I was most amused by the story in the news about the latest instalment of the Harry Potter series of books being "leaked" on the Internet, especially the bit about the publisher refusing to confirm whether or not the leaked book is a copy of the real book, after having said that they are taking the issue seriously.
The reason I find this amusing is because the publisher is insinuating that the 700 page book on the Internet might not be a copy of the real Harry Potter…why would anybody go to the trouble of writing a 700 page novel just to release online as the next Harry Potter book a few days before the real one is released? Do the publishers really expect people to believe that somebody would do this?
These books are already being distributed to book shops under an embargo…I think it is far more likely that somebody just decided to break the embargo.
I’m sure that many of you have received spam containing incomprehensible gibberish text and an image attachment containing “tips” for trading on the stock market. Often this tip is mildly obscured in an effort to prevent computers from reading the text and recognising it as spam…in much the same way that CAPTCHAs (those things where you have to enter a bunch of letters and numbers in a box when filling out a form) are used to prevent computers from automatically filling out forms.
Over time, the images in both the spam and the CAPTCHAs have gradually become more difficult to read, as the automated readers have become more sophisticated. The spammers have predictably needed to change their tactics as their message are now verging on unreadable, and today I came across the latest change in their tactics…the images are now being sent in PDF format.
Until now PDFs have almost always been used for legitimate documents, they have been a convenient way to preserve formatting and content…and they don’t generally get scanned for spam-like content. Unfortunately they will now need to be scanned in the same way images are, and unfortunately, scanning image content in PDFs is bound to take more processing power than merely scanning images…probably not much more processing power, but enough to slow down spam checking (and therefore mail delivery) by a notch or two.
On the plus side, the spammers still aren’t very good at sending convincing text with the spam (text which would make you think the attached document was important or from someone you know), so it is still relatively easy to see that the message can be ignored.
Postponed: Due to technical difficulties where Skype will not let me control the skypecast, the Samuel’s Persiflage Skypecast has been postponed until further notice. I apologise for the inconvenience.
Apparently I’m not the only person having this problem with Skypecasts, it has been an ongoing problem for weeks, and seems to now be affecting people intermittently.
I’m very disappointed as I had a good show planned, and now I’ll have to toss the plan in the bin.
Talkshoe looks like it might be a viable alternative to Skypecasts for this kind of interactive show, however I am going to do more reasearch on it before committing to it…I don’t want another debacle like the one tonight.
I could go into a large amount of detail here but instead I’ll just skip straight to the point, if you would like to take part in the Samuel’s Persiflage Skypecast (which starts in at 8PM Canberra time) you will need a copy of Skype from http://skype.com. This is a free download, and once you have downloaded and installed it you will be prompted to setup a free username and password.
The Skypecast will become active from 7:45 and I will post the link here when it does, just click that link and you’re in the Skypecast.
From there, if you have a microphone please feel free to take part (click “request microphone” to have your say), or just send me a text message.
I am writing to you today in an effort to pay my last respects to Stan Zemanek. It is not possible for me to attend the funeral or view the television coverage, so I intend on listening to your coverage of the funeral with John Stanley.
I hope that today's funeral will help Stan's family in their grieving process. This has clearly been a difficult time for them, and I think it is safe to say that the support they have received is nothing short of exceptional.
Also, I am sorry to hear that your golden microphone is missing, I hope that it will be returned quickly.
Thanks to 2CC’s Mike Frame for the heads up on this peculiar story…from news.com.au
WEARING his gold-framed glasses and gold headphones and sipping from his gold-rimmed cup yesterday, veteran broadcaster John Laws was down one vital glistening item – his golden mike.
Police are treating as suspicious the disapearance from his production office of the $10,000 nine carat gold microphone, presented to Lawsie in 2003 as a gift from 2UE management for his 50th year on the airwaves.
It is a one-off German Sennheiser, serial number JL 0001.
But Laws has been using another golden microphone, given to him for his 40th anniversary, since the brazen bandit looted the king of his prized instrument. “I’m very upset about it. It’s been part of my life,” Laws said yesterday.
