Tired of screwing around with codecs for all the various media types?
Check out this open source project.
Thanks Dave Crozier via the ProFox list.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
MSNBC - The secret list of ID theft victim
An interesting article on ID theft, and how agencies like the Social Security Administration do not report known fraud to victims.
Even credit reporting groups like EquiFax and TransUnion can see all the activity related to a given SSN, but the consumer cannot.
There is a Your ID's been stolen, now what? section -- but it's not linkable. So without prior permission from the website, here is the content of that section:
MSNBC.com FACT FILE
Your ID's been stolen. Now what?
Step 1: Protect your finances
Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus.
Get a copy of your credit report, which is free to ID theft victims. Ask that your file be flagged with a "fraud alert tag" and a "victim's statement." That will limit the thief’s ability to open new credit accounts, as new creditors will call you before granting credit, generally. Insist, in writing, that the fraud alert remain in place for seven years, the maximum, according to PrivacyRights.org.
Credit bureaus
Equifax
1-800-525-6285
www.equifax.com
Experian
1-888-397-3742
www.experian.com
TransUnion
1-800-680-7289
www.tuc.com
Step 2: File a police report
You will need a police report to dispute unauthorized charges and for any insurance claims. Be persistent; your local police department may suggest that this isn’t necessary, because they don’t want the paperwork hassle. Also, fill out an online ID Theft complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-ID-THEFT.
That enters your case in the FTC’s “Consumer Sentinel” database, a nationwide list of ID theft cases which can be used by law enforcement officers to find patterns and catch criminals.
Step 3: Close all compromised accounts
The list may be wider than you realize. This includes accounts with banks, credit card companies and other lenders, and phone companies, utilities, ISPs, and other service providers. Dispute all unauthorized charges – The FTC offers a sample dispute letter on its Web site. Disputes may require a sworn statement and a police report. The FTC also offers a form affidavit which can be used for the sworn statement at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/affidavit.pdf .
More help
- More detailed 17-step plan to follow if your ID is stolen www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm
- “When bad things happen to your good name” – FTC document full of sample dispute letters and other recovery procedures. www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheft.htm
- U.S. Department of Justice ID Theft kit www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html
- Identity Theft Resource Center www.idtheftcenter.org
- ID theft laws vary by state – here’s a list of state laws www.consumer.gov/idtheft/federallaws.html#statelaws
- Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice ID Theft page www.cj.msu.edu/~outreach/identity
Even credit reporting groups like EquiFax and TransUnion can see all the activity related to a given SSN, but the consumer cannot.
There is a Your ID's been stolen, now what? section -- but it's not linkable. So without prior permission from the website, here is the content of that section:
MSNBC.com FACT FILE
Your ID's been stolen. Now what?
Step 1: Protect your finances
Contact the fraud departments of each of the three major credit bureaus.
Get a copy of your credit report, which is free to ID theft victims. Ask that your file be flagged with a "fraud alert tag" and a "victim's statement." That will limit the thief’s ability to open new credit accounts, as new creditors will call you before granting credit, generally. Insist, in writing, that the fraud alert remain in place for seven years, the maximum, according to PrivacyRights.org.
Credit bureaus
Equifax
1-800-525-6285
www.equifax.com
Experian
1-888-397-3742
www.experian.com
TransUnion
1-800-680-7289
www.tuc.com
Step 2: File a police report
You will need a police report to dispute unauthorized charges and for any insurance claims. Be persistent; your local police department may suggest that this isn’t necessary, because they don’t want the paperwork hassle. Also, fill out an online ID Theft complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or call 1-877-ID-THEFT.
That enters your case in the FTC’s “Consumer Sentinel” database, a nationwide list of ID theft cases which can be used by law enforcement officers to find patterns and catch criminals.
Step 3: Close all compromised accounts
The list may be wider than you realize. This includes accounts with banks, credit card companies and other lenders, and phone companies, utilities, ISPs, and other service providers. Dispute all unauthorized charges – The FTC offers a sample dispute letter on its Web site. Disputes may require a sworn statement and a police report. The FTC also offers a form affidavit which can be used for the sworn statement at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/affidavit.pdf .
More help
- More detailed 17-step plan to follow if your ID is stolen www.privacyrights.org/identity.htm
- “When bad things happen to your good name” – FTC document full of sample dispute letters and other recovery procedures. www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/idtheft.htm
- U.S. Department of Justice ID Theft kit www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html
- Identity Theft Resource Center www.idtheftcenter.org
- ID theft laws vary by state – here’s a list of state laws www.consumer.gov/idtheft/federallaws.html#statelaws
- Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice ID Theft page www.cj.msu.edu/~outreach/identity
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy -- The Official Movie Website!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy -- The Official Movie Website
That's right -- this May 6, 2005, the world is destroyed on the big screen!
That's right -- this May 6, 2005, the world is destroyed on the big screen!
Our tax dollars at work...
"...a report in the January 26 edition of The Washington Post that conservative columnist Maggie Gallagher was paid $21,500 by the U.S. government to promote a Bush administration proposal intended to promote marriage."
Letter to Universal here.
Letter to Universal here.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Bush Unfazed by Criticism of Iraq WMD Hunt
Guest poster JLA shares this.
