July 15th @ Mayaguez Be There or Be Square

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I'll be doing a DJ set here. Thanks Macoyo and the Icaro Azul guys for inviting me.

BBC Mundo | Internacional | Evac?an centro de Birmingham

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BBC Mundo | Internacional | Evac?an centro de Birmingham

Gracias a Dios no paso nada. Anyway, hay tres personas alla que estan en mis oraciones.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Key hacker magazine faces closure

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BBC NEWS | Technology | Key hacker magazine faces closure

Slashdot | The Escapist

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Slashdot | The Escapist: "Related Links"

BBC NEWS | Technology | Sasser creator avoids jail term

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BBC NEWS | Technology | Sasser creator avoids jail term

Fla. Baby Boom May Be Hurricane Aftershock - Yahoo! News

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Fla. Baby Boom May Be Hurricane Aftershock - Yahoo! News

london 07-07-05

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My heart goes to the people of London victims of this needless round of terror. With security forces concentrated on the G-8 in Scotland it doesn't come much as a surprise, but what really upsets is that innocent civilians that have nothing to do with Tony Blair's policies on the Middle East were needlessly hurt. It's pointless and a fucking shame.

Wired 13.07: God's Little Toys

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Wired 13.07: God's Little Toys
William Gibson on remix culture. A must read.

State: Wi-Fi cloaks a new breed of intruder

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State: Wi-Fi cloaks a new breed of intruder

Oh boy! Catching up it's a hard thing to do.......

PCWorld.com - Longhorn Preview

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PCWorld.com - Longhorn Preview Microsoft as always playing catchup with the rest of us.

Anatomy Of A Hack—The Rise And Fall Of Your Network

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Anatomy Of A Hack—The Rise And Fall Of Your Network

New York Dolls influence lives on

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New York Dolls influence lives on
Mon Jul 4, 2005 4:23 PM ET

By Sheri Linden

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - First-time filmmaker Greg Whiteley came to the subject of his documentary feature "New York Doll" not as a fan but as a friend of Arthur "Killer" Kane, bassist for the short-lived but influential '70s rock band the New York Dolls.

Their unlikely collaboration began at the Mormon temple in West Los Angeles, where the one-time hard-drinking musician worked part time until his death last year. This loving portrait centers on a June 2004 band reunion that quite startlingly turned out to be a valedictory for Kane. Slated for October release via First Independent Pictures, "New York Doll" is a tender take on life after stardom.

With their cheap-hooker drag and proto-punk ferocity, the Dolls dusted the sequins off glam rock and ignited passions at a time when self-serious metal and prog rock ruled the day. Bob Geldof, Chrissie Hynde, Morrissey, Iggy Pop and Mick Jones testify to the Dolls' inspirational sway. Mostly, though, Whiteley is concerned with how Kane weathered his post-Dolls comedown. "I've been demoted from rock star to schlep on the bus," the carless Kane notes with typically self-deprecating humor, childlike charm and the slightly stunned expression of someone not quite sure how his life turned out this way.

Barely getting by on extras work in films like "Spaceballs" after several failed attempts to start a band, he hit bottom after seeing former Dolls frontman David Johansen on TV in "Scrooged." His disastrous alcoholic rage led to the breakup of his marriage and his serendipitous discovery of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which he joined in 1989.

Several interviewees speak of Kane's envious appraisal of Johansen's music and film careers, his sense of being denied something due him and his obsession with the Dolls' heyday. So when Morrissey, guest curator of London's annual Meltdown Festival, asked the band to play last year, it was in many ways a dream materialized. Church colleagues gave Kane the $262.50 he needed to get his bass guitar out of hock.

Whiteley's access is most rewarding in footage of rehearsals for the show. Playing together for the first time in almost 30 years, the three surviving members -- Johansen, Sylvain Sylvain and Kane -- have an easy chemistry. Whatever jealousies and adversarial tensions Kane felt toward Johansen dissolve in the very evident creative connection and deep affection between them. As "New York Doll" powerfully captures, that reconnection turned out to be a blessing when Kane died unexpectedly just weeks after the show.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Billy Bragg - Some Days I See The Point - England, Half English

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Never saw a meaningful TV advert,
I don't think shopping is a metaphor for life
Don't waste my time at the gym in the morning,
Try to keep trim by living my life.

Wanna feel the wind blowing in my hair,
Wanna hear the waves crashing on the beach
I'm not seeking easy answers or inner peace
I'm just looking for some relief.


I want to help to make the world better,
But I can't do it all on my own
Try to keep a lid on my disappointment,
'Cos cynicism's such a cop out I know.