Laws pleaded with the thief to return the microphone anonymously, saying he would not press charges if they did.
I hope that you can help me. I know that you have a rule preventing people who ring your program from ringing other programs, and I appreciate that you have been lenient with me in regards to this rule, however I have come to the conclusion that I am mildly addicted to ringing various programs.
Dr. Robertson, I hope you can help me with this addiction. Do you think this is a healthy addiction? Any advice you may have is most welcome.
Well you already know that it's cold down here in Canberra, but I have to tell you that I was shocked this morning when I had to visit a courier's depot…it was zero degrees outside, and this place just left the front door wide open with no heating. I don't know how those people survive, it was absolutely freezing in there.
I have just heard the sad news that Ken, a regular caller to 2CC, sadly passed away on Saturday.
Ken had an interesting ability to lighten the mood, and it is a pity that he wasn’t still here on Sunday to see the Raiders thrash the Gold Coast Titans.
It most certainly has not been a good month, first Bruce “The Goose” passed away on June 25, then Stan Zemanek on July 12, and now Ken on July 14.
If there is life after death, I’m sure that trio are making their presence felt.
Video Ezy in Weston Creek was robbed yesterday afternoon.
The report I have received indicates that the large male offender managed to barge through the locked front door of the store shortly after it closed for the day, whilst the two female shop attendants were finishing up their end of day procedures.
The offender got away with $225 in cash.
At present I don’t have a description of the offender other than him being rather large, and I normally wouldn’t report on such a robbery here, however the fact that the offender managed to barge through the locked front door of the Video Ezy store makes him potentially more dangerous than your average robber, and the story a lot more interesting.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
Update:
Here is the press release from ACT Police:
ACT Policing is investigating an armed robbery at the Video Ezy store in Weston last night (July 15) around 10pm.
The offender initially knocked on the door of the closed store requesting access to hire a movie. When the staff declined to let him in, he produced a knife and kicked the glass door, gaining access to the store.
The offender then threatened the two female staff members with the knife and demanded cash. He is described as male, Caucasian, approximately 30 years old, 168cms (5’6”) tall wearing a dark jumper and pants.
Witnesses last saw the offender leaving the area on a bicycle.
Police would urge anyone who may have seen this male in the Weston Creek area around the time of the offence, or who may know the identity of the offender to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
I am dedicating the award this week to the memory of the late Stan Zemanek.
The feature song is one he played regularly, and added various amusing negative things callers had said about him to the instrumental bits of the song. The winner of the award this week is Pat Benetar, and the feature song is “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”.
You’re a real tough cookie with a long history
Of breaking little hearts, like the one in me
That’s OK, lets see how you do it
Put up your dukes, lets get down to it
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Why Don’t You Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Fire Away!
You come on with a come on, you don’t fight fair
That’s OK, see if I care
Knock me down, it’s all in vain
I’ll get right back on my feet again
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Why Don’t You Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Fire Away!
You’re a real tough cookie with a long history
Of breaking little hearts, like the one in me
Before I put another notch in my lipstick case
You better make sure you put me in my place
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Come On, hit Me With Your Best Shot
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Fire Away!
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Why Don’t You Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Fire Awaaaay!
I have to agree with you about Macarthur Park, it is just dreadful. I could name a heap of other songs that I can't stand, but the one that really stands out is Madonna's "Like A Virgin", which is, in my view, without a doubt the most annoying song ever made.
I have to admit that I was surprised to learn that Donna Summers ever recorded a version of "Macarthur Park", how anyone could make the transition from great songs like "She works hard for the money" to "Macarthur Park" is beyond me.
As discussed with 2UE’s (and former pirate radio DJ) John Kerr on Samuel’s Persiflage #4 last year, BBC Radio are putting together a tribute to pirate radio in the UK by setting up a special pirate radio reunion station, on a boat, off the coast of the UK. This will have a webstream so that those of us who aren’t in that part of the world can still enjoy the reunion.
