Joseph R. Justice at Multiply.com

Found in random web surfing.

The URL:   http://www.freesound.org/index.php

From their home page:

The Freesound Project is a collaborative database of Creative Commons licensed sounds. Freesound focusses only on sound, not songs. This is what sets freesound apart from other splendid libraries like ccMixter. New to this site? Read the What is Freesound page to learn more!

From their "What is Freesound?" page:

The Freesound Project aims to create a huge collaborative database of audio snippets, samples, recordings, bleeps, ... released under the Creative Commons Sampling Plus License. The Freesound Project provides new and interesting ways of accessing these samples, allowing users to

• browse the sounds in new ways using keywords, a "sounds-like" type of browsing and more
• up and download sounds to and from the database, under the same creative commons license
• interact with fellow sound-artists!

We also aim to create an open database of sounds that can also be used for scientific research. Many audio research institutions have trouble finding correctly licensed audio to test their algorithms. Many have voiced this problem, but so far there hasn't been a solution.

Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.

Jabber

From more random web surfing.

The URL:   http://openlibrary.org/

From their About page:

One web page for every book ever published. It's a lofty, but achievable, goal.

To build it, we need hundreds of millions of book records, a brand new database infrastructure for handling huge amounts of dynamic information, a wiki interface, multi-language support, and people who are willing to contribute their time, effort, and book data.

To date, we have gathered about 30 million records (13.4 million are available through the site now), and more are on the way. We have built the database infrastructure and the wiki interface, and you can search millions of book records, narrow results by facet, and search across the full text of 230,000 scanned books.

Open Library is a project of the non-profit Internet Archive, and is funded in part by a grant from the California State Library. We have a small team of fantastic programmers who have accomplished a lot, but we can't do it alone! This is an Open project - the software is open, the data is open, the documentation is open, and the site is open.

Now it's your turn! Everyone can participate in this project, whether you're a programmer who wants to build on top of this data, a librarian who wants to add records of digitized books to her local catalog, or a lover of books who wants to make sure his favorites are well represented.

Follow the links below to find out more about participating, or just start browsing around and add some book information!

Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.

Jabber

Found in randomish web surfing.  The site definitely seems kinda beta (or even pre-beta, at least for *my* district in zip code 33315), but it may have more information for other congressional districts (such as the ones it mentions as examples on its home page).

The URL:   http://watchdog.net/

What the site says about itself:

watchdog.net lets you find out what's going on in politics and make your voice heard about it.

and more:

We're trying to build a hub for politics on the Internet. Our plan has three parts:

Data: There's a lot of great information out there about politics -- district demographics, votes, lobbying records, campaign finance reports -- but unfortunately it's split across a dozen different web sites and often hidden behind confusing interfaces. We're pulling all of that together and letting you explore it in one elegant, unified interface. (Plus, we're sharing all the results so you can come up with new ways to explore it.)

Action: Just giving you information isn't enough. Unless you can do something about it, it's just going to get you down. So we're building a series of first-class tools for getting involved -- ways to write and call your representatives, send letters to local media, and figure out who to vote for.

Causes: But politics isn't about people doing things in isolation; it's about coming together around shared causes. That's why we let you start your own causes and campaigns, invite your friends to join them, and let you learn about other causes that could use your help.

It's an ambitious project, but we're eager to get started. We've put up the little bit we've done so far and we'll be adding more and more just as soon as we've finished building it. Of course, we could use your help speeding things along.

Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.

Jabber

[This was previously posted to a semi-private high volume random chatter social mailing list I am on; I am reposting it here in case any of y'all have anything to add.  -- J]

(I realize spotilly may be misspeeled.)

I have a ... 100% cotton (according to the manufacturer's label) casual collared button front shirt, in a medium to light denim blue color.

A fair while ago, I folded this shirt up, and then proceeded to let it sit on top of my bureau, exposed to the morning sun, for A Really Long Time (months and months and months).  When I finally got around to doing something with the shirt (like hang it up in a closet), it had gotten sun-faded, but not evenly; instead, there's an odd and unattractive pattern of sun-bleached and non-bleached areas of the shirt.

