SOPA: Stop Online Piracy Act
For those who work in the digital world, defending against copyright infringement has been an ongoing battle; one with constantly evolving and elusive battle lines. So, on its face, H.R.3261–otherwise know as SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act)–introduced in the US House of Representatives on 10-26-11 would offer a possible solution. The bill is designed “To promote prosperity, creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation by combating the theft of U.S. property, and for other purposes.” However, opponents rail against what they consider possible censorship and draconian penalties, with limited channels through which to address grievances. Both sides argue that their stance improves opportunities for the millions of people whose livelihoods depend on the creation of digital content.
Proponents of the bill argue in favor of protecting the rights of intellectual property creators, by penalizing hosts who offer a platform to individuals or companies that provide access to copyrighted materials without permission. This includes posted content, links, advertising, etc. According to the sponsors, this bill only expands existing authority–which covers domestic websites–to include foreign sites. If you’d like to read the text of the bill, along with more information provided by the sponsors, click here.
Opponents contend that the bill’s passage would hinder freedom of speech, although about the only thing I could understand in the otherwise incomprehensible language of the bill, was the statement, “Nothing in this Act shall be construed to impose a prior restraint on free speech or the press protected under the 1st Amendment to the Constitution.” However, the baffling legalese in the remaining 3,000+ words may contain loopholes. Opponents also indicate that the bill would hold site owners accountable for all posted content, resulting in undue punishment for behavior over which they may have little or no control. The web is nearly buried under an avalanche of opposition opinions, but the website,netCoalition.com represents many of the Internet heavy hitters, and provides an apparently legitimate forum to opponents of the bill.
Those who favor passage, say that much of the criticism is unfounded; advanced by people with an agenda, or by those who simply misunderstand. According to Lamar Smith, the bill’s sponsor “Their concerns are based on speculation and hyperbole, rather than reality. There is no language that would criminalize actions by domestic political bloggers. There is nothing that would require Internet service providers or bloggers to ‘censor’ the Internet.”
Rumors are circulating about a possible retaliatory “Internet blackout” by such web giants as Google, Facebook, and Amazon, among others. This would supposedly result in their home pages being temporarily replaced with a black screen, requesting users to petition representatives to oppose the bill.
The bill is scheduled to be brought before the House for debate on January 24th.
~Kevin
Slow, Lagging PC Driving You Crazy?
Painfully Slow Progress Bar?
Overloaded With Digital Junk?
SYSTEM MECHANIC IS THE ANSWER!
Automatic Overhaul - Complete System Optimization!
Supercharge That Progress Bar!
YOUR PC WILL RUN UP TO 300% FASTER!
This is it - The LAST of Our Stock!
Do NOT Miss This Opportunity!
LOWEST PRICE EVER - JUST $12.97!
So You Just Turned Your PC on...
That gives you what, about 20 minutes to do something else while you wait for it to boot up? Go ahead, do the dishes - you've got time...
It's booted! Thank goodness, because you have other chores to do. So you click on your Internet Explorer icon and now have about ten more minutes to vacuum.
Oh, and the last time you actually downloaded something, you had enough time to watch a movie before it was done! Cool, huh? NO - NOT COOL - AND NOW THERE'S AN ANSWER FOR IT!
Make Your PC Run up to 300% Faster - RIGHT NOW!
How can you do that? Simple! Install System Mechanic, let it run, and literally watch your PC problems melt away!
In just a few simple minutes, your computer is going to be running like a brand new machine!You'll be absolutely BLOWN AWAY - Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 - WHATEVER you've got - Prepare for it to FLY!
System Mechanic DEVOURS Digital Junk!
Every PC is full of digital junk. That's because they take old downloads, programs you no longer use, outdated software, etc., and store them. You may think you've gotten rid of the junk, but you haven't - PC's are digital hoarders and they make the junk really hard to find...
System Mechanic rids your computer of this junk! Once it's gone through and destroyed all that garbage floating around, you'll have MEGS - even GIGS of extra hard drive space! Of course, this is just the tip of the ice burg...
Get a MASSIVE Dose of Extra Security With the Click of a Button!
