2010-07-29T14:28:54Z Keith "Hellmark" Brown Copyright 2010, Keith "Hellmark" Brown SPHPBLOG
With this going on, the amount of power publishers once had and seem to be regaining reminds me of how much they already wield in the educational text arena. As you probably already know, school books are insanely expensive. I was looking at some of the books I need for this semester, and the cheapest of the lot is a collection of mostly public domain writings, for $70. They collected stories for free, printed them, and charge $70 to students who mostly are forced to buy it since they are typically unable to find out the contents of the book until after purchasing it. For my math class, the book is $170, and despite already having the previous edition which contains the same text, I am forced to buy this new one. After reviewing, the only apparently difference is that they changed up the order of the problems, so what was #21 on page 304, is now #28 on page 304. The "meat" of my old book is now useless.

As most of you would know, I am a proponent of the DRM-free movement. While I understand that content owners wish to protect their property, we as the consumers have rights too that must be respected. DRM inherently neglects the rights of the user, by limiting what the user can do, despite what is legal for the user to do. When I was looking at purchasing this semester's books, some offered an eBook option. Upon looking at the available ebooks, I noticed they were all in differing propietary DRM formats. All of these formats required use of a reader produced by the DRM company, and could not be used in any other reader. Worst of all, was that despite the ebooks costing nearly as much as the paper copies, some had time limits. After a certain date following the purchase, these books were no longer readable. Have a few classes use the same book? SOL unless you want to repurchase it each semester. If I am paying them money, why should they tell me how long I can use it? Who is looking out after my rights?]]> http://www.hellmark.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100210-095913 2010-02-10T00:00:00Z 2010-02-10T00:00:00Z http://www.hellmark.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry100203-140447 2010-02-03T00:00:00Z 2010-02-03T00:00:00Z
All this week I've been going through certification for Adtran routers and switches. I'm ASP, ATSA, and getting ready to take the test for ATSP certification. If you want to know about setting up adtran products, I'm your man.

Saturday, was woken up to someone beating on the door, yelling "YOUR HOUSE IS ON FIRE". The entire garage was razed. Just rubble now. A few photos are up of the fire, from before the firefighters came, and after it was put out.

Right now, getting some money in. Finally getting the insurance settlement on my arm. Only took 4 and a half years. Also got the check from the kid's insurance company, from when I was rear ended. Taking that to get a new car. Also, thinking of getting an ebook reader. Sony PRS-505 and the Hanlin V3 (Bebook, Ezreader, etc) are my main two choices. The PRS700's screen looks like crap due to the touch panel added on, and some of the other choices just suck or are too expensive. I am also kinda considering a Kindle 2 and the Cool-er. Cool-er is linux based, but they've not released the GPL'ed portions of code they've used, which is very uncool. The Kindle is very linked in with Amazon, which makes me a little nervous (they've already gone in and deleted books from people's machines after they were purchased for various readers), plus I really don't need the wireless. Any thoughts?]]> http://www.hellmark.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry090716-095835 2009-07-16T00:00:00Z 2009-07-16T00:00:00Z
Feel much better about that now. It was one of the few things stressing me out, despite having an awesome weekend.

Went up with Anna to Meatstravaganza. While there hooked up with a few friends, and had a great time. Saw the Harry Potter Exhibition too, which was really cool. I should be posting some pictures soon.]]> http://www.hellmark.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry090527-130333 2009-05-27T00:00:00Z 2009-05-27T00:00:00Z
As of now, the report isn't filed, I still do not have their information, and they've harassed me, and the kid drunk dialed me, insulting me and threatening to "smash my cock". My insurance knows about it, so my insurance will be going up, unless I can get their info, and file with their company. On top of it, my car is fucked up, with the unibody equivalent of a bent frame.]]> http://www.hellmark.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry090527-110423 2009-05-27T00:00:00Z 2009-05-27T00:00:00Z
For the summer, working full time, which will be nice, cause money is good.

Right now I am wearing a labcoat for work, because some big wigs are coming through, but other than that, nothing all that spectacular going on. Just prepping for Meatstravaganza.]]> http://www.hellmark.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry090521-082119 2009-05-21T00:00:00Z 2009-05-21T00:00:00Z
Friday, was the start of my spring break. Also marked the year point since Amy dumped me, and everyone started avoiding me. However, at the same time, was invited to a birthday party, and had a good time. Finally shit seems to be improving.

Saturday and sunday, hung out at AnimeSTL, and spent some time with Hawk and Ananth. Also met Hawk's significant other, Cowgirl Jess. All cool people. Hawk and Ananth loaded me up with posters and a shirt for working on the forums for them. Really kinda feel bad about it, but Hawk threatened to ban me if I didn't take them. Can't argue with the man.

Outside of that, just been loading up my new ipod with stuff. It is a iPod Photo, but, it is new to me.]]> http://www.hellmark.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry090330-093026 2009-03-30T00:00:00Z 2009-03-30T00:00:00Z
Also, Watchmen! Going to see it tonight after work with Kurt. Really been looking forward to it for a long time now. Probably my favorite graphic novel of all time.]]> http://www.hellmark.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry090306-125842 2009-03-06T00:00:00Z 2009-03-06T00:00:00Z http://www.hellmark.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry090303-132126 2009-03-03T00:00:00Z 2009-03-03T00:00:00Z
Anyway, things suck. Still single. Haven't had a date in a long while. Keep canceling last minute, rejecting me flat out, or standing me up. Money is tight. Working minimum wage, 20 hours a week, and half of my pay check goes out in gas. Got sick again in February, and it just wouldn't fucking go away. Nasty ass cough for weeks.

My projects for the most part have gone by the wayside. If I have no time for video games, have no time to do, you know, anything else. Still waiting on a fucking check from google, should have had it a month ago. When things get to be not so crazy, hope to get some stuff done on a few of my sites, and have an idea for another, but definitely need to get a larger group of people together for. This one other person to help out shit is for the birds. They keep flaking out like right off the bat.

School, is a bit fucked up at the moment. Not too bad for the most part, but really hating my compsci class. It isnt because I am having issues with the information, but rather the teacher. Morbidly obese transgender with annoying speech issues, teaching without computers in the classroom, and caring more about how the stuff appears on paper (yes, we print it out, rather than showing how it runs, on a computer), than how shit functions. Doesn't like how you described something in the comments? Points off. Doesn't like how you organize your comments (like how I have my comments inline with the code it describes)? Lose points. Fuckin' A.

Work is good. Really like the place I work at, just paychecks suck right now. I do testing of IP phone equipment.

Anyway, thats all I have time for. May pop back in later.]]> http://www.hellmark.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry090302-112816 2009-03-02T00:00:00Z 2009-03-02T00:00:00Z