I tried washing it once, in warm water -- that did nothing.

I've gotten a packet of Rit brand fabric dye, in # 36 Denim Blue color, but before I try to use it I wanted to ask advice.

#1: Will one packet of dye be enough, or should I use two?  The instructions state to use double the dye for dark or bright colors.

#2: Should I use Rit Color Remover first?  The instructions state to use it to remove uneven color (fading); OTOH, I'm just trying to dye the shirt back to (approximately) the color it was to begin with.  I can certainly use the color remover stuff first if that'd make things work better.

#3: I'm _not_ going to use this stuff in my washing machine, because I've been told it will cause everything washing in the machine for several loads thereafter to be dyed.

I wasn't _planning_ to use the stove top method, as I don't have a pot I want to sacrifice to the cause (tho, I can get one if that'd be best).  Instead, I was doing to dye in in a new, clean 5 gallon plastic bucket, with either hot water from the tap and/or boiled water.  (I understand the inside of the bucket will become permanently stained.)

Is that likely to be satisfactory for my purposes, or should I cook the shirt in a big pot on the stove (if so, I need to buy a big pot just for it, I'm not about to destroy any cookware I use regularly).  If I _do_ need the pot on the stove method, can it be an aluminum pot, or does it need to be steel?

#4: Is there anything else I should be aware of prior to attempting this?  I know to use heavily salted water, I know to use a stir stick, I know to wear gloves.

Thanks for any help, advice you might care to offer.  Feel free to respond even if you don't respond immediately; I'm not about to attempt this any time soon, so there's plenty of time for you to respond.

Jabber

[This was previously posted to a semi-private high volume random chatter social mailing list I am on; I am reposting it here in case any of y'all have anything to add.  -- J]

My dad really needs to get a new car; the one he has now he can't really use because the starter's gone out on it again so that it sporadically won't start w/o getting underneath of it and banging on the starter (and he refuses to get it fixed because "I don't want to spend any more money on this car because I'm going to get a new one!" which he's been saying for N many, many months now).  (Note: suggestions on how to fix this are not responsive to the question I have.)

He says he really wants a _rear_ wheel drive vehicle because "rear [I originally misspeeled this as real] wheel drive vehicles are CHEAPER to repair!"

He says he'd like to get a truck or SUV, largely because that's what he knows is available which is RWD.  He'd *like* to get a Jeep of some sort, because someone he knows has one and he likes it.  However, given that gasoline prices are hitting $4 / gallon, and aren't likely to return to "cheap gas" any time soon (or even *ever*), and given that AFAIK many trucks and SUVs get really poor MPG ratings, this seems ... less than fully practical to me.

But, he needs to get _something_.

Are there any brands or models of _cars_ which are (1) RWD, (2) get "reasonable" gas milage, and (3) are likely to be in his price range (used, older but not worn out, for maybe 5 to 7 grand max; cheaper is even better).  Note that Chrysler (but not Jeep) is on his "do not buy" blacklist.

Is there any place which gives lists or descriptions of _rear_ wheel drive autos, preferably with ratings?  (I know about Consumer Reports' regular series of publications, but do they make it easy to find the vehicles with _RWD_?  I'm willing to buy their most recent auto buyer's guide if it'd be worth it.)

Thanks for any help, advice, suggestions you can offer.  I appreciate it.

Jabber

FOLLOWUP: Subsequent to posting that to my mailing list, I've gotten the following suggestions to this point:

(1) Ford LTD Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis/Lincoln Town car.  All built on the same platform.  The Crown Vic is the basis of the near-ubiquitous police cars you see around, and recycled Crown Vic Police Interceptors are often used as taxis. [...]

(2) Mid-80's Mercedes fit that, partucularly in Florida because of the retirees who no longer drive.  Reliable, comfortable and well within your target price range.  Check craigslist in your area, do a search on Mercedes.

(3) Porsche 944S or 968. 928S4 is also pretty good. The S gets 30mpg.

