Please don’t screw us, Google!
First, let me say that Google has been, in many ways, the biggest success story for the cause of Linux and Open Source, surpassing even the venerated Mark Shuttleworth and Ubuntu.
Today, however, I found a real problem. I will be careful to not point fingers, but I am somewhat suspicious.
After much resistance, I ventured into Cloud Computing with Google Docs. What to do first? I took my business’s general ledger (which I maintain in OOo 3.0 .ods) and tried to upload it to Google Docs. Fail. Unknown Server Error. That seems odd. It lists .ods as a valid import type. Ok, the file is around 30 sheets deep, so I’ll make it a single sheet. Same error. Well, just to see what happens, let me save it as a .xls. Uploads fine. What???
After some digging around on the interwebs, it seems that this is a common problem. There are various explanations about OOo, ODF, and the like, but the consensus is: It won’t upload .odf formats.
Why? I want so very much to say that there are some technical issues that Google is diligently working on to resolve the issue, but my inner fears keep screaming. Could it be that Google is trying to squash the only real threat to Google Docs (and MS-Office), OpenOffice.org? OOo is a WONDERFUL product, and I use it exclusively.
I want to give Google the benefit of the doubt on this. ODF has changed standards, and it could just be a technical thing. Either way, they need to figure it out, because they are making it look like the problem is with OOo. (Which is suspiciously close to Netscape “crashing” on windows oh so many years ago).
If you have any clarifying information, please email me.
osprey at tranquilpenguin dot com
Why my blog doesn’t allow comments
So, you’re here, and you read something interesting or have a question, but you can’t comment because my site doesn’t allow comments. Why? Well, I agree that Blog’s are best as 2 way communication, but the simple fact is that I got tired of chasing down and blocking the ENDLESS parade of spam bots that submit bogus posts to my site. I get thousands of hits a day, and it takes me a long time to figure out which are real and which are bogus (The ration of real to bogus is 1:1000).
Got a question? You can shoot me an email at osprey at tranquilpenguin dot com and I would be happy to reply here or via email.
From The Archives:
The Spamhaus Don’t Route Or Peer List
The Spamhaus Don’t Route Or Peer List
DROP (Don’t Route Or Peer) is an advisory “drop all traffic” list, consisting of stolen ‘zombie’ netblocks and netblocks controlled entirely by professional spammers. DROP is a tiny sub-set of the SBL designed for use by firewalls and routing equipment.
The list It ONLY include IP space totally controlled by spammers or 100% spam hosting operations. These are “direct allocations” from ARIN, RIPE, APNIC, LACNIC, and others to known spammers, and the troubling run of “hijacked zombie” IP blocks that have been snatched away from their original owners (which in most cases are long dead corporations) and are now controlled by spammers or netblock thieves who resell the space to spammers.
So, what do you do with the list? Here’s what I did.
I took the list and simply made rules for my firewall. No, they can’t send me email, nor access my servers. Also, my network can’t route to their operations. Remember… these are badguys.
Maybe later I’ll write a script that converts
their list to iptables rules automatically and
post it here
5 Best Web eCommerce Software for Linux
In Search Of... Android Tablets
MeeGo Selected as Platform to Power In-Vehicle Infotainment Devices
CodeWeavers Releases CrossOver 9.1 And CrossOver Games 9.1 For MAC And Linux
Maybe Do Sit Ups While You Watch Dragonball Z?
Nerds and sports. It’s as natural as peanut butter and chocolate.
In the past few years, the words “militant subset” have been used again and again. A few crazy Christians, a few mad Muslims, heck, you could probably even find a few angry Anglicans if you looked around. But the truth of the matter is, it’s a few bad apples that spoil things for the average joe. So why, then, are we letting a little batch of comics fans make all nerds look bad?
Sports have always been about obsession and number crunching, which is why the SiliconDust HDHomeRun Network-Based Dual Digital HDTV Tuner is so aptly named. It combines the cutting edge “silicon” with the timeless joy of a “home run”. And that’s not all! The SiliconDust HDHomeRun Network-Based Dual Digital HDTV Tuner also lets you watch and record digital HDTV right to your hard drive, so you can pause, rewind and fast-forward, tracking down every single stat and being just as obsessive as the dude who’s making an LCARS skin for his iPhone.
Naturally, the SiliconDust HDHomeRun Network-Based Dual Digital HDTV Tuner works on Windows, Mac or Linux, so there’s no excuse for missing out. Unless, for some reason, you’re under the impression that “silicon” and “home run” aren’t compatible. And if that’s what you think, seriously, wise up, Poindexter. It’s the 21st Century. Nerds go to the gym now. And you think some guy who knows how many times Spider-Man fought The Rhino can’t remember Rashard Mendenhall’s yards-per-carry last season?
