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If you use the web, you may have already been enlisted as a human scanner
"You're just about ready to buy a pair of tickets on Ticketmaster, but before you can take the next step, an annoying box with wavy letters and numbers shows up on your screen. You dutifully enter in what you see—and what a bot presumably can't—in the name of security.
But what you may not know is that you also have helped archivists decipher distorted characters in old books and newspapers so that they can be posted on the Web.
You might think that computer scientists would have figured out a way to get computers to decipher those characters. But they haven't, so instead they've figured out a way to harness all that effort you're making to protect your security. "When you're reading those squiggly characters, you are doing something that computers cannot," says Luis von Ahn, a computer scientist at Carnegie Mellon University (C.M.U.) in Pittsburgh.
Von Ahn and colleagues reported last week in the journal Science that Web users have transcribed the equivalent of 160 books a day—that's more than 440 million words—in the year since researchers kicked off the program. The initiative is similar to "distributed computing" schemes like SETI@home, which take advantage of unused personal computer processing power to sift through signals received from space for those that might be generated by extraterrestrial intelligence or to figure out how proteins fold. But the difference with this system is that people, not processors, do the calculations.
"We are getting people to help us digitize books at the same time they are authenticating themselves as humans," von Ahn says. "Every time people are typing these [answers] out, they are actually taking old books or newspapers and helping to transcribe them." "You're just about ready to buy a pair of tickets on Ticketmaster, but before you can take the next step, an annoying box wi... more -
Letters from federal prisoners going electronic
MIAMI (AP) — When Melvin Garcia was sent to prison almost a decade ago for racketeering, he had never used a computer. Now he sends 50 e-mails a month from a federal prison in West Virginia, punctuating notes with emoticons.
Garcia, 38, is among thousands of prisoners at more than 20 federal facilities where inmates now have inboxes. By the spring of 2011, all 114 U.S. prisons are expected to have e-mail available for inmates.
The program, started several years ago, has reduced the amount of old-fashioned paper mail that can sometimes hide drugs and other contraband. Just as important, officials say, e-mail helps prisoners connect regularly with their families and build skills they can use when they return to the community.
For Garcia, that means learning the computer.
"LET'S JUST SAY THAT MY PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT DIDN'T REQUIRE IT :o)," he joked in a recent e-mail.
The system inmates use isn't like programs used in most offices and homes. Inmates aren't given Internet access, and all messages are sent in plain text, with no attachments allowed. Potential contacts get an e-mail saying a federal prisoner wants to add them to their contact list and must click a link to receive e-mail, similar to accepting a collect call from a lockup.
Once approved, prisoners can only send messages to those contacts — they can't just type in any address and hit send. And contacts can change their mind at any time and take their name off the prisoner's list.
Scott Middlebrooks, the warden at Coleman federal prison northwest of Orlando, said his inmates sent more than 3,200 messages and received some 2,800 a day last month through the system, which is called TRULINCS and run by Iowa-based Advanced Technologies Group Inc.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons says the system pays for itself with some of the proceeds from prison commissaries. Inmates also pay 5 cents per minute while composing or reading e-mails.
Security, of course, is a concern. That's why the messages can be screened for keywords that suggest an inmate may be involved in a crime, or read by a corrections officer, just like paper letters. That can create some lag time between when messages are sent and received.
Without analyzing the program specifically, it would be impossible to tell whether inmates could abuse their e-mail privileges, said Bruce Schneier of the security firm BT Counterpane. Coded messages could be sent over e-mail, but that could happen just as easily over the phone, he said.
Despite possible delays for security screens, prisoners and their families say e-mail is still far faster than paper mail. In the past it sometimes took Garcia two days to get urgent news from his fiancee, Rita Torres. Her express mail letters letting him know that a friend had been in a car accident and that a relative had had a miscarriage were delayed.
Now, she said, she e-mails him three times a day and gets about as many e-mails back, making it feel as though they are "living in the same house" even though she is five hours away in New Jersey.
