Yes, I’m a massive geek. I really do love star-trek TNG though. I was brought up watching Picard and the crew exploring the galaxy. The funny thing is that I still watch TNG a fair amount and it’s scary how contemporary and relevant the stories are even today, almost 13 years after the finale.

For example, I just watched “The Drumhead,” a great story and very relevant today. Quotes ripped off from the memory alpha wiki:

“Sir, the Federation does have enemies! We must seek them out!”
“Oh, yes. That’s how it starts! But the road from legitimate suspicion to rampant paranoia is very much shorter than we think. Something is wrong here, Mr. Worf. I don’t like what we have become!”

- Worf and Picard

“ ‘ With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably.’ Those words were uttered by Judge Aaron Satie as wisdom and warning… The first time any man’s freedom is trodden on we’re all damaged.”

- Picard quoting Judge Aaron Satie

“We think we’ve come so far. Torture of heretics, burning of witches, it’s all ancient history. Then! Before you can blink an eye, suddenly it threatens to start all over again.”

- Picard, to Worf

“Mr. Worf, villains who twirl their mustaches are easy to spot. Those who clothe themselves in good deeds are well-camouflaged.”

- Picard

“[...] she, or someone like her will always be with us - waiting for the right climate in which to flourish. Spreading fear in the name of righteousness. Vigilance, Mr. Worf: That is the price we have to continually pay. ”

- Picard, to Worf

Very relevant for today.

I’ve noticed that no one is looking at the quick links I had on my sidebar. These tend to be updated everyday with whatever random stuff I come across. I’ve moved the quick links ot the top of my page to make sure people see them. There’s also a RSS feed.

All the cool kids seem to be doing this face recognition thing. I decided that I’d try it with 2 different photos to see how consistent (or inconsistent) the results are. I think you can agree that the results vary greatly:

I got George W. Bush, Osama Bin Laden, and Agent Smith. I’m not flattered.

I was laying in bed this morning in that place where you’re conscious that you’re sleeping but aren’t awake yet. I then heard what sounded like the large boom of thunder. I took a quick look outside and saw rain/snow just coming down. *CRAP* but then I remembered that all my classes were canceled for the day.

Good morning world.

According to this, we produce “technically superior work” when it comes to recording movies with a camcorder. Yay competitive advantage.

All I have to say is w00t w00t! Check it out. Here are the most important parts:

…DRM system employs secrets. There is no theory of protecting content other than keeping secrets. In other words, even if one uses the most sophisticated cryptographic locks to protect the actual music, one must still “hide” the keys which unlock the music on the user’s computer or portable music player. No one has ever implemented a DRM system that does not depend on such secrets for its operation.

The problem, of course, is that there are many smart people in the world, some with a lot of time on their hands, who love to discover such secrets and publish a way for everyone to get free (and stolen) music.

…

Why would the big four music companies agree to let Apple and others distribute their music without using DRM systems to protect it? The simplest answer is because DRMs haven’t worked, and may never work, to halt music piracy. Though the big four music companies require that all their music sold online be protected with DRMs, these same music companies continue to sell billions of CDs a year which contain completely unprotected music. That’s right!

… 

Much of the concern over DRM systems has arisen in European countries.  Perhaps those unhappy with the current situation should redirect their energies towards persuading the music companies to sell their music DRM-free.  For Europeans, two and a half of the big four music companies are located right in their backyard.  The largest, Universal, is 100% owned by Vivendi, a French company.  EMI is a British company, and Sony BMG is 50% owned by Bertelsmann, a German company.  Convincing them to license their music to Apple and others DRM-free will create a truly interoperable music marketplace.  Apple will embrace this wholeheartedly.

In conclusion, w00t. Now the big-4 have to get on board.

Note: here are some of my past posts on this topic in chronological order: France 1, France 2, Graphical representation of DRM, Examples, Great picture, and  Apple.

Cheers to Tim for sending this too me.

Okay, campers, rise and shine.

Don’t forget your booties
because it’s cold out there today.

It’s cold out there every day.
What is this, Miami Beach?

…

They are. But there’s another reason
why today is especially exciting.

Especially cold.

The big question
on everybody’s lips-

On their chapped lips.

Do you think Phil will come out
and see his shadow?

- Punxsutawney Phil.
- That’s right, woodchuck chuckers.

It’s Groundhog Day!

Cheers Script-o-rama.