[Blackberry Bun]

I've been seeing news about the US government going bonkers, but I don't have bright ideas on what actually is going on because I see many news and I don't know which source(s) to believe.

[Stella Grapes]

Oh, my country's government "shut down" because the Republicans are angry about low-income people getting healthcare. That's basically it. I'm furious about it. Not to mention a lot of the programs shut down are essential to a lot of people's survival.

I don't agree with President Obama on everything and am neither a Democrat nor a Republican. Let me just say, however, I agree with Democrats far more than Republicans because for goodness' sake I know firsthand what it's like to be poor! I would be a physically healthier person if Obama had been in office during Bush's run. (I'm referring to Bush Junior, although the same also applies to Bush Senior.)

I'm keeping my MacBook. Nothing was saved that wasn't saved on a jump drive prior. But of course I'm keeping Amelia. I'm too sentimental to trash friends. It's possible I'll make a last ditch effort with her, if I find a place to do so.

[cpd2009]

Oh, my country's government "shut down" because the Republicans are angry about low-income people getting healthcare. That's basically it. I'm furious about it. Not to mention a lot of the programs shut down are essential to a lot of people's survival.

Me and my family haven't been affected by the shutdown, but thousands of others are. It appears that we are heading towards the so-called "debt ceiling". All I'm going to say is that Congress really needs to get their act together and do something to address this, as the US default will affect us all.

I'm keeping my MacBook. Nothing was saved that wasn't saved on a jump drive prior. But of course I'm keeping Amelia. I'm too sentimental to trash friends. It's possible I'll make a last ditch effort with her, if I find a place to do so.

That's good to know. I can't really let go of Chrysanthemum either, nor all my old tablet PCs that I accumulated looking for the perfect one.

Sometimes, I do think about sending in old Chrysanthemum for a repair, but they would likely replace her motherboard, which wouldn't make her Chrysanthemum anymore. Thus, she now acts as sort of a tabletop platform for Greta's USB mouse.

I really need to find a better place for her honestly.

[RAMChYLD]

I'm keeping my MacBook. Nothing was saved that wasn't saved on a jump drive prior. But of course I'm keeping Amelia. I'm too sentimental to trash friends. It's possible I'll make a last ditch effort with her, if I find a place to do so.

Well, if James is feeling brave enough, get him to have a look at this site, buy the spare parts he needs, and fix it himself:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ifixit.com/Mac-Parts">http://www.ifixit.com/Mac-Parts</a><!-- m -->

There's also another company called Other World Computing that sells repair kits for old Macs, although I believe that they cater to those with even older Mac (hence their name- it's a reference to how pre-Intel Macs are further divided into "New-World" or old Macs, and "Old-World" or really old Macs (Cleo falls into the latter catagory, being an "Old World" Mac because she was made before Apple introduced the iMac. Any Macs made after the iMac was introduced are considered "New World" Macs).

Anyways, back on topic. I'm 95% certain that the fried item is called an "inverter", basically the device that charges up and powers the lighting bulbs behind the screen.

I don't think they do repairs for people tho, only sell parts for those who are brave enough to repair their Macs themselves. But there's a number there on the page, so no harm done calling up for an enquiry to see if they're willing to help you out.

If James agrees to do it tho, I also suggests you ask him into maxing out the memory. I believe your Mac only comes with 1GB of Memory, 2GB will allow it to perform noticably faster. It's not going to be as fast as a modern Macbook, but fast enough to notice.

Sometimes, I do think about sending in old Chrysanthemum for a repair, but they would likely replace her motherboard, which wouldn't make her Chrysanthemum anymore. Thus, she now acts as sort of a tabletop platform for Greta's USB mouse.

Honestly, I have no qualms about replacing the motherboard because of my believes in daemons, or the soul of the computer (yeah, I'm that strange). I believe that the entire daemon can be transferred onto just one computer part after a ritual involving some chanting and writing glyphs in thin air, and then the daemon will transfer into the new board once said part is installed into the new system. This is technically how Sally could still be Sally even though she's been technically completely overhauled inside (the daemon was transferred onto a SoundBlaster X-Fi card, which is then installed back into the new setup). Ditto for Clementine (her daemon was transferred onto a SoundBlaster Live! soundcard, which is installed into her new build to let the daemon back into the motherboard. After that, the SoundBaster Live!Soundcard can be replaced with zero reprecussions).

[Blackberry Bun]

Long weekend.

[RAMChYLD]

still have to go back to work tomorrow :/

[cpd2009]

I thought those intrusive in-paragraph ads at TechCrunch were bad, but now I found an ad so intrusive it should be banned by international law...

"PageGrabber" HTML5 pop-ups by Undertone Networks.

I was wanting some info on the India hurricane through Google, so I found a radar image from AccuWeather. All is well and good until Undertone's PageGrabber ad takes over the page without warning for some stupid shill about Windex Wipes. And this is a full page ad, with all of your page content gone until you click the small close button on the top right.

I said it once and I'll say it again, ads like these need to be banned by federal regulation. I sound like a censorship freak by saying that, but the majority of people hate these ads and they take control away from the user. There is a reason why AdBlock Plus is so popular... and I may as well go ahead and install it.

[huckleberrypie]

Well, someone should better tell FTC about it. That and other scammy or annoying ads is what led me to try ABP.

[cpd2009]

Well, someone should better tell FTC about it. That and other scammy or annoying ads is what led me to try ABP.

ABP may be the best option because I think if they ever tried passing a law regulating these ads, the ad industry bigwigs will freak out and take the case to court citing first amendment rights. It's going to be a very ugly battle if it ever comes to pass.

[huckleberrypie]

Well, someone should better tell FTC about it. That and other scammy or annoying ads is what led me to try ABP.

ABP may be the best option because I think if they ever tried passing a law regulating these ads, the ad industry bigwigs will freak out and take the case to court citing first amendment rights. It's going to be a very ugly battle if it ever comes to pass.

This. Although there can be factors that would be more in our favour than using the first amendment as an excuse for their tomfoolery.