Another spam comment attack [updated]

Filed under: Weblogs | 2 Comments

This weblog is being slammed with spam comments today. I woke up to about 200, though it was a low-fi attack involving just one IP address, and just sat down to 50 more. The last 50 were different in format, and sahred a few IPs. Anyone else noticing this? It could be a TypePad thing. You can go ahead and block the following (unless you have the hots for animal sex):

I still wish there was a feature to turn off comments (or make them have to go through me) for discussions that haven’t been active for X days. A few of my posts have a continued discussion, thanks to Google, but most sit empty to collect spam.

Update: OK, there is a steady stream. I delete a whole page of 20 comments and by the time I see the listing refresh there are 3-4 new ones. These are really vile comments too–snake sex, eel sex, you name it. I can’t let the Google Bot find the links. There needs to be a “turn comments off” button for the whole site. Let me have a few hours of silence TypePad!

Update 2: 100s more comments. This is the largest attack I have ever had. Probably 600+ in 24 hours.

MovableType 3 info [updated]

Filed under: Weblogs | 2 Comments

If you want some more information about MovableType 3.0 (like pricing), SixApart just updated the site with the details. We all knew it was coming. I just downloaded a fresh copy of 2.661 to be safe.

The only thing I don’t like is limiting the number of weblogs a given license can have. Some people like to set up weblogs to serve as linkblogs and such. You can easily have one site with 2-3 (or more) blogs. That makes using the free version kind of limited.

Oh well. At least they are trying to not be evil. I am looking forward to learning more about Drupal as it is more of a CMS and less of a BMS (blog management system… is that a phrase?). Like it or not, MovableType 3.0 isn’t that much different in terms of functionality. Drupal is.

Update: I should make myself clear here… I’m not objected to paying for software. I would just like to see more CMS features in MovableType. They have been talking about MovableType Pro for so long that it’s not even funny. I’m tired of waiting for it, and with the limitations we see on plain Jane MovableType, I might not even want to wait for it. I’m still a happy TypePad user.

Vonage preview

Filed under: Web/Tech | 1 Comment

I got my Motorola black box from Vonage today. I decided to put it before my LinkSys wireless base station to give voice traffic priority on the network.

It took about 5 minutes to set up, including the time spent unpacking and looking for a plug. The voice quality is on par with what a landline provides, and I have the ability to either increase or decrease the quality (it’s in the middle now). I haven’t messed with the quality yet.

I have it set up to email me when I get a new voicemail, and I can even listen to the messages online as WAV files. Now that’s slick.

And the best part is when I am in Ohio this summer, I’ll keep my 813 area code. That way it’s a local call from Tampa to Ohio. (I am convinced that very few of my friends will understand how this works).

If you’re interested in Vonage, let me know (comment with an email address, it won’t be shown but I can get back to you). If I refer you we both get a free month.

The new Blogger

Filed under: Weblogs | No Comments »

Before tonight, I hadn’t logged into Blogger for ages (back in the day, MacMerc used to be Blogger Powered), but I’m tempted to start using it again. So many changes, so many new possibilities. Getting all the “weblog famous” designers to make templates was genius. Great job guys.

I’m done

Filed under: Personal | 3 Comments

I finished off the semester tonight. 13 more credit hours are mine. Now I have to do summer (though it’s a working summer). Have any suggestions before I take off in June?

Prisoner abuse story

Filed under: Rant | No Comments »

Am I the only one that thinks this has been blown way out of proportion? Wasn’t this a story back in January? Even though the pictures make it look impossible to empathize with, if you honestly thought that the captive in front of you had information that could keep your men alive (the prison was being attacked daily from what I’ve heard), would you hold back? I wouldn’t.

Is it horrible that people could have been raped? Yep. But it happens here even when those being raped haven’t tried to kill our soldiers. If you don’t remember, the incident I speak of (one that isn’t all that unique) was when some football players sodomized a few new players with broomsticks and golf balls. If I remember correctly, maybe even some pine cones. And they weren’t even trying to make them talk.

The point is that this should be a non-story. And it was, until a few photos got sold by 60 Minutes. The parties involved will get what they deserve, and the investigation was well on its way before any word leaked out. The system actually works.

The one idea that I have heard come out of this that I agree with is to destroy Abu Ghraib. It has never stood for anything good–who knows what demons lurk the grounds.

Cartoons to check out

Filed under: Personal | No Comments »

I’ve watched a few cartoons lately (maybe because school is ending?). Both series are amazing and are on DVD. If you appreciate slightly bizzare subtle humor, check them out.

Aqua Teens Hunger Force – A hit on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. There is really no explaining this stuff, you just have to watch it. It’s on at midnight I believe, but if you don’t stay up late the first season is on DVD. There are 4 main characters, 3 of them being food (french fries, milk shake and a meatball). It’s bizarre.

Family Guy – Probably the most off color cartoon ever on broadcast US TV. It was on Fox for a few seasons, but was taken off (likely due to catching a lot of heat). Everyone from Jews to woman to the British have been made fun of, and often in a single episode. Despite the politically incorrect stuff, the humor is amazingly smart. It’s coming back to the airwaves thanks to huge DVD sales. Look for it next year.

Singed up for Vonage today [updated]

Filed under: Personal | 1 Comment

Within a week or so I’ll be making calls into the future. I signed up for voice-over IP from Vonage. Anyone have any experience with them? I’m going away for the summer, outside of T-Mobile range, and need a way to send pings back to civilization. Vonage was the most elegant / cost effective. If it works well, I’ll keep it around and use it when the cell phone isn’t free.

My next purchase is a phone to go with it, something that won’t interfere with an Airport Extreme network. Should I spend the money for 5.8 Ghz? Ideally I want something that is thin, with a caller ID display, and no answering machine (Vonage has voicemail).

Update: I got a 2.4 Ghz Uniden. It had everything I wanted and cost $24.99. And it was even shiny black. The 5.8 Ghz was more than twice the price, and I haven’t run into problems with 2.4 Ghz in the past.

I am Larry David

Filed under: Personal | No Comments »

My low-fuel light warned me to fill up this morning, and who am I to argue with such a device? After pulling into a local Hess, and stepping out of my vehicle, I turned to my left and saw an older woman pull the nozzle out of her car. I’ve been to gas stations hundreds of times, this is all boilerplate. But on this day, something different happens–gas continues to pour out of the nozzle! Free from the car, gas sprints to the concrete.

At this point, time slows. I could have taken a nap in the time it took for a second to pass. After it registers what is going on (I’ve never seen this before, can this happen?), I press for the intercom. No response? Does this thing work? Oh my god–there is still gas looking for a spark.

Forget the intercom. Run to the building. Is there a cutoff switch? Why is this building so big? You, yes you, there is a lady spewing your gas onto your concrete. Help. The cuttoff isn’t on the left, man this building is big.

Turn to the scene of crime, our friendly Hess associate, and the victim. Gas off, disaster averted. Close the curtain.

All said and done, a few gallons of gas rested on the floor. I didn’t see any explosions. No one died. I did get a great story though. (And no, I didn’t stick around for the hazmat cleanup or an explanation of what the woman did to cause this mess.)

It’s May, here’s what is new

Filed under: Web/Tech | 1 Comment

Another month. Time is flying (maybe it’s just me?). Here’s what’s on my desk[top]: