Hey Shatner, how do I hurl bolts of lightning?

An intersection of Star Trek and WoW. *faints*

Kindle... Next Generation?

Got spam from three different sources yesterday when Amazon unveiled their Kindle reader. Even Adam sent me a note this morning, likening it to a PADD. I did check out the hoopla. In fact, by yesterday afternoon there were already 150+ comments from beta testers to general cynics.

I really like the idea. At the very least, it's a free Wiki browser thats has service anywhere you can use a cell phone. It doesn't try to do a lot of PDA bullshit, either. Really focused on what it's supposed to do. Color would be nice but that would also detract from the intent. Super long batter life on a highly readable screen. It does have an SD port for (much needed) additional space and you can connect it to the computer via USB so you don't have to pay to eMail things to it. Though it can't read PDF, you can convert PDFs to Mobi, which it will read.

The biggest reason I won't be buying one is the DRM. I absolutely hate not “owning” what I buy. A virus, software crash or hardware upgrade can destroy all of my purchases; I find that risk unacceptable. The only reason I have iTunes installed is because the stupid iPod requires it. I never go to the iStore except for album covers. Yet I know how to strip the Apple DRM off my songs. I'd have to find a way to remove it from the books I buy before I would ever consider this thing.

The next biggest reason is the price. It seems like a pretty extreme investment to be tied to a proprietary service. Granted, Amazon has some serious presence and will likely be around another decade. But that doesn't warrant a $400 price tag. If they pull an Apple and drop it to $200, I might be tempted.

For now, I'm still happy reading PDFs on the PDA. Definitely not as nice as what the Kindle ties together, but I'm stubborn and relatively content for now.

Bishops Urge Iraq Withdrawal

Friday, November 16, 2007

Bishops Urge Iraq Withdrawal

U.S. Catholic bishops described the situation in Iraq as "unacceptable" and urged the withdrawal of troops as quickly as possible. What do you think?

Jose Marinos, Scheduler "I'm impressed. Once they got over the earth moving around the sun, they caught up to current news really quick."

Anthony Cheswick, Associate Professor "As bishops, their outlook is always diagonal. They should understand that Bush, as a leader, can only move a little at a time."

Gloria Johnson, Personal Trainer "Now there's a Catholic withdrawal method we can all get behind."

The Onion - America's Finest News Source

The Culmination of Poor Oral Hygiene

First orthodontic appointment was this morning. I got the saucy hygienist Lisa. Ended up calling her a bitch and she warned me that, having a number of older brothers, she knows how to take down guys when she has to. At least that part is fun. When she finished, I asked, “Just you? I don't get to have the Doctor inside me this morning?” She giggled and said, “No, but next time you get him for two hours. Lonnnng time.” So I purred. *snicker*

Anyway. Have spacers around four upper teeth. Have to brush lightly there and no flossing. Stupid little plastic thingies that my tongue can't stop feeling every other second. Suppose I should enjoy this while it lasts since in two weeks it's going to be much worse.

Bush Gets First Veto Override

Monday, November 12, 2007

Bush Gets First Veto Override

For the first time in Bush's seven-year presidency, the Senate overrode a veto, for a water resources bill that would preserve wetlands. What do you think?

Carl Moleman, Systems Analyst "Well, it's not quite bringing the troops home, but I guess it's at least a fairly pointless expression of the people's will."

Cynthia Withers, Optician "I wouldn't get too cocky, I bet the president can still find a way to screw up those wetlands."

Frank Mahoney, Window Installer "While this might classify as a check, I don't think it quite balances anything."

The Onion - America's Finest News Source

Resolved

Was chit-chatting with my cube neighbor after she stared giggling over something her husband had eMailed her. She does a lot of BA work and she's a grammar Nazi like me, so we get along well. The humor that triggered our conversation was something about a metaphor, so I commented, “The man that can handle you on a daily basis must be strong-willed.” As she described him I got all maudlin. Asked how long they'd been married—thrity-seven years. This definitely evoked a whimsical sigh as I thought about never be able to make a similar claim.

Pat Robertson Endorses Giuliani

Friday, November 9, 2007

Pat Robertson Endorses Giuliani

Televangelist Pat Robertson has endorsed former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani as Republican presidential candidate despite Giuliani's pro-abortion rights stance. What do you think?

Ashley Brennan, Systems Analyst "This makes perfect sense in light of his pro-Pat Robertson stance."

David Oppenheimer, Pewter Caster "I don't know whose credibility this ruins more."

Mike Hilleman, Fish Cleaner "Between an abrupt return to seasonal temperatures, the very real threat of no new episodes of Lost, and now this presidential endorsement, I am not exactly sure what the hell is going on."

The Onion - America's Finest News Source

New Trojan Horse Strikes Mac

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

New Trojan Horse Strikes Mac

A rare new Trojan horse that targets Mac users and takes over their computers has been found on pornographic websites. What do you think?

Bettie Farnsworth, Stocker "Before I answer I'd first like to know what the current societal views are regarding online pornography."

Rick Donnelly, Ground Crew "Though I know this Mac virus is undesirable, its rarity gives me an unquenchable thirst to possess it."

Dan Benincasa, Systems Analyst "Wait a minute. You can access porn on something that isn't a wall calendar? When did that happen?"

The Onion - America's Finest News Source