the weeeeblog about nothing

If you haven't yet heard about FON, it is a startup (heavily backed by both Skype and Google) that aims to spread consistent wifi service across the world. They have developed custom firmware that runs on a Linksys wrt54g (the linux version), and are selling a limited number of those routers at a significant discount ($33 shipped, I just got one of those). There are three FON user profiles: Linus, Bill, and Alien (these guys are geeks :)).

From the FON site:
A Linus is any user who shares his/her WiFi in exchange for free access throughout the Community wherever there is coverage. A Bill is a user who, instead of roaming for free, prefers to receive 50% of the fees that FON charges to Aliens. And Aliens are those users who do not share their WiFi access and therefore must pay FON a modest fee every time they connect through a Fonero access point.

So by sharing my wifi connection (I get to specify how much bandwidth to set aside for visitors), I in turn get free access at any FON hotspot around the world. Or if I'm not in the travelling mood, I could go Bill and make some cash instead. Two things that are bother me a little about this: no WEP/WPA on the wireless signal, and it is unclear as to whether I will be able to easily segment my lan off from the outside world. Oh well, I'll find out soon enough.

Posted by Joe at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yahoo has released a cool set of AJAXified controls for use on your very own website. I've gotta say, Yahoo has this whole Web 2.0 thing figured out waaaay better than the big G. They also released a set of web design patterns, some fall under the common sense umbrella, but some sites could really benefit from using some of this stuff.

I'm pretty sure some of my past and future projects will benefit greatly from Yahoo's resources :)

Posted by Joe at 11:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Delta Airlines is running a special from next week until April 4th.

AUS-JFK for $74 ROUND TRIP!!!
With all the fees and taxes I believe it comes to $98.

Book at Travelocity, and don't forget to use JFK not LGA:

Posted by Joe at 04:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Austin is a place where nobody commits. You've got fake hip hop people, the fake see and be seen crowd, but most of all you've got the fake hipsters. The reason nothing has taken off is because no one commits to their fake lifestyle."

Ahh, college towns. More insight on a Thursday night on the town.

Hey, at least the fake hipster chicks are the hotness :)

Posted by Joe at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Take a look at this schedule for Feb/March (* means I'm going):
Feb:
16th PvD - Dallas *
17th Elevation - Austin *
17th Deepsky - Dallas
17th Derrick Carter - Dallas
18th Julius papp - Houston
22nd James Zabiela - Austin *
24th BT - Houston *
24th Skribble - Austin
24th Derrick Carter - Austin
25th Marques Wyatt - Dallas *
March:
10th Crystal Method - San Antonio
10th D:Fuse - Austin *
11th Satoshie Tomie - Dallas *
11th Felix Da Housecat - Houston
15th Ferry Corsten - Austin *

Posted by Joe at 08:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BSide Entertainment, founded by a few ex-Trilogans, is a company that tracks what movies audiences love at film festivals then distributes these otherwise forgotten gems to theatres around the country allowing people to expand their movie watching horizons. If any of you attended the Austin Film Festival this year, you may remember BSide's presence powering the site in a cool Web 2.0 sort of way (blogs, profiles, etc).

The first movie they're bringing to the Alamo is "The Outdoorsmen", and it looks like fun drunken hijinks:
"The Outdoorsmen: Blood, Sweat, and Beers," a documentary that offers "some of the most laugh out loud moments experienced all year" according to efilmcritic.com, follows an exclusive group of men who travel to a top-secret location in Washington State to compete in an all-day event they call The Outdoorsmen. They battle through a series of events that combine physical challenges with beer, "the great equalizer." For the past 14 years, this dedicated group has suffered through activities such as DEATH RACE 3000, THE SHUTTLE RUN, and BLIND MAN'S BEER. Braving freezing waters, treacherous riverbeds, and the rapid consumption of over 30 cases of beer, these responsible parents, husbands, and co-workers have one weekend a year to recapture their youth, cherishing the camaraderie of their fellow Outdoorsmen.

Anyway, It's showing this Thursday (2/9) at the Alamo South Lamar at 9:45 PM. Get your tickets here

Posted by Joe at 03:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)