Pete's Picocosm
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Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in the "solune" journal:[<< Previous 20 entries]
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19:51
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ecowasits?
Found in the international herald tribune:
And commodities, priced in dollars, tend to rise in price as the dollar weakens, making commodities a haven for investors fearful of future inflation.
Uhm....isn't this the sort of thing that lead to the great depression? I mean, as I read it, commodities brokers and investors are betting on a DECLINING dollar, i.e. rising inflation.
Current Mood:  confused
Tags: economics, finance, investment
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22:42
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Sco, Novel, Unix and Linux
So, let me get this straight:
A judge has ruled the Unix copyrights belong to Novell.
Novell. Who signed a deal with Microsoft.
My big question is what will Novell do now?
Current Mood: curious
Tags: linux, microsoft, novell
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21:05
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Astrology
—2012 happens in 5 years...
A friend of mine, matt, is way into the mayan calander. He keeps tellin' me in 2012 there will be an end to the Mayan cycle. In essence, the end of the world.
The interpretation often taken from that is "rebirth," though (I'm sure) you'll find those that think it really does mean the end of the world. The way things are goin' now, I'd say either one is possible.
If you do believe the mayan predictions, then you might want to check this out.
This, coincidentally, would be the end of the next president's first term. Imagine any one of the current contenders, and how they would inspire Americans to greatness, not regulation and restriction.
There's only one that's been doing that for me, and I'll leave you to figure who it is.
Tags: election, oil, speculation
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22:30
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Apple of my eye
—Just when you've lost hope...
...Comes this one-two puch:
1.) Steve Jobs on Music
2.) EMI and Apple announce DRM free music
(cue crowd cheers)
It's been a long time coming. I wouldn't have a problem with buying music online, but for the DRM problem. Now I get to buy online what I'd normally buy hardcopy. The extra cents per track will pay off in all the time I save ripping CDs.
I think I'll subscribe to iTunes in May.
—Pete
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22:08
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is a Parking ticket worth your home?
Isn't this a little ridiculous now?
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23:09
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Gov'mint lookin' out for ya!
—Heads up, New York: You're unfit to make your own decisions
UPI is carrying this story of a likely ban on tras-fats in New York—essentially telling people what they can and can not eat.
Please note: Obesity and heart disease is linked to inactivity also. How long before exercise is mandated?
—Pete
Tags: food, government, overlording
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00:34
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Countdown to ...
...I don't know.
At first I thought maybe freedom, but consider:
Hillary? Video games make evil kids (nevermind the absentee parents)
Johnny McCain? Any campaign law that muffles non-encumbents and restricts criticism—and free speech.
Honestly, none of the names being kicked around at this [early] point make me feel the least bit comfortable.
Still, it's worth checking out this excellent broken-egg timer.
Enjoying your Iraqi omelette?
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00:40
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The faces have changed, but the game remains
—Weldon-Gone! Sanatorum Gone!
Not really a big surprise when you consider Weldon is being investigated and Santorum is just an asshole.
I didn't see any other parties on the ballot, though. Curious.
—Pete
Tags: democrat, election, republican
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00:12
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Temperature Climbs in Iraq
—Periods of Drought unlikely
I found this on ABC...in case you haven't: October climbed to 101 American deaths.
If you're keeping track, that's aside from the civilian deaths.
Just thought You'd like to know.
—Pete
Tags: bodies, deaths, war
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00:01
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Phishing for Terror
—Code Literacy Pays off
So, there I was, filtering my e-mail and deciding how I was going to handle all these little things I let pile up. The tons of spam I go through is extra-ordinary because I rarely let it pile up like that. A few bad decisions on web sites and POOF, you're shot. Time for new accounts.
One of the fun things I do, sometimes (when real work needs putting off), is find the phishing link in junk e-mails. I can spot the phisher right away because they invariably invite you to click on PayPal to do whatever. If you're dumb enough to view everything with HTML turned on you're likely to get ripped.
