1:22 PM CST     0 comments

Proof I'm a Child of the 80's

I just looked down at my desk calendar and saw this:

And *immediately* started singing Duran Duran in my head.

12:57 PM CST     0 comments

Wow: Watermarks in music?

I used to hear the phrase "crazy as a shithouse rat" and wonder what that meant. Now I know.

12:28 PM CST     0 comments

Cool: Real Life - A Daily Online Comic by Greg Dean

I'm sure every person on the face of the planet has already seen this, but I hadn't before today. It's damn cool.

8:45 AM CST     0 comments

Cue Ball(mer): Linux is communism

So, just to recap... Linux is communism. Microsoft customers are dogs. Win2k is a viable consumer operating system.

I think we've discovered who stole Steve Jobs' bong.

8:39 AM CST     0 comments

Huh: BYU Suspends 'Real World' Member

I'll never understand mormons. On the one hand you've got the multiple wife thing, then on the other students can't live with members of the opposite sex. What's up with that?

8:30 AM CST     0 comments

New Scientist: Eyes Right

I really don't have any comment on the content of this article, but doesn't that picture give you the willies?

8:24 AM CST     0 comments

Woo: Creative plans disk drive-based MP3 player

Although hard disk technology has come a long way, I wouldn't try and jog with this thing strapped to your belt.

[Side Note: why would anyone in their right mind use "a stack of memos more than three times the height of the Eiffel Tower" to describe the size of a musical storage device? Just tell us how many hours of music it represents, Einstein.]

8:20 AM CST     0 comments

Finally: Microsoft to release Windows 2000 bug fixes

Win2k SP1 is finally available. Microsoft managed to trim the download considerably, from well over 150MB down to 60 or so. I'll be interested to see how many of the people who were "waiting for the first service pack" wiill actually bite the bullet and migrate.

Personally, I'm in no hurry. NT4 works fine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

11:41 PM CST     0 comments

Cool: Graphical User Interface Gallery

Just about every interface I've ever seen and a bunch more. It certainly makes me pine for my old NeXTcube. sigh.

9:21 AM CST     0 comments

Rock on: Tapster

This one goes to 11.

[thanks to TheRegister for the link]

9:13 AM CST     0 comments

Damn: Fire Department Phasing Out The Sliding Pole

That's just unamerican.

9:05 AM CST     0 comments

Bleh: Revenge Of The Dinosaurs

Should the government decide what programming is available on our cable systems? Should any company be guaranteed a spot on your dial? Most would say no, but Disney seems to disagree.

9:02 AM CST     0 comments

Under Siege: Napster alternative buckles under traffic pressure

This article is a bit misleading. Although it does eventually point out that it was the servers which host the client download for Gnutella that were swamped, a casual reader might assume that Gnutella used a central server like Napster. Regardless there's a lot of meat to this one.

8:50 AM CST     0 comments

Ars Technica: Disable Windows File Protection

Windows 2000 includes a kludge feature which detects when "system" files are replaced and then reloads the original file from the Win2k distro. The downside to this is that if you are a system tweaker (and I know you are you cheeky monkey!) then Win2k often "corrects" the tweaks you've made and resets the system to factory settings. Not good.

Anyway, this article explains how to bring Win2k around to your way of thinking.

4:46 PM CST     0 comments

Hell yeah: re-run : What's Happenin' Bry?

Bryan drops mad science on digital rights and the RIAA. Dig it.

8:12 AM CST     0 comments

Dumb and Dumber: Intel-SDRAM: Should Rambus be scared?

The news isn't good as expected. Yes, Intel will support SDRAM, but not until the second half of 2001. The initial shipment of P4's will use the 850 chipset which requires RDRAM. If AMD has a snowball's chance this would seem to be it.

8:02 AM CST     0 comments

You don't say: Mattel: Don't Play With Barbie

Laws that favor big corporations over individual tax payers? Perish the thought.

7:58 AM CST     0 comments

Hmm: McCain-led group introduces Net privacy bill

This sounds good in theory, but enforcement would appear to be rather difficult.

7:50 AM CST     0 comments

Whoa: BeingGirl.com

Behold the splendor that is the Dancing Tampons!

