+Accusing someone of offending is downright stupid. How the hell can someone offend someone else? As a piss poor metaphor, if one were to yell, smack, and crush a rock for his entire life, that rock would still not be offended. +
++ +It is not possible to offend someone. If someone calls someone a faggot, a whole range of people could be offended. The person being called such might not care, while someone who overheard suddenly throws up a fit. +
++People choose to be offended. It very well may be subliminal, but it is still that person's own fault. +
++Retard is a common word people choose to be offended by. What does retard really mean? Well according to Dictionary.com, " noun 3. a slowing down, diminution, or hindrance." While it also goes on to say it is used as offensive slang against those that are "cognitively impaired," couldn't they just have easily said cognitively retarded? +
++Retard is just a word that means to slow something. To retard weed growth. Fire/flame retardant. Mentally retarded. The only people who are offended are those that decide that people shouldn't say such things. Anyone who thinks we should ever force an agenda of censorship does not deserve to be in the USA, or any other country that claims to be free. +
++Complaining or objecting to offensive terms merely gives them power. If Joe calls Tony a nigger, yes it is true that Joe is being a dick, but it is up to Tony to whether the word has any power or not. +
++This leads to the biggest problem with being offended. If someone is offended by a word, then other people have power over that person. So in the case above, if Tony ends up feeling hurt at the end, that means that Joe has power over him. +
++If I were to be offended by something someone said, I would be pissed that I don't have control over my own mind. Anyone out there offended by mere words? Harden the fuck up. Don't bottle it up, just learn how to control your own emotions, and the world (yours) will be a better place. +
+ + diff --git a/oldsite/07-Dec-2014-oh-the-outernet.html b/oldsite/07-Dec-2014-oh-the-outernet.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9dd518f --- /dev/null +++ b/oldsite/07-Dec-2014-oh-the-outernet.html @@ -0,0 +1,52 @@ + + + + + ++ Outernet is an interesting concept. Free information to all peoples in the world without censorship. They are currently running a campaign to launch more cubesats, produce this lantern device, and general funding. +
++ + Why is Outernet interesting? The technological concept behind it all is essentially broadcast Internet. Devices such as the lantern, as well as diy satellite dish setups, receive the broadcast information and store it locally. +
++ The data stored on the device is able to rebroadcast this content via wifi. Any device close enough to connect will be able to browse all of the stored data. This will allow for a library in every village, or in the case of the lantern, a library in every home. +
++ While, in theory, anything could be broadcast with a setup like this, they claim that they will be focusing on what is most important. At the moment, they find things such as Wikipedia, farming information, and the weather to fit that criteria. As they progress they intend to have a democratic system on what else to broadcast from the Internet in addition to news, weather, etc. +
++ Living in first world nations, where everyone is connected, some may ask: Why bother? Why not just use the Internet? Anonymity. Outernet is a one way system. If I collect information in my lantern device, and then browse it with my Firefox phone, no one can track that. This really is the most amazing part of the system, unfortunately it's likely not to be all that useful. +
++ There are many flaws in the Outernet plan and I would like to highlight a couple: +
++ No censorship. + Any country that doesn't want their people viewing the information could easily jam the signal. Also, if the data is sent to the satellites by one company, Outernet, that makes them the gate keepers. Outernet gets to decide what information people get, and what information people don't get. Even if Outernet is forever the benevolent gate keeper, governments don't seem to have much trouble yanking the keys from any company it fancies, so that's a bit of a bust. +
++ Anonymity + It is true, there is no way to track who receives the data, but... In the remote third world village people are starting to get smart phones. Chances are that they don't have any satellite dishes lying around so they connect to the village Outernet receiver to gain information. Those base stations could potentially track individual phones that connect to it. It is possible for a system to remember which mac addresses connect to it, the data it typically seeks, and the times that + data is referenced. If someone was looking at a lot of anti-government propaganda, it wouldn't be hard for the local government to out that person based on the meta data alone. +
++ So I funded the Outernet Indie go go. I'm skeptical that it'll work all that well, but I'm still hopeful. Worst case scenario, assuming the device ships, I have a fun little solar object for me to dissect. I would also like to direct you to a Nay sayer about the project as well as the response from an Outernet employee. +
++So how about you? Would you risk an investment with Outernet? Comment below! (or wherever) +
