RANT: Gambling is ok as long as the Gooferment gets its cut

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Today I was listening to the radio and I heard a NYC radio station advertising OTB. It was touting its bet by phone service with “internet betting coming soon”!

Then I see this!

*** begin quote ***

Subject: A bill to repeal the online gambling ban

Pressure on Congress works. People all over the Internet, including DC Downsizers, have been pressuring Congress to repeal the ban on transferring money to online gambling sites.

We’re starting to see a response.

Representative Barney Frank, the new chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has pledged to introduce legislation in the next couple of weeks to repeal the ban.

*** end quote ***

Argh!

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Posted by reinkefj

JOBSEARCH: Develop your IM Network

Thursday, April 26, 2007

http://www.dailyblogtips.com/develop-your-im-network/

Develop your IM Network
By Daniel on Web Tools

***Begin Quote***

Having a network of contacts and friends over Instant Messaging software is essential. Sometimes you might need someone to check a feature on your website, other times you might need a tip to solve a technical problem. In those situations it is always a good idea to have someone that you can chat in real time.

***End Quote***

While he’s referring to techies to look for tech tips, it would seem to me that your virtual search team, psuedo Board of Directors, and key networking contacts might be useful to have racked up ready to go.

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Posted by reinkefj

TECH HARDWARE: My USR wireless access point settings

Thursday, April 26, 2007

LUGGABLE’s Windows Networking errors out on permissions. I plugged in the @HOME in the simple network setup. Doesn’t show anything.

Could the problem be that the router has a blank for a domain name?

LUGGABLE022

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Posted by reinkefj

RANT: Laws for you, not them

Thursday, April 26, 2007

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55383

Laws for you, not them
Posted: April 26, 2007
Joseph Farah is founder, editor and CEO of WND

*** begin quote ***

They pass laws with no intention of obeying them themselves. It happens every day in America – in city council chambers, in state legislatures and in the nation’s Capitol.

It’s too bad Corzine got hurt.

But it’s a good illustration of the way arrogant elected officials put themselves above the law.

*** end quote ***

I think that the seat belt law should be repealed immediately. As well as speed limit, cell phone, and all the other “laws” (I object to calling what men do a “law”. Gravity, now there’s a law!) that are aimed at “us” and not “them”.

I’d allow in my court as an absolute defense that a diktat from some capitol or another was null and void if (1) the “leaders” didn’t have to obey it; (2) if it wasn’t uniformly enforced and universally enforced; and (3) there has to be a “victim” (i.e., a real flesh and blood person that gets hurt).

Now you know why I won’t be a judge!

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Posted by reinkefj

TECH HARDWARE: next generation of USB flash drives: the U3 smart drive

Thursday, April 26, 2007

http://www.u3.com/smart/default.aspx

Next generation of USB flash drives: the U3 smart drive

***Begin Quote***

Meet the next generation of USB flash drives: the U3 smart drive. It’s what’s inside that makes them smart.

* Carry and access your files easily
* Keep your data safe and secure
* Comes with pre-loaded software
* Hundreds of software titles available!

Storage+Software=Smart

Imagine carrying your software on the same flash drive that carries your files. That’s what you can do with a U3 smart drive. You can plug it into any PC and work, play a game, message friends, send email, edit photos and more. A U3 smart drive makes any PC your own PC. And when you unplug it, it leaves no personal data behind.

***End Quote***

Neat idea. No wonder the stores are dumping the old usb drives at fire sale prices. Before this paradigm shift gets out and they are stuck with the unsold and unsellable inventory.

Already inside the U3 paradigm there’s a Vista incompatibility. If you want to “Vista”, then you need version 1.4 or higher. And, yes, there’s no guarantee that you can move from your version to that version. And, you have to get it from your drive manufacturer.

Nice idea BUT doesn’t wow me.

(1) Locks you into the windows genre.

(2) Limited hardware competition (less than 10 vendors)

(3) Limited software selection. Applications developers need to do a rewrite.

No, not for me. Maybe you, but not me.

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Posted by reinkefj