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Looky Here!
This started out as links to funny and/or cool things (scroll down to the bottom of the page if you need proof!) but it's gruadually turned into links to things I find interesting about the latest attempts by (for the most part) entertainment corporations to curtail my right to "enjoy" their product in the way I choose. This includes attempts to keep me from converting music I've paid for into a format that's more convenient for my personal use to schemes designed to keep me from time-shifting TV shows I want to watch.
So, here you go...the links...
4/29truth.com - "A campaign to expose the truth of 4/29." Heh heh. I hadn't posted anything here in nearly 2 years but this was just too funny not to post.
added on 2-may-2007Retail Alphabet Game - "One part puzzle, one part self assessment, and a pinch of postmodern art." I was able to figure out about one third of each alphabet. It's harder than it first looks. Way cool.
added on 9-aug-2005Importing audio book CDs into iTunes - A nice little tutorial on how to save space and make "bookmarkable" files when importing an audio book into iTunes.
added on 11-may-2005Maps and cartograms of the 2004 US presidential election results - More funky election result maps.
added on 11-nov-2004Election 2004 Results - Hmmm...two map-related links in a row! We've all seen the big Red v. Blue electoral maps of the country, right? This one shows Red v. Blue v. Shades-of-Purple by county. Cool.
added on 4-nov-2004"Map-Maker" Utility!! - "Create your own special-purpose map to shade states You select!" Sometimes, those Aggies do something really cool.
added on 4-oct-2004katie.com - What the author and publisher (mostly the publisher, I guess) of the katie.com book have done to the owner of this domain is shameful.
added on 2-aug-2004Nielsen Rating System At Odds With RIAA's Claim Of "Lost Sales" by Moses Avalon - Quote: "For the first quarter of 2003 Soundscan registered 147,000,000 records sold. For the 1st quarter of 2004 Soundscan will report 160,000,000 records sold. That's 13,000,000 more units, almost a 10% increase in sales since last year. [...] 1st quarter 'album sales' (as opposed to overall sales) had increased 9.4% since 2003."
A second very interesting quote: "The RIAA reports a sale as a unit SHIPPED to record stores. Whereas Soundscan reports units sold [to the consumer] at the point of purchase."
And then: "Sure enough, every time the RIAA complains of large drops in 'unit sales' it includes international sales, not strictly domestic. Every time it speaks to domestic 'losses' it is speaking ONLY of 'units shipped in the US' to record stores. It seemed obvious that if the RIAA confined their revenue statistics to the US market alone they may not be able to publish ANY losses in REVENUE at all."
Which leads us to: "Forget the confusing percentages, here's an oversimplified example: I shipped 1000 units last year and sold 700 of them. This year I sold 770 units but shipped only 930 units. I shipped 10% less units this year. And this is what the RIAA wants the public to accept as 'a loss.'"
You just gotta love the way people manipulate numbers to fit their message, doncha?
added on 17-may-2004Music sharing doesn't kill CD sales, study says by John Borland - Quote: "Big record labels have seen their sales slide precipitously in the past several years , and have blamed the falling revenue in large part on rampant free music downloads online. [...] Researchers found that the average user logged in only twice during [the 17-week sample] period, downloading about 17 songs. [...] Even in the most pessimistic version of their model, [the authors] found that it would take about 5,000 downloads to displace sales of just one physical CD."
In an earlier article by the same author, he wrote that "about 34 percent of veteran file swappers say they are spending more on music than they did before they started downloading files. About 14 percent of heavy file traders say they now spend less on music."
I've said it before but I'll reitterate: when I listened to launch.com a lot (before Yahoo! bought it and it started to suck), I bought a lot more music than I'd otherwise be inclined to buy...music by artists I'd never heard of. Ah well. I don't suppose the music industry's gonna take my word for it.
added on 30-mar-2004The State of Our Unions - If it's not a crime to be gay, why can't we get married? by Andrew Sullivan - An interesting opinion piece asking why some people are so dead set against the idea of gay marriage.
added on 8-oct-2003The Problem With Music by Steve Albini - Back to the way the music industry screws over artists. I never cease to be amazed.
added on 2-sep-2003Man Turns Tables on Telemarketer - This is just too funny. What's going to happen when they inevitably call him again? Heh.
