Sony = the Big Bad

I realized that I had, previously, installed this "root kit" software when I used my new Foo Fighters CD in my computer. Since then my computer crashed because of a virus (as far as I know, unrelated) and had to be wiped clean, so I don't have the stuff there any more. On the other hand, this means I can't put my discs in for fear of getting this shit on my computer.


Here's a list of links I've gotten via LJ over the last week or more on all that stuff you've been hearing about Sony and music CDs and malicious root kit software:

USA TODAY on the story:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/2005-11-02-sony-patch_x.htm

A step-by-step look at what the rootkit software does and how to find it on your computer, with helpful pictures:
http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/2005/10/sony-rootkits-and-digital-rights.html

Same site discussing the quality of the so-called patches Sony made:
http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/2005/11/more-on-sony-dangerous-decloaking.html


Sony's website, where you can find a list of their music labels: http://www.sonybmg.com/

How hackers can use the software Sony puts on your computer:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11/10/sony_drm_trojan/


And now Sony's being hit by a class action law suit in California and soon to be New York as well:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4424254.stm - from BBC news
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/11/10/0024259 - lists the California laws Sony allegedly violated

If the class action law suit passes, I'm returning my fucking CD. I'd have returned it anyway except that I got it at a discount no-return price. Meanwhile, I've warned my family and friends about it. Only my gamer friend seemed to care, but my dad was very interested too.

I actually forked over money for the Foo Fighters double CD. And this is what they give me in appreciation for not stealing? Put software on there that holds my computer hostage in order for me to hear the music?

Shit like this makes me want to steal music, not buy it.

Fullmetal Alchemist, random Ed character gushing

Just finished the dub of episode 34. Loved it. A few lines felt more or less emphasized than I remember, but overall it turned out great. Something I like about the FMA dub that I also liked about the Fruits Basket and Trigun dubs: all the actors seem to be acting rather than reading the lines. Anime dubs in general have improved in the last two years, with better translation, more creative script that better alludes to the original, and actual acting instead of reciting. I thought VAs of Edward, Greed, Izumi, and Greed's lackies were all really on their game here. Greed especially did well.

The only thing that confuses me: I thought there was a mention of Majahal in this episode? The guy Ed accidentally killed in episode 4. But I rewatched this episode in dub and sub and couldn't find any mention. Maybe it's later? I was *sure* there was a mention of it.

One major change in the dub of episode 33 that has to do with this, that I didn't care for: Greed needles Ed by suggesting Ed has never killed anyone before and thus doesn't have the guts to kill him.

In the Japanese, Ed completely side-steps the question without answering it: "What are you trying to say?"

In the English dub, he says "What's that got to do with it?", thereby giving the false impression that Edward thinks he hasn't killed anyone before.

EDIT: I loved these eps because it's just one more way in which Ed is so. damn. cool. (Though Greed is also, of course, extremely cool. Greed's like cool in a bottle. With leather pants.) And not shonenized. When Greed is doing the "I haven't lost yet!" determination thing, Ed's cool as a cucumber, saying "This is over, I've already won, now let's talk like mature adults and I won't have to kill you." I've said it a million times but I love that for how much this is an action/adventure series, the main character is so atypical for anime action heroes. He's an intellectual, for one thing. But he's also got mad ninja fighting skillz, but he does't seem them as L33T NINJA SKILZ, just as one more tool he has at his dispence. Sure he can be brash in a fight, but it's almost always played in moments of comic effect, not serious moments. For an anime teenage male action/adventure protagonist, Ed is remarkably cool-headed in most of his battles, and the moments where he's not are usually so emotionally charged that you can't expect a normal person not to overreact. But you feel like Ed spends his battles constantly assessing his opponent.

For all the hype Greed creates, once it's down to a real uninterrupted battle, where there are no hostages or distractions, it only takes Ed a few minutes to re-evaluate everything he's already learned about Greed from two meetings, and come up with the trick to beat him, beat a homunculous.

I wish all the protagonists in my favorite anime series could win by being the smartest cookie in the class instead of just the "bravest with the purest heart." Having a pure heart wouldn't save you if Edward Elric decided to come after you.

I don't squee about this show enough. Which is weird because I still squee a LOT about it.

EDIT #2: being the bravest and purest of heart would save Naruto, but only after Ed caught him and strung him up in a trap and learned by talking to him that he was pure of heart and thus should be let got after which Ed and Naruto would never really fight anyway, methinks.

TV OT3

Yesterday I watched the new Veronica Mars episode.

Two days ago I re-discovered my old, battered original copy of Ender's Game that I bought while on vacation in Friday Harbor and read in two days.

Today I rewatched episode 34 of Fullmetal Alchemist in both languages.



So now my head is full of wacky crossover scenarios where Veronica Mars and Ender Wiggin and Edward Elric, these three characters who are smarter than me, are all in a room fic together plotting to take over the world or something.

The business partnership OT3 of smart professionals. They fight crime! And aliens! And the undead!

Quote of the Day

A quote, sent with sincerity from me to Dick Cheney, who approves of torture:

"I think we have different value systems."
"Well, mine's better."

-Douglas Adams (RIP)