Since I don't default to HTML I was able to quickly see this phishing e-mail for what it was. Oh, at first I was concerned because of the forged PayPal return address, but once I looked I found all the naked halmarks of a scam, the least of which is that address that just doesn't belong. In this case: http://asiaticcommunications.com/%20/cgi-bin/login.html was embedded in the document.
It was following this link when I stumbled upon a disturbing use for the average phishing scam.
How this particular scam works is I find a paypal invoice for a computer I didn't order in my inbox. Not having ordered a Dell, I was briefly alarmed, so I clicked on it. Whether or not there's autoloading code I don't know becase, as I said, I don't default to HTML, scripts or any of that sort. Raw HTML I browse and, while not fluent, I know enough to know when it's not right.
In the e-mail I'm to find PayPal, being the responsible company it is, knows (magically?) I didn't order a computer, so provides a link for me to cancel the transaction. I follow along to a sign in window that has a cancel button, cancel and log out...leaving Asiatic Communications with my PayPal login and password.
This scam is interesting on a number of levels. One is how, apparently, easy it is to get people to give up that information. People who rarely do online business might be easily duped, especially when you take into account how common this particular scam is. I mean, really, I must have deleted hundreds before without following the link. This scam follows many others, most links usually leading to a dead end.
What really gets me is just following the domain took me to this web site. Are they terrorists phishing for funding, or has this guy's web server been hijacked? Both are frightening, especially since I maintain a website. Maybe the guy is a bigoted con-man that preys on everyone equally, which still isn't good. Worse case scenario: domestic terrorism.
Particularly jarring is the realization of the impact this scam could have on less knowlegeable cybernauts:
Looking at your browser (for most, Outlook Express) everything might to check out: Titlebar sez paypal, the image links are to paypal [an easy hack], even the address bar looks good [spoofing]. It must be legit, so you click...
...And still everything seems to check out. What you don't see is you've been redirected to , a spoofed PayPal site [follow link with care!]. It looks like paypal, smells like paypal, but it'll taste like bitter fraud when you use it.
(I did follow the supplied link, and it did lead me to a PayPal look-alike login; the links showed as pay pal, etc, but the page was hosted by asiatic. I did not use the supplied e-mail. I thought that might be pushing it.)
Here's some of what I found on Asiatic Communications, Inc:
The old world must be removed to make way for the new world.
Prepare to enter the new world! Unite with your own!
There is a universal struggle being waged by the old world against the beginning of the new world!
Will the old world’s opposition prevent the establishment of the new world?
According to recorded history, the efforts being made by the old world against the beginning of a new world will fail-as did former opponents of Allah.
Or how about this one, fresh from the "about" page:
WE BELIEVE
•WE BELIEVE
Allah Came in The Person of Master Fard Muhammad.
•WE BELIEVE
The Honorable Elijah Muhammad was The Last Messenger of Allah.
•WE BELIEVE
Messenger Elijah Muhammad (PBUH), Died a Physical Death on February 25, 1975 And Will Not Return!
•WE BELIEVE
The Honorable John Muhammad is The Supreme Minister of The Nation of Islam.
•WE BELIEVE
The White Man is and always will be: "The Real Devil!"
As-Salaam Alaikum
[Emphasis mine]
Pretty Scary when you take a look at world events and the threat of terrorism...or, computer fraud...or racism of any stripe.
—Pete
Petey Says Remember Kids: don't default to HTML. There's too much that can be tinkered with that will lead your computer astray. Whether web mail, or Outlook, just turn your HTML off and read your mail straight up. If there's some site you want your friend to see, copy and paste the url from your browser so your friend knows where he's going (and you don't send him/her to a spammer...or worse!).
Tags: congress, security, terrorist funding
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20:34
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How Big is Yours?
—Hard drive, that is
I want to do an experiment involving computers and need to know how much Hard Drive space y'all have on average.
reply here or to knowman at my domain.
