What to do?

Starbucks stores to close from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. on February 26 for retraining of baristas
While stores are closed for three hours that Tuesday, Starbucks baristas “will be trained in creating the perfect shot, steaming the milk and all the pieces that come together in a drink,” says a Starbucks spokeswoman. How many customers will freak [...]

Time to dust off the old GPG key…

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003508676_mail04.html
Bush says feds can open mail without warrant
By James Gordon Meek
New York Daily News
WASHINGTON — President Bush quietly has claimed sweeping new powers to open Americans’ mail without a judge’s warrant.
Bush asserted the new authority Dec. 20 after signing legislation that overhauls some postal regulations. He then issued a “signing statement” that declared his right [...]

Motivation

Here is an interesting editorial by Bruce Schneier.

“If you really want to see Microsoft scramble to patch a hole in its software, don’t look to vulnerabilities that impact countless Internet Explorer users or give intruders control of thousands of Windows machines. Just crack Redmond’s DRM.”
When millions of user PCs are at risk over a Windows [...]

Skype ON!

I started playing with SKYPE last night, and I’m impressed.
I loaded Skype version 2.5 last week and ordered a cheap USB phone - it looks like an old Nokia “candy bar” wireless phone with a USB cable. I’m good at splurging when it’s $15 with a $10 rebate, but I might go all out [...]

Verizon, BOHICA

Verizon imposes new DSL surcharge
As soon as congress overturns the USF fee dating back to the Spanish-American war, Verizon tacks on an equal surcharge on their service. You gotta love these guys!

Possibly Related Posts:
SwitchProxy update - google posterity post
Linked networks
Settling in with my data

The internet — it’s a series of tubes

Ted Stevens ought to consider sticking to pork-barrel projects and senate floor hissy-fits and leave technical writing out of his repertoire. Here he is, explaining why he voted against a net neutrality measure.
They want to deliver vast amounts of information over the internet. And again, the internet is not something you just dump something on. [...]

Today’s lesson

When sending out marketing surveys, when you agree to use an existing email address, MAKE SURE TO WARN THE MAILBOX OWNER!
Marketing sent out a survey, using production customer service manager box, and we got hundreds of unsubscribe requests, Out-Of-Office replies and NDR messages.
Next time, talk to me and get a throwaway email address. it [...]