[Update: I updated the URL for this story...it used to be linked to a Yahoo! News article but it had disappeared.]
added on 10-jul-2003DinoMite Days - Remember the painted cows, angels, and horses? The Carnegie Museum is featuring dinosaurs around Pittsburgh. I think my favorite is Mr. Dig.
added on 3-jul-2003Versatility on the mound - So, there's this kid from Bastrop who's an ambidextrous pitcher. Freaky! But, cool. I hope I get to see it some day. 'Gotta keep any eye out for Brandon Berdoll. Drafted by the Braves.
added on 26-jun-2003Harrison Ford Finger Pointing Gallery - You gotta love that people do things like this, don't you?
added on 20-jun-2003Theater Companies Sued Over Commercials - At last!
[Update: I updated the URL for this story...it used to be linked to a Yahoo! News article but it had disappeared.]
added on 21-feb-2003Compact Disc Minimum Advertised Price Antitrust Litigation Settlement - All about the proposed settlement of the price-fixing suit filed against the music industry. If you file a claim, you might get $20. If you bought any music between 1995 and 2000, you should submit a claim.
added on 8-jan-2003Piracy is Progressive Taxation, and Other Thoughts on the Evolution of Online Distribution - An interesting article by Publisher/Author Tim O'Reilly about file sharing.
added on 13-dec-2002QDN: Fun with spammers, redux - Heh heh heh. A spammer gets a little bit of poetic justice. 'Gotta love it. Just in case that address disappears, here 'tis: Alan Ralsky, 6747 Minnow Pond Drive, West Bloomfield, MI 48322.
added on 13-dec-2002Why Unbreakable Codes Don't Make Unbreakable DRM - A nice simple explanation for the "technically-challenged" amongst us on why the media companies will likely never achieve their goal of making their product "safe" from thieves. But, they're willing to make the lives of honest consumers like you and me more difficult by assuming we're all thieves. Bah.
added on 7-dec-2002workspace exhibit - Photos of people's workspaces. Some are pretty cool and some are pretty scary!
added on 22-nov-2002P2P hacking bill may be amended - Well...'looks like maybe a few people are starting to come to their senses. Maybe. I guess we'll have to see what the ammended bill looks like.
added on 25-oct-2002MS kills another clip-art fan rave - "Microsoft has yanked another of its fraudulent user testimonials, in this case a fictitious twelve-year-old boy raving about a fictional homework assignment and the indespensable insights he received from MS Encarta Reference Library in preparing it."
added on 21-oct-2002Microsoft Make-Up - So, does this mean Apple's "Switch" ads are working and making people at Microsoft uncomfortable? So uncomfortable that they're starting to lie about people switching from Macs to Windows? Hmmmm...
added on 17-oct-2002Google Zeitgeist - "Search patterns, trends, and surprises according to Google"
When I added this link, the Top 10 People in the News were: 1. Anna Nicole Smith, 2. Vin Diesel, 3. Ronaldo, 4. Opie and Anthony, 5. Jason Priestly, 6. Elvis, 7. Serena Williams, 8. Jerry Lewis, 9. Jamie Lee Curtis, and 10. Brian Heidik. I'd never heard of #3 or #4. 'Turns out #3 is a soccer star. I'm guessing #4 is some musical act. #10 is very interesting. He's one of the people on the latest edition of Survivor. I've never watched the show but saw a tidbit on one of the TV sites I frequent saying that one of the folks in the new cast had starred in "Days of Our Lives" (DOOL) about 10 years ago. His name was Brian Heidik. I used to watch DOOL about 10 years ago and when I read the name Brian Heidik, the character name "Tim" popped into my head. "Hmmm," I thought, "who was Tim? Was there really a Tim on the show?" So, I looked Brian up on the IMDb and...sure 'nuff...he played Tim (last name Rollins, apparently) on DOOL. I couldn't, for the life of me, remember anything about the character, though. Isn't memory just the most peculiar thing? I still can't remember anything about the character or actor. Well, I sort of vaguely get the feeling he must've been involved with the teen storyline at the time. But, that's it. Things that make you go hmmmmm...
added on 3-oct-2002How a Bank Got E-Mail Scammed - Story of a woman who fell for the Nigerian money transfer scheme in a very big way. Stunning that people really fall for it, eh?
