Disqus - Friends of traffas

Re: The benefits of a college education are many… Bu…

Rob Spectre — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 04:03:05 -0000

Stuff like this has become difficult to read.

Re: Launching the Dream

Rob Spectre — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 23:12:50 -0000

Meg McKenzie opened up the night with a pair of folk songs that brought the past six months from concept to launch of this website into a crystal reality. The house was packed with folks I knew, folks I didn't, and folks who were trying desperately to pay attention to anything other than Meg's gorgeous voice.

This revolution started with the song of an angel. And I can think of no more appropriate way.

Re: Launching the Dream

Rob Spectre — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 23:27:15 -0000

Space Hammocks debuted with the launch of dN0T, a crazy experimental electro project. Dan Lopez - a musician whose professional music resume is longer than most people's mortgage applications - put together a very special mix of live tracks with breakbeat tastiness.

The most ridiculously cool thing about this endeavor has been the folks that have generously given their time and effort. The artists have been all varied, and to the person have been absolutely what this picture in my head is about. When screaming "Fight the future" on a megaphone atop a burned out shopping mall, the soundtrack that will be playing will be Space Hammocks - an ethereal juxtaposition of rebellion and serenity.

Re: Launching the Dream

Rob Spectre — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 23:46:06 -0000

One of the awesome things about Barefoot on a Friday night is the inevitable arrival of the 50 and older set. What grandpa is doing looking for a latte at 9pm is totally beyond me, but it appears that he loves Space Hammocks.

Re: Launching the Dream

Rob Spectre — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 00:13:36 -0000

Sadek kicked off his set with a trio of stellar tunes from his older repetoire. Having usually heard pop covers from him before, it was a real sobering experience to hear him play exclusively original songs.

Towards the middle of his set the slow realization of his spectacular songwriting became clear.

He began an intro talking about a special tune that we had discussed in the afternoon. Songwriter to songwriter, I've been really lucky to have conversations with many really talented folks - conversations that I'll always remember as having a direct impact on my songwriting.

This afternoon we were talking about tunes that take you out of a songwriting plateau. The songs that serve as guides to a brand new artistic place. The ones that you write that are well beyond your ability, and through which you can touch naked truth.

He played his plateau song like it was the first time after he wrote it. And even those manning the espresso machine had stopped to take notice. Moments this magical inspire reverence from man and beast alike.

Re: You Don’t Need To Have A Country To Have A Civil War

Rob Spectre — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 20:08:07 -0000

What are we really looking at here?

How is this different (Hamas waging war against Fatah) from the other headlines of mayhem we've seen come out of Palestine?

Re: The Waning Relevance of Rolling Stone

Rob Spectre — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:37:02 -0000

The name of the magazine is "Rolling Stone." At the very least, it should be gathering no moss. In the extravagant birthday for a half century of rock and roll I believe the periodical became a history journal, focusing on the glorious yesteryear instead of the very urgent present.

We are this year presented with a very real opportunity to resurrect what we know about rock. For the first time in what seems like forever, my mp3 playlists are filled with new bands. And yet, the Church of Rock is failing to provide the injection of popularity that would turn these spotty campfires strewn about the Internet into a raging maw of what rock and roll once was. For reference, this month was not an oddity for Rolling Stone. Last week was The Police, a band who's political squabbling seems more popular than their songs. Nearly all the people on their covers this year are over 40 years old.

I don't care about Kid Rock making a "comeback" record. There is something wrong with an editorial environment that allows column inches to cover it.

Rolling Stone isn't interested in evolution, it is interested in nostalgia. One of these is the future of what we know as rock and roll, and I would prefer it to be the former.

Re: The Idaho Hall of Fame

Rob Spectre — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 12:39:11 -0000

Precisely nothing, except that I was watching Layer Cake while writing the post. :/

Pretty bad form.

Re: Quality Customer Service

Rob Spectre — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:25:29 -0000

Followup conversation with considerably more cantankerous representative Stacie.

Chat Information Please wait for a DHL Tracking Specialist to respond.
Chat Information You are now chatting with 'Stacie'
Stacie: Hi. Thank you for contacting DHL Live Chat. How may I help you?
Rob: Hi Stacie.
Rob: What's the status of this shipment?
Stacie: I will assist you by providing the status of the shipment.
Rob: Awesome.
Rob: I'm excited.
Stacie: Currently, the shipment is in transit and DHL would make every possible effort to deliver the shipment.
Rob: It looks like it is still in Memphis.
Stacie: It is in transit to its destination.
Rob: Where is the package currently?
Stacie: Unfortunately, we do not have the exact location of the package, it is in transit to its destination.
Stacie: DHL would make every possible effort to deliver the shipment within 24-48 hours.
Stacie: You need not to worry.
Rob: When was the package first shipped?
Stacie: It was picked up on 01/09/08, 16:32.
Rob: What service was selected for the shipment?
Stacie: It was shipped under Next Day service.
Stacie: Unfortunately, the shipment incurred a delay in transit due to a DHL handling error.
Rob: So I heard yesterday.
Rob: Where I also heard it would be delivered today.
Rob: Is 24-48 hours today?
Rob: I'm not so good with the maths.
Stacie: I will contact the respective service center and speed up the delivery of your shipment within 24 hours.
Stacie: I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Rob: Where is the package currently?
Stacie: It is in transit and it should arrive to its destination today.
Rob: Not 24-48 hours?
Stacie: DHL would make every possible effort to deliver the shipment within 24 hours.
Stacie: Is there any thing else I can assist you with?
Rob: I am a little confused.
Rob: You'll have to forgive me, I'm a little slow.
Rob: I'm trying to process the following data points:
Rob: 1) The shipment will be delivered in 24-48 hours.
Rob: 2) The shipment will be delivered today.
Rob: 3) The shipment will be delivered in 24 hours.
Rob: Seems like this conversation is exceeded the bounds of a statistical deviation.
Stacie: I will contact the respective service center and request them to deliver the shipment today.
Rob: I'm sorry, what is the respective service center?
Stacie: It is the SAN FRANCISCO center.
Rob: So the package is in San Francisco?
Stacie: As it arrives the San Francisco center today, I will request them to deliver your package today.
Chat Information Chat session has been terminated by the site operator.

