eBay opens up to developers as users look for alternatives

eBay opens up to developers as users look for alternatives

Facing auctioneer unrest and wary buyers, eBay is attempting to entice developers by opening up its platform and introducing a marketplace for add-ons and auction applications. These are both great changes that were a long time coming, but they aren't likely to go very far toward solving eBay's fundamental problems.

Australia calls shenanigans on eBay PayPal-only policy

Australia calls shenanigans on eBay PayPal-only policy

Last month, eBay announced that it would require all payments made through the popular auction site in Australia to be done through PayPal beginning June 17. Both users and financial institutions were up in arms over the decision, saying that it would reduce competition and force users to either agree to the new terms or leave the market altogether. eBay responded by saying that going PayPal-only will make transactions safer, and that users are free to go elsewhere (you know, the thousands of other, popular online auction sites) if they don't want to use PayPal.

A Walnut Blog: The 26th Annual Walnut AMVETs Antique Show June 13-15

A Walnut Blog: The 26th Annual Walnut AMVETs Antique Show June 13-15

Obsession #1 Antique Shows/Flea Markets

Kansas City designer Julie Reed confesses her addiction to antique shows and shares some photos from her trip last year to the AMVETS Antique Show in Walnut, Iowa.


Obsession #1 ~ Antique Shows/Flea Markets

TeacherTiffany Shepherd Fired After Becoming Bikini Mate

A Florida high school teacher has been fired after officials learned that she took a second job as a bikini mate aboard a charter fishing boat operation ‘Smokin’ Em Charters.’

Tiffany Shepard, a biology teacher, had to take a second job after divorcing her husband earlier this year. She is the single mother of three children, ages 2, 6, and 9.



http://www.florida-fishingcharters.com/

Police: Woman believed to be 'D.C. madam' kills herself

AP Reports

A woman police believe to be convicted Washington escort service operator Deborah Jeane Palfrey committed suicide, officials said Thursday.

A body police believe to be that of Deborah Jeane Palfrey was found in a shed near her mother's home Thursday morning in Tarpon Springs, about 20 miles northwest of Tampa. There was a suicide note, but police did not disclose its contents or how she killed herself.

She was convicted of money laundering, using the mail for illegal purposes and racketeering. Palfrey faced a maximum of 55 years in prison and was free pending her sentencing July 24.

Third bankruptcy for Commodore

The Dutch company that owns the computer brand Commodore has been declared bankrupt, putting the brand’s survival at risk for the third time, news agency ANP said on Monday.

Commodore, which was owned by Dutch computer maker Tulip until 2004, now focuses on making portable music players and navigation systems but has not had much success.

Dammit! The curse of Commodore lives on. Maybe now I can buy the rights to the name for a pittance. Of course, pissing on Commodore's much beloved legacy by pasting the C= logo on MP3 players and PC clone gaming machines was not a good idea.

Des Moines Iowa at War with Clutter

At the intersection of private property rights and the desire for clean neighborhoods.

"I can't believe the city of Des Moines can come onto your property and take your stuff," said Lelah Swallow

"Clutter is a bad thing for any neighborhood," said Roger Thompson, a member of the River Bend Neighborhood Association in Des Moines. "It draws people that you don't want in the neighborhood."

Des Moines' 15 inspectors drive the streets to investigate complaints. Inspector Bob Reynolds said city employees first try to determine whether the owner is elderly or low-income, since the issue might be money or manpower rather than obstinacy.
The majority of property owners shape up after their first notice, Reynolds said. Others refuse.

"There are the people that: It's their yard and they'll do whatever they want," he said.

Mr. Reynolds seems genuinely shocked by this sentiment

ASCAP Gets Theirs

Wired Reports:

A federal court on Wednesday established a formula for determining the Internet royalties owed to thousands of music composers, writers and publishers by three major online services - Yahoo Inc., AOL and RealNetworks Inc.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers hailed the decision, estimating the guidelines could yield as much as $100 million in payments covering a seven-year period ending in 2009.

Under the formula AOL owed 2006 fees of $5.95 million. That's less than the $7.83 that ASCAP wanted from AOL but much more than the $632,879 that AOL had proposed. Making this decision a clear win for ASCAP. Yahoo will have to pay royalties as far back as 2002.

The Associated Press: NY Lawsuit: My Commercial Looks Lewd

The Associated Press: NY Lawsuit: My Commercial Looks Lewd

A model who says she has worked hard to maintain a wholesome image has filed a $5 million lawsuit complaining that a jewelry company's video advertisement in which she writhes and moans looks pornographic.

The plaintiff, who is a married graduate student in elementary education, "has worked hard to project a wholesome image and has been extremely careful to avoid doing any work in the industry that would cheapen or tarnish her reputation," the lawsuit states.

The woman is asking for $2.5 million in compensatory damages and $2.5 million in punitive damages.

Eee PC Tips: A crash course in Linux - Download Squad

Eee PC Tips: A crash course in Linux - Download Squad

Some great tips for the new Eee PC user.
Including:
Enabling Full Desktop Mode
Installing New Applications