Blog Master G

orkut is like Friendster, only faster, cleaner, and without the advertising clutter. It was developed as a side project by a Google engineer. Ben invited me to join yesterday, so I did, and so far, so good.

I don’t really use Friendster primarily because it’s so damn slow and unreliable. But orkut seems much better, which makes sense because it’s promoted “in affiliation with Google.” So I would hope it would be fast.

There are communities/affiliations in orkut, such as colleges and cities. I’ve joined the Vassar and San Francisco communities, and just created one for Saratoga Springs.

Even if the above community links won’t work for you, which they won’t unless you’re a member and logged in, what’s interesting to note is the relative community ID of each of these groups — VC is 3193, SF is 11, and SS is 23260. Translation for non-techie folks: The ID is a unique database identifier associated with any given record, so it looks like SF was one of the first communities created and upwards of 20,000 more have been created since then. In other words, this thing is growing fast.

I won’t send out invites to everyone I know, but let me know if you’d like one.

Signs of spring are beginning to pop up everywhere: The sidewalks are slowly appearing from beneath the snow and ice; plants and dead grass are surfacing; lakes of melted snow are flowing down the drains. I’ve even removed the fleece liner from my new winter coat.

On Saturday the sun shone so brightly and warmly that the temperature here in Saratoga Springs skyrocketed to a whopping 39 degrees. This called for celebration, so I retrieved the beach chairs from the basement, and Jen and I spent the afternoon on the porch soaking in the upstate New York sunshine — California style.

My 76th Annual Oscar predictions, despite not having seen nearly as many of these movies as I would’ve liked (yet):

BEST PICTURE: THE LORD OF THE RINGS
ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE: Bill Murray – LOST IN TRANSLATION
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE: Charlize Theron – MONSTER
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Tim Robbins – MYSTIC RIVER
ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Renée Zellweger – COLD MOUNTAIN
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM: FINDING NEMO
DIRECTING: THE LORD OF THE RINGS
CINEMATOGRAPHY: MASTER AND COMMANDER
COSTUME DESIGN: THE LORD OF THE RINGS
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: CAPTURING THE FRIEDMANS
DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT: ASYLUM
FILM EDITING: THE LORD OF THE RINGS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: EVIL
MAKEUP: THE LORD OF THE RINGS
MUSIC (SCORE): THE LORD OF THE RINGS
MUSIC (SONG): A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow – A MIGHTY WIND
SHORT FILM (ANIMATED): GONE NUTTY
SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION): MOST (The Bridge)
SOUND EDITING: FINDING NEMO
SOUND MIXING: THE LAST SAMURAI
VISUAL EFFECTS: THE LORD OF THE RINGS
WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY): AMERICAN SPLENDOR
WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY): LOST IN TRANSLATION
ART DIRECTION: THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING

I’ve been meaning to post my prediction here for the past few months, so given the headlines this morning, now seems as good a time as any. I just wish I had beat these headlines, and, in fact, was just talking about this with Jen last night when the same topic came up on Real Time with Bill Maher, who, with Ian McKellen, also believes this theory.

I predict that Osama bin Laden will suddenly be “captured” just prior to this November’s elections.

Is it really that crazy a prospect? Remember what Saddam’s capture did for Bush, his ratings, and the media spotlight?

Not that Iran is all that trustworthy, but what would they have to gain by making a claim that bin Laden was captured more than a year ago?

Reuters via New York Times: “The U.S. Department of Defense denied reports by Iran’s official IRNA news agency on Saturday that al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has been captured.”

Take this quick survey from USA Today on whether there should be a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage:

Vote Now

As of now, results show NO leading with 91.48% to 8.52% for YES after 297,415 votes.

Also, a couple interesting points on the topic were made yesterday about how even in the remote possibility that such an amendment were to pass, ten or twenty years from now it will look absolutely ridiculous and be overturned. In other words, it seems that younger people (Generations X, Y, and whatever today’s babies will be labeled) are generally much more in support of gay marriage than, for example, Baby Boomers or the Greatest Generation.

(Thanks, Sarah, for the link.)

I’ve long been a fan of DirecTV and have clocked about two-plus years with the service when i’ve been able to get it (Treasure Island and Inner Sunset). The picture quality is consistently better than digital cable, it’s cheaper (no taxes), and there’s no onscreen menu advertising as there often is with digital cable providers like Comcast and Time Warner.

Living in an historical building as I do now, I’ve no choice but to go with Time Warner Digital Cable. It’s been fine so far, aside from annoying horizontal scrolling lines in the background of non-digital channels. The plan has always been to switch back to DirecTV with Tivo once Jen and I buy a house of our own.

But now I’m not totally convinced that’s the way to go.

I just discovered two reasons why keeping Time Warner Digital Cable is appealing: iControl Music and DVR, TW’s answer to Tivo.

