Schadenfreude » internet http://www.ralree.com Malicious enjoyment derived from observing someone else's misfortune Sun, 28 Feb 2010 04:18:37 +0000 en hourly 1 Annoying Web 2.0 Stuff http://www.ralree.com/2008/07/01/annoying-web-2-0-stuff/ http://www.ralree.com/2008/07/01/annoying-web-2-0-stuff/#comments Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:31:00 +0000 Erik http://www.ralree.info/2008/07/01/annoying-web-2-0-stuff Have you ever wondered what it would be like if no one ever upgraded to Web 2.0? I mean, really, what have we gained. Here’s a list of things that I personally find really stupid about the phenomenon…

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if no one ever upgraded to Web 2.0? I mean, really, what have we gained. Here’s a list of things that I personally find really stupid about the phenomenon:

Lists

I think there’s a list for everything now. Everyone wants to be David Letterman. Here’s a lists of lists of things, found on Digg by searching for “10 things”:

Now, lists are all fine and dandy, but nowadays, most lists people put up are simply a ploy to get traffic, show more ads, and make money. Now, I have no problem with this at all – profits are the best incentive. But, really, it’s getting a little insane. Instead of lists, which are easy to skim, why not hide all your points in some real writing? Many of my friends and I, who are internet addicts, have realized that our reading speed and comprehension have suffered over the years due to the way we surf, which is skimming everything for that small chunk of information you want.

Social Bookmarking Icon Diarrhea

This picture says it all:

Stupid Icons

Really Big RSS Feed Images

Giant Footers

Here’s one:

Nobody looks at the bottom of your site. Sorry.

Lame Layouts

How to waste 2/3 of the screen

How to waste 3/4 of the screen


]]> http://www.ralree.com/2008/07/01/annoying-web-2-0-stuff/feed/ 6 The SixtyOne: An Awesome Free Music Site http://www.ralree.com/2008/01/17/the-sixtyone-an-awesome-free-music-site/ http://www.ralree.com/2008/01/17/the-sixtyone-an-awesome-free-music-site/#comments Thu, 17 Jan 2008 05:30:00 +0000 Erik http://www.ralree.info/2008/01/17/the-sixtyone-an-awesome-free-music-site SixtyOne Logo

I love the SixtyOne. It uses a point-based system to allow me to vote up my favorite music, which accrues me more points when more people vote it up. It’s basically like digg for music. Not all the songs are free, but you can listen to the full versions of the songs on demand without buying them.

Try it!

]]> http://www.ralree.com/2008/01/17/the-sixtyone-an-awesome-free-music-site/feed/ 0 Another Speed Test http://www.ralree.com/2007/09/03/another-speed-test/ http://www.ralree.com/2007/09/03/another-speed-test/#comments Mon, 03 Sep 2007 21:37:00 +0000 Erik http://www.ralree.info/2007/10/13/another-speed-test Speed Test

Did another speed test today. So I guess I effectively have approximately a 16Mbit/1Mbit Down/Up line. Horray me!

