What is this un-necessary data collection for? At first I though it was so that they could send junk mail to known customers, but my wife pointed out that a postal code usually only targets a set of addresses, not a single dwelling. Jen thinks that it’s so they can analyze sales data per customer area, but what would be the point, and why not just asked for the first part of the postal code?

Whatever the reason, I’m pretty sure it’s not of any benefit to the customer. It slows down the transaction, making people wait longer, and it’s just another small erosion of our privacy.

If someone asks you for personal data, ask yourself “do they need that?” before giving it to them. That’s especially true in an online setting.

It’s been a great service and we’ve ordered prints from it quite regularly.

Unfortunately they’ve just updated their storage policy, effectively crippling the service. Each account now has a maximum 50Mb storage capacity. That’s a pitiful amount, enough for maybe 200 images if you’re lucky. I can store more images on my camera.

I can understand imposing some kind of limit, but 50Mb? It’s pathetic. I would expect an account which regularly orders prints to have a capacity of at least 1Gb. Storage is cheap, especially when you’re a storage retailer.

I emailed them asking if it was possible to increase the limit. Here’s the response:

Unfortunately, once this storage limitation is in place, you will be unable to upload more photos once you have reached your limit.

So that’s it. Futurephoto is dead. Can anyone recommend an alternative online photo sharing site which allows selective sharing and printing in Canada?

Update: I found ShutterFly. Unlimited storage, prints to Canada, selective sharing, and they support Linux. Website seems a bit sluggish but we’ll see how it goes.

I joined the crowd heading for the metro turnstiles and was just about to feed my pass through when there was a scream, followed by a loud bang and another scream. People in blue STM uniforms started running. I knew I wouldn’t be taking the metro today after all.

I walked up to Sherbrooke St and got to the bus stop while the line was still short. As I arrived an ambulance and police car went hurtling down towards the metro. Within minutes the line had grown to a silly size.

Three full buses went by before I finally gave up and started walking. I got as far as Atwater before another bus came along and I was able to squeeze onto it, accidentally treading on a very small japanese lady in the process.

I arrived at work at 9am, 45 minutes later than usual. I still haven’t found out exactly what happened at Vendome, but I’m trying to look on the bright side, it gave me some extra exercise and something to blog about.

But I didn’t go out and buy one, partly because my wife would kill me, but mostly because I thought about it some more. Do I really want this? Is this what us gadget consumers really want? Or is it just what the DAP manufacturers are telling us we want?

There is a fundamental difference between portable audio and portable video. I can listen to music while doing most things. I can be driving, walking, running, biking, climbing, working, mowing the lawn, reading or just sitting and be listening to music at the same time. Out of all those, sitting is the only one I can really do while watching video.

If I’m sitting at home, I can watch video on my big screen TV. If I’m sitting on the train or plane, I can get out my laptop and watch video on there. The quality of any video watching experience is directly related to the size of the screen and the resolution of the image. Why would I want to sit and watch an episode of Lost (and pay for the privilege) on a screen smaller than my hand with a poor resolution when I can watch it in high definition on a big screen tv? Watching a movie on my laptop is acceptable thanks to its 17″ widescreen display, but I wouldn’t want to go much smaller than that. Even the first TV I ever had was 14″.

So why are all the DAP makers forcing portable video on us? It’s not all that innovative, and it’s not very useful. Concentrate on making portable audio better (like making iPods play OGG files!) instead.

The comparison ends there though, because Nero rushed to return to Rome and played his lyre while fully aware of the devastation happening in front of him. Bush was playing his guitar many miles away at a fundraising party, apparently completely oblivious to the devastation occuring in the neighbouring state, and didn’t cut short his vacation until two days later.

Nero is also said to have opened his palaces to provide shelter for the homeless and arranged for food supplies to be delivered in order to prevent starvation among the survivors. Bush and his administration were denying aid from many sources and struggling to offer much of their own.

Nero was finally deposed. Let’s hope that’s another comparison we can make.

In Canada it is ok to use marijuana to ease your pain and suffering.

In Canada contraception is ok, whatever form it takes.

In Canada you can burn the flag if you want.

In Canada it is understood that sometimes abortion is necessary.

In Canada torture is a violation of human rights. Always. The end does not justify the means.

In Canada you can be an atheist and still be considered a citizen.

In Canada law is secular and religious freedom is guaranteed within that law.

In Canada you can’t have your home taken away for a shopping mall.

In Canada you can take books from the library without fear of persecution.

In Canada the authorities need to have probable cause and a warrant before searching your home.

So I’m confused; which country is the Land Of The Free again?

Idiots. I’m guessing one of the smiling faces in that photo owns a Hummer dealership.

Yes, I enjoy alcohol. I’m also happy to say I’ve never had a problem with it. I drank a lot in my late teens and early twenties, but thats just what boys living in Essex do. Nowadays I drink in moderation. I can’t remember the last time I was drunk. I never drink and drive. Drinking doesn’t make me abusive or obnoxious. I don’t “need” alcohol, I just like it.

Drinking in moderation has been shown to lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, be good for the heart and reduce the risk of stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney stones, gallstones, arthritis, stress and depression.

On the other hand, alcohol abuse kills thousands of people every year and causes problems for millions more. Long term abuse increases the chances of getting breast, mouth or throat cancer as well as destroying your liver.

I wondered if there was a proper definition of “drinking in moderation”. The generally accepted opinion seems to be two drinks a day for men, or one drink a day for women. A drink being 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of spirits. I fall well below that level as I don’t drink at all on most days and rarely have more than two when I do. Oh and not drinking for 10 days then having 20 beers in one night is not good. It doesn’t quite work like that.

All this typing has made me thirsty…

With her ex-fellow conservatives calling her an attractive dipstick, a whore and a prostitute and the National Post referring to her decision as a Blonde Bombshell I start to wonder if it’s possible for women to be taken seriously in Canadian politics.

Health authorities believe the outbreak started at Rehoboth Christian School in Norwich, where about 60 per cent of students are not vaccinated, most for religious reasons.

If only there was a religion vaccine…