if you read my previous post (2 down I believe), you already know my opinion on WGA (windows genuine advantage, essentially anti-piracy software)... so you can probably guess whose side I'm on regarding this lawsuit. I'm glad to see someones going after them over the WGA mess, especially considering the info from the previous post, suggesting they could make it mandatory come September.

Philosophy of Mario Kart...

somehow I came across lionconnection.com, from a mis-directed PSU housing link, but in anycase stumbled upon this rather entertaining article on the Philosophy of Mario Kart64... here's just a sample:

"Throughout the races (i.e. life) a number of items can be obtained. However, one does not just receive these boxes. On must strive to run through the patches of boxes and hopefully, obtain an item (weapon) devastating enough to either hold your opponents at bay, or slow them down so that you may catch up with them. This shows that the games developers do not wish to create a welfare state. If you want a box, you must obtain it through your own planning and cognition. However, the items within the boxes also have a certain socialist qualities. But where Marx failed, Mario Kart thrives."

I don't even know how to begin commenting on this article which then goes into philosophical analysis on each of the characters (poor Yoshi...)

AAAHH! Windows Kill Switch, WGA news...

from zdnet, I don't like the sounds of this article at all, come September rumors are MS will force us to get the newest WGA versions (bundled in via the auto-updater apparently) or else kill windows in 30 days. I am strongly against this idea, I have had so many problems with the updater corrupting my wireless and ethernet connections, and quite frankly think this is a terrible move by MS, nor do I understand how they can get away with forcing people who obtained Windows legally to update! This will be interesting, and I'm sure controversial if it is in fact true.

More Email Goodies- these people need more than tech support!

================================

Tech support: What kind of computer do you have?
Female customer: A white one...


===============

Customer: Hi, this is Celine. I can't get my diskette out.
Tech support: Have you tried pushing the button?
Customer: Yes, sure, it's really stuck.
Tech support: That doesn't sound good; I'll make a note. Customer: No ..
wait a minute... I hadn't inserted it yet...
it's still on my desk... sorry....


===============


Tech support: Click on the 'my computer' icon on to the left of the
screen.
Customer: Your left or my left?


===============


Tech support: Good day. How may I help you?
Male customer: Hello... I can't print.
Tech support: ! Would you click on "start" for me and...
Customer: Listen pal; don't start getting technical on me! I'm not Bill
Gates, dammit!


===============


Customer: Hi, good afternoon, this is Martha, I can't print. Every time I
try, it says 'Can't find printer'. I've even lifted the printer and placed
it in front of the monitor, but the computer still says he can't find it...


===============


Customer: I have problems printing in red...
Tech support: Do you have a color printer?
Customer: Aaaah....................thank you.

===============

Tech support: What's on your monitor now, ma'am?
Customer: A teddy bear my boyfriend bought for me at the 7-11.

===============

Customer: My keyboard is not working anymore.
Tech support: Are you sure it's plugged into the computer?
Customer: No. I can't get behind the computer.
Tech support: Pick up your keyboard and walk 10 paces back.
Customer:! OK
Tech support: Did the keyboard come with you?
Customer: Yes
Tech support: That means the keyboard is not plug ged in. Is there another
keyboard?
Customer: Yes, there's another one here. Ah...that one does work...

===============

Tech support: Your password is the small letter a as in apple, a capital
letter V as in Victor, the number 7.
Customer: Is that 7 in capital letters?

== =============

Customer: I can't get on the Internet.
Tech support: Are you sure you used the right password?
Customer: Yes, I'm sure. I saw my colleague do it.
Tech support: Can you tell me what the password was?
Customer: Five stars.
===============

Tech support: What anti-virus program do you use?
Customer: Netscape.
Tech support: That's not an anti-virus program.
Customer: Oh, sorry...Internet Explorer.

===============
Customer: I have a huge problem. A friend has placed a screen saver on my
computer, but every time I move the mouse, it disappears.

===============

Tech support: How may I help you?
Customer: I'm writing my first e-mail.
Tech support: OK, an d what seems to be the problem? Customer: Well, I
have the letter 'a' in the address, but how do I get the circle around it?