+ + diff --git a/oldsite/14-dec-2014-throw-away-society.html b/oldsite/14-dec-2014-throw-away-society.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7ee9853 --- /dev/null +++ b/oldsite/14-dec-2014-throw-away-society.html @@ -0,0 +1,58 @@ + + + + + ++ What happened to our society? We used to fix things, but now we don't. We just throw it away. Hell, we usually don't even recycle it. +
++ Everything you buy, that you end up throwing away, you should ask yourself: Why am I buying this if I'm just going to throw it away? Shoes are a great example of this. +
++ My shoes seems to be falling apart; guess it's time to get a new pair. No you jackass. Maybe you shouldn't buy shitty shoes that fall apart right away. Dude, these shoes lasted me like, all year. Oh? Well that's great, so now you are just going to throw them away? Maybe, if you bought decent shoes, you could have someone repair them for a few bucks instead of having to shop around like an idiot every year for shoes. Those yearly shoes probably suck for comfort + anyway. Get a real pair of shoes made from real materials that can be easily repaired. Buy it for life. +
++ We really do need to think about this. Why am I buying something to throw it away? Garbage bags. Well that somewhat makes sense, it's easier than using all those grocery bags that are lying around. Better yet, let's spend $40 on 20 garbage bags that don't tear so I can stuff em full. +
++ Hmm, better idea. Get the cheapest garbage bags you can find and just take a little care in your life. 15 garbage bags costs around a dollar if you don't get all the bells and whistles. Sure, still buying something just to throw away, but at least it's not breaking the bank as well. +
++ Toilet paper. Hmm. While there are plenty of alternatives, such as towels or pine cones, the only alternative that isn't horrible is the bidet. Toilet paper is another one of those things you can get rather cheap, but for some reason everyone seems to want that fluffy shit which probably leaves more on your body than you throw in the toilet. The bidet easily replaces toiletry; however, it can be too expensive for some folks. May as well get the single ply man-style toilet paper and be + done with it. +
++ Tampons. That's a fun subject. There are special cups that suction onto the woman which will happily collect blood. Tampons are bloody expensive, light to moderate bleeders could probably save a small fortune a year switching to just a cup. Heavier bleeders may still need pads. +
++ Shaving razer. The best way to avoid throwing anything away would probably be the straight edge, but that's too much effort/danger for most people so how about the next best thing? +
++ Enter the safety razor. Safety razors are those old school metal razors that use actual razor blades. All those modern razors with all their plastics and/or 20 dollar replacement blades have nothing compared to safety razors. +
++ A quick look at amazon shows 100 double edge razors blades for a mere $23.29. Running through about one blade a week, that would be almost two years of daily shaving. Bonus, the razor blades are stainless steel and can be sold back to scrap yards. +
++ Do yourself a favor, stop throwing everything away. +
++ Seriously, I love my razorblades. I'm looking into buying new boots that can be easily repaired. My current boots are sadly dying, but I hope to find a cobbler who will repair them. Much cheaper than throwing another $120 on a pair of work boots. +
++ So how about you all? Do you think we, as a throw away society, is a problem? If so, what are you doing about it? Why type of buy it for life items do you enjoy? Comment away! +
+ + diff --git a/oldsite/16-nov-my-partner-fuck-you-thats-not-your-partner.html b/oldsite/16-nov-2014-my-partner-fuck-you-thats-not-your-partner.html similarity index 100% rename from oldsite/16-nov-my-partner-fuck-you-thats-not-your-partner.html rename to oldsite/16-nov-2014-my-partner-fuck-you-thats-not-your-partner.html diff --git a/oldsite/22-dec-2014-kickstarter-depth-vr.html b/oldsite/22-dec-2014-kickstarter-depth-vr.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3042725 --- /dev/null +++ b/oldsite/22-dec-2014-kickstarter-depth-vr.html @@ -0,0 +1,74 @@ + + + + + ++ Over at the Kickstarters they have a little project called Depth-VR: 3D world jumping out of your screen. +
++ According to NCF Group, the people who created this project, the "Depth-VR is a 3D head tracking device that brings unprecedented realism to 3D objects on your computer screen." +
++ VR/3D technology has always been interesting, even back during the Nintendo days of pressing select and watching the screen go all wonky as you put on your red/blue glasses. VR projects have come much further than that over the past couple of decades. +
++ The Depth-VR team aims to turn any TV into a 3D experience. For standard displays red/blue glasses will still be needed, but for 3d/120hz displays, polarized glasses will be used. +
+ ++ The Depth-VR system will consist of three parts: +
++
+ The Monitoring tower is attached to the top of a TV and connected to a PC via USB. The glasses, of course, are worn by the user which respond with the monitoring tower to track position. The motion controller is used to interact with whatever program is being run. +
++ Watching the video on their homepage is the only way to do it justice; however, the basic idea is that the glasses, paired with the monitoring station, will move perspective around on the screen, as well as displaying 3D aspects. +
