(How to be a Nerd - lesson 2)

So how many of us who are too poor to afford both high-speed internet access AND Tivo get pissed off when we miss the latest episode of our show? Well, chances are it's not only available for download (sometimes before the air date), but it's usually available without commercials.

Yes, I'm probably one of the last people to discover this wonderful technology -- and you CAN use it for more than just d/l-ing TV shows (you can also get software, movies, music, you know.. the usual) -- but for me it has not only saved me a few times when i've missed a show -- it's literally freed me from worrying about either taping a show or being there to watch it. If I miss it, I just go out and get it.

So, being probably one of the few Mac users on the site (I think it's me, (e:twisted) and (e:soyeon)) -- I went to and downloaded a piece of client software called "Tomato Torrent" -- but there are other clients. Once you get that, you need use your web browser (like IE or firefox) to go to a site that keeps a good list of Torrents (I use www.suprnova.org). Once you find the Torrent you want, you click the link to download the pointer file. That file then opens in the client and allows you to download that specific file.

The PtoP side of this is that once you download the file, you are encouraged to leave your connection open so that you then act as a temporary host of that file for others to download. I don't believe people have access any other downloaded files on your hard drive.

For those who use the PCs and want to get into it, check this site out: (Bittorrent.com) -- Bittorrent.com has a client for Macs as well, but I dig Tomato Torrent too much.

Mail me if you're interested and my instructions are not clear.

I'd like to start by saying this is NOT about the presidential election. now that we have THAT out of the way... let's continue.

So my coworker keeps swinging by my desk and saying to me, "I'm going to Florida in 10 days, I'm going to Florida in 10 days, you're going to wish you were there instead of here" -- the funny this is, i won't.

i really have never had a desire to go to Florida -- (perhaps key west, but that's practically another state). There are many reasons for this, but the first ones that come to mind are: i hate humidity, I'm not crazy about high temperatures, mosquitoes piss me off, and i don't like sitting out in the sun for prolonged periods of time. not to mention the state's shaped like a wang (may be a plus for some, not for me).

so tell me, why would i be envious? the only reason I'm even writing about it is because he's been talking about it SO MUCH, I wanted to vent without raining on his parade.

Rush Limbaugh, a long-time Mac advocate is also a Sidekick user. I already had a problem with him being on "my team" -- but now this?!! Next thing you know, he'll be drinking Fair Trade coffee and driving around in a Toyota Prius -- that still doesn't make him any less of a blow-hard.

So I don't know how this is supposed to make me feel? It's kinda like finding out that Santa Claus is a member of NAMBLA, except the other way around.

[inlink]ajay,182[/inlink] yup (e:ajay),

you make a good point. it's getting more difficult to see that most things have underlying subtleties, and are not just ""one or the other" -- that being said, I fear that we could see the libraries closing down and the bureaucracy STILL bloating. Why there are so many people with so few results is beyond me.

As far as my other comment goes, I have a very pessimistic view of our area and your average Buffalonians. My feeling is that they could give a crap if the libraries close down as long as their beer is cold, chicken wings are plentiful, and Sunday games are not blacked out.

signing off.

I'm sure we've all now heard that there is a good possibility that Buffalo's public libraries will shut down after January 1, 2005. Just this last Wednesday, Erie County Executive Joel Giambra had mentioned in an interview that he had not heard from residents about his "red" and "green" budget proposals. The "red" budget would be the one that would call for the closing of all libraries. The "green" would keep them open, along with other public services, but would raise the sales tax by another penny.

I used to see libraries as nothing more than large collections of antiquated books; filled with card catalogs and smelling of musty encylopedia volumes.
But since I've moved back to Western New York, the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library has become one of my main haunts.

Our libraries are a wonderful resource. Not only do I have regular acess to books I could otherwise not afford, I also have access to a collection of movies and music that rivals a store like Media Play. And with the convenience of internet access to the library's catalog, I'm able to search for and reserve items only moments after thinking about them.

The library would not only be a pity to lose, but it would put a shame on the people of our county if we were to let them close. Are we at a point where the community cares so little about culture and education? Where are our priorities? What kind of city has NO LIBRARIES?!!

I wonder if there would be more public outcry if the city was losing its beloved Buffalo Bills instead.

If you think we're headed in the wrong direction, I urge you all to contact your representatives and tell them how much of a mistake you think this is.

As for me, given the choice I would gladly pay the extra penny on the dollar.