Watch the shadows of cloud moving on the hill
Open my eyes and drink my fill
On those days that I feel dejected
I come up here for a bit of perspective.

Gonna follow the path that climbs up through the trees
Walk along the cliff top and gaze out to sea
I feel free when I come up here
And if it's clear some days I see the point.

Live8, the heat and other related crap

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Just about as we were gonna test the servers for the station this morning, they were not available so I had to get up and go to the station. Normally that was not a problem, but when I couldn't sleep the night before because the fuckers who run the church in front of my house decided to have two trucks and some fuckers dumping cement in their parking lot until 2 am, that was a problem.

Yes, we did call the police. Apparently when bodies are not involved, they don't bother to come. I should've killed some of those fuckers then.

Anyhoo, made my way to the station in this fucking heat and it was no fun at all. Managed to check the servers and get the stream going.

Watched Live8 and yeah it was cool in so many levels, but somehow I was detached from it. Our station was rebroadcasting it and Iohann was making some commentary, but you don't open your mouth while the bands are playing. Who the fuck you think you are? That exasperated me to no end.

Aside from that, it was nice to hear the artists do their thing. The Pink Floyd reunion was great. Even if it was for four songs, that was worth it.

And what did Puerto Rico do to show for it? A stupid little show at the Borders near my place. That was all. How fucking pathetic. Pero puej, esto es Puerto Rico.

Wished Robbie Williams played 'We Will Rock You' with Queen. A proper fitting tribute to Freddie Mercury. Oh well. Anyhoo, you can kill me and shoot me but I do happen two like two Robbie Williams songs. The cover he did with Nicole Kidman of 'Something Stupid' and this one....

Robbie Williams - Feel Lyrics

Come and hold my hand
I wanna contact the living
Not sure I understand
This role I've been given

I sit and talk to God
And he just laughs at my plans
My head speaks a language
I don't understand

I just want to feel real love
Feel the home that I live in
'Cause I got too much life
Running through my veins
Going to waste

I don't want to die
But I ain't keen on living either
Before I fall in love
I'm preparing to leave her
I scare myself to death
That's why I keep on running
Before I've arrived
I can see myself coming

I just want to feel real love
Feel the home that I live in
'Cause I got too much life
Running through my veins
Going to waste
And I need to feel real love
And a life ever after
I cannot give it up

I just want to feel real love
Feel the home that I live in
I got too much love
Running through my veins
To go to waste

I just wanna feel real love
In a life ever after
There's a hole in my soul
You can see it in my face
It's a real big place

Come and hold my hand
I want to contact the living
Not sure I understand
This role I've been given
Not sure I understand
Not sure I understand
Not sure I understand
Not sure I understand

Music-wise, this is what I've been cranking on the Nomad these days:

Black Sabbath - Black Box - The Original Black Sabbath Years
The Damned - Damned Damned Damned
Sinead O'Connor - Collaborations
Mano Negra - the whole discography. This band rocked the planet
Primus - the whole discography. I do like Les Claypool's quirky musical world.

Wishing you a fucking hot and long Fourth of July. T minus two days to see my lovely girlfriend.

Out, bitches!

Web Only News

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Web Only News

MORON OF THE DAY: Bad keystroke leads to $251 million stock buy | CNET News.com

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Bad keystroke leads to $251 million stock buy | CNET News.com

Howto: Create Your Own Podcasting Show On Windows [ ZefHemel.com ]

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Howto: Create Your Own Podcasting Show On Windows [ ZefHemel.com ]

Stephen's Web ~ by Stephen Downes ~

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Stephen's Web ~ by Stephen Downes ~

Derecho A Admision A Los Malls

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Lo que faltaba. Que mal!

Derecho de admisión a malls

Viernes, 1 de julio de 2005

Por Rafael Lama Bonilla
End.rlama@elnuevodia.com

Por años, los centros comerciales de Puerto Rico han contado con códigos de conducta, pero sin las garras necesarias para poder penalizar a aquellos que los violentan.

Sin embargo, todo esto podría cambiar en las próximas semanas si el gobernador Aníbal Acevedo Vilá convierte en ley el Proyecto del Senado 410, una medida que le permitirá a los centros comerciales reservarse el derecho de admisión de aquellos que violan estos códigos, al igual que declarar ciertas conductas delitos menos grave con penalidades de hasta $500.

Durante una reunión del Capítulo de Puerto Rico del Concilio Internacional de Centros Comerciales (ICSC, por sus siglas en inglés), el senador Héctor Martínez, autor de la medida, habló sobre la importancia de la aprobación de dicho proyecto, a raíz del sinnúmero de delitos que se han suscitado en centros comerciales alrededor de la Isla en años recientes.