With thanks to Irene in Brisbane for sourcing this, and Tim Gillett for allowing me to republish it, here is the schedule for the pirate radio reunion broadcast in UK time:
Thursday 9 August
6 – 10 Ray Clark
10 – 13 Dave Cash
13 – 16 Steve Scruton
16 – 19 Ian Wyatt
19 – 22 Tim Gillett
22 – 1 Keith Skues
*****************
Friday 10 August
1 – 4 John Kerr
4 – 7 Norman St John
7 – 10 Ray Clark
10 – 13 Dave Cash
13 – 16 Steve Scruton
16 – 19 Ian Wyatt
19 – 22 Tim Gillett
22 – 0 Keith Skues
**************
Saturday 11 August
0 – 3 John Kerr
3 – 5 Norman St John
5 – 7 Ray Clark
7 – 9 Roger Day
9 – 11 Mike Ahern
11 – 13 Mark Wesley
13 – 14 Ian Damon
14 – 16 Graham Cooke
16 – 18 Emperor Rosko
18 – 21 – Dave Cash
21 – 0 – Johnnie Walker
***************
Sunday 12 August
0 – 3 John Kerr
3 – 5 Norman St John
5 – 7 Ray Clark
7 – 9 Roger Day
9 – 11 Mike Ahern
11 – 13 Pete Brady
13 – 15 Johnnie Walker
15 – 17 Guy Hamilton
17 – 18 Glenn Speller
18 – 19 Steve Young
19 – 21 Keith Martin
21 – 1 Keith Skues
*************
Monday 13 August
1 – 4 John Kerr
4 – 7 Norman St John
7 – 9 Ray Clark and Keith Martin
9 – 11 Dave Cash
11 – 13 Graham Spider Webb
13 – 16 Steve Scruton with Alison Hartley
16 – 18 Tom Edwards
18 – 21 Keith Hampshire
21 – 0 Johnnie Walker
News – Alan, Gord and Tim
*********
Tuesday 14
0 – 2 Keith Skues
2 – 4 John Kerr
4 – 7 Norman St John
7 – 9 Ray Clark with Dave from 8
9 – 11 Steve Young
11 – 13 Johnnie Walker and friends – Tom Edwards + Keith Hampshire + Keith Skues + Dave Cash
13 – 15 – Steve Scruton and others
15 – 16 What Happened Next – Ray Clark’s doc
As you can see, John Kerr will be in his familiar middawn timeslot, and those of us here in Australia will be able to tune in to him during our daylight hours.
Pirate radio is an enormously important part of the history of UK radio, as it introduced commercial radio to the UK, and brought it in to the modern age. I wish John Kerr and the entire pirate radio crew, all the best for this reunion, to mark the 40th anniversary of the effective shutting down of the pirate stations on the 14th of August 1967.
It’s been one of those weeks where I have had a minimal amount of spare time to dedicate to this blog…next week is shaping up to be better, and hopefully you’ll all be pleased to know that I will have some sleep-o-meter and coffee-cup-o-meter graphs for you this weekend.
Anyway, footy tips.
NRL Round 18 Eagles v Tigers Cowboys v Broncos Bulldogs v Panthers Roosters v Sharks Warriors v Dragons Raiders v Titans Eels v Rabbitohs Storm v Knights
AFL Round 15 Saints v Crows Cats v Magpies Power v Eagles Bombers v Bulldogs Demons v Lions Swans v Blues Hawks v Tigers Dockers v Kangaroos
I just heard the news about Stan Zemanek passing away earlier today. It is very sad to hear that the tumour finally claimed him after such a long battle which seemed to be going well for Stan for so long.
I was just saying to someone the other day how I regret having never spoken to Stan despite being a listener for many years, and today that regret is very strong.
I suppose we can take comfort from the fact that Stan is no longer in pain. I can't imagine what he must have gone through, it really is such a shame that someone as kind and caring as Stan had to go through all that he did.
May he rest in peace, I know we will never forget him.
My most sincere condolences go to Marcella and the rest of Stan's family. I will be sure to send them a letter in the morning.
I hope tonight isn't too hard on you Stuart, for what it's worth you have done a great job filling the shoes of a great man.