March 2010
34 posts
Overzealous Sony takes down Beyoncé videos →
In a move that distinctly says “we don’t know and we don’t caree”, Sony BMG had Beyoncé’s YouTube channel taken down. This is her official channel and contains only her material.
Unbelievable. This is another example of why Americans must speak up and let Congress hear their voice over the super-secret ACTA treaty that even Congress doesn’t get to approve.
Will Verizon Wireless Really Get an iPhone?
Rumors have been persistent for the last two years that Apple will manufacture a CDMA-based iPhone for Verizon. Apple’s Steve Jobs has denied that Apple was interested as CDMA, the technology behind Verizon Wireless’ network, has been outdated for years and GSM was the only way to go. In addition, Apple has an exclusive agreement with AT&T — though it expires this year.
...
Lawsuit Takes Aim at 20,000 People Swapping Movies... →
A new lawsuit filed in federal court accuses 20,000 people of illegally downloading and sharing movie content over the Internet.
The US Copyright Group, a collection of attorneys, IT consultants, and other legal minds, is pursuing copyright violation suits on behalf of the rights holders.
The next round would include an additional 30,000 file sharers. Targets are found through logs from...
Facebook pre-approves other websites to access... →
If you care who uses your Facebook data, you should get ready to change your privacy settings, yet again. Facebook Connect, which delivers your personal data to other sites that you choose, is about to start delivering it to sites that Facebook has pre-approved, too. That basically makes Facebook Connect an opt-out instead of an opt-in feature, and compromising your privacy will be the default...
Verizon slows down expansion of its FiOS fiber...
If you live in Baltimore City or Boston and are waiting for Verizon FIOS to come to your street, you are out of luck. Verizon has announced plans to substantially scale back it’s rollout.
The cost of replacing installed copper with fiber-optic is too expensive to continue, so they are focusing on areas that they already have franchises to provide television service.
(Via VentureBeat.)
Leonsis, Pollin estate reach agreement on price...
Washington Capitals owner, Ted Leonsis, has reached a deal with Abe Pollin for his purchases of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the Verizon Center.
This agreement clears the last of the hurdles Leonsis faced in his attempt to take ownership of the team and the facility. The Washington Capitals also call the Verizon Center “home”.
Approvals are needed by the NBA as well as...
BP closing Maryland solar manufacturing plant
BP has announced that it will soon close its last solar-panle plant in the USA and complete its plan to relocate its solar business to India, China, and other countries.
BP got a half-interest in the plant when it acquired Amoco and later bought the remaining ownership from Enron.
(Via Washington Post.)
Prince George's man hospitalized after being...
A Prince George’s County man was hospitalized after being pronounced dead by paramedics.
The incident on Glenarden Parkway occurred after an EMS unit declared the man dead, but a police forensics unit noted “signs of life”. A second EMS unit was called to the scene and took the man to a hospital.
Its believed that the man suffered from an uncommon medical condition that could...
Some cherry trees gave their lives for Jefferson...
The beautiful cherry trees that line the tidal basin in our nations capital were once at the center of a dramatic fight. During the term of Franklin D. Roosevelt, there was apparent outrage over the proposal to do away with hundreds of the trees to build the Jefferson Memorial.
According to the administration at the time, the controversy was nothing but “flim-flam” created to...
Baltimore mayor, Google Czar file fiber... →
Shortly after 3 p.m. on March 26, Baltimore mayor Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake hit the submit button on the city’s online application for Google Fiber for Communities pilot project.
1929 PopSci Article on How to Build Your own TV. →
Popular Science, a periodical in publication for over 125 years, has opened its electronic archives. This is an article from 1929 on building and operating an “experimental apparatus hooked to your radio receiver”.
There are also articles on nutty ideas of the day such as radio, the telephone, air travel, and horseless carriages.
80 Ways to Steal Valuable Minutes for Your Work...
Some of the top small business and productivity bloggers and consultants share some of their best tips on how they add more time to their days. They’ve got some excellent advice, and each unique to their industry and talents.
It’s well worth a read, and may I suggest doing it sooner rather than later to take maximum advantage of it. In fact, a few of the tips will even repay your time...
Take a Few Hours Each Year to Unlock Some Cash
This NY Times article and the accompanying 31-step checklist can help you materialize some additional cash out of your current finances as well as help you better plan for your near-term and far-flung future.
Here is a direct link to the checklist if you prefer to not read the article: Checklist.
(Via NYTimes.com.)
