Saturday, November 14, 2009
Linux speaks the truth
When Linux encounters a file type that it thinks it might know about, it offers to find a suitable program for you, even if the programs available are less than optimal:
After installing the programs, we then learn that they were installed but maybe not.
It's great to be an American: Dept. of soft drinks
Whatever you call it, soda/tonic/pop/coke is an integral part of the American diet.
The good folks at Consumerist report that Your Wish For Tufurky/Gravy-Flavored Soda Has Been Granted. So, if you're not getting your minimum daily requirements of Carbonated Water, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Salt, Caramel Color, Acacia Gum, Glucono Delta Lactone (Acidulant), Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Medium Chain Triglyceride, Sodium Benzoate & Potassium Sortbate (preservatives), Sucralose (Splenda Brand), it's time to order some of this sweet stuff:
Or,maybe your tastes are old school. In that case, bookofjoe brings you Vintage Soda
The good folks at Consumerist report that Your Wish For Tufurky/Gravy-Flavored Soda Has Been Granted. So, if you're not getting your minimum daily requirements of Carbonated Water, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Salt, Caramel Color, Acacia Gum, Glucono Delta Lactone (Acidulant), Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Medium Chain Triglyceride, Sodium Benzoate & Potassium Sortbate (preservatives), Sucralose (Splenda Brand), it's time to order some of this sweet stuff:
Or,maybe your tastes are old school. In that case, bookofjoe brings you Vintage Soda
And don't forget the children. We can never forget the children:
Friday, November 13, 2009
More on marriage
John Marcotte contends that a divorce ban is “the next logical step after Proposition 8 to protect the sanctity of marriage.” He believes if people supported Prop 8 but not this measure, they are hypocrites.
And, lest we forget our friends at WingNuts Daiily, Wedlock should be a padlock
Buy a t-shirt at 2010 California Marriage Protection Act | Safeguarding marriage from the evils of divorce
And, lest we forget our friends at WingNuts Daiily, Wedlock should be a padlock
Mini-robots are in my media player, maybe
This case has everything - mini-Robots, arguments with Windows Media Player. Case number SJC-10372.
via Appellee Reilly Brief/span>
via --***---
Crime in suburbia
From The Landmark (subscription required):
1:58 a.m. Well-being check at Colony Retirement Home; resident heard bump upstairs
6:36 a.m. Two vehicles in area of Eagle Lake; gunshots heard
7:17 a.m. Dog hit and killed, Anderson Ave./Clark St.
8:34 a.m. Large dog found at Holden Recreation, Salisbury St.
10:43 a.m. Suspicious person riding bike, Harris St.
2:45 p.m. Large explosion, Mayflower Cir.; transformer blew
3:12 p.m. Bathroom fixtures on Sterling Rd.
4:37 p.m. Report of person at business requesting someone fax painkiller prescriptions, Main St.; became agitated when questioned and left
5:01 p.m. Bicycle left on property all day at Light Dept., Holden St.
9:04 p.m. Nursing home resident reports call button not working; nurse’s station advised
12:21 p.m. Caller reports operator of motor vehicle yelled at him because of tailgating; headed toward Paxton; Paxton PD advised
3:33 p.m. 911 hang-up from town pool phone; no one around
4:18 p.m. Vehicle reportedly parked in handicap zone at WRHS every Tuesday and Thursday
5:57 p.m. Driver struck large rock in road on Reservoir St. causing damage to vehicle; no large rock found on Reservoir, but found on Bailey Rd.; moved rock
7:03 p.m. Lost dog
10:54 p.m. Female causing disturbance at Main St. apartment; sent on her way
8:59 a.m. Suspicious vehicle with individual sleeping in it, Wachusett St.
9:29 a.m. Walk-in regarding gun ownership transfer
11:41 a.m. Dog found
12:26 p.m. Resident successfully reunited with dog, and extremely happy about it
12:33 p.m. Suspicious incident on Shady Ln.; truck in area selling food
12:46 p.m. Individual picking decorative berries, Shrewsbury St.