Francis Xavier González, presidente entrante del capítulo local del ICSC, explicó el proyecto no provee espacio para que se discrimine por religión, raza o condición social, pero sí viabiliza que se analice la conducta delictiva de un individuo para así poder prohibirle el acceso al centro comercial.

“Hoy en día cualquier persona que venga a cometer delito en centro comercial, ya sea robo de cartera o de lo que sea, lo sacas hoy y mañana regresa. De ser aprobada, la ley me permite impedirle la entrada por un tiempo determinado y si vuelve antes de este tiempo, puedo ir a las autoridades para que lo declaren un delito menos grave con multas de hasta $500”, comentó González, quien también funge como gerente general regional de Developers Diversified, dueños centros comerciales como Plaza del Sol en Bayamón, Plaza del Norte en Hatillo y Plaza Río Hondo, entre otros.

Por su parte María Cristina Castillo, directora de Mercadeo para Simon -dueños de Plaza Carolina- explicó que tanto ellos, como Plaza Las Américas y Plaza del Sol- ya cuentan con sus propios códigos de conducta.

En el caso de Plaza Carolina el mismo cuenta con 18 normas, incluyendo la prohibición del uso de fuerza física y el uso de improperios.

“Pero al día de hoy no se ha podido reforzar como tal, porque no tenemos el derecho de sacar a las personas. De ser aprobada la ley, algunas de esas conductas, dependiendo de la gravedad, podrán ser penalizadas”, afirmó Castillo.

HTML FIX IT.COM: Scaredy Cats’ Introduction to Linux

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HTML FIX IT.COM: Scaredy Cats’ Introduction to Linux

Taken from Yahoo Korea via boingboing

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I'm speechless! Schwing!
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Me at ze DJ booth at Nuestro Ambiente while at Los Nervios - El Medio - Oscilador 4 and Matotumba. Yeah that's my "WHAT?" look.

Clerk Of Caught - June 30, 2005 - MORON OF THE DAY

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Clerk Of Caught - June 30, 2005: "
Clerk Of Caught
NYC man busted for selling pot from federal courthouse office

JUNE 30--A Brooklyn man was arrested yesterday for actually running a marijuana sales operation out of the clerk's office in the Manhattan federal courthouse. According to the below criminal complaint, file clerk Nikolas Morales sold $10 dime bags to a confidential witness working with federal investigators. Morales was hit with a felony drug rap for his efforts, which occurred in a building populated with federal prosecutors, judges, FBI and DEA agents, and other assorted law enforcement personnel. To his credit, though, Morales advised his customer--who was wearing a government wire--not to toke near the courthouse due to the elevated fuzz quotient. Instead, Morales suggested that the purchaser head to the vicinity of a nearby C-Town supermarket where, presumably, the coast was clear. (6 pages)"

Comparing security on Windows and Linux

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Comparing security on Windows and Linux

XP Starter under the gun | CNET News.com

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XP Starter under the gun | CNET News.com

If it looks like crap and it smells like crap, it must be Redmond's latest!!!! WOOOO!!!!!

LXer: Following Bill Gates' Linux Attack Money

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LXer: Following Bill Gates' Linux Attack Money muckraking 101

Know your Linux options

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Know your Linux options

CNN.com - Brazil may build?$100 laptops - Jun 30, 2005

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CNN.com - Brazil may build?$100 laptops - Jun 30, 2005

$100 laptops in Brazil. $100 desktops in India. TOMA!

tres suen~os de tres pares de cojones. o algo.

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Anyway, anoche son~e con un que estaba en el cine y estaba viendo esta pelicula documental sobre un asesino en serie a lo Buffalo Bill (Silence of The Lambs) pero mas nasty y lo peor es que el cabron le gustaba dejar los pellejos de la gente colgando en lugares publicos. Despues dever el documental salgo del cine y me encuentro a mi hermano mayor y su familia y el tenia este station wagon bieeeen retro y me ofrecio pon a casa. Yo iba atras jugando con los sobrinitos (que en este suenyo estaban de lo mas dociles y no son las bestias incontrolables de ADD que normalmente son) y de alguna manera tenia el presentimiento de que el serial killer nos estaba siguiento.

El otro fue que estaban filmando una pelicula aqui y de alguna manera termino envuelto en la produccion. La cuestion es que aparentemente le cai bien al actor principal y a Harvey Keitel. Los dos estabamos bebiendo y jodiendo y si tuve mi momento de fanboy con Mr. Keitel y el tipo era como de lo mas humilde. El supuestamente me dijo que solo fue un tipo con suerte cuyo curriculum vitae sobresalio de toda una ernorme pila de resumes que habian dejado al momento de el buscar su primer guiso. Yo quede como que ???????? but that's a nearly coherent drunken rant to you.....

