So I'm not exactly sure, but I think my blog has been spammed by someone in Portuguese.
This is an interesting tactic. Why would a bot spam in Portuguese? My guess is that a really high percentage of blogs are written in English (second Chinese, Japanese, various Indian dialects). Portuguese is probably pretty low on the list.
The NYT has a piece on the Technorati Survey that says the common language alternates between Japanese and English. I really want a table that counts the number of blogs and websites by language though - I feel like someone has already crawled for this. My hunch is that Portuguese is incredibly low, what with only two speaking countries and all.
If anyone were to write bot spam, or especially troll spam, why wouldn't you translate it to a common language? The link is the key content - why carry bot ads for a website done in Portuguese? Chances are that just changing the language to English would drastically increase readership. Whether you agree with it or not, English is the language of business.
Naturally, if you are the one Rodrigo that I know in Brasil, please do not be offended and I will look at your site about t-shirts. You would think this is funny.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
apartments
So my roommate and I have to move for next year. Our building offered us an extension, but then changed their mind as we are in the only two-bedroom in the building. I don't think we have any rights since we hadn't actually signed the extended lease yet.
In any case, I am now researching apartment options in Chicago and I'm somewhat disappointed by the general lack of organization. Sure, there's tons of apartment ad sites, but none lets me specify location with enough granularity. I know pretty much exactly what streets I am willing to live on - there should be a map on which I can draw a specific search range or at least specify block numbers.
Any ideas on how to implement this easily? They say real estate is about location, location, location.
In any case, I am now researching apartment options in Chicago and I'm somewhat disappointed by the general lack of organization. Sure, there's tons of apartment ad sites, but none lets me specify location with enough granularity. I know pretty much exactly what streets I am willing to live on - there should be a map on which I can draw a specific search range or at least specify block numbers.
Any ideas on how to implement this easily? They say real estate is about location, location, location.
Monday, June 18, 2007
chicago punk
Bomb the Music Industry put on a great show at Humility Gallery (564 W. 18th Street) last night. Chotto Ghetto opened with a great ska-esque set and I'm about to get their EP.
Humility Gallery is a great space for this kind of show - there's a reasonable amount of room in the basement for both standing and performance. About 80 kids came out last night, and it was a really good time.
Yay scene-building.
Humility Gallery is a great space for this kind of show - there's a reasonable amount of room in the basement for both standing and performance. About 80 kids came out last night, and it was a really good time.
Yay scene-building.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
bbc wins 'title of year'
In a hands-down, no-one-else-even-comes-close win for the "News Article Title of the Year," BBC presents FBI Tries to Fight Zombie Hordes.
interpersonal relationships...
... completely depend on what you put into them.
Moreover, sometimes it's in your best interest to make sure you put specific things into them - he who holds the information and the pen holds the power.
In other news, you can buy a jet-powered go-kart on eBay.
Moreover, sometimes it's in your best interest to make sure you put specific things into them - he who holds the information and the pen holds the power.
In other news, you can buy a jet-powered go-kart on eBay.
taste of randolph
Summer's here in Chicago, and it's time to get your streetfest on.
This weekend, Randolph Street lights up with concerts, food, and vendors highlighting the new development in the area. Check out their website for more information and directions.
Also, let me know if you're going - Fountains of Wayne is playing tomorrow night and I might have to stop by. Suggested donation of $10 per day.
Based on last year's stats, 61% of attendees are not married and 20% have annual incomes over $100K while 92% are college-educated. It's an easyfest.
This weekend, Randolph Street lights up with concerts, food, and vendors highlighting the new development in the area. Check out their website for more information and directions.
Also, let me know if you're going - Fountains of Wayne is playing tomorrow night and I might have to stop by. Suggested donation of $10 per day.
Based on last year's stats, 61% of attendees are not married and 20% have annual incomes over $100K while 92% are college-educated. It's an easyfest.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
mailboxes
Now that I live in an apartment building, my mailbox rarely crosses my mind. It's there, sometimes it has mail ... but I grew up in a small town, and this article about Veeder's Mailboxes and their vandal-resistant properties strikes a chord.
Highlight:
"When he used to hawk his mailboxes at home shows, Magro [Veeder] was often approached by vandalism suffers who would launch into vivid descriptions of their dream mailboxes. He says, "People would take out pencil and paper and draw World War Two tank traps" - devices that would impale the chassis of a car on a hidden steel beam were someone to try to ram the mailbox. "Others wanted to know if I'd make them a mailbox with concertina wire around it." Magro declined such requests, pointing out that liability issues would likely arise were someone to build a mailbox system the intent of which was to maim or kill. "
Highlight:
"When he used to hawk his mailboxes at home shows, Magro [Veeder] was often approached by vandalism suffers who would launch into vivid descriptions of their dream mailboxes. He says, "People would take out pencil and paper and draw World War Two tank traps" - devices that would impale the chassis of a car on a hidden steel beam were someone to try to ram the mailbox. "Others wanted to know if I'd make them a mailbox with concertina wire around it." Magro declined such requests, pointing out that liability issues would likely arise were someone to build a mailbox system the intent of which was to maim or kill. "
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