12:54 p.m. 911 alarm from WRHS; student stuck in elevator, escaped unharmed
2:18 a.m. Vehicle repossession, Sterling Rd.
8:10 a.m. Female driving erratically, Main St.; also exited vehicle and threatened another driver
1:16 p.m. Vehicle parked in oncoming traffic lane on River St.; just looking at the view
1:18 p.m. Suspicious truck with stove in back on side of road
2:33 p.m. Report of coyote in field near Arizona Ave.
5:00 p.m. Small fight in front of senior center
3:12 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Zottoli Rd.
3:17 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle behind Holden Pool; waiting to make a pick-up
4:21 a.m. Worcester PD officer’s personal vehicle broken into
11:14 a.m. Party struck hawk, Wachusett St.; bird in road, injured
1:54 p.m. Sign blocking view, Colonial Rd.
5:03 p.m. Complaint regarding NSTAR construction area not well marked or lit, Holden St.
8:19 p.m. Group of kids behind senior center, Main St.; in back field, ran when cruiser pulled up. Officer found about seven kids and advised it was OK to hang out as long as they aren’t dong anything wrong, and to stay away from gazebo
12:11 p.m. Delivery business warned for second time, about parking in handicapped spot
1:55 p.m. Mountain bike in pile of leaves on side of road near Dawson Rec. Area, Salisbury St.
2:40 p.m. Neighbor dispute, Alden Hill, Blair Rds.
3:23 p.m. 911 hang-up, Honey Farms pay phone, Main St.; no answer on call back
4:35 p.m. Paxton PD calling about truck parked at Preservation Ln., looks like hunters; advised seems to be suitable area for hunting
6:14 p.m. Rail Trail walker found business card left on his windshield for North East White Pride group, River St.; left card at police station
2:55 a.m. Prisoner released
9:47 a.m. Family issue, Main St.
12:34 p.m. Suspicious incident, someone drilling neighbor’s door; OK, winterizing bank-owned property
1:45 a.m. Follow-up investigation, Sunset Ln.
4:50 a.m. Follow-up investigation regarding fire alarm at school, Sunset Ln. Arrest: ... setting false alarm, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct
10:13 a.m. Caller wants to know if town has ordinance regarding dog defecating on his lawn, Camp St.; referred to animal control
1:51 p.m. Burglar/holdup alarm, Nanigian Rd.; front door and kitchen glass broken. False alarm; front door blown open by wind.
4:20 p.m. Large amount of hunters assembling on roadway; caller does not believe they should be hunting in area, Preservatrion Rd.; Holden PD advised
5:18 p.m. Vehicle hit deer, Rte. 56; no injuries
8:04 p.m. Report of five or six juveniles playing in traffic, Pleasant St.
7:50 p.m. Assist animal control officer, Worcester Rd.
7:46 p.m. Officer investigation, Ball Hill Rd.
3:13 p.m. Traffic control duty, Ball Hill Rd.
5:50 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Worcester Rd.
7:13 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Town Hall Dr.
Princeton Police assisted at one emergency medical call.
10:17 a.m. Caller reporting suspicious incident regarding his dog. Two tags missing from collar, Peters Ave.
10:41 a.m. Person at station for fingerprinting, Main St.
8:04 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
8:40 a.m. Report of large number of people living in home, yard full of trash, put up large sign with spotlight. Caller concerned about animals living there, Carly Cir. Referred to building inspector and board of health
9:55 a.m. Officer provided with information from school, Main St.
12:50 p.m. Golden retriever in yard, Campbell St.
2:17 p.m. Wire across road, power line, dangerous for motorists, Main St. National Grid advised
4:03 p.m. Caller reporting someone trespassing on his property, Maple Ave.
4:15 p.m. Suspicious activity, two males asked to leave area behind building, Main St.
4:44 p.m. Doctor’s office reporting dog bite that occurred Nov. 1, Main St.
9:36 p.m. Report of gunshots behind house, Glenwood Pl.
11:31 p.m. Disabled motor vehicle, Main St.
9:15 a.m. Quarantine notice served, Main St.
