MySpace: The Business of Spam 2.0

"Most users don't know that Tom Anderson is more of a PR scheme than anything else--the mascot designed to give a friendlier feel to a site created by a marketing company known for viral entertainment websites, pop-up advertising, spam, spyware, and adware.... Simply put, MySpace.com is Spam 2.0."

So there you have it. Tom is a fraud and MySpace is for chumps. J. Seiter is gratified.

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Widow Leased Rotary Phone for 42 Years

Good grief. 750,000 people are still leasing their phones from the phone company?! I bet you didn't even know you could do that.

$14,000 and two meddling granddaughters later, it sounds like grandma had nonetheless been a satisfied customer. "I'd like to have my rotary back," she said. "I like that better."

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Who Is Jonathan Ive?

"An in-depth look at the man behind Apple's design magic"

An interesting read, especially if you have a role in new product development.

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IT people “twice as likely” to wear heavy metal t-shirt as other people

“Our large Microsoft Gold Certified team of engineers was comforted that IT people are twice as likely to wear Megadeth and similar t-shirts, and that black jeans and ponytails are still hot items. However, they were distraught to find that the cellphone belt clip has gone ‘mainstream’ and lost its identification with the IT subculture.”

You've got to be kidding me. (Thanks, Dan.)

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Sick Macbooks - Apple MacBook Problems and Solutions

Like most new models of computer, the MacBooks built during the first few weeks of production have a greater tendancy to exhibit problems. CorbieD has posted a helpful list of frequent issues, and most importantly, how to resolve them. Some of the issues listed are not necessarily early-production issues, but others clearly are. If you've got a MacBook (or want one), check it out.

I have one of these early-production units, but have thus far not experienced any of the listed issues (other than the heat/fan issue that was much improved by installing the firmware update). Some folks like to complain loudly about such issues. To them I say, "Don't buy an early-production product if you can't handle a few hiccups along the way. Let everyone else sort out the issues before you buy."

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There’s Money in Dirt, for Those Who Find Bits of Silicon

"Unsanctioned digging" as a form of employment? No, we're not talking about tagging articles at the office. "It is just the garbage left by Lenin."

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