The internet can be a dangerous place. There's dirty hackers out there always looking for new ways to get to innocent computers just like yours! If you have an open vulnerability, even firewall might not save you...but SYSTEM MECHANIC CAN AND WILL!
First off, it has a ONE BUTTON option for finding and fixing security holes! Just press and it will find - and fix - anyproblems with your security!
SENSITIVE FILES?
System Mechanic comes stock with a program called the Incinerator - and it's as tough as it sounds! you can destroy your sensitive files without a trace! This amazing program permanently deletes files so that no one - not even a bunch of scientists in white lab coats - can recover 'em!
This Program is LIFE CHANGING!
Some programs you just pop in and are forced to run it the way it was programed. Not this one! Sure, you can absolutely run it that way, and it'll work with ease, making your computer WAY better! But if you only want it to do certain things,System Mechanic lets you choose!
If you never buy ANY software again - make this your last one and you won't care! Why? Because after System Mechanic has done it's job, your computer will be running like the day you got it!
Your PC Will INSTANTLY Become Faster!
Right away, System Mechanic jumps in, digs deep, and ELIMINATES those unnecessary, excess startup programs.
Plus - if YOU want to take control, you can! It will show you EXACTLY what programs start up every time you boot, what they do, and if you really need 'em - or just go automatic - either way, you're gonna see a HUGE difference in speed!
Recover Wasted Memory!
System Mechanic also comes stock with a program called Memory Mechanic. In about 8 seconds you recover all the wasted memory - and see an INSTANT boost in speed!
That's Just the TIP of the HIGH-SPEED ICEBURG!
Here's a shorter summary of some of the other amazing utilities included in System Mechanic:
Energy Booster: Shuts down unnecessary background programs! It's like putting a shot of adrenaline directly into the heart of your hard drive!NetBooster: Examines your internet connection, and optimizes it for the fastest possible speed! We're talkin' 100% to 200%...EVEN 300% FASTER! Drive Medic: With the simple click of a button,this scans your hard drive and automatically fixes any problems it discovers. Stop worrying about your hard drive!PC Clean Up: Get rid of all that excess digital junk! In a matter of minutes, this utility eats up all that junk and gives you back MEGS - even GIGS - of hard drive space back!System Guard: This will alert you when a program tries to add itself to your startup, and it destroys dangerous programs trying to run in the background. It also protects your browser from unauthorized software!Privacy Guard: This utility protects all of your data! It erases your web search history, eliminates unwanted cookies, chat transcripts and more!
Bottom Line - RUN this bad boy on your computer and you WILL see an increase in speed - probably a dramatic one!!!
AUTOMATIC REPAIRS!
Don't you just HATE those odd, baffling PC errors that make your computer suck? You know, like odd error messages, freezes, random crashes? Well System Mechanic has the answer! Pretty much any kind of system failure you can come up with, THIS can fix automatically!
There's NO Such Thing as an Unbootable PC!
The System Mechanic CD is bootable and can be used to start a PC that refuses to boot! Hey, it happens to everyone eventually, but the difference is YOU'LL be able to recover!
Pure Customization!
Some programs you just pop in and are forced to run it the way it was programed. Not this one! Sure, you can absolutely run it that way, and it'll work with ease, making your computer WAY better! But if you only want it to do certain things,System Mechanic lets you choose!
Once you install it, RUN to the Customize Advanced Windows Settings area and get ready to get FLOORED!
Award Winning Software!
Did I mention over 22 MILLION people use this? But hey, they didn't get the deal you're about to!
AMAZING Program - STUNNING PRICE!
Ok - so now that you're starting to understand just how sweet this program is, I just wanted to share a little secret with you. It has to do with a steep price tag and big box stores...
I was just in Best Buy the other day and look at how much these bad boys retail for!! $50!! Yikes! I can't believe how much everyone else is paying for this program! Is that insane or what?!?!
Yeah, we're selling it for just $12.97! That's 50% Cheaper than you'll find it anywhere else!
Here's the deal - when you install this program, it will update to the newest version automatically! So, we're talking a $50 program!!
Your price? How about just $12.97 with FREE US Shipping? Seriously, this has got to be the best deal in the history of the PC! Don't miss out - for $12.97, you just can't go wrong!
