Filed under: Google (GOOG), Yahoo! (YHOO), Time Warner (TWX), Citigroup Inc. (C), Money and Finance Today, Sun Microsystems (JAVA)

Interest Rates Defy Feds Recent Cuts
Interest-rate cuts by the Federal Reserve are normally bad news for savers and good news for borrowers. But that scenario hasn’t been playing out fully since the central bank began cutting rates in September.
Interest Rates Defy Fed’s Recent Cuts - WSJ.com

2 More Years for A Better Retirement
Just 24 more months of work can really improve your financial position. By waiting an additional seven years, you can double your nest egg’s size simply by earning the market’s historical 10% average annual return.
2 More Years for a Better Retirement - Fool.com

Consumer Reports’ Guide to Best Gifts for Holidays
Whether you’re shopping for people who like to cook, take photographs, listen to music, work out, or eat, we have the gift list for you. These products, culled from the thousands that Consumer Reports tested during the last year or so, all received high scores, and many were CR Best Buys.
ConsumerReports.org - Best gifts for the holidays

8 Over 80
Forget shuffleboard and croquet. With Americans living longer, more of them are embarking on entrepreneurial second careers — well into their 80s. So what are the real secrets to longevity, in business and in life? Meet America’s coolest octogenarian (and then some!) entrepreneurs.
Who Are the 8 over 80? - Inc

Most Affordable College Football Towns
Muncie, Indiana, ranks as the most affordable big football town for housing in the United States, according to an annual survey released Tuesday by Coldwell Banker. The home of Ball State University tops the list followed by Texas Christian’s hometown Fort Worth and Tulsa University hometown Tulsa, Oklahoma. The most expensive college football town is Stanford’s hometown of Palo Alto.
Most affordable college football towns - Nov. 6, 2007

Are Fast Food Fries Trans-Fat Free?
Consumer Reports sampling says Wendy’s still missed its mark. So did Burger King. McDonald’s fries claim a high 8 g for most locations and 0 g for New York City, and they met those claims. The best way to cut trans fat from fast-food fries? Try to stick with fries from Arby’s or KFC, which were virtually free of trans fats (and choose a small serving).
ConsumerReports.org - Trans-fat free fast food fries

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Filed under: Computers

As you may have noticed, one way to ruffle our feathers is to try and get down with that whole stifling free speech business. We’re not big fans of censorship… in fact we can’t think of too many people (outside of some fringe religious elements still fighting the culture wars) who are.

Unfortunately, attempting to quiet those whose speech offends you only often helps bring publicity and credibility to their cause, which is exactly what is happening with a certain case in Galveston, Texas.

The Galveston Independent School District (GISD) is attempting to sue Sandra Tetley, the mother of a student in the district, for defamation. Tetley runs the blog GISDWatch.com, which tracks and comments on the activities of the local school board.

The GISD is demanding that Tetley remove 16 postings from the blog, which the District’s lawyers have identified as libelous. The postings in question throw around some hefty accusations, charging that Superintendent Lynne Cleveland, the board of trustees, and school administrators lied to the people of the Galveston. They are also being accused of falsifying budget numbers, using their positions for personal gain, and spying on employees, among other things.

Tetley has so far refused to take down any of the postings, citing her right to post her opinion.

In 2002, an appeals court ruled that school districts could not sue for defamation, so the GISD has had to change its strategy a bit. Instead of filing suit on behalf of the district, lawyers are suing on behalf of the individual members of the administration and board. The legal fees will still come out of the district’s budget however, meaning the citizens of Galveston are now paying for several personal defamation suits.

We have a feeling this whole thing is going to come crashing down on their heads

From Slashdot and The Galveston County Daily News

Related Links:

• AT&T Admits Error in Censoring Pearl Jam Song
• Governments Increasingly Censoring the Web
• Digg Users Revolt
• Blogger Sued for Negative Book Reviews

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If you are tired of the guitar, here is an accordion’s version!

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Filed under: Television/Film, Food Oddities, On the Blogs

A while back I heard that Doug over at Blogsoop had some Supertaster Tests that he was giving away to food bloggers. Being that I always wanted to know where I fell on the tasting scale, I got in touch with him and asked (very nicely) if there was any way that I could become one of the food bloggers to be gifted with a little white strip imbued with harmless chemicals. He said yes and sent me not one, but two white strips.

Scott and I decided to take the test in front the camera and what you see above is the result. Sadly, according to this test I am a non-taster, the strip didn’t taste like anything to me. Scott found it to be incredibly bitter, thus determining that he is a Super Taster!

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Alright, I’ve been thinking about not posting this one. I think this might be another one of those cans of worms. But let me preface this by saying: I heard this on mainstream radio.

I heard this song playing loudly and proudly on mainstream radio, and thought to myself, “this is a terrible song. I should break it down for my most excellent readers. Also it’s mainstream, and they’ve mentioned they want me to do mainstream music.”