(4) I don't remember how easy Consumer Reports makes it to find RWD vehicles, but there are a fair number of them out there that aren't trucks.  Here's a pretty long list (albeit with a fair number of cars on it that have never been sold in North America):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rear-wheel_drive#Current_or_recent_rear_wheel_drive_cars_to_2006

This was in a Google Text Ad box on a person's profile page on OKCupid.com.  (Why it was shown on their page I Do Not Know -- there's no reason obvious or apparent to me.)  However, shown it indeed was and, having seen it, I felt the need to share it with all the rest of you.



The URL:  http://www.incontinenceclamp.com/

What it is: A page that's an ad for a product called the Dribblestop (registered trademark) Male Urinary Incontinence Clamp.

And, yes, if you look at it, it appears to be pretty much exactly what the name implies.  (Well, maybe not as evil looking as you might be *thinking*, mind you!)

Personally, well...  *shrug*.  I don't know that there's all that much to be said, frankly.

(Well, except for the fact that, naturally, I'm going to rush right out and order one for *myself*, Right Away!  I mean, why *wouldn't* I!  It appears to be *exactly* what I oh so desperately need!  And, it's a stylish way to *do* it, too!)



Oh, also in this same Google Text Ad box was an ad for a place selling (male) urinary catheters, http://www.180medical.com/catheters/, and an ad for a site for people who want to meet (or are!) cougars, http://www.dateacougar.com/.  Interesting juxtaposition all that, I'd
think.



Anyway.  Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time. Be well.



Jabber


PS: No, it was not on _my_ profile page there!  It was someone else's. 

I think I've seen this site before, but I just ran across it again in random web surfing.

The URL:  http://www.questioncopyright.org/

What the site is about:

Promoting public understanding of the history and effects of copyright, and encouraging the development of alternatives to information monopolies.

and furthermore:

These web pages are devoted to questioning the idea that copyright is necessary for the promotion of creative expression.

Hopefully that's clear enough.  There's some interesting information and positions taken at the site (for instance, the assertion, with some evidence provided for it, that copyright was originally proposed by and in the interest of information _publishers_ and not particularly information _authors_, and that it remains that way today, despite assertions otherwise).

Anyway.  Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.  Be well.

Jabber

Warning: This post discusses and links to a sexually-oriented product.  (There are no explicit pictures or text linked to, AFAIK, but even so.)  If this would be an issue for you, don't read this post or follow the link.

The URL:  http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=170154

As I discussed in a recent post, I saw some interesting things at drugstore.com.  This is one of them. 

If you follow the link, and look at the picture, well...  All *I* wanna know is, how do you *use* it?!?!  I mean, it's ... a *cone*.  A plastic cone.  A plastic cone you put batteries into.  What, are you supposed to sit on it or something?  (I'd copy the picture here except I don't want to worry about liability for copyright infringement or something silly like that.  So follow the link to lookit the purty peechture.)

And, it sure seems pricey (~ $130 at the instant I write this).  I dunno, maybe it's worth it, tho.  I mean, it has SIXTEEN programs -- hell, my TV doesn't get sixteen different programs I think!  (Of course, I don't have cable or satellite, only OTA analog broadcast reception.)  And, it has an ORGASM BUTTON -- that has to be worth a Benjamin all by itself.

Anyway.  This seemed different enough that I wanted to share.  I look forward to any comments others want to share in return.

Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.  Be well.

Jabber

On a certain mailing list of which I am a member, a recent discussion thread contained the following comment, made by another member of the mailing list concerning still another member:

I'm guessing you're not into RPGs.

to which I wrote the following response.

Well, gee.  That's a surprise.  Who *isn't* into RPGs?

I mean...  Used in their proper place as an insertive marital aid (suitable for both women *and* men!), they give the culmination of every instance of togetherness an explosive punch that's tough to replicate by any other means.  Kinda like with Pop Rocks except somehow ... "fizzier", you know?

Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.  Be well.



Jabber, soon to be the proprietor of Abdul Hassan's Quality Pre-Owned War Armaments And Sex Toys.  Our motto: "We've helped you appreciate the moment of romance in every battle, since 1982."

This month's special: A free Doc Johnson brand vibrator (retail price $14.98) with every armed insurrection you supply through us!