Y para finalizar, son~e que estaba en una abadia a lo The Order (Si. Sacerdotes que usan magia y la pendejada). Era una abadia enorme. La cuestion es que llega este chamaco dizque a arreglar unas computadoras ahi. Le ensen~o donde estan y me voy a una parte de la abadia a meditar y ver el paisaje de ahi. Un lugar enorme. La cuestion es que de repente veo al chamaco viniendo del otro lado montado en una motora y va en mi direccion. De alguna manera mi sexto sentido me dice que por ahi viene la caca y cuando el tipo se me acerca, el cabron es un hombre lobo. El cabron me viene a caer en cima y yo cogo dos cosas que tenia en mi sotana que resultan ser inyecciones con nitrato de plata. Se las pongo en el cuello y le salgo con

"mira cantodecabron. yo se que debajo de toda esa masa de pelo hay un ser humano. y yo se que puedes oler el nitrato de plata que tengo en estas inyecciones bien cerquita de tu cuello. tu podras meterme las manos y quizas matarme, pero yo con solo pincharte y que esta mierda entre en tu sangre, te jodiste. asi que tu yo lo pienso mejor antes de apuntarte la cherry comingo, capisce?"

el cabron revertio a humano, se disculpa y se larga de ahi como alma que lleva el diablo.

breguen con eso.

Linux And Non MS OSes - Switching To Linux Checklist - OSNews.com

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Linux And Non MS OSes - Switching To Linux Checklist - OSNews.com A must read before tackling Linux.

Microsoft to Blanket Latin America with Stripped-Down Windows

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Microsoft to Blanket Latin America with Stripped-Down Windows

Boing Boing: Journalist's blog documents DEA's war on California

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Boing Boing: Journalist's blog documents DEA's war on California

NewsForge | Linux to the rescue: A review of three system rescue CDs

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NewsForge | Linux to the rescue: A review of three system rescue CDs

NewsForge | Microsoft's New Monopoly

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NewsForge | Microsoft's New Monopoly

Viva Software Libre!

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Viva Software Libre!

Boffins create zombie dogs | The Other Side | Breaking News 24/7 - NEWS.com.au (27-06-2005)

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Boffins create zombie dogs | The Other Side | Breaking News 24/7 - NEWS.com.au (27-06-2005)

Por aquello de aclarar dudas........

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.....me reafirmo de que 99.9 por ciento de los seres humanos son el mejor laxante y fertilizador que existe en este planeta. Que mucha mierda hablan, hacen y son. No es por nada ni nadie en particular. Es que es lunes tu saes......

CNN.com - Toads married in Hindu ceremony to appease rain gods - Jun 7, 2005

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CNN.com - Toads married in Hindu ceremony to appease rain gods - Jun 7, 2005

Ain't love grand? Courtesy of lightshadow

NewsForge | Open source hides secret data

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NewsForge | Open source hides secret data

NewsForge | The facts behind the "Get the Facts" ad campaign

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NewsForge | The facts behind the "Get the Facts" ad campaign

Pitchfork: Daily Music News

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Pitchfork: Daily Music News Corporate Plunder and Pillage Part 665 and 3/4

BBC NEWS | Technology | Software piracy 'seen as normal'

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BBC NEWS | Technology | Software piracy 'seen as normal'

Radio Contest Winner Sues Over Candy Bar - Yahoo! News

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Radio Contest Winner Sues Over Candy Bar - Yahoo! News

NewsForge | OpenOffice.org Writer vs. Microsoft Word

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NewsForge | OpenOffice.org Writer vs. Microsoft Word

The Darknet and the Future of Content Distribution

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The Darknet and the Future of Content Distribution

Ourmedia Homepage | Ourmedia

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Ourmedia Homepage | Ourmedia

FreeCulture.org: an international student movement

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FreeCulture.org: an international student movement

Darknet: Concept: darknets

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Darknet: Concept: darknets

Slashdot | Darknet: Hollywood's War

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Slashdot | Darknet: Hollywood's War

Six-legged puppy dumped at temple

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Six-legged puppy dumped at temple

a death in the family

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My foster grandma passed away this monday. We were expecting it for a while, so no surprises there. I'm happy she's in a better place. A really decent woman. Rest In Peace, darling.

DJ gig on thursday. Hellish summer heat all over. Oh well.

Corgan offers pumpkins reunion

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Corgan offers pumpkins reunion

So Wrong, Yet Hysterical

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Chips Found in Place of Woman's Ashes - Yahoo! News

TipMonkies

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TipMonkies

Casos, Cosas, Contradicciones y Coincidencias

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Last week I managed to get together with my lovely girlfriend and actually have some quality time. Lots of it. And loved every nanosecond of it. She's so lovely and these days I can only sleep like a baby if she's around. Stayed with Viv and Stiv until Monday morning. Viv was sick but still we watched movies and had fun.