A quick Google revealed that the song is called “Stand in the Rain” by a band named Superchick.

A quick Wikipedia revealed that Superchick is a…Christian band. And I thought, poo. I’ve already made and regretted this decision in the past. But then I realized something: this song completely sucks, and if I don’t say something, somebody else will but it won’t be me. And that’s not acceptable. So let’s get started.

This is Superchick. Everyone in this image looks so awkward it makes me feel uncomfortable. What’s with the guy in the middle? Legs way out, leaning way over, hand half in pocket…everyone’s off balance, it’s like they’re trying to look at something happening behind the camera.

“Stand in the Rain” by Superchick.

Now, I’m hating this song a little bit going into this because the band’s name is “Superchick,” and also because the band’s name used to be “Superchic[k],” but I’m going to try and stay objective. First verse:

She never slows down
She doesn’t know why
But she knows that when she’s all alone
It feels like it’s all coming down

She won’t turn around
The shadows are long
And she fears if she cries that first tear
The tears will not stop raining down

Okay, you know what? Those lyrics aren’t that bad. I mean, I do respect her less for trying to rhyme “down” with “around” and also “down” with “down,” but worse crimes against rhymes have been committed. These are a little on the crybaby pitiful side, but that’s the way music goes sometimes. I cannot honestly complain about these lyrics. The music is…horrifying, but if you dig that kind of contemporary-blandish style, it’s completely stomachable. I can’t blame a band for having a different style than I like, that’s how the world goes around.

And I know what you’re thinking, Hey, Karen, you attractive genius, if the lyrics aren’t bad and the music is okay for it’s genre, then why do you hate the song? Surely there’s no point in breaking this down?

Oh but there is. But I won’t touch it yet. Second verse:

She won’t make a sound
Alone in this fight with herself
And the fear’s whispering
If she stands, she’ll fall down

She wants to be found
The only way out is through everything
She’s running from
Wants to give up and lie down

Again, “sound” with “down” and “found” with “down” makes Karen a little twitchy. I could be generous and say maybe the rhyme scheme’s just more complex and she’s actually rhyming “sound” with “found,” which is cool actually, but it doesn’t excuse another “down” with “down” rhyme. Again, the music. Again the ear-bleedingly piercing voice of the vocalist for Superchick (is she…the Superchick, I wonder?). Nothing I’d like, but nothing that would send me on a breakin’ it down tirade.

Because the real gem here is the Chorus (and by “gem” I mean “completely stupid.” Yeah. Put that in the previous sentence.)

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it’s all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won’t drown
And one day what’s lost can be found
You stand in the rain

stand in this.

Alright I have to exercise self-restraint now. A lot of it, a whole ton of restraint. I’m going to let the real joke slide for a moment and pick on some smaller things lest they be lost. Also, I’m going to refer to the band as “her” now.

Again, “drown” with “found,” “ground” with “down,” and that infamous, cliche horrible “rain” with “pain.” But even this, I can overlook.

Who is she talking to? Is she talking to the girl in the two verses? I mean, that’s the obvious answer, but then why is the girl spoken about in third person except during the chorus? Is she talking to me? The listener? What does my standing in the rain have anything to do with this sad girl?

Or, is the sad girls supposed to represent everyone in crisis, and the chorus is a word of wisdom to the world for when times get rough?

“everyone”

But here’s why this song bugs me, here’s why it sucks: no matter how you look at it, no matter who she’s talking to, this song gives the most horrible advice in the universe, the most ridiculous, garbage filler “inspirational advice,” ever, and does so with a straight face!

Stand in the rain? Why the heck would that solve anything? How is that going to make me feel better? And if it’s “all crashing down,” wouldn’t I seek shelter before standing in the rain?

As evidence: this table has no problems.

What’s lost can be found if I…ask my friends to help me look? Sleep on it and try looking again later? Re-trace my steps? No! If I Stand in the rain! Did I lose it in the rain? What is it? Shouldn’t I wait til the rain stops before I go looking?

I don’t care how deep a metaphor it’s supposed to be, it’s brain-meltingly stupid. Stand in the rain? Stand in the rain. You know what? Before you tell me how much you love this song, take it’s advice. Go on. Next time you’re sad, go stand in the rain til you feel better. When the whole world sucks the most, wait for rain and then go stand in it.

This morning I couldn’t find my car keys, so I thought, you know what? I’ll give that crazy Superchick a chance. I stood in the rain for nine hours and not only did I not locate my keys, I caught pneumonia and died! So there!

Superchick, your name is stupid and your song is stupid. Listening to this song, I have no idea what on earth you’re talking about.

Maybe I should stand in the rain until I get it. Stupid.

post-script: Before you go into your anti-my-anti-religious-review attack modes, I’d like you to know I don’t consider this a religious song. Religion is not mentioned in it once, and like I said, it’s on mainstream. That being said, feel free to continue bashing heedlessly.