BaltTech: Celebrating Ada Lovelace Day - Gus...
Celebrating Ada Lovelace Day: “Ada Lovelace (no relation to the porn actress) is considered by many to be the first computer programmer, dating back to the 19th century. Ada Lovelace Day has become a day for bloggers to celebrate women in technology.”
(Via BaltTech from the Baltimore Sun.)
High-fructose corn syrup linked to obesity
High-fructose corn syrup linked to obesity: “Researchers at Princeton have shown that if you keep the number of calories the same, rats eating high-fructose corn syrup ‘gained significantly more weight’ than rats who ate table sugar.”
(Via Kottke.)
4 Really Funny YouTube Video Channels Worth...
4 Really Funny YouTube Video Channels Worth Keeping Up With: “You can also find a lot of funny Youtube videos. I would like to share 4 YouTube channels that are really funny and actually worth checking out. So sit back and have a laugh.”
(Via MakeUseOf)
Tiger Woods Sex Scandal Getting So Boring That...
Tiger Woods Sex Scandal Getting So Boring That People Are Talking About His Golf Game Again
Online analytics are indicating that Internet conversations, both in free-form and social networks, are returning to talk about Tiger’s golf game and not his other game.
(Via Business Insider.)
The Amazing "Craigslist" Service That Exists...
The Amazing “Craigslist” Service That Exists Inside Your Bloomberg: “
When you think of Craigslist, images of used bags of Doritos and beat up futons come to mind.
But on Bloomberg, there lies an internal Craigslist-esque listing service where any Bloomberg Terminal user can list an item for sale.
You’ll find tons of international real estate in case you have to move for...
WatchWill attempt to live-blog the Ladies All Star Classic Ladder matches here.
Tim Burton directing an animated 'The Addams... →
Entertainment Weekly is reporting that a source says Tim Burton’s next directorial project will be an animated Addams Family movie.
Humpback whale washes ashore in Ocean City →
A 10-tom whale washed up on the beach at popular shore spot, Ocean City. the 27-foot long female humpback caused quite a spectacle.
Inside the cat and dog meat market in China -... →
It looks like China is finally going to officially ban the use of dogs and cats as food supplies. The proposed ban on eating dog and cat meat is part of a larger proposal to toughen laws on animal welfare. Individual violators could face up to 15 days in prison and a small fine. Businesses found guilty of selling the meat risk fines up to 500,000 yuan ($73,500.)
Police Cruiser Left Unlocked & Running is Stolen →
An officer assisting another in serving a warrant left his cruiser running and unlocked. It was no great surprise than someone helped themselves to it.
Facebook | Your Videos: Rough Day at Sea [HQ] →
Can you believe that I got a DMCA takedown notice from Facebook for this video? Since when is the sound of waves or a video of the ocean copyrighted? This is absolutely ludicrous!
Suite Arrival Ships Toiletries Ahead to Your... →
Suite Arrival is an online purchasing service that specializes in toiletries and things that cannot go into airline carry-on luggage. In fact, their business model is to focus on airline travelers.
The basic idea is that you can buy products from them online and at very reasonable costs, then have them delivered directly to your hotel. Comparison pricing does show them to be competitive with...
Roger Ebert on Oprah show tries out new 'voice' →
Roger Ebert, best know for team with Siskel and giving a thumbs-up or thumbs-down rating to movies, lost his lower jaw years ago after a fight with cancer. A company has synthesized his voice from the thousands of audio clips available from his TV show and built a software interface around it.
On a recent Oprah, Ebert and his wife demonstrated the software. The reaction from his wife Chaz is...
HitCampus: Find a Best Place To Sell old Textbooks →
When your classes are over and you look at that big pile of book, do you see a potential table base, a mass of recycling, or a bundle of cash? If you answered cash, then you should definitely checkout HitCampus.com. Similar to travel aggregators like Kayak.com that seek out the best deals, Hitcampus looks for the best “buy” price for your used textbooks.
Gift Cards Got You Down? Fix it! →
Cardpool is a an Internet site that allows people to purchase and trade gift cards. This way, you can potentially trade that Pottery Barn gift card for an iTunes card, or swap the Petco card for one form Old Navy. Or, if you prefer, you can simply sell yours. Of course, don’t expect full face value, but you can do pretty well.
Roadie - Tracks Your Favorite Bands Releases →
Roadie is a new site that help you track your favorite band’s new CD and DVD releases. It has basic integration with LAST.FM to pull in your most listened to artists, or you can enter them manually.