1:46 p.m. Sray dog on property at Main St./Kenwood. Same dog loose several times
3:37 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
4:02 p.m. Assist with key to DPW lot so person can pick up wood chipper, Pommogussett Rd.
4:51 p.m. Report of gun shots fired behind house, Karen Way
7:42 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
9:00 p.m. Report that someone is working on a house and making lot of noise, Marjorie Ln.
9:34 p.m. Report of lots of yelling, Maple Ave.
2:08 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Muschopauge Rd.
3:01 p.m. Bus company requesting assistance with student causing disturbance, Clealand Cir.
6:22 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer Main St.
8:00 a.m. Assist other PD with information on individual, Main St.
8:24 a.m. Loose cows in road, Main St.
9:01 a.m. Report of canister on side of road, Main St./Nancy Dr.
10:29 a.m. Assist other PD about an individual.
Accompany two officers to Maple Ave. with warrant
3:36 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
6:07 p.m. Assist fire dept., Sassawanna Rd.
6:50 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
Rutland Police responded to two automated burglar alarms.
8:30 a.m. Dead cat on side of Maple St.
9:54 a.m. Neighbor’s dog in yard and in the trash, Waushacum Ave.
4:36 p.m. Fraud. Caller receiving calls from Jamaica regarding $1 million win, Kitchener Rd.
10:58 p.m. Caller found chocolate Labrador in his driveway. Will keep overnight, Mortimer Rd.
10:57 a.m. Golden retriever wandering neighborhood, Sandy Ridge Rd.
4:37 p.m. Loose husky running through yard, Holden Rd.
6:45 p.m. Parking violation, Meetinghouse Hill
7:21 p.m. Caller hit deer, Princeton/Beaman Rds.
8:08 p.m. Request that officer check building because of burglar alarm and lights on where there shouldn’t be any lights on, Chocksett Rd.
9:12 p.m. Suspicious activity, caller heard glass breaking, Osgood Rd.
9:38 a.m. Suspicious male walking around house, Pineview Rd.
4:02 p.m. Suspicious parked grey/black pickup truck, John Dee Rd.
5:30 p.m. Caller asking for reports of injured dog in area of Redemption Rock Trl.; is looking for dog she hit
3:47 p.m. 911 hang-up, Sunset Dr. Confirmed accidental
3:49 p.m. Caller reports hole in picture window from pellet gun; pellet stuck in window, Justice Hill Cutoff Rd.
6:48 p.m. Residential lockout, Kendall Hill Ln.
9:07 p.m. Motor vehicle accident, car versus deer, property damage, I-190
10:43 a.m. Golden retriever on front porch of home, Upper North Row Rd.
5:48 p.m. Officer wanted, Mellon Hollow Rd.
6:10 p.m. Caller thinks she ran over a cat, Muddy Pond Rd.
Sterling Police responded to seven automated burglar alarms.
Editor's notes:
There were 19 suspicious items this week.
Details of arrests are omitted. To paraphrase Pogo, people are presumed innocent until caught.
Holden
Monday, November 2
12:35 a.m. Motor vehicle in parking lot with dome light on, Main St.1:58 a.m. Well-being check at Colony Retirement Home; resident heard bump upstairs
6:36 a.m. Two vehicles in area of Eagle Lake; gunshots heard
7:17 a.m. Dog hit and killed, Anderson Ave./Clark St.
8:34 a.m. Large dog found at Holden Recreation, Salisbury St.
10:43 a.m. Suspicious person riding bike, Harris St.
2:45 p.m. Large explosion, Mayflower Cir.; transformer blew
3:12 p.m. Bathroom fixtures on Sterling Rd.
4:37 p.m. Report of person at business requesting someone fax painkiller prescriptions, Main St.; became agitated when questioned and left
5:01 p.m. Bicycle left on property all day at Light Dept., Holden St.
