A gaming company whose spokespeople said it would pay royalties on the content linked-to from The Pirate Bay and would charge viewers to pay for it has purchased the site for an estimated $10 million. Neither company commented on how this sale would affect the recently announced TheVideo Bay website.
The Pirate Bay is one of the most well-known sites on the Web. Its developers were prosecuted for copyright infringement.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Video Bay
The Pirate Bay founder, Peter Sunde, announced the release of the new site, The Video Bay, to the Open Video Conference in New York. He said it would be "subjected to both live and drunk encoding" and "will be done when it's done."
The Video Bay is yet another swipe at copyright laws the founders find outdated and oppressive. To be sure, slapping random Netizens with million-dollar lawsuits is taking its toll on fans. Even those who believe there should be some protective measures in-place to ensure creators are properly reimbursed for their work are beginning to tire of overreaching, monopolistic corporations and their greed.
The Video Bay offers copyright-protected videos for viewing and download, in direct violation of copyright infringement laws and posits itself as an alternative to YouTube. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry refused comment.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
The Video Bay is yet another swipe at copyright laws the founders find outdated and oppressive. To be sure, slapping random Netizens with million-dollar lawsuits is taking its toll on fans. Even those who believe there should be some protective measures in-place to ensure creators are properly reimbursed for their work are beginning to tire of overreaching, monopolistic corporations and their greed.
The Video Bay offers copyright-protected videos for viewing and download, in direct violation of copyright infringement laws and posits itself as an alternative to YouTube. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry refused comment.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Pirate Bay Appeal Rejected
The Pirate Bay defendants' appeal was rejected.
The clients' attorney had petitioned for an appeal on grounds one of the judges involved belongs to several copyright infringement protection organizations. However, a court has decided that membership does not prove a conflict of interest. The matter cannot be appealed again.
The Pirate Bay Four's lawyer said he will file charges against the country for violating their human rights.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
The clients' attorney had petitioned for an appeal on grounds one of the judges involved belongs to several copyright infringement protection organizations. However, a court has decided that membership does not prove a conflict of interest. The matter cannot be appealed again.
The Pirate Bay Four's lawyer said he will file charges against the country for violating their human rights.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Insurance Quotes US
If you have ever shopped for insurance before, you know there is no standard price or offer; some companies may offer plans and discounts the rest do not. Unfortunately, it is left up to you to determine which ones those are. Of course, the Web has made this search much faster and easier, but it can still be a major undertaking to do it company by company. Even online, you can expect a good 2-3 days of searching and comparing. Unless you use a www.insurancequotesus.com, that is.
Simply choose the type of insurance for which you are looking and the site will search its national database for auto insurance quotes, life insurance quotes, home insurance quotes, and more. Get quotes from three, major providers and find the best one for you.
Simply choose the type of insurance for which you are looking and the site will search its national database for auto insurance quotes, life insurance quotes, home insurance quotes, and more. Get quotes from three, major providers and find the best one for you.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Breaker, Breaker
I blew a breaker (I needed the money) in my house last week - one week ago to the day. At first, it seemed I had only "thrown" the breaker, because we turned everything off, popped them all to "Off" and then to "On" and everything started back up. I unplugged several items, but a few minutes later, it all went out again. We got it back on a second time using the same technique, but it all died several seconds later. Finally, it did nothing, no matter what we tried.
Of course, I called the slumlord. He said he'd call someone and have it fixed. I saw him Monday and told him it was still down and he said the guy he'd talked to told him he'd already come by and fixed it, so he would give him another call.
At any rate, here it is a week later and everything in my house is running off three outlets in the kitchen. Of course, by that I mean everything I can run... I don't want to throw another breaker and be without any electricity, At least I have my computer, though it's hard to sit here all day without the TV or something on in the background. I have been playing DVDs beneath whatever I'm working on and my computer's performed quite capably under the strain, but I've already seen all the movie I have almost as often as I've listened to all my music.
I really wish life would throw me a bone once in a while. I mean, one really great month or two would put me back on my game. That's not true; if I had one or two really great months, then everything went back to the same, I'd only be that much more depressed.
Le sigh.
Anyway, I'll be here off and on, but it's a real mess here and there's not much I can do about it.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Of course, I called the slumlord. He said he'd call someone and have it fixed. I saw him Monday and told him it was still down and he said the guy he'd talked to told him he'd already come by and fixed it, so he would give him another call.