Fast forward to this week. More drama at home. Just when I think I should stick around for a bit to save some money to make my move, down comes more family drama. Frankly, I'm not interested. *Sighs* I realized a long time ago the concept of a family unit does not exist anymore in that household. Not my problem anymore. I just stopped caring.

Watched The Shield Season Finale yesterday. Mixed feelings about it. There are enough loose ends for the next season but still I wanted a bit more.

Two days ago, I was out and on my way to work and out of nowhere this old guy from the neighborhood asks me if I needed a ride to work. I am very fucking paranoid regarding strangers, but I guess my detector didn't go off with this coot. Nice guy. Looking for a conversation. Drove me to work. Anyway, he's from the neighborhood, so I know where he lives. Still, it was odd but nice.

Well until yesterday we had almost a month without a stream at the station so after 8 long years of my last offer to them to do it, the powers at be took my offer seriously. Nevermind that the bright minds spent over $3000 on an equipment that does not work at all. God was I laughing while setting the streams. Anyway, wrote two nice and long letters to the station manager about it. Working things with Eze so we get that responsibility.

Anyway, got my contract renewed and a small raise. Hooray! And apparently the job I want is just around the corner. We just have to get things in motion.

My baby was without a phone and without internet for a while, but we still keep in touch. She's so amazing. I had one of those long chats on the phone and I find myself trusting this woman with everything and I don't mind at all. Lovely.

Batman Begins started today and because I had to put the finishing touches on the station's streams, I had to pass seeing it with Joel. Tomorrow there's an office party and I don't think I will attend. Too tired and probably too brain fried from today and tomorrow.

Sleeping with this heat is hellish, but I will have to grin and bear it.

Oh, and lest I forget. Yes, I still manage to get people riled, give them enough rope and they dutifully hang themselves. Gotta love it when these pathetic fucks make asses out of themselves with little or no prodding.

I want to see Madagascar, Batman Begins, Land of The Dead, my baby, meet my feline equivalent, and play with my nephews.

I owe Vero some cd's with music.

Out!

Linux Exposed :: The Linux Security and Hacking Resource - Case of a wireless hack

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Linux Exposed :: The Linux Security and Hacking Resource - Case of a wireless hack

Howstuffworks "How the Batsuit Works"

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Howstuffworks "How the Batsuit Works"

CoolTechZone::Column: No Threat to Linux with Apple and Intel Deal

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CoolTechZone::Column: No Threat to Linux with Apple and Intel Deal

Wired 10.05: Must Read

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Wired 10.05: Must Read

Blogging Burnout

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Blogging Burnout

W00t!

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Nature Takes Over A Gas Station!

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Nature Takes Over A Gas Stationt

Bruce Sterling's Blog At Wired

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Bruce Sterling's Blog Texan Sci-fi writer's blog. Read on and enjoy.

PSICONAUTAS

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PSICONAUTAS
Local Puerto Rican psychedelic rawk band. Established 1995.

Creative Commons and Webcomics by T Campbell :: Comixpedia :: Covering the Digital Frontier of Comics Online

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Creative Commons and Webcomics by T Campbell :: Comixpedia :: Covering the Digital Frontier of Comics Online

Pink Floyd to reform - NME.COM

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Pink Floyd to reform - NME.COM WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

An actual post! O algo........

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Might as well take advantage of this spare moment I have to actually write something, huh? So aside from my lovely little gatherings with my lovely girlfriend, I've had tons of stuff to do. Just because your boss is away on vacation doesn't mean there is nothing to do. Lots of work. Little sleep due to the hellish heat despite a nice little fan. I actually look forward to see my girlfriend tomorrow and have two days of peace and quiet. Was looking for an apartment to move but only one that I'm interested. Paid my bills. Bought a gig of RAM for my laptop. Right now I need a nap and today is the longest day of my work week. Looking forward to watch "Madagascar" and "High Tension". Also been getting lots of music to listen to and collect. Ask my girlfriend. Teehee!

Geek 2 Geek - The Best Place on the Net to Meet Geeks!

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Geek 2 Geek - The Best Place on the Net to Meet Geeks!

New York Daily News - Home - Nerds make better lovers

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New York Daily News - Home - Nerds make better lovers

Ctrl Alt Del - Tragically l337

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Ctrl Alt Del - Tragically l337 Que mal!

Column from PC Magazine: The Mac-Intel Computer, Finally!

