Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
For those of you unaware of the change in the terms of service that was recently revoked...
They tried to slip this in:
"You hereby grant Facebook an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license (with the right to sublicense) to (a) use, copy, publish, stream, store, retain, publicly perform or display, transmit, scan, reformat, modify, edit, frame, translate, excerpt, adapt, create derivative works and distribute (through multiple tiers), any User Content you (i) Post on or in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof subject only to your privacy settings or (ii) enable a user to Post, including by offering a Share Link on your website and (b) to use your name, likeness and image for any purpose, including commercial or advertising, each of (a) and (b) on or in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof."
Meaning, basically, they own any and all content you put on facebook. And if you cancel your account, they still own every piece of material you put online. There were protests and groups formed against this change in policy and due to the outcry, Facebook backed down. The creators said in their blog:
"Many of us at Facebook spent most of today discussing how best to move forward. One approach would have been to quickly amend the new terms with new language to clarify our positions further. Another approach was simply to revert to our old terms while we begin working on our next version. As we thought through this, we reached out to respected organizations to get their input."
Translation: We didn't think you would notice what a bunch of dicks we are, but since you did we're going to back down and say the terms of service need a change of "language."
And then on the facebook bill or rights group, the creators say:
"5. We apologize for the confusion around these issues. We never intended to claim ownership over people's content even though that's what it seems like to many people. This was a mistake and we apologize for the confusion."
As if they didn't have a dozen lawyers drafting the language.
It's almost enough for me to bail on Facebook. This is the age of privacy rights and we have to be vigilant.
They tried to slip this in:
"You hereby grant Facebook an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license (with the right to sublicense) to (a) use, copy, publish, stream, store, retain, publicly perform or display, transmit, scan, reformat, modify, edit, frame, translate, excerpt, adapt, create derivative works and distribute (through multiple tiers), any User Content you (i) Post on or in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof subject only to your privacy settings or (ii) enable a user to Post, including by offering a Share Link on your website and (b) to use your name, likeness and image for any purpose, including commercial or advertising, each of (a) and (b) on or in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof."
Meaning, basically, they own any and all content you put on facebook. And if you cancel your account, they still own every piece of material you put online. There were protests and groups formed against this change in policy and due to the outcry, Facebook backed down. The creators said in their blog:
"Many of us at Facebook spent most of today discussing how best to move forward. One approach would have been to quickly amend the new terms with new language to clarify our positions further. Another approach was simply to revert to our old terms while we begin working on our next version. As we thought through this, we reached out to respected organizations to get their input."
Translation: We didn't think you would notice what a bunch of dicks we are, but since you did we're going to back down and say the terms of service need a change of "language."
And then on the facebook bill or rights group, the creators say:
"5. We apologize for the confusion around these issues. We never intended to claim ownership over people's content even though that's what it seems like to many people. This was a mistake and we apologize for the confusion."
As if they didn't have a dozen lawyers drafting the language.
It's almost enough for me to bail on Facebook. This is the age of privacy rights and we have to be vigilant.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Outlander
Finally a movie with a concept even better than Zombie Strippers.
....
What roller coaster ride of action and emotion. This movie has it all: stoic hero consumed by revenge meets beautiful local girl who knows how to wield a sword (if you know what I mean). Will she soften his heart and help him exorcise his troubled past? Local warrior/heir to the throne is skeptical of hero at first, but camaraderie in the heat of battle forges a deep and lasting friendship. I don't want to ruin anything by giving away more of the plot (and I use that term loosely), but I will say one more thing: Space Dragons. Oh hells yes: SPACE DRAGONS!!!!
Check it out one time, won't you.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Sooooo good!!!
http://www.hulu.com/watch/55259/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-wed-jan-28-2009
Great interview with Neil DeGrasse Tyson!! Check it out!
"Who are we training to land on that thing with nuclear weapons?"
Even better:
Great interview with Neil DeGrasse Tyson!! Check it out!
"Who are we training to land on that thing with nuclear weapons?"
Even better:
Monday, January 26, 2009
Oh yeah, baby.