At any rate, here it is a week later and everything in my house is running off three outlets in the kitchen. Of course, by that I mean everything I can run... I don't want to throw another breaker and be without any electricity, At least I have my computer, though it's hard to sit here all day without the TV or something on in the background. I have been playing DVDs beneath whatever I'm working on and my computer's performed quite capably under the strain, but I've already seen all the movie I have almost as often as I've listened to all my music.
I really wish life would throw me a bone once in a while. I mean, one really great month or two would put me back on my game. That's not true; if I had one or two really great months, then everything went back to the same, I'd only be that much more depressed.
Le sigh.
Anyway, I'll be here off and on, but it's a real mess here and there's not much I can do about it.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Jobs Returns to Apple
Apple's Steve Jobs is set to return to work sometime this month, though it may only be part-time. Jobs co-founded the computer giant back in 1976, but left the company in the 1980s. Upon his return in 1997, Apple made a big comeback, and many attribute this success to none other than Steve Jobs. In 2000, Jobs became the full-time chief executive in 2000.
Five months ago, he vacated his post, citing health issues. A pancreatic cancer survivor, Jobs said he was being treated for a "hormone imbalance," but provided no details. Today, a newspaper said Steve Jobs underwent a liver transplant two months ago. While this has not yet been confirmed by anyone in the Jobs camp 1, it has since been widely-reported.
Apple's stock price has fluctuated according to news of Jobs' health and return to work.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
1: To my knowledge. It has not been confirmed as of this morning, though the story has since been repeated by all of the major news outlets. I did not feel like surfing through dozens of articles on dial-up (a process which would have taken at least an hour) just to find out if it had been confirmed yet. As always, I'll update the post in the Comments, should anything change.
Five months ago, he vacated his post, citing health issues. A pancreatic cancer survivor, Jobs said he was being treated for a "hormone imbalance," but provided no details. Today, a newspaper said Steve Jobs underwent a liver transplant two months ago. While this has not yet been confirmed by anyone in the Jobs camp 1, it has since been widely-reported.
Apple's stock price has fluctuated according to news of Jobs' health and return to work.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
1: To my knowledge. It has not been confirmed as of this morning, though the story has since been repeated by all of the major news outlets. I did not feel like surfing through dozens of articles on dial-up (a process which would have taken at least an hour) just to find out if it had been confirmed yet. As always, I'll update the post in the Comments, should anything change.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Sybervision
If you, or someone you know, is looking to improve their appearance by losing weight or getting into better shape, you might want to send them to this little place on Sybervision that lists, reviews, and ranks the best diet pills. It can be difficult to know which ones are supposed to provide weight loss and which are just supposed to "boost" your energy or metabolism and it's led to more than a few complaints against the industry, in general.
Know what you are getting yourself into before you buy expensive dietary supplements or subscribe to crazy diets and/or exercise regimens. When it comes to your health, few ideas are truly "so crazy, they just might work." You should be informed before you make a decision.
Know what you are getting yourself into before you buy expensive dietary supplements or subscribe to crazy diets and/or exercise regimens. When it comes to your health, few ideas are truly "so crazy, they just might work." You should be informed before you make a decision.
UK Force Punishes Police Blogger
It's hard for me to say whether this was actually a problem prior to it featuring as one in almost every crime procedural on network TV, but I do know of at least a handful of instances in whcih bloggers use their "anonynmity" to skewer their jobs and co-workers. I won't link to any of them to save their operators any further investigation, as at least one police station has decided to take its "anonymous" whistleblower to task.
After the High Court rejected the notion that the blogger's identity should be protected in the interest of the public, a newspaper released his name. Now, Det Con Richard "Night Jack" Horton's blog has been removed and he awaits censuring.
Horton's blog detailed local criminals (and their exploits) and expressed strong opinions regarding political and social programs, as well as public officials, and a judge ruled that blogging was "essentially a public rather than private" matter. Horton is said to be "keeping his head low."
What this amounts to is a precedent in the UK - a closely-watched precedent. If bloggers' identities cannot be maintained as anonymous, fewer people will speak their minds. Some critics may think this will essentially "clean-up" the Web, which is often criticized as being too harsh and vitriolic; the thinking is that, if bloggers and other users have to "take responsibility" for the things they say online, they will "watch their mouths." Of course they will!
So how is that not censorship?