PS - Warning - there's a LIMITED quantity on this one and when it sells out, we-can't-get-anymore - ever.
You THOUGHT You'd Seen 'em All...
You THOUGHT All 4-Port USB Hubs Were the Same...
YOU WERE WRONG!
Apparently You've Never Seen the Orange Octopus!
4 Ports - 480Mbps - Extra Long Cord- ZERO BULK!
EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER WANTED IN A HUB...
In a Unique Design That ELIMINATES Desk Clutter!
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW!
Lightning FAST Plug & Play!
FUN, UNIQUE, PORTABLE DESIGN!
You THOUGHT All 4-Port USB Hubs Were the Same...
YOU WERE WRONG!
Apparently You've Never Seen the Orange Octopus!
4 Ports - 480Mbps - Extra Long Cord- ZERO BULK!
EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER WANTED IN A HUB...
In a Unique Design That ELIMINATES Desk Clutter!
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO BELOW!
Lightning FAST Plug & Play!
FUN, UNIQUE, PORTABLE DESIGN!
Your Hub is...BORING!
4-port hubs...what can you say about 'em? Most people living in this century already have one (or more than one), and if they don't, they probably don't have any USB devices.
The problem with the barrage of 4-port USB hubs is that if you've seen one, you've seen 'em all. They all do the EXACT same thing, and most of them look EXACTLY alike...What's worse is that many of them are bulky or shaped in a way that they take up way more room on your desk than they should. Ready for a change?
The ORANGE Octopus Hub is Changing the Game!
If you're tired of that bland looking, dirty 4-port hub that's haunting your desk, get ready for a FUN, UNIQUE, FULLY FUNCTIONAL CHANGE!
Lightning Fast + A TOTALLY Unique Design = A Better 4-Port Hub!
480mpbs is as fast as a USB 2.0 hub can get! Talk about super-charged! And you've NEVER seen one that looks quite like this...
The design is TOTALLY unique! Admit it, tough guy. You think this hub is just as cute as the next guy! But beyond the unique looks, this thing is ALL BUSINESS! It'll work with EVERY USB device you've got: from digital cameras to cellphones and everything in between! Hey - just because it doesn't look serious doesn't mean that it's performance suffers. Just wait til you try this thing!
Brilliance in the Details: Fun & Unique Looking - Takes up ZERO Space!
Talk about being easy to travel with! You know those big, bulky 4-port hubs that not only make travel a pain, but storage in general? Well NOT this one! Sure, it's unique, fun design might make you laugh, but it's brilliant design also makes it the perfect hub to have on your desk or to slip in a bag for travel!
The Absolute BEST Features You'd Expect in a top-of-the-line USB Hub!
This hub is USB 2.0 compliant, and backwards compatible with 1.1 - it'll work with EVERYTHING you have! It's also TOTALLY plug & play (you don't need any drives) and it gives you a super-fast transfer rate 480 Mpbs!
Check Out The Video - See the OCTOPUS Live Now!
GREAT PRICE!
Check Out The Video - See the OCTOPUS Live Now!
GREAT PRICE!
So how much for this premium USB 4-port Hub? Just $10.97 with FREE US SHIPPING! How's that for a deal? Act fast on these, because they won't last! Our limited quantity coupled with the ridiculously low price makes selling out a sure thing!
PS: You know the deal! IF there's any left tomorrow, the price jumps back up to $16.97 - SO ORDER NOW!
William from Milwaukee, WI asks:
I am looking for a music program that can hear my clarinet and transcribe the music as I play.
Recording and transcribing MIDI instruments like a synthesizer or electric drum kit is relatively easy, and there are a lot of software options for doing this. However, analog instruments like a clarinet pose a different challenge altogether. They require a far more sophisticated program because of the need to interpret live sounds as opposed to a series of stored electrical impulses. So, it can be done, but there are fewer options available to musicians like you. Here are few options you should definitely consider.
1. Sebelius 6 – The latest generation of Sebelius includes a version of AudioScore that lets you record and transcribe audio via a microphone that is connected to your computer. You are then free to manipulate the note length, pitch, and tempo just as if it was an original MIDI input.