Authorized for SquareTrade Extended WarrantyWarranty: 1 Year SiliconDust
Features:
TV Sources:
Seamless Operation with Multiple Computers:
Compatible With:
Specifications:
Connectivity:
Requirements:
Operating System
Memory
CPU
Disk Space
Additional Photos:
Important Notes:
In the box:
Dyson DC22 Turbinehead Canister VacuumDyson DC22 Turbinehead Canister Vacuum
You can’t keep my deposit! That’s illegal!
Fine, you win. I’ll vacuum the stupid place before I move out.
Yeah yeah, “a lease is a lease,” I get it. Even though I haven’t had hot water for the 12 months I’ve been here. You know what a year of cold showers does to a man?! Oh, and thank you for educating me that “lessor-controlled heat” translates to “35 degrees in my apartment in winter.”
I’ll just use this Dyson DC22 Turbinehead Canister Vacuum. I don’t care if the DC23 has a bigger bin; it’s cheaper too, but that’s because this one has more power. That means more dirt off the carpet and less time picking fingernails out of my area rug.
YEAH, I BITE MY NAILS! IS THAT AGAINST YOUR PRECIOUS LEASE, TOO?!
You know what? I’m not even going to use the hard floor tool. And forget about the stair tool. I’m sick of slumlords like you pushing people like me around! You think you’re the only one in town offering a two-bedroom with a view in a great neighborhood 20 minutes from my work?
Well an extensive analysis of the rental market indicates that you are, but that’s still no reason to lord it over me!
Warranty: 5 Year Dyson
Features:
Specifications:
Accessories:
Dimensions:
Additional Photos:
In the box:
Your Parents Really Named You Ariadne, Huh : Woot Weads The Wire
Every week in this space, we’ll take a look at the news and offer our own incisive blend of commentary, analysis, and poop jokes. The news you need, from a voice you can trust, in the 90 seconds you have to spare: that’s Woot Weads the Wire.
CHICAGO (UPI)
-- A boy flying alone from San Francisco to
Canada missed a connecting flight in
Chicago because airline workers apparently
forgot about him, his family said.
As an apology, the airline allowed the
boy to purchase his $4 bag of chips at a
special one-time-only reduced price.
BILOXI, Miss. (UPI)
-- Jay Leno has been booked to perform a
benefit for Mississippians impacted by the
Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the Beau Rivage
Resort & Casino said Thursday.
Leno has been scheduled just before
current BP CEO Tony Hayward, leading
experts to believe that Hayward will soon
be losing his job.
NEW YORK (UPI)
-- A growing number of nightmare sufferers
are turning to a controversial treatment
called scripting or dream mastery,
scientists say.
Others are buying little tops and
listening to Edith Piaf.
DETROIT (UPI)
-- Officials in Detroit say they worry that
television police shows using the city as a
backdrop may lead to negative perceptions
about Detroit and its residents.
Officials added that if the portrayals
don't stop soon, they'd have everyone
involved beaten to death.
VATICAN CITY (UPI)
-- The Vatican has started using souvenir
coins bearing the image of the Pope to make
change at grocery stores and the gas
station, officials said.
Locals reportedly can't stop giggling
when tourists ask if they can touch their
Pope's head.
WASHINGTON (UPI)
-- The Venezuelan military shouldn't be on
alert because of any concerns about U.S.
action, a spokesman for the U.S. State
Department said.
The spokesperson said the U.S. was only
planning to crush all vuvuzelas, and
somehow that got all twisted around.
M-Audio Recording Studio EquipmentM-Audio Recording Studio Equipment
Hit Happens
ProTools gear? Check. Surefire hit songs like “Love Infarction” and “Keyboard Shortcut To You, Girl”? Check. Now all I need to start my production career is a snappy nickname.
Babyface, Timbaland, Glyn Johns: you can’t be a big-name producer without some wacky made-up studio handle. It can make the difference between Jimmy Jam and, uh, the other guy he made records with, whatever his name was. A good name is part of the producer mystique, like Martin Hannett’s drugs or Phil Spector’s famous “wall of hair”.
I’m just glad I chose to buy all three components of Woot’s M-Audio sale, along with the Pro Tools Keystudio. Now that I’ve got my gear situation sorted out, I can devote all of my mental energy to thinking up a good producer name. I’m not worried about tracking up to 24 parts with the Pro Tools Recording Studio USB audio interface and the included software. Create loops with over 60 virtual instruments and effects? No sweat – or rather, gallons of sweat from the sexy ladies who will soon dance to my irresistible club bangers.
The M-Audio Studiophile Desktop Speakers bring out the intricate details of my productions a lot better than my previous playback system (the tape deck in my cousin L’il P-Nut’s ‘91 Camry). And the Pro Tools Vocal Studio’s USB microphone will capture the soaring highs and rich lows of I’ll need for the vocals on my signature ballad, “Guess Who’s Not Wearing Any Underwear?”. I need a real diva to sing that one; hit me up if you know anybody.
