January 2006 Archives

Andrew McLaughlin, senior policy counsel for Google, posts on their blog Google's offical explanation to the questions, complaints, and concerns about Google's filting of their new search service, Google.cn.

He mentions that the decision came down to between furthering "Google's mission to organize the world's information and make it universally useful and accessible" and providing "the greatest access to information to the greatest number of people" or filtering their search results and compromises their mission. He makes mention that:

[...]Google users in China today struggle with a service that, to be blunt, isn't very good. Google.com appears to be down around 10% of the time. Even when users can reach it, the website is slow, and sometimes produces results that when clicked on, stall out the user's browser. Our Google News service is never available; Google Images is accessible only half the time. At Google we work hard to create a great experience for our users, and the level of service we've been able to provide in China is not something we're proud of.[...]

While it sucks that Google has to limit and filter their search results to comply with the Chinese government, he also states that they already "alter results in order to comply with local laws in France, Germany and the U.S."

Oh well. Information may be free but getting it is limited.

From here:

Canada's biggest record label, publisher and management company is helping out a family sued by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)for copyright infringement.

The privately-owned Nettwerk Music Group is intervening, it says, because the songs downloaded by the Gruebel family include Avril Lavigne, a Nettwerk management client. Nettwerk will fund the Gruebel's defense.

"The current actions of the RIAA are not in my artists' best interests," said Nettwerk chief executive Terry McBride in a statement.

"Litigation is not `artist development'. Litigation is a deterrent to creativity and passion and it is hurting the business I love."

Chicago lawyer Charles Lee Mudd will defend the Gruebels.

Mudd said the RIAA has "misapplied" the law and that lawsuits should be a "shield, not a sword".

The RIAA has demanded the family pay a $9,000 penalty, reduced to $4,500 if they pay up promptly. Nettwerk has vowed to foot the legal bill if it loses the case.

The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim announced they will officially change their name to the Anaheim Ducks at the start of the 2006-07 season. The NHL team also said it is evaluating possible changes to its logo and uniforms.

Read about it here.

Teams of scientists using small telescopes around the globe have discovered the smallest, most distant planet circling a star beyond our solar system.

Read about it here.

"Hey, what's up?" said Jane, wondering why Daria had skipped the walk to school. "Talk to me."

Daria mumbled, "I kissed your boyfriend."

Jane's mouth dropped as she stared at her best friend. After a moment, she closed her mouth, shrugged, and began to walk off.

"No big deal. I hadn't touched him yet. Have fun dealing with the herpes."

(Yes, I know Daria walked in on them kissing. Still had to do it though.)

By Subbes

* 1. A cat always comes in SOBER after being out all night.
* 2. When a cat goes to the toilet she tries not to leave a trace.
* 3. You can put a bell around a cat's neck so you know exactly where she is.
* 4. If you stroke a cat she won't leap on you for sex.
* 5. You don't mind that much if a cat brings a bird home every night.
* 6. When a cat comes in at midnight it doesn't wake you up by smashing into the furniture.
* 7. Cats never pretend they know how to fix the video.
* 8. Cats don't care what size your boobs are.
* 9. Cats still love you even when your perm goes wrong.
* 10. Cats love rubbing up to your legs however much cellulite you have.
* 11. Cats can be neutered if they stray.
* 12. If a cat jumps into your lap, a little light petting will satisfy her.
* 13. It's okay if a cat rubs up against your best friend.
* 14. If you ask enough times, a cat may actually listen to you.
* 15. You never have to spend time with your cat's mother.
* 16. Better chance of training a cat.
* 17. Cats are cute.
* 18. A cat is never late for dinner.
* 19. Cats love to see you come home from shopping with lots of bags!
* 20. You'll never get a call from you cat's ex-wife.
* 21. A cat would never leave you for a younger women.
* 22. Cats treat your mom with respect.
* 23. Cats don't worry about hair loss.
* 24. I feels nice to stroke a cats soft, fluffy fur.
* 25. A cat's friend is less likely to be annoying.
* 26. Cats can't show love without meaning it.
* 27. To buy a fancy dinner for a cat only costs 40p
* 28. Cats actually think with their heads.
* 29. Unlike a man, a cat can fend for itself.
* 30. It is legal in all states to neuter a cat.
* 31. Cats comfort you when you are sick.
* 32. When a cat sleeps all day it's natural, not annoying.

Swiped from here

left text here row 1	right text here row 1
left text here row 2	right text here row 2

Borders on Wordpress posts appear to be dependant on the theme that you use.

One some of my older blogs, I would pick a random wallpaper for your computer desktop. I've desided to start that yet again here.

Kicking things off is a selection from the AppleGeeks webcomic. You can view their other computer wallpapers here. I'm sure I'll pick another one sooner or later.

I've gone ahead and reported the first two chapters of Crash on Volturnus, my Daria Star Frontiers crossover fanfiction piece. Had some spelling errors and a added a few small bits.

I hope you enjoy it.

A man who sent billions of junk e-mails hawking online college degrees, sexually explicit Web sites and "generic Viagra" must pay more than $5 million in penalties to America Online Inc., a federal judge ruled. Christopher William Smith, of Prior Lake, Minn., was considered one of the world's worst spammers, operating under the name Rizler. He is now in a Minnesota jail awaiting trial on criminal charges that he violated federal drug laws while operating an online pharmacy.

Read about it here.