In a Pounders EXCLUSIVE, your roving technology reporter — having dug through dumpster bins for weeks on end [1] — has obtained confidential editor’s notes regarding a recent posting by Mac-centric blogger John Gruber [right] to his website Daring Fireball in which he defends his beleaguered position made last year criticizing a company selling Macintosh software bundled at discount prices. His position is that this company scams “independent” developers by not offering a fair share of profits. To clear the air about the rediculous guesswork and shoddy estimations of dollar amounts changing hands contained in those original criticisms by Gruber, the company maintaining the bundle — both the bundle and company named “MacHeist” — and a developer participating in the discount, speak to audiences on Mac-centric podcast MacBreak Weekly.

Up top is Gruber’s original draft of the response to the podcast which The Pounders has obtained, not to mention secret notes from his editor written in the margins — exciting stuff!

Labels: Best of, Blogosphere

Lee Cary, writer at American Thinker, knows that Mexican nationals living within American borders will be the new persecuted victims in the rhetoric of Democratic vote-panderers. The Republican machine will need to “reframe” the issue to create perspective without playing the part of heartless asshole the Democrats are portraying.

Read more of “Can the GOP Reframe the Illegal Immigration Issue?”

All in all, Latino voters will be treated to a relentless, scaled-down version of the Diary of Anne Frank where they, by their ethnic association with illegal migrants, become victims, too.  The intent will be to pull the emotional strings of the targeted audience — Latino citizens registered to vote — against anything Republican.  This approach will enjoy considerable success.

Labels: Cartoon

Visit “Hentai Goodies”

Magic fills the air and the wombs of young girls in the form of impaling members. It’s an intense and fast hentai involving gang bangs and the occasional tentacle; I like their speeding the action up to simulate 24 fps. And after a vexed young mistress perform wonderful fellatio, I love the swallowing sounds.

Labels: Bookmark This

Pixar-Disney will rerelease Toy Storys 1 and 2 in 3D, escalating to Toy Story 3 coming out in October. Disney already has the tech to transfer already-made 2D movies into 3D experiences, but actually for these movies Pixar engineers will go to the original source material and re-render, according to indie filmmaker David C. Fein at 2 Live Fools.

But, he says, the real reason for the transfer is simple: those early movies weren’t originally rendered at high enough resolutions to satisfy your bitchin 1080p tastes.

Read more of
“The REAL reason behind the re-release of Toy Story I & II in 3D”

So, in order to have nice 1080p HD releases of the previous Pixar-Disney films, it’s going to REQUIRE a re-render of the entire film in a higher resolution to accomodate a new release. Thankfully, a new 3D release will not only impress and satisfy audiences, but will also give the financial support to the motivation to upres these films for HD.

These guys also put out an insanely intelligent podcast about movies and technology (giving ideas to Apple on a few things), so definitely subscribe.

Labels: Movies, Technology

Finder’s Cover Flow tries to put icons perceptually on the same plane by clipping away transparency. Intriguing. In the picture above, one can see that the transparent circular cancellation [1>1. Cancellation: On mail, a cancellation (or cancel for short) is a postal marking applied to a postage stamp or postal stationery indicating that the item has been used. — Wikipedia] has been cut off, indicated by the blue arrow. With Apple, it’s all about the little things.

Read more of “Apple Human Interface Guidelines: Creating Icons”

In Cover Flow view, the Finder positions icons so that they appear to be on the same plane. To do this, the Finder begins examining an icon at the bottom edge, looking for pixels that are opaque enough to use for alignment. If there is significant transparency in the lower area of your icon, the Finder ignores the transparent pixels in favor of the first opaque pixel it finds. The Finder uses the opaque pixel to determine the icon’s alignment with respect to the plane and may clip the transparent pixels below it.

Labels: Apple, Mac OS X

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is a violent, cool, and creepy-fun show, making it the best television show on right now. In just three episodes, it has surpassed Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines in creativity, yet staying more true to the original Cameronian story and characters, even without Arnold.

Don’t get me started on pussy execs and their PG-13 sequels — RoboCop 3, I’m looking in your direction.In The Terminator, Reese tells Sarah that the new T-800 models have flesh, and that the flesh is grown for the terminators. Finally, we get to see it happen. With all this wonderful blood and murder, it’s ironic that TV provides the more violent version of Terminator than the shitty PG-13 movie could.

Labels: Television

I was right for the wrong reasons

So yesterday I made some predictions about what’s “in the air,” my thinking that this tagline referred to an ecosystem of WiFi for Apple TV and iPhone. I was wrong, mostly, but did get one thing right.

Yesterday, I said…

I hereby predict that Apple’s new iPhone will at least speak to, if not be able to completely control, Apple TV, making Apple TV one of iPhone’s storage solutions

WRONG. As it stands now, Apple TV and iPhone are estranged brothers leading separate lives. iPhone cannot use Apple TV’s hard drive as a quick repository.

