Friday, August 27, 2004are you being watched?
Marketing companies are getting more and more devious in the ways they collect information about consumers.
If you're using a PC, make sure you're running Spybot and/or AdAware!
Hidden trackers: your computer is giving you away
http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/current/goods_next.php
On the phone Mike began by describing the "exceptionally large and unbelievably detailed" psychographic database he had available. He told me that I could "drill down" to any level of specific requirements I might have for my target audience, and that he could provide millions of people "regardless of (the) complexity (of my request)."
If I wanted a list of females between 18 and 23 who live in Canada, are interested in cars, orangutans, bhangra and archery, and who visit sites X and Y at least three times a week, then it would be "no problem" targeting these people specifically.
Pushing the mute button on my bullshit detector, I asked how he could possibly have a list like this.
His explanation was shockingly simple. His company has developed a program that tracks all the Web sites people visit and what they look for on search engines. This information then gets indexed and cross-referenced so profiles can be created for targeted-marketing purposes.
Who would allow all of their Internet activities to be tracked and recorded so their psychographic profiles could be exploited by marketers? Well, as it turns out, a lot of people, though they aren't necessarily aware of it.
posted @ 09:10 AM PDT Thursday, August 26, 2004last day of 9-5
Today is my last day of the office grind and I'm hoping that I don't ever have to come back to it. What an amazing feeling!
Sweet terrifying freedom!! :)
posted @ 03:18 PM PDT Wednesday, August 25, 2004active surrender
Donˆ¢t let your choices
in life (if you choose
not to decide you have
still chosen) be based
on fear &/or laziness!
posted @ 11:44 PM PDT Tuesday, August 24, 2004renewable fuel NOW
For about $850 U.S. you can convert a diesel vehicle to run on 100% vegetable oil!
I am thinking about doing this after I move to the West Coast.
I also really like this company's logo!
Greasecar.com
http://www.greasecar.com
Greasecar vegetable Fuel Systems allow mechanically injected diesel vehicles to run on straight, filtered vegetable oil. Vegetable oil as fuel is a cleaner, safer and less expensive alternative to petroleum based fuel. It can be locally produced, even grown in your own back yard!
posted @ 11:50 AM PDT Saturday, August 21, 20043D photocopier?
I find this to be a total genius business idea and a very exciting technological development!!
Emachineshop.com
http://www.emachineshop.com
1. Download the easy-to-use free CAD software. You'll be designing in minutes and get feedback on your design in seconds.
2. Use the software to draw your design or import from an existing file.
3. At the click of your mouse your order is safely sent by web for manufacturing. It's that easy!
The possibilities really are infinite. Most machine shops won't do custom orders without a very large minimum order, which is often too expensive for individual inventors and small businesses. This is going to catalyze a lot of innovation.
So it's not quite a Star Trek replicator, but it's a step.
I am thinking about making custom cases for my drumset with it, perhaps in a lightweight polycarbonate...
posted @ 11:18 AM PDT Friday, August 20, 2004modern music
To hear some of the best electronic music being made today (in a variety of delicious flavours) check out OEM Radio.
posted @ 02:50 PM PDT Thursday, August 19, 2004online voter registration drive
Americans, if you haven't already you can register to vote online now!
Please consider encouraging others to do so as well!
posted @ 02:55 PM PDT Wednesday, August 18, 2004alternative air conditioning
Today a new system of cooling buildings in downtown Toronto using the naturally cold water of Lake Ontario is going into effect. Obviously, this isn't a solution for every city, but I find this to be a very interersting project.
Enwave Deep Lake Water Cooling System
http://www.enwave.com/enwave/dlwc/
Enwave and the City of Toronto have created an innovative cooling system that brings an alternative to conventional air conditioning to cool Toronto's downtown core ˆ… one that is clean, price competitive and energy efficient. A permanent layer of icy-cold (4¬°C) water 83 meters below the surface of Lake Ontario provides naturally cold water. This water is the renewable source of energy that Enwave's leading-edge technology uses to cool office towers, sports & entertainment complexes and proposed waterfront developments.
posted @ 12:10 PM PDT Tuesday, August 17, 2004appreciate your friends & family NOW
A friend of mine passed away unexpectedly over the weekend.
While I have a holistic view of death (I don't believe it's a bad thing) it's always difficult, especially when it's someone so young.
Life is uncertain. Life can be short. Show & tell your loved ones that you love them NOW so you don't have to wish you did when you had the chance.
We'll miss you. Rest in peace.
posted @ 10:27 AM PDT Monday, August 16, 2004energy is the key
Here's some practical activism from today's American college students which goes far beyond complaining & waving signs...
Clean energy goes to college
http://www.enn.com/news/2004-08-13/s_26512.asp
There is a new wave of activism sweeping across college campuses. Student groups are coordinating efforts to reduce fossil-fuel dependency by pushing for more renewable alternatives and putting forth specific goals for their colleges. They're also synchronizing their actions with other campuses across the United States, putting up a united front for cleaner energy.
posted @ 03:29 PM PDT Thursday, August 12, 2004curtailing freedom in the name of security
I find the Patriot Act to be one of the scariest things going on in America today. It has become cliche to call it Orwellian, but unfortunately it seems like things are going that way.
The provisions of this act are far-reaching, but here are a few pieces on its effect on libraries...
Librarians Set Aside 'Shhh' to Speak Out for Privacy
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0624-08.htm
At the Skokie library, which circulates 1.6 million items each year, officials have cut the number and types of records they keep to avoid having paperwork that they could have to turn over to federal agents.
Then there are those signs. And the thick file folder on a table in Anthony's third-floor office, stuffed with memos and legislative alerts that offer the only hint of her activist role.
