I don't even like Facebook all that much, for me it's basically just something else to check every day or two. But I have a few connections there I don't have anywhere else, so I'm not quite ready to blow away the account.

Which means I get to pay attention step-by-steps like this one:

Block Facebook Beacon

Here's hoping they don't change the URL.

Regardless, that BlockSite is a potentially useful add-on.

By the way, you have to wait until a site tries to phone home before you can opt out of the program? And you have to do it site by site?

Lame.

I really like Facebook less and less each day*

Privacy Settings for External Websites
Back to Privacy Overview without saving changes.
Show your friends what you like and what you're up to outside of Facebook. When you take actions on the sites listed below, you can choose to have those actions sent to your profile.

Please note that these settings only affect notifications on Facebook. You will still be notified on affiliate websites when they send stories to Facebook. You will be able to decline individual stories at that time.

No sites have tried sending stories to your profile

*and the breathless coverage Facebook gets from some corners doesn't help either.

but this post is teh funny:

Being Stupid And Litigious Is No Way To Go Through Life

The liberal use of the word "Douche" in the comments is especially welcome.

"Help I'm being ROBED"

Fuck the DMCA, fuck the RIAA, fuck the MPAA.

Fuck all that shit.
(more…)

After complaining about DRM and iTunes, I decided I really ought to put my money where my mouth is and sign up for eMusic- something I've been meaning to do for a couple of months now (they've been running promotions in Wired.)

My first album:

TTC Bâtards Sensibles

My second album:

Sangue Misto SXM

I get to give money to two groups that I have hard a hard time giving money to (I've never been able to buy anything by Neffa/Sangue Misto and had to buy a TTC album in Paris.)

How cool is that?

I just spent 20 minutes scanning anti-iPhone articles. Some of them even mention my initial concern with the device- lack of tactile feedback. I do a lot with my Treo 700 with one finger and without looking at it, which means a lot considering the places that I'm likeliest to use it- the car, the supermarket, walking across a parking lot, etc. A device that I have to look at to use is right out in a lot of those situations. Not that I was considering one anyway- the iTunes format lock-down being one reason*. Which flows nicely into the actual link:

"It's ironic that a company whose name is synonymous with "Switch" has built its entire product strategy around lock-in. The iTunes/iPhone/iPod combo is a roach-motel: customers check in, but they can't check out."

the roach motel business model

*it being a closed system being another.