The former allows free on-demand viewing of a pretty decent-sized library of audio — live concerts, music videos, and the like. Imagine pay-per-view, but with audio, and free. There’s also a selection of iControl Movies to watch ala pay-per-view ($3.99 per viewing). With either the audio or video, I can pause, stop, rewind, fast-forward.

The more appealing reason not to discount digital cable just yet is this: $4.95 per month for Digital Video Recording. There’s no equipment cost, no lifetime membership fee, and no contract to sign.

Jen and I have long wanted a Tivo but haven’t yet been able to justify the minimum $400 “startup cost” — a few hundred for the lifetime membership plus at least hundred for a box or combined DirecTV/Tivo offering.

But now there’s no reason not to have all the functionality of Tivo without the initial investment. All it will take is a quick phone call to Time Warner, and an appointment to have someone come and replace the existing box for the DVR box.

The regular price for the DVR service is $9.95 per month, but with the HBO package we have, the DVR price is only $4.95 per month. I see no reason not to do this. And in the future, Tivo will always be an option if there are compelling reasons to go that route.

Over the long-term (years and years), I can see a price advantage with Tivo: Once you’ve invested in the box and the lifetime membership, there’s no monthly fee. That, combined with the roughly $15 monthly difference of DirecTV (~$55 per month with two boxes and HBO) vs. that of Time Warner Digital Cable (~$70 per month with two boxes and HBO), could make Tivo the better choice.

In other words, over a five-year period, Tivo is a far better deal:

• DirecTV with two boxes, HBO, and Tivo: $400 one-time investment plus $55 per month = $3,700 after 5 years
• Time Warner with two boxes, HBO, and DVR: $74.95 per month = $4,497 after 5 years

At approximately $239.40 more annually for the aforementioned Time Warner setup ($899.40 annually) than DirecTV with same setup ($660 annually), it’s clear that Time Warner is better for the short-term, but that the investment in Tivo will pay for itself in just two years.

This is a purely financial comparison, of course, and I’m sure there are a number of differences between the two offerings that are worth exploring.

For now, I’m just happy to get Tivo-like functionality for only five bucks more per month than I’m currently paying.

I’m also not the first to consider this comparison or write about DVR.

Going to Montreal is like visiting Paris for the weekend.

Prior to last week, my Canadian experience was limited only to a quick Niagra Falls visit with my brother Pete in 1999. But Tuesday through Thursday last week, before Jen was to start her new job this week, we took a quick international get-away.

Only a three-hour drive from Saratoga Springs, Montreal is a beautiful city that’s like a blend of San Francisco and Europe. French is the primary language and everyone assumes you speak it. Foreign languages are not my forte, so when faced with a decision of whether I would like light, medium, or dark coffee, all I can do is point to the carafe with the darkest label, shrug, and say, “English?” Many people do speak English — or even the more universal Spanish in some cases — but not everyone does. Though it’s not as comfortable as being in a place where everyone speaks your language, I think it’s important and exciting to step outside the comfort zone.

Before the trip to Montreal, I thought Saratoga Springs was cold. You have not known cold until you’ve taken a winter vacation to Canada. It was great. We were probably the only tourists in eastern Canada last week. The part of the cold that’s always the hardest is the icy wind. I recall stepping outside our hotel each time to be greeted with a mouthful of wind that aims right for the throat and dives forcefully into the mouth. After a momentary loss of breath, I would recover, shiver, and press on.

Hotel Omni Mont-Royal is on Sherbrooke, which is on the southern end of Montreal and is essentially the city’s financial district. We spent most of our time in that vicinity, since we parked the car and didn’t want to worry about it the rest of the time we were there.

On Wednesday we took the underground Metro train, which runs on vibration-free rubber wheels, to Old Montreal on the waterfront. There, we visited Pointe-à-Callière, the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History. It was an incredibly modern museum built on top of the archaeological ruins of the Old City, dating back to Montreal’s founding in 1642. I really liked how the museum blends old with new, preserving the foundations of the old customs building that once stood on the spot where two rivers meet, considered the birthplace of the city.

The rest of the trip we spent soaking in the culture, strolling through the underground labyrinth of a shopping mall, enjoying delicious French cuisine, and hanging out at some local watering holes. We also visited the breathtaking Notre Dame Basilica.

Tuesday we had drinks at Alexander’s and dinner at Bistro Rock Detente, both on Rue Peel. Wednesday we had breakfast at Second Cup on Crescent, lunch at Van Houtte Cafe on Rue St.-Paul, drinks at the Bar@Tapas, and dinner at Pub Claddagh on Crescent. Thursday we were on the road back to the States, with a stop at the Duty-Free Shop just north of the border (much better than the one in New York going into Canada). Though we managed to get by with three bottles of liquor, we learned that the limit is one per person. Unless you’re really suspicious, the border officer won’t actually search your car, so the limit is really only enforced if you’re honest like me and declare that you stopped for some duty-free goodies, at which point the officer will ask to see your receipt.