++ So pretty neat idea. Although it works quite a bit different, it does reminds me of the CastAR project which also uses head tracking and perspective for VR, but they use a special sheet instead of a monitor. +
++ They are asking for $50,000 and so far have only accumulated $12,155 with 17 days to go. It's not looking like they will be meeting their goal, but you never know. +
++ $50,000 doesn't seem like it is enough to start production anyway. However, I know very little about NCF Group; it is possible that they already have money and are simply using Kickstarter for marketing purposes. However, this seems unlikely. +
+ ++ Starting off they have two early backer pledges of $60 (red/blue glasses or polarized) which will include the basic VR set which includes the two main parts of the system, but no motion controller. This seems like a really low price point; I may not be a hardware designer, but I have heard plenty of horror stories about working with manufactures. Minimum order quantities leads to the death of many small projects. +
++ The non-early backer versions start at the $99 price point. This seems quite a bit more reasonable, but still rather low considering that it seems to be a small company trying to make it happen. +
++ If you want that motion controller you need to pay at least $115, which will get you the whole set. It seems like a good price point, from a consumer point of view, but it again must be noted that this seems to be a small company. They simply can't order millions of units, like Samsung can, or sell the units at cost, like Google can, and stay afloat as a company. +
++ Their last pledge level is for $310. This level will still give you the full three-part system, but also includes an AOC 3D display. Sounds pretty nifty, but they don't give any information other that the manufacture, AOC, and that it will be a 3D display. Again, this level seems a bit under-priced. Unless this monitor is tiny, it will cost the majority of that pledge level, and let's not forget shipping. It seems to be included. +
++ Wow, the Depth-VR seems like a neat piece of tech, and for $100 I'd be on board, but not as an investor. I fear this project won't meet it's funding goals, it's too ambitious for only $50,000, and that it will get stuck in Manufacturing hell if it does manage to meet funding. Well, good luck NCF Group. +
+ + diff --git a/oldsite/23-dec-2014-kickstarter-vpex.html b/oldsite/23-dec-2014-kickstarter-vpex.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f54baff --- /dev/null +++ b/oldsite/23-dec-2014-kickstarter-vpex.html @@ -0,0 +1,109 @@ + + + + + ++ VPEx is a hardware based VPN solution with the idea that you can make any open wifi access point more secure, or as the project itself states, " Connect to the Internet from anywhere with the same security you have at home, without anyone holding your keys and charging you fees." +
++ The VPEx seems to be a legitimate way to make things a bit more secure when you are out in the wild with your computer. The hardware based solution makes is more secure than using simply software methods in the case that the computer happens to be compromised. However, if there is malware on the computer there is a chance all data coming in and out will be watched, but it should protect your home/office network from becoming vulnerable. +
++ There are two parts to this system: the ExoKey that you need to keep with your computer, and the ExoNet which is connected to your home or office netowork. +
++ The initial setup of the network is quite easy. After connecting your ExoNet to your home/office network, you plug the ExoKey into it, fireup a computer on the LAN, go to the websever provided by the ExoNet, and then register the devices with each other and set a password. Not too much effort at all. +
++ The next time you are at your local coffee shop that has open wifi, plug in your ExoKey, run the app, and put in your password. Congratulations, now all your data is being routed to the ExoKey, which then encrypts it, sends it out to whichever ExoNet you choose, which then in turn decrypts it and sends it out to its destination. +
++ Now it's time for the data to come back, the ExoNet receives the data, encrypts it, sends it back to your ExoKey, which then decrypts it, and now your data is displayed on your computer. Completely safe from any attacks other people in the coffee shop, or indeed the coffee shop itself, may try against you. +
++ A mere $99 will get you one ExoKey and one ExoNet for a very quick and easy VPN setup. For people who travel a lot, and are concerned about their privacy/security, this is an amazing starting point. Not only is this price point great for the consumer, but it shows that the project leaders are not trying to under bid themselves and may actually know what they are doing. +
++ There are several other pledge levels beyond that, with the exception of one that will sell you two gateways and one key, which simply increase the number of ExoKeys that will ship with your ExoNet. In the case that you have a family that uses open wifi a lot, these other pledge levels may be more appropriate. +
