Sundance Films...screenings available on Internet! Filmmakers pact agreement!

Although independent (sometimes downright quirky) flicks often sell-out - and tend to be popular at film festivals - it's still a tough row-to-hoe when it comes to pacting a distribution deal with the majors.

To combat that problem - and rustle up a bit of exposure for the fledgling projects - Sundance Film Institute has launched a project for simultaneous screenings on a handful of the largest video sites on the web such as Apple (iTunes), Google (YouTube), Amazon.com, Netflix, Hulu, and Rainbow Media (SundanceNow).

The filmmakers will retain the rights to their films pursuant to the novel terms of a non-exclusive screening agreement.

There is another plus, too.

The artists will share in a percentage of the Ad revenues and garner fees from rentals and purchases, too.

See 'ya at the movies online!

http://www.thetattler.biz




 

Google Blogspot...installs follow gadget! Fans may track the Tattler!

 

Taking a nod from twitter, google has taken a huge leap forward on the Internet by adding a follow gadget to blogspot to catch the tail end of the comet!

Blogspsot is one of the largest most highly-ranked free blog providers on the Internet.

Now, instead of bookmarking - or conducting exhaustive searches - fans of The Tattler (and other sites) have simply to click on an icon on the homepage to trigger the receipt of blog updates daily the moment they're posted on the recently purchased google site.

Hop aboard, eh?

http://www.ijulian.blogspot.com/

Google...hires staff to improve Chinese relations!



In a bold-faced effort to appease the Chinese - and lift a spectre of mistrust that currently hovers over relations with Officials in that Nation over censorship issues - global giant Google has increased its work force by twenty percent to better address government relationships.

Although google still maintains a license for operation and a structure to service users in China, their footing remains unstable, in the aftermath of a clash over google's high-flying style and launch of a host of services in that rapidly expanding market.

Meanwhile, the hiring of additional staff in the advertising sector, appears to be sending a signal from the Mountain View company offices that it's all business as usual.

A spokesperson at google has acknowledged a continuing effort to land advertising accounts in China in spite of the climate of uncertainty that presently prevails.

Can google crack the great wall?

http://www.thetattler.biz

Google's Blogspot...now filters spam comments!

No more unwanted links to Viagra!

If you are blessed with popular blog, then you are also cursed wth a perpetual flow of comments by enterprising individuals (and businesses) on the Internet attempting to hitch a ride on your high profile exposure by linking up with a constant barrage of ads for Viagra, Porn sites, you name it.

Of course, if you switch on the comment filter, the cheesey offers are blocked, until the blog owner either rejects or allows the post to be published on the web site.

Now, in view of the escalating problem which has been reaching epic proportions, Google has installed a "spam" filter like those installed on e-mail services on the World Wide Web.

If a blogger has not turned on the "comment filter", Google's new spam feature, will kick in.

For newbies in blog territory - who are in the dark about how to locate and manage filter controls - it is a virtual Godsend.

I expect that once the word is out, though, that hackers will find novel ways to crack in.

'Til then, bloggers (at some sites at least) are safe from unwanted intruders.

Thank you, Google, for rising to the occasion.

 

http://www.julianayrs.com

YouTube...service unavailable!

The YouTube site has either been "knocked out" (overwhelmed by users) or is down for maintenance.

When I attempted to access the site a few minutes ago, I received he following message on an otherwise blank page:

Http/1.1 Service Unavailable

What gives?

News at 11!

http://www.thetattler.biz

President Barack Obama...partners with YouTube for fireside chat! Q & A with head honcho February 1st...

In spite of the fact the State of the Union address on Wednesday appeared to underscore to many political pundits, Republicans, and Barack Obama critics (and foes) that the President fell short - his rallying team  insisted in an e-mail communication to me this evening that undoubtedly the universe was unfolding as it should (as my own Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau once eloquently noted in an hour of defeat).

Why?

After the speech (in which the President laid out his priorities for jump-starting job creation, fighting to restore economic security to American families, and changing the way business is done in Washington) he met with Republicans at their retreat and answered questions directly for about sixty minutes.

In his down-to-earth communication to me - David Axelrod (one of Obama's Senior Advisors) - noted that the pow-wow was an honest and unscripted discussion where the President took questions and concerns seriously, acknowledged where his opponents made valid points, and explained genuinely where he felt they were wrong.