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Column from PC Magazine: The Mac-Intel Computer, Finally!

And it came true after all!

Apple Switch

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Apple Switch Dvorak's prediction

Mandriva Linux: The Next Generation Distro?

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Mandriva Linux: The next generation Distro ?
[ Software Reviews ] posted by mewt Poster - What are these symbols?Recruit (1pts) -

What are these symbols? on Friday, June 03, 2005 4:18 PM
Linux is making a name for itself as a better and more secure system. Mandriva managed to fuse this with one of the most user friendly distributions ever created.


Mandriva Linux 2005: The Next Generation Distro ?

Linux ?? Woohaa! What's that ?!?!

Linux is becoming more of a frequent word when it comes to choosing an Operating System. Gone are the days when Windows was THE operating system for the average home user. Linux was then considered to be only for technical ppl or for those that could spend hours on end configuring their system. However the waters are shifting. Linux distributions have become better and more user friendly over the years while retaining their characterising stability. To prove this I have just run a completely new installation of Mandriva Linux 2005 limited edition. Mandriva Linux ( formerley known as Mandrake linux) has always been renowed as one of the most user friendly distributions available. Mandriva Linux is available for several architectures (types) of the cpu family. Mainly it is available for PPC (power PC ) which are machines running Motorola based Processors ( these are mainly Mac computers), i586 is for 32-bit processors both from Intel and AMD. These include the Intel Pentium 4 and The AMD athlon. (this is probably the distribution you need to get ) x86-64 is for processors which are 64-bit compatible such as the AMD64 processor.

The beginning: Getting the distro...

As all other linux distributions, Mandriva LE2005 is distributed under the GPL ( General public licence) and is available to everybody by downloading the appropriate cd images from one of the many public ftp servers and burning them to cd. Alternatively Mandriva may send you a boxed edition containing cds and manuals for the first time user for a reasonable fee. With this you get more software than one would get with the downloadable version. The last way to obtain linux distributions is as easy and is what I did...buy a computer magazine which has as give away cds a full linux distribution. In my case this month was Mandriva Linux and here I am writing this article using my free linux distribution using Open Office.org 1.1.4 which is a free office suite distributed with Mandriva Linux and many other Distros (more on this later). Remeber that all linux distribution cds can be copied freely and distributed, so if you get a distribution don't keep it for yourself but make copies and give it out to all your friends! BE careful to download the correct version for your processor class. Normally the typical home user would need the i586 version although this may not always be the case.

Preparation: Installing the System...

Mandriva comes as a bootable cd, this means that all one has to do to start the installation process is to turn on his computer and put in the first cd (or the dvd if using the dvd version) into the drive. This will load the setup process and load all information needed. Up till now nothing any more difficult that a windows installation right ? No...thought so :) The obvious thing to do in such a situation is to follow the instructions given. One important part of the setup is partitioning. Probably most of those installing Linux for the first time, will have windows as their main system. So how to install Mandriva and still retain your windows partition ? ( a partition is a section of the hard disk which is reserved entitrely for the operating system's use). Luckily enough Mandriva has thought of this and thus provides the option to remove some free space from the Windows partition and use it as space to install itself on. For a comfortable install 5-10 Gb of space are recommended. Other options are very straight forward. Setup will prompt you to choose a security level. Standard level is recommended for home users. You may set this to higher levels according to one's wish. However this might restrict some options and access. Such levels of security are only needed if the linux installation is intended for use as a server.
The nice thing about linux is the choice of what is to be installed. In windows you get very few options of what can be installed and what not, however in linux you can choose what to install. Such options include: Workstation ( this will install a complete Office suite), multimedia station ( Installs media players and movie players) and may others. Obviously help is given to understand better what each choice does. There is also a choice of servers which unless you know what you are doing, one should leave alone. These include Web and ftp servers: to be able to serve your own webpages from your computer. When one has chosen all the packages to install, these are installed. The last step of setup, after installation of packages is complete, is that to install a bootloader. This is a simple menu that will run everytime one turns on the computer and provides the facility to choose which operating system to be loaded...Windows or linux. The reamining options are that to enter a root password (this password is needed to be able to modify system files which are otherwise restricted) and add a user. Final options are setting up of mouse, keyboard, language and network settings. Done that rebooting is the only option left!