++ Who knows? At the time of this writing, they still have 39 days to go with 12 backers. If they get their funding level of $50,000, I could see this product becoming a reality. $99 seems more than reasonable so long as they are able to get the parts from manufactures. There is not much to these units, they claim that there will not be any hand soldered parts, everything will be automated. Even the enclosures will simply snap together around the boards. +
++ This device will make it ridiculously easy to setup a VPN. That alone is worth the $99 entry point. As mentioned before, if you use public wifi, even if it's not technically open and they give you a password at the desk or something, you need to be able to trust them. +
++ If a hotel offers wifi and gives you the password, your data should be encrypted and protected from other people trying to listen in on your data signals, but if the hotel is trying to steal your data... well they won't be able to if you are using this setup. +
++ x.o.ware, inc, the company behind the VPEx, claims that everything is almost ready to start production. By the time their campaign ends, they should be able to have accurate numbers to give to their manufactures. They seem really confident that they are ready to ship. It wouldn't surprise me if this Kickstarter actually delivers on time. +
++ In the future they plan to include mobile phone support, right now you just +
+ ++ Thanks for the post about VPEx – it isn’t easy to describe it, but you did a great job. +
++ We + will most definitely ship these products, as we mentioned on today’s + update on Kickstarter, regardless of whether or nor we meet our goal + there. We don’t need the campaign to fund development or get us into + manufacturing, but getting people to financially commit to us is a huge + help, and is greatly appreciated, as a vote of confidence and an + endorsement of our approach. +
++ As for mobile, we want to let you + plug the ExoKey into a phone or tablet, so you can use its wi-fi + connection with the same security you have on a laptop. The ExoKey is + small enough to slap on the back of a phone, although we will have to + provide a custom adapter so it fits reliably and without sinificantly + increasing the space the phone takes up. The bigger challenge, however, + will be making the mobile OS’s work with the ExoKey. +
++ We don’t + expect this to be a problem for Android 4.3 or newer (just some custom + driver development), but iOS will be more complicated. While the + latest versions of Android support a VPN device like ours, iOS does not. + We don’t like the idea of copying encryption keys from the ExoKey to an + iPhone, even if they are just temporarily stored there, for then it + creates a mechanism for reading keys from our device (and any computer + that emulates the user’s phone could extract keys from the ExoKey). If + Apple does not allow us to send unecrypted packets to the ExoKey for + encryption, we won’t have much choice. +
++ We may also add the + capability to provide local encryption (between an ExoKey and the wi-fi + access point) on the ExoNet, so that any wi-fi operator can add VPEx + security to their network, by just plugging an ExoNet into their + network. However, to make this useful, we need to provide a way for + people to securely register their ExoKey with an ExoNet they don’t have + physical access to, and that will take a little more time. +
++ Thanks again for your support. +
+ + diff --git a/oldsite/23-nov-2014-On-the-internet-becomming-a-utility.html b/oldsite/23-nov-2014-On-the-internet-becomming-a-utility.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d3bf5ed --- /dev/null +++ b/oldsite/23-nov-2014-On-the-internet-becomming-a-utility.html @@ -0,0 +1,56 @@ + + + + + ++ Why regulate the Internet? Especially as a utility. It is doubtful many people even knows what this means. +
++ It is entirely possible that the Internet will be fully regulated by the government. Oh, hi ma Bell, ready to come back? +
++ Government sponsored monopoly isn't the only option on the table. +
++ People have hinted at only reclassifying certain parts of the Internet as utility, which may be the best way to do it. +
++ Way back in the days of dial-up we had phone lines all over the country. Anyone who wanted to could get into the ISP market by simply setting up some servers and connecting out via the old phone network. There were dozens of ISPs to choose from in any town. +
++ What happened? Why has cable suddenly dominated the area? More importantly, why are only a few select companies using these lines? +
++ Perhaps that's what we need to regulate; we could transfer all private cable/fiber/etc lines in the ground to the public. The taxpayer would, over several years, buy the lines at a fair market value from private companies who currently have infrastructure in the ground. +
++ The taxpayer would also take over some of the maintenance costs. Any company wanting to use the lines to become an ISP would be free to do so, however like other utilities, these companies will be charged a fee, or a percentage of their profits, for access which will be used to fund infrastructure growth and maintenance. +
++ Net neutrality, as it is, is not the problem. The problem is all the local monopolies that certain companies hold. What makes it worse is that they are sponsored by the local governments. +
++ What we really need to do is stop these monopolies and foster some honest to goodness competition. +