9:04 p.m. Nursing home resident reports call button not working; nurse’s station advised
Tuesday, November 3
8:06 a.m. 911 hang-up from doctor’s office; accidental12:21 p.m. Caller reports operator of motor vehicle yelled at him because of tailgating; headed toward Paxton; Paxton PD advised
3:33 p.m. 911 hang-up from town pool phone; no one around
4:18 p.m. Vehicle reportedly parked in handicap zone at WRHS every Tuesday and Thursday
5:57 p.m. Driver struck large rock in road on Reservoir St. causing damage to vehicle; no large rock found on Reservoir, but found on Bailey Rd.; moved rock
7:03 p.m. Lost dog
10:54 p.m. Female causing disturbance at Main St. apartment; sent on her way
Wednesday, November 4
8:27 a.m. Water main break, Nola Dr.8:59 a.m. Suspicious vehicle with individual sleeping in it, Wachusett St.
9:29 a.m. Walk-in regarding gun ownership transfer
11:41 a.m. Dog found
12:26 p.m. Resident successfully reunited with dog, and extremely happy about it
12:33 p.m. Suspicious incident on Shady Ln.; truck in area selling food
12:46 p.m. Individual picking decorative berries, Shrewsbury St.
12:54 p.m. 911 alarm from WRHS; student stuck in elevator, escaped unharmed
Thursday, November 5
1:20 a.m. Caller reports neighbors leave dogs out all night and they bark, Raymond St.2:18 a.m. Vehicle repossession, Sterling Rd.
8:10 a.m. Female driving erratically, Main St.; also exited vehicle and threatened another driver
1:16 p.m. Vehicle parked in oncoming traffic lane on River St.; just looking at the view
1:18 p.m. Suspicious truck with stove in back on side of road
2:33 p.m. Report of coyote in field near Arizona Ave.
5:00 p.m. Small fight in front of senior center
Friday, November 6
2:02 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle behind business, Main St.3:12 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Zottoli Rd.
3:17 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle behind Holden Pool; waiting to make a pick-up
4:21 a.m. Worcester PD officer’s personal vehicle broken into
11:14 a.m. Party struck hawk, Wachusett St.; bird in road, injured
1:54 p.m. Sign blocking view, Colonial Rd.
5:03 p.m. Complaint regarding NSTAR construction area not well marked or lit, Holden St.
8:19 p.m. Group of kids behind senior center, Main St.; in back field, ran when cruiser pulled up. Officer found about seven kids and advised it was OK to hang out as long as they aren’t dong anything wrong, and to stay away from gazebo
Saturday, November 7
11:17 a.m. American flag wrapped around flag pole, may rip off, Big Y Plaza; fire dept. notified12:11 p.m. Delivery business warned for second time, about parking in handicapped spot
1:55 p.m. Mountain bike in pile of leaves on side of road near Dawson Rec. Area, Salisbury St.
2:40 p.m. Neighbor dispute, Alden Hill, Blair Rds.
3:23 p.m. 911 hang-up, Honey Farms pay phone, Main St.; no answer on call back
4:35 p.m. Paxton PD calling about truck parked at Preservation Ln., looks like hunters; advised seems to be suitable area for hunting
6:14 p.m. Rail Trail walker found business card left on his windshield for North East White Pride group, River St.; left card at police station
Sunday, November 8
1:13 a.m. Father posting bail2:55 a.m. Prisoner released
9:47 a.m. Family issue, Main St.
12:34 p.m. Suspicious incident, someone drilling neighbor’s door; OK, winterizing bank-owned property
Paxton
Monday, November 2
3:54 p.m. Female reporting man at her home attempting to sell windows, Sherbrooke Dr.Tuesday, November 3
10:35 a.m. Large dog, possibly Great Dane or dalmatian, ran into woods near Moore State ParkWednesday, November 4
11:15 a.m. Caller’s dog attacked by unknown animal or animals and died from its injuries, Brigham Rd.Thursday, November 5
No calls for serviceFriday, November 6
1:13 a.m. Assist fire dept., Sunset Ln.1:45 a.m. Follow-up investigation, Sunset Ln.
4:50 a.m. Follow-up investigation regarding fire alarm at school, Sunset Ln. Arrest: ... setting false alarm, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct
10:13 a.m. Caller wants to know if town has ordinance regarding dog defecating on his lawn, Camp St.; referred to animal control
Saturday, November 7
10:05 a.m. Fifteen-year-old Oxford male inquiring if his parents has right to bring him home should he leave; subject did not want to talk to Oxford PD, seemed nervous. Advised Oxford PD of call1:51 p.m. Burglar/holdup alarm, Nanigian Rd.; front door and kitchen glass broken. False alarm; front door blown open by wind.