]]> http://www.ralree.com/2007/09/03/another-speed-test/feed/ 0 Comcast gives me 16MBit Cable for $70 per month! http://www.ralree.com/2007/06/29/comcast-gives-me-16mbit-cable-for-70-per-month/ http://www.ralree.com/2007/06/29/comcast-gives-me-16mbit-cable-for-70-per-month/#comments Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:07:00 +0000 Erik http://www.ralree.info/2007/10/13/comcast-gives-me-16mbit-cable-for-70-per-month Hello Erik, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Kurtis.6759. Please give me one moment to review your information. Erik>hi Kurtis.6759> I would be happy to assist you with that. Kurtis.6759> One moment while I access your account information please. Erik> do i have a bandwidth cap? Kurtis.6759> [...]]]> user Erik has entered room analyst Kurtis.6759 has entered room Kurtis.6759> Hello Erik, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Kurtis.6759. Please give me one moment to review your information. Erik>hi Kurtis.6759> I would be happy to assist you with that. Kurtis.6759> One moment while I access your account information please. Erik> do i have a bandwidth cap? Kurtis.6759> No. Erik> also, is my connection 8mbits as advertised? Erik> because i can only achieve 4mbits in bandwidth tests Erik> i've tried the tests using 2 different modems boths supplied by you Erik> though i did see 8mbit speeds when i first set it up (downloading directly from comcast servers) Erik> and what is my connections upload rated at Kurtis.6759> Erik, you have the 4mbps download speed. Kurtis.6759> The upload is 384kbps. Erik> hmm the salesperson said 8 Erik> are there accounts with 8? Kurtis.6759> Yes, 8mb is the top speed currently offered. Erik> how much more would that cost? Kurtis.6759> I am looking into that. Kurtis.6759> The reason your connection speed is 4mb is because you do not have cable TV. If you had even just basic cable, you'd be automatically upgraded to a 6mb download speed. Erik> basic cable costs how much? Kurtis.6759> Excluding taxes, it's $13.15 in your area. Erik> where do i sign up? Erik> can you add that now? Kurtis.6759> Just a moment please. Erik> oh and let me get this right - my bandwidth is completely unlimited Kurtis.6759> There's no download or upload limit. Erik> ok thanks Kurtis.6759> I can certainly help setup an installation of basic cable if you like. Erik> i'd still like ot add that if possible Erik> thanks Kurtis.6759> Sure. I'm working on this now, I'll confirm everything with you before any changes are made. Erik> great thanks Kurtis.6759> Thanks for holding, I'll be right with you. Erik> k Kurtis.6759> There would be an installation fee of $17.95 (excluding taxes). The cost of limited cable is $13.15 per month, plus any applicable taxes. Your internet fee (currently $57.95) will become 42.95, and be for 6mbps download instead of 4. Erik> wait so my internet fee is going down? Erik> how much will my total cost per month change Kurtis.6759> If we make this change, then you'd pay $59.10 (42.95 + 3 for modem + 13.15 for cable) plus any applicable taxes. Kurtis.6759> There's also an option upgrade to the 8mb service if you like, which is just $10 more than the price I just mentioned. Erik> 6 is fine - lets do that Kurtis.6759> Sure. I'll be right with you. Kurtis.6759> Erik, as it turns out, in your area, I can actually offer you a 16mb download speed, which would be $10 more ($69.10 + tax total) than the 6mb download speed, which is the same price as I had mentioned for 8mb. Wouldn't it be great to have a 16mb download speed? Erik> wow...i want it Erik> lets do that Erik> so thats a total bill amount - with basic cable? Erik> and theres no catch? no limited time thing? Kurtis.6759> No, it's not a promotion. Erik> awesome - do it Erik> also, is there a place i can leave feedback when we're done? I want to commend you. Erik> or someone i can call and say "Kurtis did an awesome job and deserves a raise" Kurtis.6759> The cost would be $13.15 for basic cable + $52.95 for the 16mb download speed + $3 for the modem rental which is $69.10, and there is a one time install fee for the cable of $17.95. Any applicable taxes also apply. Erik> perfect - please set that up Kurtis.6759> I can have a technician there on Thurday the 28th to setup the basic cable. The first open time is 12:30pm to 4:30pm. Would that work for you? Erik> sure Erik> when will my internet be upgraded? Kurtis.6759> That will happen as soon as this work order closes, so as soon as we get your cable installed. That is when the billing for it would start also. Erik> ok thanks Erik> sounds great Kurtis.6759> Okay, that's scheduled. Kurtis.6759> I'm glad I could help you set that up, Erik! Kurtis.6759> Thank you for using Comcast’s Live Chat support, do you have any other questions for me today? Erik> nope that doe sit Erik> thanks for the help Kurtis.6759> You're welcome! The reference number for this session is: 93662758 Kurtis.6759> Have a great evening!

