Thursday, October 4, 2001
I just spent twenty minutes making a poll on SelectSmart and for some reason the questions and answers all came back blank… Grrr… Maybe I'll do another one later today, but I doubt it. Right now the 'bots are checking the pending experiences for plaigerism, and those that aren't obviously knocked off will be posted later this afternoon.
Let's see what's in the news today… The governor of Kentucky says that by taking four license photos instead of one only those who are “actually ugly” (his words) will get a bad photo. A flight from Tel Aviv to Russia was shot down. Terrorists were suspected until the Russians quietly admitted they may have accidentally shot it down during a training exercise.
But the only real piece of news:
Yahoo Serious (the “actor”) is suing Yahoo.com over their abuse of his name!
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
Thanks to White Vampire for passing me this link. It's got details on the revamped anti-terrorist act, now renamed the Provide Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (aka the PATRIOT act — I guess the name means that if you vote against it you're voting against patriotism). If you'd like a quick overview, scroll down and read the sidebar in the link below.
Here's the link:
https://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-7376176.html?tag=tp_pr
I know I'm risking getting more death threats and hatemail for posting this information and not being in support of the “PATRIOT act”, but PLEASE read these things — whether you're proud of the governement's actions or unhappy with them, a true patriot is someone who is informed and active. If you disagree with this bill (or support it I suppose), contact your congressperson and let them know! Bush is trying to push this through by week's end, so don't sit idle.
If you are unsure on the correct procedure on contacting congress, the EFF maintains an excellent page on it here.
On an unrelated note, watch for an image update later today on BME.
Wednesday, October 3, 2001
I know this is old news, but it got overshadowed so I'm mentioning it again. The US government is proposing to pass the Security Systems Standards and Certification Act (SSSCA). Basically what this does is it forces all personal computers sold in the US to have government-approved policeware installed. Removing this policeware would be a $500,000 fine and up to five years in prison. Among other things the policeware would monitor your computer for “illegal” uses, like listening to mp3 files or using pirate software. In addition, it would immediately ban operating systems like Linux that refuse to be packaged with this policeware.
Even if you're OK with being constantly monitored in your own home by the government, you must realize that this will have a devestating effect on the US software industry — do you really think the international community will be willing to buy any more US computers or operating systems when the US has already admitted to using systems like Echelon to spy on European companies and pass that on to US companies to give them an advantage?
If this is an issue that concerns you, click here or click here.
Any day reading the news nowadays is a terrifying event. Even “minor” issues are being skewed to give the government enormous power to suspend the citizens' rights. For example the FTC is backing down on ensuring consumer privacy online, and even copyright laws (which the SSSCA is a part of) are being worded in truly draconian ways…
That's not all though, don't forget that the vote on the Anti-Terrorist Act is pending… If that passes, you can see goodbye to America as a “free” country.
I'll briefly say the bad news. Ryan's grandfather has unexpectedly passed away… Please cut him slack at BMEshop until the end of the week to grieve and get all the relevant affairs in order.
And now the good news!
The property is amazing. It's absolutely massive, and totally undevloped. The beach is truly breathtaking.