"I'm about as mainstream, middle of the road as it gets," Anthony said. "I mean, look at me - I'm not fringe. But we're not just sweet Marian the Librarian. We do have a backbone and we are willing to take a stand."
I Love You, Madame Librarian by Kurt Vonnegut
http://michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=129
And on the subject of burning books: I want to congratulate librarians, not famous for their physical strength or their powerful political connections or their great wealth, who, all over this country, have staunchly resisted anti-democratic bullies who have tried to remove certain books from their shelves, and have refused to reveal to thought police the names of persons who have checked out those titles.
posted @ 03:44 PM PDT Wednesday, August 11, 2004divesting from yuppiedom
I've sold my house & am in the process of getting the majority of my possessions ready for a garage sale. My 1 year work contract ends in two weeks, and I'm moving 3000 kilometers away where I will dig into freelancing remotely from the forest.
I know that this is the right next step for me, but it's been interesting hearing the reactions of others. It's amazed me how many people have listed reason after reason why my plan won't work or other reasons I should attempt to keep making a living the "secure" 9-5 way. I'm especially getting this from Baby Boomers, who don't always get that things have changed (except the ones forced into "early retirement" of course.)
My standard response has become, "I'm not worried" (which is 99% true.) I know that a lot of the comments are coming out of genuine concern, but the doubters are definitely saying more about themselves than me with their words...
I have ten years of experience, loads of contacts, and know this will ultimately be a more rewarding path for me than staying in the city and sending out more resumes. It's a bit of a scary process, but I can handle it and know I will succeed.
Much love to those who have encouraged and helped me! I'll post the URL for my new consultancy website soon.
A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do
-- Bob Dylan |
posted @ 04:45 PM PDT Tuesday, August 10, 2004the spirit of the games
The Olympics have had "official" sponsors for years, but things are pushing the ridiculous for this year's Athens games!
Olympian struggle
http://www.halifaxherald.com/stories/2004/08/08/f202.raw.html
Sweltering sports fans who seek refuge from the soaring temperatures with a soft drink other than one made by Coca-Cola will be told to leave the banned refreshment at the gates or be shut out. High on the list of blacklisted beverages is Pepsi, but even the wrong bottle of water could land spectators in trouble.
...
Staff will also be on the lookout for T-shirts, hats and bags displaying the unwelcome logos of non-sponsors. Stewards have been trained to detect people who may be wearing merchandise from the sponsors' rivals in the hope of catching the eyes of television audiences. Those arousing suspicion will be required to wear their T-shirts inside out.
posted @ 10:30 AM PDT Monday, August 9, 2004simple wisdom
Here's a gem of a poem from Saul Williams' wickedly beautiful book , Said the Shotgun to the Head:
intelligence is intuitive
you needn't learn to love
unless you've been taught to fear and hate
posted @ 09:30 AM PDT Friday, August 6, 2004remember, Bush is protecting America from bad guys
Oops he did it again....
Bush In Verbal Gaffe
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0805042bush1.html
In an unfortunate, though not uncommon, verbal miscue, President George W. Bush today told a White House audience that his administration never stops thinking about ways to harm the United States. The embarrassing malapropism came as Bush appeared before military brass to sign a new $417 billion defense appropriation bill. Referring to the country's enemies, Bush said, "They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
Bush Anything But Moronic, According to Author
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/1128-02.htm
"Bush is not an imbecile. He's not a puppet. I think that Bush is a sociopathic personality. I think he's incapable of empathy. He has an inordinate sense of his own entitlement, and he's a very skilled manipulator. And in all the snickering about his alleged idiocy, this is what a lot of people miss."
...
"He has no trouble speaking off the cuff when he's speaking punitively, when he's talking about violence, when he's talking about revenge.
"When he struts and thumps his chest, his syntax and grammar are fine," Miller said.
"It's only when he leaps into the wild blue yonder of compassion, or idealism, or altruism, that he makes these hilarious mistakes."
posted @ 10:06 AM PDT Thursday, August 5, 2004computer cops
If this guy is guilty he's scum, but I have some issues with this type of searching for evidence...
Expert: Peterson researched extensively before San Francisco Bay trip
http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/08/05/peterson.trial
A police computer expert who pored over the double-murder defendant's five hard drives testified that Peterson went online to shop for a boat, study water currents and purchase a gift for his mistress: the means and motive for carrying out the crime.
posted @ 12:03 PM PDT Wednesday, August 4, 2004music information
If you're looking for information about musicians, bands, and their albums allmusic.com is a great resource for the basics.
posted @ 05:37 PM PDT Tuesday, August 3, 2004pocket bikes
I was at a friend's house last night and saw a group of young men zipping around on pocket bikes. These are miniature versions of racing motorcycles & they make an exceptionally irritating sound. A lot of municipalities are looking into banning them for safety and noise reasons.
They also look pretty silly....
Concern over kid motorcycles
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/07/20/eveningnews/main630763.shtml
They run on little lawn mower engines, which is just what they sound like and the gas-powered bike can go up to 60 miles-per-hour. Both the gas and a slower electric powered bike are marketed to children.
Pocket bikes offer thrills; cops see danger ahead
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20040801-9999-1n1mini.html
Joggers, walkers and rollerbladers along the shore turned toward the jarring noise, a kind of chain-saw whine that races up and down the spine and sets your molars vibrating.
Kongvongsai, 22, braked to a stop and removed his helmet. His face a portrait of pure joy, the office-supply store worker from Scripps Ranch told why he has hopped aboard the summer's hottest fad: pocket bikes.
posted @ 10:20 AM PDT
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