The e-mails don't replace phone calls, but those are limited to five hours a month. And Torres still sends letters, some sprayed with perfume.
What e-mail does, however, is provide another link to the outside for Garcia and other inmates.
"Receiving an e-mail is like receiving a letter," William Nerlich, a federal prisoner in Georgia who has another six years to serve on a weapons charge, wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "It makes you happy to be thought of." MIAMI (AP) — When Melvin Garcia was sent to prison almost a decade ago for racketeering, he had never used a computer. Now he sends 50... more -
‘Accountable America’ - 100% anti-American
Group plans campaign against GOP donors: nearly 10,000 of the biggest donors to Republican candidates and causes across the country will probably receive a foreboding “warning” letter in the mail next week.
Led by Tom Matzzie, a liberal political operative who has been involved with some prominent left-wing efforts in recent years, the newly formed nonprofit group, Accountable America, is planning to confront donors to conservative groups, hoping to create a chilling effect that will dry up contributions.
“We want to stop the Swift Boating before it gets off the ground,” said Mr. Matzzie, who described his effort as “going for the jugular.”
The warning letter is intended as a first step, alerting donors who might be considering giving to right-wing groups to a variety of potential dangers, including legal trouble, public exposure and watchdog groups digging through their lives.
The group is also hoping to be able to respond if an outside conservative group broadcasts a television advertisement attacking Senator Barack Obama, or another Democratic candidate, by running commercials exposing the donors behind the advertisements.
This appears to be the letter although I'd only gotten through the first page before they suddenly had database issues.
Threats and intimidation. How un-American of Tom Matzzie (former lobbyist for moveon.org) and yet how very similar to the groups he claims are "unsavory business". Hypocrite, thy name is Tom Matzzie.
I highly recommend that anyone who does receive one of these threatening letters turn it over to the FBI. But based on Tom Matzzie's list of political failures (google Tom Matzzie + former) this too will be on his lists of "formerly of…" soon enough.
By Michael Luo Group plans campaign against GOP donors: nearly 10,000 of the biggest donors to Republican candidates and causes across the country w... more -
Biodefense Researcher Commits Suicide in Anthrax Investigation; Prosecutors Wanted...
A top U.S. biodefense researcher apparently committed suicide this week as prosecutors prepared to seek indictment and the death penalty against him for the deadly 2001 anthrax attacks, a U.S. official said Friday. A top U.S. biodefense researcher apparently committed suicide this week as prosecutors prepared to seek indictment and the death penal... more
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"Dear Sir. Who the hell left 54 little bars of soap in my hotel room?"
"The following letters are taken from an actual incident between a London hotel and one of its guests. The Hotel ended up submitting the letters to the London Sunday Times!
Dear Maid,
Please do not leave any more of those little bars of soap in my bathroom since I have brought my own bath-sized Dial. Please remove the six unopened little bars from the shelf under the medicine chest and another three in the shower soap dish. They are in my way.
Thank you,
S. Berman
Dear Room 635,
I am not your regular maid. She will be back tomorrow, Thursday, from her day off. I took the 3 hotel soaps out of the shower soap dish as you requested. The 6 bars on your shelf I took out of your way and put on top of your Kleenex dispenser in case you should change your mind. This leaves only the 3 bars I left today which my instructions from the management is to leave 3 soaps daily. I hope this is satisfactory.
Kathy,
Relief Maid
Dear Maid - I hope you are my regular maid.
Apparently Kathy did not tell you about my note to her concerning the little bars of soap. When I got back to my room this evening I found you had added 3 little Camays to the shelf under my medicine cabinet. I am going to be here in the hotel for two weeks and have brought my own bath-size Dial so I won't need those 6 little Camays which are on the shelf. They are in my way when shaving, brushing teeth, etc. Please remove them.