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Filed under: Interviews, News

Seems that talking up about the PlayStation 3’s development process is in style — first IO Interactive said how fun it was, now Ubisoft’s own Yves Guillemot is claiming that it’s no harder than programming a 360 title. Perhaps that’s stretching it a little. Ubisoft is saying that, from a development standpoint, the two consoles can yield them equal results, working on the respective strengths of each console. In addition, he feels the rest of the year will be excellent for the PS3, with the price cut and lineup of good games.

As for the rumor that it costs a lot more to work on the PS3, well, it’s still true, but not a major hike in price due to Ubisoft’s complete cross-platform engine thingy. “What we do now is create for the PS3 and 360 at the same time, and it doesn’t cost more than 10 per cent extra to develop for the other machine … Before it was costing us more, about 20 per cent, just because it was difficult to learn the PS3 hardware, but now our engines are done and we can easily develop for both machines.” Good stuff, we guess. Hopefully this means less delays for PS3 versions of games as well as equivalent gaming experiences.

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Gaming

Remember that urinal-based racing game that was making the rounds this summer? You know, the one you drive with your pee, and which warns you against drunk driving if you’re not controlling your car too well? Well the Belgium police didn’t seem to find it too amusing, and have banned the “Place to Pee” version of the game installed at GamePower Expo in Gent, Belgium as an indecency offence. We’re guessing they’re just tired of missing out on all those exciting men’s room tourneys.

[Thanks, Joel S]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

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This diminutive LCD TV is the perfect fit for your kids’ bedroom, measuring a mere 12″ that ought to be more than adequate for them to watch Spongebob Squarepants performing his antics. Dubbed the Hannspree Flora, its design is a throwback to the 50s era that is easy on the eye (and the pocket), retailing for a mere $140. Guess you can add this to your Christmas shopping list already! Features consist of 800 x 600 SVGA resolution with digital comb filter, 4-in-1 connection cable for S-Video, Composite Video and Audio, a matching designer remote control, a headphone jack, V-Chip, closed captioning and stereo speakers also included.

Permalink | Comment | Uberbargain | Uberphones

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Filed under: Cell Phones

In these modern times, even Orthodox Jews need cell phones. But with all the rules this ultra-religious group must abide by, a seemingly simple requirement such as a mobile phone becomes decidedly less simple. With all the spam, sexy photos, and 50 Cent ringtones out there, cell phones can prove challenging for Orthodox Jews.

To fill the void, a kosher cellie has hit the streets of Jerusalem, aimed at this niche market (not that niche, though — at least 800,000 of Israel’s 7.1 million Jews are ultra-Orthodox, and a whole infrastructure of kosher gadgets and gizmos is cropping up to serve them).

Fun isn’t exactly the word that comes to mind when looking over the features of this handset: It can’t send or receive text messages, take pictures, or connect to the Internet; it blocks more than 10,000 phone-sex numbers, and rabbinical overseers ensure that the block lists are up to date. Users can call fellow kosher phones at the discounted rate of 2 cents a minute, as opposed to the standard 9.5 cents (”Challah at me!”), but if they place calls on Shabbat (using electronic devices on the Sabbath or other holy days is a big no-no for Jews), it’ll run them a whopping $2.44 a minute.

Oh, and to guarantee that no one will be whipping this out in a club to impress the ladies, the phone flashes the seal of a rabbinate council on start-up.

From New York Times (via Gearlog)

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Filed under: Action, Casting, RumorMonger, Fandom, Comic/Superhero/Geek

Though his role in the film isn’t official yet, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson told MTV that he’s in the process of working on playing Black Adam in the upcoming live-action adaptation of the popular comic Shazam! Not long ago, MTV sat down with The Rock (who’s been a frontrunner to star in Shazam! for quite awhile now), and the actor asked fans to choose which role they’d rather see him in: the hero, Captain Marvel, or the villain, Black Adam. Fans overwhelmingly picked The Rock to play Black Adam (probably because they’re itching to see the tough guy take on a villainous role for once), and Rock confirmed to MTV that the role is currently being shaped to suit him. While out promoting Southland Tales, The Rock said he’d be meeting with director Peter Segal later that night to discuss the part further.

Now all they need to do is find their Captain Marvel, aka Billy Batson, and it will be interesting to see if they attempt to pull off both with one actor. Batson is a regular old teenager who’s chosen by a wizard named Shazam! to the the champion of good. And every time Batson utters the words “Shazam!” a lightening bolt strikes and transforms him into an adult by the name of Captain Marvel. So do they get an actor in his early 20s, try to pass him off as a teen and then age him up to play the Captain? Early rumors suggested Jake Gyllenhaal was up for the part, but screenwriter John August squashed that. Who would you like to see play Captain Marvel and/or Billy Batson? Should they try to work around one actor, or bring on two? Shazam! is set to hit theaters at some point in 2009.

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