Setting up a Root password



Choosing which packages to install


Takeoff: Controlling the beast...erm.. penguin

Up till now I have reviewed the installation process, but what about the system itself ? Mandriva Linux instantly impresses the user with it's sleek appearance. The system, for those that love their windows counterpart, looks amazingly like that of Windows Xp. The Kicker (taskbar) has mainly the same features as it's counterpart in windows. It provides easy access to many programs and also encapsulates various applets in it. An example of a wonderful applet is Kweather that provides up to date weather information from various weather stations including the Maltese weather station in Luqa, thus I can have the current weather report at any time including wind force and dew point!
Mandriva also comes loaded with tons of programs according to the packages chosen during setup. A few are openoffice.org which is a complete office suite and is able to open Microsoft office files and is able to handle many file formats with added support to ecport files as pdf files. Also one finds a choice of multi-protocol instant messaging clients ( a client that can support msn, yahoo, jabber and many other protocols) These are Kopete and gaim and both have a myriad of features. Mandriva also comes with three web browsers to choose from ( yes you are spoilt for choice ;) ) This also includes the now famous Firefox browser which has now surpassed the 50 million download mark and is known to be the most secure browser in the browser market. Mandriva manages also to defy the popular belief that Linux is no good when it comes to multimedia performance. Not only Mandriva comes with programs to play music such as Totem media player and Kaffeine but also provides tools to edit music, play audio cds, rip audio cds and record audio. Image editing ? We got that too! Mandriva comes loaded with The Gimp, a first grade image editor, which have also been used to edit some of the screenshots taken. Screenshots can also be taken with the help of Ksnapshot, an excellent program which not only allows to take simple screenshots but also enables the selection of the area to be captured.
Mandriva's list of programs is almost unlimited, too much to list here, but to mention a few:

K3B – a first rate CD and DVD burner
ARK– File compression Utility
Nautilus – A very light but efficient File manager
Kwrite -- File editing utility
Kontact – Mail managing utility
Kdenlive – Video Editor


How your desktop will look with some proggies running


These are only a few of the many applications that can be found in Mandriva but what about installing new ones ? Mandriva Linux supports rpms. These are partly the equivalent of exe files in windows in the sense that they automate the process of installing new programs which would need to be compiled separately and installed in a more complicated process. Thus many websites of open source software offer pre-compiled rpms that can be installed on the system by a double-click. A good example of a program I installed on my new Mandriva Box was amsn ( http://amsn.sf.net ). Although the system has gaim and kopete which both support msn messaging, I prefer having a more dedicated program (although this is just a personal opinion). Thus I visited the amsn website and downloaded the Mandriva rpm. Double-clicked on it and Hey presto amsn was installed on my system and ready to be used.


The penguin gets an added bonus!

Mandriva Linux can also be updated to the latest secuurity fixes provided by Mandriva ( Mandriva is the company that produces Mandriva Linux ) through the very user friendly RpmDrake. Rpmdrake is a program that when run synchronises with one of the many mirrors available and lists any security updates, bug fixes or simple updates available for your system. This makes sure that the system is always secure and up to date with the click of a button. Through Rpmdrake, one can also install bug fixes for the various programs installed and also updates for them. One might argue that Linux can be quite a limited system without an internet connection, however it is no more limited than any other operating system with the added advantage that linux distributions are updated regularly with new releases that are used to upgrade the system.


Let the force be with you!

As you have seen, a Mandriva linux box is no more difficult to set up than a windows system. It is all very straight forward and easy to do, although this might seem much more complicated to the new user. Don't get discouraged though, Linux is all about trying out new things and learning more about one's computer. Thus as a last note, I'd like to remind that google has a linux only search engine at www.google.com/linux , where one can search linux related articles and tutorials. Also for those that do not want to plough ahead with a full linux install before trying out the system, they can download one of the live cds many famous distributions prepare. A live cd is a full system which works entirely from a cd-rom. Thus the data on any hard disks present is safe from damage while one can try out a new system. A few distributions that have live cds are Mandriva, Ubuntu and Mepis. Remember that the first distribution you try may not be the best one for you, so look around and see what is best for you! :D


The reviewers Rig:

Abit AS8 socket 775 motherboard
Intel Pentium 4 LGA775 800Fsb 1Mb cache with HT
2x 512Mb DDR400 corsair RAM
160Gb serial ata IBM hard disk with 8Mb cache
Sony DVD+RW 16x
Abit GeforceFx 5200 128Mb

Why Apple's switch to Intel is a good thing - OSNews.com

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Why Apple's switch to Intel is a good thing - OSNews.com

Open letter to Apple about its marriage with Intel - OSNews.com

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Open letter to Apple about its marriage with Intel - OSNews.com

In Tokyo, a Ghetto of Geeks

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In Tokyo, a Ghetto of Geeks

CVS launches disposal digital camcorder in the U.S.

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Technology News Article | Reuters.com: "NEW YORK (Reuters) - CVS Corp. (CVS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday begun selling a disposable digital camcorder which the No. 2 U.S. drugstore chain hopes would boost its photo lab business and be as popular as the single-use film and digital cameras.

