July 4, 2008 I just love web sites that play on the success of others and either mock them, or provide great entertainment for the rest of us that aren’t quite as imaginative! Here is a really well designed site that will immediately be familiar to you!I must give credit to my friend Dave who brought it to my attention! It seems a little slow to run, but the demo video is fun to watch! Well done!
[From ijam.es]
July 3, 2008 I have been fortunate that on the west coast of Canada, Rogers has a weak foot hold. But I was so looking forward to getting an iPhone, and signing up with Rogers. Well, it looks like a big revolt is underway, and Rogers is trying to charge ridiculous rates for data. Go over to Ruinediphone.com to sign the petition, and show Rogers that they have it all wrong! Rogers offers a cancellation fee if you want to get out of their 3 year plan. It is nuts as well. Check it out! A quick plug to my main site…
Check out my posting today about recycling. It turns out that it is bad for the environment and our pocketbooks!!Related posts for may find interesting
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June 21, 2008 I recently wrote my MP about the horrible Conservative government’s copyright bill they are trying to push through Parliament. She just responded back, and has added links to people you can contact to have your voice heard! Speak up and stop the Conservative agenda!! Thank you for getting in touch with me to support our fight for fair copyright. For more than two years now, the Conservatives have been telling Canadians that a bill with a balanced approach would be tabled “shortly,” but it is now clear that Industry Minister Jim Prentice is under intense pressure from US interests to bring in DMCA-style legislation. What has delayed this bill is the groundswell of public opposition. Increased public pressure will be needed in order to push back against the US lobby. The problem is that few politicians understand the implications of the failed DMCA approach. They need to hear from their constituents. It’s time for everyone who cares about fair copyright to send a message to Minister Prentice and Minister Verner, or get on the phone, telling them that this issue is vote determining. My colleague, Charlie Angus, MP (Timmins-James Bay) as the NDP’s spokesperson on copyright, says without reservation that the NDP caucus will be standing united against a Canadian version of the DMCA; ensuring the government takes the perspective of everyday consumers, educators and artists into account so that we don’t end up facing restrictive, destructive legislation. My colleagues and I strongly believe that only a strong and united public outcry can reverse this government’s destructive course on copyright. Your efforts, and those of others just like you, will not go unnoticed. Also, here is an excerpt from parliament with Charlie Angus questioning Minister Prentice on this very issue: OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Copyright Mr. Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay, NDP): Hon. Jim Prentice (Minister of Industry, CPC): Mr. Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay, NDP): Hon. Jim Prentice (Minister of Industry, CPC): Thanks for taking action by writing on this issue. I encourage you to send your message directly, rather than as a cc to Minister Prentice at minister.industry@ic.gc.ca and Minister Verner at verner.j@parl.gc.ca. Your message will make a stronger statement by sending direct to the Ministers responsible. Sincerely,
Jean Crowder, MP Do your part, and write Minister Prentice and Minister Verner to oppose their attempt at backing the American music and movie lobby!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Speaker: The Honourable Peter Milliken
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Industry keeps delaying the introduction of the Copyright Act. Canada’s international reputation has been tarnished because Canada gives in to American lobbyists’ arm-twisting when it comes to trade. We also know that the government is participating in secret talks in Geneva to treat children with iPods like criminal members of international counterfeiting rings.
Why does the minister want to turn millions of ordinary Canadians into criminals?
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member simply has all of his facts wrong. The key issue on copyright is, of course, striking the appropriate balance; a balance between, on the one hand, consumers and, on the other hand, creators. Attempts by the previous Liberal government to do so, not surprisingly, have failed.
The bill will be introduced when the Minister of Canadian Heritage and I believe that the appropriate balance has been struck. I would encourage my friend to try to be constructive and patient.
Mr. Speaker, if this were the analog age, he would be sounding like a broken record. We cannot have balance unless we have had consultations. This minister has been led around by the nose by the U.S. lobbyists and he has ignored the Canadian input.
What we are having in these negotiations in Geneva right now is the mandatory snooping of individual Internet use, the attempt to personally seize computers at the border to search and seize, and the use of lawsuits against individuals.
The difference is, though, average citizens that he is trying to criminalize can vote while the U.S. ambassador cannot. Does he think he is going to get away with this without consultations?
Mr. Speaker, there is a fair bit of shrill rhetoric in there.
The government will deal with the balancing of the rights of consumers, on the one hand, and creators, on the other. It is a difficult job. It is well in hand. The bill will be introduced in due course. In the meantime, if the NDP wishes to lead its members along by their own noses, it can do so.Related posts for may find interesting
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June 12, 2008 I mentioned the other day that the Conservative government of Canada is trying to push the US lobbyist agenda. It was just announced today. Here is a link to the CBC website with a more “objective” opinion. I wrote the government to “complain”. I apparently am good at complaining, so The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry responded to me…though I am sure that he didn’t type any of it… Here is a copy of the message… The Government of Canada has introduced Bill C-61, An Act to Amend the Copyright Act. The proposed legislation is a made-in-Canada approach that balances the needs of Canadian consumers and copyright owners, promoting culture, innovation and competition in the digital age. Specifically, it includes measures that would: expressly allow you to record TV shows for later viewing; copy legally purchased music onto other devices, such as MP3 players or cell phones; make back-up copies of legally purchased books, newspapers, videocassettes and photographs onto devices you own; and limit the “statutory damages” a court could award for all private use copyright infringements; Thank you for sharing your views on this important matter.
The Honourable Jim Prentice, P.C., Q.C., M.P. The Honourable Josée Verner, P.C., M.P. Sounds rosy…Not! On a different note, if you are waiting for Spore to come out, here are the computer specks needed to run it. Update your computer now!!
[From VGPRO.com | Sunsu 's Articles - Spore System Requirements Revealed ]
I can’t wait!
What does Bill C-61 mean to Canadians?
implement new rights and protections for copyright holders, tailored to the Internet, to encourage participation in the online economy, as well as stronger legal remedies to address Internet piracy;
clarify the roles and responsibilities of Internet Service Providers related to the copyright content flowing over their network facilities; and
provide photographers with the same rights as other creators.
What Bill C-61 does not do:
it would not empower border agents to seize your iPod or laptop at border crossings, contrary to recent public speculation
What this Bill is not:
it is not a mirror image of U.S. copyright laws. Our Bill is made-in-Canada with different exceptions for educators, consumers and others and brings us into line with more than 60 countries including Japan, France, Germany and Australia
Bill C-61 was introduced in the Commons on June 12, 2008 by Industry Minister Jim Prentice and Heritage Minister Josée Verner.
For more information, please visit the Copyright Reform Process website at www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/crp-prda.nsf/en/home
Minister of Industry
Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women
and Official Languages and Minister for
La FrancophonieRelated posts for may find interesting
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Atheist.nu/blog Atheist.nu/blog. Check it out!