In the final analysis, Axelrod excitedly concluded that this event - which was triggered with little fanfare at the offset with no ulterior motive - was something few Americans thought conceivable in American politics.

"It was a real discussion with honest disagreements about the challenges Americans and their leaders face," he asserted in so many words.

Citizens who would like to catch the"historic" event - which was recorded on video for posterity - are invited to surf over to  http://www.whitehouse.gov/ where the footage is currently online for viewing.

"The President talked about how politicians of both parties need to work together to bring change to Washington. But changing our politics is not just about Washington. It’s about  every American citizen, knowing that government is listening and that you can hold your government accountable," Axelrod's army of suits sincerely stressed.

In an interesting twist (a sign of the times?) Axelrod also announced that the White Houe has partnered with YouTube to give Americans the opportunity to ask questions of the President.

Citizens are invited to "ask whatever you want" or just vote on other questions that fellow citizens have submitted.

The President will answer some of the queries in a unique event on Monday @ http://www.whitehouse.gov/

In conclusion, Barack Obama's staff noted that if changing politics were easy, it would have been done a long time ago.

"I hope we can all join the President in helping make that change happen."

YouTube Instructions

Watch the video of President Obama with House Republicans, then submit your own question, or just vote on the questions that you'd like to see him answer on Monday.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Google...postpones Android phones for China! Ouch...

As I reported this past week, Google has taken a stand against China on the heels of quarrels with officials overseas in respect to privacy issues, censorship, and recent cyber atttacks launched against google (and ten top U.S. companies) in search of intellectual property and "Corporate secrets" to steal.

In retaliation, google has pushed back its release date for android phones in China.

The nifty google product was manufactured with leading-edge technology by Motorola, Inc. and Samsung.

The two wireless phones were to be introduced to combat hacking maneuvers in respect to internal network security issues.

Anxious consumers are now forced to sit out the stand-off between Google and the Chinese government until the dispute is resolved.

Industry experts on the sidelines note that the Chinese have rarely ever backed down on established National policies geared towards keeping foreigners and adversaries at bay.

In fact, in respect to the issues at hand, it's the same old same old.

The wall protecting China will probably get higher, wider, and longer.

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Google...Chinese cyber attacks! Virus & trojan alerts posted weeks ago...

Google cyber-attacks in China!

A few weeks ago when I was conducting a search at GOOGLE,one of  my anti-virus program issued an alert about malicious viruses and trojans at the GOOGLE site.

I proceeded to pen a post to alert internet surfers.

Post: 12/12/09

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/12/blogspotsecurity-alert-intruder-posts.html

Over the next few days, GOOGLE and media outlets failed to report the  incidents, which I thought was a bit odd.

Meanwhile, on FACEBOOK - after the alert was posted on my home page - a hacker slipped into my site and began to post messages with my photograph and name without my knowledge or permission (in retaliation or was the intrusion just a coincidence?)

The unknown individuals used the FISH TANK game to gain access, so I immediately stopped participating in those kind of software programs being offered by FACEBOOK (or other members).

After I reported the incident to FACEBOOK the hacking at that portal stopped.

So, I expect that technical staff at the popular social hub took action.

Just this past week, though, GOOGLE admitted to having been under attack a few weeks ago during the time frame I mentioned the attacks originally occurred.

So, it appears in retrospect, that my report was correct.

For some inexplicable reason, GOOGLE and the team at their headquarters, kept silent for a couple of weeks.

On Friday, it was reported that GOOGLE and about twenty other companies, were sent e-mails or instant messages addressed to their senior technical managers in a sly effort by hackers to entice them into clicking on a web page links.

When a major anti-virus company got caught up in the ruse, they discovered a flaw in Internet Explorer's Web browser (the one I used to search at GOOGLE when I stumbled on the virus and trojan activity).

Attackers capitalized on the glitch to take control of PC's and began probng the network for intellectual property of high value that they could hijack surreptiously.

Microsoft is now working on a patch to alleviate the problem.

Meanwhile, internet users are being advised to not only use a firewall, but set the level on high.