So anyway, that’s taken care of. It’s name time. Musclepig? Curlicue? Pappy Jim, Scourge of the Tetons? Nah, those all suck. And I owe it to my classic songs to pick the most commercial yet unique producer name I can think up – anything less and the world may never get to hear “Red, White, & Thong” or “Unexplained Stain (On My Heart)”. Oh, wait, I got one: Steve Albini!
Nah, sounds too goofy. I can do better than that.
Warranty: 1 Year M-Audio
Features:
M-Audio Pro Tools Recording Studio:
Pro Tools Essential DVD Software:
Specifications:
Additional Photos:
Pro Tools In the box:
=================================================================
M-Audio Pro Tools Vocal Studio:
Pro Tools Essential DVD Software:
Specifications:
Additional Photos:
Vocal Studio In the Box:
=================================================================
M-Audio AV30 Studiophile Desktop Speakers:
Specifications:
Additional Photos:
AV30 Studiophile In the Box:
=================================================================
Minimum System Requirements:
*Home and Professional Editions only. Windows Media Center is not supported
=================================================================
You Choose – M-Audio Pro Tools Recording Studio or M-Audio Pro Tools Vocal Studio or M-Audio AV30 Studiophile Desktop Speakers
You guys like movies with mind-bending twists and somewhat confusing endings? Recent movie box office numbers certainly seem to say you do. With that in mind, we'd like to call your attention to a slightly underground gem that you can now watch for free through Google Video.
Primer was released with very little fanfare back in 2004, but it's gotten a fair amount of street cred among fans of time travel and sci-fi as the years have gone by. Made with only $7000, Shane Carruth's tale of young engineers and paradoxes is a film that almost demands repeated viewings to piece together just what's going on. Sure, you could google the cheat sheet flowcharts that many of the movie's fans have put together, but where's the fun in that?
[via io9]
Wikileaks Afghanistan: Taliban 'hunting down informants' - Telegraph.co.uk
![]() Los Angeles Times |
Wikileaks Afghanistan:
Taliban 'hunting down
informants'
Telegraph.co.uk The Taliban has issued a warning to Afghans whose names might appear on the leaked Afghanistan war logs as informers for the Nato-led coalition. By Robert Winnett in Washington In an interview with Channel 4 News, Zabihullah Mujahid, ... Gates Assails WikiLeaks Over Release of Reports Joint Chiefs Chairman Mullen: WikiLeaks release endangers troops, Afghans Pentagon Partners with FBI to Investigate Leaked Military Documents |
Amid protests, Arizona appeals ruling on state immigration law - Boston Globe
![]() Telegraph.co.uk |
Amid protests, Arizona
appeals ruling on state
immigration law
Boston Globe Phoenix police arrested people protesting the immigration law at the Maricopa County sheriff's office yesterday. (Rob Schumacher/Arizona Republic via Associated Press) By Bob Christie Associated Press / July 30, 2010 PHOENIX — Arizona asked an appeals ... 'I can get my family back': immigrants driven out of Arizona return home The 'Dangerous' Border: Actually One of America's Safest Places Hundreds protest as Arizona's immigration law takes effect |
Obama appears on 'The View': A bit of TV history - Philadelphia Inquirer
![]() Globe and Mail |
Obama appears on 'The View':
A bit of TV history
Philadelphia Inquirer 'We're making American history!" cried the announcer on ABC's The View. And they were. Special guest Thursday on the late-morning talk show: President Obama, the first sitting president to make a personal appearance on a daytime TV ... Television review: President Obama on 'The View' A 'View' to a shill Katie Couric's Notebook: Obama on "The View" |
Former Australian Leader Rudd Admitted to Hospital - BusinessWeek
![]() ABC Online |
Former Australian Leader
Rudd Admitted to
Hospital
BusinessWeek July 30 (Bloomberg) -- Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was admitted to hospital to have his gallbladder removed today. Rudd, 52, was taken to the Mater Private Hospital in Brisbane with acute abdominal pain ... Australia Expands Fiber Internet Network Footprint Gillard Takes Campaign for Mining Tax to Western Australia as Polls Narrow PM denies Labor SOS call to Rudd |
Mexican troops kill top Sinaloa cartel figure - Los Angeles Times
![]() Los Angeles Times |
Mexican troops kill top
Sinaloa cartel
figure
Los Angeles Times Ignacio Coronel Villarreal died in a gunfight in an upscale suburb of Guadalajara, authorities say. Separately, dozens of Tijuana law enforcement officers are arrested in an anti-corruption sweep. Some of the police officers who were arrested in an ... Mexico's war on drugs: timeline Troops kill senior 'capo' of mighty Mexico cartel Officials: Mexican drug lord killed in raid |
©2010 BLM Services
655