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The latest Google Desktop has a feature that lets you search the contents of one of your computers from another computer. That sounds peachy except that it does it by putting the contents of both of your computers on the Google servers.

That’s right, they get to look at everything on your hard drive… free access. Google says they’ll only use it for Good. But there is no way for you to know if your data is used for Evil until it’s too late.

Do not use Google Desktop Search Across Computers.

Before removing the feature, find and click the “Clear my files from Google” button in the Search Across Computers Preferences menu. I don’t know if it actually does what it says, but it might.

And if you’re thinking, “Yeah but Google isn’t evil.”… Do you remember when an AOL employee stole 92 million email addresses from AOL? Do you know what a subpoena is? Have you read the PATRIOT act?

In keeping with Laura’s claim that my site is just one big product review, here are some product reviews.

I got the worst haircut of my life at Willie’s barbershop on Saturday. When you see me next, please don’t think I -wanted- a buzz cut with a tuft on top. My review on Yelp.com reads

2 stars of 5. If your a guy and want a buzz cut, this is your place for a fine $12 cut. If you ask for anything else… well, you’re getting fine $12 buzz cut. Don’t be fooled by the men’s classic hair style charts on the wall to the left. Instead look at the photos to the right of the guys that have gotten crew cuts, cue balls, peach fuzz and their favorite sports team logos scrawled onto their heads.

I put a dollar in the dryer at the laundromat. 30 minutes later, I realized that the heat was broken on the machine. :-(

Paid $22 for “The Works” car wash at Auto City Car Wash. I posted to Yelp.com

3 stars out of 5. I got the $22 “Works” package. I wasn’t totally happy with it. They missed a few spots… corners of the mirrors, the bugs on the grill and hood, some spots around the rear bumper. They advertise that they are “brushless”. That’s because they don’t do much besides run a power washer over it, then a few seconds of hand sponging, then mechanically spray soap, then a rinse. After washing and mechanical Works package waxing, all of the body panels feel very slightly rough; a washed and waxed car should feel smooth. That roughness is sure to catch dust and dirt faster than a smooth surface.

After washing, I noticed a couple several scratches that I don’t recall the car having before. Though to be fair, washing may have just uncovered some scratches that had been there for a while.

If you buy 10 washes up front ($220), you get what amounts to about a 15% discount.

My weekend product review:

Marrakesh in Sacramento: Food-excellent. Atmosphere-fantastic. Baklava-so intoxicating I lost my balance. Belly Dancing-the best I’ve ever seen. Her technical belly dancing skills were remarkable with total, very tight control over rapid movements and isolating body parts perfectly.

Gallery Horse Cow, Pink Party in Sacramento- Amazingly fun, Awsome place. They went all out. The cops broke up the party at 12:45 am because uumm because there is no fun allowed of any kind! (I’ll give 5 points to whoever knows where that quote is from. Hint: B. M. M. B.)

Laura in Sacramento: Better than cats. I’ll see her again and again ;-)

The Horse and Goat in Sacramento: (what’s it called again? That’s not the name) Great ambiance, ok omlette.

Holly’s shindig, art and hospitality: wonderful terrific!

My new bed back in SF: great

New shelving in SF: not installed yet but finally in the house

:-)

I heard about Pandora on Inside the Net with Amber MacArthur (and Leo Laporte. It’s an internet radio player with a powerful recomendation engine behind it. All I know is that it plays a really good music fer free. And it runs inside Flash so even Trav can use it if he’s got speakers.

I sent this complaint to the Reynolds aluminum foil people on 12-13-05. They mailed me back a coupon for free Reynolds foil last week. No word on modifying their boxes.
Continue reading ‘Bad Reynolds Aluminum Foil Box’ »

I wrote the letter below to Norelco / Philips about an electric razor I got for my dad for Christmas.

I got a note back a few days later saying, “I am forwarding your comments to our product developement team.” :-)

Continue reading ‘Electric razors going downhill a bit’ »

I’m working at home today. My new landline phone has been ringing off the hook all day with telemarketer calls. In the last 4 hours, I’ve gotten Comcast, MCI, the California Professional Firefighters Association (a scam if I ever heard one) and innumerable automated-dialer hangups.

I’m signing up for the National Do Not Call Registry today but it takes 3 months for that thing to kick in. Hurumph.

Let’s see how a running tally goes
4:15pm California Organization of Police and Sheriffs
1-11-05 8:30am neighborhood by mci

(attn. doubters) I went for a walk tonight and found my local sushi restaurant. Kiji on Guerrero and 22nd. Super high quality. Authentic. Comfortable. Friendly. Fairly expensive.

The place has been there only barely longer than I have been in my new place.

At the prompting of my neighbor at the bar Jeremy and the guy at the end of the bar, I had saba (mackerel), uni (sea urchin) and sake. It was as excellent sashimi should be, a symphony to the senses.

I’ll be back.

PS. -This- is why SF is an expensive city. Sanctuaries like this command your attendance.

I would dissuade you from using All Temp Service of Hackettstown NJ for your plumbing and HVAC needs. I wrote the letter below to All Temp and called several times for a followup. I received no response whatsoever, though their answering service knows me well now.

Continue reading ‘Don’t use All Temp Service of Hackettstown NJ’ »

I’m a member of Tradesports.com. Last fall, I had a good time trading Central Park weather futures. IE, the number of inches of snow in Central Park at the end of each month. I liked excercising my statistics skills.

Most people think of Tradesports as a sports book. But wait, there’s more. Insurance companies have a lot in common with gambling houses.

Read this Annoucement I just got from them
Continue reading ‘Online Gambling or Vital Financial Tool?’ »