4:20 p.m. Large amount of hunters assembling on roadway; caller does not believe they should be hunting in area, Preservatrion Rd.; Holden PD advised
5:18 p.m. Vehicle hit deer, Rte. 56; no injuries
8:04 p.m. Report of five or six juveniles playing in traffic, Pleasant St.
Sunday, November 8
8:26 p.m. Caller received call from Wachusett Pop Warner Football, believes it could be a scam; Holden PD reports organization is fundraising in manner describedPrinceton
Monday, November 2
7:47 a.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Ball Hill Rd.7:50 p.m. Assist animal control officer, Worcester Rd.
Tuesday, November 3
7:45 a.m. Traffic control duty, Sterling Rd.7:46 p.m. Officer investigation, Ball Hill Rd.
Wednesday, November 4
11:23 a.m. Request for traffic control, Ball Hill Rd.3:13 p.m. Traffic control duty, Ball Hill Rd.
Thursday, November 5
6:35 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Main St.Friday, November 6
5:00 p.m. Public service, Town Hall Dr.Saturday, November 7
4:04 p.m. Suspicious incident, Whitaker Ln.5:50 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Worcester Rd.
7:13 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Town Hall Dr.
Sunday, November 8
6:48 a.m. Burglar alarm, Calamint Hill Rd. NPrinceton Police assisted at one emergency medical call.
Rutland
Monday, November 2
10:12 a.m. Assist Stoneham PD trying to locate individual regarding illegal dumping, Edith Ln. No longer lives there10:17 a.m. Caller reporting suspicious incident regarding his dog. Two tags missing from collar, Peters Ave.
10:41 a.m. Person at station for fingerprinting, Main St.
8:04 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
Tuesday, November 3
7:52 a.m. Tractor trailer hasn’t covered its full load of wood chips and they’re blowing all over Main St.8:40 a.m. Report of large number of people living in home, yard full of trash, put up large sign with spotlight. Caller concerned about animals living there, Carly Cir. Referred to building inspector and board of health
9:55 a.m. Officer provided with information from school, Main St.
12:50 p.m. Golden retriever in yard, Campbell St.
2:17 p.m. Wire across road, power line, dangerous for motorists, Main St. National Grid advised
4:03 p.m. Caller reporting someone trespassing on his property, Maple Ave.
4:15 p.m. Suspicious activity, two males asked to leave area behind building, Main St.
4:44 p.m. Doctor’s office reporting dog bite that occurred Nov. 1, Main St.
9:36 p.m. Report of gunshots behind house, Glenwood Pl.
11:31 p.m. Disabled motor vehicle, Main St.
Wednesday, November 4
8:31 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer about getting his guns back, Main St.9:15 a.m. Quarantine notice served, Main St.
1:46 p.m. Sray dog on property at Main St./Kenwood. Same dog loose several times
3:37 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
4:02 p.m. Assist with key to DPW lot so person can pick up wood chipper, Pommogussett Rd.
4:51 p.m. Report of gun shots fired behind house, Karen Way
7:42 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
9:00 p.m. Report that someone is working on a house and making lot of noise, Marjorie Ln.
9:34 p.m. Report of lots of yelling, Maple Ave.
Thursday, November 5
9:03 a.m. Abandoned blue bicycle behind Community Center, Glenwood Rd.2:08 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Muschopauge Rd.
3:01 p.m. Bus company requesting assistance with student causing disturbance, Clealand Cir.
6:22 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer Main St.
Friday, November 6
6:10 a.m. Report of loose cows, Pommogussett Rd.8:00 a.m. Assist other PD with information on individual, Main St.
8:24 a.m. Loose cows in road, Main St.
9:01 a.m. Report of canister on side of road, Main St./Nancy Dr.
10:29 a.m. Assist other PD about an individual.