Of course, Sibelius does much more that transcribe analog audio. This music notation software is a favorite with music teachers and composers the world over because it is packed full of useful features that make creating your own musical scores a hassle-free experience. Unfortunately, this means that it is not cheap. Expect to pay around $600 for a Mac or PC version.
2. Intelliscore – A cheaper option is Intelliscore’s Ensemble or Polyphonic software. It converts MP3, WAVE, AIF and AAC files to MIDI, but also converts live audio from an instrument like a clarinet. The Ensemble version allows the recording of multiple instruments at one time, while the Polyphonic version only supports one instrument. Once the software has recorded your music, it converts it to MIDI and can open it in the included Anvil Studio notation software so that you can edit it further to suit your needs.
Intelliscore is only available for Windows computers. The retail box version of Ensemble is available for $169 ($149 download), while the Polyphonic version costs $119 ($99 download). Trial versions are available on the Intelliscore website if you want to put this technology to the test yourself.
3. AudioScore Ultimate – If you like the AudioScore features included with Sibelius, but you don’t need, or want to pay for, the additional pro editing tools, you can buy AudioScore as a standalone product.
It has the same functionality as the Sibelius plug-in, but comes at a lower price. AudioScore has a built-in metronome, allows you to create a printable score, and also lets you export your files for editing on other notation software products. You can buy AudioScore direct from the manufacturer for $249, and it can be installed on either a Mac or PC. Again, a free demo version is available if you want to try before you buy.
So, it is possible to record and transcribe audio from your clarinet, but the technology available to do this is not cheap. Hopefully one of these products will match the features you are looking for with the budget you had in mind.
~Jonathan Wylie
I am looking for a music program that can hear my clarinet and transcribe the music as I play.
Recording and transcribing MIDI instruments like a synthesizer or electric drum kit is relatively easy, and there are a lot of software options for doing this. However, analog instruments like a clarinet pose a different challenge altogether. They require a far more sophisticated program because of the need to interpret live sounds as opposed to a series of stored electrical impulses. So, it can be done, but there are fewer options available to musicians like you. Here are few options you should definitely consider.
1. Sebelius 6 – The latest generation of Sebelius includes a version of AudioScore that lets you record and transcribe audio via a microphone that is connected to your computer. You are then free to manipulate the note length, pitch, and tempo just as if it was an original MIDI input.
Of course, Sibelius does much more that transcribe analog audio. This music notation software is a favorite with music teachers and composers the world over because it is packed full of useful features that make creating your own musical scores a hassle-free experience. Unfortunately, this means that it is not cheap. Expect to pay around $600 for a Mac or PC version.
2. Intelliscore – A cheaper option is Intelliscore’s Ensemble or Polyphonic software. It converts MP3, WAVE, AIF and AAC files to MIDI, but also converts live audio from an instrument like a clarinet. The Ensemble version allows the recording of multiple instruments at one time, while the Polyphonic version only supports one instrument. Once the software has recorded your music, it converts it to MIDI and can open it in the included Anvil Studio notation software so that you can edit it further to suit your needs.
Intelliscore is only available for Windows computers. The retail box version of Ensemble is available for $169 ($149 download), while the Polyphonic version costs $119 ($99 download). Trial versions are available on the Intelliscore website if you want to put this technology to the test yourself.
3. AudioScore Ultimate – If you like the AudioScore features included with Sibelius, but you don’t need, or want to pay for, the additional pro editing tools, you can buy AudioScore as a standalone product.
It has the same functionality as the Sibelius plug-in, but comes at a lower price. AudioScore has a built-in metronome, allows you to create a printable score, and also lets you export your files for editing on other notation software products. You can buy AudioScore direct from the manufacturer for $249, and it can be installed on either a Mac or PC. Again, a free demo version is available if you want to try before you buy.
So, it is possible to record and transcribe audio from your clarinet, but the technology available to do this is not cheap. Hopefully one of these products will match the features you are looking for with the budget you had in mind.
~Jonathan Wylie
Do you have a question for us? Ask it here!
Clear Android Applications Cache to Improve Performance
Has your Android phone visibly slowed down? Is there a lag? If yes, free up some phone memory and you’ll notice a drastic improvement in speed and performance. In this tip, I’ll show you how to improve the performance of an Android phone by clearing the cache memory. I’ve used the most commonly found version of Android, 2.2, to illustrate the steps.
