8:50 AM CST     0 comments

Cool Tool: ShoutLoud Domain Valuation

Pop in your domain name to find out what it's worth.

[thanks to The Register for the link]

8:28 AM CST     0 comments

Gnutella Gnews: Napster-like technology takes Web search to new level

There's a lot more than file swapping going on here. The only problem I see with their search engine is that it will be incredibly easy for persons of dubious morals to spam the index. I mean, the database will be on the spammers pc, how much easier can you get?

8:19 AM CST     0 comments

Dig it: Elian Gonzalez favorite networking card

I know 3com has taken a hit in the marketplace lately, but this is just sad.

[link courtesy of El Bretto]

8:16 AM CST     0 comments

Why not: Google Bets The Ranch On Linux

This is perhaps the best fit for a Linux solution I've seen. In the end Red Hat may end up benefiting just as much as Google does.

3:35 PM CST     0 comments

Browser Tip

Ok... maybe I'm the only one on the face of the planet who didn't know this, but just in case I'm not: After a page is done loading you can press the "Stop" button to kill animated gifs. Stops 'em dead.

B L I S S.

11:04 AM CST     0 comments

Yet again: Mass-marketing e-mail spreads virus

As the Magic 8-Ball would say, "Outlook not so good".

10:52 AM CST     0 comments

Of course: Ghostbusters Hunt Beheaded Queen in Palace

Who you gonna call?

9:02 AM CST     0 comments

Good news: Net Users Get Mature

It seems to me that the more the median age of 'net users has increased, the more civil it has become. Now if we can just get them to use a real ISP we'll be in business.

8:55 AM CST     0 comments

Annoying: Summer camp for geeks-to-be

This boot camp concept is interesting, but I take serious exception to one statement:

"Web gurus are made, not born."

While I agree, to some extent at least, that skills must be aquired, there remains a vast difference in the output of a truly gifted web professional and even the best "all education, no inspiration" code grinder.

2:07 PM CST     0 comments

Cool: Decide.com

Ever wonder if you are getting the best wireless service at the best price? Or perhaps you're preparing to make your first cellular purchase? Decide.com can help in both cases.

[thanks to Street Tech for the link]

8:46 AM CST     0 comments

Overdue: Gateway says it will double AMD chip use

I personally expected AMD (or the now defunct Cyrix) to begin making inroads on Intel, in the consumer market at least, years ago. That Intel was able to hold off the competition for so long is more a testament to the skills of Intel's marketing staff than it is to the technology of either firm. If the Intel Inside campaign hadn't been launched people wouldn't care which processor their PC sported anymore than they care which microprocessor is in their tv or cell phone.

8:35 AM CST     0 comments

Antlers, eh: Moose Muggings Plague Toronto

You simply knew something like this would happen. Even so, damage to sculptures worth $6500 ($4300USD) is nothing to sniff at.

8:23 AM CST     0 comments

Huh: Disney Goes To $21.5 Mil Length

On the one hand, I think it's pretty cool that the little guy won this one. On the other, I think it's a bit silly to think that GoTo.com lost that much green because of a somewhat similar logo. It certainly proves how the courts feel about the average internet user's intelligence.

8:58 AM CST     0 comments

Whoa: South African man shoots PC

It must have been Hexagon City. I've been close to wigging out myself on that one.

8:52 AM CST     0 comments

Scary: Can your PC be subpoenaed?

Yes, it can. There is no limit to what they can take either. I can certainly see where documents pretaining to the case at hand would be valuable to both sides. What I cannot understand is how personal e-mail and family correspondence falls into that category.

8:39 AM CST     0 comments

Bizarre: Cabletron sheds networking unit

What next? "Kraft sheds food unit"? The name Cabletron makes no sense outside of networking.

8:36 AM CST     0 comments

Wonderful: Dial T for Tetris

This is great... now I'll not only have to worry about the jerk in the car next to me talking on the phone, but playing games or watching tv as well. I actually saw a guy on one of those japanese "crotch rocket" motorcycles talking on a cell phone while zipping through traffic last night. That's just silly.

8:29 AM CST     0 comments

I want my DTV: Cable industry, set makers agree on digital TV labels

This is a crucial step in the migration of our television infrastructure from analog to digital. What's silly is that it took impending FTC regulation to get these guys off their collective ass. If everything goes as planned from this point, DTV could be a reality for Christmas 2001.

