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13 November, 2004

Fireworks In November

Occasionally, something weird happens. Like tonight. At 8:00 pm, Pamn heard a bomb explode. She looked out the window, and saw fireworks. So we went out the front door and watched a 15-minute fireworks display. Perfect view from the front of the house. It was as if they did it for us.

We have no idea what the occasion was, but it was very cool and completely unexpected. I was too stunned to get the camera, but it looked kind of like this (only more colorful):

Posted on 13 November, 2004

Google Ads - Update

In September, I started running Google Adsense ads here and on some of my other Web sites. The reason was to provide a "free" income stream that I would donate to Whole Wheat Radio -- my favorite non-profit site.

Tonight I abandoned Google Adsense. Why? Because the ads they've been placing are mostly complete BS. Pretty much Web spam. I've avoided clicking the links because doing so is against the rules. But tonight I clicked one, and I was appalled. It took me here. C'mon, Google. If scam sites are the best you can do, forget it. I don't want to be associated with such Web scum, even if it means $0.05 per click.

Total earnings: $xxx.xx. I can't say. Otherwise Google won't pay me a dime. I'm still not convinced that I'll receive any money at all. We'll see.

Posted on 13 November, 2004

Congrats To Jody And Wife

The Steel White Table blog just gave birth. More accurately, Jody's wife had a baby boy.

Congrats Jody!

Posted on 13 November, 2004

Edible Books

Do you read it or eat it? It's the Gallery of Edible Books.

The International Edible Book Festival is a yearly event on April 1 throughout the world .This event unites bibliophiles, book artists and food lovers to celebrate the ingestion of culture and its fulfilling nourishment.

Participants create edible books that are exhibited, documented then consumed. April 1st is also the perfect day to eat your words and play with them.

(via Jaf Project)

Posted on 13 November, 2004

Silver Dollar Scam Still In Business

It seems that the infamous "Freedom Tower Silver Dollar" scam (which I mentioned here and here) is still in business -- despite a court order to shut down. And, apparently, they agreed:

"National Collector's Mint has complied, and will continue to comply, with all orders of the court."

The main page at National Collector's Mint states this:

WE ARE TEMPORARILY PROHIBITED BY A COURT ORDER FROM ACCEPTING ANY ORDERS FOR THE '2004 FREEDOM TOWER SILVER DOLLAR'.

Yet, I happened to notice a spam email (from Barry Goldwater!) pitching the same offer. I carefully followed the link (obscuring the tracking information in the URL), and I was redirected to this page (in the same domain), which has the original sales pitch and (apparently) a functioning order form.

Posted on 13 November, 2004

Political Fiction?

I received an email from someone looking for some recent political fiction books:

I am trying to arrange a reading course consisting of books that deal with the current Bush administration. It seems as though very little ultra-contemporary literature is taught at universities, and I'm always looking for a chance to write an essay on Nicholson Baker:)

I have found a couple of really good examples of literature that has sprung from the recent political situation. Aside from Baker's novel, there is Art Spiegelman's illustrated novel about 9/11, and countless political commentaries from left and right-wing perspectives; however, I would like to include a stronger fictional element to the course.

Have you got any suggestions of literature written as a result of the Bush admin? it doesn't have to be good.. I'm sure there are some Tom Clancy-esque war books about Iraq... I am mainly interested in looking for defining themes or consistencies... I read an essay about the recent element of paranoia in contemporary American lit, and would like to take a look for myself. I am willing to take a look at just about anything as long as it has some link to what George W has been up to.

Suggestions anyone?

Posted on 13 November, 2004

How Computers Work

If you're having problems with your PC, you'll find lots of answers in this book, available online: How It Works... The Computer.

It's about 34 years old, so some of the information may be slightly out of date.

Posted on 13 November, 2004

Lexmark And Spyware

From silicon.com: Spyware charge leveled at Lexmark.

Allegations have been swirling around an online newsgroup this week that printer manufacturer Lexmark has been installing spyware on its customers' computers.

Reports on the comp.periphs.printers Usenet newsgroup claim that Lexmark has been planting spyware on its customers' PCs in the form of undocumented software that monitors the use of its printers and silently reports back to a Lexmark-owned company website.

More at Slashdot.

Posted on 13 November, 2004

John Kerry T-Shirt

I don't think this is real, but it could be:

Posted on 13 November, 2004

Recycled Links, Part 51

These links were posted on the J-Walk Blog about a year ago. Good stuff that you may have overlooked.

Posted on 13 November, 2004