4:40 PM CST     0 comments

GB4Palm: Liberty GameBoy Emulator

If I had a Palm, this is undoubtable what I would end up using it for. Silly really when you consider a grayscale GameBoy would run you less than $50.

9:42 AM CST     0 comments

Hmm: RealNetworks admits to new spyware bug

What I find really disturbing is that Real has said that they will remove only the unique ID from their software... not the tracking mechanism itself. Here's hoping that AOL gets completely slaughtered in their privacy case and establishes some case history for such cases in the future. More likely they will settle out of court to prevent any truly useful privacy rulings going into the public record.

9:31 AM CST     0 comments

Crapster: Is Napster being a two-faced company?

I knew it wouldn't take too long before Napster would shed its roots and show their true corporate colors.

9:27 AM CST     0 comments

The Chain Is Pulled on Britain's Crapper

"This top-grade stool is the earliest of its kind ever discovered in the world," Xinhua quoted the archaeologists' report as saying.

I think the use of the word "stool" is rather unfortunate in this case.

9:19 AM CST     0 comments

Interesting: Disney 'Goes' to Open Source

This "Tea" concept sounds interesting. Too bad they continued Sun's silly naming conventions.

9:08 AM CST     0 comments

Pfft: Cisco to network with homeowners

I've said it before and I'll likely be forced to say it again, but the "Smart House" concept is a technology in search of a need. The residential gateway idea is intriguing, but I doubt many average consumers will see enough benefit to justify such a huge expense.

9:01 AM CST     0 comments

Keeping trade free: Whose Net Is It, Anyway?

I'm not sure I like the idea that AT&T has that much control over the nation's (world's?) communications systems. That said, I see no logical reason that they should be forced to allow other companies to profit from the networks they built with their own resources. It's sorta makes it look like the government is dead set against any truly successful company.

8:56 AM CST     0 comments

More good news: Judge likely to protect code to copy DVDs

I'm not sure if I agree with the First Amendment defense, but, hey, if it works more power to 'em.

8:36 AM CST     0 comments

Cool: Intel veers from Rambus-only plans for Pentium 4

Good news for DIY computer builders.

9:56 AM CST     0 comments

You know what? Summer colds really suck.

9:24 AM CST     0 comments

Tweak3D: PC Cleaning Guide

A no-nonsense guide to cleaning your PC.

[thanks to TheRegister for the link]

8:53 AM CST     0 comments

Uhm, hello: Computers anywhere and everywhere

You think we've got privacy problems now? Wait until your car can tell the manufacturer that you skipped your last oil change and thus have voided that snazzy 100,000 mile warranty. Better yet, how about a DVD player that allows Blockbuster to see what sorts of movies you have been watching lately?

8:49 AM CST     0 comments

Bamf: The Game Graphics Chip Race

I've long been a supporter of the VooDoo chipset. Apparently my gut reactions about graphical clarity were more accurate than I realized.

9:19 AM CST     0 comments

Whoa: Fake Bar Codes Used by Baby Formula Ring

What blew me away was not that the guy was stealing formula, but that formula was $20 per can! That's completely ridiculous.

9:07 AM CST     0 comments

Good idea: Bill bans secret workplace snooping

Once again we are in legal vs ethical territory. The fact that this bill is even necessary certainly casts a disparaging light on the mindset of corporate America.

9:03 AM CST     0 comments

TechToys: 'Smart' tech toys for kids of all ages

I've been meaning to look into Lego Mindstorms, but I haven't really had the time to do so. It really seems like a cool concept.

10:39 AM CST     0 comments

Cool: Dynamism.com - Advanced laptop computers direct from Japan

Why wait for the latest and greatest to make it's way to you? As long as price is no object then Dynamism is your store.

9:07 AM CST     0 comments

Silly: The Sports Cliche List

What's really funny about this site is not its catalog of sportscaster banter. What's really funny is the caption underneath the drawing on the main page:

"Find us on the web at: SportsCliche.com"

It's a whole new advertising paradigm!

9:02 AM CST     0 comments

GlobalPC: $299 PC launches in Oregon

Built in sound, connects to a TV, and uses Geoworks. It's the Commodore 64 of the new millennium!

8:49 AM CST     0 comments

Hail to the chief: Gore Shows Bass Gift From Clinton

I always wondered who was buying those ridiculous things.

