Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

Filed under: rant

Yelp is being shady...

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I didn't want to believe that Yelp! had bad intentions, but after seeing this, I'm beginning to believe the crap being said about them on the net.
Now I don't care if the reviews are bad, or good, I want to see them all, but if you hide a users post....something is definitely awry here.

I googled a restaurant earlier (ryu of japan austin), and noticed a good review. (http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=ryu+of+japan+austin)

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When I click on the first Yelp link (in purple),  that review is nowhere to be found on that restaurant listing. (http://www.yelp.com/biz/ryu-of-japan-austin?rpp=40&sort_by=date_desc)

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...
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(my screen wasn't big enough to do a screenshot at full size, so I dropped the text size down and took another screenshot which you'll find at the bottom of the post)
notice the "28 reviews" (google even shows "29 reviews"). Also notice how it goes from 3/28 to 3/26 with no listing in between

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What happened to the post? did she delete it?? no, if you goto her link (http://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=WlnQ7GnUn7O69OokwailQA) you'll see it's there:
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What's also fishy is that when you click on "Link to this Review", it only goes to the Restaurant's Review page, not this specific review.

I tried to give the benefit of a possible "Well, all our servers and databases haven't been completely sync'd yet", but it's already 3 days after the post. If your servers are off by this many days, you need to restructure your syncs or maybe just get a whole new IT team.....but my guess is, Yelp is just being shady and the only issue is management and truth.
(text size down screenshot):
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Netflix Prize Sequel Cancelled! (I despise when the law gets in the way of Innovation)

via blog.netflix.com

Friday, March 12, 2010

Netflix Prize Update

This is Neil Hunt, Chief Product Officer for Netflix.

About five months ago we announced that Netflix would sponsor a sequel to the Netflix Prize. We've given a lot thought to how to sponsor a contest that discovers more about the predictability of Netflix members' movie watching behavior while always ensuring we protect Netflix members' privacy.

In the past few months, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) asked us how a Netflix Prize sequel might affect Netflix members' privacy, and a lawsuit was filed by KamberLaw LLC pertaining to the sequel. With both the FTC and the plaintiffs' lawyers, we've had very productive discussions centered on our commitment to protecting our members' privacy.

We have reached an understanding with the FTC and have settled the lawsuit with plaintiffs. The resolution to both matters involves certain parameters for how we use Netflix data in any future research programs.

In light of all this, we have decided to not pursue the Netflix Prize sequel that we announced on August 6, 2009.

We will continue to explore ways to collaborate with the research community and improve our recommendations system so we can constantly improve the movie recommendations we make for you. So stay tuned.

Posted by NDH at 9:30 AM

so frustrating!

Apple Awarded Patent for Iphone Interface [Slashdot]

In response to the article on Slashdot: Patents aggravate me sometimes, especially when it comes to software. I just hope they (Apple) are doing it from preventing other companies like Creative from coming up with the patent first and suing Apple (even I thought that was dumb of Creative to patent the iPod-like interface and sue Apple, who came up with it relatively first. I have since then banned from ever buying a Creative product again) . But if they're in the hopes of suing other companies instead of making the software open to others, then consider my investment in Apple to be no longer

Help Pandora from the greedy NAB

I got this in my inbox earlier from Tim (founder of Pandora):
Hi, it's Tim from Pandora; After a yearlong negotiation, Pandora, SoundExchange and the RIAA are finally optimistic about reaching an agreement on royalties that would save Pandora and Internet radio.  But just as we've gotten close, large traditional broadcast radio companies have launched a covert lobbying campaign to sabotage our progress. Yesterday, Congressman Jay Inslee, and several co-sponsors, introduced legislation to give us the extra time we need but the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), which represents radio broadcasters such as Clear Channel, has begun intensively pressuring lawmakers to kill the bill. We have just days to keep this from collapsing. This is a blatant attempt by large radio companies to suffocate the webcasting industry that is just beginning to offer an alternative to their monopoly of the airwaves. Please call your Congressperson right now and ask them to support H.R. 7084, the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008 - and to not capitulate to pressure from the NAB.  Congress is currently working extended hours, so even calls this evening and over the weekend should get answered. If the phone is busy, please try again until you get through. These calls really do make a difference. Representative Lloyd Doggett: 202-225-4865 Thanks so much for you ongoing support. Tim
Make an effort and contact your congress person and let them know you don't believe that the NAB's  (National Association for Broadcasters) persistence and lobbying on this matter is right. We can't let these corporations continue to make music less enjoyable. I, for one, am tired of listening to the same song run 10 times in 1 hour. Pandora and many of the music web products out there don't do that. Again, I know this sounds like a pain to do, but you could make a difference and actually see a great product emerge in a positive way...and be completely legal!! ==================================== UPDATE: Another email from tim. The house of reps took the leap and are supporting the bill, now its time for the senate...
Hi, it's Tim from Pandora; Today, thanks to the extraordinary support of many Pandora listeners, we took a giant step forward when the House of Representatives supported Pandora and Internet radio and passed the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008.  Now we need your help so that the Senate will pass it also - and quickly... The finish line is in sight! After a yearlong negotiation, Pandora, SoundExchange and the RIAA are finally optimistic about reaching an agreement on royalties that would save Pandora and Internet radio.  The legislation would give us the extra time we need to finalize the deal. Please call your Senators Monday morning starting at 9:00 (Eastern) and ask them to support the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008. The person who answers the phone in your Senator's office may ask for the bill number - it's H.R. 7084 (if they ask for a Senate bill number, you can assure them that in this unusual case, the Senate is actually voting on the House bill number). Senator John Cornyn: (202) 224-2934 Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison: (202) 224-5922 If the phone is busy, please try again until you get through. These calls really do make a difference. Thanks so much for you ongoing support. Tim

?

am i really done with school? no more design room? no more parts bin? no more jpl? no more papers? no more projects? no more professors?

it still hasnt hit me yet.  wonder when it will