===============

A woman customer called the Canon help desk with a problem with her printer.
Tech support: Are you running it under windows?
Customer: "No, my desk is next to the door, but that is a good point. The
man sitting in the cubicle next to me is under a window, and his printer is
working fine."
===============
And last but not least...

Tech support: "Okay Bob, let's press the control and escape keys at the same
time. That brings up a task list in the middle of the screen. Now type the
letter "P" to bring up the Program Manager."
Customer: I don't have a P.
Tech support: On your keyboard, Bob.
Cust! omer: What do you mean?
Tech support: "P".....on your keyboard, Bob.
Customer: I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT!


___________________________________________

Random but Funny

unsure of source as I got this via email, but it is pretty funny:

Subject: These people vote...



Remember, They Vote

Some guy bought a new fridge for his house. To get rid of his old
fridge, he
put it in his front yard and hung a sign on it saying: "Free to good
home.
You want it, you take it". For three days the` fridge sat there without
even
one person looking twice at it. He eventually decided that people were
too
un-trusting of this deal. It looked to good to be true, so he changed
the
sign to read: "Fridge for sale $50". The next day someone stole it.
Caution!
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
These people Vote
=======
While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which
direction was North because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking
him
up every morning. She asked, "Does the sun rise in the North?" When my
brother explained that the sun rises in the East, (and has for
sometime),
she shook her head and said, "Oh, I don't keep up with that stuff". . .
. .
. . .She ALSO votes!
==========
I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I
got a
call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open. I
told him, "The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week."
He
responded, "Is that Eastern or Pacific time?" Wanting to end the call
quickly, I said, "Uh, Pacific" . . . . . . . . .He ALSO votes!
==========
My colleague and I were eating our lunch in our cafeteria, w hen we
overheard one of the administrative assistants talking about the sunburn
she
got on her weekend drive to the shore. She drove down in a convertible,
but
"didn't think she'd get sunburned because the car was moving". . . . . .
. .
. She ALSO votes!
==========
My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car It's designed to cut
through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk . . .
. .
.
My sister ALSO votes!
==========
My friends and I were on a beer run and noticed that the cases were
discounted 10% Since it was a big party, we bought 2 cases. The cashier
multiplied 2 times 10% and gave us a 20% discount . . . . . . . .
He ALSO votes!
==========
I was hanging out with a friend when we saw a woman with a nose ring
attached to an earring by a chain. My friend said, "Wouldn't the chain
rip
out every time she turned her head?" I explained that a person's nose
and
ear remain the same distance apart no matter which way the head is
turned. .
. . . . . . . . My friend ALSO votes!
=========
I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area. So I went to the
lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed
up.
She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained
professional
and I was in good hands. "Now," she asked me, "has your plane arrived
yet?
".
. . . . . . . . . SHE ALSO votes!
=========
While working at a Pizza Parlor I observed a man ordering a small pizza
to
go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if he would like it
cut
into 4 pieces or 6. He though about it for some time before responding.
"Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm hungry enough to eat 6 . .
. .
. . . . . Yep, he votes too.

AOL Serivce at it's finest

check out this desparate attempt by an AOL service rep to prevent a caller from cancelling his account. Yikes, I knew AOL was notorious for keeping hidden files on your system, but didn't realize their customer service reps were in on the conspiracy to keep you from leaving AOL!

Knock Knock...

Could that be a alligator knocking on the door?

WMD's?

found this rather comical fake didn't load message earlier via google:

Family Guy Fans...

stumbled across this on youtube via google work. As said on site, apparently a pilot episdoe on WB (which I thought was being dissolved into that CW or whatever it is anyway? ) , which is supposedly pretty funny, made by the writers of Family Guy (and Scrubs). Didn't get a chance to watch it yet, as I'm "working" let me know how it is and I'll check it out later.

Absolutely Most Bizzare USB drive ever...

As promised, a much more humorous post after the last one...

stumbled across this very bizzare USB drive via doing some google work. Somebody has way, way, way too much free time on their hands. And a very odd sense of creativity as well.

BUCKLE UP!

