November 25th, 2003 |
Technology
DRM (Digital Rights Management) commonly refers to the technology used to ‘copy-protect’ music (and other digital products) purchased and downloaded off of the internet (from iTunes, etc…). If anyone actually thinks that hackers will not be able to puncture holes in this, they are nuts. They WILL figure out how to share and copy protected music files. But, it may not always be easy for the average user to do so. Copy protection has never worked 100% in the past for other means of digital media. What makes anyone think that digital music will be any different?
For example:
* Computer software – going all the way back to the Commodore 64 and Atari 800. Legal backup programs were made to copy the ‘copy-protected’ software. Cracked.
* DVD – Can you say DeCSS? Cracked.
* VHS – Macrovision. Cracked.
* Satellite TV – C-Band, DirecTV, DishNetwork. Cracked.
By the way, I support DRM, as long as it provides fair-use. I believe that the Apple iTunes Music Store has the best policies, not to mention the best user interface.
November 4th, 2003 |
Food,
Personal
Why, you ask? Well, for starters, let’s start with the goo. What’s with that? It reminds me of camel snot. Yummy. And why does almost everything have to have chicken in it? One of the last times I had Chinese buffet, the chicken had hairs growing out of it. I thought chickens had feathers! When I told the guy at the Chinese place, he said that was the way it was supposed to be. Well, not where I come from pal!
And what’s the story with those bananas in the disgusting red ‘sauce’? Makes me wanna gag. I rather eat a rotten skunk. And what’s the deal with the chicken with the white creamy stuff all over it?? YUK!
And can anyone tell me what’s up with the giant pictures of wonderful Chinese cuisine when you enter these places? If they want me to buy it, they would be better off not showing me what it looks like first!
November 2nd, 2003 |
Las Vegas,
Travel
We just got back from Las Vegas yesterday. What a great time! We were there for a week and we still could have done more things. Here’s a summary of the trip:
- Rode the Big Shot at the Stratosphere. WOW!
- Rode ‘Speed The Ride’ at the Sahara.
- Rode the ‘Manhattan Express’ at New York New York
- Went to the Adventuredome at Circus Circus
- Visited Hoover Dam
- Had a helicoptor flight over the Strip at night
- Saw George Carlin in concert
- Visited Jaguars
- Ate a wonderful dinner at the 5 star 9 Steakhouse in Palms. Filet mignon, lobster mashed potatoes, lobster bisque, etc… Expensive, but very good and well worth it.
- Watched the new show Sirens of TI at Treasure Island. (I expected more)
- Saw the famous Volcano Explosion at the Mirage. (I expected more here too)
- Had a gondola ride at the Venetian.
- Went to Fremont Street, saw the laser light show. This was pretty neat.
- Won $700 playing Blackjack
- Lost $1,100 playing Blackjack
- My digital camera stopped working after a few days, so I had to buy an overpriced disposable camera from the hotel.
- Bought some cool clothes from Las Vegas Clubwear.
Until Wednesday, we were using my Blackjack winnings for everything and we didn’t even touch our core ‘stash’. But… EZ Come, EZ Go, and that’s the way Vegas wants it. They know you will be back for more, and the odds are always in their favor. With that said, this vacation was probably the best vacation I have ever had, except for my honeymoon.
October 22nd, 2003 |
Las Vegas,
Travel
Just a few days away from our trip. I can’t wait to go. I’m looking forward to a great time.