Friday, May 31, 2013

The fall of "education levels" in newspaper reporting

Wow how bad is the maths in this article comparing median purchase prices (eg associated mortgage) and the median rentals...... how did both a reporter and editor not understand the issue about this assumption eg not allowing for skew of expensive properties to rental/purchasing.
Or do they just not care and its only filling space for more CPM ads to appear.

- http://www.news.com.au/realestate/hot-spots-cheaper-to-buy-than-rent/story-fncq3era-1226649918992?from=public_rss

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

David Cameron wants to be ball gagged?

He's not the messiah....he's just a naughty naughty boy
Oh David Cameron....you really are a marionette being pulled by the puppet strings.....

British Prime Minister heads a new task force to stop the spread of 'poison'
'I will gag the hate clerics': Cameron to launch new terror task force to bring an end to religious extremism
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2330945/David-Cameron-launch-new-terror-task-force-stamp-religious-extremism.html

So Mr Cameron....my question is when are you tossing this  Protestant loyalist out of the country...and where are you going to throw them to??
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAeEJ3a2yt0

A mirror a mirror...my kingdom for a mirror

Delilah

denial...its a river in Egypt but I love it here
http://amzn.to/12fe11g


Monday, May 27, 2013

Another Bitcoin shutdown/arrest

You know I find it funny that there have been more bitcoin arrests….than banking financial crisis arrests - http://on.fb.me/12IIa40

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Before Midnight

I saw Before Midnight, last night. Classic movie and it picked up exactly where the 2nd movie. Ms Delpy you still have it.....in the church....lol perfect :)

Really interesting line in the novie about how every generation thinks its TEOTWAWKI and that before your 20's you are sucking on your mothers teat and oblivious, when you are in your 20's you are partying too hard to notice the world, in your 30's you are trying to acquire and feather your nest and in your 40's you finally get comfortable and have something to lose so you think its TEOTWAWKI and look for the nearest bunker.

Paraphrasing it somewhat for my own personal situation....but was the part in the movie that has made me pause for thought the most this weekend.

Not sure what it means yet. Still thinking goats and sheep...and of course bacon :)

Friday, May 24, 2013

USA bridge collapse

Banks have a problem....we'll get right onto that and spend $85 billion a month propping them up.
Bridges across the USA have a problem.....err hope you can swim.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/cars-plunge-into-river-as-us-bridge-collapses-20130524-2k5lq.html


The bridge has a sufficiency rating of 57.4 out of 100, according to federal records but 759 bridges in the state have a lower sufficiency score!!!

America is burning folks.... wake up and smell the smoke people.
Quit bailing out banks and start repairing infrastructure and the recession will take care of itself.


Cheers,
Dean

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Woolwich beheading

So what now...no meat cleavers sold to public or a change in mindset about how we are to live together in the world
-

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

CDDB Database

Wow crazy to think that i'm the first person ever to rip "Rachael Kane's - Appetite" cd. I cant remember the last time that I ripped a cd onto my media server using MediaMonkey and it didn't have the cd details in the database already.

Its a hard to find cd (the link above is the amazon single only) just stumbled across it on ebay in the UK recently but loved her Happy Messy Love song back in the day so had to buy it.


 
 
...and no I have no idea what went wrong and why she never made it to super stardom but she's on facebook in Melbourne running a music school

Monday, May 20, 2013

Hey LinkedIn ....You Suck

(read from the bottom up)



LinkedIn Customer Support Message
 
Subject: can no longer reply to linkedin request before accepting
Dean,

Thanks for sharing your comments on how we can make LinkedIn better. Feedback from members like you provides us with insights that identify the needs of our customers. I sent your message to our research and development team for review and consideration in future developments.

Although every idea cannot be individually responded to or implemented, please know that we do monitor suggestions quite closely for recurring themes. I'd like to invite you to follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/linkedin or check out the LinkedIn Blog http://blog.linkedin.com for the latest notifications on site improvements. Both options are great ways to stay informed about new releases and exciting work going on behind the scenes here at LinkedIn.

I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused.
Regards,

Curtis
Customer Experience Advocate
 
 
Discussion History:
Member Comment: Dean Collins
05/20/2013 14:45
Curtis,

This is correct, that is the CURRENT situation, but this was not the way it was LAST WEEK.

Previously you could reply to the person and decide from the conversation if you wanted to accept their LinkedIn request eg.maybe you met them at a technical event but forgot their name etc.

Basically you are trying to force people onto paid LinkedIn accounts in order to send inmail replies.

Why have you removed this option to reply BEFORE accepting a request.

