What does this bills does? Gives copyright holders full control over what sites to block via the ISP level is what those 2 bills generally does but each bill does things different. Protect IP Act was the first bill that the MPAA and RIAA been trying to pass down the pipe for 2+ years but became the hot topic the past 5+ months.

What does the Protect IP Act do? Protect IP Act gives a list of URLs that ISPs are required to block. It’s an internet blacklist is the shortest term here. Then you have a second list that ISPs are not required to block but will get immunity if they do block them, we call those the internet gray list. This bill pretty much makes us like China but at ISPs level and not the DNS level.

What about this SOPA? What this bill will do is allow copyright owners claims a site is infringing on copyright and what would happen is A) any ad revenues are blocked forever, B) site is blocked at DNS level, and C) search engines will have to block those links. This bill is almost like China but pretty much does more damage to the site’s owner(s). Also with this bill pretty much forces the site owner(s) to censor themselves if they want to make sure they don’t get in trouble as anyone who has the very lest of infringing materials can put the site into world wind.

If any of these bills gets passed, it’s the end of the internet because we’ll be setting the path for the rest of the world. If we block the internet, then the rest of the country will start following through. So help out by emailing your Senator to vote against those bills.

Now, as for what I am going to rant about, I really don’t know. Nothing to rant on at the moment that wouldn’t be political or anything, and I refuse to get into such a debate ON THE INTERNET.

Let’s see… I have been enjoying DC’s New 52 as of late. Go Red Lanterns. :D Lemme think… Blargh, I don’t even feel too sage-like right now. Just drawing a huge blank. Well, I suppose I will just consider this a post and be done with it. Any and all, feel free to post or add me on MSN. Always up for good conversation, I am.

Horo’s Wisdom of the Day: Make do with what you got, work for what you don’t, and leave well enough alone.

I really do intend to make more posts so people can have something to read on their free time, should they decide to come here. What will I post about? I do not know. I originally intended for this to be an advice column of sorts, but that kind of fell through with a distinct lack of people asking for advice ((Hey, you have the Internet and other people there. Plenty of therapy to go around. XD)). Another idea was to turn this into some sort of review thing, but that also fell through since I never even started that off, and I feel SCSA is more experienced in that field. He also has a lot more access to those kinds of things than I do, but don’t tell him that. Hehe.

Finally, after many days of deliberating and staring at a blank screen, cursor blinking at me and threatening to drive me mad, I have decided to A.) Turn this into some sort of blog thing and force myself to put SOMETHING up at least three times a week. B.) GET A BAZILLION MORE HORO PICS BECAUSE I INTEND TO STICK TO MY PLAN AND I WILL NEED THOSE. C.) Ask for some human conversation in this post. I don’t know how many of you will read this all the way through, but to those who do, I will be posting my personal EMail/MSN Messenger name so you can add me and maybe we can just talk, you know?

Also, I am currently forgoing perfect grammar and speech thingies because it is now 8 AM, and I woke up at 5 AM… Yesterday. So pardon if this doesn’t have my ‘usual eloquence’ if you can call it that.

Anyhooow. Yeah. Ranting and raving and blogging and talking and just saying SOMETHING, no matter how ridiculous it may seem. I am going to put those up in hopes of A.) Being read. B.) Being able to have conversation with people. C.) Keeping a semi-vague promise that I was totally going to do stuff here.

With all that said… Horo...@hotmail.com . That is my personal EMail/Messenger. Feel free to add it and hit me with an IM sometime. I may not always be on, but leave me an offline message and I will totally get back to you.

Sage… OUT.

P.S.-If anyone would like to ‘donate’ Horo pics, it would be much appreciated. Would definitely make my life easier. XD Thanks in advance!

Turns out what I was thinking right because the more I research the more I started to understand what was going on. Since the Motorola XOOM‘s bootloader’s unlockable is where I start learning more (I have a 3G XOOM, still waiting on the 4G upgrade to come out). And I recently upgraded my X to the HTC Thunderbolt and learned that there bootloader is also unlock (by unlocking it through HBOOT flash).

So here I’ll put down what I’ve learned so far.

What Exactly Is A Bootloader?