Officials have underscored that the perpetrators were not naive young hackers tampering on the internet to bolster their egos.

In fact, they believe that sophisticated individuals which high-tech capabilities (who plotted their steps quite carefully) were involved.

It is speculated that their home base of operations was in China.

Google has considered pulling out of China, in fact, because of the security breaches.

It is alleged that China and other overseas nations in that region (and elsewhere) have been involved first-hand in state-sponsored cyber intrusions of commerical and military targets.

James Lewis, a Program Director at the Center for Strateic and International studies,  noted to the press recently that China has been actively pursuing a tech industry.

He has levelled an accusing finger at Chinese officials and alleged that they have sought to accomplish that end by engaging in illicit technological transfer of intellectual property (theft) without permission (and sometiimes even knowledge of the victims).

News at 11!

http://www.julianayrs.com

Google...Swiss residents irate over privacy issues!

Officials who hail from the land of the majestic Alps are hopping-mad with the suits at google for ignoring Switzerland's privacy laws.

According to Hanspeter Thuer, the Federal Data Protection Commissioner, images that Google captured on the sly for inclusion in their world-wide mapping service failed to obscure the identities of pedestrians in plain view on Swiss streets required by law.

Ooops!

The precision watch-makes are touchy enough about disclosing bank account numbers.

Surely - the worldly-wise data crunchers at Google were hip to the fact that capturing a mug on camera in Switzerland without permission - was a definite no-no from the get-go!

On the heels of a demand that the revealing photographs be deleted from web sites currently offering them up to Internet users here and abroad, the powers-that-be at Google allegedly agreed (red-faced, no doubt) to "work" with the Swiss Government to resolve the issues.

I thought googling myself was bad.

Now I can't even do that in private, eh?

http://www.julianayrs.com

Bloggers...abandoning blogs according to New York Times! Misleading info...

I would be remiss if I did not respond to the New York Times article just recently in which a reporter asserted that bloggers were abandoning their sites in droves. (06/07/09)

For starters, some of the reporter's statements were terribly misleading.

According to the journalist, one source - Technorati (the largest blog site in the world) - alleged that blogs were sitting idle and not being updated on a regular basis.

Although that bold-faced statement warranted a follow-up interview with at least a blogger or two to confirm the facts - the reporter was inclined to accept Technorati's observations as true.

In this instant case, the lack of journalistic ethic on the part of the writer, has left egg on the face of the New York Times staff.

The truth of the matter is that Technorati has been experiencing quite a few ongoing glitches at their site which account for the reason a handful of bloggers may have been reluctant to follow through in recent days.

For example, when I first signed up with Technorati, my blog posts at google's Blogspot (The Tattler) and WordPress (Pop Culture) were pinged on a daily basic; consequently, my material was always current and up-to-date.

So, time-sensitive notices about local and National events - and spur of-the-moment news flashes - were published quickly enough for readers to act upon them.

However, in recent weeks Technorati has been experiencing a number of technical problems which they have not been very quick to fix in spite of their professional obligation to do so.

Specifically, it should be noted in my own instant case, that although I wrote daily posts for weeks-on-end - on more than one occasion - Technorati falsely reported that no new posts had been published for days!

On those occasions did Technorati staff incorrectly assume I abandoned my blogs, too?

No wonder their data is out-of-whack!

Notwithstanding the aforementioned, once the flaws in the Technorati software came to my attention, I began to ping the posts daily since the automated system was not reliable from the get-go.

In spite of that dedicated effort on my part to ensure readers would receive all updated posts in a timely fashion, Technorati still managed to prevent material posting in a timely manner (sometimes for durations of twelve or thirteen days).

To make matters worse, Technorati's site crashes often, which adds to the frustration.

When a blogger attempts to log in, a bizarre message - The Monster got loose - may flash across the screen and instruct the individual to try back later (without any explanation).

Also, I can't count the number of times I have logged in to my account and received the startling message that my blog (The Tattler) didn't exist!

Duh!

As to the other issues raised by the New York Times?

The reporter asserted in the article that bloggers were abandoning their blogs because they were frustrated by the fact their arduous efforts were not panning out in spite of the fact they busted their butts - with the ultimate aim - of being "discovered".