8:41 AM CST     0 comments

Too close to home: New law restricts violent video games in Indianapolis

If Indianapolis is ever going to lose its reputation as the midwest's largest hick town, they have to stop pulling crap like this. You simply can't run a world class city with this level of thinking.

8:38 AM CST     0 comments

Sniff: Doggone - Taco Bell Chihuahua Heading for Dog House

Adios, tonto perro.

8:28 AM CST     0 comments

Uhm: Microsoft to add tracking warning to IE Web browser

Call me crazy, but haven't both Netscape and IE done this for like three or four years now? And what's with the Net2Phone plug at the end?

Articles like this are convincing evidence of the Infinite Monkey Theorem.

8:25 AM CST     0 comments

Heh: Disney to propose AOL Time Warner split

"Hello, Mr Kettle!"

      "Hello, Mr. Pot."

"You're looking mighty black today!"

2:54 PM CST     0 comments

Blowin smoke: Code on trial

While this case differs slightly from the Napster case they both boil down to the same thing. Some people steal things. The only way to stop this is to restrict access to the product for everyone. This, in turn, makes companies treat law abiding people who actually *pay* for things the same as criminals.

And that just sucks.

2:42 PM CST     0 comments

Damn: Failed dot-com puts scholarship winner on creditors' list

The poor kid... it's not his fault Toysmart bit the big one. I wonder if Disney will step up and take care of this issue like they did the last Toysmart fiasco? I certainly hope so.

10:43 AM CST     0 comments

P2P: The Web's Next Step: Unraveling Itself

Note to self: This seems like an interesting concept. I need to read this article in more detail later on.

10:16 AM CST     0 comments

Ick: Put Mom through, but not that marketing VP!

This "Attentional User Interface" sounded interesting until I noticed it was being developed by the Office Assistant team. Ugh.

10:10 AM CST     0 comments

Overkill: New setups can overload PC users' time

While I agree that the method discussed in this artivce is sound and will produce a well-behaved machine in the end, I think my method is much quicker. This works for all Win95 and Win98 machines unless your old machine had Win95 and the new machine needs Win98 to function properly. You will also want to make sure you have driver disks/cds handy for all the gadgets in your new machine.

Basicallly what I do is convert the new hard drive to a slave and then install the old hard drive as master in the new machine. (Don't forget to switch your video mode to Standard VGA before removing the drive from your old machine!) After booting to a command prompt on the old drive, format the new drive (which should be D: at this point) with the /s option. Don't forget that /s or you'll need a boot floppy later in the process.

Now that I have a fresh empty drive I boot to Windows and let it do the detection boogie for a few minutes. Whenever it prompts to reboot just hit "No", otherwise it will take forever to run through all the detection nonsense. When it finally gets to the desktop (in all its 640x480 4bit glory) you can then reboot to load all the detected drivers for your new system.

After the reboot completes, open your C: drive in one window and the new drive D: in another window. Make sure to activate the "Show All Files" option under View/Options. Next select everything on the C: drive except the Windows folder and drag it over to D:. You may want to have a cold beverage handy cause it may take awhile to copy depending on how full your old drive was.

After it finishes copying, create a new folder on the D: drive and name it "Windows". Open the Windows folder on C: and select everything except Win386.swp and drag it to the new Windows directory on the new D: drive. If you accidently select Win386.swp on your C: drive the copy process will bomb out with a sharing violation. Just delete the Windows folder from D: and start over.

Lastly, shut down your computer and remove the old drive and reconfig the new drive as master. When you power up your system will boot from the new drive and load Windows with all of your old programs, data files, and preferences in place. You may now load the video card drivers for your new system and set the proper display resolution.

Piece of cake.

9:40 AM CST     0 comments

Merger: CNET buys rival Ziff-Davis for $1.6 billion

I'm not sure how I feel about this. CNet has better "pure news" coverage and ZD always seemed to retain at least a modicum of their geek heritage. It will be interesting to see how many of the ZDNet editorial writers get the axe.

8:58 AM CST     0 comments

Heh: Music Swappers Write to Congress

I can just see it now. 69,999 mails that read "n@p5t3r is so kewl. u suck." and one offering international drivers licenses.

8:51 AM CST     0 comments

Whatever: Rebuilding the garage

Ok, I'll accept that HP is back on track. Now how about writing some drivers for Win2k that actually work?

