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My Opinion of Time Warner Just Dropped Another Notch
Looks like Time Warner Cable’s Road Runner has taken another step toward the dark side. As of today (from my office, anyway), if you try to visit a domain that doesn’t exist, you are redirected to a page that contains “helpful” suggestions and, of course, advertisements. Go ahead, try to visit this website and see what happens.
At this stage you can still opt out of the service. To do so, either:
- Click “Why am I here?”, followed by “Preferences”; or
- Click the “Opt In or Out of This Service” link at the very bottom of the page
On the next page, change your settings as appropriate. I personally recommend setting everything to “Disabled”, but that’s just me.
Unfortunately, this may represent a tiny step toward a future in which internet service providers inject themselves more and more into your daily web browsing routine. The companies will promote this sort of a thing as a “service” intended only to help people find their way on the big bad World Wide Web. Fair enough, though the advertisements strewn across the page lead me to believe that altruism isn’t their sole motivation.
The average user probably won’t bat an eye at this, and frankly, it’s really not that big a deal at this point. I just don’t like the notion that somebody is interfering with the steps between my action (requesting a website) and the expected outcome (either the website or an error arrives). Call me a pessimist, but I see this move as a foot in the door.
The Legalities of Wireless
Richard Bagby of Lincoln is all in a lather over the Journal Star’s advice:
Stealing wireless Internet service from a neighbor is suggested in “A few serious and not-so-serious money-saving tips” (LJS, Jan. 31).
That’s outright criminal.
It’s not at all funny to list criminal activity as a way to save money, even if tongue in cheek.
... You owe the community an apology.
This may be a stupid question, but is it actually illegal to “steal” wireless internet service from a neighbor’s unsecured network? Unethical, yes, but illegal? Does Nebraska have such a law on the books? Does this all fall under the broad definition of wiretapping?
Regardless, if you don’t have your network secured, shame on you.
Beutler Picks Obama
You might be interested to know that Mayor Beutler has endorsed Barack Obama in the presidential race. Beutler’s decision doesn’t seem too surprising to me. His style feels roughly consistent with Obama’s—at least to the extent that you can compare the styles of a mayor and a senator running for president.
Of course, Beutler’s endorsement means approximately nothing in the grand scheme of things. But hey, you should know for whom your local leaders are stumping.
Go West, Young Man
I don’t suspect too many people will mourn the death of Tobacco Hut, but it is interesting to note that it’s probably the first business to close at least in part due to the West O bridge reconstruction. According to the Journal Star, it seems that most other businesses are hanging tough, with just a few layoffs or cuts in hours blamed on the bridge. Then again, we’re only three months into a one year project.
Have you changed your West O travel habits as a result of the bridge work?
The Democratic Caucus
Anyone here planning on caucusing this Saturday? I am. I have never done it before and am interested to see what its like. I am a registered Republican, but I can switch over the night of the caucus in order to participate. You can find your caucus location here. Mine will be at the UNL City Campus union, which I imagine will be pretty interesting to witness.
A super Super Bowl
How about that game?
I was gonna blog about it last night but the internets went out in North Platte right after the game (probably a disgruntled Pats fan or an over exuberant Giants fan) so I couldn’t.
Who honestly thought that the Giants could win? And if you say you did...what drugs were you taking cause I need some of that.
I kept waiting for the Giants mistake/Patriots capitalize moment in the game and it never really came. And probably everybody thought the game was over when Randy Moss caught the Pats last TD.
But here’s the most amazing thing about the whole game to me...not the fact that the Pats lost, but that ELI freakin’ MANNING can call himself a super bowl winning and MVP QB. Eli has been average at best through his now 4 year career. And of course he’s got the older brother thing going against him too. But Eli came up huge in that final drive including that amazing escape/heave/amazing catch play.
Great game, I haven’t cheered that loud for a non Nebraska/Minnesota Vikings football game in a long time.
Commercials I thought, overall, were pretty subpar. My favorite was Will Ferrell’s Jackie Moon Bud Light commercial.
Slow Food at Bread and Cup
Whether you’re a Bread & Cup fan, or you’re thinking about trying it, you’ll want to read about the Camachos’ recent experience.
Eat for George’s Family
This Sunday at Duggan’s Pub (440 South 11th) there will be a benefit for the family of George Landolt, the infamous George of George’s Red Pepper Grill and Crawdaddy’s fame. You know, the guy behind quarter tacos, mofo salsa, and the big ass burrito. Landolt died last year of complications from diabetes at the age of 50.
George’s tacos will be available at the day-long event. Unfortunately, I can’t find the details online and our Sunday newspaper already made its way to the recycling bin. I believe the timeline was something like Noon until 10pm. A number of bands will perform, and there will be a silent auction.
If any of you happen to still have your Sunday paper handy, could you look up the article and post the details? If nobody posts, I’ll give Duggan’s a call later today.
Yes, THAT’s the Biggest Problem With the Food
The entire time I read about Taco Inn’s move to ditch trans fats I shook my head. Does anybody really think trans fats are the biggest problem with Taco Inn’s food, or with the restaurants in general? I enjoy the occasional trip to Taco Inn and, frankly, the type of fat attacking my body is one of the last things that worries me about eating there.
Only About 11.9 Inches Short
The Farmers’ Almanac swung for the fences and missed big-time with its prediction of “heavy snow (a foot or more) for North Dakota south to Kansas” between February 1st and 3rd. There has been some snow in the region, but nothing approaching a foot. Drat. I like a good heavy snowfall. Lincoln hasn’t had the sort of snow yet this season that gets neighbors outside and working together.
Maybe next week.
The Latest on the County Jail
Good news, I think: The county jail you had planned to pay $100 million for will now cost you just $65 million. It’s not clear to me where 1/3 of the cost disappeared to, but no matter; I don’t trust this new number any more than I’ve trusted any of the figures tossed around by the County Board since this whole thing started.
I’ve been pretty negative about this jail, so let me emphasize the one thing I do agree with. I like that the jail is being built to plan for the county’s population 25 years from now. It’s always good to plan ahead of course, but that’s not the main reason I think it’s a good idea. It’s a good idea because need estimates seem to almost always come out too conservative. Consider new school construction, where portables pop up the day after a new school opens. Furthermore, legislators are finding more and more reasons to put people in jail for longer. Unless the Drug War ends in the next decade or so, we’re just going to need more and more beds in our jails and prison.
My Prediction Looms
A few years ago, I made the prediction that $3.50 was the magic number required to get American drivers to change their driving habits. We just might get there this year. Will my prediction hold true?
I don’t think so. For one thing, too much time has passed and my prediction hasn’t been adjusted to account for changes in the interim. More importantly, $3 gas just isn’t all that scary any more. Three bucks, three fifty ... what’s the difference? I suspect the magic number is well above four bucks now.
By the way, over the past couple weeks gas prices in Lincoln have run about $0.15 higher in Lincoln than in Omaha. Not that I blame the gas stations; I think they should charge as much as people are willing to pay. I just think it’s interesting.
A Future for AAFL in Lincoln?
Steve Sipple wants to see the AAFL come to town, and he thinks the league would do well here. A new league in any sport is going to have a rough go, as a general rule. Indoor football has had an especially tough time getting a foothold in Lincoln. On the other hand, the Stars and the Salt Dogs are doing just fine, thankyouverymuch.
Could a professional football league like the AAFL make it in Lincoln? If you could vote on a team name, what would you vote for? Personally, I don’t see how there’s any way we could pass up ... The Bugeaters.
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