Accompany two officers to Maple Ave. with warrant
3:36 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
6:07 p.m. Assist fire dept., Sassawanna Rd.
Saturday, November 7
9:25 a.m. Person reports losing three hunting arrows on Rail Trail6:50 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
Sunday, November 8
10:25 a.m. Request that police observe activity at location, East County Rd.Rutland Police responded to two automated burglar alarms.
Sterling
Monday, November 2
12:16 a.m. Report of two vehicles driven around with lights off and four individuals walking under street light, Redstone Hill Rd.8:30 a.m. Dead cat on side of Maple St.
9:54 a.m. Neighbor’s dog in yard and in the trash, Waushacum Ave.
4:36 p.m. Fraud. Caller receiving calls from Jamaica regarding $1 million win, Kitchener Rd.
10:58 p.m. Caller found chocolate Labrador in his driveway. Will keep overnight, Mortimer Rd.
Tuesday, November 3
9:33 a.m. Concern about puppy left outdoors in the cold, Kendall Hill Rd.10:57 a.m. Golden retriever wandering neighborhood, Sandy Ridge Rd.
4:37 p.m. Loose husky running through yard, Holden Rd.
6:45 p.m. Parking violation, Meetinghouse Hill
7:21 p.m. Caller hit deer, Princeton/Beaman Rds.
8:08 p.m. Request that officer check building because of burglar alarm and lights on where there shouldn’t be any lights on, Chocksett Rd.
9:12 p.m. Suspicious activity, caller heard glass breaking, Osgood Rd.
Wednesday, November 4
9:32 a.m. Barking dog complaint, Holden Rd.9:38 a.m. Suspicious male walking around house, Pineview Rd.
4:02 p.m. Suspicious parked grey/black pickup truck, John Dee Rd.
5:30 p.m. Caller asking for reports of injured dog in area of Redemption Rock Trl.; is looking for dog she hit
Thursday, November 5
11:00 a.m. Caller wants to speak with officer; someone threw pumpkin at truck, North Row Rd.3:47 p.m. 911 hang-up, Sunset Dr. Confirmed accidental
3:49 p.m. Caller reports hole in picture window from pellet gun; pellet stuck in window, Justice Hill Cutoff Rd.
6:48 p.m. Residential lockout, Kendall Hill Ln.
9:07 p.m. Motor vehicle accident, car versus deer, property damage, I-190
Friday, November 6
10:05 a.m. Officer investigation, Boutelle Rd.Saturday, November 7
7:58 a.m. Assist citizen with summons at wrong address, Gates Rd.10:43 a.m. Golden retriever on front porch of home, Upper North Row Rd.
5:48 p.m. Officer wanted, Mellon Hollow Rd.
6:10 p.m. Caller thinks she ran over a cat, Muddy Pond Rd.
Sterling Police responded to seven automated burglar alarms.
Not dead yet
How come a search for local American Legion halls results in a Google text ad for caskets?
Fixing it in documentation
Another in the occasional series of the way in which companies fix broken products and services by providing documentation, rather than just fixing the problem(s) in the first place.
In this story, a small-business owner receives assistance from a Verizon support rep:
Endless Knots: Verizon: I hope you're seeing these posts
In this story, a small-business owner receives assistance from a Verizon support rep:
Endless Knots: Verizon: I hope you're seeing these posts
I do realize your's [sic] is a small business account, however, we are experiencing some issues due to recent changes in the small business access link. Do not click the 'Business' tab, but instead, in the 'Manage Your Account' section in the upper right hand corner, do not select 'My Business Account' but select 'Small Business Phone'.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Our future as superheroes
Just about every kid dreams about being a superhero of one type or another. What we don't imagine, however, is what it's like when superheroes grow old.
via FARK.com: (4749022) Photoshop theme: Elderly superheros or supervillains. (Site and other images may be nsfw.)
Monday, November 09, 2009
In case you have an infinite amount of free time ...
Maps, maps, and, in case you wondered, more maps.
Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection - UT Library Online
Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection - UT Library Online
Misleading grammar infects healdine writers
It's certainly scary to open the morning paper and read the following headline:
What's telling about the headline is the choice of the present tense for the verb infect. It means that there are computer viruses that are actively connecting PCs to child porn sites.