Note: portions of the above text have been modified, as that mailing list knows me by an alias, a "nom de guerre" if you would, rather than by my TRUE name of Jabber Wock!

Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.  Be well.

Jabber

PS to M of T: Who do I contact again for wholesale sales? 

Oh, and also, I recently saw one of your products featured on drugstore.com's "Top 10" list (for that category of product, that is) and I thought to myself "Wooo!  I know who that is!  Cool."  And, here *I* had always thought drugstore.com would always *refuse* to carry a reputable and quality manufacturer's line of claymore mines!  I'm glad to see that I was wrong.  Good going, you!

IIRC, pointed to from a GoogleAd for a post on my GMail account.

The URL: http://realmofredheads.com/store/

This is a store selling tee-shirts and other swag for and about redheads (and those that love them). 

Some of the shirt descriptions include: "Consider the Hair a Warning Label", "Red Devil (So Deliciously Evil!)", "Connect The Dots" (referring to freckles); "Yes, It's Natural"; "I Love My Redhead" (for those who appreciate redheads); and "Would Have Given Charlie Brown a Chance".

The parent URL, http://realmofredheads.com/, portrays itself as a "fun, clean" community for and about redheads, with a web forum and photo galleries, but no X-rated photos or dating service features.  (But, you _can_ find redheads near you, at least!)  There's also mention on the front page of recent events of interest (an off-Broadway musical about redheads, a gathering of them in the Netherlands, a protest against Wendy's fast food stores for their recent racist advertising campaign, etc), and some other stuff as well.

Anyway, I thought this was worth at least some nominal amount of notice and attention.  So...

Hope this was of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.  Be well.

Jabber

I found this, most recently at least, from a comment on an article at lwn.net which led me to a copy of the most recent version of this object, which in turn had a reference to the official home for it.

The URL: http://futurist.se/gldt/

From the "about" section:

This is a cladogram of GNU/Linux distributions, placed on a timeline.

What that means is, this is a pictorial representation of the family tree of public Linux distributions, when they started, when they died, who they spun off from (if they did), etc. 

Have you ever seen a family tree where at the top you have great- great- great- grand- ancestor Ma and Pa Kettle, and they had some children, and their children each had some children, and so on, and so on, and at the bottom you have 50 zillion g-g-g-g-descendants of Ma and Pa K?  Well, this is like that, except with multiple originating roots, and showing where different distributions were influenced by others, etc.  It's kind of interesting, at least if you're into that sort of thing.

Anyway, I thought I'd share.

Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.  Be well.  Take care.

Jabber

These URLs came from the same place the Kiva.org URL came from.

This is actually a pair of URLs, one for the organization (Participatory Culture Foundation) that runs the project (Miro) the second URL is about.

The URLs:

• http://pculture.org/ -- Participatory Culture Foundation
• http://www.getmiro.com/ -- Miro project

What this is about: Miro (previously known as Democracy Player) is a "free, open source internet tv and video player" that allows you "to watch free internet video channels and play any video file".  From their About page(s):

There's an opportunity to build a new, open mass medium of online television. We're developing the Miro internet TV platform so that watching internet video channels will be as easy as watching TV and broadcasting a channel will be open to everyone. Unlike traditional TV, everyone will have a voice.

and

Our mission is to build a more open and diverse world of online video.

As television moves online, we face a crucial decision. Will it be open like the internet? Or will it be controlled by a small number of gatekeepers like cable and broadcast television? We think the answer should be obvious: let's make television more open and exciting than it's ever been.

In addition to the player itself, the Miro site provides information on how to find free online videos and video channels (kind of like a TV Guide listing), and also information on how to make and publish your own videos.

The Participatory Culture Foundation is the organization behind the Miro project.  They describe themselves as "a 501c3 non-profit based in Worcester, MA. We were founded in 2005 with a mission to build tools and services that give people more ways to engage in their culture."  Their URL doesn't have that much on it, however; most of the action and information is on the Miro URL.

Currently, this isn't something I myself can do much with myself, as I don't have a broadband connection and so cannot easily lookit internet videos.  But, I figure this is something that others out there might have a use for, whether they simply want to passively receive things other people produce, or actively create things saying whatever it is they want to say to the world.