The $29.99 pocket-sized camcorder was developed by Pure Digital Technologies Inc., a San Francisco-based start-up company.

Jonathan Kaplan, chief executive of Pure Digital, told Reuters in an interview the camcorder's launch made CVS the nation's first retailer to offer such a camcorder but it would be eventually be distributed widely as other retailers sign up to sell it.

The camcorder weighs under 5 ounces and holds 20 minutes of digital video and sound. It features a 1.4 inch color playback screen and an ability to delete video, and it saves video on a memory chip instead of tapes.

After shooting, customers have to return the recyclable camcorder to their local CVS store and its contents would then be transferred onto a DVD disc to view and share for a $12.99 processing fee.

Single-use film and digital cameras have been cited by analysts as among key drivers of repeat visits to stores, helping traditional photo processors like drugstores and supermarkets mitigate the effects of a declining film market.

The camcorder is manufactured in China and the memory chip is supplied by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (005930.KS: Quote, Profile, Research) , the world's largest memory chip maker.

The one-time-use camera category has grown to be 218 million units annually and is expected to account for 38 percent of total film volume in the United States this year, according to Mike Wolf, director of digital photography trends at market research firm, InfoTrends/CAP Ventures.

'A simple and affordable one-time use digital camcorder,' he said in a statement, 'could spur growth in the digital video market in a similar way.'

? Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved. "

Microsoft Planning 'Lower Rights' IE 7.0

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Microsoft Planning 'Lower Rights' IE 7.0

Symphony OS - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Symphony OS - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Apple's Intel Desktop Move Threatens Linux Desktop, Longhorn

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Apple's Intel Desktop Move Threatens Linux Desktop, Longhorn

ThisisLondon

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ThisisLondon

World’s fastest inkjet printer? | The Red Ferret Journal

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World’s fastest inkjet printer? | The Red Ferret Journal

BBC NEWS | Business | $80bn Google takes top media spot

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BBC NEWS | Business | $80bn Google takes top media spot

P4 Mac - Overview

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P4 Mac - Overview How to convert a Mac G3 to a Pentium IV PC.

Apple throws the switch, aligns with Intel | CNET News.com

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Apple throws the switch, aligns with Intel | CNET News.com It's official!

Video-game industry mulls over the future beyond shoot-'em-ups | csmonitor.com

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Video-game industry mulls over the future beyond shoot-'em-ups | csmonitor.com

Editorial: Why Apple's Switch Makes Sense NOW - OSNews.com

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Editorial: Why Apple's Switch Makes Sense NOW - OSNews.com

Internet anonymity for Windows power users | The Register

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Internet anonymity for Windows power users | The Register

Windows hack for Web-surfing privacy | The Register

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Windows hack for Web-surfing privacy | The Register

So what info does WinXP really send to MS? | The Register

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So what info does WinXP really send to MS? | The Register

Registry hack turns XP Pro into server, vice versa | The Register

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Registry hack turns XP Pro into server, vice versa | The Register Mo Hacks.

Hack can upgrade XP Home to XP Pro Lite | The Register

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Hack can upgrade XP Home to XP Pro Lite | The RegisterMo on da hack to change Home to XP Pro Lite

Register All of Your Sex Partners at Shagster.net - Reported by Aunty Spam's Net Patrol

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Register All of Your Sex Partners at Shagster.net - Reported by Aunty Spam's Net Patrol

Rampleteo.com o algo.

Man sues for $10 million over exploding toilet - Peculiar Postings - MSNBC.com

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Man sues for $10 million over exploding toilet - Peculiar Postings - MSNBC.com

Boy that guy had a blast!

Tiger burns bright | InfoWorld | Review | 2005-06-03 | By Tom Yager

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Tiger burns bright | InfoWorld | Review | 2005-06-03 | By Tom Yager Another article bout Mac OS X 10.4

AnandTech: No more mysteries: Apple's G5 versus x86, Mac OS X versus Linux

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AnandTech: No more mysteries: Apple's G5 versus x86, Mac OS X versus Linux Insightful article about what the G5 is really about.

www.no-more-blind-computer.com

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www.no-more-blind-computer.com

A really interesting application takes shape here.

Microsoft to Roll Out Windows 2000 Update Rollup

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Microsoft to Roll Out Windows 2000 Update Rollup

Technology News: Commentary: The Most Powerful Labor Union in the World: Linux?

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Technology News: Commentary: The Most Powerful Labor Union in the World: Linux?

HOWTO Change Windows XP Home to Windows XP Pro : Gizmodo

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HOWTO Change Windows XP Home to Windows XP Pro : Gizmodo