Re: Quality Customer Service

Rob Spectre — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:26:05 -0000

Followup followup conversation with same represenative:

Please wait for a DHL Tracking Specialist to respond.
Chat InformationYou are now chatting with 'Stacie'
Stacie: Hi. Thank you for contacting DHL Live Chat. How may I help you?
Rob: Hi Stacie.
Stacie: As per our records, the shipment arrived its destination as on 01/11/08, 07:23.
Stacie: I will contact the respective service center and request them to deliver the package today that is on 01/11/08 by the end of business.
Rob: By destination you mean?
Stacie: Is there any thing else I can assist you with?
Stacie: It arrived to the destination service center at SAN FRANCISCO STATION, 555 23RD STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94107.
Rob: What time should I anticipate the delivery?
Stacie: Unfortunately, we do not know the exact time of delivery. It depends on the route of the delivery courier. Hence, it can be delivered at any time during the day.
Stacie: I appreciate your patience and understanding in this case.
Stacie: Is there any thing else I can assist you with today?
Rob: I wonder if you could rate this customer service experience for me?
Stacie: I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Rob: Yesterday a representative indicated I would receive notification on reparations for this incident in 12 hours.
Rob: No such notification was received.
Stacie: Unfortunately, the shipment incurred a delay in transit due to a DHL handling error.
Rob: Just a few minutes ago you terminated our chat session abruptly.
Stacie: Please provide me with your phone number so that one of our representatives should contact you.
Rob: And only now 15 minutes into this conversation do I have an accurate identification of the location of my shipment.
Rob: I'm interested in your assessment of this customer service experience.
Stacie: I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Rob: On a scale of 1 to 5.
Rob: 5 receiving wine at the Last Supper.
Rob: 1 being the bread line in the Gaza Strip.
Stacie: We regret that the quality of service you received recently did not reflect the quality we strive for and appreciate you taking the time to let us know of your experience.
Stacie: It is candid feedback such as yours that helps us find new ways to improve our service offerings.
Stacie:
Stacie: However, I will forward this to the concern department, hence such type of mistake does not repeat in the future.
Rob: I'm afraid that is not an answer to my question.
Rob: On the scale presented, how would you rate the customer perception of this incident?
Stacie: Your shipment should be delivered today.
Rob: Would you say that does or does not improve the customer's experience in this incident?
Stacie: We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused and will try to improve our service levels.
Rob: I'm sorry. I get really confused when the subject of conversation is so fluid.
Rob: How would you categorize the experience of this shipment on a scale of 1 to 5?
Stacie: I will categorize the experience of this shipment on a scale to 3.
Stacie: I appreciate your patience and understanding in this case.
Stacie: Is there any thing else I can assist you with?
Rob: My number is (415)203-8618.
Rob: I would appreciate a phone call with your representative.
Stacie: Thank you for the information.
Stacie: I will update your phone number and one of our representatives should contact you within an hour.
Rob: Is there any indication of when I will be receiving my hug?
Stacie: One of our representatives should contact you within an hour and your shipment should be delivered today.
Rob: And this representative will be providing the logistical information necessary to collect this hug?
Stacie: Yes, they will contact you and inform you about the recent status of the package.
Rob: Excellent.
Rob: I'm excited.
Rob: This has been very disheartening.
Stacie: We regret that the quality of service you received recently did not reflect the quality we strive for and appreciate you taking the time to let us know of your experience.
Rob: No appreciation necessary.
Rob: A hug will do fine.
Stacie: However, I will forward this to the concern department, hence such type of mistake does not repeat in the future.
Stacie: Please be informed that one of our representatives should contact you to inform the recent update regarding the shipment.
Rob: I am so informed.
Stacie: Is there any thing else I can assist you with?
Stacie: Thank you for using DHL services. Have a great day. Bye.
Chat InformationChat session has been terminated by the site operator.

Re: Quality Customer Service

Rob Spectre — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 16:54:04 -0000

Update:

I did receive my laptop.

I did not receive a hug.

