"Appology to Helmi Flick and Bambino" written by Paul on estrip.org

Category: cats

03/14/08 12:55 - 37ºF - ID#43658

Appology to Helmi Flick and Bambino

Dear Paul Visco,

I don't understand why you have made a derivative work of my photo of the Bambino. This little guy was so happy when he was being photographed, I was smiling through the whole session. Cats are like people: some you like and some you don't; they are all different.

I can't see that what you have "created" will do anything but hurt. If I am wrong, please advise.

Thank you,

Helmi

Dear Bambino,

I am sorry you got dragged into this when really I am irritated with your photographer's friend Michael. It wasn't your fault that this happend and I still think you are as cute as when I first found you on the internet last march. Frankly, it is the threatening tone of Michael that brought this on - you should bite him the next time you see him.

Let me explain the whole situation. Back in march of last year I wrote a journal

about hairless animals because I am allergic to furry ones. I had nothing ill intended in the journal I wrote. Original, the picture of you was the normal one I found on the HobbitCats Cattery site

It was not marked as Helmi's picture whatsoever at the time because the Hobbit Cat site had not marked it. At that point, I copied your picture from their site, and credited them with the photograph as well as a link back to their site. I had no way of knowing that Helmi took the picture instead of them and fulfilled my fair usage obligation by linking back to the site I found it on.

Had Michael emailed me the other day and asked to add a link to the Helmi Flick site instead of the cat hobittery site I would have happily obliged. Instead he threatened to sue me. I think that is ridiculous and what prompted my response. I made the derivative work at that point - which lets be honest is not hurting your feelings - as you are a cat.

I am sorry I took it out on you in that video game below - the anger should be directed at Michael but I only had a picture of you.

Now he says he is going to "black me" on google - whatever that is - to me that sounds like a threat against my freedom of speech.

Can we make up and be friends?

Paul

Permalink: Appology_to_Helmi_Flick_and_Bambino.html
Words: 423
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: cats

03/14/08 12:10 - 37ºF - ID#43657

Helmi Flick's Friend Michael is a freak

Hi

Re: Dwarf Cat Photo

Your response is shocking, ridiculous and shows us the type of person you are. You are demonstrating to your visitors the kind of person you are (extremely childish). I didn't make a threat to sue. I said you can be sued (i.e. it is a possibility). You are the person in the wrong. You have admitted being in copyright violation.

The post that you have made is defamatory to me (calling me a freak). You have also insulted indirectly, Helmi Flick. I cannot tolerate either. Please remove the post immediately.

Reluctantly, I will be obliged to contact Google if you don't do the right thing. If Google black you, you might as well close your site.

Michael

Here is my response as a fun little game?

::Download Flash SWF::

Here it is in text.

Dear Michael,

You are a freak. You live in this dreamworld where google does things like "black" people - whatever the freak that is. I guess you really don't understand the internet and how it works.

I am fine with people thinking I am acting childish about this stupid cat. I hate cats and you and guess what - I am free to express that here on my journal without any fear of being affected by your pathetic threats.

I have been writing childish drivel on my journal for 5 years and 1.6 million views later, I doubt this issue is going to drive the readers away.

This site is not supposed to be anything overly serious or formal. Most importantly - we have no vested interest in customers and that is what makes me be able to say what they want and not worry about things like being "blacked" by google - imagining that was a real issue and that you somehow commanded google to your whim.

Its freaks like you that make people all the more curious - so thanks for bringing your drama here.

So what I am saying is "go ahead and black me biznatch"

I acknowledge the original site I found it on from the get go - it is that cat hobbitery site that originally stolen your photo and it is not my fault that they did. I credited them because it appeared that they owned the photo.

The cat is now stamped with the copyright info and a link to Helmi Flick's site. Isn't that what you asked for? Do you really want to continue this?

Oh ya, and "kiss the pinkie"

Best,
Paul

Permalink: Helmi_Flick_s_Friend_Michael_is_a_freak.html
Words: 420
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: cats

03/12/08 10:11 - 30ºF - ID#43646

Helmi Flick's Cat Gallery

First I would like to point out that I hate cats and have nothing to do with anything cat accept for hate. I don't sell them, I don't take pictures of them. I was never claiming to have taken any pictures of them.

Back when I was in San Francisco I wrote (e:paul,32816) about hairless dogs and cats. I included an image I found on the site

which I linked to. Unfortunately, that site did not have the link to the original photographer Helmi Flick

that it does now. I had assumed the cat hobbit site had taken the photo and that is why I linked to them instead of Helmi Flick

Seeing how much I hate cats, I would have gladly just taken it down if asked nicely. However, Michael Meister, whoever the freak that is, wrote me this nasty message today threatening to sue me. If they were so serious about copyright they should have watermarked the image.

The photograph of the hairless dwarf cat is copyright Helmi Flick and you have not provided a copyright credit. I also suspect that you have not got her permission. Please clarify the situation. On the face of it this is a copyright violation. You can be sued for damages.

Michael
mjbmeister AT gmail.com

Instead of taking the picture down, I modified it to make it a derivative work. What kind of damages are you suggesting?

Permalink: Helmi_Flick_s_Cat_Gallery.html
Words: 255
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: work

03/12/08 08:03 - 30ºF - ID#43642

Yippie Do, Linux Box Two IS UP!

