I'm testing out BuzzNet to see if I prefer it over Google's Hello (what a great domain name!).
Here's a cute photo of Malachi giving Cathy a hug...
Say it with me... "aaaawwww!"
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Kitty Hug
I'm testing out BuzzNet to see if I prefer it over Google's Hello (what a great domain name!).
Here's a cute photo of Malachi giving Cathy a hug...
Say it with me... "aaaawwww!"
AOL Upates Terms of Service
Change in AIM Terms of Service:
After initially scaring AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) users with the a poorly-worded change in the Terms of Service statement, AOL has announced it will change the wording again. AOL's statement currently reads:
In the final analysis, AOL is trying to say that they are updating the language of the Terms of Service to reflect what AOL actually does presently; AOL is not changing how they deal with private information.
After initially scaring AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) users with the a poorly-worded change in the Terms of Service statement, AOL has announced it will change the wording again. AOL's statement currently reads:
"'Although you or the owner of the Content retain ownership of all right, title and interest in Content that you post to any AIM Product, AOL owns all right, title and interest in any compilation, collective work or other derivative work created by AOL using or incorporating this Content.Yow! It didn't make people feel better that
'You waive any right to privacy. You waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the content or to be compensated for any such uses.'"
"America Online spokesman Andrew Weinstein, however, maintained that AOL does not monitor, read or review any user-to-user communication through the AIM network, except in response to a valid legal process."The revamped terms of service applies only to users who downloaded the free AIM software on or after Feb. 5, 2004. AOL spokesperson Andrew Weinstein said a blunt and inelegant line that reads "You waive any right to privacy" will be deleted altogether.
In the final analysis, AOL is trying to say that they are updating the language of the Terms of Service to reflect what AOL actually does presently; AOL is not changing how they deal with private information.
Monday, March 28, 2005
Oops; ChoicePoint tricked into giving out 140,000 profiles
It's all over the Internet that ChoicePoint was tricked by con artists into giving out 140,000 names, addresses and so on. This drove their stock from $48 to $38, but it has leveled off at $40.
It is my understanding that they were tricked instead of hacked, but I imagine those responsible must feel about like this:
It is my understanding that they were tricked instead of hacked, but I imagine those responsible must feel about like this:
Some more on the Grand Pacific Palisades, Timeshares, and buying tips
Cathy and I did not go to The Flower Fields this past weekend. After asking the friendly folks at the ticket booth regarding the best time to visit, we decided to go back in the middle of April, when everything is in full bloom and the rains have yet to damage the flowers. We'll talk about that in a couple weeks.
As for the Grand Pacific Palisades (GPP), there was a catch (in hindsight, I'd have to say "duh"). We were invited to a tour of a timeshare after all.
Now, as timeshares go, I would have to say that this was very low-pressure. It was also an attractive purchase, but we already have that timeshare in Las Vegas we'd like to sell (we hardly go there), and we already have ownership stakes at WorldMark (thus allowing us to go everywhere we've wanted to go).
I must admit that the GPP was quite attractive, and I would have gladly traded our Las Vegas timeshare for it. GPP is very family-friendly and kid-friendly. It is literally between Legoland California and The Flower Fields. If we lived in Carlsbad or the surrounding area, it would be even more inticing as you get a free country-club-like environment to swim and excercise at, and they have weekly barbeques. The trading power in the RCI network is quite high, as well, and you can purchase 8-night cruises for about $800.
One tip, though... if you do intend to buy a timeshare, be sure to let them know you are interested, but in the end be sure to tell them "no." The follow-up person will offer you the same deal with incentives like a free cruise and no maintenance fees for the first year. You can always purchase then, for the same price, but get some extras. Cathy & I have been to a half-dozen of these, and there is always a follow-up person.
As for the Grand Pacific Palisades (GPP), there was a catch (in hindsight, I'd have to say "duh"). We were invited to a tour of a timeshare after all.
Now, as timeshares go, I would have to say that this was very low-pressure. It was also an attractive purchase, but we already have that timeshare in Las Vegas we'd like to sell (we hardly go there), and we already have ownership stakes at WorldMark (thus allowing us to go everywhere we've wanted to go).
