Tag Archives: internet

The World, As Seen from My Bed

Posted on January 4, 2008 | 2 Comments

Remember back in the day when being sick at home was boring? All you could do is stare out the window. Now instead of staring at a window, you can stare into a computer screen and see the the entire world. Here is a quick view from my little window.

I ran across this website, which tests your typing skills. Based on countless visits to this site I type around seventy words per minute with an average of one or two mistakes. I’m not sure why some of the things it has you type are not words, but it’s a good way to kill some time. Some other goodies that I have found while sick are the USB Pole Dancer, Darth Vader vs. Japanese Police, and Who Says Crime Doesn’t Pay?

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Geek, Things to Buy

Tagged ,

No Such Thing as Privacy

Posted on October 18, 2007 | Leave a comment

While I don’t believe in true anonymity on the Internet, I do my best to hide certain things about myself in the online world. Some people think it’s ridiculous that I do this, but I have a story to show how the idea of remaining unidentified online is far fetched. I will also do my best to tell this story to hide anyone involved.

Back in college, there was this girl in one of my classes. The only thing I knew about her was her name was ______. I thought she was cute, but because of my work schedule, I was always late to class, sat in the back, and I left class early to get back to work, so there was little time for me to approach her. Well there was that and the fact that I am a coward.

One day I was telling my boss about this. He wasn’t about to give me time off from work to go chasing girls, but as soon as I told him what class this was, he picked up the phone to call someone and said, “Hey, _____, can you give me the class roster for _________ 132 for this quarter?” Two minutes later he had an Excel sheet in his email that he forwarded to me. It was the class roster with everyone’s name and student ID number. After a little bit of browsing I told him, “This is probably her.”

He called out again and said to someone else, “Can you get me the records for a ______ ______, student ID number _________?” My boss and I had adjoining offices and we left the door open all the time. Five minutes later my boss started saying, “She’s from northern California. It’s a nice city. Her parents probably have money. It lists two home addresses. That probably means her parents are divorced.”

I was shocked that our records were so easily accessed. Even though we found out the school’s databases were never secure, all it took was a little social engineering with the right people to access anything and everything. You may keep your information spread out in two places, but two and two can be put together, and people can find you.

So the next time you want to post pictures of yourself drinking beer on Facebook, just remember. I can find out where you live and that your parents are divorced.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Work

Tagged , ,

Online Social Networking

Posted on August 28, 2007 | 1 Comment

I loathe online social networks, yet I am strangely reluctant to leave them. I haven’t stumbled across a single piece of content on these sites that has made me think, “Wow, that was cool. I’m glad I ran across that.” At the same time, I am afraid that despite its poor track record, one of these sites will create an online revolution that I will miss out on if I am not a part of them. So far, that has not happened.

I have been impressed with the brilliance behind these social networking sites in their marketability. By giving people the ability to group themselves up, it’s almost as if they have herded themselves up into a big bullseye for advertisers to hit. Look, it’s the “People who love cell phones” group! That has to be a gold mine for AT&T and the like.

I still don’t understand the draw to some of these websites. How can users spend hours on FaceBook looking at updates that other people are making to their profiles? At least MySpace has what I’d like to call “MySpace Boobies” in great abundance. FaceBook seems to be lacking in this department, and being based on college students makes that a shame, a terrible shame.

So find me on these networks. Be my friend. Let’s make some more money for big corporations, because if we don’t it means we are not cool.

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Geek

Tagged

A Classic Internet Find

Posted on August 27, 2007 | 4 Comments

I ran across this picture today of the worst book cover in the world.

comictot14vu71.gif

It reminded me of the time I stumbled upon the worst logo in the world.

apclogo.jpg

→ 4 Comments

Posted in Photo

Tagged

Internet Fact Finding Mission

Posted on August 9, 2007 | Leave a comment

Why do people wear ties in the white collar world? It makes no sense and really isn’t a great fashion statement. It’s like tail for your neck. Who would have thought that the Japanese would be the ones to make a tie that has useful purpose. I just don’t know who would want the butt cooler. Isn’t that just going to release odors from the chair? Still, I’d be willing to try it while in the nude.

After keeping cool all day at the office, you may want to melt off some pounds in a sauna. Who can afford one? Everyone! That is a great idea. It’s an over sized garment bag with a hot pot filled with water in it. I wouldn’t be allowed to have one of these, because I am not mature enough to not lock people in this.

Have you ever wondered who the silhouette is in iPod commercials that looks like he’s made of rubber? Maybe you’ve seem this same mysterious rubber man in other commercials. If you’ve been on the Internet for any amount of time, you’ve probably already seen him.

Well, I’ve wasted everyone’s time now, but you really only have yourself to blame. You have an Internet addiction. Fear not, for it is a curable affliction. Just head over to China and free yourself from the sticky tangles of the World Wide Web.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Geek, Things to Buy

Tagged ,