I awoke to discover the sirens I heard most of the night recently were the result of a 2 car accident on a road very close to my house that I travel very frequently. The wreck injuring 9 people, 1 critically, all under 20, from at least 3 different area schools, including Emmaus. Many of those injured were not wearing seatbelts. First of all I hope for the best for everyone involved.
I'm blogging about this for mainly two reasons, first of all to remind everyone reading this to buckle up and drive responsibly.
Secondly to go on a mini-rant, about how the local media is stereotyping yet again as they drum up the "horrors of teenage driving". It's a subject that I've been fighting with my parents for years (and may have been finally making progress before this was on the front page). I just think it's a shame that teenagers in general get a bad rep as drivers, because of the poor decisions made by a select few. There are responsible drivers my age out there, as I'm sure many of you reading this are, and as I'd like to believe I am. Unfortunately some drivers continue to make poor decisions with regards to stuff like drinking, speeding, and seatbelts.
Ok, and to brigher and better news once I come up with something...

Great Courtroom Quotes

not sure where these came from as I got em through email, but some of them are pretty funny: enjoy!

You Gotta Love the System
These are from a book called Disorder in the American Courts, and are things people actually said in court, word for word, taken down and now published by court reporters who had the torment of staying calm while these exchanges were actually taking place.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Are you sexually active?
A: No, I just lie there.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What is your date of birth?
A: July 18th.
Q: What year?
A: Every year.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
A: Gucci sweats and Reeboks.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: How old is your son, the one living with you?
A: Thirty-eight or thirty-five, I can't remember which.
Q: How long has he lived with you?
A: Forty-five years.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What was the first thing your husband said to you when he woke up that
morning?
A: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"
Q: And why did that upset you?
A: My name is Susan.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Now doctor, isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he
doesn't know about it until the next morning?
A: Did you actually pass the bar exam?
------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: The youngest son, the twenty-year-old, how old is he?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Were you present when your picture was taken?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
A: Yes.
Q: And what were you doing at that time?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: She had three children, right?
A: Yes.
Q: How many were boys?
A: None.
Q: Were there any girls?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: How was your first marriage terminated?
A: By death.
Q: And by whose death was it terminated?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Can you describe the individual?
A: He was about medium height and had a beard.
Q: Was this a male, or a female?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Doctor, how many autopsies have you performed on dead people?
A: All my autopsies are performed on dead people.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
A: Oral.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
A: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
Q: And Mr.. Dennington was dead at the time?
A: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an autopsy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for blood pressure?
A: No.
Q: Did you check for breathing?
A: No.
Q: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the
autopsy?
A: No.
Q: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
A: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
Q: But could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
A: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law
somewhere.

Late Breaking News From Microsoft

On MSNBC.com (how appropriate) , Gates transitioning away from MS, stepping down as chief software architect, and no longer to be involved in day to day operations.

Superman Returns

probably old news by now but the IMDB has a "new" trailer out, checked it out, looks pretty interesting, definitely looks to be worth seeing when it comes out at the end of the month.

Interesting Google/Search Engine Article

Anyone else working for Google, (I know there's at least one of you out there reading this)... check this out Interesting perspective on how web site designers, try to get their sites ranked at the top of the index.

Wow

Find this article hard to believe if it wasn't off CNN... but apparently the Chinese Government plans to fire rockets into the clouds to ward off any rain interfering with the 08 Olympics. Shocked this can actually be done, and wonder about side-effects/unpleasant consequences. Actually attended a presentation on the subject of weather modification at school last year, and understood no one was close to being able to do what is described in the article... In any case here's the article... one other thing, if this plan would really work, wouldn't it make more sense to try to fend off hurricanes then save the olympics from a damp day now and then? excerpt:

Using an arsenal of rockets, artillery and aircraft, China will try to blast the clouds out of the sky... through a technique which falls under the umbrella of "cloud seeding."

DS Lite Review

As promised in previous post, here is my comments/review...