A bootloader is a piece of code that runs at the low level. You can think of it as the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) of a computer. It’s purpose is to execute the kernel and OS for actual boot. The bootloader also checks the signature to make sure it’s an official ROM provided by the manufacture assuming that the bootloader is still locked. With an unlocked bootloader you can flash customized ROMs without having to worry about signature checks. This is why having an unlocked bootloader is important.

Because of the fact that Motorola started locking down there bootloader without the option of unlocking it is such a big deal to the modding community. But because of the modding community, they have found a way around it. Just because the bootloader’s locked doesn’t mean you can’t get root access.

What Exactly Is Root?

Root is a user account that has full access and permission to all files and folders of an OS. This means you can do pretty much whatever you want to the OS (in this case the Android OS). I’ve used root access to copy my notification tones and ring tones directly to the phone instead of on the memory card (for a good reason).

Usually to root an Android device you will need to find an exploit and once you exploit it you can then gain perm. root access. This is how it was done with the Droid X in Android 2.1 there was an exploit where if you toggle on/off either the WiFi or Bluetooth after running one command you’d be able to gain temp root access so you can copy all the files you need for perm root. Because of the fact that the Droid X’s bootloader isn’t unlockable we had to make due with that.

With the XOOM, since the bootloader’s unlockable, once you unlock the bootloader all you had to do was flash a new system image which already included root access.

For the HTC Thunderbolt, you had to gain temp root to downgrade, once downgraded you can then flash a new image that will turn S-ON to S-OFF (S meaning Secure, meaning the bootloader is either checking signatures or not) before upgrading back up with perm root.

So, has you can see, the ways of rooting an Android device varies. But as long as the bootloader’s unlocked, you can get root pretty easy and flash custom kernels and ROMs. Because the Droid X and all newer Motorola phone’s bootloader will never be unlockable, you won’t be able to load true custom ROMs but can make due because of the modding community.

What Exactly Is A ROM?

A ROM, in Android’s case, is the actual system. It’s pretty much the changes to the /system directory customized to either be less bloated or to be speed up the performance. This will sometimes includes changes to kernel itself but you won’t be able to change the kernel if the bootloader is locked and cannot be unlocked. Changes to the kernel sometimes makes improvements of the overall stability and/or performance as well.

Think of the ROM as a different flavor of an Linux OS (assuming you know something of the Linux OS, even if you’ve just heard of Red Hat and Mandrake) is the easiest way to explain I can think of.

And The Recovery?

The recovery (located on the recovery partition) is used for trying to recovery your phone. Basic recovery is usually a way for formatting the phone and allows for software updates. On a rooted/unlocked bootloader device, you can flash a custom recovery (or in terms of the Motorola Droid X, Droid X2, Droid 2, etc, using a bootstrap to hijack the recovery call) for more options such as backing up the whole phone (current ROM), flashing customized flashable zip files (such as adding themes or different ROM), etc.

Questions To You

Weren’t you using a Blackberry before?

Yes, I was, and loved it, but then after I gotten used to my Droid X and saw what I can do, I just tossed my Blackberry to my mom. My mom loves my old Blackberry so it worked out for her.

But You only had your X for less then a year? What gives?

Multiple co-workers and friends gotten it, the more I played with it, the more I wanted it, called Verizon, and they gave me a really good deal for it with the extended battery. Can turn down an awesome offer.

You said you have a XOOM? Why you didn’t say anything?

I was typing up a post about it on the XOOM itself but became too lazy. I will say this, though. Android 3.1 (Honeycomb) is fucken awesome!

How you liking the Thunderbolt?

The Thunderbolt is awesome, even more so now that I don’t have to experiences the random reboots (that started happening yesterday, June 12th) because of the new radio I’ve flashed and am using Flyweight ROM.

Anyways, can’t really think of much more to say but if you have any questions let me know in a comment or email.

Hell, I remember seeing one online dating site (forgot which one) where girls are allowed to register and message guys without having to pay a dime but all the guys had to pay to message a lady back so there’s nothing really fair there when it comes to online dating it seems.