added on 2-oct-2002FCC-02-231A1.pdf - "Adopted Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on digital broadcast copy protection." Huh? This is an FCC document asking for comments on a proposed rule that would put a "broadcast flag" on all digital TV receivers. This flag would, at the content owner's whim, prohibit you from making any further use of the material. What does that mean? Well, it could mean that you could be prevented from keeping a copy of that favorite episode of <insert name of whatever TV show you like best here> to watch again later. Or, it could mean that you couldn't tape something while you're at work to watch later. Or, tape an episode of "Mystery" for your folks to watch when they get back from their vacation. Or, ...the list goes on... Why would the Entertainment Industry support this technology? Because it would also mean that you couldn't zip through commercials as you watch something you've got on tape. Ahhhhh...the light goes off. Y'know...according to Jamie Kellner, "any time you skip a commercial ... you're actually stealing the programming." (source) We're all just a bunch of thieves in the Industry's eyes.
added on 26-aug-2002Dear Congressman - Common sense.
added on 26-aug-2002BBspot - Ford Testifies to Stop Ride Sharing - Spoofing the RIAA's arguments about file sharing. Too funny.
added on 23-aug-2002IWT Bans RIAA From Accessing Its Network - You just gotta love this. Well. Maybe you don't but I do! I hope more ISPs follow suit.
added on 22-aug-2002Celine Dion Killed My iMac! - I simply can't believe how dumb music companies are being. Remember how it was almost impossible to buy a CD two years ago that wasn't enhanced? The record companies wanted you to plug their CDs in your computer more than anything in the world. And now they're doing their best to make sure you don't.
Quoting (I so see this!):For what reason could there be to prevent you from ripping your own CDs, except to offer you the "opportunity" to purchase multiple versions of the same music so you can listen to that music in ways that currently are defined as fair use: a CD for your stereo, an mp3 for your hard drive, and a "secure digital" copy for your record-industry approved portable digital music player? With a CD priced at $19, an mp3 at $5 (which would include a royalty to counteract the inevitable hard drive-to-hard drive copying), and a secure digital version priced at $2.50, that'd be $26.50 for one music album. No doubt you'd be able to buy all three together in a package deal for "only" $25. Or maybe you could license all three formats for the low, low price of $9.95 a year, for the rest...of...your...life.
What Happened - Too funny. I'm including the link for MissyJane and Kate. Even though I'm sure neither of them will ever see this page. Ever.
added on 22-aug-2002FALLOUT - A follow up to The Internet Debacle - Janis Ian follows up on her article about file sharing and record companies.
added on 9-aug-2002Don't Link to Us! - Links to "stupid linking polices." Heh heh. I love it!
added on 7-aug-2002books.agmweb.ca - Allows you to search 7 online book stores for books and prices. Cool.
added on 7-aug-2002The Internet Debacle - An Alternative View - An article by Janis Ian about the whole "file sharing" mess. She alleges that file sharing actually increases the average musician's sales. I think she's right. Before launch.com was bought out by Yahoo and the thing actually worked, I probably bought 2 or 3 CDs a month from artists I never heard of while listening to conventional radio. I haven't tried launch.com in a few months. No idea if it's any better now. The last few times I tried it, the program spent more time buffering than playing so I finally gave up on it. This wasn't true file-sharing since I didn't have complete control over what I heard. But, I did get exposed to music I'd never hear otherwise. And, if I liked it, I'd buy my own copy. Since I quit listening to launch.com I only buy music by artists I already know.
added on 8-jul-2002Request Permission to Link to NPR.org - Apparently, they're serious. No linking allowed. So there. Naturally, I did not request permission to create this link.
added on 21-jun-2002Update: NPR Linking and Privacy Policy - Hmmm...looks like NPR's old "you can't link without our express written permission" policy has suddenly been updated. 'Wonder why??? I find it rather amusing that the old link actually gives a 404 error. Does that mean they're reluctant to admit they were wrong? They do still reserve the right to withdraw permission to link to their content. Too funny.
added on 1-jul-2002
Unix Class, First Quarter - "This was a tough class but it was really fun," says the author. This reminds me so much of what my notebooks from high school and college look like. Mine were quite geometric and generally more like the thing at the right on the fifth page, though.
added on 6-dec-2001Plop - Scott Adams was apparently thinking of starting a Dilbert spin-off (plans since put on the shelf). My favorite was #18.
added on 24-nov-2001The Work Nickname Generator - Want to know what your co-workers call YOU behind your back?
This really made me laugh when I entered Kate's name. I'm apparently being called "Sugar" behind my back. Sweetness personified. That's me.
added on 30-oct-2001The Microsoft-English Dictionary 1.0 - What Microsoft Really Means To Say
added on 25-oct-2001The Dailies - Seen & drawn in New York...one every day
added on 25-oct-2001
added on 22-aug-2002
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joanna@joanna.org
URL: http://www.joanna.org/lookyhere/
Last updated: May 2, 2007