8:37 AM CST     0 comments

Access/IE users: Dangerous Windows Flaw

If you use Windows 95, 98, NT, or 2000 with Internet Explorer 4 or later and Access 97 or later, then this applies to you. This page offers an explanation of what the problem is and how to protect your system from the exploit.

1:46 PM CST     0 comments

Ok, let's consider the numbers:

The average head of lettuce is between 6 and 7 inches in diameter. This gives us a radius of approximately 3.25in. Using the formula for the volume of a sphere this gives us a rough volume of 88.5sqin.

The average head of lettuce has a core through three-quarters of its height which is more or less cone shaped with a base of roughly 1.5in. Using one possible formula for the volume of a cone we are able to deduce that there should be no more than 3sqin of core or at most 4-5% of the entire head.

Now let's assume, for the sake of argument, that a single head of lettuce can be used by a fast food establishment to dress fifty hamburgers. I have little doubt that number is a bit high, but let's give them the benefit of the doubt. So, we can then determine that a mere 5% of those 50 burgers, or 2.5 burgers, will end up with a bit of core in their dressing.

So why is it that I can't eat a single hamburger, ever, without biting into an inch thick slab of lettuce core smack dab in the middle of it? Anyone have any ideas? I'm all ears.

9:19 AM CST     0 comments

X-Men: Mutant Watch

Chele and I saw X-Men last night. I was quite impressed to say the least. I had fairly low expectations, but it completely blew me away how tight the script was and how well each role was cast.

Now let's see if they can make the sequels even half as satisfying. My guess is that the same toyetic thinking that killed the Batman series will likely rear its misshapen head once again. I sincerely hope I'm wrong though.

8:53 AM CST     0 comments

Hell yeah: New IBM tech sharpens flat panels

200 dpi displays? Sign me up.

8:45 AM CST     0 comments

As if: Microsoft claims it's No. 1 online

I wonder just how many of those 201 million hit came from people signing out of Hotmail? About three months ago Microsoft changed the Hotmail sign out process and added a redirection to msn.com after the process completed. Most users will immediately leave that page and resume their surfing elsewhere, but I'm positive Microsoft still counts that page view as a "user".

I think what we need is sort of an anti-bookmark kill file. You would provide a url and the software would prevent any traffic to or from that site on your computer. That way you could load up your kill file with things like MSN, DoubleClick, Flycast, etc. and never have to worry about those bastards again.

8:39 AM CST     0 comments

Not again: Web Service Can Breach Computers' Private Files

Here's an example of yet another company which consistently proclaims the legality of their product, but fails to recognize that, legal or not, it's just plain wrong.

8:25 AM CST     0 comments

User hostile: How to tame technology

This article dances around the core issue in my opinion. As long as Moore's Law continues to be an effective yardstick, technology will move forward much faster than it can be made user-friendly. In fact, I would be willing to bet there is an inverse proportion curve which dictates this exact trend.

8:19 AM CST     0 comments

Ih: ICANN OK's new Internet names

I'm not certain, but I've got a bad feeling about this. The way I see it, it's hard enough to deduce the correct URL as it is. Now there will be at least a dozen more possibilities in the TLD alone.

At the very least it could spawn a cottage industry of business directories.

9:03 AM CST     0 comments

Whew: Spice Girls Working on New Album

I was afraid they had given up. Not.

8:55 AM CST     0 comments

Typical: Intel says benchmarks 'not good enough' for Rambus

Back pedalling is beginning to look like Intel's specialty.

8:45 AM CST     0 comments

Doh: Smash virus could attack on Friday

Thanks for the early warning. Sheesh.

8:44 AM CST     0 comments

Wireless: Can Bluetooth live up to the hype?

I think this one sentence from a Bluetooth developer says it all:

"Bluetooth is a cable replacement system: don't expect anymore at first"

8:32 AM CST     0 comments

Bravo: EarthLink won't install FBI surveillance device

Good for them. Maybe if a few other major players refuse then we can put this silliness behind us.

9:06 AM CST     0 comments

No Kidding: Red Light Runners Kill, Study Says

Who would have guessed? Next they'll be telling us that jumping out of planes without a parachute is dangerous.