For instance, the reporter surmised that because book deals (bloggers were eagerly anticipating) were not forthcoming - and fame did not come knocking on their door with a promise of untold overnight - that disenchanted bloggers were opting to jump ship.

If that was/is the case for many - who are now seeking recognition elsewhere because of their failed attempts on the Internet - the truth of the matter is that a multitude of artists over the years (in a myriad of fields of creative expression) have similarly offered up their talents in a non-paying capacity with the express hope they would be catapulted into the spotlight.

For example, comics have often signed up for open-mike night at celebrated nightclubs, with the express hope that a talent scout in the audience might recognize their talent - and ultimately - land 'em gainful employment.

Actors have also been known to perform on stage in equity-waiver theatres - to specifically showcase their talent - in order to land a starring role in a major production on Broadway or in a feature film.

All things considered, it appears that the New York Times really screwed up on this one!

Took a blustery blogger to set the record straight, eh?

http://www.julianayrs.com/

Google...glitches in their system @ YouTube may cause videos not to broadcast! Staff at Internet giant have wasted my valuable time & cost me $$$.

Yes, I know you're frustrated.

You cruised to the Tattler site to view a few of the new blog posts - which featured my HD Video recordings from Las Vegas (a Carl Ferris "saxophone sensation" video among them) - but an error message has been advising you to check back later.

How do you think I feel?

I spent about two hours preparing videos at the local Internet Cafe at a cost of about $25.00.

Then, just as the Videos were uploaded to the YouTube web site - and I started to edit and post them to blogspot - staff at Google pulled a boner!

Yup, at that precise moment, they shut down the site for maintenance.

So, my uploads were lost.

Google staff didn't even bother to give me the courtesy of a notice!

At this juncture, all you folks are owed an apology, and I am owed about $25.00 in costs and two hours spent toiling at the computer trying to deliver up those Music Videos.

Does Google care?

It doesn't appear so.

They have taken on the old mantra of the telephone company.

"We're Google. We don't have to care."

What a shoddy way to treat people (clients, by the way).

So, you'll have to cruise back tomorrow for the goodies.

Curiously, earlier today when someone asked me about search engines and Internet companies, I asserted quite confidently that Google was one of the best companies on the world-wide-web.

Now that this snafu has caused them to fall from Grace, I guess I'll have to take that back.

It's frustrating as heck trying to work with people when the effort is hindered by their lack of any sense of integrity or professionalism.

For a sampling of rinky-dink google product, check out the edit bay or spell check, at blogspot.

What a flimsy software joke!!!

Nestell Bovee said it best:

"The small courtesies sweeten life; the greater ennoble it."

Amen!

Post Script

Curiously, when I clicked on links to videos on other web sites today after my video list went down, those creative recordings were playing without any snafus or problems all afternoon. Was this an example of selective maintenance at google or what? Enquiring minds want to know.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Barack Obama...gay? Confidential e-mail says...

This past week, I penned a post on a speech Governor Jindal telecast to the American people - in which I hinted - that the Republican may be a closet-case (a member of the Velvet Mafia on Capital Hill, perhaps?) .

http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2009/02/governor-bobby-jindala-republican-swish.html

On the heels of that feature, a private e-mail alighted in my mailbox from a gentleman identifying himself as Mike Trevino.

What a revelation!

After noting for the record he couldn't comment on Jindal's sexuality, Trevino was inclined to assert that our newly-installed PREZ may be a "Queen"!

Here's what Mr. Trevino had to say verbatim:

"I found your blog's URL on Ancient Star-Song, decided to check it out, and found your paragraphs on Jindal. I don't know much about the man and I didn't watch more than a few minutes of his speech, so I can't say if I agree with you or not about the man's sexual preference."

"But do you really think that Obama isn't a queen? Have you not read the information online about his deep, dark homo secrets?"

"Do you know how to use Google? Check it out, dude."

"Obama is the swish you want to talk about!"

mt

Well, I'd better - um - google that man right away!

http://www.julianayrs.com

John McCain...googled Sarah Palin. Competence in question!

Sarah made a monkey out of me...


The sh** hit the fan over the weekend when it was announced that - in addition to other unsettling background information surfacing on Vice Presidential hopeful Sarah Palin - that her daughter is five months into a pregnancy out-of-wedlock.