Thanks
—Pete
Tags: computers, experiment, linux
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20:29
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Philadelphia Freedom
—If someone tells you how to live (or else!), are you really free?
I got this e-mail today, and thought I'd pass it along. It's plea to join the smokers that believe in freedom and get the philadelphia council to see reason.
Before you rail against my unhealthful attitude, here are some things you should consider:
- Allowing council to use a gun [force of law] to demand landowners and/or renters obey their standards of property management flies in the face of property rights.
- Despite all the rhetoric about second hand smoke the science involved has shown that the risk posed by exposure is much less than stated; calls to ban smoking are a smoke screen so politicians can say "see what I've done?"
- much of the Science of Second hand smoke has been proven falsified and/or mis-represented
- Faithful, peer reviewed data has proven that mandated smoking restrictions does, in fact, harm the financial well-being of bars and restaurants—People will go to where they can smoke.
- The smoking ban proposal seeks to ban outdoor smoking (decks, and such). Given the amount of truely harmful particulates in the atmosphere, especially around refinery laden philadelphia area, and those spewed by busses, the proposed ban is revealed not as a health measure but a restriction of liberty.
- No one forces people to work or patronize places that allow smoking. Like smoking, patronage is a choice issue.
These are only some of the unspoken truths on the smoking issue. You might notice none of this appears in the Inquierer, or any other newspaper. Let's face it, the modern newspaper exists to stir conflict, not news. They also serve as sounding boards for the editors and government lackies. Notice the dearth of opposing viewpoints?
Another unspoken truth is the damage smoking causes. Like any vice, the damage from tobacco abuse comes with excess. There are many cases of light smokers (not smoking light cigarettes, but smoking rarely) that don't fall to the ills of a heavy smoker.
Conversely, the most recent Surgeon General report, besides being misrepresented by the surgeon general has shown that the risks posed by second hand smoke are far less than you were led to believe.
I urge you to call or write city council and oppose and outright smoking ban. There is plenty room for compromise, beginning with vocal anti-smokers not spending money on politics and redirecting their resources toward education, and good-old-fashioned peer pressure. There are plenty of places already that don't allow smoking. Go there. Let the owners decide what's best for their bottom dollar.
You might be surprised.
Now, here's what I got in my e-mail (full disclosure: from RJ Reynolds, makers of Camel Filters, my brand of choice.)
This is Your Last Chance to Change the Smoking Ban and Protect Your
Rights
On September 14, 2006, Mayor Street, after much hesitation, signed
into law the smoking ban ordinance that was passed by City Council in
June. However, the Mayor has instructed Councilman DiCicco to work on
a compromise bill with the council.
Therefore, your window of opportunity to take action is closing.
There is still time for you to weigh in and ensure that you maintain
your right to smoke in some bars and restaurants. If you don't act,
you will lose more of your rights. Contact your city council member
today. They need to know that a complete smoking ban in Philadelphia
goes too far.
Tell your council member:
Businesses are willing to work with the council to develop smoking
regulations that are fair to all bar customers- smokers and
non-smokers alike.
- Reconsider the complete smoking ban and work with businesses to find
a fair alternative to complete smoking bans before it's too late.
To contact your council representative, click on the links below or
call at the following numbers.
Mayor John Street - (215) 686-2181
Councilman Frank DiCicco - (215) 686-3458
- Coucilwoman Anna C. Verna - (215) 686-3412
- Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell - (215) 686-3418
- Councilman Darrell L. Clarke - (215) 686-3442
- Councilwoman Joan L. Krajewski - (215) 686-3444
- Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller - (215) 686-3424
- Councilwoman Marian B. Tasco - (215) 686-3454
- Councilman Brian J. O'Neill - (215) 686-3422
(Some content has been modified for this post)
Now, get out there and kick some ass for freedom's sake!
—Pete
Tags: freedom, politicians, smoking bans
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20:06
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New Funeral Expenses
—Aside from the plot, stone and box, you now have another expense.