S. Berman
Dear Mr. Berman,
My day off was last Wed. so the relief maid left 3 hotel soaps which we are instructed by the management. I took the 6 soaps which were in your way on the shelf and put them in the soap dish where your Dial was. I put the Dial in the medicine cabinet for your convenience. I didn't remove the 3 complimentary soaps which are always placed inside the medicine cabinet for all new check-ins and which you did not object to when you checked in last Monday. Please let me know if I can of further assistance.
Your regular maid,
Dotty
Dear Mr. Berman,
The assistant manager, Mr. Kensedder, informed me this morning that you called him last evening and said you were unhappy with your maid service. I have assigned a new girl to your room. I hope you will accept my apologies for any past inconvenience. If you have any future complaints please contact me so I can give it my personal attention. Call extension 1108 between 8AM and 5PM. Thank you.
Elaine Carmen
Housekeeper
Dear Miss Carmen,
It is impossible to contact you by phone since I leave the hotel for business at 7:45 AM and don't get back before 5:30 or 6PM. That's the reason I called Mr. Kensedder last night. You were already off duty. I only asked Mr. Kensedder if he could do anything about those little bars of soap. The new maid you assigned me must have thought I was a new check-in today, since she left another 3 bars of hotel soap in my medicine cabinet along with her regular delivery of 3 bars on the bath-room shelf. In just 5 days here I have accumulated 24 little bars of soap. Why are you doing this to me?
S. Berman
Dear Mr. Berman,
Your maid, Kathy, has been instructed to stop delivering soap to your room and remove the extra soaps. If I can be of further assistance, please call extension 1108 between 8AM and 5PM.Thank you,
Elaine Carmen,
Housekeeper
Dear Mr. Kensedder,
My bath-size Dial is missing. Every bar of soap was taken from my room including my own bath-size Dial. I came in late last night and had to call the bellhop to bring me 4 little Cashmere Bouquets.
S. Berman
Dear Mr. Berman,
I have informed our housekeeper, Elaine Carmen, of your soap problem. I cannot understand why there was no soap in your room since our maids are instructed to leave 3 bars of soap each time they service a room. The situation will be rectified immediately. Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience.
Martin L. Kensedder
Assistant Manager
Continued at link ... "The following letters are taken from an actual incident between a London hotel and one of its guests. The Hotel ended up submitt... more -
Discovered Einstein Letter Sheds New Light on His Views on Religion
"Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." So said Albert Einstein, and his famous aphorism has been the source of endless debate between believers and non-believers wanting to claim the greatest scientist of the 20th century as their own.
A little known letter written by him, however, may help to settle the argument - or at least provoke further controversy about his views. "Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind." So said Albert Einstein, and his famous aphorism has ... more -
Serial killers answer letters from guy pretending to be a 10-year-old
In the late '90s, pop-culture historian Bill Geerhart had a little too much time on his hands and a surfeit of stamps. So, for his own entertainment, the then-unemployed thirtysomething launched a letter-writing campaign to some of the most powerful and infamous figures in the country, posing as a curious 10-year-old named Billy. In the late '90s, pop-culture historian Bill Geerhart had a little too much time on his hands and a surfeit of stamps. So, for hi... more
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Dear God...
An interesting collection of some serious and some slightly less serious letters that have been written to God. Some are profound discussions on intimate matters, some aren't, but ultimately all offer a different look at the relationships and ways of communicating between people and God.
My favourite lighthearted opener:
"Dear God, Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Oprah,
I wanted to first start with an apology. As you may have noticed, I tend to only get in touch when I want something, but I’m working on that. Oh, sorry. Guess you already knew that." An interesting collection of some serious and some slightly less serious letters that have been written to God. Some are profound disc... more -
'Person of interest' questioned by FBI in Times Square bombing
The FBI announced that federal agents in Los Angeles, California, are questioning a "person of interest" about letters sent to members of Congress after an explosion in Times Square in New York.
The "person of interest," however, is not a suspect in the bombing of the Armed Forces Recruitment Center in Times Square, said Laura Eimiller, an FBI spokeswoman in Los Angeles. It is not known whether the "person of interest" is a man or a woman.
Investigators have made no arrests related to the bombing or the letters sent to members of Congress, she said.
