Ooo, look, timely posting.

I’m actually posting stuff on the day I read it rather than several days later.

The Wall Street Journal has a great round table up about the ramifications of the MGM vs. GROKSTER case. There is some good talk and ideas batted around. The overall feel is that it is the closest to a middle ground the SCOTUS could find while not giving either party what they really wanted. There’s also some stuff on the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s site here and here. I imagine we will be watching the ramifications of this for months if not years.

Information Week has an interesting article up about AMD’s complaint filed against Intel. There isn’t too much new in there for people who have been following technology for a long time, but it does a decent job of explaining some of it. I’m just afraid that if AMD doesn’t stay on the ball Intel will have a whole new line of processors out in 18 months, designed specifically to take on the advanced features that have given AMD a performance lead. I’m hoping some good comes out of it.

I forgot to watch the President’s speech last night, so I’m going to watch a stream of it instead. I’ll limit my talk about the new insights he made during the speech. In other words I probably won’t have much to say.

Oh yeah. I’m on vacation from Thursday until Tuesday morning, so don’t expect much. However, the place I’m going does have an Internet connection. Hmmmmm.

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Let’s Get It On!!

Well now it looks like the court is just going to keep on being interesting. It seems that AMD, an underdog CPU company I have been rooting for for years, has filed an antitrust complaint against Intel. (Having the underdog win in business usually keeps competition going, since competition is what makes capitalism work. Without it we have to regulate more, and we now how good the government is at regulating things properly.) Anyone who follows this stuff will say that it’s about friggin’ time. It’s interesting that this occurs while AMD is actually taking significant portions of market share from Intel. It’s also interesting that this happens a few weeks after Apple confirmed that Intel will begin supplying their processors in a year. It seems from the breakdown of the charges posted at Anandtech and the discussion at Arstechnica that AMD may indeed have the facts and witnesses to back this up. It’s also occurring at a very good time to force Intel to watch their Ps and Qs when dealing with other companies right now. AMD has another manufacturing facility coming online in a few months. This is timed right when AMD’s production capability will rise dramatically. Currently AMD sells all their chips. With Intel having to watch it’s butt, AMD may be in a very good place to leverage their new production capacity and better price/performance ratio. If the US system doesn’t do anything, the EU seems to have sharper teeth as of late. Looks like the fireworks may have started a little bit early this year.

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The future’s so stupid, I have to wear blinders.

My life is presently impressively boring, so I’m looking elsewhere for inspiration and distraction. Right now I seem to be running about a day behind on some stuff. Lets see if I can catch up.

I wanted to share this look at the Wired NextFest. Being a technogeek and a science fiction reader I found it a lighthearted read of the strangeness that exists in people’s minds. I especially loved the army of cyborg or mechanically enhanced elderly that terrorize the future creating a virtual geriatric police state. And you wonder why I love Ars.

Well I’ve mentioned it before, but my hopes of something substantial have been dashed against the rocks. In the MGM vs. GROKSTER case the SCOTUS has seemingly ruled that legal usefulness has nothing to do with the suit. The ruling said the crux is whether software manufacturers/sellers specifically target the product towards the illegal file sharing community. It doesn’t seem to make any big statements itself, but it does open the door to lots of possible annoyance lawsuits to stifle small product innovation and development. I expect a flood of lawsuits to come out of this, slowly at first and then a crescendo to eventually be stomped out after it has caused much damage. I want all the little companies and sites that run a lot of this stuff to shut down in unison for 5 days as a show of force. I’m just curious what would happen. I also recommend perusing the forum discussion on the topic. Please post any other interesting links in the comments.

In relation to the above, it also seems that the former head of the RIAA has changed her tune now that she isn’t the mouthpiece of the industry. I really love how she tries to sound like she didn’t want anything to come off the way it did. In the article she makes the same very good points that other people have been making, since before she and the RIAA started the crusade against P2P and file trading software. I guess having the RIAA’s fists filled with money that far down my pants would make me say nonsensical stuff too. I just wish someone would have slapped the snot out of her and brought her to her senses when she might have been able to do something about it. Ars has a good article and discussion of it as well.