Next time we plan to visit the Latin quarter, where both former resident E-Dawg and Montreal locals advised us to spend our time. On the must-do list for the next trip are Maison de la culture Mondiale and Club Super Sexe.

This is what the LORD has commanded…saying, “Let them marry whom they wish.”
Numbers 36:6-6

Though I voted Green in December’s mayoral election in San Francisco, I’m proud to see Mayor Gavin Newsom taking the national spotlight as the proponent of gay marriage this week as the battle heats up.

Adding to the fire, Bush had the nerve yesterday to call for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Seen partly as a political move to divert the nation’s attention from real issues like Iraq, jobs, education, and the fact that Bush is slipping in polls as the general election approaches, this proposal is preposterous. Marriage should be between two people who love each other, regardless of sex. Why should my marriage entitle me to any more legal rights or societal recognition just because I happen to be straight?

What right does the government have to interfere with people’s relationships? The Constitution is about equal protection, not divisiveness. Only the Bible says anything about marriage being between a man and a woman. Ever heard of separation of Church and State? Contrary to what some people think, there’s nothing in the Constitution about marriage, nor should there be.

FEISTY MAYOR: Newsom calls Bush reaction shameful:

“I believe in equal protection under the law. I believe in nondiscrimination,” Newsom said. “The Constitution of the United States sets forth those rights and privileges and freedoms, and it’s been used not to advance discrimination. It’s been used to end discrimination.”

The worst argument against gay marriage is when people say things like “We need to protect the sanctity of marriage.” My question: How does a gay couple’s marriage threaten any heterosexual marriage on this planet?

I urge the Log Cabin Republicans to do more than criticize Bush’s announcement yesterday. While that’s a good start, Bush will only respond to your votes. Have your members throw their one million votes elsewhere and maybe Bush will listen.

I’m proud to have been a San Franciscan for the past five years (and always at heart). I’m there in spirit with every same-sex couple getting married this week, including John and Chris. A big congrats to you both!

Wake up around 6:30am, feeling energized. Call from someone with wrong number at 6:45am. Get up. Why the hell not?

Push-ups, sit-ups, shave, make espresso for Jen on her first day at new job (congratulations, baby!), make coffee (you can never have too much caffeine), be good house husband and see wife off to work.

10am meeting to discuss next contract project. Go to bank, post office (to check new P.O. box), grocery store, wine store, back home. Make lots of phone calls, power through the to-do list, prepare for afternoon phone interview. Do laundry somewhere in between everything else.

Have phone interview, begin working on changes to gabeanderson.com splash page (incorporate new link to GAC), update HTML version of resume. (Both sections now stripped of side navigation.)

Greet Jen with celebratory champagne, get ready for first time playing soccer in years and years. Head to Skidmore to play as sub on faculty intramural indoor soccer team. Get winded. Team won. Come home.

More champagne. CSI: Miami.

Now bed. Good night.

Oh yes, and farewell to Sex & the City. It’s been fun. Last night’s final episode felt like a satisfying conclusion (Phil has good synopsis). I will miss it, but still need to go back to enjoy seasons two and three and maybe even some of four. I can’t wait until June when new season of Six Feet Under returns.

This is a form letter I just sent to Google’s PR directors since the company seems to be violating its own motto. I’d encourage you to please do the same.

Recently, your AdWords service rejected two advertisements placed by the international ocean advocacy group Oceana (http://www.oceana.org/) on the grounds that they “contained language critical of Royal Caribbean” and “contained language critical of the cruise industry” — even though there is no policy banning such language in either your Editorial Guidelines (https://adwords.google.com/select/guidelines.html) or Advertising Terms and Conditions (https://adwords.google.com…TermsAndConditions.html).

Why isn’t Oceana allowed to challenge Royal Caribbean on this issue? Royal Caribbean’s pollution problem is well documented at http://www.StopCruisePollution.com. Every day, each cruise ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet can generate up to 30,000 gallons of sewage (“black water”) and 255,000 gallons of dirty water (“gray water”). And yet, only three of Royal Caribbean’s 26 ships are equipped with modern sewage treatment facilities — leading to thousands of gallons of inadequately treated sewage being discharged into the oceans every day.

Royal Caribbean could fix this problem, but it won’t. So why shouldn’t Oceana be allowed to point that out? Why did you shut down Oceana’s ads?

Google should reinstate the Oceana AdWords immediately and show that it supports free expression of all viewpoints, not just those sponsored by corporate interests. Google’s motto has always been “Don’t be evil” — this would seem to be a great opportunity to live up to those noble words.

[ via Mere Sketches ]