On a side note, if anyone out there is in charge of awarding the grants for these "studies", could you drop me a note? I've got tons of ideas for wasteful ground-breaking research.

8:45 AM CST     0 comments

Dvorak: The legacy desktop PC will rule

Whoa. You can almost see a little of the old John in this article. He actually makes a few good arguments.

8:41 AM CST     0 comments

Heh: Ballmer Bombs on Keynote

I would have loved to see this live... just to watch 'em squirm.

8:38 AM CST     0 comments

Surprise: Pay-to-Surf Not Paying Off For Web Sites

I hope everyone at AllAdvantage has their resume handy.

8:30 AM CST     0 comments

Bleh: Digital Deprivation

It looks like my $500 hardware estimate was fairly accurate:

"...enterprising hackers started snapping them up at $99...[those] consumers never activated the accompanying $21.95 a month Net service, Netpliance lost money -- close to $400 on each machine."

Really though... a dedicated "pizza button"? Patently ridiculous.

2:59 PM CST     0 comments

Amen: 4 Ways Flash Kills

Clip & Save for the next time marketing calls your designs "unimaginative". This article unfortunately doesn't address the question I most often get from our CEO, "Can we make the logo bigger?"

[thanks to fresh hell for the link]

8:50 AM CST     0 comments

Bozos in the News: Man Hides Monkeys in Luggage

This apparently seemed like a good idea at some point.

8:40 AM CST     0 comments

Interesting: Serious computer games

It's interesting to see how the advance of inexpensive but powerful computer hardware has blurred the line between simulation and reality.

8:35 AM CST     0 comments

Bravo: Cell Hell

I couldn't agree more. Though I generally come down on the "more technology" side of the fence, I despise cell phones.

8:31 AM CST     0 comments

You don't say: Intel benchmarks show little advantage to Rambus

Intel finally confirms what the rest of the world already knew. What's really sad is that if Rambus is able to enforce their "patent" then eventually DDR chips will cost the same as, or possibly more than, Rambus chips. The end result being that OEMs will start using the cheaper, but slower chips.

8:21 AM CST     0 comments

Ick: FBI system covertly searches e-mail

It's unfortunate that we tend to hear about these things *after* the government puts them into operation.

8:52 AM CST     0 comments

Note to self: Promotions Made Easy

I haven't ordered anything from this place yet, but their prices seem quite good and they have quite a variety of shwag.

8:48 AM CST     0 comments

Hmm: Pentium 4 pricing revealed

Doesn't look like PC prices are likely to solidify any time soon. At least not if Intel has anything to say about it.

8:39 AM CST     0 comments

Ugh: Ellison's not-quite-a-PC fetches top dollar on Amazon

What amazes me is that nearly everyone who bought one of the "limited editions" did so strictly for its collectible value. This fact was apparently overlooked by Oracle.

8:30 AM CST     0 comments

Strike 2: Color craze fades as Compaq yanks its stylish PC

Compaq follows Dell's lead and cans their novelty PC line.

8:26 AM CST     0 comments

Geek Tech: RAM Guide: Part I

Hannibal treats us to a nuts-n-bolts description of the basic RAM types and characteristics. Normally pieces like this one are dry as bran flakes, but Hannibal injects enough wry wit to make this a fun read.

Well... for me anyway.

8:21 AM CST     0 comments

Very true: When Teams Don't Talk

"There is very little communication between marketing and IT, a lack of respect between the two departments," says Bob Hedrick

That just about sums it up. Especially the part about respect.

8:54 AM CST     0 comments

Geek Nostalgia: Secret Life Of Machines Episode Guide

I used to watch this show on the Discovery channel back before they started showing commercials. I was quite sad when they discontinued the series. The above link is an episode guide and you can visit this site for a few photos and a bit of video from the show.

Sadly enough the thing most people remember about the show was the theme song, so you'll find ample coverage of that as well.

8:42 AM CST     0 comments

Whatever: 'Blade Runner' Mystery Solved

Thppt. I can respect the fact that Mr. Scott likely got really tired of dancing around the same question every time he was interviewed. That said, I prefer that some things remain a mystery. If Citizen Kane were remade today it would likely be called "Rosebud Was His Sled".

8:33 AM CST     0 comments

Dumb: The Cat Fight over "Web Hog" Broadband Ads

As if consumers aren't confused enough about broadband. Sheesh.