++ According to this article by Marguerite Reardon on cnet, in Austin "Google Fiber ... was announced in April 2013." Soon after this, a local resident who complained of "spotty performance of the 20Mbps connection available through his AT&T U-Verse" was suddenly offered 300Mbps service. All because competition appeared. +
++ Regulation almost always cripples innovation (See: Ma Bell), and bureaucracy is always slow. There are also concerns that the government will have an easier time recording all Internet traffic once they have their grubby paws on the infrastructure. +
++ What do you think? Should we just take over the lines so we can foster better competition? Should we regulate it till it dies of starvation? Will Internet regulation happen and become another failure such as the Affordable Health Care Act? Comment below. +
+ + diff --git a/oldsite/27-oct-2017-please-fuck-you.html b/oldsite/27-oct-2014-please-fuck-you.html similarity index 100% rename from oldsite/27-oct-2017-please-fuck-you.html rename to oldsite/27-oct-2014-please-fuck-you.html diff --git a/oldsite/28-dec-2014-think-for-yourself.html b/oldsite/28-dec-2014-think-for-yourself.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e0a8f6d --- /dev/null +++ b/oldsite/28-dec-2014-think-for-yourself.html @@ -0,0 +1,69 @@ + + + + + ++ I think the stoics had it right: +
+ +"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” + ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations+
+ Too often are people horribly distressed by this or that external force. Typically these same people will lay the blame solely on that external force completely ignoring the fact that the negative feelings are coming from within. +
++ Being offended is a prime example of people not being in control of their own emotions. However, this topic was discussed in greater detail in an earlier article, What? You Were Offended? +
++ It's one hell of a philosophy for many people to get their head around. People seem ingrained to place blame on others before themselves. What they fail to realize is that they have no way to control other people. They only can control themselves and hope others act in ways that they interpret as good. +
++ David Foster Wallace gave a commencement speech that touches somewhat on the stoic belief system. While this is a man who ended up falling to his own emotions, there is no doubt that he valued the concept of choosing how or what to think. +
++ Anyone who is distressed by many external factors should really look into practicing stoicism. For many it is very hard to do, but any person who values logic should be able to wrap his head around it. +
++ An extreme example: + You lose your arm from the elbow down in a car wreck. You are likely angry about the car wreck and depressed about the missing arm. The stoic would remind you that you are only angry and depressed because that's how you interrupt the situation. This is your reaction to past events that is causing this distress. Therefore it is up to you to realize your emotions and control them for the better. +
++ There are people who suffer more extreme situations than the above example and still manage to be happy well adjusted individuals. +
++ There was a lady who thought it would be a good idea to drive drunk. Well, she ended up in a wheel chair. Paralyzed from the waste down. +
++ After some time of depression and sadness she realized that she was only depressed and sad because she was not in control of her emotions. Now she is a motivational speaker, speaking in front of large audiences of teenagers and adults to share her story. +
++ She has managed to turn her incident into happiness. Her story will not only provide a career for her, but also may save people from making the same mistakes that she has. +
++ Keep your emotions in check; it is up to you too choose how you feel. +
++ I must admit that I have only recently begun studying the stoic philosophy, but I feel as though I've been practicing it all my life. It really is a great way to be happy about whatever comes your way. Yourself you can control, others you cannot. +
++ I highly recommend listening to David Wallace's speech. He cites many examples of automatic judgments that most people make on a day to day basis, and gives examples on how to actually think for yourself instead. His goal may not have been to talk about stoic beliefs, but his speech certainly highlights the stoic way of thinking. +
++ Lastly, I have to admit something else, I'm not really sure what my blog niche is (sans the crowdfunding posts of course). If someone can tell me what the hell I'm writing about I would really appreciate it. How can I find other blogs like mine? +
++ Now go, keep your thoughts in check. +
+ + diff --git a/oldsite/index.html b/oldsite/index.html index 0eb2c31..ab953ce 100644 --- a/oldsite/index.html +++ b/oldsite/index.html @@ -12,10 +12,17 @@ Go Home Old Site16-Nov-2014 - My partner... fuck you. That's not your partner.
+28-Dec-2014 - Think For Yourself
+23-Dec-2014 - Kickstarter: VPEx
+22-Dec-2014 - Kickstarter: Depth-VR
+14-Dec-2014 - Throw-Away Socieity[sic]
+07-Dec-2014 - Oh The Outernet
+01-Dec-2014 - What? You were offended?
+23-Nov-2014 - On the internet becomming[sic] a utility
+16-Nov-2014 - My partner... fuck you. That's not your partner.
09-Nov-2014 - I'm Sorry? No, You're Not
03-Nov-2014 - For The Shareholders
-27-Oct-2014 - Please? Fuck you!
+27-Oct-2014 - Please? Fuck you!
20-Oct-2014 - Why? Why? Why? Question Everything