/dev/null/kevin

This news article about Mel Gibson's anti-semitic remarks was written by Gary Gentile.

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July 30, 2006 09:54 PM PDT Permalink | |

Not to make light of the serious situation over there, but I found this image of Americans "escaping" Lebanon amusing.
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July 19, 2006 02:25 PM PDT Permalink | |

Right now it's in to be for Net Neutrality. If you're against it, you're an old fool like Ted Stevens.

But here is a compelling, and technical, argument against net neutrality. This is no "series of tubes" rambling, this is real stuff about how TCP/IP wasn't designed for streaming video and VOIP. TCP is about receiving a complete message in however long it takes (think the Star Trek transporter: better to take longer to get the whole "message"). Whatever overload protection that TCP does offer is easily defeated by UDP or using multiple TCP streams,which is what VOIP and bittorrent do.

One of the arguments in favor of net neutrality is that "small sites" won't have equal access to the internet and that TelCos may even redirect traffic from them. I'm not sure how true the second part of that is. Delayed response? Maybe, but redirection seems more like an alarmist reaction than anything.

Some of Google's and Yahoo's possible real motives are also touched upon. Everyone always has two reasons for doing something: a good reason and the real reason. I just don't believe that "protecting the little guy" is the main reason that Google, et al., are so concerned about net neutrality.

Despite writing this blog, I actually don't have an opinion either way. I have a feeling that even if legislation is passed to protect net neutrality, the internet, as it is, will still saturate at some point. A which time "for-fee" quality of service channels will crop up is some form an another.
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July 17, 2006 03:31 PM PDT Permalink | Comments [3] |

Who do you think is the most worthless celebrity? Who just doesn't deserve to be a celebrity and is getting way too much press lately?

Take the poll: Most Worthless Celebrity

Don't see your "favorite" listed? Put their name in the comments.
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July 16, 2006 11:33 PM PDT Permalink | |

Wow, my second anti-CNET post in a row. I have no beef with CNET, but twice now they have inspired me to blog.

What's wrong this time? This gadgets blog about a new waterproof iPod case. Go ahead, read it first, and then see if you see what's wrong.

First, this probably isn't a bad product, but she seems to ignore the fact that you can't control the iPod while it's locked away in the rather large case. Take it to the mall? Really? A large, bulky case with small speakers and I can't control it? Sign me up.

Oh, and it's only $30. For a radio.

She also forgets to note if it has the most important feature of a waterproof case: Will it float?

Cue Paul and the band.
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July 14, 2006 05:04 PM PDT Permalink | |

CNET is "breaking news" with a story about an ASCII version of Star Wars. Uh, hey CNET, you bastion of late breaking news you, that thing is at least 10 years old, if not much more. The last person to make ASCII art died in 2002 when a stack of punch cards fell over and crushed him.

CNET: It's news to us!
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July 10, 2006 09:05 PM PDT Permalink | |

I found it amusing that a guy who works for NASA is named Marion LaNasa.

Read the story.

Yes, techincally he works for Lockheed but working he's still working on the Space Shuttle.
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July 03, 2006 10:38 AM PDT Permalink | |

Star Jones "Reynolds" appeared on the Today show and "apologized" (aka damage control) for her wedding antics a few years ago. Quoting:

To this I respond:

"Terrorists: Next time try harder!"