Something to think about when you publish a blog or other personal web site

This morning, I was modifying my blog to include functionality to add blog posts on my website to Facebook. In doing so, I realized, that some content that included on my blog and Facebook site contained content that may be considered inflammatory, derogatory, and/or offensive. For example, discussions around the upcoming presidential election, same sex marriage, or whether or not farting is fun to do (yes, someone actually posted a conversation about farting).

Because there are times when I do not agree with the content of site in question, I do not want someone to mistakingly assume I share the opinions being expressed on it. By including the content on my blog, it stands to reason that you could assume I share the same viewpoint and even worse be offended by it.

You have to be careful of your web presence. In todays world, it is not uncommon for someone to Google your name and you want to be certain that what ever comes back in the search results, that every instance where your name is plastered on the web it best represent you as a person. Of course there are instances of mistaking identity, after all, the world is a big place and people do have the same name as you (if you Googled my name from the link above, I'm not a professional Tennis player, although ironically enough, I was born in the St. Louis area).

And before you add a comment with a smart ass remarks about what content I could possibly be discussing (you know who you are), the content was coming from Floort.  You should check the sight out, there are some thought provoking (and not so thought provoking) conversations that go on there.

What I hate about the Internet is...having to select my credit card type

In case if you didn't know, you can determine the type of credit card, i.e., Visa, Master Card, Amex, and etc. by looking at the number you enter. The prefix and width (including spaces) for the major credit card types are:

CARD TYPES............PREFIX................WIDTH
American Express.....34, 37....................15
Diners Club..............300 to 305, 36........14
Carte Blanche...........38..........................14
Discover...................6011.......................16
EnRoute...................2014, 2149.............15
JCB..........................3............................16
JCB..........................2131, 1800..............15
Master Card.............51 to 55..................16
Visa..........................4...........................13, 16

Therefore, it stands to reason that by looking at the prefix of a credit card, you can derive the type of the card. And finally, as a programmer, I know that Verisign does not require you to send in the type, only the number itself and a few other bits of information.

What I hate about the Internet is...everyone wants you to create an account

It never fails...any website you shop on...they want you to create an account when you check out.

Why?

When I go to my local mall and buy something in my favorite shop, the store doesn't ask for my address, phone number, email address or any other personal information. Normal shopping experiences include an exchange of pleasantries with the sales person, handing over cash, debit, or credit card...and obtaining a receipt and walking away with the goods.

Why shouldn't shopping on the Internet be any different?

ZFS File System...now that's big

As I surfed the Internet tonight, came across an article about the ZFS File System. Not being familiar with it, I did a bit of reading to learn more, as that is what one may due when trying to learn.  Anyway, looking on WikiPedia, I found an interesting assertion that frankly, made my head hurt.

If a billion computers each filled a billion individual file systems per second, the time required to reach the limit of the overall system would be almost 1,000 times the estimated age of the universe.

Wow, not that's a lot of data.  Makes you wonder how much it really is...ok, maybe not.

Death to the computer mouse

Today, I was very fortunate to come across a company that is interested in making computers more use able. What? How? Enso.

The What:

Having to change programs to perform simple tasks—for example, making a quick calculation, or looking up a definition—breaks your concentration, takes you away from the task at hand, and wastes your valuable time. Enso lets you do common computing tasks easier and faster than ever before. You get a huge productivity boost and a simpler digital life.

The How:

Enso is dead simple to use. You just hold down the Caps Lock key and type an Enso command, which is displayed in a translucent overlay. Once the command is typed, you simply release the Caps Lock key to activate it, and the overlay disappears. If you type fast, it all happens in a flash.

What does this mean? It makes using the computer, well, more useful. If you watch the video, the Atul Varma, the Vice President of the company, gives a real world example of when you are typing a letter to your mom and want to tell her about something you purchased. If you bought 4 widgets at $2.99, unless you are a mathematical genius, would need to get a calculator and type in 4 * 2.99. If you are using Windows XP, getting a calculator may mean using the mouse to move the cursot to Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Calculator. Or, if you are really lazy, open the drawer of your desk, pull out your calculator that saw you through Algebra.

Ha! Finally, I found someone else that thinks there are better ways to use the computer. Download the software and find out how.