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Negligent again

But then I doubt anyone actually reads this thing. Not that I could come up with things to say if I did have a regular audience. I wanted to recap some things from one of my favorite web sites again, some old some new.

The government is going ahead with its plans to eventually have a national database containing invaluable personal information on everyone in the US, so that hackers only have to break into one system to get all the information they need to steal your identity. Oh and it might help protect our children from terrorists and pedophiles. Please think of the children. The original article at which I started is located here. It seems the Military is the first to jump onboard by creating a shared database of high school recruits, so that all branches can harass 16- 18 year olds in a more efficient and all encompassing manner. I remember that as an option for funding of college I took some aptitude test and the Marines called or mailed me every month for 3 years, and annually for 3 more. Apparently they had spasms when they saw my test scores and proceeded to look up my SAT score. Now I suppose the database would allow all of the branches would take turns recruiting me. Good thing, cause I would probably have to go AF. That is if they want my bad eyesight, chronic allergies, and mild asthma. With the recruiting problems they are having now I’d probably be in line for maintenance somewhere.

As referenced at the bottom of the page in the above link the SCOTUS also ruled for seizure of private property for the benefit of society, even if that benefit is selling the land to a shopping center. I’ll just bet that there aren’t any City or County Council Members that live in that neighborhood. Seizure for the public good makes sense and is necessary for public works projects, but extending it to private development gets sticky. Lets just see what kind of Pandora's Box this opens up. My bet is that it will edge slowly for a few years and then jump in all at once.

After all the talk about the Real ID plan above, it was nice to see this appear. There is indication that a bill to combat identity theft is being batted about in Congress. I like a lot of what it wants to do. I agree that making the institution that allowed the information to be pilfered responsible for the monetary compensation and primary cleanup of the mess would be a good step as well. Given the Real ID project I wonder if Congress might inadvertently paint themselves into a corner if they don’t use utmost security on their database. There's just something poetic about the Fed having to pay to fix someone's credit. Given that everyone will be in the database though, I'm planning on memorizing a new SSN in a few years.

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No Mr Wayne. I expect you to die!

Yesterday evening I went to see Batman Begins. I must say I feel that the DC comics have been redeemed after the fiasco of the last movies.

I think that Christian Bale did an excellent job as Batman and by the end of the movie he seemed to be indicating that Bruce had learned what his role was as well. Since it is a story of beginnings, the character doesn’t always feel like the character that you expect. That could be acting, writing or directing, but I chose to go with the fact that it is a time of transition and discovery of oneself. Bruce and Batman must create who they are to be, and they explore some things we don’t traditionally expect or want from Batman/Bruce.

Michael Caine threw me off for a little in his role as Alfred Pennyworth, the butler. However, I think he was starting to grow on me after a time. I think it was because they didn’t show the father or uncle-like relationship until later in the movie.

Katie Homes’ character seemed kind of tacked on without being integrated well. (But if you are going to have someone tacked on to you it might as well be her, although she still needs to eat more biscuits.) It felt as though her character wasn’t as emotionally integral as she should have been. I don’t know maybe it was just me.

I also wanted Bats to show some more concern for bystanders, but maybe that’s about learning. The fights were very disorienting, which is realistic and disappointing at the same time.

Anyway, I say it’s a definite see if you like comic book hero movies. I think it does DC Comics a good turn finally. I paid full price to see it and it was worth it. Definitely worth buying on DVD as well.

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Laziness or apathy? Hmmm. I can’t decide.

Dang I haven’t written anything in a while. I’m trying to decide if it was lack of material, laziness, or apathy. Then I realized I didn’t really care what it was, so I’m going with procrastination.

This past weekend I was at home for Father’s day. I cooked steaks, chicken, baked onions, and I made ice cream. I got a new ice cream churn a couple of months back and I’ve been having a problem getting it to freeze up good. This weekend I found out it was because I made the ice cream a little too rich. All the milk fat was keeping it from freezing. Oops, but it tasted so good.