While the ruling may be reversed, the damage has been done. As fictionalized on TV, Det Con Horton now faces the enmity of his co-workers, professional peers, and other individuals and entities. In some cases, the remarks he made could have been otherwise casual and non-offensive, but could be used to justify antagonism toward the outed blogger - a "mob mentality" could erupt among his peers, resulting in one or more "cowboys" deciding to escalate matters on misguided principle.
There are far more IRL ramifications to exposing someone who spoke under the assumed cover of anonymity than there are in allowing anonymous sources to criticize public policy and the officials expected to uphold said policy.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
After the High Court rejected the notion that the blogger's identity should be protected in the interest of the public, a newspaper released his name. Now, Det Con Richard "Night Jack" Horton's blog has been removed and he awaits censuring.
Horton's blog detailed local criminals (and their exploits) and expressed strong opinions regarding political and social programs, as well as public officials, and a judge ruled that blogging was "essentially a public rather than private" matter. Horton is said to be "keeping his head low."
What this amounts to is a precedent in the UK - a closely-watched precedent. If bloggers' identities cannot be maintained as anonymous, fewer people will speak their minds. Some critics may think this will essentially "clean-up" the Web, which is often criticized as being too harsh and vitriolic; the thinking is that, if bloggers and other users have to "take responsibility" for the things they say online, they will "watch their mouths." Of course they will!
So how is that not censorship?
While the ruling may be reversed, the damage has been done. As fictionalized on TV, Det Con Horton now faces the enmity of his co-workers, professional peers, and other individuals and entities. In some cases, the remarks he made could have been otherwise casual and non-offensive, but could be used to justify antagonism toward the outed blogger - a "mob mentality" could erupt among his peers, resulting in one or more "cowboys" deciding to escalate matters on misguided principle.
There are far more IRL ramifications to exposing someone who spoke under the assumed cover of anonymity than there are in allowing anonymous sources to criticize public policy and the officials expected to uphold said policy.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Microsoft Bids Public Good Morro
Microsoft is gearing-up to release a stripped-down antivirus program, called Morro. While there is no set release date, previous information from the company suggests it would be out by the end of 2009 "at the latest." For now, all Microsoft spokespersons will say is "soon."
Morro will replace Microsoft's first foray into free online security, Windows Live OneCare, which will be retired following the new release. OneCare failed to draw the market share from established security companies (such as Symantec) Microsoft was looking to pull.
Morro is a stripped-down antivirus (only) program the company will give away for free. It does not contain all the bells and whistles a paid security suite offers, such as parental locks, et.al. It aims to protect end-users' computers from viruses, trojans, rootkits, and spyware. Competitors say the consumer market wants - even needs - full-fledged security suites these days.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Morro will replace Microsoft's first foray into free online security, Windows Live OneCare, which will be retired following the new release. OneCare failed to draw the market share from established security companies (such as Symantec) Microsoft was looking to pull.
Morro is a stripped-down antivirus (only) program the company will give away for free. It does not contain all the bells and whistles a paid security suite offers, such as parental locks, et.al. It aims to protect end-users' computers from viruses, trojans, rootkits, and spyware. Competitors say the consumer market wants - even needs - full-fledged security suites these days.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Clothes Horse
Oprah Winfrey's show today was all about wasteful people - families who waste food to individuals who waste their money - and how they could become thriftier, both for themselves and the rest of the world. According to the show, Americans make-up 5% of the world's population, yet uses 25% of the world's resources.
One woman on there talked about how she had to have the latest and best clothing and paid top-dollar for it, but she changed once she saw how wasteful her spending was. The truth is, you can get really nice stuff at wholesale clothes prices, if you know where to look. And unless you work in the fashion industry, you really do not have to have the latest, greatest wardrobe.
One woman on there talked about how she had to have the latest and best clothing and paid top-dollar for it, but she changed once she saw how wasteful her spending was. The truth is, you can get really nice stuff at wholesale clothes prices, if you know where to look. And unless you work in the fashion industry, you really do not have to have the latest, greatest wardrobe.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
"Web 2.0" is Official
And officially the one-millionth word/phrase in the English language, according to the Global Language Monitor. The Global Language Monitor uses a formula to track the frequency of use of words online and in print. According to the US-based firm, "Web 2.0" has been used often enough in the past six months that it has become "acceptable" English, making it the one-millionth English word in use.
