Tuesday, December 28, 2004

World's Worst Natual Disaster

Please help if you can. The scope of this event is staggering and words are not nearly enough to tell just how bad things are. The death toll has climbed over 50,000 and they're still counting. It could easily double by the time they find all the bodies and determine the fate of the missing. In addition, millions have been left homeless and without a way to feed themselves, find safe drinking water or get access to basic sanitary facilities. Homes, farms, businesses, cars & trucks, work places, equipment and boats for fishing and much, much more have all been destroyed, literally shattered and washed away.

Medical supplies are scarce or nonexistent and there are so many bodies that it's impossible to bury the dead in a timely way. This in turn is going to lead to an outbreak of Cholera and other diseases and thousands more will suffer and die.

I can't say this strongly enough. If you have even one dollar to spare please see that it gets to a relief organization. The International Red Cross is one option. They have issued an appeal for funds and will gladly accept any help they can get. Also, the effects of this will be felt for a long time to come so if you happen to read this item six months or two years from now, there are still plenty of people who need help and it's not too late for you to do something.

Monday, December 27, 2004

comScore: Our Monitor Isn't Spyware � MarketingVOX

Links in this piece lead to more info and a broader view of the issues involved. Included is the original report, a CNET News piece, (they use the comScore service), and EarthLink's stance on the definition of spyware. They include tracking cookies.
comScore: Our Monitor Isn't Spyware � MarketingVOX

Friday, December 24, 2004

Controversial 'Bush Monkeys' painting transforms young artist

From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: >>The following Saturday, Turco said, "I got a call and they told me, 'You need to take down this show today, otherwise we're seizing the art and you're going to get arrested.'"<< Turco is the organizer of an art show that displayed 'Bush Monkeys'. I wish he had named the caller who threatened to seize the art and have him arrested because the idea is absurd. Arrested on what charges? And who has the right to seize private property just because they don't like it? The name of the artist is Chris Savido. Check out his web site. Controversial 'Bush Monkeys' painting transforms young artist

Thursday, December 23, 2004

ComScore: Spyware or 'researchware'? | CNET News.com

This is used by corporations and universities among others. According to CNET News '...the software is in the privacy spotlight, tied to warnings from some universities and computer security experts about secretive and invasive software, sometimes known as adware or spyware, that can take over a PC with little or no warning. The company that makes it says, "There's a small group of people in universities who've taken it upon themselves to take an issue with our software," said Dan Hess, senior vice president of industry analysis at ComScore. "We're trying to make them fully aware of the nature of our (products and services). It's a completely voluntary program." The company would prefer the term 'researchware'. More on this as it develops.
ComScore: Spyware or 'researchware'? | CNET News.com

Worst spyware queues up | CNET News.com

This talks about the worst of the worst spyware. There's also a link to a ten worst list.
Worst spyware queues up | CNET News.com

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Friday, December 17, 2004

Back For Real This Time

I'm back. A huge computer blowup that eventually led to my getting a new machine is over. For the most part. I still have files to recover from the old one and I need to figure out how to restore my Sharp Reader subscriptions, (I didn't have them backed up to an .opml file), but that will all get done. In the meantime I can get back to grazing the news and whatever else.

Sunday, December 05, 2004

Wikimedia

It's useful, it has a lot of potential and it's growing every day. This is a good look at what it's all about.

Saturday, December 04, 2004

From An Arab Point Of View

Photos and commentary - Plus selected works of Claude Monet.

Cool Photo Blog

From J. Gilbert, a lot of natural subjects. The world as I see it

From Fender Guitars To Hand Made Chairs

An upgrade to the classic Harvard Chair. They look great and they're for sale.

Butt Boot Camp

Before you get too excited, it's about making a wheelchair more comfortable. From WheelchairJunkie.com

I just Googled Butt Boot Camp. For some reason there's a lot of references to Martians in the results.

Bye Bye Basic Freedoms

I think George III and the Red Coats were into some of this stuff. Which is why the authors of the Constitution made sure point out the fundamental injustice of such practices and to make them illegal. Now George XXXXIII wants to bring them back.
From Andrew Sullivan via The Regular

Wednesday, December 01, 2004

Agency presses Bush to broaden rights for the disabled

An independent federal agency wants President Bush to propose changes in the nation's landmark disability act, citing Supreme Court decisions it says have reduced the status of disabled people "to that of second-class citizens."

Here's an opportunity for President Bush to help all those disabled voters who supported him.
Boston.com / News / Politics / Presidential candidates / George W. Bush / Agency presses Bush to broaden rights for the disabled

Schwarzenegger Torpedos Honesty In Business Supporters

CALPERS advocates for better corporate governance and corporate reform. For this the president of the board makes enemies in business and political circles and next thing you know he's on the way out.  Calpers president loses post; Schwarzenegger blamed - Financial - Specialty Finance - Financial Services - Mutual Funds - Newsmakers - SEC