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Bad Results From Google?

January 31st, 2009 | 1 Comment | Posted in Tech Goodies

I will use Google before asking dumb questions

This site may harm your computer.

Google flags entire internet as malware… For a short time today, all search results were flagged as potentially harmful, with users warned that the site “may harm your computer”.

Users who clicked on their preferred search result were advised to pick another one.

Google attributed the fault to human error and said most users were affected for about 40 minutes.

“What happened? Very simply, human error,” wrote Marissa Mayer, vice president, search products and user experience, on the Official Google Blog.

Unfortunately (and here’s the human error), the URL of ‘/’ was mistakenly checked in as a value to the file and ‘/’ expands to all URLs. Fortunately, our on-call site reliability team found the problem quickly and reverted the file. Since we push these updates in a staggered and rolling fashion, the errors began appearing between 6:27 a.m. and 6:40 a.m. and began disappearing between 7:10 and 7:25 a.m., so the duration of the problem for any particular user was approximately 40 minutes.

Once again, Google shows it isn’t infallible.


Creative Commons License photo credit: Andréia

Google Now Officially Obama’s

January 30th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Tech Goodies

H/t the big feed

After just over two years, Google has finally defused the “Google Bomb” that has returned US President George W. Bush at the top of its results in a search on “miserable failure”. The move wasn’t a post-State Of The Union Address gift for Bush. Instead, it’s part of an overall algorithm change designed to stop such mass link pranks from working.

A search today now shows the US White House page carrying Bush’s name is no longer top listed. Also gone are pages about Michael Moore and former US president Jimmy Carter that were on the first page of results due to Google bombing actions.

“It’s completely algorithmic,” said Google spam fighting czar Matt Cutts, adding “we’re not going to claim it’s 100 percent perfect.”


Here’s what Google is not telling you.

A week ago, if you searched the term “miserable failure”, it returned Obama as the top result. A reverse google bombing.

Now after 6 years of the Bush derangement, Google, with no other motive, decided to clean up the mess?

Google is shown it’s firmly in the tank for Obama. Who know what else they’ll do to help the cause.

Elizabeth May Reads The Budget For Us

January 28th, 2009 | 3 Comments | Posted in environment

The unquestionable authority on Federal Budgets explains to all of us dirty carbon-loving folks what the budget means.

Her best line: Obama is spending $19 Billion on renewable energy and will create 1.5 million jobs. She then laments that there’s nothing for clean water (we have), green infrastructure and it won’t shift us green. Thank God.

Lizzy pretends to be an authority… and drops her green outfit for a red one. Hmm.

Stimulate This Ignatieff!

January 28th, 2009 | 2 Comments | Posted in Canada Election


The Liberal party will only support the minority Conservative government’s federal budget if Prime Minister Stephen Harper agrees to an amendment calling for a “clear marker” of regular updates to Parliament on the impact of economic stimulus projects, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said Wednesday.

Stuff it Iggy… quit playing games with our future. A firestorm is on the horizon and Iggy is deciding whether or not we’ll get water.

It’s a play to get a non-confidence vote every three months, and Canadians should see this as another cynical liberal game.

Harper needs show some backbone on this.

Prime Minister Harper – do the right thing and cut personal taxes and EI employer contributions now. You’ll succeed with the stimulus by March 1st. Plus, you’ll have the worlds best stimulus plan and Canada may avoid the world of hurt that’s on the way.

Public work projects, for the sake of stimulus, are a ridiculous waste and won’t change a thing. They force cities and provinces to take on debt, just to get a road paved to nowhere. $30 billion in debt becomes $90 Billion fast this way. I can live with potholes for a couple of years.

Am I missing something here?

photo credit: terfe

Now Hockey Fights Are Racist?

January 28th, 2009 | 3 Comments | Posted in Vancouver Sports

muslim hockey league

Of all the hockey fights I’ve watched, been in, or read of, this is a first:

Racism not a factor in Muslim hockey riot: official

BURNABY, B.C. — The president of the B.C. Muslim Sports Association has denied accusations that a recent riot at a ball-hockey tournament was sparked by racism.

“He played last year and nothing happened. You know how (rough) hockey can be – that is normal in hockey. The majority of the players were Sunni but there were a few non-Muslims and non-Sunnis.”

