The New York Times > Technology > Brazil: Free Software's Biggest and Best Friend

Probably the best thing to happen to computers in awhile. If the Feds would do something like this, it could change the World. I'm not a total anti-Microsoft person, but what's wrong with competition? It's unAmerican to fear competition and can only make us better.

The New York Times > Technology > Brazil: Free Software's Biggest and Best Friend

Probably the best thing to happen to computers in awhile. If the Feds would do something like this, it could change the World. I'm not a total anti-Microsoft person, but what's wrong with competition? It's unAmerican to fear competition and can only make us better.

I thought that the Hobgoblin was next. It would probably be the best villain, although if I remember correctly, their was quite a build-up in the comics so maybe in Spiderman 4? I can't imagine a decent enemy for spiderman, maybe Doctor Doom, but he was definately Captain America's villain. Who knows and who cares :)

Error Leads to Revote on 'American Idol' (washingtonpost.com)

Maybe this is too cynical, but this has got be a publicity stunt, right?

washingtonpost.com: The 'Prince' And The Pols

Did the writer expect people to admit to commiting crimes? There are always a dirty trickster in politics. It's the "dirt under the fingernalis" of any politician. No one will ever admit to any of the stuff that happens, it just does. What about SC and McCain? It's surprising that this guy let himself get caught.

The New York Times > New York Region > A Few Tips to Cope With Life's Annoyances

I especially like the scrap metal in the envelope trick. Brilliant!

The New York Times > Business > Media & Advertising > Can Papers End the Free Ride Online?

What is the deal with Kit Seelye and media news? She's awful. What about asking a question to a reader or someone not involved deeply in publishing. Even if she asked her neighbor what they thought, it might add some real insight.

Even the Times cannot charge. Who cares about news that they can't get on Yahoo (someone else you might have wanted to interview)? Isn't this the same thing Hollywood said about TV? What about CNN or BBC's Web sites? (maybe another person people might want to hear about). It'll just push people away from the paper. I was also wondering about any numbers about Web ads? Other than fastest grossing and 2-3 percent, what about real $$$s? Is that 2 percent of $1 or $1 Billion? How fast is it growing? Isn't everything else shrinking (readership, ad pages, etc.)?

Change is the only certainty in anything. Embrace it and make it worth while. Look at the Post. They have started a ton of blogs and online content. They are obviously aiming toward the future and driving up readership by enriching content. This gives them the option of charging later for that stuff and at the very least charging more for Web site advertisers.

:: rogerebert.com :: (xhtml)

Great essay about Million Dollar Baby. I agree with Ebert in that there was something wrong about the movie. As good as Eastwood is, as a director, he does lack something. Mystic River was excellent too, but at the same time things seemed forced and unnatural (the scene with Laura Linney). All this is interesting because the way he films, doesn't rehearse, etc, he tries for a naturalistic look/feel in his movies. Regardless he's a great director and while I like the Aviator better, he deserved his Oscar.

The New York Times > Movies > Oscars 2005 > Critic's Notebook: A Ceremony Stuck in the Past Clings to Its Old Glory

Too much history and not enough of "what's next." If you ask me, an dno one has, the best thing is to move the date, make the show earlier, and change some awards (stuntmen anyone?). Those are some cosmetic changes, that would help, but then again, they also need to look to other places that have had long lives and seemed to be able to change with the times.

Maybe eliminate the lifetime Academy "membership" voters? Require people live outside LA make up a certain portion of the voters. I've lived in some company towns and LA is definately a company town. This "groupthink" is not good for the awards because people don't care about what's happeneing LA or NY.

The most critical problem with the show is that the predictions are getting more and more accurate. Most critics had predicted most of the awards (especially the Big four) in the countless "who will" versus "who should" categories. That makes the show boring. As does the Golden Globes and the rest of the awards. Something needs to change.