Just finished reading this over at CNN. The article talks about how most of the fans on the Internet are doing a pretty good job at following J.K. Rowling’s wishes about keeping the ending of the book a secret at least long enough to give everyone a chance to read it. I did finish Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in about eight hours yesterday and while I will probably end up reviewing it at some point or another, you won’t find a true spoiler here.
July 24, 2007
British Army Engages Terrorists in Basra
Found this video of the British Army engaging terrorists with a Javelin missile in Basra.
Some Real Uses For Twitter
I finally found a real-life use for twitter that I am going to start using immediately. My Mile Marker is a site that you enter a bit of data whenever you fill up at the gas tank. Right now the site is free. It tracks your fuel purchases and odometer readings. Every time you are at the pump you just enter your current odometer reading, the number of gallons purchased and the price per gallon. You can add it at the web page or via SMS with Twitter while you are at the pump.
This is cool because I have to track my mileage for work as they pay for my gas used, but filling out the paperwork and figuring MPG is a pain that I hate doing just because it’s one more bit of paperwork to do.
You can also use Twitter to send you reminders (such as remember the milk) on a timer as well. Very very cool.
Crossposted to TheAppDotNet
So Much For Witness Protection…
Apparently there is a site called whosarat.com which claims to be the largest online database of informants and agents and it’s starting to piss off judges around the country. You have to pay for membership so I didn’t peruse any of the information on the site.
According to the blurb on their “about us” page,
Who’s A Rat is a database driven website designed to assist attorneys and criminal defendants with few resources. The purpose of this website is for individuals and attorneys to post,share and request any and all information that has been made public at some point to at least 1 person of the public prior to posting it on this site pertaining to local,state and federal Informants and Law Enforcement Officers. This includes an Informant who makes his or her Informant status known to any person.
The problem with this site is that it’s going to get someone killed. The entire point of the Federal Witness Protection program is so that people can snitch and go into hiding not worrying about recriminations later on. If all of their information is out there for $7.99 that will damn sure give anyone second thoughts about testifying, particularly in high profile cases.
The premise is that criminals are untrustworthy sources and shouldn’t be allowed to bear witness against other criminals. I don’t think it’s quite as black and white as all that myself. I’m have no doubt that people will lie on the stand, but that they don’t necessarily have to be a convicted criminal to tell lies.
Tramp Stamp Tuesday
BUM!
Originally uploaded by scienceduck
Doesn’t leave a hell of a lot to the imagination does it? I will have some posts up later in the day. I ended up taking most of Monday off (as well as from real-life work) to read the new Harry Potter book. Finished it in about eight hours with a break for supper of course.