8:23 AM CST     0 comments

Smokin: Ars Technica Recommended Systems

Those crafty buggers over at Ars have cooked up three more system recs for you. Just in time for Memorial Day!

9:43 AM CST     0 comments

Check it: Bogus News Network

Whoa, dude, it's like totally bogus. It's not the Onion, but then again neither is the Onion anymore.

9:39 AM CST     0 comments

Penguin Power: Linux is more popular than sex

Well... it's easier to get anyway.

9:36 AM CST     0 comments

Whatever: McAfee anti-virus enables employee monitoring

If you can get past the knee-jerk headline there are a few good points in this article. Mostly it's just a good thing to know such tools exist.

9:20 AM CST     0 comments

Uhm: Entertain Dad This Father's Day With Unique Games From Sierra On-Line

I only have one thing to comment on here... "All Nude" You Don't Know Jack? Wha?

9:18 AM CST     0 comments

Ten hut: Canadian Army Launches Survey for Combat Bra

Given the problems most women encounter just finding a decent sport bra, I'm doubting the Canadian government will have much luck. I have to say I do love the term "combat bra" though. Rowr.

9:14 AM CST     0 comments

Interesting: Beware of the security zealot

A very interesting piece on who is actually finding, and sometimes punishing, cyber-criminals.

8:57 AM CST     0 comments

Ironic: Computer to determine Microsoft's fate

I really don't have a comment on this. I just thought it was ironic.

1:30 PM CST     0 comments

Timesuck: Temple ov thee Lemur

I found this page through Zannah's link to their Spud Server project. There's a lot more going on though. Check it out.

10:30 AM CST     0 comments

Sigh: Mojave Phone Booth Removed

Well, at least it was fun while it lasted.

10:07 AM CST     0 comments

Ugh: FTC gives up on Net self-regulation

I wish I could take this as good news, but if the history of government intervention in privacy is any indication we could all be in for a rough ride.

9:55 AM CST     0 comments

Spammage: AOL error underscores spam filter challenge

Follow my logic here... AOL sets up a spam blocker that is supposed to block 100% of unsolicited mail. Then the rep from Topica states that "as many as one in five of the company's messages to AOL addresses were bounced". One in five. That's a mere 20%. Not a particularly effective filter if you ask me, particularly since these were assumably multiple copies of the same message.

12:28 PM CST     0 comments

Why e-Commerce Is Silly

I just dropped by Amazon to look up something and noticed that my start page now says:

"Hello, NEIL HEIDORN. We have recommendations for you in Books, Music, and more."

Since I've never actually purchased anything from Amazon, I was rather curious exactly how they might have "recommenations" for me, so I clicked the link. This is what I got:

"Based on your purchases we're still not sure of your tastes. Check back after you've ordered again. We'll make suggestions when we have a better idea of what you might enjoy."

Isn't that great? Perhaps the header on the first page should have been:

"We might have recommendations for you... or not. It depends really. Why not click here and waste your time finding out anyway? You're obviously not a busy person."

Sheesh.

8:50 AM CST     0 comments

Silly: Y2K Still Bugging Lawyers

Since I'm in the insurance business the statements in this article strike me as the height of folly. While I agree that the sue and labor clause is a valid coverage, applying it to Y2K issues is nonsense. If a ship's captain, as mentioned in the article, had ten years (or more) to prepare for the squall, I doubt very seriously that any one would hold the insurance company liable for his lost cargo. It's ludicrous.

8:42 AM CST     0 comments

Old news: Masters of Ticket Selling? Not

Wired takes on TicketMaster Online. One thing that I've never understood about TicketMaster is why they aren't considered a monopoly. The people who drive the business, ticket buying consumers, have no choice in the matter. You either pay what TM is asking or you stay home. What motivation does TM have to ever improve their service? None that I can see.

8:34 AM CST     0 comments

Interesting: How E-Tailers Deliver Within Hours

It's a bit long (doesn't Fortune have editors?), but it's worth skimming to get a handle on the trend.

8:17 AM CST     0 comments

Yawn: Herbie Virus Is Less Common, More Powerful

I wouldn't even have linked this if it weren't for the last paragraph. That "pizza under the door" comment is dead on. I'm sure most non-programmers would be horrified to discover that midnight bombing runs are the rule rather than the exception.

2:06 PM CST     0 comments

Hell yeah: Awarding from Life Serial

Say what you will about the 'dog... he can still write circles around the best of them.

