October 25th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Sad but true
Posting my Lifestream, confirms what I already know but didn’t want to hear - that I spend WAY too much time on the web and my computer (even though it’s part of my daily work routine). Sad but true.
Facebook buzz
The buzz yesterday was Microsoft buying a piece of Facebook - a $240 million stake and the rights to have exclusive third party advertisement rights possibly paving the way for a Microsoft Live Facebook search engine too. There are also reports that they may have secured another $500 million from two New York investors.
Although being only 3 years old, the company is already valued at $15 billion and is currently the 5th most valuable US internet company (via Techcrunch) behind the likes of Google, Ebay, Amazon and Yahoo. Facebook currently has about 47 million users/ members, records 15 billion page views a month and registers about 150,000 new users a day.
Mark Zuckerberg has really done well for himself, especially for a 23 year old that initially started Facebook in his Harvard dorm to keep in touch with his old friends. Mark has since held off selling off the company, apparently turning down a $750 million buyout offer. Good for him to keep his baby close to his heart, taking the extra risk and having business savvy.
No one really knows for sure what the revenue of Facebook is but Techcrunch reports that it may bring in an estimated revenue of about $1.5 million a week. I personally think it’s a good move to hold out on a sale as Facebook has not even matured as a company yet and its potential is tremendous.
I just love to hear about success stories like Mark Zuckerburg and Kevin Rose (of the Digg fame). It gives us hope and the proof that if you put your mind to something, dreams can be achieved.
Cryptology is not for kids
Came across a site called Cryptokids. It’s designed by the governmental branch NSA (National Security Agency) and tailored to teaching kids Cryptology in a fun and amusing way. While I love Cryptology, I do think introducing it to young kids isn’t entirely appropriate. Teaching and encouraging the use of Cryptology at that young an age opens up the possibilities of kids using it negatively and illegally for their own amusement e.g hacking. The majority of kids out there just aren’t mature enough to appreciate it.
Last.fm rocks!
Recently joined the free music site Last.fm after hearing rave reviews about it. I’ve not regretted my decision! It is a great site to find and listen to the music you like, listen to music recommendations and network with those who have the same taste in the music.
Using a unique music recommendation system known as “Audioscrobbler”, Last.fm builds a detailed profile of each user’s musical taste by recording details of all the songs the user listens to, either on the streamed radio stations or on the user’s computer or portable music device. This information is transferred to Last.fm’s database (”Scrobbled”) via a plugin installed into the user’s music player. The profile data is displayed on a personal web page.
Users can create custom radio stations and playlists from any of the audio tracks in Last.fm’s music library, but are not able to listen to individual tracks on demand, or to download tracks unless the rightsholder has previously authorized it. Registration is required to acquire a profile but is not necessary to view any part of the site or to listen to radio stations.
(Via Wikipedia)
Since I’ve downloaded their software, I’ve used it as an internet radio. All I have to do is put a singer or type of music of my choice into the software, and it will then stream music indefinitely until you stop it (advertisement free). You can see the songs I’ve listen to so far in my Lifestream or going to my Last.fm profile. I happen to like Indie, India Pop and Alternative music and my song list reflects that.
On the Home Front
On the home front, Miles (my cat) keeps following me around the house. Doesn’t he know he is a cat? Only dogs follow.
I keep killing fruitflies but they just keep coming back. At first we thought it may come from the pumpkins and apples we had but the apples are now gone and the pumpkin is outside. There are also no food lying about or in the trash. Weird and annoying! J has a home remedy of soap, vinegar and water which seems to attract and kill them — know any other ways?
6 Responses to “Random ramblings”
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Janet said: @ 10:10 pm
October 25th, 2007
I left a small bowl with water, cider vineagar and soap out one day to attract and kill the fruit flies. By the end of the day, I was totally grossed out by how many were in it. I know there hadnt been that many flying around.
I DONT know where they are coming from. I have poured straight bleach down the kitchen drain — which I think has helped some times, but never eliminates. And they seem immune to bug spray.
Have been meaning to do a google search. Thanks for the reminder. If you find a solution that works, let me know!
The Foo said: @ 10:40 pm
October 25th, 2007
@Janet
that seems to be the most common home remedy and the one that works the best. funny thing is that J seems to have just the right amount of each ingredient. She gets 2-3 when she makes it. When I do it, no fly wants to come new my concoction. I did read that putting bleach down the kitchen sink won’t do it and there is a special spray you can buy just for fruitflies — found the info on Google. and speaking of fruitflies — one just landed on my laptop! darn it … they are toying with me!
Janet said: @ 10:19 am
October 26th, 2007
Yeah, I read some too about bleach not working. Tho last night I did make up a weak bleach solution, poured it down the drain and made sure to close the drain stopper. Then left a bowl of the vineagar solution out. Figure to do that for the next few days. The funny part is that even tho my garbage basket is under the sink cabinet, I dont have fruit flies in there!
Nick said: @ 11:43 am
October 26th, 2007
That facebook thing is crazy. That is a reason why it is good they didn’t accept the 1 billion buyout offer. If you gave everyone a share of what they are worth in facebook right now, you would have to give them $250. Of course they are valuing the Facebook on future worth, but still, that is crazy. A 23 year old the head of a multibillion dollar company.
Click for Nick… Why Not?
ses5909 said: @ 3:06 pm
October 28th, 2007
That’s interesting about about the cryptokids. I used to work at the NSA when I was in the Navy (CTI). After I left the service I studied Comp Sci in school and one of my papers was all about protecting kids online. I definitely want my kids to grow up with a good knowledge of computers, but I feel I am in a good situation to be able to help and guide them because of my past and current professions. I’m not sure how I feel about the cryptokids program. I don’t think it will teach kids to be “hackers” but I definitely don’t think a child should participate in it without their parents close supervision. I can’t decide if its a good idea or not, good job :)
RE: last.fm - I love it too. I use it quite often.
The Foo said: @ 8:28 pm
October 28th, 2007
@ses5909
nice — would love to work for the NSA. I do like the way the cryptokids site is laid out, it’s a fun yet informative site and I do agree that it does need parental supervision.
I didn’t like last.fm when i first registered for it but after using it a few times, i started loving it.
BTW: what does ses5909 standfor?