The trouble is that this is not what the story is about. The story is about several things that have been conflated into the suggestion of a current and severe threat to your computer RIGHT NOW!
The article mentions the case of Michael Fiola, whose computer was infected when someone else used his system and infected with a virus that downloads child porn. Scary, right? It's a story from a year ago. It's also a story about someone who hadn't installed any security updates and, somehow allowed a pedophile to use his computer - Lax security leads to child-porn charges.
If you leave your keys in your car and someone drives it into child's birthday party, yes, the bad guy is still the bad guy, but few sane people would say that cars are evil because someone could steal it and drive it into a kid's birthday party.
By the way, the sites that report on the major Internet and computer security threats shows that there's nothing on their radar about a rampage of viruses that are infecting PCs and download child pornography. National Cyber Alert System, McAfee Threat Center, Symantec, Trend Micro, and the one cited in the article, F-Secure.
What's telling about the headline is the choice of the present tense for the verb infect. It means that there are computer viruses that are actively connecting PCs to child porn sites.
The trouble is that this is not what the story is about. The story is about several things that have been conflated into the suggestion of a current and severe threat to your computer RIGHT NOW!
The article mentions the case of Michael Fiola, whose computer was infected when someone else used his system and infected with a virus that downloads child porn. Scary, right? It's a story from a year ago. It's also a story about someone who hadn't installed any security updates and, somehow allowed a pedophile to use his computer - Lax security leads to child-porn charges.
Pedophiles can tap viruses in several ways. The simplest is to force someone else’s computer to surf child porn sites, collecting images along the way. Or a computer can be made into a warehouse for pictures and videos that can be viewed remotely when the PC is online.There are more stories about the prevalence of computer viruses:
[Emphasis mine.]
At any moment, about 20 million of the estimated 1 billion Internet-connected PCs worldwide are infected with viruses that could give hackers full control, according to security software maker F-Secure Corp. Computers often get infected when people open e-mail attachments from unknown sources or visit a malicious Web page.But, opening an email attachment or visiting a web page was not how the child porn got onto these systems. It happened because an unauthorized user had access to an unsecured system and did a bad thing.
If you leave your keys in your car and someone drives it into child's birthday party, yes, the bad guy is still the bad guy, but few sane people would say that cars are evil because someone could steal it and drive it into a kid's birthday party.
By the way, the sites that report on the major Internet and computer security threats shows that there's nothing on their radar about a rampage of viruses that are infecting PCs and download child pornography. National Cyber Alert System, McAfee Threat Center, Symantec, Trend Micro, and the one cited in the article, F-Secure.
November 9th : The New Yorker
Among other things, why Germany doesn't observe November 9, 1989 as a holiday, how the Wall fell, and how things are now.
November 9th : The New Yorker
One future and then another
The delivery never arrived. We were working at DECUS, Digital's user society conference in Anaheim in November of 1989. I was part of the team representing Digital's technical documentation group. We had a booth where we'd display bookshelves filled with big, honkin' three-ring binders of documentation about DEC's software, hardware, and other products and services. We'd also be showcasing our latest offering, technical documentation delivered electronically on a CD-ROM. We had workstations set up so that customers could try out the product, called Bookreader, that would let them browse manuals electronically.
via DECUS Notes
The shipment of big, honkin' three-ring binders didn't show up. We had, if I recall correctly, three bookcases, six feet tall and empty.
One of the fundamental principles of show business is making something from nothing. I took three of the CDs, put one on the middle shelf of each bookcase, and printed up a sign that said something like "Welcome to the future of documentation." It was true. We could fit a bookcase-worth of documentation onto one CD. The booth set-up made it look like we planned to do it this way.
Yep, this was the future and we felt pretty smug about it.
