Jul 08
Looks like the fail whale has a fat wallet … CNET is reporting that Twitter bought Summize. For those of you that cocked their heads to the side and said “whut?” reading that sentence, I will explain further.
Twitter is a neat microblogging service (140 character updates via the web, SMS and other methods). Twitter has the nickname “FAIL WHALE” because it shows this cute little graphic whenever it goes down … and it goes down a lot [insert Bill Clinton intern joke here]. Summize is one of the many Twitter-based services that have recently popped up to feed off of Twitter’s popularity … that is, when Twitter is actually working.
And yes, there is even a service to tell you if Twitter has … well … failed.
So when your service is associated with being unreliable (note: their IM service hasn’t worked for weeks), maybe you should spend venture capital on more reliable infrastructure instead of nifty features. Spending new money on shiny distractions instead of core infrastructure is the job of government, and we know how much they hate competition.
written by siliconchef
\\ tags: Twitter Fail Whale
Jun 13
My friend Stephen took the time to write some very clear & concise thoughts on the recent ruling against the Bush administration’s “enemy combatant” policy regarding Gitmo detainees … particularly the concept of holding them for extend periods of time without clear charges.
My thoughts on the subject are bordering on the rantings of a libertarian nut …
Continue reading »
written by siliconchef
Apr 15
Thanks to Rachel for pointing out the stupidity inherent in the AT&T “High Speed Internet and Dial Terms of Service” document. See section 8.2:
You agree to keep confidential all passwords, IP addresses, and computer names and are solely responsible for any liability or damages resulting from your failure to maintain that confidentiality. You are also solely and fully responsible and liable for all activities that occur under your password, Member ID or IP address.
That’s right kids, you have to keep your IP address a secret … that number your network router is broadcasting like a man standing on the Las Vegas strip with pamphlets for hookers. And it’s your fault when someone spoofs your IP. Brilliant.
So if I read this correctly, AT&T wants me to use an anonymous proxy when web surfing. I’ll just head over to their support page and look that up in the FAQ … I’m sure tech support will love that question.
written by siliconchef
Feb 20
Dear Mr. Scoble … thanks for making me feel old … Continue reading »
written by siliconchef
Feb 11
The story starts out like any technology story …
“Research In Motion’s ubiquitous BlackBerry experienced a “critical severity outage” on Monday afternoon that left users stranded without wireless e-mail access, its maker said.”
Then it turns into a Dilbert cartoon …
“RIM notified its clients of the outage in an e-mail.”
How do Blackberry users get e-mail? On their Blackberry, the device that can’t get e-mail due to the outage. Duh.
written by siliconchef
Jan 25
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/01/25/economic.stimulus/index.html
If you haven’t heard, the economy is a little rough right now. Not as rough as one might be lead to believe watching the news, but bad enough that politicians want to look like they’re doing something useful.
Continue reading »
written by siliconchef
