Thursday, April 04, 2002

Brilliant CEO: Nothing to hide. Kevin Bermeister's company has been caught in an instant controversy about including Net downloads with the Kazaa file-swapping software. Here's his take on all the fuss. [CNET News.com] Ya gotta love a guy with big enough balls to say, “We have nothing to hide,” as he hides Trojan spyware on your system. Stupid? Sure. Bullshit? Absolutely. But definitely ballsy. Cheers, Dusty 6:41:59 PM

Signs of Intelligence: Tennessee Attorney General Steps in to Ten Commandments Nonsense. Unlike the Bradley county commissioners, the Tennessee Attorney General seems to have actually read the Constitution.... [Morons Dot Org] Let's hear it for the Tennessee AG! Apparently there are still a few public officials in Tennessee in possession of a functional brain. Who knew? Cheers, Dusty 6:39:22 PM

U.S.: Stevie Wonder musical to star Chaka Khan. 05:34 ET - Ananova [NewsBlip.com] I know both Chaka Khan and Steveland Morris (aka Stevie Wonder) from my previous life. I met Chaka while dating her cousin, Taka Boom, in Chicago. Met Stevie in LA in the late '70s through his attorney, then desinged, built and sold him the first in the ear wireless monitor system ever. This was before there were even Walkmans. Both of them are lovely people. I wish both them all the success in the world on 'Singed, Sealed, Delivered.' If you find yourslef in Vegas, check out the show and drop me a line with your comments. Cheers, Dusty 6:15:43 PM

Signs of 'Trustworthy Computing'. Remember Bill Gates' pledge of 'Trustworthy Computing'? European buyers of Packard Bell PCs may soon realize what his idea was. By Paul Boutin. [Wired News] I’m happy to see smart card readers on PCs. I’m not quite as thrilled at the prospect of trusting Microsoft, NEC or Packard-Bell with my most sensitive data. I’m appalled at the idea of a built-in DRM – or any other kind of hardware content lock - on my PC.   Cheers,   Dusty 6:37:38 AM

Falwell Preaches Against Parody. Rev. Jerry Falwell appeals to the Internet gods to stop a man from using his name for websites that lambaste the popular preacher. By Julia Scheeres. [Wired News] Jerry Falwell is a living, breathing parody. A living, breathing parody too stupid to register his own name, apparently. But the question here isn’t whether or not Jerry Falwell is a jerk. We’ve already established that. The question is what kind of rights do celebrities have to their own name and image and how far do those rights extend?   My guess is the WIPO will find in Falwell’s favor. Much as I can usually get behind anything that makes Falwell look like an ass, not that he needs any outside help, I’m inclined to agree. Thing is, he’s a moron for bringing suit. The two Websites in question just went from a few hundred hits/day to millions thanks to the free publicity Falwell is providing.   Cheers,   Dusty 6:33:04 AM

Smart glasses order own refills. A Japanese electronics company develops glasses which order their own refills. [BBC News: sci/tech] Now, this is what I like to see: Technology put to use to solve mankind’s most serious problems. Anyone who’s ever waved in vain from the end of the bar will appreciate this one.   Cheers,   Dusty 6:25:24 AM

Gateway waves goodbye to tech support firm. Not cheap enough [The Register] What’s next, goodbye user manuals? See the original AP story for more details.   Cheers,   Dusty 6:20:35 AM

World: Expert predicts Alzheimer's prevention drug 'within seven years'. 02:52 ET - Ananova [NewsBlip.com] File this one under "Just In Time." What was I saying? Cheers, Dusty 6:11:47 AM

Two-headed snake found. A double-headed scientific curiosity is being studied by scientists in Spain. [BBC News: sci/tech] In our crazy modern world it’s somehow comforting that a two headed snake makes international news.   Cheers,   Dusty 6:10:36 AM

Linux Based OGG Vorbis Home Stereo Components   http://www.mp3newswire.net/stories/2002/mpst.html   I’ve been very impressed with what I’ve heard from the OGG Vorbis open source compression codec. To my ears it’s far superior to MP3 in every way. Here MP3newswire reports that MP Sharp Technologies has released several beta models of Linux based digital jukebox home stereo components that rip and encode OGG as well as MP3, target price $1000-1500.   Cheers,   Dusty 2:32:17 AM

Michael Dell does not wear cowboy boots. And he just loves iced water [The Register] As many of you know, I’m based in Austin, TX, also the home of Dell. Considering the amount of sunshine our local daily, the Austin American-Statesman, blows up Austin zillionaire Michael Dell’s ass on a daily basis, it’s always interesting to get a take from a different POV. Any of you Dellions out there care to confirm the no chair rumor?   Cheers,   Dusty 2:23:24 AM

Cubs Win! Cubs Win! – Sosa Homers, Woods Strike Out 10 In Blowout   http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/news/2002/04/03/cubs_reds_ap/   Now THAT’S more like it. If Woods has a solid season and Sosa continues his eye popping performances, especially with the extra hitting behind him, the Cubs have a good chance to go all the way this year.   Hey, look at the name of the frickin’ blog.   Cheers,   Dusty 1:05:32 AM

With an Organic Sensor, a Food Wrapper Sniffs Out Trouble. Eat or toss? Organic sensors provide a high-tech way to tell you when food has gone bad. By David L. Margulius. [New York Times: Technology] Ink jet printed circuits that degrade as food goes bad? Interesting idea, especially at a cost of a penny or less per. Cheers, Dusty 12:25:21 AM

Executive Order Followed Energy Industry Recommendation. President Bush signed an executive order last year that resembles a recommendation given to the administration two months earlier by the American Gas Association. By Don Van Natta Jr.. [New York Times: Politics] Gosh, you mean our beloved president GW Bush is no more than a simpering corporate stooge, a paid professional toady who merely passes on language from industry trade groups as Executive Orders without even a pretense of the rubber stamp? No shit, Sherlock.   Cheers,   Dusty 12:23:17 AM

Judge Rules the Hearing for a Detainee Must Be Open. A federal judge in Detroit ruled that an immigration hearing for a local suspect in the government's terror sweep could not be closed to reporters. By Danny Hakim with Susan Sachs. [New York Times: National] Holy Mole, let’s here it for common sense. Finally someone has said, “No,” to the fascist tactics of the Bush/Ahsecroft “Justice” machinery. Let’s hope this is just the beginning of more common sense to come.   Cheers,   Dusty 12:21:05 AM

G.O.P. Whip Calls Arafat 'Impediment to Peace'. Representative Tom DeLay on Wednesday urged the Bush administration to "support Israel as they dismantle the Palestinian leadership." By Alison Mitchell. [New York Times: Politics] It’s not like the Bush White House isn’t having enough problems as a result of the dismal failure of their Middle East policy of disengagement. Now the poor bastards have the terminal stupidity of Trent “Bug Man” Lott to contend with. Almost makes you feel sorry for the boobs. If Lott wasn't spouting the White House line, anyway.   Cheers,   Dusty 12:18:49 AM

U.S. to Push Harder for Political Solution in Mideast. The Bush administration began shifting its Middle East policy Wednesday after widespread criticism, promising quicker and deeper involvement. By David E. Sanger. [New York Times: Politics] File this one in the ever growing “Yet Another Bush 180” file. If these guys can ever learn from their mistakes, they’ll soon be the smartest sons of bitches on the planet.   Cheers,   Dusty 12:15:12 AM

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