...talking about the easy press Bush gets from Fox news
Does this work if you aren't the president? Will relentless pluck and feistiness convince my credit card company to stop 'attacking' me with these hurtful allegations that I owe them money just because I used my card? Is it my fault if my brother-in-law's cousin's uncle's best friend swore to me on his honor that they wouldn't really send me a bill? They have to understand that I was just promoting an active consumption policy with the goal of creating a more peaceful and free life for myself. They're either with me or against me. Why does VISA hate my freedom?
...talking about the easy press Bush gets from Fox news
Does this work if you aren't the president? Will relentless pluck and feistiness convince my credit card company to stop 'attacking' me with these hurtful allegations that I owe them money just because I used my card? Is it my fault if my brother-in-law's cousin's uncle's best friend swore to me on his honor that they wouldn't really send me a bill? They have to understand that I was just promoting an active consumption policy with the goal of creating a more peaceful and free life for myself. They're either with me or against me. Why does VISA hate my freedom?
Thursday, January 13, 2005
iBiz - IGG Software, LLC
iBiz - IGG Software, LLC
looks interesting...
"iBiz is an easy to use time-billing and invoicing application. It integrates with iCal and Address Book, offers tax support and easily generates custom invoices. This is the most intuitive time-billing application out there. Essential for anyone self employed. Try it, you won't be disappointed. And yeah, it has seamless networking features."
looks interesting...
"iBiz is an easy to use time-billing and invoicing application. It integrates with iCal and Address Book, offers tax support and easily generates custom invoices. This is the most intuitive time-billing application out there. Essential for anyone self employed. Try it, you won't be disappointed. And yeah, it has seamless networking features."
Monday, January 10, 2005
The Pentagon's New Map
Thomas P.M. Barnett worked at the Naval War College until recently. His book is topping all the charts and is a "must-read" inside the Pentagon.
Separating the world into the "Core" and the "Gap" this is a logical follow up to philosophy of the PNAC.
"The U.S. has an unparalleled capacity to wage war. Nobody else has that capacity. There are situations inside this Gap that are crying out for resolution. Kim Jung Il let a famine occur in North Korea that killed maybe 2 million of his people. Saddam killed hundreds of thousands of his people. What's going on in Zimbabwe is a crime against humanity in many ways. What's going on in Sudan is horrible. Would the world like to see these situations dealt with?"
-Thomas Barnett
You see Billy, it's all so very simple...
Separating the world into the "Core" and the "Gap" this is a logical follow up to philosophy of the PNAC.
"The U.S. has an unparalleled capacity to wage war. Nobody else has that capacity. There are situations inside this Gap that are crying out for resolution. Kim Jung Il let a famine occur in North Korea that killed maybe 2 million of his people. Saddam killed hundreds of thousands of his people. What's going on in Zimbabwe is a crime against humanity in many ways. What's going on in Sudan is horrible. Would the world like to see these situations dealt with?"
-Thomas Barnett
You see Billy, it's all so very simple...
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Sunday, January 02, 2005
Holiday Flashpost
Back to Midwest for the holidays, caught up with some friends in Minneapolis – had a seminal MN winter moment: Out late at a bar, listening to great tunes, catching up with friends – on the drive home actually worrying about one of them who decided to walk home. Not worried because he had too much to drink… rather that it was -30 with the wind chill!
The weather was brutal the entire time we were in Minneapolis, never getting above 0. Grace got sick, then Margit which put a cramp on visiting everyone we wanted to – but we did have a great time with those with whom we connected.
On to SoDak, where we were constantly reminded we were in a Red state. Fresh off of a Thune over Daschle win… we heard plenty.
Other reminders included a conversation overheard in Wal-mart on Christmas Eve: “I can’t believe there is not ONE TOY GUN in this ENTIRE store!” said the mother to which the father replied “it’s really sad when it’s come to this”.
Out late, on Christmas night at a Karaoke Bar, mostly filled with kids home from college – it was both painful and a respite from avoiding political conversations with the relatives. I bought the town Fire Chief a beer – and we talked about how the Democratic Party blew it while listening to some guy sing “Material Girl”.
“Surreal” is so synonymous with “Christmas with the relatives” – it’s always nice to get away… and to get back home.
Happy New Year!
The weather was brutal the entire time we were in Minneapolis, never getting above 0. Grace got sick, then Margit which put a cramp on visiting everyone we wanted to – but we did have a great time with those with whom we connected.
On to SoDak, where we were constantly reminded we were in a Red state. Fresh off of a Thune over Daschle win… we heard plenty.
Other reminders included a conversation overheard in Wal-mart on Christmas Eve: “I can’t believe there is not ONE TOY GUN in this ENTIRE store!” said the mother to which the father replied “it’s really sad when it’s come to this”.
Out late, on Christmas night at a Karaoke Bar, mostly filled with kids home from college – it was both painful and a respite from avoiding political conversations with the relatives. I bought the town Fire Chief a beer – and we talked about how the Democratic Party blew it while listening to some guy sing “Material Girl”.
“Surreal” is so synonymous with “Christmas with the relatives” – it’s always nice to get away… and to get back home.
Happy New Year!
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