[props to Derek for the link]

7:40 AM CST     0 comments

All Hail: Prince Now Prince Again

Finally. I never did get used to called him TAFKAP.

7:33 AM CST     0 comments

Not Again: MS again slammed on security

I always hated that damn paper clip anyway.

7:27 AM CST     0 comments

Example: MS Has a Friend in Pennsylvania

This is exactly the reason that regardless of the DOJ's actions Microsoft will continue to thrive. The marketplace still trusts MS to solve their IT problems. When you really think about it though, who else are we going to trust?

7:17 AM CST     0 comments

WAP Fu: Nokia 7110 Emulator

Ever wonder what sort of content you can see on those new fangled web phones? This little emulator gives you a pretty good idea. Try visiting www.Nokia.com for a demo of what can be done or Yahoo for an example of what not to do.

[link curtesy of Brett]

8:49 AM CST     0 comments

Silly: Man attempts to run around the world

Stupid is as stupid does. That's all I have to say about that.

8:44 AM CST     0 comments

He's your pusher: Ice-T Speaks Out About Napster

Ice-T is one of the handful of performers that I consider truly intelligent. When he speaks I listen. In this interview Ice establishes himself firmly in the Pro-Napster camp. He also talks a bit about the My.MP3.com case. Good stuff.

8:37 AM CST     0 comments

Amen: Notebooks faster, but why not cheaper?

I couldn't agree more. I fully understand that miniaturization of hi-tech parts is an expensive process. That doesn't explain, however, why manufacturers haven't developed methods of standardizing parts to reduce costs. Then again, as long as people are willing to pay twice as much for a laptop then why make them cheaper? My guess is that a lot of OEMs are tempering their losses in the desktop market with laptop and server sales.

8:30 AM CST     0 comments

This just in: Hell Freezes Over

Uh... well actually "Microsoft Finally Addresses Email Hole" is the real title, but it's just about the same thing. What I can't figure out is how this move benefits Microsoft. You just know they didn't do it out of the goodness of their big ol' hearts.

Regardless, it's good news for Outlook users.

4:55 PM CST     0 comments

From the horse's mouth: How Microsoft Ensures Virus-Free Software

Worried about the latest string of virii invading your computer? Curious how Microsoft manages to ship a blue million CDs without any risk of viral infection? Apparently, their answer is to eliminate Windows from the equation and create distribution sets from a custom Unix-based system.

Feel any safer now? Yeah, me neither.

11:10 AM CST     0 comments

Woo: Cabeem is back!

And I thought I was going to actually get some "work" done today. hahaha.

Not likely.

[link curtesy of Zannah]

11:00 AM CST     0 comments

Nifty: The Big Steamy Thing

The official They Might Be Giants site gets a facelift. A fun, if only semi-useful, Flash interface.

8:37 AM CST     0 comments

It has begun: COPPA Lets Steam out of Thomas

Man, I wish I would have been wrong about this one. I really do.

8:31 AM CST     0 comments

Duh: Napster wildfire spreads beyond music or more to the point Napster May Not Matter Anymore

I was wondering how long it would take them to figure that out. heh.

8:27 AM CST     0 comments

Instant Mess: AOL instant messaging efforts may be at cross purposes

This sort of thing is bound to happen anytime companies merge. The difference in the AOL/Netscape situation is that AOL has not moved to trim the post-merger fat the way most companies would have. It's patently absurd that AIM and ICQ both exist and remain autonomous. It's also silly, if somewhat more understandable, that AOL hasn't dropped IE in favor of Mozilla.

11:52 AM CST     0 comments

Damn: Burger King Employees Charged

Easy Off?!? And to think I was pissed off about that Taco Bell "dookie in the beans" incident.

11:45 AM CST     0 comments

Mo' Money: Want to buy a 'used' domain name?

NSI plans to act as "intermediary" between buyer and seller in domain name transfers. For a modest fee, of course.

11:42 AM CST     0 comments

No joke: Villagers Opt to Keep Cowshit Lane

I actually heard about this on a semi-local syndicated radio show during my morning commute. I figured I could find an article about it somewhere. Voila!

Funny story: My wife and I were at Olive Garden one night and listened as a waiter set up a table for some arriving guests. As he finished smoothing the table cloth and replacing the centerpiece he proudly said "Voila!". He did not, however, say "WAH-lah"... what he said was "vee-OH-lah". Chele and I still laugh about that to this day.

