lorin schultz

Reading that Facebook cheated came as no surprise. Reading that Google has done the same thing disappoints me.

We all know Google's business model. I trade information about my browsing habits for free services. If managed responsibly, it can be successful without being evil. Just allow me to easily select what I share and what I don't in a manner that a dummy like me can understand. I could even accept Google offering its service in tiers based on how much I share. Maybe Google could start offering paid access that keeps the information it collects about me private.

I say "keeps the information it collects about me private" rather than "not collecting information about me" because analyzing my habits is exactly how Google delivers better search results than other sources. I *want* Google to do that, I just want it done in an open, safe, and ethical way.

Google *seems* like a company I want to support, with its willingness to explore imaginative projects beyond the typical (where would vehicle navigation be today without Google's crazy camera cars?). That's why it bothers me when I read stories like this. I don't understand why a company like Google resorts to deception and even overt cheating when it's just not necessary.

I'd like to stop using Facebook, but it would have negative consequences for me as a freelance tech. First, thats where a major chunk of the networking required to stay visible goes on. Second, there's a stigma attached to those who don't use it, similar to conspiracy theorists.

I don't understand why Facebook continues to enjoy widespread acceptance despite its obviously invasive actions and security breaches. Is it ignorance or apathy? Either way, for those whose income depends on word of mouth, it's difficult to be an early un-adopter.

It's not the self-driving part that's causing headaches, it's the power side of things. Think about how much trouble Apple is having getting the wireless charging mat for the iPhone ready for market. Now imagine making one the size of a parking space. Aside from being an onerous manufacturing hurdle, some sources are reporting cases of early prototypes radiating excessive static charges that mess up people's hair. The affect on neighbourhood cats has been described as "disturbing."

normang said:

If I read it right, other than perhaps getting photo credit for said photo, you don't get any other compensation for giving Apple the rights to your photo for wide distribution.. Which seems a little cheap to me considering the seeming value of Apple showing one's photo for the sale of iPhones. If all one wants is the notoriety, I guess that's fine... still seems that the winners should get something other than that... though maybe I missed it;

If I win, my "prize" is giving a multi-billion dollar corporation the right to use my work for free. Whoopie.

StrangeDays said:

lorin schultz said:

zroger73 said:

I have three primary complaints with Netflix:

1. There should be a way to turn off video previews.
2. There should be a way to turn off that annoying and loud sound that plays when opening the app.

YES!!! Those are both SO annoying! Who the hell is driving interface design at Netflix? Is the person behind this clueless or a sadist?

Or this - why does it make me pick which profile to use, when I only have one profile!

I forgot about that one! What the hell is that about? I keep thinking there must be some reason for that ridiculous step -- it CAN'T be as utterly mindless as it seems, can it?