You tried this a few months
ago and people complained and you said it was a “technical mistake” now you have tried it again just 3 months later…….why not ADD functionality to encourage people to upgrade instead of TAKING IT AWAY .

I can imagine why you’ve had an increase in people writing to support to complain about this issue and customary wait times for replies have gone up.


Cheers,
Dean Collins
Dean@Cognation.net
212-203-4357
http://www.linkedin.com/in/deancollins



From: LinkedIn
Customer Support [mailto:linkedin_support@cs.linkedin.com]
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2013 2:49 PM
To: Dean Collins
Subject: can no longer reply to linkedin request before accepting [Ticket: 130516-007938]
LinkedIn Response
05/20/2013 13:48
Hi Dean,
I would first like to apologize for the delay in responding to your inquiry. This is certainly not the customary wait time for a reply from LinkedIn Customer Advocacy. We have been experiencing higher than expected volumes, and your patience is greatly appreciated.
 
When you get an email you have the option to accept or there should be a link that says "view profile."  When you click on that link you can view the person's profile and then send them an Inmail message if you desire.  If you want to connect with the person you can just not respond to the email. 
 
When you see that someone wants to connect with you from your LinkedIn profile you will have the option to Accept or Ignore.  If you wish to view their profile you can click on their picture.
 
The only options you have to contact them before you accept an invitation would be to send them an Inmail.
 
While I was reviewing your account today, I noticed that your profile is 55% complete.  Just add your education and another position to have your profile 100% complete!
 
Thank you for being a valued member of our LinkedIn community!

Curtis
Customer Experience Advocate
 
 
 
 
 
Original Contact:
Member Comment: Dean Collins
05/16/2013 18:06
Receive quite a few invitations weekly - and If I don't know the person or why they want me to connect - there used to be an arrow that said - "Reply without or before Accepting" or something like that. I no longer see that as of today - JUST the ACCEPT button. What happened?

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Mt Gox crackdown

Welcome to the USA....land of the free*
- http://rt.com/usa/bitcoin-exchange-seized-crackdown-begins-334/

(*As long as you are paying the right lobbyists).


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Network Solutions seizes hundreds of domains

FFS, You have got to be kidding how is this even legal??

- http://krebsonsecurity.com/2013/05/trade-sanctions-cited-in-hundreds-of-syrian-domain-seizures
In apparent observation of international trade sanctions against Syria, a U.S. firm that ranks as the world’s fourth-largest domain name registrar has seized hundreds of domains belonging to various Syrian entities, including a prominent Syrian hacker group and sites associated with the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

I hope another country seizes everything and anything related to Network Solutions in retaliation (I think Brazil implemented something similar over the laptop searches last year)

The United states needs to wake up to itself and realize if you keep screwing with .com,.net and .org domains then countries around the world might just start routing around you.

I mean seriously folks how as techies can we continue to support the Obama administrations efforts after watching videos like this
-FSA Insurgent Cuts out and Eats Heart of Syrian Soldier - http://on.fb.me/10ntB7a  

This is what my taxes are being spent on this week, funding munitions and equipment so this guy can walk around cutting out hearts and eating them??? – all I have to say is….sorry but I’d like a tax refund on the taxes I pay in the USA as you aren’t spending it where I’d like it to go.


Cheers,
Dean

Monday, May 13, 2013

Hey FCC how about you grow some balls

So Ceton announced their 6 tuner cablecard tuners today.

http://cetoncorp.com/products/infinitv/



I'd love to purchase one as already have a pc in the home theater rack ready to go BUT not being able to record HBO/Showtime etc and then watch them on other devices EXCEPT windows media center extenders makes this device impotent.

My real issue however is the fact that you cant do on-demand viewing for the hbo/showtime series eg game of thrones/borgias/mad men and on demand movies etc, though to be honest with 6 tuners on the new models you could almost record every show and watch them from your media center pc.

Considering congress forced all the tv manufacturers to install cablecard into the TV's.......then why not force the cable companies apart from they bribe the shit out of politicians every election.

The FCC needs to grow some balls and force the cable providers to offer the same "on demand" features on cablecard that are available on cable providers set top boxes, and yes the Endgadget HD podcast mentioned this and made light of the fact that the Tru2way standard has been around since 2007 but no one has implemented it however I truly think that if congress initiated a law that said cable companies couldn't charge for services......until cablecard had the same functionality....then they'd find a way.


Friday, May 10, 2013

The Great Gatsby

Wow Baz Luhrmann what a genius.

If anyone thought Romeo and Juliet was a fluke...and just didn't understand Australia....The Great Gatsby confirms he can take a classic and make it better with his ability to eek out the absolute very best from his actors.