Step 1: Access Settings.
There are two ways of accessing Settings. The simplest is to press the menu key on the phone. Typically, it is the left corner key on Android phones. After you press this key, some options appear. Tap Settings.
There's more to this tip! Click here!
(Want these tips in their entirety? Sign up for Premium!)
John L. asks:
How do I print only part of an email or other text?
A:From time to time, you’d like to print out an email you’ve received. The problem is that you don’t want to print out the whole kit and caboodle—the email header, the chit chat or the signature. Can you print out just a section of an email? Sure! Here’s a quick solution that will save you paper and ink.
Highlight the section of the email you’d like to print. Right click Copy.
Finish this tip here!
How do I print only part of an email or other text?
A:From time to time, you’d like to print out an email you’ve received. The problem is that you don’t want to print out the whole kit and caboodle—the email header, the chit chat or the signature. Can you print out just a section of an email? Sure! Here’s a quick solution that will save you paper and ink.
Highlight the section of the email you’d like to print. Right click Copy.
Finish this tip here!
(Want these tips in their entirety? Sign up for Premium!)
Spokeo: Privacy and Frustration
I recently discovered Spokeo, an online reference that contains more personal information than most people would probably like to see gathered in one place. Spokeo describes themselves as, “Not your grandma’s phone book”. I’ll say. The information available for free includes address, phone number, street view of your home (if available), estimated income (we found this estimation to be way off), estimated value of your home (again, not very accurate),and names, ages, and relationships to family members (this was correct in the few that we viewed).
Searching can be done under any of the five tabs; Name, Email, Phone, Username, or Friends. The Name tab reveals more information than the others, but each contains bits related to the subject. However, we found different answers to the same questions, by looking under different tabs.
Get the rest of this info here!
(Want these tips in their entirety? Sign up for Premium!)
For stories, jokes, quotes and cartoons every day, sign up for our Just for Grins newsletter.
I don’t know how I missed dwellinggawker the first time around, but now that I’ve found it I’m hooked! Like foodgawker and craftgawker which feature food and crafts this gawker focuses on the home. Here you’ll find amazing homes, design, and projects that you can DIY for yourself to put in your own home. I love the DIY entries because my Dad taught me with a little ingenuity and a trip to the hardware store you can make just about anything yourself to fill a need around the home.
As with all the gawker sites, if you click on the picture of a post you like, you will be whisked away to the blog that it came from. Some of the pictures will take you to instructions on how to make a project for your own home. For example #4200 – an adorable, under-the-bed storage chest made from one sheet of plywood.
I can’t believe that I only just noticed that the entries are numbered! What a great way to share your favorite images with your friends and family! I’d also suggest if you are looking for the DIY projects that you scroll to the bottom of the page where all the tags are listed and select DIY, otherwise you’ll spend a lot of time wading through gorgeous design pictures and might forget why you’re there! To the right of the tags there is also a category listing that will make it easier to browse for what you’re looking for.
In order to favorite any of the pictures you like or post your own to be reviewed for submission, you will need to register for an account. Thankfully, registration is easy to do! Just click Register at the top left of the page. Then a registration form will appear at the left side of the page. Fill it out by providing a username, password, and a working e-mail address, and then click Register. It will automatically log you in and you can start favoriting projects you like right away!
The navigation tabs work the same as the other gawkers so, you’ll find several that change the way you’re viewing the page. They are: Latest (the default way of viewing), Popular (what do other people like), and Randomize (a completely random selection of projects to check out).
To favorite a picture of stellar design or a handy dandy DIY project just click on the little heart in the bottom left corner of the border around the picture. The image will then flip over and you can add notes, and tags to it, then click save. It will tell you if it saved at the top of the picture. You can also double check by clicking Favorites on the navigation tabs at the top of the page.
And again, I would highly recommend that you check out the FAQ before doing so. You’ll find everything that you need to know to ensure that your project is accepted, rather than denied.
I love sites like this because they provide so much in the way of inspiration for your own projects and offer much in the way of education through sections like the DIY. Check it out today!
No comments:
Post a Comment