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User: DarrenBaker

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Comments · 276

  1. What's the intimation here? on Google Makes $500M a Year On Typos · · Score: 4, Informative

    I hope they're not suggesting it's unethical of Google to work with these typo-squatters, because it simply isn't. Now, if the typo-squatters were trying to trick people into thinking they'd reached where they were attempting to get, that would be unethical.

    It's becoming a moot point, anyway... Most people I know type the web address into the Google search box, then click on the link that appears.

  2. Re:Cyber Warriors.... on House Overwhelmingly Passes Cybersecurity Bill · · Score: 1

    I know... It's a vicious cycle. But don't kid yourself - It's dumbing down in the name of marketing.

  3. Re:Cyber Warriors.... on House Overwhelmingly Passes Cybersecurity Bill · · Score: 1

    What? Yeah, I got the reference.

    It's stupid chest-beating bill-marketing terminology aimed below most people's intellect, because that's how the bill authors see us. The intent and effect of the bill is irrelevant here. It just irks me that they feel they need to dumb it down for us. Instead of 'Information Technology Security Official', it's 'Cyber Warrior'. How gauche.

  4. Re:Cyber Warriors.... on House Overwhelmingly Passes Cybersecurity Bill · · Score: 1

    Why is it that the Government, when referring to IT matters, always uses terminology like that... What is this, the United States of Johnny Mnemonic?

  5. Re:Mawkishness... on Dying Man Shares Unseen Challenger Video · · Score: 1

    I think it's because they, like celebrities now and explorers of old, act as a sort of life proxy for people who can't get out of dead-end jobs, and bills up to the eyeballs. So when they go into space, or conquer that mountain, or, uh, win the Amazing Race, people feel like they've been there with them in a small way - it's the collective adventurer's spirit. When they died, especially in such a public manner, it blew apart people's expectations and took a bit of their hope with it.

    At least, that's my rationale.

  6. Re:Public domain? on Dying Man Shares Unseen Challenger Video · · Score: 1

    Isn't there some sort of exclusion in the law for copyrighting materials that have major public importance? I'm probably just crazy.

  7. Re:I noticed this problem almost half a decade ago on Students Failing Because of Poor Grammar · · Score: 1

    Hey... I can't be held accountable for how you interpret it!

  8. Re:I noticed this problem almost half a decade ago on Students Failing Because of Poor Grammar · · Score: 2, Funny

    I still blame Kid Rock.

  9. Re:I noticed this problem almost half a decade ago on Students Failing Because of Poor Grammar · · Score: 3, Insightful

    That's the sad thing, actually... There *is* a certain status level associated with ignorance, and contempt for the more educated parts of America. I blame Kid Rock, UFC, and Jackass.

  10. Re:I noticed this problem almost half a decade ago on Students Failing Because of Poor Grammar · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Well, really, you're doing it for yourself, and not for other people who won't bother. Actually, I've found that some of the people you talk to will either subconsciously - or through want of improvement - pick up their skirts at least a little bit.

    But doing it just for yourself should be reason enough.

  11. Re:Sounds credible on Interview With a Convicted 419 Scammer · · Score: 1

    Noblesse oblige.

  12. Re:Nobody is talking about it? on Engaging With Climate Skeptics · · Score: 1

    I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

  13. Re:Windows 8.. on Microsoft To Switch Focus To Windows 8 In July 2010 · · Score: 1

    Damn. Thought I'd take that chance.

  14. Re:Windows 8.. on Microsoft To Switch Focus To Windows 8 In July 2010 · · Score: 1

    The Ocho Cinco!

  15. Re:Resistance? on Plasma Device Kills Bacteria On Skin In Seconds · · Score: 1

    Well don't I feel like the fucking asshole?

    Why don't they use this when advertising Purel and whatnot - they only say that it kills bacteria on the bottle...

  16. Re:People like you are a large part of the problem on Engaging With Climate Skeptics · · Score: 1

    Ah, yes, of course. Cow methane is completely different from automotive carbon dioxide, and since it's from a completely organic source, won't affect the environment. God damn it, you've cracked it!

