Month: August 2012

Categories
Internet

The Accidental History of Chocolate Chip Cookies

> But while seemingly straightforward, the recipe turns out to be anything but — historically speaking, that is. After all, why would someone ever think to put chunks of semi-sweet chocolate into cookie dough? In retrospect, it makes sense — delicious sense — but who knew? As it turns out, before 1930, no one. The creation of these gooey masterpieces was an accident — the true story of which is still in debate.

Now you know, and knowing is half the battle. Also, I’m hungry for chocolate chip cookies.

Categories
Politics Sports

Webb Simpson Stands up to Chick-Fil-A

To read most coverage, you would never know there were people on the both sides of this issue. Yahoo Sports reports on what Webb Simpson treated yesterday:

> “Reasons for loving chickfila,” Simpson tweeted (all tweets, as always, sic’d): “They serve humbly They say “my pleasure” Food is great Polynesian is awesome Milkshakes are awesomest” Nobody on earth can disagree with that part about the milkshakes, at least.

Good for him. I have a ton of respect for someone willing to share his views, especially when his views are getting drowned out in the media coverage.

Categories
Internet Technology

New Show from 70 Decibels Out Today

Just put this episode to the top of my [Instacast](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=httpWednesday698698itunes.apple.com698us698app698instacast698id420368235698mt?8?o?4PMartnerId?30)[^aff] queue.

[^aff]: Affliate Link

Categories
Sports

The end of the Lars Anderson Era (in Pawtucket)

Whenever the PawSox came to town, I was always excited about seeing Lars Anderson play. Sadly, there really is no place for him in the Red Sox system now that they have Gonzo at first for the foreseeable future. I wish him good luck in Cleveland. Unfortunately, his outlook does not seem very bright:

> He has always toted solid plate discipline skills and his first-base defense has improved in recent years as well. But Anderson has struggled to make contact as he progressed throughout the Red Sox farm system, and while the power is obviously there when he connects — he hit a prodigious home run off of the scoreboard at McCoy Stadium this year — connecting has been a struggle in and of itself.

Categories
Internet

Dave Caolo changes the focus of 52 Tiger

> I’m not Merlin or John, I’m Dave. And now 52T is, too.

I’m excited to see how the site changes (and not just because we use the same WordPress theme)[^bug].

[^bug]: Dave, if you read this, drop me an email and I’ll tell you how to fix the bug in the theme that makes the header bar not go all the way to edge of the screen on an iPad. Figured it out last night.

Categories
Law Politics

EFF Breaks Down the Saving High-Tech Innovators from Egregious Legal Disputes Act

First, I approve of using the SHIELD acronym. Second, I have not read the actual legislation yet, so I cannot give detailed comments. That being said, it sounds interesting:

> The idea behind the SHIELD Act is simple: if you sue someone, you better have a reasonable and good-faith belief that you are entitled to relief. In other words, a plaintiff needs to believe that a defendant actually infringes a valid patent before it sues. If it doesn’t, that plaintiff could be on the hook for the costs of litigation and for the winning party’s attorneys’ fees (which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in some cases).

And, probably most importantly:

> This bill is also important because it would only apply to software and computer hardware patents.

I am going to have to dig deeper into this one.

Categories
Sports

The Black Shuttlecocks Scandal of 2012

> Then Bruce checked the internet and saw there was a brewing controversy over four women’s doubles teams throwing games during pool play in an effort to secure more advantageous spot in the quarterfinals

Of course teams were throwing badminton matches. This sport has been corrupt for years.[^ff]

[^ff]: I actually have no knowledge of any aspect of badminton.

