Wow.
I don't order pizza that often, but when I do, it (was) often from Pizza Hut.
However, I went to the site today, and they've redesigned their site. In order to navigate it at all (not just place an order), you are required to set up an account. For example, if I knew I wanted pizza, but didn't know where from, I'd have to set up an account with all my personal information just to see what they offer and how much it costs.
Even worse, I went to send in a comment. In order to make a comment, required information includes your first and last name, your full address, your phone number, and your email address. The only reason I then decided to make a comment after all is because I've ordered from there, they already know who I am, and they might as well see whose business they're losing.
Because requiring all the information is bullshit.
If I merely wanted to see what they offered, I wouldn't bother setting up an account to find that out. If I'd decided not to give them my business, why would I want them having all that personal information? If I wanted to tell them so, why would I want them to have my email, phone, and address if I don't need to receive a follow-up?
Yes, I could send email to their customer service email, but why make it more difficult to not give all that information? (Why is all that info compulsory?)
I left Facebook because I didn't like how they were creepy with regards to what they did with personal information. I'm sure as hell not going to give all that and more to a pizza company just for the privilege of seeing what they offer or giving them some feedback.
23 January 2012
18 January 2012
Internet censoring
I may not be American, but do recognise that SOPA and PIPA could affect us all. Terribly.
Please see this link. And bonus, Chad Vader, the Bloggess, and others are featured in it!
Please see this link. And bonus, Chad Vader, the Bloggess, and others are featured in it!
12 January 2012
World geography
The other evening, I went to visit a close friend. Near the end of my visit, her daughter, my heart's niece, got home from daycare. She's three years old and super smart. She's been reading and counting for a long time now, and it seems she's developed an interest in geography lately. Africa is her current favourite.
So during dinner, I mention port, and tell her that it's a type of wine made in Portugal. Her mum asked her "Do you know where Portugal is?" And answering so immediately that you could tell she didn't have to think much of it, she replies, "Portugal is beside Spain!" I don't know that I was so familiar with European geography at any point in early schooling. And she has a globe that she loves to play with. Not because her parents forced it on her, but because when Santa asked what she wanted, she said she wanted a globe.
Damn.
I hope that she never goes through a stage where she downplays her intelligence because she thinks boys will like her better for it.
So during dinner, I mention port, and tell her that it's a type of wine made in Portugal. Her mum asked her "Do you know where Portugal is?" And answering so immediately that you could tell she didn't have to think much of it, she replies, "Portugal is beside Spain!" I don't know that I was so familiar with European geography at any point in early schooling. And she has a globe that she loves to play with. Not because her parents forced it on her, but because when Santa asked what she wanted, she said she wanted a globe.
Damn.
I hope that she never goes through a stage where she downplays her intelligence because she thinks boys will like her better for it.
10 January 2012
ST:TOR
I have friends playing TOR, and I heard some really good build-up for it.
But... this article in Forbes, and similar ones on other pages and publications. It leaves me feeling really icky that there's an option of a slave with a shock collar around her neck, that she can be tortured and belittled, that rape is an available act for the bad guys, et cetera. I know that the bad side is actually evil. But, it's one thing to watch it in a movie or read about it and root against it. It's another to role-play it in an immersive atmosphere. Knowing that the kind of people who want night elves in WoW to take off their clothes and dance for them are able to actually really get into some nasty stuff.
In WoW, I know that people get really into the RP. They get genuinely upset if someone they just know online isn't able to spend time with them. They get pissed off royally if someone from the opposite faction kills their character. They take it personally if another character emotes a /spit or something worse at them. Some people really have problems separating the game from reality at times.
And these people can now brag in their equivalent of Trade chat about how they torture and rape. Did we need another venue for woman-hate in new games coming out? There's enough misogyny elsewhere.
I was thinking of giving TOR a shot, but on second thought, I don't want to financially support this bullshit. It's sexist enough in WoW and other games. I don't need to pay to take that even further.
But... this article in Forbes, and similar ones on other pages and publications. It leaves me feeling really icky that there's an option of a slave with a shock collar around her neck, that she can be tortured and belittled, that rape is an available act for the bad guys, et cetera. I know that the bad side is actually evil. But, it's one thing to watch it in a movie or read about it and root against it. It's another to role-play it in an immersive atmosphere. Knowing that the kind of people who want night elves in WoW to take off their clothes and dance for them are able to actually really get into some nasty stuff.