Look what's coming to Sprocketplug's house tomorrow!!!
Oh 1080p Matrix. Will you as beautiful as I hope you will?
Oh 1080p Matrix. Will you as beautiful as I hope you will?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
So say we all.
Dudes and Dudettes,
Well, it's time for my biannual blog. Since last I wrote I've been to a party celebrating the 75th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition. I've been to California, to Boston, and to Florida. I ended Fall quarter and started Winter quarter. I designed a time-travel device only to have my future self travel back and destroy it before its first run. I have loved, lost, and played a crap load of Left 4 Dead on the Xbox 360. Corporations have crumbled, economies have tumbled, and Solstice has passed. I learned the true meaning of christmas only to have woodland nymphs (dryads) steal the memories from me (or so I was told).
I bought a new phone, a new TV, and a new spleen. I think Graham Crackers are underrated. I spent 15 minutes watching Dr. Phil simply because the HD picture was so amazing. I'm looking forward to Joss Whedon's new show Dollhouse, I am looking forward to the X-Men: Wolverine movie. I am looking forward to playing Fallout 3.
here are some photos.
P.S. I love Starbuck.
Well, it's time for my biannual blog. Since last I wrote I've been to a party celebrating the 75th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition. I've been to California, to Boston, and to Florida. I ended Fall quarter and started Winter quarter. I designed a time-travel device only to have my future self travel back and destroy it before its first run. I have loved, lost, and played a crap load of Left 4 Dead on the Xbox 360. Corporations have crumbled, economies have tumbled, and Solstice has passed. I learned the true meaning of christmas only to have woodland nymphs (dryads) steal the memories from me (or so I was told).
I bought a new phone, a new TV, and a new spleen. I think Graham Crackers are underrated. I spent 15 minutes watching Dr. Phil simply because the HD picture was so amazing. I'm looking forward to Joss Whedon's new show Dollhouse, I am looking forward to the X-Men: Wolverine movie. I am looking forward to playing Fallout 3.
here are some photos.
P.S. I love Starbuck.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
How's it sit? Pretty cunning, don'tchya think?
"A man walks down the street in that hat, people know he's not afraid of anything."
Saturday, November 08, 2008
updates abound
Well I haven't written anything substantive in the past month or so, but much has been happening in the life of The Sprocketplug.
1) I have a new girlfriend. The Fighting Librarian
She's cooler than a slap bracelet and hotter than princess Leia in a metallic bikini.
2) I broke my foot (pictured below). It's been three weeks and I no longer need the crutches, but it still hurts, forcing me to walk not unlike the living dead.
3) I bought an Xbox 360 which, indirectly, lead to the breaking of my foot.
4) I made the most kick ass halloween costume of my life.
So you can't really see the whole thing but I got
a) Leather holster
b) replica .36 calibur pistol
c) lambskin vest
d) leather cowboy boots with spurs
e) little cigars
et alius, making me look like Clint Eastwood in his "man with no name" series. It was so fun. We went to high street and i hobbled around with my cowboy boot on one foot and my walking cast on the other. Two vicodin and a vodka martini later I was having the time of my life. hot girlfriend on my arm, surrounded by costumes of every sort, 'twas a night to remember. I was in a little pain for the next two days due to the fact that I wasn't supposed to be walking without crutches, but it was well worth it.
5) I got Barack Obama elected by giving him Ohio.
No thanks necessary, I was just doing my job to keep the world safe. Plus, I owed it to you guys after the 2004 election.
I hope you all are well!!!
-SP
1) I have a new girlfriend. The Fighting Librarian
She's cooler than a slap bracelet and hotter than princess Leia in a metallic bikini.
2) I broke my foot (pictured below). It's been three weeks and I no longer need the crutches, but it still hurts, forcing me to walk not unlike the living dead.
3) I bought an Xbox 360 which, indirectly, lead to the breaking of my foot.
4) I made the most kick ass halloween costume of my life.