The custom for a funeral procession is that everyone waits while the vehicles make their way through an intersection, light timing be damned. I've waited patiently while a stream of cars go through a red light, as I'm sure you have.
The memory David Franks left five drivers in England is the £60 fine ($113.18US) for driving through a red light. The picture was snapped by a red-light camera of the variety popping up all around America.
Which begs the question, how long before funeral goers are similarily prosecuted here?
—Pete
Tags: funny, morbid, sad
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20:01
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Conspiracy Theory #1
—Conspiracy Theories Abound
There are a million conspiracy theories out there, some more silly than others.
My favorite has always been "the Bush administration allowed 9-11 to happen to support action in the Middle East."
I prefer the adage "Don't attribute to malice what you can attribute to stupidity."
That's especially true, given this article on page 17 of the Washington Post.
Because if Condi did let the attack occur for imperialism and market control I'd have to start thinking politicians are actually smarter than they appear.
—Pete
Tags: condi, conspiracy, security
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18:22
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Call Your Congressman
—How Stupid Laws Get Passed
One of the ways congress wheedles itelf into your life is by attaching laws to unrelated bills up for vote.
You know that.
So, naturally, anti-gambling laws were attached to a port security bill.
Now I'm no gambler, but I do think gambling bans are stupid. First they open up the doors for a black-market gambling operation similar to the types of games the Mafia has a history of running. Second, they create laws people are willing to break which makes it all the more easier to rationalize the breaking of other laws.
Will this go through? You bet! Why? It makes great political fodder: "Congressman X voted against port security." Who wants that?
Even worse, it helps promote the elitist "I know what's good for you" sentiment which can hardly be a good thing.
Assholes.
Call your congressman either today, or later when he's on the campaign trail Call him on it.
And, if you're in Frist's district be sure to give him a good grief on his nannery.
—Pete
Tags: congress, frist, stealthlaw
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23:37
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Just so You know
—Who says Islam is the Religion of peace?
Okay, I admit it: I have a bias. That is, after all, why I created my web pages: to discuss my biases.
Predominantly, I'm anti-religion of all stripes. Don't let the subhead fool you into believing I'm only anti-Islam. I'm not anti-Islam in the rabid sense. I'm only against the use of that religion to further violence upon others. As I am against Christian violence, Jewish violence, or even Atheist violence.
The purpose of this post is to examine some of the news posted by Jihad Watch (run by Robert Spencer), specifically news I don't hear or see on the cover of newspapers.
- Brussels: Muslims riot for 3rd straight night
It galls me that the touchy-feely press doesn't seem to want to present this news. As one commenter in the thread notes:
"if people in Europe were allowed to keep arms, this would not happen as widespread as it happening now in Brussels..."
Naturally, the comment degrades into name-calling, (Jihad watch is a righty run site) but the point is well taken: while Newspapers try to restrict our rights the need for things like the second amendment make themselves clear in other parts of the globe. (note: the linked inq-stain article numbers the anti-gun crowd but not the pros.)
- "The only dialogue we will accept is when all other religions agree to convert to Islam"
The dangers in this headline, and accompanying excerpts, are apparent: religion is being used to promote hatred. While the Pope's comments haven't been read by me, the hysteria provoked by them can be seen from the hand-wringing in our media to the riots in Belgium.
- Suicide bombers follow Quran, concludes Pentagon briefing
This is facinating in and of itself. Many Lefties don't care too much for World Net Daily (quoted on Jihad watch) — I don't — but there is that horribly large grain of truth: there has to be something more than a plethora of motivational speakers to provoke action.
Do you really think there are that many influential speakers in Muslim circles? I think it very likely there are reinforcing texts. This theory is backed up by bigoted Christian groups.
White Power comes to mind, as I'm sure there's many other variations.
Jihad watch bears watching, whether you're left or right. Unlike the current American mania for news of Terrel Owens health it presents insight on why the republicans are quickly becoming fascist, why many in the mid-east are increasing the violence, and how government is quickly becoming a religion.
