Hugo Chavez on Democracy Now

I don't want to rant today.

I would like you to hear Hugo Chavez interview on Democracy Now instead, either audio or video. WOW!!!

There's also links to a longer Chavez speech (64mb) in NY. Learn about what politics can really be like. Can you imagine a government that focusses on helping people rather than helping businesses? Where the focus is on helping and healing vs profiteering and warmongering? Chavez also touches on Robertson's assassination threat and the upcoming oil crisis.

Damn, I ranted.

Crackworld - I mean, MacHypeFest & IsolationPod love-in

At MacWorld, Jobs intro'd new Macs running on Intel chips. Yawn. They run fast, and basically look the same. The only thing about it for me is it makes my 2005 Powerbook into an old piece of shit. One thing that blew me away is how few Mac users use any KB shortcuts.

Some other goodies at the event, like new software & toys. Waaaay too much IPod garbage. One cool gadget was the ISee which turns your Ipod (any kind) into a small TV & VCR -- can record from Audio-IN's and also output. Rate was approx 400megs per hour.

Jeff G renamed the Ipod as ISOLATION POD. I freakin' love that! I always called 'em I-am-a-Pod, which sorta works, too. What they are is MONEYMAKERs!! Anyway...

I bought an Oxygen 8 from the Guitar Ctr booth to replace my aging & large Alesis keyboard. Had problems with latency on the PC, I bet the Mac is faster.

Getting better at Ableton Live, so might as well have a good trigger. Have to learn some more advanced Mac sound editing software.

Plus have the evolution U-16. Would've preferred the newer 'X' version (of course), but it's a good box. Highly rec a midi-knob box messing w/Midi automation in music software.

Macworld - free entry Priority Code - NO102

Free tickets are available by going to
http://www.macworldexpo.com and using "Priority Code N0102".
Basically, enter this code at the Priority Code question, and then on the final page where you select a package, the exhibits pass will be free. Print it out and take it with you.

Thanks to planttrees.org

ShadowRun Slang Hilights

Highlights from the ShadowRun Slang Guidebook

Breeder n. Street slang for a "normal" Human.
Biz n. In slang context, crime, Also "Business"
Chummer n. "Pal" or "Buddy".
Comm n. The telephone.
Corp nl, adj. Corporation. Corporate
Dataslave n. Corporate decker or other data processing employee.
Datasteal n. Theft of data from a computer, usually by decking.
Deck n. A cyberdeck (aka computer). v. To use a cyberdeck, usually illegally.
Decker n. Pirate cyberdeck user. Derived from 20th-centery term "Hacker".
Drek n. (vul) A common curse word. adj: Drekky
Frag v. Common swear word. adj: Fragging.
Hoi Hi Hello. (Familiar form)
Ice n. Security software. "Intrusion Countermeasures," or IC.
Jack v. Jack In, or enter cyberspace. Jack out, or to leave cyberspace.
Mr. Johnson n. Refers to an anonymous employer or corporate agent.
Paydata n. A datafile worth money on the black market.
Razorguy n. Heavily cybered samurai or other muscle.
Street Samurai or StreetSam n. (Jap) Mercenary or muscle for hire. Implies honor code.
Slot v. Mild curse word.
Slot and Run v. Hurry up. Get to the point. Move it.
So ka (Jap) I understand. I get it.
Sprawl n. all urban and suburban surroundings of a metropolitan area (aka metroplex)
System Identification Number (SIN) n. Identification number assigned to each person in the society.
Vatjob n. A person with extensive cyberware replacement.
Wetwork n. Assassination. Murder.
Wired adj. Equipped with cyberware, especially increased reflexes.