BTW finally high profile role for Joel Edgerton....almost out acts DiCaprio. The second half of the hotel scene (not the leadup...that was obvious) but the subtle "winning over" in the scenes second half is pure talent.

Oh and yes...there will be people who say its too slow...and too long....(some people walked out when we watched it) my answer to them is stick with your Hollywood action Jackson films, this is a film for film lovers.
Does anyone know where it was shot? was it another shot in Australia made to look like the usa production?

Cheers,
Dean

P.S. neat...someone cut the Robert Redford Gatsby in the 2013 style - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2N1f0z5zwA&feature=youtu.be

Thursday, May 09, 2013

Verizon.....what will it take to win you back


Lol why do companies even bother with marketing like this.

BTW been using my S4 on Tmobile for a week and no probs at all with my “new” uunlimited data requirements…..

Cheers,
Dean
 

 

From: Verizon Wireless [mailto:verizonwireless@email.vzwshop.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2013 9:19 AM
To: Dean Collins
Subject: Dean, what will it take to win you back?
 




From: Dean Collins
Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2013 9:22 AM
To: 'Verizon Wireless'
Subject: RE: Dean, what will it take to win you back?

I called and asked several people why you were choosing to block existing “unlimited data” customers from signing up to new 2 year plans…….was told

Frank the CFO of Verizon said recently …”We don’t think people really want unlimited data” so Verizon made a commercial decision no one on a grandfathered unlimited data plan could sign up for a new subsidized handset on a new 24 month plan eg. If you had unlimited you had to pay for your phone outright in order to continue with your plan (in effect paying for the phone twice in both cash upfront and on a higher plan cost per month).

I guess you didn’t want me to sign up for a new S4 after all……


Cheers,
Dean Collins


 
 




 

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Crappy antivirus software ranks low down the shame pole

lol this guy cracks me up and shows he's still the smartest in the bunch.



http://features.slashdot.org/story/13/05/07/2017203/interview-john-mcafee-answers-your-questions
Doesn't it bother you that your name is being used to peddle one of the worst anti-virus products on the market? Often it comes pre-installed on computers as a 30 day trial (crapware), with dire warnings flashed up in the event that the user fails to pay (scareware). The performance hit it brings is huge. Would you advise anyone else to name their product/company after themselves in this way?

McAfee: I haven't been involved with McAfee Ant-virus for 21 years. When I ran the company the software was the best and least intrusive on the market, and in 1991 we had 87% of the world market. What happened after I left was none of my doing. As to name association, I am a master at sullying my own name and, all things considered, being associated with the worst software on the planet ranks way down the pole. It's barely a blip in the ocean of associations - madman, paranoid, child molester, murderer, drug addict, unstable, liar, to name but a few.Thank god I'm 67 and will probably be too hard of hearing soon enough to have to listen to them rattling around wherever I go. Amy, thankfully, did half the job already by bursting my left eardrum when she tried to shoot me in the head while I slept back in 2011.


Nimble.tv

lol how Nimble.tv are sharing USA content to Australian customers and not being sued out of existence like yesterday i'll never know.

I guess that's the business model these days....raise a ton of money and break the law and fingers crossed you can get away with it (heck it worked for Napster right....and he's only excited by BIllions not Millions).

If you read this comment - http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2063000 - about some Australians who signed up for USA based Dish services....I imagine the subpoena for Nimble.tv's CRM/email database is coming in 3,2,1

Australian tattoo registry

The fact that this is even being considered by Australian government shows that they've forgotten governments WORK for the PEOPLE....not the other way around!!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-08/tattoo-registry-rejected-as-infringement-on-rights/4677754

A registry for tattoos ....whats next registry for every cash transaction over $5,000...just in case we want to know something about you....." HALT!! Hand over your names and papers please"



Tuesday, May 07, 2013

Removing excel sheet protection

Neat !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEc7dIqk5-I

I had no idea removing password protected excel sheet protection was that easy.

Friday, May 03, 2013

Google takes minor stake in Lending Club llc

Well this is interesting..... - http://www.lendingclub.com/public/lending-club-press-2013-05-02.action

I wonder if "web searches" can be a risk factor determinate in calculating risk and therefor potential default indicator?

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Eventually the double dutch eats you....?

Reading this article today - http://www.crn.com.au/News/341698,apples-massive-us17-billion-bond-deal.aspx? - I caught this interesting sentence

Although the company has a staggering $US145 billion in cash, only $US45 billion of that is readily available in the United States - meaning Apple needs to raise about $US60 billion over the next three years to fund the shareholder capital return plan.

Makes you think....does eventually the double dutch eat you from within? If you cant spend it on overseas acquisitions will it always eventually catch up? or is there yet another tricky dick way around this as well?