And then, one morning, on my way to the exhibition hall, I stood, as the Brits say, gobsmacked in front of a TV in the hotel lobby. Jubilant people were climbing over the Berlin Wall, breaking pieces with whatever they had, shouting to their brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and to all of us, triumphant. Berlin is some nine hours ahead of California, so it was dark there already, but the darkness couldn't stop anyone anymore.
via DECUS Notes
The shipment of big, honkin' three-ring binders didn't show up. We had, if I recall correctly, three bookcases, six feet tall and empty.
One of the fundamental principles of show business is making something from nothing. I took three of the CDs, put one on the middle shelf of each bookcase, and printed up a sign that said something like "Welcome to the future of documentation." It was true. We could fit a bookcase-worth of documentation onto one CD. The booth set-up made it look like we planned to do it this way.
Yep, this was the future and we felt pretty smug about it.
And then, one morning, on my way to the exhibition hall, I stood, as the Brits say, gobsmacked in front of a TV in the hotel lobby. Jubilant people were climbing over the Berlin Wall, breaking pieces with whatever they had, shouting to their brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and to all of us, triumphant. Berlin is some nine hours ahead of California, so it was dark there already, but the darkness couldn't stop anyone anymore.
In 1997, Sandra and I visited Berlin. We found our way to the old Checkpoint Charlie station. We crossed from west to east and it was like going from color to black-and-white. We walked for many blocks through the old East Berlin, along broad streets with everdull Soviet architecture. For 1DM, we bought a chunk of concrete that the kindly old woman said was a piece of The Wall.
There was still plenty of rubble where the wall once stood. The West was just starting the process of repatriating the East, a cost that most everyone wanted to pay because, well, it was something that they could not not do.
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Why Holden needs three pharmacy chains
Another in the occasional series about Holden's need for three national pharmacy chains.
While you're waiting until November 13th at CVS
Or, no later than November 15th at Rite-Aid
While you're waiting until November 13th at CVS
Or, no later than November 15th at Rite-Aid
You can put on smells that are girl-approved,
and look oh, so cool at Walgreens.
A long walk with a slow dog
There are few forces stronger than an old dog who smells something good by the side of the road. You'd sooner be able to pull Mercury from its orbit. A young dog is always thinking (to the extent that they think), "What's next?" An old dog is more interested in "What's this?" Whatever it is, or was, Marley's nose won't leave until all the news has been sniffed out.
The dry weather of late has left a lot of these points of interest along the way of our early morning walk. There are few lights on in houses, usually just a porch light to welcome home a night-time traveler or to scare away evil-doers.
Traffic is very light. The few cars on the road at this hour go very fast. Other than that, the only sound is the clicking of Marley's nails on the sidewalk, an indicator that we've not been walking much lately.
Between sniffing bouts, Marley keeps a good pace. There's a small hill as we near home. He has this trick that, when he's tired, he'll get in front and then walk slowly, making sure that I walk at his speed. He'll be 14 in February, a reference age for black Labs. We're not thinking too much about that. Like the old dogs, we're thinking about "What's this?" and not "What's next?"
On the way out, the portions of our trip were lit by the waning gobbous moon. We return in first light. A few more people are up in their houses, getting the coffee started, bringing in the Sunday newspapers. Our older neighbors are up, while the houses of the young families are still dark.
Marley lies down the floor next to me and, within minutes, is snoring lightly.
The dry weather of late has left a lot of these points of interest along the way of our early morning walk. There are few lights on in houses, usually just a porch light to welcome home a night-time traveler or to scare away evil-doers.
Traffic is very light. The few cars on the road at this hour go very fast. Other than that, the only sound is the clicking of Marley's nails on the sidewalk, an indicator that we've not been walking much lately.
Between sniffing bouts, Marley keeps a good pace. There's a small hill as we near home. He has this trick that, when he's tired, he'll get in front and then walk slowly, making sure that I walk at his speed. He'll be 14 in February, a reference age for black Labs. We're not thinking too much about that. Like the old dogs, we're thinking about "What's this?" and not "What's next?"
On the way out, the portions of our trip were lit by the waning gobbous moon. We return in first light. A few more people are up in their houses, getting the coffee started, bringing in the Sunday newspapers. Our older neighbors are up, while the houses of the young families are still dark.
Marley lies down the floor next to me and, within minutes, is snoring lightly.
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