Time to update your AV?

If you are still using commercial AV software, they all seem to be free 3 user licenses this week.

You might be interested in FreeAfterRebate.info.

I say "still" because personally, I am using a corporate version of Symantec from my company on my desktop and my laptops all use "avast!" now. AVG is also free and well recommended. And my servers of course run ClamAV.

'Giant 'woodlice' take up residence in Britain | Mail Online'

You might be interested in Giant 'woodlice' take up residence in Britain | Mail Online.

Great flowchart to print out for work

http://consumerist.com/5116811/a-very-simple-flowchart-explaining-the-digital-tv-transition

Lighter in a Blender

This is delicious. And a reminder that electric motors are ignition sources!

You might be interested in YesButNoButYes: Lighter in a Blender.

Some GREAT Credit Card law changes

http://consumerist.com/5113129/new-rules-kill-credit-card-industrys-most-abusive-practices

That third one makes me think I will never ever get a balance transfer again... ah, the good ol' days when Discover gave me 0% for the life of the balance and I put 1/3 of my truck and the remainder of my school loans on it... ;)

Unfortunately, they don't take effect until July, 2010. Here's what they are:

• No more raising rates on existing balances
• No more double-cycle billing.
• Any payment above the minimum must automatically apply to the part of the balance with the highest interest.
• Minimum time before notice of change of terms takes effect goes from 15 to 45 days.
• Borrowers need reasonable time before a payment is due, at least 21 days
• No excessive fees for exceeding credit limit because of a hold placed on the account
• Subprime credit cards that have a $500 credit limit but a big upfront fee will have that fee capped at no more than 50% of the credit limit, and it can be paid off over a year, rather than immediately.

'10 Inventors Killed By Their Inventions - The List Universe'

You might be interested in 10 Inventors Killed By Their Inventions - The List Universe.

Old-old-old skool ASCII art

You might be interested in Retromodo: ASCII Art, Since 1948.

Dresden Audiobooks

I really liked the short-lived TV show, so I went and got it on audiobook. I'm totally hooked. The company that makes it sells it on MP3 which lets me skip a step. ;) Sadly, it looks like they did the first four and then made a huge jump to the newest (tenth) to keep fans like my friend Colin happy (who has read the rest in hardback). I'm still hesitant to get the latest because I'd really like to hear the story in between. The narrator's really good, I hope they can play catch-up!

Update: Colin sent me this link! Looks like they are, same narrator too.

Cool Netflix app

http://feedflix.com/revragnarok
http://feedflix.com/revragnarok-tv
http://feedflix.com/most_awaited

Pushing Daisies

If you guys aren't watching this, you may want to. Very funny stuff, in an awesome technicolor setup. And narrated by the guy who read all the Harry Potter books to me.

http://abc.go.com/primetime/pushingdaisies/index?pn=index

Last week was the beginning of season 2, and I believe you can see the entire episode online. The first 3-5 minutes explains the entire backstory to bring you up to speed if you didn't watch season 1.

One of the funniest lines in this one was when it was commented that an image somebody brought up was "an assault on my imagination" - a quote I'll have to remember next time somebody reveals a little TMI.

This guy may have a point - Guitar Hero vs. Music Labels

http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/09/activision-labe.html

More reasons to hate DRM

http://consumerist.com/5056803/walmart-shuts-down-music-store-deactivates-drm+protected-songs

This guy needs to sell his design to LEGO

V8 32-valve engine, don't miss the video it is sweet. Distributor and everything!

You might be interested in LEGO V8 Engine - Hacked Gadgets - DIY Tech Blog.

Free Credit Reports

Please ignore the commercials on TV with the happy little jingles and the scenarios that are not only far-fetched but quite wrong.

http://consumerist.com/5054809/consumer-101-get-your-free-credit-report-from-annual-credit-reportcom

John Adams

OK, I know you are sick of me spouting how awesome this series was. Well, it was. And as a reminder, if you rent it, turn on the historical subtitle feature "Facts are Stubborn Things". Anyway, I'm sending this out because apparently the TV Emmys were last night and they kicked some ass.

http://television.aol.com/emmys/nominee-winner

Best Miniseries
Best Lead Actor Miniseries
Best Lead Actress Miniseries
Best Supporting Actor Miniseries (Ben Franklin - well, they had stuffed the ballot a little with 3/5 nominees)
Best Writing Miniseries

Like I've said before, I just hated the camerawork. (Which shows - they didn't get Best Director). Here's my Netflix review: http://www.netflix.com/StrangerReviews?prid=214595116&lnkctr=fsb2srev

Absolutely AWESOME. Don't miss this. And enable the "trivia" track for a much better experience. I had already listened to the audiobook and loved it. The only thing that stopped it from being five stars is the Director of Photography apparently only hired 5th graders with ADD who cannot seem to frame a shot if their lives depended on it. I know that supposedly "adds to the realism" but it went overboard. This is NOT the Disney-fied version of history, as is mentioned in the conclusion. This helps remind you that these were a band of men who committed treason at great personal risk.