So you can't really see the whole thing but I got
a) Leather holster
b) replica .36 calibur pistol
c) lambskin vest
d) leather cowboy boots with spurs
e) little cigars
et alius, making me look like Clint Eastwood in his "man with no name" series. It was so fun. We went to high street and i hobbled around with my cowboy boot on one foot and my walking cast on the other. Two vicodin and a vodka martini later I was having the time of my life. hot girlfriend on my arm, surrounded by costumes of every sort, 'twas a night to remember. I was in a little pain for the next two days due to the fact that I wasn't supposed to be walking without crutches, but it was well worth it.
5) I got Barack Obama elected by giving him Ohio.
No thanks necessary, I was just doing my job to keep the world safe. Plus, I owed it to you guys after the 2004 election.
I hope you all are well!!!
-SP
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
The Happening On BluRay
With the DVD and Blu-Ray releases of M. Night Shyamalan's "The Happening," I feel it my duty to once again implore you to avoid this film in any and all of its nefarious forms.
Even if you are given a free copy of this film by a beloved friend or relative, I beg of you, do not watch it. If you are captured by a band of marauding pirates and given the choice between walking the plank and watching the DVD with director's commentary, I urge you to seriously contemplate your decision.
I wish you all a wonderful day.
-SP
Even if you are given a free copy of this film by a beloved friend or relative, I beg of you, do not watch it. If you are captured by a band of marauding pirates and given the choice between walking the plank and watching the DVD with director's commentary, I urge you to seriously contemplate your decision.
I wish you all a wonderful day.
-SP
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Doing manly things.
So, I brought my shotgun back to Ohio with me and I decided it was time to give her a thorough cleaning. Since I had never done such a thing I went out to a Gander Mountain and bought the necessary supplies. Next was finding the owners manual for my Mossberg 500-A online and reading how to dis- and then reassemble my firearm.
Before:
During:
Oh shit, I didn't mean to disassemble the safety:
after about 3 hours and a dozen websites detailing the assembly of the safety mechanism:
Complete! Now who's ready for the Zombie Apocalypse?
Before:
During:
Oh shit, I didn't mean to disassemble the safety:
after about 3 hours and a dozen websites detailing the assembly of the safety mechanism:
Complete! Now who's ready for the Zombie Apocalypse?
Friday, September 26, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
New for Autumn!
I'm adding this to all my syllabi
Zombies: Should the zombie apocalypse occur during this quarter, all students will be excused from attending class.
rawr
Zombies: Should the zombie apocalypse occur during this quarter, all students will be excused from attending class.
rawr
Sunday, September 14, 2008
...and the world spins madly on.
I believe in imagination, the hopeless romantic, the quixotic hero, the villain with the handlebar mustache, and honeycrisp apples. I believe King Arthur was real, I believe there is life on other planets, I believe there is life on this planet. I believe in the
smooth, straight flight of a monster backhand huck into the endzone. I believe that America should adopt the metric system, cover the roadways with solar panels and send a human to mars. I believe in the perseverance of the human spirit, the undeniable power of a brilliant idea, and that everyone looks beautiful by candlelight. I believe in fantasies, heartache, and that moment before climax when the world stands absolutely still.
Your turn.
smooth, straight flight of a monster backhand huck into the endzone. I believe that America should adopt the metric system, cover the roadways with solar panels and send a human to mars. I believe in the perseverance of the human spirit, the undeniable power of a brilliant idea, and that everyone looks beautiful by candlelight. I believe in fantasies, heartache, and that moment before climax when the world stands absolutely still.
Your turn.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Thank you for this, Carl.
http://hasthelargehadroncolliderdestroyedtheworldyet.com/
Which also reminds me of this http://qntm.org/?board, and this http://qntm.org/?geocide
Funny stuff what with the end of days upon us.
I'm feeling good, are you guys?
_SprocketPlug_
Which also reminds me of this http://qntm.org/?board, and this http://qntm.org/?geocide
Funny stuff what with the end of days upon us.
I'm feeling good, are you guys?
_SprocketPlug_
Friday, September 05, 2008
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