I am sad.

Re: In Free Parking, No One Can Hear Your Scream

Rob Spectre — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:30:59 -0000

This could actually be better than one might initially suspect.

The Clue movie was funny as hell.

Re: Why Perforce Doesn’t Suck (And Why You Do)

Rob Spectre — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:09:59 -0000

The value of changelists cannot be denied. Where Subversion and CVS completely lack any tracking of merges, P4 figures such as a fundamental part of their philosophy of source control management.

Integration and merging is the lionshare of the source that needs to be version controlled in as soon as a software project grows to any reasonable size. Subversion forces the user to handle stuff like task branching through best practices and generally agreed procedures; Perforce provides superior automation and control in this regard by tracking not just changes, but the *lists* of elements changed with each commit.

This makes an enormous difference in the practical business of software development.

Re: Danimal Gets Dugg

Rob Spectre — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:10:14 -0000

As a corollary, this punkass copied Daniel's photograph on Flickr without permission.

http://www.flickr.com/photo...

Re: The Popular Application of Noise

Rob Spectre — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 21:11:15 -0000

I don't know dude, I think Jenson's got a good read on the whole thing.

Disrespectful and uncool - that's pretty much what we do around here.

Re: The Popular Application of Noise

Rob Spectre — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:39:51 -0000

Your mother sounds like a wonderful woman.

Re: Spring shows

Rob Spectre — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:49:25 -0000

Update your effing blog dude.

Re: One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 08

Rob Spectre — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:41:11 -0000

How the shit did hippies get all the way up there?

Re: Eve Online Source Code Leaked

Rob Spectre — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:57:37 -0000

As many folks are pointing out, CCP is making a concerted effort to conceal the leak. Posts on the Eve Online forums even asking for information about the release are resulting in account bans.

In the online business, stuff like this does happen. But what separates professionals from posers is how issues like this are managed. Going Gestapo on paying customers is not at all the solution to the problem.

I'm going to be interested to see if I can login when I get home.

Re: Eve Online Source Code Leaked

Rob Spectre — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:27:57 -0000

Slashdot's post has some excellent comments pointing out some of the technical details of the leak. In addition to some reports on what the code review produced, the article may have the first possible communication from CCP:

http://games.slashdot.org/c...

Still no word on the official Eve forums or website.

Communication to CCP by (d)N0t has not yet been returned.

In purely selfish news, my account has not yet been banned. Feel free to give me a yell if you're around Korsiki. ;)

Re: EVE Online Source Code Stolen, Leaked

Rob Spectre — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:14:32 -0000

An update is available on Dream Not Of Today with an interview with a person alleging to be responsible for the release of the source code of Eve Online's client.

The alleged source of the "leak" goes on to claim that he already has a proof of concept for exploiting the code, including screen shots.

http://www.dreamnotoftoday.com/?p=645

Re: Day Around the Bay

Rob Spectre — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:25:43 -0000

An interview with one of the activists leading the 9/11 hootenanny:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cxJuzf4Q0k

Re: Loaded with Spoilers

Rob Spectre — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:16:49 -0000

I was similarly shocked. It was a smattering, not a full ovation, but certainly present. It was very weird.

The other thing I couldn't wrap my head around was the laughter after sentences that clearly weren't jokes. I don't know if this - like the critics featured in Rotten Tomatoes - are plants from the movie studio in an effort to blunt the trauma caused by this film or what.

I can't figure out why anyone would laugh at anything in this movie.

Re: The Statehood Issue

Rob Spectre — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:33:15 -0000

The constitutional issue I think this situation brings up is with the material influence of non-citizens to the formation of the US government. While there is legislation that permits participation in the presidential primaries, it is not mandated by the constitution (nor any part of the primary process) and with this being the first election where their participation made a difference, may be the first time the constitutionality of those laws could be called into question.

Christina Burnett outlines the constiutional and normative issues with Puerto Rico's participation in the general election in the Yale Law Journal:

http://yalelawjournal.org/2...

I don't think the suggestion that Puerto Rico casting the deciding delegate count in a primary contest would materially constitute participation is very far fetched. Such participation would not conform to the spirit of the Constitution at the very least and may be implicitly prohibited by the 12th Amendment at the most.

Laying the constitutional argument aside, it is at the very least damaging, with the implication that Clinton would grant statehood to the territory in return for their 11th hour support.

This kind of uncharted territory is dangerous to wade into and certainly not something to be done with a quid pro quo exchange. The Democratic party is forcing the campaign bull into a legal china shop with little thought given to its consequence.

It is clear all the scenarios for Puerto Rico's involvement have not been gamed out and an election is the worst kind of duress to do it under.

Re: The (d)N0t Guide to Being Emo

Rob Spectre — Fri, 30 May 2008 01:11:24 -0000

Scoring Guide:

Total all your points from the answers above, and compare to the following scale.

0: If you scored no points, rest assured tonight that the head that you lie down on that pillow is not emo. God bless you and keep you, and continue that fight against the mortal enemy.

>0: You are fucking emo. Post the total in the comments below so our experts can gauge your level of emo affliction and connect you with the help you need to live a happy, normal life.