In my next prediction, I said…

I predict Apple will tout a new media server solution that involves these components: Airport Extreme with the new 802.11n capabilities, connected hard drive, & Leopard; the Airport Wi-Fi base station with its connected large-capacity hard drive will provide Apple TV and any computer on the network with a central repository for all media files (not to mention back up capabilities inherent to Leopard). The speed of the new draft N makes this happen

WRONG. The three-two punch was not a solution Apple introduced, but the above prediction was using a third-party external hard drive. I furthered that with this prediction…

Moreover, Apple will announce its own branded external hard drive with the same form factor as both the Airport and Apple TV, making it the perfect companion for either. For Airport, a connected hard drive provides the perfect place for Leopard’s new built-in back up functions called “Time Machine”; for Apple TV, obviously, it will provide a boost in storage to house all those iTunes movie purchases. iPhone (and its touchscreen iPod brother) will connect to the hard drive no matter which it’s connected to.

WRONG, & RIGHT. Apple is completely missing the mark with their new storage-WiFi combo called “Time Capsule.” I was right in that they are using this for Leopards inherent backup capabilities, but at 500 gigabytes and one terabyte, this would be an excellent central source for my large media files, freeing up space I’d prefer to allow Photoshop use. Apple TV should be able to access Time Capsule’s immense storage for any movie it needs. (Maybe it can.) So, check one: Apple did brand its own hard drive, though they combined it with Airport Extreme in an all-in-one.

* 1 outta 3 *

Labels: Apple, Technology

100% foolproof predictions to 2008 Macworld keynote, sure to impress, mesmerize, impregnate

With the introductory phase of iPhone over, 2008 marks a new time for iFun for the iPhone & Apple TV

In March of 2007, before the release of iPhone but after the introductory keynote, I predicted a few things that I think now will materialize at this Macworld. I stated that I believe that Apple is using WiFi as the secret sauce to a micro-ecosystem involving Apple TV and iPhone, where movies for the iPhone would be stored on Apple TV’s 50-hour hard drive, accessible to the phone through WiFi. My basis for asserting this is a never-mentioned off-handed remark Steve Jobs made at that first 2007 keynote. I am the only one to pick up on it, and made a video.

In the video, Steve Jobs talking about the Apple TV—introduced in the keynote before the iPhone—says the following: “It’s got a forty-gigabyte hard drive inside it, so it will store up to fifty hours of video, which comes in handy for something I’m about to show you.” Steve jobs that Apple TV’s hard drive is handy for the iPhone. But why? Why, indeed, or rather, Wi-Fi.

Pic: Apple teases us on its website: ‘There’s something in the air.’

I made some predictions last March which I think are still valid and in play, because Apple goes forward regarding iPhone at a snail’s pace. Two thousand seven was all about introducing a revolutionary product. In the design space, there is a principle of which we must be aware, that people will reject anything too innovative [11. Conversely, they will reject anything too familiar as not being innovative enough] So, I understand Apple’s throwing iPhone into the pool and allowing people to get accustomed to it. But now, it’s a new year with new fun. Apple is now set to release new products—or redesigned old products—to take advantage of the iPhone, and this is what I think:

OUT ON A LIMB PREDICTIONS

1. I hereby predict that Apple’s new iPhone will at least speak to, if not be able to completely control, Apple TV, making Apple TV one of iPhone’s storage solutions.

2. I predict Apple will tout a new media server solution that involves these components: Airport Extreme with the new 802.11n capabilities, connected hard drive, & Leopard; the Airport Wi-Fi base station with its connected large-capacity hard drive will provide Apple TV and any computer on the network with a central repository for all media files (not to mention back up capabilities inherent to Leopard). The speed of the new draft N makes this happen.

3. Moreover, Apple will announce its own branded external hard drive with the same form factor as both the Airport and Apple TV, making it the perfect companion for either. For Airport, a connected hard drive provides the perfect place for Leopard’s new built-in back up functions called “Time Machine”; for Apple TV, obviously, it will provide a boost in storage to house all those iTunes movie purchases. iPhone (and its touchscreen iPod brother) will connect to the hard drive no matter which it’s connected to.

   and…

4. Apple will unveil its fabled Movie download service, allowing both Apple TV and iPhone to access those movies directly through the air.

Labels: Apple, Mac OS X, Technology

John Gruber accepts money from MacHeist, despite past criticism

Apple pundit flip-flops for money, destroying credibility

Daring fireballer John Gruber, the writer of “Daring Fireball,” an Apple-centric blog, is critical of a discount software bundle called MacHeist in which independent Mac developers choose to participate. His argument in a nutshell, and I stress the word nut, is something to the effect of the developers not enjoying the profit from selling their overpriced wares at the deserved levels Gruber thinks they should, as if the company in charge of the software bundle is somehow cheating these hardworking blue collar workers out of money in a deal THEY CHOSE TO ACCEPT. He does this despite not being a software developer involved in the affair. Gruber champions for adult, individual professionals who neither asked him nor need it, in a cause that does not exist.

Gruber champions for adult, individual professionals who neither asked him nor need it, in a cause that does not exist."