8:25 AM CST     0 comments

Say it's not so: Microsoft database hammered

Microsoft? Cheat? Who'da thunk it?

8:16 AM CST     0 comments

Copy Cat: Dell discontinues sleek consumer PC line

Goes to show that just because you can copy another companies design doesn't mean you should.

4:05 PM CST     0 comments

Updated: Who I Read

I know you are simply dying to find out who made the cut.

9:12 AM CST     0 comments

Thhpt: You’ve got (real) mail

Why not get a (real) ISP?

9:04 AM CST     0 comments

Duh: Bulging brains -- and breasts

The answer to this question has always been the same. Game designers are mostly men who never left puberty, and its accompanying urges, behind. Game players, as a group, are beginning to show much more diversification in all areas, including gender.

Eventually, this new breed of player will decide which types of game designs please them and the designers will be forced to follow suit.

8:54 AM CST     0 comments

Interesting: IP, the P.O. Box of the Future

Will IP addresses shape our lives in the future? Some people seem to think so.

1:34 PM CST     0 comments

Fan Page: Buffy Gallery

This many pictures of Willow vamped out is not good for my blood pressure.

[sniped indirectly from Beth]

1:16 PM CST     0 comments

Fun: Famous Fonts

This is a fabulous collection of fonts from TV, movies, etc. most of which you will recognize right away.

[link courtesy of Penny]

9:00 AM CST     0 comments

Interesting: FCC Wants Your Phone Gripes

I'm not sure this will make any real impact on the phone companies, but it's quite therapeutic. Log your complaints on the FCC website.

8:53 AM CST     0 comments

Listen: Netpliance quadruples price of I-opener Internet device

Hear that? That's the sound of a dying company. Their approximately 20,000 subscriptions means roughly $400,000/month in revenue. Subtracting the actual cost of the i-Opener hardware, which I estimate at somewhere around $500 per unit, gives you a two year pay back period. During which time someone has to pay the rent.

Boosting the cost of the hardware will help their bottom line only if subscribers continue to sign up at the current rate. Otherwise, they've signed their own death certificate.

8:42 AM CST     0 comments

eConflict: Glitches let Net shoppers get free goods

Ok, here's my take on this situation. Online stores are just as liable for their pricing errors as brick-and-mortars. I sympathize with them since it is much easier for "bargain hunters" to quickly take advantage of their mistakes en masse, but they chose to pioneer a new business model. Along with the possibility of great profit comes great loss. That's a business rule you can bank on.

8:34 AM CST     0 comments

W2k Security: Securing Windows 2000

For those hardy souls who have already taken the plunge into W2k, Ars Technica has compiled a fairly comprehensive listing of "first steps" for securing your W2k workstation. This is particularly important for those with persistent connections such as DSL or cable modem.

9:20 PM CST     0 comments

Cool Tool: WebTV Viewer

I just dug up this link for Dreama in #blogirc, but I thought you guys might have a use for it as well. It opens a little viewer window that allows designers to test their layouts for Web TV compatibility. It also gives you a list of html tags it doesn't understand and the things it has changed to make your pages WebTV viewable.

9:38 AM CST     0 comments

Hehehe: Proposed 'erotic gherkin' riles some Londoners

Gotta love those brits...

9:31 AM CST     0 comments

Cool history: Nazi Gold Legend Refuses to Die

Where's Indiana Jones when you need him?

9:26 AM CST     0 comments

Good advice: From Slowpoke to Screamer

Is your PC tweaked for peak gaming performance? If not, these tips may help.

9:14 AM CST     0 comments

End of an era: Microsoft Limits Temporary Workers

I suppose it had to end sometime, but Microsoft has decided to make things harder for the temps instead of making their operations more productive. Anything to save a buck.

9:01 AM CST     0 comments

Good news: VA Linux supports open-source database software

This certainly a step in the right direction.

8:41 AM CST     0 comments

Good Start: Peter's Evil Overlord List

"70. When my guards split up to search for intruders, they will always travel in groups of at least two. They will be trained so that if one of them disappears mysteriously while on patrol, the other will immediately initiate an alert and call for backup, instead of quizzically peering around a corner."

heh.

[thanks to Ars Technica for the link]