Well I went out and got my bright shiny new DS from gamestop this morning. And so far I'm quite impressed. Hard to make a direct comparison as I never got around to getting the original, but if screen brightness was a problem it certainly isn't anymore. Heck, I'm half convinced it's brighter than when I run my laptop on batteries (though that's another story)... So far, just got back and mostly testing it with Kart, which is pretty awesome. I like some of the tracks better there than on the Cube. More comments later on the battery life, as I'm just got it on for like 1/2 hr. Well off to try the new Mario and RidgeRacer (all i have for now, any strong game endorsements from anyone out there?) ...I'll post more as I get to it.

Funny Bill Gates Video

Gates vs. Napoleon that I came across via google.

This looks cool

looks like the DS will be able to be used as a touch screen controller for the WI. speaking of DS, will post a review of the new DS after getting it tomorrow or Monday.

Microsoft Vs. Google, The Latest

looks like they're now fighting over Google spreadsheets, pretty interesting and humorous comment from a MS spokesman:

"The innovations we're delivering in Excel in terms of new usability, new visual user interface advancements, support for collaboration and business intelligence with things like Excel Services are so far beyond [Google Spreadsheets] that it's like watching a time machine from 10 years ago."

Though I'm sure it's probably not true, the time machine analogy struck me as funny/desperate for some reason, couldn't they come up with a better argument? heh.

Microsoft Vs. Google, The Latest

looks like they're now fighting over Google spreadsheets, pretty interesting and humorous comment from a MS spokesman:

"The innovations we're delivering in Excel in terms of new usability, new visual user interface advancements, support for collaboration and business intelligence with things like Excel Services are so far beyond [Google Spreadsheets] that it's like watching a time machine from 10 years ago."

Though I'm sure it's probably not true, the time machine analogy struck me as funny/desperate for some reason, couldn't they come up with a better argument? heh.

ARRRRRRRRRRR!!

Looks like the pirate party is taking on the RIAA among others...

For far too long, Big Media copyright cartels like the Motion Picture Association of America and the Recording Industry Association of America have held back technological progress and individual freedom. They have done so through cutthroat litigation against ordinary Americans, interfering with peer-to-peer networks by flooding them with bogus files, and corrupting the political system with unscrupulous lobbying and political donations.

This is sure to be controversial and interesting.

FYI

Vista Beta 2 went public today, if you didn't already know by now... in any case, I for one sure am not trying it yet, based on what I've heard.

Google Vs. Chinese Govt...

Now this should be interesting... article here

Spammer Vs. Microsoft...

and guess who the loser in this deal is? Wow, lose a 430k house and a BMW to pay over a million dollar spam fine. heh, some people... not to mention, nothing better to do then send 25 million spam emails a day?! wow...

6-6-06

Just heard about this on the news...
So I thought it was always interesting having my B-day on the eve of D-Day. Now apparently it's also on the eve of the "Day of the Beast". Can't say I heard about this before, but apparently there's something about 6-6-6 worse than Friday the 13th to some people. So let me get this straight, people hype up a day for some strange reason based on numerology... act bizzare/cause problems based on the hype, then claim their superstition was true? hmm... logic!?? anyone??

Caption Contest!

from digg.com--- Steve Jobs and Bill Gates having a rare dinner together...
Gates: "What's that you ask? Will iTunes work in Vista?"

Defending Google...

this article is very interesting to me, being a current quality rater...

"Google consistently puts relevant search results low in page rankings, hiding them on page 3 or 4 of the results, while all the other search engines correctly put those same results on page 1. There are a lot of unhappy webmasters out there. "

I guess the positive spin I can put on this, if there is any truth to this complaint is job security... heh. If they are having issues with relevance of results, than I guess quality raters like me are safe for now trying to fix that (unless they think we're the cause :( ). Oh yeah, the irony is that I found this article via google. Hmmm... what should I have rated it?? any calls for spam/junk?

One more Comment on Vista

then I'll find another subject to blog... honest!! But this article really caught my attention, indicating that Vista may not be too friendly to laptop users (at least those who rely on batteries)

The Results Are in...

from this year's E3, as expected Wii took best of show, see other results here.

VISTA Reviews

Very interesting review here where the following comment is made:

"Installing Vista Beta 2 was one of the worst operating system experiences that I’ve ever encountered"

And they're gonna crush google? Off to a good start I see...

BON ECHO!