It’s not just a subscription is a problem, there’s also the problem that since it’s all online, you can very easily message someone and not get a responds back at all and it could be one of two reasons (well… three reasons if you really want to think about it). 1) He or she does not have a subscription and thus unable to either view your message and/or responds to it (more common when someone registers just to check out to see if there’s anyone worth there wild to even get a subscription for or not); 2) He or she is not interested in you and so instead of responding back with “thanks but no thanks” they just ignore your message completely instead; and if you really want to push it, 3) they already gotten someone and don’t want to message you back about it and/or forgot to remove there profile but did or did not cancel there own subscription. The reason why I’m really doubting number 3 is because it just seems very unlikely that could be the reason. Most people who found themselves a date would either hide there profile or get it removed completely. I can believe number 1 and 2 more then number 3.

So what does this all mean? I means this. Girls has the most advantage with this site then guys do. Even more so if you’re between 18 and 30 (or so) since they’re still young that most girls will be looking for that bad boy style look who has a hot rod car, etc. Pretty much what I’m getting at is that most girls are going after those “hot” guys since that’s all they really care about is looks. They don’t care if the guy is a dead beat as long as he looks good and/or get money from there mommy and daddy. There are a few girls who might look at your profile but if there’s any hint of not being “hip” they’ll move on, assuming you’re either good looking or don’t have a profile picture up and the girl so happens to not really care too much about that.

A good example is if you write down you’re good with computers or your job involves being around computers a good majority of the time, you’d think a girl will come flying at you with open arms since, hey, they’ll have a boyfriend who can fix there computer when it crashes for free! Sadly it doesn’t work that way, you’d have a much better luck by lying through your teeth (or keys, rather) by saying you own an island with a nice house boat and private jet, and, I think you got my point already.

So is it worth going through the online dating scheme? If you’re a female, go for it, I’m sure you can find someone in a matter of minutes, I know my sister did. If you’re a guy, ehh…. maybe days or weeks before you get a responds unless you’re some sexy beast that girls can’t keep there hands off of ya.

In all honestly, though, it’s probably be better off just going to a bar or something, drink some liquid courage, and start asking random girls out at the bar then going through the online dating mess if you’re a guy because, like I said, it’s more geared girls then it is towards guys (even more so if you’re an average Joe like I am).

And I probably have more to say on this matter later but for now, I’m off to sleep, got work tonight.

With that taken care of, I do a pretty little dance to tire myself and out make this post. That’s right. I’m doing both at the SAME TIME. Laptops ROCK.

How unfortunate that this one isn’t mine. I dunno if I stated this before, but my old lappy kersploded. As in, beyond and semblance of repair. Now its remains are a nice wallet. :D

Let’s see… What else should I declare? Soon I shall be getting a new personal lappy I hope possibly maybe kinda. D: If/when I do, then expect me to make more posts to tickle your brains, sense of dignity, personal beliefs, and ALL OF THE ABOVE. HAHA. :D

No, I have nothing but love for anyone and everyone. I was reviewing my old ‘Sandpaper’ post, and I’d like to point out that I am not a religious nutcase, as I am a firm believer in “Me-ism”. My beliefs are my beliefs and are merely inspired my the mind that is my own, and it’s influenced by nothing but my personal experience and zany thoughts. :D

What was the other thing…? OH! I also do not deny that sex has always been happening. I’m just saying it’s more prominent now, with even commercials becoming more risque (See: Recent Red Bull commercials) and modern society looking less into the marriage and relationship portion of life and settling for the fastest and easiest way to ‘get laid’. That is what I see HERE, AROUND -ME-. I’m not saying its applicable EVERYWHERE. My posts and beliefs are influenced by MY experiences, remember? I don’t mean to sound as if I’m making generalizations about everyone else, and for that I am sorry. D:

Okay, with that ‘settled’, what should I go into next? Hm… Well, I am now at a loss. No rants from me for the rest of the night/morning, I guess. Also, you all should check out Alestorm. PIRATE-FRAKKING-METAL. A good buddy of mine got me into them, curse his bones. ^_^

Finally, Master… You finally got into Chrome? TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH. D:<

Okay, I'm done. See you guys soon, I suppose. For now, the Horo will retreat to her tower of apples and take a lovely nap. ^_^

How do I look~? <3

Now, I will be honest and say I’m still a virgin, so to all you nay-sayers out there… I’m fully aware I MIGHT say different if I experienced it. Then again, that’s a huge ‘might’. But I’m just throwing that out there before I get comments saying I should try it before bashing it. I’m fine as I am, thank you.