My dream come true, Linux server two of four is installed by my co-worker Tim and I got to customize and compile extensions as required this afternoon. Getting Oracle 11g to work with SElinux and then to compile the PDO extension for oracle 11g to talk with PHP via mod_apache was a little nerve wracking but it all worked out. I had planned it all out previously on a virtual machine in VMware so i knew it could work. - I was just having some SE linux configuration snafus. Tomorrow, I build a custom apache module for server/user validation and we are set to go!

I think this will be the beginning of something big and cost worthy at Roswell. Having my co-worker Tim around really help. Thanks Tim. It is an exciting time for Roswell.

Apparently, this room is a death camp for computers, poor guys ;(

Permalink: Yippie_Do_Linux_Box_Two_IS_UP_.html
Words: 153
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: mobile

03/12/08 12:09 - 29ºF - ID#43629

The iBoring Music device

Jesus, my music options have turned to shit now that I have an iphone. I used to constantly listen to internet radio all day long. There are thousands of stations out there with free music I have never heard. I love that. I like not having to have the responsibility of making playlists and organizing music or syncing or buying anything, or even thinking about space for storage.

It is a tragic change in my music listening habits - no shoutcast, no pandora and my be the nail in the coffin for the iphone for me until the 3g iphone comes out.

My music collection is so minimal because I have been doing this for years but now my current phone du jour cannot do streaming radio. I would even settle for rhapsody service although it isn't free. Unfortunately, even the apps people hacked for streaming radio are too slow and buffer all the time.

Its really something to think about if you are an streaming radio lover who is used to evdo/hspda speeds and unlimited accessibility in your mobile browser. Maybe I am the only one that applies to, but I don't think so.

I mean I can see why apple would gimp free streaming radio - it competes with sales for songs on itunes.

I truly like the form factor of the iphone but as I said before not having browser based file uploads really inhibits me from blogging with it too and not having cut/copy/paste irritates the hell out of me. Why, Why, Why?!

Permalink: The_iBoring_Music_device.html
Words: 260
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: gadgets

03/11/08 10:13 - 29ºF - ID#43626

The Chumby - Internet Powered Dreambox

Every time I think there is nothing else that will cut into my iphone 2/android phone account they come up with some other crazy internet enabled, linux powered, ssh-able, super device that I can't live without. (e:shawn) just IMed me about this.

in comes the chumby

Problem is that it doesn't do much different than my Nokia n810 other than be less portable ;( but it is super cute and would look great on my desk at work.

Permalink: The_Chumby_Internet_Powered_Dreambox.html
Words: 84
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: jewlery

03/09/08 10:56 - 20ºF - ID#43599

Kiss The Pinky

My brother (e:mike) just brought over this ring I got as a child with my initials on it from some relatives in Italy for my first communion. It now fits perfectly as a pinky ring.

Its fun to have old things back in my life in a new light. Plus it helps me remember my initials. I hope I don't get mugged for my bling. Chances are the white headphones are more of a mugger magnet than the ring.

I am starting a new category for this. The Sicilian in me hope it continues to be popular.

Permalink: Kiss_The_Pinky.html
Words: 100
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: games

03/09/08 09:18 - 20ºF - ID#43597

Want to buy terry's xbox 360 elite?

Does anyone want to buy (e:terry)'s xbox 360 elite with the following accessories and games before I sell it on ebay. We are looking to sell it for $489.00. It is also a media center and plays DVDs.

Accessories
120GB hard drive
web camera
2 headsets
2 controllers 1 wired, one wireless

Games
Via Pinata
Beautiful Katamari
Enchanted Arms
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
Star Trek Legacy
Ninety Nine Nights
Star Wars KOTR2 (xbox)

Permalink: Want_to_buy_terry_s_xbox_360_elite_.html
Words: 71
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: weather

03/09/08 07:07 - 23ºF - ID#43594

Snow Is Insane

There is so much snow. Cars kept gettign stuck last night trying to park or get out of Linwood. WE video taped it because it was so funny but decided not o post it because it was mean. This is what happens when you don't have cable. (e:terry) went out to help some guy.

The iphone's touch screen really required human touch so you can't use it with gloves on which sucks in this weather. I got really good at controlling it with my nose - one new reason why have a big nose is good.

My beard is getting ridiculous. I wonder how much longer I am going to put up with it. It fits this wintry weather well.

Permalink: Snow_Is_Insane.html
Words: 128
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: mobile

03/08/08 09:11 - 25ºF - ID#43589

Want a free nokia 7710 smart phone

The old but sexy nokia 7710 phone can be yours. I am ready to part with it for free. I paid $479 for it back in 2005 when it was cutting edge and I ordered in from Finland. It never came out in the US. The hitch is you cannot sell it. I am could just sell it myself but I would rather have someone use it. When you are done with it someday I could put it in my cell phone museum, even if it is broken and in parts.

Here you can watch demos of all the cool features

It runs series 90 symbian, has java, opera browser, styles, email client, darwing program that is really good for writing handwritten color email letters, 640 x 320px touch screen, media card expansion slot already filled, Office applications, FM radio built in, voice memo mode.

It is edge only. NO 3g in this one as it did not exist yet. Also has bluetooth but no wifi.

YOU COULD USE IT TO POST TO ESTRIP FROM THE MOBILE!

Two hitches
1. As with any mobile phone, you would have to get an mobile internet sim card from tmobile or cingular as it is GSM (no verizon or sprint which is CDMA). If you already have an account with them you could just add mobile internet to your plan. If you don't have one you can pay moth to month because it is an unlocked phone and does not require a contract.

2. The camera takes shitty pictures as it has some error in the CMOS chip (e:paul,32341)