This subject has probably been blogged to death already, but anyway, here's my update on installing the new beta for Firefox 2, Bon Echo (apparently continuing the tradition of naming Firefox betas after public parks). First of all here's the link.

I was a little hesitant as I usually am with Beta releases but so far is working quite well, and handy on several levels for my Google work. There are some small new default settings, that I had already changed in the original, such as opening new links to tabs and stuff: but on to the bigger stuff---

SPELL CHECK!- quite handy, highlights in red just like Word in any text boxes

Improved search engine ordering, and auto complete Google/Yahoo search with suggestions. (ironically seen complaints, that it's hard to setup for MSN... big surprise!)

Restoration of Browser Sessions after crash- biggest benefit for me so far, being a huge multitasker, who keeps crashing browsers (currently have 5 windows, 3 tabs, itunes, email, AIM open among other things as I type this) is that automatic restore of browsing session after crashes.

Other than that, check out the other features on the link. only problem I had so far was that prefbar isn't compatible, and had minor issues getting Flash reinstalled.
Other than that I'd give it a 8/10 so far, good for being a beta.

One other major difference I noticed, is I don't have the problem with it "hanging up"/freezing for a few secs very frequently as I had with the original Firefox. That was a pain streaming music, while I had too much open, and it would freeze/repeat in midstream... haven't had that yet with Bon Echo. Oh and one more thing, nicely compatible with bookmarks/passwords from Firefox, as to be expected I guess.

What were they thinking Awards...

Can't say I found these via google (yet), and don't have the URL as I found this via email going around, but here are some pretty interesting domain names:

"All of these are legitimate companies dealing in regular products and services, but they didn't think their domain names through!
Take note, as clearly some (most actually) are prime candidates for the "What were we Thinking? Award"!

1). A site called 'Who represents' where you can find the name of an agent that represents a specific celebrity. Their domain name is: www.whorepresents.com


2). 'Experts Exchange', a knowledge base where programmers can Exchange advice and views at: www.expertsexchange.com


3). Looking for a pen ???? Look no further than 'Pen Island' at: www.penisland.net


4). Need a 'therapist' ???? Try 'Therapist Finder' at: www.therapistfinder.com


5). Then of course, there's the 'Italian Power Generator Company' - www.powergenitalia.com


6). And now, we have the Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales: www.molestationnursery.com


7). If you're looking for computer software, there's always www.ipanywhere.com


8). Welcome to the First Cumming Methodist Church Their website is www.cummingfirst.com


9). Then, of course, there's these brainless art designers, and their wacky website: www.speedofart.com


10). Want to holiday in Lake Tahoe ?????? Try their brochure website at: www.gotahoe.com "

I have to post this

Being a Nascar fan, found it very amusing to learn that Microsoft for the first time is sponsoring a Nascar Nextel Cup Car. The irony, they are sponsoring Jeff Green, a driver with no career wins who frequently crashes. I'll stop there, and you can make your own jokes...

Rare political blog

trying to avoid politics too much, but can't resist posting this, watch the fence behind President Bush, during a speech on illegal immigration. Oh the irony!

Like Playing Pool? Check this out

really awesome video of some pool table tricks on YouTube. That takes some serious skill!

Now That I work for Google

I should be careful that this doesn't happen.

Reality TV Phase moves to Video Games

If you haven't heard of EA's Spore yet check out this review on cnn.com of the 06 E3 in LA. Hmm, a game that allows you

"hunt for food, mate with a partner and evolve into a more sophisticated being."

hmm. are they sure about that last part????

Getting Desparate??

Continuing on my Microsoft theme of the last few days apparently they're not as close to crushing google as they think based on this excerpt (article here)

"Microsoft said it would supply free towels in company showers, better food in staff canteens and on-site laundry service in an effort to boost employee morale as it battles for talent with Google and other recent start-ups."

Story Time

two rather funny stories circulating via email I thought I'd share

The Lone Ranger

The Lone Ranger and Tonto went camping in the desert. After they got
their tent all set up, both men fell sound asleep.



Some hours later, Tonto wakes the Lone Ranger, and says, "Kemo Sabe,
look towards sky; what you see?"



