Monthly Archives: July 2008

Cuil

Yep, another “I’m going to be better than Google” site has popped up. According to a Wired.com article ‘Cuil’ “Anna Patterson’s last Internet search engine was so impressive that industry leader Google Inc. bought the technology in 2004 to upgrade its own system.

She believes her latest invention is even more valuable – only this time it’s not for sale.

Patterson instead intends to upstage Google, which she quit in 2006 to develop a more comprehensive and efficient way to scour the Internet.

The end result is Cuil, pronounced “cool.” Backed by $33 million in venture capital, the search engine plans to begin processing requests for the first time Monday.

Cuil had kept a low profile while Patterson, her husband, Tom Costello, and two other former Google engineers – Russell Power and Louis Monier – searched for better ways to search.

Now, it’s boasting time.

For starters, Cuil’s search index spans 120 billion Web pages.”

 

… well then.  Now, according to the article, today is the first day of availability, but, let’s give it a test. I put my last name in, and I even have a domain registered for it. That didn’t even come up.  My twitter account shows, followed by an obituary for a couple dead relatives, and a few other things. Then there are two sites that come up that appear to be completely unrelated. (the reason I know they’re unrelated is this – per all my research, and knowing my family history, we are the only family to have this last name – anywhere.)

The site is nifty looking, polished, but, also slow and appears to be inaccurate. Granted, this is a new engine, and those do take time to ‘learn’, but I have to agree with a quote in the article for now: “I doubt (Cuil) will be keeping anyone at Google awake at night.”

Comic Con

Dawn’s been at Comic Con for today and yesterday. Thursday she had one of the worst experiences at Con she’s ever had. First, took her 3+ hours to get there due to an accident on the 5. Then, once she got there, she was barely able to see anything she wanted due to the hellish crowds. (yes, we’ve been there before – for years actually – this year just sounds worse than ever).

Then, she called me and said she lost the camera. Needless to say she was distraught.  She checked lost and found, but no one had turned it in.  I was more concerned about her being upset than a missing camera. Sure, it wan’t good that the camera was gone, but things could be worse right? Luckily I was already at Best Buy when she called, so I just bought her a new one. We got a very similar model for a good price – it was on sale so we’ll just say the timing wasn’t terrible.

Later, she called and just said the day sucked, she didn’t feel well, and she was just coming home. Poor thing. She was so looking forward to it, and Thursday just crapped out.

Today was much better. She got to meet Simon Pegg. Also got him to autograph a few things (including his own head on a stick – we’ll have to post pictures later). She also called me and said some guy asked her if she was with anyone, to which she replied she was married and showed the ring.  –my wife is getting hit on at Comic Con, not sure if she’s allowed to go on her own next year!  ;)

Me and the little man are meeting her down there tomorrow.  I’ve been watching all the twitters come through about the con for 2 days <check here> and I’m getting excited. Hopefully our day turns out good.  (watching the twit updates come through also has me wishing I already had my iPhone too, oh well, soon right?)

Wish me luck tomorrow.

no need to flush 7 times

Seriously. I was just in the rest-room and and there’s a guy in the stall doing his thing. Each time you’d hear him unroll enough tp to wipe an elephant’s bum then followed by a flush. Then again. Repeat. Again. Repeat. Again.

Honestly, what kind of deep issues/self-esteem problems does a person have to have to do this? What does it matter if someone overhears you? Who cares??? We’re all in there doing the same thing. Get over it. Not only is this wasteful; it’s just sad.

…and really, if you need that much tp and to truly flush that many times, maybe you should go see the doctor.

………..end of rant. sorry. haha

FSF: 5 reasons to avoid iPhone 3G (uh, ok!?)

http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/5-reasons-to-avoid-iphone-3g

now honestly guys – a lot of what you do is amazing, but this is such a lame list

The 5 real reasons to avoid iPhone 3G:

  • iPhone completely blocks free software. Developers must pay a tax to Apple, who becomes the sole authority over what can and can’t be on everyone’s phones.

(making a profit is bad for business?)

  • iPhone endorses and supports Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) technology.

(uh, ok. Or, it wants things to work properly. I would to if I had created something this nice)

  • iPhone exposes your whereabouts and provides ways for others to track you without your knowledge.

(hello, it’s Big Brother. They’re looking for you. Run!)

  • iPhone won’t play patent- and DRM-free formats like Ogg Vorbis and Theora.

(newsflash – Ogg Vorbis is bloat. newsflash 2 – MP3 files are the standard now – stop complaining)

  • iPhone is not the only option. There are better alternatives on the horizon that respect your freedom, don’t spy on you, play free media formats, and let you use free software — like the FreeRunner.

(seriously? It’s like comparing an Audi to a Yugo.)