In WoW, I know that people get really into the RP. They get genuinely upset if someone they just know online isn't able to spend time with them. They get pissed off royally if someone from the opposite faction kills their character. They take it personally if another character emotes a /spit or something worse at them. Some people really have problems separating the game from reality at times.
And these people can now brag in their equivalent of Trade chat about how they torture and rape. Did we need another venue for woman-hate in new games coming out? There's enough misogyny elsewhere.
I was thinking of giving TOR a shot, but on second thought, I don't want to financially support this bullshit. It's sexist enough in WoW and other games. I don't need to pay to take that even further.
8 January 2012
Home schooling
I'm sure there are good reasons for home-schooling in some situations.
But a big part of what going to school does is socialise the child. Parents of home-schooled children must have to put a lot of extra effort into helping a kid meet and spend time with their peers. Ideally.
Someone started chatting with me in WoW tonight. For once, I was friendly and chatted back. He started off with "Will you be my friend?" like kids do in grade school. Turns out he recently turned 16, and wanted a girlfriend. Asked my age (more than twice his age), and then asked if we could date. I let him down nicely, and asked about what he liked in a girl, and what the ones in his class are like, or where he hangs out with friends. If he told me the truth, he's home-schooled, and has no access to any girls at all. Doesn't know what he likes in a girl. Not sure where they hang out. So he wanted the next best thing and wants me to help him find a girlfriend in-game.
I enjoy MMORPGs. Would go so far as to say that you can learn a lot through them, and gain some valuable lessons. But separating a young teen from other kids his age, and then leaving him to play as he wants, late into the night, seems irresponsible. I'm baffled as to why any parents would let a child learn peer interactions from a game like this. On the internet, the anonymity tends to make a lot of people nastier, and different from their usual selves. Maybe that's why he's spending time in an area many levels too low for him, looking for people who he can help?
Yes, I'm making some assumptions. But from what little I saw, I found it tragic. He wants me to be his friend in-game. I hope I'm not the only friend he makes who isn't a jerk to strangers for the heck of it.
But a big part of what going to school does is socialise the child. Parents of home-schooled children must have to put a lot of extra effort into helping a kid meet and spend time with their peers. Ideally.
Someone started chatting with me in WoW tonight. For once, I was friendly and chatted back. He started off with "Will you be my friend?" like kids do in grade school. Turns out he recently turned 16, and wanted a girlfriend. Asked my age (more than twice his age), and then asked if we could date. I let him down nicely, and asked about what he liked in a girl, and what the ones in his class are like, or where he hangs out with friends. If he told me the truth, he's home-schooled, and has no access to any girls at all. Doesn't know what he likes in a girl. Not sure where they hang out. So he wanted the next best thing and wants me to help him find a girlfriend in-game.
I enjoy MMORPGs. Would go so far as to say that you can learn a lot through them, and gain some valuable lessons. But separating a young teen from other kids his age, and then leaving him to play as he wants, late into the night, seems irresponsible. I'm baffled as to why any parents would let a child learn peer interactions from a game like this. On the internet, the anonymity tends to make a lot of people nastier, and different from their usual selves. Maybe that's why he's spending time in an area many levels too low for him, looking for people who he can help?
Yes, I'm making some assumptions. But from what little I saw, I found it tragic. He wants me to be his friend in-game. I hope I'm not the only friend he makes who isn't a jerk to strangers for the heck of it.
6 January 2012
Doctor Who workplace
So, it seems that I now work in a TARDIS. You don't really notice the front of the building unless specifically looking for it, and it seems way bigger on the inside than on the outside. I wonder if wearing my key-pass around my neck will make me unnoticeable like the TARDIS key did at the end of the new series, year 3. (Note to self: test this out.)
Other than that cool fact, it's scary to go back to work after being off! Everyone was super nice to me though. And even though there isn't any physical exertion, it's tiring.
Other than that cool fact, it's scary to go back to work after being off! Everyone was super nice to me though. And even though there isn't any physical exertion, it's tiring.
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