I wanted to catch up with a few things I was reading about, so I’ll put it all up at once.

I may be naive, but this is one of the smartest things I’ve heard come out of Washington in a long time. The broadcast flag is a really bad idea and it will make me think twice about buying a piece of equipment. Why in the world would people want to take a step back from the freedom the good old VCR gives them? People will just have to start ordering things from China and Korea to bypass the regulation.

This really gets me too. First of all, I agree that they have no idea the amount of information storage required to track all the links someone clicks on much less all the information that is transmitted. It’s like asking the cell and telephone companies to keep recordings of all phone calls for a year just in case the US DOJ needs to subpoena them. You know to stop drugs and telephone scams and the pedophiles. You can’t forget the pedophiles. It’s a bunch of bull. The thing is that storage problems won’t be as big a hurdle in a few years. Then it might have a chance of going through. I can’t wait until people break into that database, look for mail order or credit card phone numbers, and get peoples credit cards or other identity information.

Sony’s making it tougher for citizens to listen to music they bought on CD, so that it will make them look for other less legal ways to get their music copied to their mp3 players. At least that’s what it looks like. I don’t buy many cds, because I don’t have that extra money to throw around. Believe me, a lot of people don’t buy music because it costs too much.

I am really looking forward to the outcome of this case. I’m not sure how many people realize it’s importance for freedom of speech and communication, and as a signal of corporate power in the US government. This case has the potential to change a lot, but given some recent rulings, I expect the most uncontroversial wording of the decision possible.

And more shit about the broadcast flag. Let’s hope some more people have some smarts up there in DC. Feel free to follow the link at the bottom of the page for a form to fill out at the EFF.

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First Runner Up

I didn’t feel like mentioning this earlier, but I will do so now for the sake of closure.

The afternoon of Friday the 10^th I was told that I did not get the job for which I applied, but that it was very close. I take about as much comfort in that as you might expect, little to none. They decided to go with someone from North Carolina that has been doing a similar job for a few years at a much smaller school. Basically the same thing that happened the last two times when they hired someone for the job. He seems like a nice guy, and maybe he will stay longer than 24 months. I hope that the decision works out, but I always expect troubles given the other people that work there.

I got my debriefing or flak hit that afternoon. I think I surprised my boss when I told him I had known for a week already. It’s fairly easy to pick up on clues in the way people look, or more correctly, don’t look at you. He went on about not wanting me to feel discouraged about the outcome and the possibility of advancement. Can’t imagine why he might think I would feel that way. He also said it wasn’t a reflection on me, just the pool that applied for the job. You know, the usual make me feel better by throwing crocodile tears at you bullshit. He even mentioned that he got this new position as my boss 5 months ago and he hasn’t gotten a raise yet. I almost told him good luck since I had been promised one for over 2 ½ years. Then he blew some more smoke about trying to add some duties to me that would allow him to rewrite my job description to get the job reclassification. Not that my job duties haven’t increased two fold or more since I started this job. All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. I did mention to him that if I had gotten the job I was going to recommend they split my current position into two jobs. Currently I work in two locations that together require me to know more than any sane person could learn in 4 months.

Stay tuned for more fun on the job.

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Secrets Can Kill a Marriage

Another weekend, another movie review. This weekend I went to see Mr. and Mrs. Smith, with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. I must say that I found the movie very enjoyable. There is enough humor in it to keep it pretty light hearted, there names are John and Jane Smith for crying out loud, plus there are several thousand rounds of ammunition that get expended. I don’t want to say much, because it would be very easy to give things away. Let’s just say that the title of this post is correct. However, the revealing of those secrets can help the marriage recover some of its spice, if it survives the attempted assassination. As an aside, I’ve never really found Angelina Jolie that attractive, but she looks better in this movie than in anything else I’ve seen her in.

For final review status, I recommend this movie for standard admissions price and possible rental later.