Anyway.  Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.  Be well.

Jabber

I found this via random web surfing.  The link itself was pointed to by a post by some semi-prominent blogger, but I forget who it was.  I guess I could check my browsing history...

Warning: This site requests money from you for charitable purposes.  If you choose to donate any, check it/them out thoroughly yourself before donating.  I make no representations about them beyond "they exist".

The URL: http://www.kiva.org/

What it appears to be is a site that facilitates the funding of microfinance efforts (see here for a brief description of microfinance: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microfinance) by individual people, letting small individual donations be bundled together into larger pools that are then channeled through an organization to underwrite a loan to some individual person.  The idea seems to be similar to those commercials you might see on late late late night TV asking you to donate $10 a month to make a real difference in the life of a child somewhere, but instead of it being run by some sort of religiously inspired organization, it's got a slick and glossy Web 2.0 look and feel!

Despite that, it looks like it might actually be a Real Thing that can Do Good, at least if you're so inclined.  I'm taking a quick looksee at their "Press Center" page, and the clippings do appear to be positive (but, of course, they would be either way, right?)  So... 

In any event.  Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.  Be well.

Jabber

Ummm...  This was via a sponsored link in Gmail.  I shi ... errr, kid you not.

The URL: http://www.cornholeshop.com/

Errr...  What's there to say about this?  At least, to say that's acceptable for an all-ages audience?

Well, first off, let me just confirm for you, yes, this *is* exactly what you think it is.  And more, besides!

Because CornHoleShop.com, well...  Just let me tell you using *their* own words:

Your ultimate source of CornHole Games and accessories!

[...] the prime source for premium quality cornhole game boards, cornhole bags and accessories!

The game of Cornhole [...] has taken root and is sweeping the nation.

From private parties to corporate sponsored events, cornhole games are fast becoming the game or entertainment of choice.

Our games are seen at many NFL tailgate parties, NASCAR events and college parties.

Cornhole is a simple game, but it requires the best equipment to be fully appreciated. Whether you're a novice or a pro, you need the best cornhole game gear available.

CornHoleShop.com's cornhole game products are among the best in the market, surpassing the expectations of many cornhole game enthusiasts around the country who use our products. All of our cornhole boards and cornhole bags are hand-made, carefully crafted, and professionally finished. Forget the mass-produced retail versions constructed of thin particle board or plastic -- they're simply not the real thing. If you're serious about Cornhole, you came to the right place.

I ... well, words don't suffice to express the amazement and wonder I felt at discovering *this* site, for *these* products, to use in support of *this* recreational activity, On The Internet!  My God, our senators and congresspeople were RIGHT!  All along!

All I can say is, I can't *wait* until they put together a TV show for *this* game, *live*, on ESPN2!  It'd be worth subscribing to cable TV!

(Well, all right, maybe it'll be on the Playboy Channel and not ESPN2.  Even so.  Just *think* of it!  People!  Engaging in cornholing!  There on the small screen!  For ALL to see!  There's even TEAMS of them!  They keep SCORE!  It's a COMPETITIVE ACTIVITY!  *sigh*, *flutter*)

Now, I know for sure -- our country is truly great.

In any event.  Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.  Be well.  Take care.

Jabber

PS: Hey, you again.  Yeah, you.  Wanna game set, so you can cornhole?  It'd be no trouble...  It'd be my *pleasure*...  Hey, don't slap me!  No, no, not the steel-capped boot toe to the crotch!  *ouch*!  That smarts something fierce...  *wither*

[I apparently confused Multiply the first time I tried to post this, because I started the post, then went to sleep and then to work, and then came back to finish it.  Bad me.  In the resulting series of hijinks, I ended up submitting a post with no content to it.  Oops.  Therefore, this repost.  -- J]


Again from random web surfing, I forget what led me to it.

The URL: http://www.bonsaisandals.com/

The site (and product!) is apparently a result of someone coming up with the following question:

"I wonder if anyone's ever tried combining a flip flop with a sheepskin slipper?"