    I would tend to agree with you, if you were in fact correct. But I guess the world needs people who are wrong too.

  17. Re:People like you are a large part of the problem on Engaging With Climate Skeptics · · Score: 1

    Sorry, I stopped reading after the first paragraph because it's Saturday.

  18. Re:People like you are a large part of the problem on Engaging With Climate Skeptics · · Score: 1

    I'm talking about a) averaged economy here, and b) a different Polo.

    There's a reason the EPA are changing the methods they use to measure economy, and it's because the hybrid measurements were not accurate.

  19. Re:On board batteries fine, but 277 volt? on Facebook Putting Batteries On-Board Its Servers · · Score: 1

    Whoosh!

  20. Re:People like you are a large part of the problem on Engaging With Climate Skeptics · · Score: 1

    See what I mean? Perceptions, man. There's a Volkswagen (Polo) they sell in Europe at the moment that in BlueMotion diesel tune will get 70, yes, 70 miles per gallon. Believe it. But, alas and alack, it's not sold here because the marketeers say Americans will never buy diesel. And because of that, the diesel here is shite compared to the 'clean' diesel they sell in Europe.

    Also, despite the fact that Toyota claims 48 mpg in EPA testing, no respectable publication has come even close to that in real-world testing.

    Here's an example... the diesel Jetta vs the Prius. The Jetta wins. You'd need to drive the Prius for 100 months to equal the fuel efficiency and tax credits of the Jetta.

    Don't believe the hype.

  21. Re:People like you are a large part of the problem on Engaging With Climate Skeptics · · Score: 1

    There are 1.6 Billion cattle in the world. I left that bit out.... But it's not just the cattle as individuals. Entire ecosystems are wiped out by erosion and inefficient use of land, as well as fertilizers and whatnot. Oh, and the drain on water resources is immense. And this is coming from a staunch meatatarian.

    The only backup for your claim (a claim which I would tend to believe) was on a site that had a picture of Ed Begley Jr. on it, so I got the fuck out of there pretty quick. I'll just accept your claim as fact, because I can't deal with that self-important snapperhead smiling back at me from my computer screen.

    I guess the point is, it's not the individuals - it's industry. And as long as industry can hide behind spurious claims of greening, your organic bean patch isn't going to do shit all except make you feel better about yourself.

    So maybe an organic bean patch is a good idea.

  22. Re:People like you are a large part of the problem on Engaging With Climate Skeptics · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Ah, but you forget one thing: Green-washing is now a valid way of bringing in the big bucks from consumers. Look at things like the Toyota Prius, which is blown out of the water in fuel consumption by pretty much any modern diesel of the same size or smaller (and the diesel doesn't require environmentally unfriendly battery production/destruction techniques) - but it doesn't matter, that, because the Prius has been cemented in the public consciousness. Mention diesel to people, and it conjures up images of the smoky, rattling behemoths spawned by the 70s oil embargo. It's not about better, it's about perception. The public is so willing to give up money and comfort now to save the environment (which fills me with an odd pride in humanity) that they'll give up their supposedly errant ways for ones that are perceived as helping reduce damage.

    The big thing, the elephant in the room that nobody is talking about is the farm industry, by FAR the most polluting industry out there. One cow puts out more methane by belching (cows don't fart) in one year than a Land Rover Discovery. Put down that steak, and pick up that asparagus!

    Yes, I know I didn't cite anything, but I felt like ranting. I read it somewhere, I think. Anyway, that's still a more robust source than most of the envirogangsters' info.

  23. Re:Resistance? on Plasma Device Kills Bacteria On Skin In Seconds · · Score: 1

    ...and the worst part is... I never learned to reeeaaaddd!!!

  24. Re:On board batteries fine, but 277 volt? on Facebook Putting Batteries On-Board Its Servers · · Score: 1

    I wanted it dumbed down, not academicked up! It's OK, you were beaten to it by an automotive analogy.

  25. Re:On board batteries fine, but 277 volt? on Facebook Putting Batteries On-Board Its Servers · · Score: 2, Funny

    Spare me your medical mumbo-jumbo. Say it in English, Doc!