How the web changes things

by CoreBurn
One hundred days which changed the lives of so many:
[Via Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog]

The following is a guest blog from Paul Timmons, Jr. (Presslord), leader of the portlight.org charity. Thanks to the efforts and donations of the Weather Underground community, the portlight.org charity has made a major difference in the lives of hundreds of under-served victims of Hurricane Ike:

Sunday September 14, 2008, was supposed to be, for me, an intentionally uneventful day. I had even made a point of going to mass the previous evening, so that I’d have no obligations on Sunday. For a variety of reasons, I needed a day of rest and relaxation. So there I sat Sunday morning, in my living room recliner, having walked the dog and fed the cat, ready for a day of nothing. Some cable news program was on the television as background noise, reporting the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and my laptop was in…well…my lap, as I read Dr. Masters blog and the comments on the same subject. Just your average, garden variety lazy Sunday morning.

Then a fellow by the name of Patrick Pearson (y’all know him better as Patrap) posted a comment which would profoundly and positively transform my life…and the lives of hundreds and hundreds of people.

It’s a story about the fundamental goodness of the human spirit and the power of community…and the Internet as a tool to facilitate great works.

Read More;

So, one man got the idea of returning the generosity of Texans towards those affected by Katrina by helping those affected by Ike. A simple comment on a blog and by the time it was over, $40,000 had been raised and $500,000 in goods and services had been delivered.

The individuals who made this happen used their connections to spread the word, accomplishing something that would just not have been possible before. They have some really nice ideas of what to do next, things that cold make a real and continuing impact on people along the Gulf and East coasts.

In times of rapid change, single individuals can make a large difference. The Internet enhances this ability tremendously.

Technorati Tags: General, Social media, Web 2.0

Snowing again

The snow has started again. Radar shows some more headed this way but temperatures are above freezing.

Never thought I’d be waiting for rain.

Technorati Tags: Environment, General

Let’s vote on a slot machine

Greater Transparency for Slots Than Voting (Priorities Folks!):
[Via Concurring Opinions]

News from Underground has a priceless posting comparing the steps states take to ensure the accuracy and security of slot machines and e-voting machines. Here are some highlights. Nevada requires vendors of slot machines to provide it access to the machines’ software. By contrast, for most states, the source code for e-voting machines remains safely in the hands of vendors with no right of access provided to election officials or the public. A Nevada agency certifies slot machines, and the public has an opportunity to comment on that certification process. Depressingly, a select number of private companies certify e-voting machines at the vendor’s expense and the certification process is deemed a trade secret. Yes, even the certification process is hidden from public view.

The bottom line: the gaming business is subject to greater transparency and accountability than our voting process. It seems wrong, and a bit shameful, to associate a greater sense of responsibility and accuracy to gambling than voting. We care more about money earned through somewhat licentious means than our fundamental right to pick our elected officials in an accurate and secure manner. That seems to be where we are right now, but I have my hopes for the future. More to come on that in 2009. For now, happy holidays CoOp readers!

Maybe we should let the slot machine manufacturers produce out e-voting machines. Sounds like they could bring some valuable experience. I like the irony that the source code from the slot machines has to be open while the makers of voting machines are able to keep their code private for proprietary reasons.

Which one do you think is designed to make cheating more likely?

Technorati Tags: General, Politics

Offline due to weather

Compare these two pictures taken yesterday with similar ones from Dec. 22 below. And this is with some intervening snow melt.

The dogs have not been happy with snow that is deeper than they are tall. They have generally followed in my tracks until they could get under the tree line where the snow was shallower

Well, we had about another 8 inches of snow. We lost power on Christmas Eve so we got to open presents all bundled up in a dark house. It snowed throughout the day yesterday, eventually stopping in the early afternoon. The power returned shortly thereafter.

Looks like we lost several trees (I have a named maple, that had been carefully pruned its whole life, that looked like it had exploded. A red plum is on its side. Several trees lost major branches and no longer have a symmetrical shape.

My rough estimate is that well over 2 feet of snow fell in the week before yesterday. In over 20 years living in the NW, I have never seen anything like it. At least we never lost power until the end.

The forecast is for some more snow today but it should be warmer today. The highs tomorrow are supposed to be in the 40s and the lows are above freezing. And it is supposed to rain EVERY DAY for the next week.

So, back to normal NW weather. Hope the rain melts the snow really fast.
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Technorati Tags: Environment, General