“It was just disgusting. They believe we are non-Muslim. At the end of the day, that is the cause.”

Why this would even be a press item is confusing… replace Muslim with Catholic and see how ridiculous it reads.

I knew when they allowed moms in the dressing room, hockey wouldn’t be the same. Imagine what religion will do to the game.

Banned Super Bowl Ads- Peta

January 28th, 2009 | 2 Comments | Posted in All about Vancouver, Oddities

Almost makes me want to skip that burger…

Judging by the site (here), they dumped a small fortune into this. (Who funds these creeps?)

Oh well, at least it’ll get play online.

Iran Not Buying The Change Part. Let’s Try Hope.

January 28th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Obama

ahmadinejad

Seems that Iran isn’t sold on Obama’s HopeNChange…

Ahmadinejad says Obama must apologise to the Iranian people for Bush

“We welcome change but on condition that change is fundamental and on the right track,” Mr Ahmadinejad told a rally in western Iran broadcast live on state television.

“When they say ’we want to make changes’, change can happen in two ways. First is a fundamental and effective change… The second … is a change of tactics. It is very clear that, if the meaning of change is the second one, this will soon be revealed.”

The new Administration has said that Mr Obama will be breaking from his predecessor by pursuing direct talks with Tehran, while threatening to increase diplomatic pressure if it refuses to accept a UN Security Council demand to halt its disputed nuclear work.

In an interview on Monday with al-Arabiya* television – his first with any major network since becoming president, Mr Obama promised to lay a framework for his policy towards Iran.

“As I said in my inauguration speech, if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us,” he said.

“It is very important for us to make sure that we are using all the tools of US power, including diplomacy, in our relationship with Iran.”

* Al Arabiya, is a virulently antisemitic Arab satellite network that regularly broadcasts support for jihad and militant Islam. This is an absolutely horrible precedent, and the implied weakness will surely encourage jihadists worldwide—no matter what Obama thinks he’s “communicating” to them. You can see the video here.

Great plan for dealing with a madman… wish you luck.

And the NY Times interpretation: “It was not immediately clear whether Mr. Ahmadinejad’s speech was Tehran’s definitive response to the Obama administration’s offers to open a dialogue.”

Only question is how long it will take Obama to realize that diplomacy has not, and will not, ever work.

A Snowmobile Feat

January 27th, 2009 | No Comments | Posted in Oddities

Levi LaVallee, the first person to ever do a double backflip on a snowmobile…

I wonder if they add this as a Winter Olympic event? Sure beats most of the events…

Glad Someone Gets it.

January 26th, 2009 | 5 Comments | Posted in Economy

Ottawa

The Best Part From the Speech from The Throne:

The economic stimulus plan will be a plan of action.

  • Our Government is stimulating the economy, both through direct government action and by encouraging private expenditure.
  • Our Government is taking immediate action to build Canada through new investment in infrastructure.
  • Our Government is acting to protect the stability of our financial system.
  • Our Government is acting to ensure access to credit for businesses and consumers.
  • Our Government is acting to support Canadian industries in difficulty―including forestry, manufacturing, automotive, tourism, agriculture―and to protect the families and communities who depend on those jobs.
  • Our Government is acting to protect the vulnerable: the unemployed, lower-income Canadians, seniors, Aboriginal Canadians and others hit hardest by the global economic recession.

This is the first time I have heard anyone mention private investment and small business (although small business is only mentioned in a round about way).

The way out for Canada is by laying out a clear plan, making sure credit isn’t frozen, and by opening the door for small business to grow.

In 5 years the Fortune 100 won’t include most of the current companies that occupy those spots today. In fact, a great number have left the building already.

Small business and new companies, started in a recession, will get Canada growing, if given the chance.

I’d like to see the process of starting a business become something you can do online for little or no cost. Eliminate taxes for retained earnings. Make year ends filings simple.

If Canadians would facilitate those with ideas and ambition (quit taxing us to death), we could see Canada lead the way out of this mess.

And, please don’t throw all of our “stimulus” into roads and construction. I have no idea how this helps everyday Canadians.


Creative Commons License photo credit: Vince Alongi

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