11:12 AM CST     0 comments

WooHoo: CockyBastard Gets A Webby

Congratulations to John. This was long overdue.

10:57 AM CST     0 comments

Not again: Seller placed own bid on mystery painting

This is just another case of The Man trying to stifle innovation like in the Microsoft case.

[sarcasm alert]

10:53 AM CST     0 comments

Finally: Gender gap banished from Net

Although it's only a single study and it seems to contradict many prior surveys, I'm inclined to believe this one. Call me a hopeless romantic.

4:22 PM CST     0 comments

Sheesh: Microsoft wants to censor some SlashDot postings

The one and only reason Microsoft wants those posts removed is they tell the truth about the "Embrace and Extend" policy. It makes Microsoft look bad in a time when they really need to look very innocent. I'll be interested to see if a company the size of Andover.net will bow to this sort of threat.

11:38 AM CST     0 comments

Ouch: Officials say fowl play caused massive power outage in Portugal

"No damage was reported."

Other than to the stork, of course. *bzzt*

11:25 AM CST     0 comments

WTF? Domain Names Are Not Property

I follow the logic here, but I'd say domain names are a bit more important than phone numbers. Service or not, something that can make or break a company should be considered property in my book. Unfortunately we won't know the outcome until Summer of 2001 when the case goes up on appeal.

11:19 AM CST     0 comments

Woo: Sony sets date for PlayStation2 debut

Better start saving your lunch money, October's just around the corner!

11:14 AM CST     0 comments

Interesting: "Love" bug release may have been accidental

I've always wondered how virus writers test their wares. One would have to have complete and utter control over a small network and any small slip up could release the virus too soon. I mean, that's one possibility. The other would be to just write the thing and release it untested, but I doubt that somehow.

11:11 AM CST     0 comments

This sucks: MP3.com bows to record industry pressure

I'm fully aware that in order to continue to exist as a company MP3.com had to cave. It just sucks though because I believe what they did no more infringed copyrights than you or I making copies for our own personal use. A practice which I'm certain will be under fire quite soon. The RIAA won't be happy until we are forced to purchase a separate copy of the CD for home, office, car, and portable players.

11:04 AM CST     0 comments

Fight back: Napster throws Metallica a curveball

Perhaps Metallica's lawyers should remember to read the *whole* law and not just what benefits their client. The only whole in this theory is that by filing a counternotification, the individual user is opening him/herself up to direct legal action. Not that direct legal action wasn't a possibility anyway, but filing that counternotification would force Metallica's hand a bit. It should be interesting to see how this unfolds.

[thanks to betty for the link]

11:19 AM CST     0 comments

Update: My Daily Reads

For anyone interested, I updated my daily reads index to reflect changes over the past two months. I really intended to update that page monthly, but you know.

9:02 AM CST     0 comments

Cool: YesterLand

YesterLand is an archive of photos, descriptions, and other information about Disneyland rides which have been closed down.

8:52 AM CST     0 comments

Interesting: Hosting web sites no picnic

I've often felt that there should be some minimum level of service which web hosts would be required to provide. On the other hand, I also know how difficult it can be to adequately maintain a complex network like those used by ISPs. Speaking as a customer, I certainly wouldn't mind paying a bit extra each month to be guaranteed a specific level of service. Assuming, of course, that there were discounts involved if those levels were not maintained.

Regardless of the admittedly tangled issued involved, I'm really not sure a class-action suit will help in a broader sense.

8:39 AM CST     0 comments

Duh: 56K Growing Faster Than Broadband

Who was the genius who figured that out? That's like saying that the number of Ford Explorers on the road is growing faster than Lincoln Navigators. Until a reasonable (and clearly defined) price point is reached most consumers simply won't bother.

8:30 AM CST     0 comments

Oops: Booze ads on kids' sites

I suppose it was only a matter of time.

11:32 AM CST     0 comments

Geek Humor 101

Q: What did JarJar say when his date wanted to bring her roommate on their date?
A: Down on our own Naboo, three's company too.

Now that's comedy.

8:35 AM CST     0 comments

Why I Love Internet News

From MSNBC:

Now that's entertainment.

5:04 PM CST     0 comments

Public Service Announcement

This week has not been particularly conducive to blogging. For that, I apologize. I hope to be back in shape by next week at the latest.