The result is a sheepskin-lined (well, -soled at least) flip flop.  The site claims that they'll keep your feet cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  And, they're available in different colors, too -- brown or else black on brown sheepskin, or pink or else blue on white sheepskin!  (Tho, currently, the pink and blue ones are out of stock.)

Now, living in Florida near the beach as I do, obviously I won't be ordering any of these for myself -- flip-flops, even sheepskin-lined flip-flops, just aren't a beach or a Florida thing to wear.  But, maybe you'll like 'em!  It can't hurt too much to try -- there's a 30 day money back guarantee.

In any event.  Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.  Be well.  Take care.

Jabber

PS: To you out there.  Hey you.  Yeah, you.  You know who you are.  If you were to want one of these thingies, well, all right, an entire *pair* of them even...  What color would you want, and what size (apparently there's different sizes).  Note that pink and blue are out of stock now, but should be back in stock soon.  I warn you -- speak up now, lest you receive a color you don't positively love.  (Or, if you're *certain* you'll abhor them, speak up about that, too.  Soon.  The usual methods of contact will suffice -- yes, behind the central support for the third bench from the left at the park, that's right.)  -- J

I found this in random web surfing, I believe originally pointed to via a link from Gmail.

The URL: http://www.littledemocrats.net/

The site is currently about two self-published children's picture books by someone named Jeremy Zilber, titled Why Mommy is a Democrat and Why Daddy is a Democrat.  The site says about the books:

Why Mommy is a Democrat and Why Daddy is a Democrat bring to life the core values of the Democratic party in ways that young children will easily understand and thoroughly enjoy. Using plain and non-judgmental language, along with warm and whimsical illustrations, these colorful 28-page paperbacks depict the Democratic principles of fairness, tolerance, peace, equality, and concern for the well-being of others. The books can also serve as kid-friendly introductions to important social and political issues. They're a great way for parents to gently communicate their commitment to Democratic principles while helping children begin to make sense of the complex world around them.

A portion of the profits will be donated to Democratic candidates and party organizations, so your purchase will help make an immediate difference!

There's more information about the books (including some sample pages!) at the site, and other information and merchandise (the usual sort of CafePress swag) as well.

Anyway.  Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.  Be well.  Take care.

Jabber

Did you know that, at the time of this writing, the guestbook on your home page appears to not be there?  Is this by design / intentional, or an accident?  (Or something you had nothing to do with?)  Is the content that was there before now gone, or is it still around?

Just curious.

Jabber

[I was pointed to this by a URL someone sent me which was for a particular ad on the site.  I won't share the URL to that specific ad, but the site in general may be of some interest.  -- J]

This is a dating / personals web site with a twist, that being that it's for people who are interested in or involved in "furry fandom", apparently including and in particular those who self-identify as or have a persona (at least part of the time) that is furry.  From the home page of the site itself:

Welcome to pounced.org, the place to meet furry friends and mates. You can use pounced.org to find a new friend or look for a mate.

The URL itself:  http://www.pounced.org/

If you're not sure what I mean by "furry fandom", etc, here's one starting point which might be helpful in research; I'm sure there's plenty of others you can find via Google, etc, or even from pounced.org itself.  The URL:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furry_fandom.

Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.  Be well.

Jabber.

[Found via a link to it from Ms. Teuly's guestbook, at http://teuly.multiply.com/.  -- J]

I can't actually *view* this web comic, since it requires Flash and I currently have Flash disabled on my computer (since this little putt-putt machine has *enough* problems with apps leaking memory and the system thus running out of memory!)

But, I figure any comic whose poster blurb for it portrays classic movie monsters (if I parse it correctly I'm seeing Dracula, Frankenstein's monster, the Wolfman, and a random skeleton?) as gay male buddies who are living, laughing, and loving together in this modern world just can't be all bad.  (And, that Vlad, well, I don't think that's simply a GIANT CUCUMBER in his pocket!  Sigh.  He's just *dreamy*!)

The link to it is http://www.thegaymonsters.com/.

Hope this is of some use, interest.  Thanks for your time.  Be well.

Joseph