—Pete
Tags: europe, islam, riots
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22:19
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Pleas, help Save the animals
—Every Year thousands of animals are needlessly killed or maimed by humans
Humans. We partake of the planet's resources, sucking out oil, cutting trees, raping the seas. Perhaps the most horrific thing we do is to the animals. Through thoughtless cruelty we allow them to be eaten and maimed for our self-serving satisfaction.
It makes us feel good to hurt them. Like a kid with a magnifying glass to ants, our ideology kills thousands a year.
Perhaps the most cruel are the Animal Rights activists.
(and if you think that link is lame then you'll hate to seeing PETA in action!)
—Pete
Tags: alf, animal rights, cruelty
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23:49
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Digital Rights Restriction
—MicroSoft: Great at screwing everyone
It's late, and I want to go to bed. But, before I do, I think you ought to read this, especially if you plan to buy your kid a media player from MicroSoft this Christmas (or hanaka, etc...)
Don't be fooled, DRM will not stop piracy for one simple reason: those that actually siphon huge profits from media distributors by immitating packaging and dealing to the public will always find a way.
While at one time recorded music was a novelty, the ubiquitousness of it relegates it to a more hearty function: promoting musicians for concert tours. The more I think of recorded music, the more I'm convinced its current purpose shouldn't be to sell copies, but to sell entertainment. With various ways to listen to music — MP3, CD, jukebox, terrestial and sattelite radio, digital music channels on television and streaming internet content — the actual need to purchase music dwindles. People that love a musician (I've always been a David Bowie fan) will go out and buy the hardcopy music with an expectation to be able to play it anywhere. No strings.
I bought all of Bowie's records in vinyl, and again when they came out in superior CD. I even have multiple copies of a few albums: Diamond Dogs in flat vinyl, picture disk, original vinyl bifold album cover, first CD release (with bonus tracks) and specially mastered edition.
Any musician will have no trouble selling packaging to their audience if their music is quality.
Furthermore, a well appreciated talent will always sell tickets if they perform. The Grateful Dead have always allowed "tapers" to record and share their concerts. They always sold out (generating income), and they still sold albums. In fact, I think their studio albums aren't that great — their passion for music being better conveyed by a live performance.
What this means, and how I've read musicians that abuse fans, is people who piss and moan about lost music sales while barely touring are, in fact, lazy bastards.
I work for a living. Every day I toil on my knees (I'm a tile setter) to earn my keep. As should anyone. Muscians that barely tour, yet cry foul over the uncorking of recorded music are really only angry that they've got to work for a living. "Oh my god, you mean I must have some sort of schedule?"
Fuck you! Work for a living!
Ask any band that does it for the love. They tour almost as often as I work, make great money, and have the nice perk called "groupies." As I worry about my knees holding out for a big job, so do singers worry about their voice. Being a musician doesn't automatically entitle you to millions the same as my skill doesn't automatically entitle me to my own business. If I want to make more, I have to work at it.
Now, if you'll excuse me I have to wake early for work.
Any Tile groupies out there?
—Pete
Tags: free speech, liberty, software
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21:50
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Radio Shocker
—The Preston and Steve Website has a lot of interesting tidbits, some you wouldn't expect
I'm such a damn hypocrite.
I at once hate morning radio — almost never anything of substance unless you call Republican mouthpieces "substance" — and love it — Preston and Steve are hilarious.
I was perusing their website when I came up on this. Which just goes to show, never underestimate people.
I should point out, however, the fifth anniversary rememberance of the September 11 bombing was rather pathetic in its predictability. The hype of everything connected to that event was cheapened by the immediate drop-off in the media after the date had passed. The shape of the event made it look like any other holiday—except no time off.
Okay, end rant. Learn from the link.
—Pete
Tags: history, research, terrorism
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20:28
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Eye Tube
—Do You?
If there ever was a reason to actually input your e-mail to ( REDACTED )
—Pete
Tags: humor, nin, trek
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