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Lies, Damn Lies, and Textbooks

I take reading by spurts. I read web sites and other things daily, but I read books and such in batches. I’m thinking about working on improving that, because I keep buying books. Two years back I stopped reading much for about 12 months due to work. Then in 3 months I read 30+ magazines (Scientific American, Popular Science, Car and Driver, Road and Track, and others) plus 4 books. I must say that I had to take breaks several times while reading the Scientific Americans. They make the brain tired.

Anyway, I just finished a book I’ve had for a while, Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen. Like I’ve said before I tend to gravitate towards off center books, and it doesn’t really matter which side of center. Follow the link for some reviews. I love that most of the reviews fall far from the middle, most are 5s or 2s.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It’s not a difficult read, and he does a good job at getting his points across. Loewen covers 10 often misrepresented people or events that demonstrate a lacking in history education and critical thinking. He makes some very good points and is a good source of information and additional points of view. Like most of the off center books I’ve read a few grains of salt would be a recommended side dish for this book. I found myself disagreeing with some of the points and wondering about information and points of view he left out. That’s kind of funny, because omission of information and points of view are primarily what the book is about. Like all studies of history, something ends up being missing. When reading one must remember a point Loewen makes in the 11^th chapter. He says that all portrayals and discussions of history are intrinsically biased. Therefore this work is not immune to that. For those that like critical views of history and education I recommend reading the book.

But don’t take my word for it.

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Take an aspirin and call me in 3 weeks.

I was reading this NY Times article (free registration required) about some of the recent events with Canada’s public health care system.

It seems that waiting lists for some surgeries have gotten so long that the court has ruled that it violated patients' "life and personal security, inviolability and freedom." Some patients have even died waiting for surgery. The court struck down a Quebec law prohibiting the use of private insurance. This reminds me of similar things I have heard of some countries in Europe. I know of at least one case where the grandmother of a friend of a friend broke her hip and had to wait 6 weeks for surgery.

All I can think of is how screwed up a US national health insurance and care system would be, especially if they tried to start it now. A friend of mine stated it before, and I’ll add my voice as well. Bush keeps trying to work some alchemy on his projects, but instead of using the Philosophers Stone he’s been using a coprolite.

Like it or not the US runs on money and not everyone can afford the Mercedes of medical care. Some people have to settle for the Kia. It sucks, but that’s the way it is. The question is, do any of the other systems make it any better? I don’t know. Companies make more money by coming up with the newest and greatest. There needs to be a push for as good as but cheaper. I think it’s going to take innovative thinking, law changes, and pushes from the right places to make any headway.

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A Daily dose of Colin

For those of you that didn't catch it, Colin Powell was on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart last night. I also think it's one of the most entertaining and, frankly, informative interview and fake news shows on television. That's remarkably sad. I always enjoy watching TDS, and wanted to say that the episode will be showing again tonight at 8PM. Check your local listings.

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Goldangit

I saw this article over at The New York Times. For the love of God you don’t futz with stuff that can screw us for decades to come. Sorry, it requires a registration.

Bush Aide Softened Greenhouse Gas Links to Global Warming

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Dry as the Sahara

So I'm sitting in my Lazyboy watching CSPAN and drinking a large glass of diluted orange juice. (Diluted orange juice being 65% orange juice and 35% Tanqueray Sterling Vodka.) CSPAN happens to be broadcasting the British House of Common's debate of the European Union Constitution's status after France and the Netherlands rejected it. All I can say is that it is the most outstanding example of obfuscation, confusion, and British humor I have ever seen. There is some strange artistic quality to it, and I must admit it makes me feel extremely underdeveloped with respect to vocabulary.

And now, bed.

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Football, Boxing, and Wheeling

Man this has been a fairly busy week, but there really wasn’t anything I wanted to talk about. What the heck, I’ll just ramble for a bit.

Memorial Day weekend I went to see The Longest Yard at the theater. I will admit that I haven’t seen the original. Some will curse my name, but I have to say that I enjoyed myself. It did it’s job of allowing some laughs and getting me to forget current events and just have some fun. Now I want to rent the original and watch it. A friend was supposed to meet us there, but some stuff came up. But you know, life is stuff that comes up. As for rating, I’d say that it’s worth a matinee if you liek that sort of movie and is a definite renter with beer.