Anyway, this criticism doesn’t pose a conflict of interest or ethics, apparently, because he is happy to accept the company’s money to support himself in exchange for his endorsement:

Excerpt from “Daring Fireball”

My thanks to this week’s RSS feed sponsor, MacHeist. (That’s right, MacHeist. Surprising, perhaps, given my critical [sic 1.1.He keeps using this adjective as a noun in two different posts.] of their bundle last year — more on that in a bit.) ¶ This year’s MacHeist II bundle contains another batch of great software for the crazy price of just $49. Snapz Pro X alone normally retails for more than that, and CSSEdit, although it normally sells for $30, is so good that it could easily sell for $50 or more all by itself.

“The crazy price” betrays his professionalism in whatever agreement he has with the MacHeist people. Reading between the lines reveals his seething contempt. In fact, I will go as far to say that he is laying the groundwork for whatever new baseless criticism he’s coming up with. As we learn, why, Snapz Pro X alone is more than the total sale price, and CSSEdit is, by itself, easily worth that crazy, insane low price. Horsegums Gruber’s original apeshit rant concluded that the developers were just not treated fairly, like the little helpless bitches they are. Trying to argue against the obvious, that the developers entered into the agreement as free-thinking individuals, Gruber states that this fact isn’t “in dispute.”

What’s in dispute is whether the money is being distributed equitably. Just because someone is satisfied with a bad deal doesn’t mean it isn’t a bad deal. From “Daring Fireball: The Iniquities of the Selfish”

Umm, no, that isn’t true. A transaction where all participants involved are happy is in fact the very definition of a good deal.

This just in

As I write this, a new post tries to justify his endorsement:

If I gave an app a bad review for its UI, I’d still accept a sponsorship from the developer. It wouldn’t change my opinion or what I’d write about it in the future, but it’d still be a legitimate sponsorship.

This following paragraph is a doozy:

And in the particular case of MacHeist, I completely stand behind everything I wrote last year. Nor will their sponsorship affect what I will, or will not, write about them this year.

O’ the irony! The irony! The very existence of this paragraph contradicts what it says! His endorsement of the product has affected what he will write about them, as is evident by this new post!

Why it is an endorsement, and not merely “sponsorship”

There is a fundamental difference in the two ideas at work here, and that is the fact that John Gruber put pen to paper to support the company MacHeist. It isn’t like his image advertisement that appears in the gutter of his blog where there is a clear separation of content. No. Mr. Gruber typed, actually sat down to write advertising copy, to aid in this company’s success by writing that post, thereby giving explicit endorsement, and implicitly giving it by accepting their money. The bottom line is that his successful, popular blog will aid in the success of the company that pays for his “on air” endorsement, no matter how openly written. His isn’t a magazine that has two separate departments comprising of editorial and advertising, where internal policies keep such conflicts of interest from existing. He is a single human being with one consciousness, and now it is tainted. He has now lost credibility.

Labels: Blogosphere

Read more of “AppleInsider | Apple hoists “There’s something in the air” Macworld banners” “2008. There’s something in the air.”

WiFi? WiMAX? Seren gas?

What’s in the air? What is it!! I can’t wait, so I’ve constructed a hyperbolic chamber to freeze myself, hooked up to my iPhone. Setting timer now. Getting in. And, pushing the button. Heart rate slowing. …

Labels: Apple

Ron Paul beaten but not out

Fifth place in New Hampshire hasn’t slowed down the libertarian constitutionalist Ron Paul.

There’s really no reason for us to be letting up,” he told several hundred supporters. “It’s really only the beginning.”

Quoted from “2nd Finish in Fifth Fails to Dim Paul’s Hopes”

Who is Dr. Ron Paul

Ron Paul, libertarian Republican congressman representing Texas, believes in the de-jurisdiction of federal government for things like abortion, believes in bank notes that denote a gold reserve, and the dissolution of government programs like the Department of Energy and the Department of Education.

Over the two week vacation I enjoyed up until yesterday, I have growingly become a Ron Paul supporter for his old-timey views on the strict adherence to the constitution like actual congressional declarations of war instead of the euphemistic “police actions.” This candidate knows how to boil pseudo-complicated issues like racism down to its most rudimentary elements [11. See previous post on racism being collectivism.] It’s simple: government isn’t in the business of classifying people into shades of this or that; rather it sees only one thing—the individual. Only individuals are given rights, making each person completely equal to his neighbor.

These simple views I imagine would make Paul extremely unpopular among liberals if they were smart enough to see. For instance, de-jurisdiction of the federal government would allow the states to decide on issues of abortion, meaning some states could in fact ban it. [22. Dr. Paul is an OBGYN, giving him slight expertise over others.] And Dr. Paul’s view of “individual rights” sounds—and is—great, but this of course means the end to special treatment given to those who assume special status due to perpetual victimhood, like such the blacks so enjoy. Bye bye affirmative action. On the same token, gays would finally get the right to marriage with the name “marriage,” as well as open military service, because Dr. Paul sees everyone the same as individuals with the liberty to do what they so choose, making libs happy yet angering the right-wings.

And really, any candidate who will piss off the extremes of both left and right must be doing something right.

Labels: Race, Ron Paul