This story will go under-reported:
June 24th, 2009
Look at the extent US soldiers go to avoid civilian causalities, even as enemies are approaching them with mortars and RPGs:
links for 2009-06-23
June 23rd, 2009
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Among other things - removes the "Podcast" flag from files so they'll show up in the regular library. (PS. Weird things happen when you have a ringtone with the "podcast" flag set, so it's best to unflag them.)
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From the "What On EARTH" were they thinking department… They asked not just for your social network usernames (acceptable, IMHO), but your PASSWORDS to log in? A) What idiot thought this was reasonable? B) What idiots gave them their passwords?
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This could have some free-speech implications. Also, "Because it's new " — *NEW*? Credit for that quote, calling affiliate links new, goes to Rich Cleland, assistant director in the FTC's division of advertising practices. Way to be in touch RIch…
EXCERPT: Existing FTC rules already ban deceptive and unfair business practices. The proposed guidelines aim to clarify the law and for the first time specifically include bloggers, defined loosely as anyone writing a personal journal online.
"It's sort of a recognition that word-of-mouth marketing in whatever form, whether electronic or not, is a significant part of the marketing strategy of modern companies," Cleland said. "Because it's new, I think it is imperative that we provide some kind of guidance."
If approved, bloggers would have to back up claims and disclose if they're being compensated - the FTC doesn't currently plan to specify how.
Any type of blog could be scrutinized, not just ones that specialize in reviews.
links for 2009-06-22
June 22nd, 2009
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After formatting and reinstalling OS X (the key chains were behaving weird, and it was time) I realized that I had forgot to backup *one* thing — my "Perfect EQ" for iTunes. Much to my surprise, it's still the #1 Google result after almost 5 years. Of course, there's no true "perfect" EQ - I know that, and I also know that EQ's are intended to be tuned per the speakers, the room, and the music itself - however, give this EQ a try. To me, it sounds fuller and pulls out the words - kind of like an open air concert stage. YMMV.
links for 2009-06-21
June 21st, 2009
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ASCAP (the same folks who went after Girl Scouts for singing around a campfire) appears to believe that every time your musical ringtone rings in public, you're violating copyright law by "publicly performing" it without a license.
ASCAP's outlandish claim is part of its battle with major mobile carriers (including Verizon and AT&T) over whether ASCAP is owed any money for "public performances" of the musical ringtones sold by the carriers. The carriers point out that the owners of the musical compositions (i.e., songwriters and music publishers) are already paid for each ringtone download, but ASCAP claims that it's owed another royalty for the "public performances" (i.e., ringing in a restaurant) of those same ringtones.
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1. Twitter Is a Tool and Thus Difficult to Censor
shutting down Twitter.com does little to stop the offending Twittering. You’d have to shut down the entire service, which is done occasionally for maintenance.2. Tweets Are Generally Banal, but Watch Out
Each update may not be important. Collectively, however, the tweets can create a personality or environment that reflects the emotions of the moment and helps drive opinion.
3. Buyer Beware
Nothing on Twitter has been verified.
4. Watch Your Back
Some Twitterers may even be trying to trick you.
5. Twitter Is Self-Correcting but a Misleading Gauge
For all the democratic traits of Twitter, not all users are equal. A popular, trusted user matters more. In that way, Twitter is a community, with leaders and cliques.
6. Twitter Can Be a Potent Tool for Media Criticism
Just as Twitter can rally protesters against governments, its broadcast ability can rally them quickly and efficiently against news outlets.
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camera shoots 3-megapixel stills, and thus could be commanded to shoot 720p video–it's got more than enough pixels to spare, and the speedier 600MHz processor in the phone should be easily capable of the increased bandwidth required by 720p video. Why has Apple chosen to limit it to VGA resolution? It seems a slightly odd move, given that there are smartphones out there that shoot still imagery at 12-megapixels and can do full HD video.
The answer is a mystery, but we can guess one probable cause. It's the same reason why the 3G S's new processor, which is capable of 833MHz speeds, is choked down to just 600MHz: Battery life.
Sermon Notes: God’s Kindness and Love – Titus 3:4
June 7th, 2009
*** Intro ***
Titus 3:1-2 = Conduct of the Changed
- Ready for the good deed. Be peaceful. Show every consideration for all men, as much as possible. Titus 2:11-14 = Grace of our God.
Titus 3:3 = Conduct of the Unchanged
- Foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved, envious.
- All of these things, the saved once were.
*** The Hope of God’s Kindness and Love ***
Titus 3:4
Romans 5:8
Sermon Notes: Resting - Mark 6:30-32
May 31st, 2009
5/31/2007. AM service. Jeff Noblit.
It is biblical to rest from ministry. It can be prideful to think that you do not need rest.
*** The Commission for the Disciples ***
Integrity. (Mark 6:30) The disciples reported everything they had *done* - not just what they taught. We ought to be doing what we are teaching. Today there is a lot of great writing (a lot of bad too), but the doing seems disproportionately behind - even though we are getting good instruction.
Accountability. (1 Corinthians 4:3 "It’s a small thing that I’m examined by you.") (Mark 6:7 - the disciples were sent out two by two.) (Ecclesiastes 4:9) (Proverbs 27:17)
*** The Concern for the Disciples ***
Mark 6:31 - As much of a command of the Lord as it was to go out a preach the gospel. The context is mostly preachers and preaching, but it applies to all saints. Some call it a hobby, or an escape, but really it is a mandated spiritual discipline.