This weekend I went to see Cinderella Man. I really enjoyed it. I’ve always been a sucker for the triumph of the underdog movie. I think it’s part of being an American. Not only is it about boxing, which is nice, but it has all the drama and emotionality that draws the fairer sex. I think this movie is a must see for most people. As for rating, I give this a full price approval with a possible second viewing as matinee and reserving purchase for later.

As a final note, most of you probably know that Apple has stated that they will begin using Intel processors in a year. Many people are already talking about it, and what it will mean. I’m siding with most people. The deal was primarily to save the laptops, and throw a little speed improvement and supply stability to the desktops. Laptops outsold desktops this May, and may have done the same thing in May ’03. This looks to be indicative of the future of computer sales. You can see why Apple wants to protect the growing sector. I expect Apple to have a proprietary BIOS or something to screw up attempts to put OS X on an ordinary Intel machine. I do look forward to actual apples to apples comparisons of OS X and Windows. I somehow expect windows to come out a little ahead. Hmm, have to wait and see.

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Long Weekend My Behind

Sorry for the language in the title, but I’ll probably be using my swear quota below.

It’s been a while since my last post, mainly because I haven’t really had anything to say. Monday I took off as my optional holiday, which leads me to two things.

First, I work for a State funded school. (If you can still call it that. The State has been cutting our budget for I don’t know how long. Several years back we were actually at the point that we could become private, but the stipulations for the University’s creation probably prevent that.) Anyway, you might think that being a State institution, we would get most if not all State or Federal holidays. Wrong. We get New Years Day, 1-2 days for Spring Break, Fourth of July, a day for Fall break (Last year I didn’t even get the Tuesday off for voting), 2 days for Thanksgiving, around 4 days for Christmas, and Martin Luther King Jr. day. That comes to about 12 days, which isn’t too bad.

What gets me is the mandated MKL day. We don’t get President’s Day, or Memorial Day (Fitting given Clemson’s Military heritage), or Labor Day. In fact we used to get Tuesday for voting in the Fall, but that day was taken for the mandated observation of MLK Day. That just seems silly to put this day above the others I’ve mentioned. I’m proud to say that MLK lived in my country, and I’m also proud to see the strides that Equal Rights has taken. I have friends who have studied the teachings of MLK for years, and we believe that MLK would have preferred Civil Rights Day on April 11^th to be observed rather than a day for him. It’s funny that we place a man above the cause he spent his life fighting for. I’m pretty sure he would disagree with that decision.

The real problem is that the day was basically forced observance. That means that state institutions with peculiar schedules have to take the day even if they normally don’t close for other holidays or it’s a bad time to take off. It’s a symptom of moving decisions up the command chain. The decision is made farther and farther from the people it affects, and the result is an inflexible structure that is not beneficial to increasingly large groups of people.

Anyway, we do get the benefit of having an optional holiday that we can take around virtually any holiday we want, so I took mine Monday for Memorial Day. And I feel better for it.

The only thing is I spent most of Monday cleaning, though I did watch a little of Sum of All Fears and Hunt for Red October. We had been chastised for the state of the microwave by my two roommates’ mother. I explained that I had previously been doing most of the cleaning, unless I could badger someone else into helping. Then I had to double check some of their work. Finally I had gotten tired of badgering and recleaning after someone. I decided to let it go until someone said something. So after their mother left, I waited a week to see if the shame had affected anyone. It did, me, so I went back to doing the cleaning. Oh well, at least I wasn’t at work. It wouldn’t be too bad, but I have an aversion to thoroughly cleaning with guests in the house. Given the increasing frequency of guests, I’ll have to get over that. I’m trying to decide whether to clean on afternoons after work, when others are too tired to clean, or on Saturdays and Sundays after I finish the yard work while guests are present. Decisions, decisions.

Wow, I don't think I swore once.

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