Back to the main subject… I see too many people questing for the act of sex. That seems to be all it is to them. Personally, I prefer the term ‘making love’. Not really a necessary sentence, but I’m putting it up anyways…

The people who seem sex-oriented… I’ve noticed that they don’t know/realize all too much. I’m not calling them stupid, mind you… But they seem to not see as much, not to study life and the world as much. Their quest for sex has blinded them to quite a few things the world has to offer. They’ve seemed to lose sight of the simple pleasures in life. They don’t recognize the beauty of a chilly moonlit night, the brilliance of ants taking your food, the fact a computer really can be used for more than porn or Internet dating.

So why is society so much more sex-oriented than it used to be? I cannot say. I don’t know. Maybe I was just raised too old-fashioned or sheltered and never noticed it as I grew up. I’m not terribly concerned, just… Confused and a little saddened. Sex is blocking life from these people, it seems… And that’s not exactly a good thing.

Oh, and I love the ones who try to ‘get into my pants’. They act like they have the right to, or that I should be more open about it. As if sex with someone is a RIGHT, not a privilege. They don’t have to let you if they don’t want to. It’s called rape for a reason, people… Anyways, it’s those people who anger me the most. They seem so blind to the possibility someone can say ‘no’, or that someone really hasn’t had sex by now. They get this ridiculous look on their face as if they’re truly, truly surprised.

And maybe they are. But that doesn’t seem to stop them for long. The jokes soon come again, the ‘subtle’ advances… I just wish these people didn’t know others who had been so willing to go at it with them. Now they seem to expect it from anyone, and this just spreads the idea. Sexy Dominoes, eh?

I want these people to learn that maybe you do have to prove yourself to be a capable person, to be successful and ‘right’. That it isn’t going to be easy all the time. That to ‘get into my pants’, you need to show who you are as a person… If you want in, prove yourself to me ((Not necessarily me personally, but you should get my point)). Maybe if more start realizing this… Sex won’t be so annoying. Or at least putting up with the people who want it won’t be.

Also, for those who are wondering about the ‘sandpaper’ bit… They’re sanding the wall next to me, and it’s making me lose my mojo/expressiveness/literacy/motivation to write this. :D

I just haven’t been able to think of anything. Yes, I’m fully aware this is a cop-out of sorts. Talking about how I’ve nothing to talk about… But I just wanted to put SOMETHING up, at least.

You see, nothing has been happening in my end of the world. I’ve got some shiny new games I could try and review, but they’re not exactly the newest games in the world. Reviews for them have been out there for months, if not years. Besides, that’s SCSA’s schtick.

So let’s try and make a post/rant about nothing.

Why is it that our ordinary lives can seem so droll, especially to ourselves? Do we really adjust so quickly and perfectly to the paths before us? Have the lives of so much of humanity slowed down and become so regular that small things such as getting a microwave or saving a few cents on gas seem exciting? Why is that? It’s hardly fair, when you think about it.

We see others leading spectacular lives on our televisions, read about them in the news, or hear about them on the radio. We see these people and think ‘Man, I wish I could do that.’ But we don’t try to. Perhaps this change and steadfastness to the mundane is due to people developing a ‘bubble of safety’, of sorts.

In this bubble we are safe. In this bubble we are stable. We are ready for all the events life can throw at us. There is nothing outside our bubble for us to recognize. We will not leave this bubble for anything unless we truly have to. Perhaps this relates to the apathy people have been developing towards each other over the years.

I think that’s what people might need nowadays. Needles. We need lots of needles. The metaphorical kind, you see. We need to pop those bubbles. We need to open up and see what’s out there, what can be done. People need to stop sitting around and not knowing what else they can do. Why have a bubble of safety in the first place? Were you hurt in your past? How do you expect to recover if you don’t expose yourself? Fear is a powerful motivational tool, yet it acts as a de-motivator (I’m fully aware this isn’t a word, so hush) as well.

