But I felt I needed to give my stance on the bill H.R. 3261. Which is commonly known as SOPA, or Stop Online Piracy Act.

I’ve read the bill some myself, heard from others, and watched a stream of one of the earlier hearings on the bill. And I have to agree with what has been said so far about the bill.

While the bill has some good intentions. The means of which this bill purposes to deal with the issues currently. Are not only problematic, but possibly even ineffective. Not to mention, it’s very broad on what could be problematic content. To the point it could lead to some abuse of the bill if not careful.

As for the technical concerns, I can see that they are well founded.

In the regard to the IP blocking. It fails to compensate for the fact that not all IP addresses are static. (Static meaning they stay in one place). But some are in fact dynamic, so they move from one place to another.
So it’s possible that a infringing site may be blocked by its IP address one day. But since it used a dynamic IP. It may switch to another site and/or server the next day. And that site/server may contain stuff that are in no violation what so ever. But because that particular dynamic IP assigned that day was blocked. It would by default block access to that site/server. Causing unfortunate and unnecessary downtime for all effected.

There are other technical problems with this bill too. Which even extends into possible freedom of speech infringements. But I don’t feel knowledgeable enough to talk about those issues. And are most likely better explained elsewhere on the web anyways.

Another part of this bill which I have a problem with. Is the unauthorized medication part. I agree it needs to be address, but not in this bill. This should be its own separate bill. Or linked to a bill that deals with similar medical related issues.

In conclusion, I personally think SOPA is a train wreck waiting to happen. It’s too broad to be effective. It’s riddled with poor, uninformed thinking on how the internet currently works from a technological standpoint. And could inadvertently cause freedom of speech issues in the future.

So I, and the Useless Site of Technology are now officially against bill H.R. 3261 (Stop Online Piracy Act or SOPA for short).

Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

Yesterday, the world lost a great visionary. And that Visionary was Steve Jobs.

Starting with the humble beginning of making and selling computers for then start up Apple Computers out of a garage. To later buying The Graphics Group from Lucas Films. And turning it into the world renowned Pixar Animation Studios. To his return as CEO of Apple in 1998.

It’s not hard to see what legacies he has left behind. The man was a true visionary, and it shows in his accomplishments. He was not one that was afraid to take chances. Even if they took years to finally succeed for him. (A great example of this would be Pixar.)

I regret that I have never had the chance to meet, or hear Mr. Jobs in person. But I thank him for what he has done.

With all that said in regards of Mr. Jobs. So long, and thanks for all the fish Steve Jobs. You will be missed dearly.

Source: Apple, Wikipedia

The Kindle Touch sports a IR-based touchscreen system. A totally redesigned interface that uses taps instead of physical buttons. And a new, more advance 6-inch e-Ink screen.

The Kindle Touch will come in Wifi and 3G flavors when it ships on November 21. The ad supported Wifi version will cost $99, or $139 with no ads. And $149 for ad supported 3G version, or $189 with no ads.
Both 3G versions come with free Global 3G roaming included.

Both the Wifi and 3G Kindle Touch’s are up for pre-order right now.

Source: Engadget, Amazon (Kindle Touch Wifi), Amazon (Kindle Touch 3G)

Hot on the heels of the Kindle Fire. Amazon also announced the a new ad-supported Kindle that cost $79. Which marks the first time a Kindle has been for under $100 at retail. There is also a $109 version that isn’t ad supported that available.

Amazon says that the new Kindle will be available for shipping starting today.
Edit: Here the product page for the new Kindle.

Source: Engadget, Amazon

Today at a Amazon press event held in New York City. Amazon has announced a new addition to the Kindle line up. The Android based 7-inch Kindle Fire tablet.

The 7-inch tablet lacks cameras and a microphone which are found on some recent tablets. The tablet also lacks 3G, so it’s limited to just Wifi.

The tablet with ship with a heavily customized version of Android 2.1, and will retail for $199. Amazon is also including a 30-day trial of Amazon Prime Membership with each Kindle Fire sold.

I’ll update this when there is more info!

Update: We have some specs for the Kindle Fire:

• 7-inch IPS panel with Gorilla Glass coating
• 1GHz TI OMAP dual-core CPU
• 512MB of RAM
• 8GB of internal storage
• chassis weighs 14.6 ounces

The device also supports connectivity to the Amazon Cloud. Which will allow for theoretical unlimited storage of your purchases.

You can also pre-order the device right now from here. And it will be released on November, 15.

Source: Slashgear, Engadget, Amazon

It’s been a while since we first heard about the legal rumbling from both Bethesda Softworks and Mojang. In regards to a possible trademark lawsuit involving Mojang’s upcoming card based game “Scrolls”. In which Bethesda claimed that Mojang’s “Scrolls” infringed on their “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” trademark.

At one point, Mojang Founder Markus Persson (Notch) proposed a game of Quake to settle the case. But apparently Bethesda didn’t care for Perssons’s proposal since the case is now heading to court. According to this recent twitter tweet from Persson:

The Scrolls case is going to court! Weee! :D

Not much else is know about the case. Other than the fact it’s a trademark dispute over the name. And it’s not known when and where the case will take place.

I’ll make sure to update this, or make another when more information comes available in regards to this case.

The internet, what a strange place it can be. A 2 year old video on youtube can go from a few a few views, to thousands of views in just a few weeks. Or how a simple inactive site can go from having under 50 daily views on average. To having between 700-900 daily views in little under a week.

That whats been going on here recently…..

I wouldn’t have known that I was getting all these views recently. If it wasn’t for a fact that someone made a comment and I got a email notification of it.

I see all my views are from people who are interested in my Google Chrome review. A review I did back when the browser first came out. A poorly written, and uninformative review at that time. But hey, we all aren’t perfect right?

For those of you that so interested in Chrome right now. Please leave a comment below telling me what you are wanting to know.
Are you want a more up to date review? Are you wanting tech support? (Not sure if I could be much help there, but I’ll try.) Or is it something else related to Google Chrome?
Also, if you are wanting to see more from this site of mine, I’m going to need your guys help. I’m just one individual for now, and have been since the begining. So if there is technology or gaming news you guys want to see here on this site. Please drop me a tip or two at my contact email. And I’ll see what I can do about making a story on it. I might not make a story from every single tip. But it will help me know what kind of stuff you would want to see from this site. Instead of me haphazardly making stories that no one is interested in.

So with that, have a nice day guys!

We’ll just have to see if I can keep the site going this time around.

Meanwhile, here is a Video of the Announcement (in French):

“Steve Jobs is back to work. He is at Apple a few days a week and working from home the other days,” Apple spokesman Steve Dowling said. “We’re glad to have him back.”

Jobs went on medical leave back in December of last year. So he could better focous on his health.  And underwent a liver transplant surgery back in April.

I’m personaly glad to hear that Steve Jobs is ok and back on the job. Now maybe Jobs can get working on the rumored Apple Tablet thats been swirling around the web.

CNN