I am not a number! I am a human being!

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

A Federal judge in Seattle has held that IP Addresses are not personal information.  The argument states that to be personally identifying, it must identify a person, but IP Addresses identify a computer.
What does that mean for the average joe?  An IP Address is the network equivalent of a telephone number.  It is not necessarily identify a computer, it could be a network router, cable TV box, your TIVO, or even a cellphone.  And that is the point the Judge is attempting to make, when you have someone\’s IP Address, you have identified part of the internet, but not who is currently using that device.
Now let\’s see this apply to the RIAA, and other privacy groups….
Judge Rules IP Addresses Not \”Personally Identifiable\”

Having slow downloads, maybe you have a corrupt preference file?

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

I haven\’t seen this issue, but this Apple Support Forums discussion (http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2072449&tstart=25 ), discusses a non-obvious troubleshoot step to take if you are experiencing seriously degraded download performance.

  1. Quit Safari
  2. In your home folder open Library –> Safari
  3. Drag your downloads.plist file to the desktop
  4. Open Safari
  5. Attempt an download, and compare the speed of the download

If you receive improved download speeds, then your downloads.plist file was damaged or corrupted.  Otherwise, you can move your downloads.plist file back to the safari folder, or trash it.  It\’s main purpose is to keep track of what files you have downloaded, so that Safari can display the \”Downloads\” pop up listing.

Why Are Movie Threequels Always So Terrible?

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

IO9 spends a few minutes discussing why \”Threequels\”, movie series end up becoming trilogy, typically end up having the third movie being rubbish.  Typically this is true, their examples include Spider-Man 3, Aliens 3, SuperMan 3, etc….
They\’ve really thought about this and have some good hints, tips, and suggestions for any aspiring film makers.
io9 – Why Are Movie Threequels Always So Terrible? – Movies.

Torchwood – Children of Earth (Pt 1) – Quick Review

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

Folks,
Just a short note regarding Torchwood COE…  Part 1 is excellent, and is probably the most explosive Torchwood episode ever…  Almost the perfect mix of suspense, action adventure, and drama.  Now we just need to see if Russel T Davies can continue this for the next 4 episodes.
COE starts shortly after the 3 recent Torchwood Audio plays that the BBC has just aired, and starts with the Torchwood team considering adding a new Medical Doctor to their team, after the death of the previous Doctor in the last series.  As you know, this series will introduce the oddly named  race of aliens known as \”The 456\”.  We find out that this is just a label the British called the aliens since we never learned their real name.
If you have BBC America, certainly flag this for watching….  Now Episode 2 is now been seen in the UK, and all I have to say so far is the beginning has the worse ever Sniper that is equipped with a Laser Designator Sniper Rifle that I have ever seen.  I am really, he should just yell \”I won\’t be needing this\”, drop the Rifle, and just try to sucker punch his victims…

Everything I Know About Parenting I Learned from Mythbusters

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

GeekDad has an article up, regarding Everything I Know About Parenting I Learned from Mythbusters.
The geek cult around Mythbusters extends beyond the myths, urban legends, and movie magic that hosts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage bust on the Discovery Channel. Through their science and creativity, the lessons learned on that show are also inspiration for parenting. Here are five gems from the popular television show that can be co-opted into parenting mantras.

(View the rest of the article at Everything I Know About Parenting I Learned from Mythbusters | GeekDad | Wired.com)

Good Luck

Benjamin SchollnickNo Comments

Ever feel like your being railroaded? Or that your day is sucking? Well, I think your day is going better than this one. Either way, may your day go better than this.