For many, that was the straw on the camel's back.

Now, in the fresh light of a new day, McCain's selection process is being seriously questioned.

According to one incensed insider - McCain simply "googled" Palin to render a quick sketch of his pick - and weed out potential problem scenarios.

Was that slap-dash research on Palin sufficient?

In a bold-faced effort to thwart accusations that the "alleged" flimsy background check signals a screw-up - and outright incompetence on the part of McCain - a spokesperson has assured the media that the probe on Palin was quite thorough.

"At least two dozen aides reviewed speeches, public records, legal documents, credit history, financial records, and formal complaints against her," handler Maria Comella asserted matter-of-fact.

But, someone was keen to the fact that Palin's background record was spotty, at best.

And, that online sources storing biographical data, needed sprucing up.

So, appropriate action - ethically in question now - was taken.

For example, apparently an unknown party accessed Wikipedia on the eve of the announcement that Palin would be McCain's pick, and proceeded to beef up her resume to give it some "weight".

Curiously, a couple of days ago, I noted in a post that a news anchor laughingly pointed out on the air that she perused the Wikipedia site on Friday (August 29th) to get a take on Sarah Palin since there was so little information available in the mainstream press and/or public records about McCain's running-mate.

In retrospect, it appears that parties unknown utilized the Wikipedia site, to manipulate assessments.

In fact, over the weekend, the New York Times reported that once editors at the Wikipedia site were alerted to the highly suspect nature of the biographical entries - they proceeded to balance out the material - since it was obvious that there appeared to be a scurrilous effort to bolster Palin's credentials and in a more favorable light.

At this juncture, it appears that Sarah Palin must go.

I'm predicting that McCain will opt for another candidate in the near future.

By the way, if we all had more foresight - than hindsight - we'd all be better off by a damn sight!

Alaskan Nights coming to NBC this fall...

Bloggers...under "big tent" at Democratic National Convention!

Blogger keyboards at the ready...

Some have been grumbling at the Democratic National Convention that bloggers don't get any respect.

But, you've come a long way, newbie!

At the convention in 2004, those who loved to "post-it" in the blogosphere were issued press credentials, granted.

And, allowed to mingle with the elite in the mainstream media.

But, the relations were strained a tad.

At the Dems' big bash this year, illustrious bloggers have not only been given the "green light" for access to all the relevant (and not so relevant) political events, but given asylum - if you will - under a "big tent".

The grandiose digs herald a new dawn for Internet pundits who have gained momentum and power in recent days on the political landscape.

Just ask Obama and Clinton - who are still stinging from a spiteful blogger's word-stalking - on the campaign trail in recent days.

Although blogsters were required to cough up one hundred bucks for their credentials, the joyride include wi-fi access, free burritos, and never-ending kegs of beer to wash the high-protein snack down with.

Heh, they're making out like bandits in Denver.

I'd better hop on a plane, pronto, and join the fray!

But, there have been some glitches in communication - in spite of the state-of-the-art presence of gizmos provided by two generous sponsors - Google and Digg.

When MSNBC tried to hand over the reigns to a newsie in-the-field for coverage on the blog presence at the Democratic Convention this morning, a number of technical difficulties delayed broadcast of the reports.

The anchor man joked,

"This is all the way from the Bloggers' camp in the Ukraine, so the feed is slow."

In view of the way some of the legit high-powered media types treat 'em, they may as well be!

All kidding aside, the bloggers appear to be happy as clams in their comfy digs.

One web writer noted on-camera that the free-standing canvas facility provided an independent base for their cerebral musings to emanate freely from.

No, sir!

This savvy blogster didn't intend to be influenced - nor did he plan to kow-tow to - the Democratic machine spinning their own wheels just outside the tent flaps.

Google and Digg sponsored the 8,000 square foot facility which includes a theatre, lots of leading-edge gizmos, and all the blogger interaction you could imagine in your wildest web-surfing dreams.

But, what will the talking heads produce, I wonder.

I'll be cruising the net this evening to take a gander.

Let's hope what Barbara Ehrenreich once opined is not true:

"We who officially value freedom of speech above life itself seem to have nothing to talk about but the weather."