Categories
Law

Craigslist wants the Copyright for your Ads

Since they cannot claim copyright to the facts in the ads, they’re trying to claim copyright to the ads as a whole. Neither post[^ff] seems to go into a real analysis of what creativity actually goes into to the ad or whether Craigslist might have an issue with a de minimis argument.[^note]

[^ff]: *See also,* [Ars Technica](http://feeds.arstechnica.com/~r/arstechnica/index/~3/sVLkQfJDbSU/)

[^note]: *Note to self: I should write that post.*

Categories
Sports

Fangraphs breaks down Will Middlebrooks

> Middlebrooks has shown the ability to hit the ball with authority in his short time as a major leaguer. To get the most out of this ability, he’ll need to make consistent contact. If he can take this next step, the Middlebrooks we’ve seen this year can be around for years to come.

I have my fingers crossed. I love Will Middlebrooks.

Categories
Entertainment Law

Bankruptcy and the Dark Knight

> There are, of course, some problems with this. One of the characters makes a passing suggestion that there might be something that could be done because the transactions were obviously fraudulent, but that it would take too much time. Why is never explained. Indeed, why trading did not instantly cease the second it became apparent that someone was actually storming the trading floor was never explained. The fact that someone had access to the trading desk explains how the put options could have been created in the first place, but it doesn’t explain why anyone thought for one second that they were real. An actual attack on the trading floor might well close the market for a day or two while damage is repaired and additional security installed.

I think I’ve been asked to explain the law around this about 3 or 4 times. I’m glad I can now just point people to this [Law and the Multiverse](http://lawandthemultiverse.com) article.

Categories
Technology

Downcast updated with Speedier Navigation

Downcast[^ff] received an update over the weekend. After using it for a few days, I definitely think they succeeded in speeding up the menus. Unfortunately, [my major problems with the app](https://johnkiv.us/2012/07/20/making-the-best-of-the-current-ios-podcast-player-options/) still remain, namely: slow syncing speed and rapid battery drain. As a result, I’ll just continue to use my dual Downcast / [Instacast](http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=r*bqlTuiXSo&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=httpWednesday925925itunes.apple.com925us925app925instacast925id420368235925mt?8?o?4PMartnerId?30) setup.[^as]

[^ff]: Post link is an affiliate link.

[^as]: As I [described previously](https://johnkiv.us/2012/07/20/making-the-best-of-the-current-ios-podcast-player-options/).

Categories
Sports

Review of what the Red Sox did do and did not do at Yesterday’s Trade Deadline

Great review by the guys over at Fire Brand, including commentary on the [rumors of a deal that would have involved Beckett and Ellsbury](http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21217731/red-sox-rangers-talked-blockbuster).

Categories
Sports

Clemson Signs another Top 50 Wide Receiver

Clearly, Dabo can recruit.

Categories
Internet Technology

Amazon Cloud Player Coming to Roku

Amazon continues its push for ubiquity.

Categories
Sports

Red Sox Win (with a little help from the Rain)

> The Tigers looked to be threatening in the top of the sixth inning, loading the bases with two outs against Morales, who had relieved Mortensen and looked poised to pitch for a while — perhaps setting him up to take Beckett’s turn in the rotation the next time through. But rain that had been steady throughout the game began falling hard enough that umpires waved the teams off the field. They never returned.

I’m sure Morales would have gotten them out anyway.[^win]

[^win]: Okay, I am not completely confident in that.

Categories
Economics Technology

Beats by Dre and Olympic Marketing

> Thus far, Beats products have been spotted on a number of highly visible athletes, including swimmer Michael Phelps, who wears a pair of Beats-branded noise-canceling headphones before races. The company achieved a similar coup in 2008, when it gave a pair of headphones to LeBron James, who proceeded to hand them out to the rest of his US teammates.

I have to admit, I want a pair of Beats headphones. Even though reviews seem to consistently say there are better and cheaper options available, Beats marketing has won me over.[^sox]

[^sox]: It might just be that I want the [Red Sox branded version](http://www.staples.com/Beats-by-Dr-Dre-Studio-Red-Sox-Edition-Headphones-From-Monster/product-nr_917160)

Categories
Internet Technology

Amazon Instant Video for iPad

Amazon wants you to buy their content, regardless of where you end up watching it.