Linguists dismissed the idea as "nonsense." According to Global Language Monitor spokesperson and president, Paul Payack, the service is viable, as it clearly defines what constitutes an accepted word and then sets about to count the words which meet that criteria.
Payack says there are nearly 15 English words coined everyday, and few become accepted into wide use. The Global Language Monitor seeks to count those words widely-used and many linguists and related professionals consider their work important, according to Payack. Some, though, have called it "a stunt."
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Linguists dismissed the idea as "nonsense." According to Global Language Monitor spokesperson and president, Paul Payack, the service is viable, as it clearly defines what constitutes an accepted word and then sets about to count the words which meet that criteria.
Payack says there are nearly 15 English words coined everyday, and few become accepted into wide use. The Global Language Monitor seeks to count those words widely-used and many linguists and related professionals consider their work important, according to Payack. Some, though, have called it "a stunt."
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Honolulu Marks First Internet Voting Process
Two weeks ago, Honolulu, Hawaii held elections for the neighborhood council. Voters had the option of voting via telephone or online, making it the first all-digital election. According to all sources, the election was a success.
The election was held between May 6th and 8th and over 115,000 people took part. The all-digital approach saved the city $100,000. In fact, Honolulu's financial woes were the inspiration for the digital election, not a desire to set precedent. The election has allowed voters the option of voting online for the last two elections, but most chose to mail-in their ballots. Because the city provided postage and mailing materials, once its budget was cut this year, Honolulu had little choice; the city could not afford a mail-in vote.
While a spokesperson for Everyone Counts, the firm which handled the voting procedure, the process is "more secure than online banking," all-digital voting cannot be used for state elections because there is no vote verification process, which state law requires. Several days prior to voting, constituents received a passcode which allowed them access to the voting site. They also had to provide the last four digits of their social security number.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
The election was held between May 6th and 8th and over 115,000 people took part. The all-digital approach saved the city $100,000. In fact, Honolulu's financial woes were the inspiration for the digital election, not a desire to set precedent. The election has allowed voters the option of voting online for the last two elections, but most chose to mail-in their ballots. Because the city provided postage and mailing materials, once its budget was cut this year, Honolulu had little choice; the city could not afford a mail-in vote.
While a spokesperson for Everyone Counts, the firm which handled the voting procedure, the process is "more secure than online banking," all-digital voting cannot be used for state elections because there is no vote verification process, which state law requires. Several days prior to voting, constituents received a passcode which allowed them access to the voting site. They also had to provide the last four digits of their social security number.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
US Shuts Down Criminal ISP
United State Authorities closed net firm, Pricewert LLC, following allegations of criminal activity, such as distributing images of child pornography; spamming; hosting illegal online pharmacies, phishing sites, and botnet command and control servers; and more. An official complaint was filed in a San Jose federal court, but a spokesperson noted it was not a finding of guilt; a court will determine whether or not Pricewert is guilty of the allegations. A spokesperson for the company called the matter "unfair" and vowed to fight the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in court. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 15th.
Authorities do not know who owns Pricewert LLC. While registered in Belize, Pricewert's servers are located in the US and its employees are thought to work out of Eastern Europe. The FTC said Pricewert was one of the "leading US-based havens for illegal, malicious, and harmful content."
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Authorities do not know who owns Pricewert LLC. While registered in Belize, Pricewert's servers are located in the US and its employees are thought to work out of Eastern Europe. The FTC said Pricewert was one of the "leading US-based havens for illegal, malicious, and harmful content."
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Blow It Out!
Have you had a persistent cough lately? A short, barking cough that you just can't seem to shake, even though you have no other symptoms and generally feel okay? Is your stomach frequently upset? How about mild chest or abdomen pains?
Your colon can affect your entire body and everything on that list could be related to an obstruction or back-up. You don't need to see a doctor to handle this, just grab some colon cleanse! Seriously, I swear by this kind of stuff. You would be amazed at just how much better you can feel, and how often, simply by cleaning your colon regularly with products just like this one. And you save money at the doctor's, to boot!
Your colon can affect your entire body and everything on that list could be related to an obstruction or back-up. You don't need to see a doctor to handle this, just grab some colon cleanse! Seriously, I swear by this kind of stuff. You would be amazed at just how much better you can feel, and how often, simply by cleaning your colon regularly with products just like this one. And you save money at the doctor's, to boot!
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