So, to those who read this (and especially those who actually consider/use my advice/rants) I suggest you all go out tomorrow and try something you’ve NEVER done before. Open your bubble a little more. Get yourself out there. Maybe you’ll find a path you’ve never seen before, a way to something you’ve always wanted but never knew existed.

I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me who feels this way. Personally, I hope not. Anyways, I’ll end this poorly written rant/post here before I get OVERLY repetitive. Good luck out there, everyone. :D

Dreams. Youth. Potential.

Whatever happened to these things? When we were young, we’d so often hear about how we’d go places. People (usually our parents) would tell us we could do so much. That we could be anything we wanted to be if we worked hard at it. After all, it worked out for them, right?

Yet look at the world now. Work simply doesn’t cut it anymore. Effort doesn’t go as far as it used to. All your childish dreams and wants are thrown back at you by the world. You start realizing you can’t meet your potential due to many circumstances. Family, money, and bad luck are a few of these.

You enter the world, you enter society with big ideas, hopes, and dreams. Then life starts to rear the ugly side of its head. You realize you need a job to get the money you need for what you want to do, for your education. After all, you have the power to do certain jobs. You could be a computer wizard or a medical prodigy. You’ve proven yourself to be just as skilled (sometimes even more than) people with degrees in your subject. But it doesn’t mean a thing without that paper, without that certification. Ability means nothing without some ink and paper. So you work and you work. You tire yourself out.

Now you finally have the funds. You go to school, you get what you need. That ridiculous little paper that held you back so much before. You’re ready to go into your ‘dream job’. Then you get turned away at the door. Why is this? Sadly, the world has become a place where what you know doesn’t matter as much. Now it’s about WHO you know. You realize you’ve spent so much time learning and working that you never got the ‘contacts’ necessary. So it’s back to your old (or another) job for more work.

It’s just to safely spend time, right? After all, some door is bound to open if you keep pushing for it. Sure, that makes sense. So now you pay your bills. You watch expenses pile up. You try for many other places, all where your degree would make sense. You get to see those less qualified than you get the job because they had buddies inside. You age. Life is still nipping at you, picking you apart.

Whatever happened to the child with dreams, with hope? What went wrong? Why did life and the world treat them as it did? They did their best, and it still meant little. They’re stuck in an endless loop, waiting for the slimmest opportunity to get out of it. Waiting to get a little more luck than they had the day before.

What happened to us all?

Whatever happened to the days of open friendliness? Now it seems that people greet each other with suspicion rather than a big smile, a ‘How-do-you do?’, and a nice, firm handshake. A gesture of trust and friendship. A sign that you’re willing to talk, be open, and maybe invite the other over for tea.

Sure, that’s a bit old-timey, but I’m just sayin’. Also, I’m fairly certain I’m not the first to notice this, and I doubt I’ll be the last. In fact, most of you might be nodding to yourselves and saying ‘I’ve heard all of this already.’ Well, I’m not too concerned with what you know or have heard about right now.

I, for one, do have feelings and good cheer. I intend to share them with those who are willing to accept them, and even with a few who don’t. Sometimes people need to hear that sort of thing. Undoubtedly a few of you are sitting there and thinking ‘What a self-righteous idiot.’ Meh. Don’t care. This is a blog where I can (mostly) post what I want. Today I felt like making my views and thoughts on this subject known.

So there you have it. My advice to everyone is…

The next random person you meet… Say hello to them with a big smile on your face. Extend your hand and give them a good shake. Ask them how they are, and actually pay attention to them. Try to send an aura of friendliness, if you will. See if you somehow made them feel a little better about life in general. That isn’t your goal, though. What you want to see… Is that person do the same to the next one they meet. And the next. And the next. See if it might come full circle, and someday… Someone greets you with that meaningful smile, and you feel a bit of your own good cheer and friendliness come back to you. Then… Start it all again. Don’t let it stop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’ll pop these into ‘Headlines’ until SCSA posts summat. I expect he might soon.

PS: I’ma try and post daily.