The Lone Ranger replies, "I see millions of stars."



"What that tell you?" asked Tonto.



The Lone Ranger ponders for a minute, then says, "Astronomically
speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially
billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo.
Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the
morning. Theologically, the Lord is all-powerful, and we are small and
insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day
tomorrow.



What does it tell you Tonto?"

"You dumber than buffalo shit, Kemo Sabe. Someone stole our tent."

***********

Don't mess with the Blonde

Last year I replaced all the windows in my house with those expensive
double-pane energy-efficient kind. Yesterday, I got a call from the
contractor who installed them. He was complaining that the windows had
been installed a whole year ago and I hadn't paid for them yet.

Hellloooo? Now just because I'm blonde doesn't mean that I am
automatically stupid. So I told him just exactly what his fast-talking
sales guy had told ME last year... namely, that in just ONE YEAR these
windows would pay for themselves!

Helllooooo"? (I told him). "It's been a year"!

There was only silence at the other end of the line, so I finally just
hung up....

He hasn't called back, probably too embarrassed about forgetting the
guarantee they made me. Bet he won't underestimate a blonde anymore.

Spam, anybody?

Here is the perfect spam site.

And Speaking of MS

who do they think they are a monopoly? Now they're threatening to crush Google! How dare they? Personally not really sure they crushed Netscape as they claimed. Netscape simply evolved into Mozilla/Firefox, which is increasingly popular in light of IE security holes.
update: to explain why this bothers me so much, i just got a temp position online to essentially grade google (can't say too much due to that whole confidentiality thing)

Big Surprise

Well, big surprise, Microsoft delays Vista AGAIN

Talladega Nights

For any other race fans out there, check out the trailer for Will Ferrell's new Nascar movie due out this summer.

A little late but in Case You missed it:

there was a surprise visitor at the White House Easter Egg Roll

Final Week

On a personal note, This past week marked my final class at Lehigh Valley Campus, and while I'll miss the small classes and friendliness of the small campus atmoshpere I'm looking forward to the move to the Park. If you're not going to the park, good luck wherever you're going/staying and hope to hear from you. To those of you moving up to State College with me in the fall, let's have a great couple years... After all WE ARE...

And lastly, but certainly not least, congratulations to those of you who are seniors reading this and will be graduating. Job Well Done, and good luck from here.

Jokebox

If you didn't know, one of my favorite sites for animated humor, jibjab, is know starting a jokebox on their site, wide colletion of animated and assorted humor from all over the internet. Already found some pretty funny stuff on there.

Real headlines from the past year

Crack Found on Governor's Daughter
[Imagine that!]

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
[No, really?]

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
[Now that's taking things a bit far!]

Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
[Not if I wipe thoroughly!]

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
[What a guy!]


Miners Refuse to Work after Death
[No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-sos!]

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
[See if that works any better than a fair trial!]


War Dims Hope for Peace
[I can see where it might have that effect!]


If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
[You think?!]

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
[Who would have thought!]

Enfield ( London ) Couple Slain; Police
Suspect Homicide
[They may be on to something!]

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
[You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?!]

Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
He probably IS the battery charge

New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
[Weren't they fat enough?!]

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
[That's what he gets for eating those beans!]

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
[Taste like chicken?]

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
[Chainsaw Massacre all over again!]

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
[Boy, are they tall!]

And the winner is....

Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Did I read that sign right?

Declaration on Oil Problems.,,

Shady Fireworks?

Cool picture I took a few years ago. As you can probably tell it's a loudspeaker behind the fireworks, but it looks cool, kinda like a firework with shades?

And While I'm at it...

one more thing to prove the point on my dwindling MS support...



and finally one more thing from the bizzare error messages, any help deciphering this?



huh?

Microsoft Works?

check out these rather interesting oxymorons. And for those of you who still think I'm the great Microsoft Defender, yes #28 was my fav.

Our next president?

Check out this rather hilarious animated cartoon about Hilary Clinton running for prez in 08

First Post

Well, I finally discovered the blogosphere. An appropriate first post both for my username and the Easter Holiday, would be this rather funny Star Wars in 30 seconds spoof involving Bunnies