The cost would be $13.15 for basic cable + $52.95 for the 16mb download speed + $3 for the modem rental which is $69.10, and there is a one time install fee for the cable of $17.95. Any applicable taxes also apply.

Horray!

Update

Hawt

]]> http://www.ralree.com/2007/06/29/comcast-gives-me-16mbit-cable-for-70-per-month/feed/ 5 I can’t read the news because of advertising. http://www.ralree.com/2007/06/27/i-can-t-read-the-news-because-of-advertising/ http://www.ralree.com/2007/06/27/i-can-t-read-the-news-because-of-advertising/#comments Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:05:00 +0000 Erik http://www.ralree.info/2007/10/13/i-can-t-read-the-news-because-of-advertising What is wrong with this picture?

Hmmm

Oh! I know! Maybe its that I can’t read the article because of an ad!! Good work, CNN!

Original Story. You might have to refresh a few times. This is because of oversize flash advertisements. Here is a short flash video of my experience.

]]> http://www.ralree.com/2007/06/27/i-can-t-read-the-news-because-of-advertising/feed/ 2 Sad state of domain squatting http://www.ralree.com/2007/06/25/sad-state-of-domain-squatting/ http://www.ralree.com/2007/06/25/sad-state-of-domain-squatting/#comments Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:24:00 +0000 Erik http://www.ralree.info/2007/10/13/sad-state-of-domain-squatting Well, I figured that someone out there must have created a repository of code examples, so the first thing I tried was CodeExamples.org. And, not amazingly, it’s beed squatted. Oh great – thanks for wasting that name. Let’s try .com. .net? Well, they’re all completely worthless. .info hasn’t beed squatted (yet). There should be some policy against buying domains for no other reason than squatting. This is ridiculous.

]]> http://www.ralree.com/2007/06/25/sad-state-of-domain-squatting/feed/ 3 Wordpress loses again http://www.ralree.com/2007/05/10/wordpress-loses-again/ http://www.ralree.com/2007/05/10/wordpress-loses-again/#comments Thu, 10 May 2007 08:33:00 +0000 Erik http://www.ralree.info/2007/10/13/wordpress-loses-again Another Wordpress folly:

When will people learn that it’s not good? Someday hopefully.

]]> http://www.ralree.com/2007/05/10/wordpress-loses-again/feed/ 2 Precaching Images with Javascript http://www.ralree.com/2007/04/17/precaching-images-with-javascript/ http://www.ralree.com/2007/04/17/precaching-images-with-javascript/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2007 02:53:00 +0000 Erik http://www.ralree.info/2007/10/13/precaching-images-with-javascript Today, Will told me about some awesome image caching. I used it.


//Do some image caching
cached_image = Array(new Image(), new Image(), new Image(), new Image());
cached_image[0].src="image1.jpg";
cached_image[1].src="image2.jpg";

It’s amazing.

]]> http://www.ralree.com/2007/04/17/precaching-images-with-javascript/feed/ 0 Domain Name Nightmare http://www.ralree.com/2007/04/04/domain-name-nightmare/ http://www.ralree.com/2007/04/04/domain-name-nightmare/#comments Wed, 04 Apr 2007 11:21:00 +0000 Erik http://www.ralree.info/2007/10/13/domain-name-nightmare So, fittingly, April 1st of this year, my nameservers changed for ralree.info causing a spam site to show up where everything I was working on used to be. I feared the worst, thinking that my name had been sniped by domain squatters. But no! In fact, as I already knew was happening, my domain had expired, but was put on hold by eNom. I’m actually very happy with them since they re-registered my domain name for a year without even batting an eye. All I had to do was email them proof of my identity and pay for another year of registration. I’m still going to transfer to another registrar (Site5), but for now, it works.

Lesson Learned: Never use a shady but very cheap domain registrar like Registerfly.

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