This thing called social networking has been around for a while now, hasn’t it. I guess it started with that whole Friendster thing and maybe even before that with Asian Avenue to some extent. But it’s only been recently that I’ve joined a social network, namely, Facebook.

I’ve found Facebook very interesting for learning about people: what they do, what they’re interested in, the connections that you have, the places you’ve been, among other things. It can be very useful. However, there are some wrenches in that people throw into the system that effectively render the system completely useless. (more…)

Resnet is sucking right about now. With DC++, top speed seems to be about 700 kb/s, and that’s only if they’re in the same house or floor. Downloading from the same res, it drops a few hundred, and in other residences that drops to two digits. Disappointment. BUT, the selection is quite good. Plenty of anime and TV. I’m looking into starting One Piece, Bleach, or The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi.

Facebook added some interesting features recently, most notably, the feed. I personally think it’s an interesting idea. The feed acts like an RSS feed but of what your friends have done. Feeds are good and useful.

So then there’s this bunch of users who think this is an invasion of their privacy. These are probably the same people who think Google is invading their privacy. Well here’s a tip I suggest for those privacy advocates: don’t put your information on the Internet if you don’t want someone to see it.

Facebook didn’t break into your house and steal your address and phone number and put it on their website, you put it on their website, so deal with it.

Why don’t you damn kids whine about the real invasions of privacy in our society?

In the Waterloo group, someone said something funny. And then someone else said lol. Not ‘el-oh-el’, but ‘lawl’. Go nerds.

All around the Internets are stories of defective Apple Laptops: heat, soiling, cutting, exploding, etc. I believe I’ve had my Mac long enough that some of these problems should arise. Let’s have a look.

Heat

I don’t know if this is really a defect, or rather a pretend defect. The Macbooks were perceived to be unnaturally hot, but it’s not like it’s burning. Well, I can’t speak for the Pros, but I’ve been able to use the laptop just fine on my lap when it’s under load. My Macbook usually idles around 60 C after a few hours and went up to almost 80 C while playing Civ IV.

Fans

On some Macbooks, there’s a phenomenon called the Moo. When the system reaches a certain temperature range, the fan will go on and off, because it’s at the borderline between when the fans go, producing a mooing sound. I’ve never had this problem.

Discolouration

This is the big one I was worried about. I’d read a few weeks prior that my Week 27 Macbook was susceptible. Fortunately, after the two week line, and now one month, no yellowing was found.

Sharp Edges

I found the edges sharp upon first use. I don’t know, as I used it more and more, I can now rest my wrists without having the edges cut me. They don’t feel that sharp anymore, either.

Magsafe

Apparently, the Magsafe can melt and the power brick can cause a buzzing sound. That hasn’t happened to me, and I don’t charge it while I’m sleeping, so the Magsafe causing a fire won’t happen, however unlikely.

Airport Kernel Panic

I was worried that when I went to Waterloo and started using the wireless, this would happen. Luckily, I have acquired a wireless router and found that Airport is not causing any problems.

Decision

I think that the “defects” are not particularly widespread and only occur to those unlucky people who will always inevitably be out there and have bought a first gen new product.