We are encased in weak flesh. We have a limited physical capacity and a limited emotional capacity. Jeff: "You have to rest, or people don’t want to be around you the next day. God does not have to rest, and he’s wonderful everyday." (Genesis says God "rested" but this is an anthropomorphic illustration to say that God was done with the creation work. The Bible also says that he never rests.)
However, when the work gets tough, don’t let this be an excuse to drop the work of the gospel first. Take all matters to the Lord and allow him to judge.
*** Conclusions for Practical Application ***
#1 - Get away WITH Jesus, not from Jesus. Don’t let God only remind you of your work boots. Associate him with your slippers as well.
#2 - Don’t turn yourself into a sloth. (Proverbs 6:6-11) (Mark 6:31 "… for a while")
#3 - Expect it to be difficult. Even as he went to rest, crowds would still follow Jesus. We probably won’t have that problem. We may deal with guilt.
#4 - You can take mini breaks to draw closer to God while separating from the world.
Music I *almost* idolize
April 27th, 2009
One of the things I admire about my church is its commitment to Biblical lyrics. I’m heard our music minister, Tom Clay (@brotom / thomasclay.blogspot.com) say “If we can’t preach [the lyrics] from the pulpit, we don’t sing it.” And I assure you, for those unfamiliar with Grace Life CotS, what comes from the pulpit is highly scrutinized against a biblically doctrinal understanding of the Bible. (Yes, the way I described that is unnecessarily complex, but I wanted to fully qualify what I was saying for purposes I’d rather not go into, lest I fall completely off topic. If you’re really curious, just search for Jeff Noblit or Paul Washer on YouTube.)
However, in the flesh, I am a sinner tempted in all sorts of ways, and likewise, when we sing these wonderfully true, powerful songs, it is tempting to idolize them. By this, I mean I am tempted to revere the song itself rather that reverencing God.
I try to avoid this form of idolatry by thinking upon the truths of the lyrics and their implications. It may not feel as emotionally “powerful” as when the song is also enjoyed for its musical pleasantry, but it does keep me grounded in the truth of the song, rather than its emotional appeal.
On the other hand - and I shall seem to talk out of both sides of my mouth here - sometimes I will treat the song simply as good, pleasing music and set aside the theological truths. This way, I’m not ascribing any more worth to the song than it’s due, instead I’m simply enjoying it as something good that’s excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
But thankfully, most often I am able to do both - to both enjoy the song for its musical qualities, and to worship my God for his eternal qualities. Although I rarely sing publicly - my heart indulges itself in rejoicing and praise through biblical music.
Likewise, I would like to share with you some songs that I *almost* idolize, but praise be to God - this is a sin I constantly overcome, allowing me to rejoice with other believers in the worthiness of our God.
I am using Lala.com to embed these songs (legally). You should be able to play them once, full quality, without signing in and for free. If you are not able to, you may need to clear your cookies and your Flash cookies. I strongly encourage you to patronize them if you are able and willing. They “get” the new business model.
The Power Of The Cross - Stuart Townend
Be Unto Your Name - Robin Mark
Before the Throne of God Above - Dave Hunt
update: I truly should include “In Christ Alone”, even if this particular arrangement isn’t my favorite. The lyrics here are so comprehensive and deeply rich with truth; truly an example of the kind of song that could be preached from the pulpit. (That’s not to say that it is equivalent to the Word, as certainly, there are some phrases here and there that are extra-biblical, but the truth of its message is certainly in line with truth.)
In Christ Alone - Stuart Townend
PS. This is a good time to also mention that I dissociate myself from many stereotypes given to Christians, and at the same time, I confess I am a fallen sinner. I do not view myself as “more holy” - quite the opposite - nor do I desire to “push my beliefs” onto anyone.
God’s grace to you,
- tollie
Is Copyright Still a Fair Deal
April 4th, 2009
Wow. I don’t normally find myself reading many slashdot comments, but this one caught my attention as I think it’s dead on.
From: http://bit.ly/kG5dH [slashdot.org]
Is Copyright still a fair deal? (Score:5, Insightful)
by thesupraman (179040) on Friday April 03, @08:13PMThis is not the question to ask.
The question to ask is what good are the public getting in return for giving up such freedoms, AND paying for the giving up of such freedoms (dont forget who pay for the FBI, Police, etc), and paying for the protection of the revinue to copyright owning entities.
Now, this is supposed to be the entering in to the public domain (as in becoming free..) of creative content at the end of the copyright period - a fair and equitable arrangement one could say - we protect their profits for a period, and at the end of that, we gain the advantage of their creativity openly.
However, that was in the days of limited copyright periods, these days thanks both to DRM (an unbroken DRM means an item cannot become free after its legal protection stops) and changes to copyright periods (a lot of things we have already paid to protect should be public now, and are not..) we, the people, have lost our end of the ‘bargain’.
Perhaps it is time for the copyright owners to be carrying the full costs of enforcing their copyrights, since they don’t feel the public should be allowed future advantage of their content?
I wonder what the yearly government costs of copyright enforcement is, it seems more and more public resource is bring piled in to protecting it..
Or perhaps the people (that is, government) should simply cease on their end of the bargain in return, and in light of technological DRM, revoke copyright laws, as they were enacted to protect otherwise unprotectable items (such as books) - does DRM mean we shouldn’t have to suffer copyright laws?
Once upon a time there was balance, an equitable deal between the state and copyright holders - the copyright holders have long since stopped holding up their end of the bargain….