I love how technical our government is with how they refer to things; "Person of interest" is so authoritative. The FBI announced that federal agents in Los Angeles, California, are questioning a "person of interest" about letters sent ... more -
Letters written to God by kids
From profound to just plain sweet, these 'Dear God' letters written by children are a great read.
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Notes from a House Cleaner
A cleaning lady in London writes home to her young daughter who lives far away.
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Flowers and Sweat
An immigrant farm worker writes a letter to his father back home. In the letter he writes of his work in the fields and dreams for the future. An immigrant farm worker writes a letter to his father back home. In the letter he writes of his work in the fields and dreams for the... more
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Bureau of Communication
The Bureau of Communication is a really cool website that provides several simple and elegant online forms that you can fill out and send to people for a variety of everyday correspondence, like a formal apology or airing a grievance. The Bureau of Communication is a really cool website that provides several simple and elegant online forms that you can fill out and s... more
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Visiting Santa Claus in the North Pole
Dave makes a trip to North Pole, Alaska to visit Santa Claus. Come back to your childhood as Dave climbs on Santa's knee. See snow, reindeer, letters from children around the world and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus. Join us on our journey as we visit the North Pole and tour the Santa Claus house.
The Santa Claus house in North Pole has been in operation for over 50 years spreading Christmas cheer all year long. It is one of the most unique places to visit in Alaska. More information can be online at www.santaclaushouse.com Dave makes a trip to North Pole, Alaska to visit Santa Claus. Come back to your childhood as Dave climbs on Santa's knee. See s... more -
Letters to Santa
Before my daughter realized that Santa and I mysteriously have the same handwriting, we collaborated to write him a letter every Christmas Eve. It would be left next to his cookies and milk with a blank piece of paper and a pen so that he could scrawl his response while enjoying the junk food we set out for him. Each year the letter was different, but the focus was the same: it wasn't a letter to praise her own behavior over the past year, but to express gratitude and embody the true spirit of Christmas.
There are several ways to go about writing a letter to the jolly Man in Red... <a href=" http://www.helium.com/tm/743625/before-daughter-realize... full story)</a> Before my daughter realized that Santa and I mysteriously have the same handwriting, we collaborated to write him a letter every Chris... more -
Future Me
Write a letter to your future self and/or read some of the hilarious and shockingly honest public letters.
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Open letters to people who are unlikely to respond
My favorite is An Open Letter To My 22-Year-Old Self: "A lot of your friends have girlfriends and no longer exhibit the same desire to drink Southern Comfort straight from the bottle until 4 a.m. as they once did. In turn, you've begun cursing this shift in priorities as a surrender of their ability to keep it real. " My favorite is An Open Letter To My 22-Year-Old Self: "A lot of your friends have girlfriends and no longer exhibit the same desi... more
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What does the First Initial of Your Name say About You?
You know the old childrens game (excellent for long car trips) where you think of a name, place, and item for sale beginning with the same letter: P my name is Paul, and I come from Poughkeepsie and I sell potatoes. Turns out there may be more to it than we thought: People like their names so much that they unconsciously opt for things that begin with their initials. Tom is more likely to buy a Toyota, move to Totowa and marry Tessa than is Joe, who is more likely to buy a Jeep, move to Jonestown and marry Jilland Susie sells seashells by the seashore. Even weirder, they gravitate toward things that begin with their initials even when those things are undesirable, like bad grades or a baseball strikeout. You know the old childrens game (excellent for long car trips) where you think of a name, place, and item for sale beginning with the... more
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Letter from Iraq
Long time punk band, The Bouncing Souls built a lasting bond with a group of American G.I.s sent to serve in Iraq. Visit BouncingSouls.com Long time punk band, The Bouncing Souls built a lasting bond with a group of American G.I.s sent to serve in Iraq. Visit BouncingSoul... more
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Passive Agressive Notes.com
A truly brilliant concept that I'm sure we could all add to if we so desired. The third one down from Brooklyn cracked me up.
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