I must admit that the GPP was quite attractive, and I would have gladly traded our Las Vegas timeshare for it. GPP is very family-friendly and kid-friendly. It is literally between Legoland California and The Flower Fields. If we lived in Carlsbad or the surrounding area, it would be even more inticing as you get a free country-club-like environment to swim and excercise at, and they have weekly barbeques. The trading power in the RCI network is quite high, as well, and you can purchase 8-night cruises for about $800.
One tip, though... if you do intend to buy a timeshare, be sure to let them know you are interested, but in the end be sure to tell them "no." The follow-up person will offer you the same deal with incentives like a free cruise and no maintenance fees for the first year. You can always purchase then, for the same price, but get some extras. Cathy & I have been to a half-dozen of these, and there is always a follow-up person.
Friday, March 25, 2005
Blogger does support Trackback... through HaloScan
While Blogger does not support trackbacks, HaloScan has general instructions on enabling trackbacks for any site, including blogs, and specific instructions for Blogger.
Frankly, it looks scary enough I'm not planning on doing it any time soon. But, I figured I would set the record straight since I preveiously alleged that Blogger is unable to do trackbacks.
Frankly, it looks scary enough I'm not planning on doing it any time soon. But, I figured I would set the record straight since I preveiously alleged that Blogger is unable to do trackbacks.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Agent to the Stars -- An Online Novel
I was checking up on my own list of sites that I read regularly, and I came across yet another free online novel. This one is Sci-Fi, reminds me a little of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and I like the style. "Agent to the Stars -- An Online Novel" by John Scalzi is available at this page: http://www.scalzi.com/agent/
Caveat Lector: the man does swear.
Grand Pacific Palisades and The Flower Fields
I was slightly envious reading of the mini-vacation Nicole is having. Therefore Cathy and I have accepted an invitation to visit the Grand Pacific Palisades and The Flower Fields (yes, the name includes the capitalized latters).
Somehow, my lovely Wifey-Pooh got on a list somewhere, and the promoters of the Grand Pacific Palisades wants to give her (and her spouse, that'd be me) a guided tour of GPP and tickets to TFF (I love TLAs), plus a weekend vacation somewhere and some gift certificates to retailers of her choice.
Naturally, I asked what the catch was... "Nothing," she said, "except they want us to tell our friends about the experience." I told her I would blog about it, and I'm hoping to finally suck Cathy into posting something herself. We'll probably go this weekend, so I'll post some photos and whatnot. At least I know I'll get some good shots of flowers and of the Joneses in 50 acres of Persian Buttercups.
Somehow, my lovely Wifey-Pooh got on a list somewhere, and the promoters of the Grand Pacific Palisades wants to give her (and her spouse, that'd be me) a guided tour of GPP and tickets to TFF (I love TLAs), plus a weekend vacation somewhere and some gift certificates to retailers of her choice.
Naturally, I asked what the catch was... "Nothing," she said, "except they want us to tell our friends about the experience." I told her I would blog about it, and I'm hoping to finally suck Cathy into posting something herself. We'll probably go this weekend, so I'll post some photos and whatnot. At least I know I'll get some good shots of flowers and of the Joneses in 50 acres of Persian Buttercups.
If this account is true about Terri Shiavo....
Caveat Lector: If you are attempting to avoid the emotional or ethical struggles regarding the Terri Shiavo case, then don't read this post.
If this account is true regarding Terri Shiavo, then I would have to decide now that it is wrong to let Terri Shiavo die from starvation. This account is told by Barbara Weller, an attorney who represents Terri Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler.
Basically, Barbara Weller states that she had meaningful interaction with Terri Shiavo. This would, at the minimum, place a "shadow of a doubt" on whether Terri is not conscious of her surroundings.
If that is true, the Terri is being killed; she is not dying "naturally" but being starved to death against her will.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
I'll be double-posting for a while...
For those of you with bookmarks or RSS feeds pointing to our MSN Spaces page, I will be posting on both blogs for a week or two. Still, you may want to change your bookmark to our Blogspot instead.
I'll also be posting past entries into our new blog, which I figure will take some time to do.
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