Amber Mac

Canadians compare pirated software to being rear-ended and stalked! WTF?!

I'm in Vancouver.  I am a wee bit tired after an early morning web cam interview with Kevin Smith, a late-morning geekfest with Leo Laporte and Tod Maffin, and a long flight last night.  But, despite my lack of sleep, I am pretty sure that I have read the silliest press release of all time (from a well-known agency that reps Microsoft). 

I have never been rear-ended in a car or stalked, but I'm pretty sure that both are A LOT scarier than having pirated software affect my computer.  Someone please tell me this is a joke?  Someone please tell me that I didn't just get this?  Ever since I read this, I have felt sad, angry, and exposed.  I would pay money to get some background info on these stats.

Here is the press release...

----- Original Message -----
To: Amber MacArthur
Sent: Wed Sep 26 11:48:27 2007
Subject: New survey finds over half of Canadians compare pirated software to being rear-ended

Hi Amber,

If pirated software wiped out your computer, how would you feel? Sad? Angry? Exposed?  According to a recent Harris/Decima survey commissioned by Microsoft Canada, over 51 per cent of Canadians would be angry if pirated software crashed their PC, equating it to being hit from behind in their car. In addition, a quarter of respondents think they would be scared if affected by pirated software and compare it to being stalked. The survey also found that 52% of Canadians don’t think they would be able to tell the difference between real and pirated software.

So what are the risks of pirated software and how can you tell the difference? Pirated software often contains virus and malicious code which can wipe out your entire system and is also a common way for criminals to steal personal information.

But there are some key actions consumers can take to help keep themselves safe from counterfeit or pirated software.  License Compliance Manager, Microsoft Canada, can speak to you about this new survey and tips to help consumers tell the real from the fake.   We also have a consumer who can discuss their experience purchasing counterfeit software and examples of real and pirated software – see if you can tell the difference!

Leo & Amber reunite in Vancouver for TV debate

Leo Laporte and I will be making an appearance this week in Vancouver, BC on behalf of Future Shop (I stole this entire post from his new blog, love it!).

We’ll be debating LCD vs Plasma and the Future of Television this Thursday, 27 September, from 11:30a-12:30p at the Future Shop store, 1740 West Broadway in Vancouver. The CBC’s Tod Maffin will be moderating (and keeping us from throwing any punches).  FYI - I am on the LCD side of the debate.

There’s very limited seating at the store - it’s first come, first serve - but you can also watch online at FutureShop.ca. Free registration required - limited to the first 1000 registrants.

What do you think?  LCD or Plasma?

P.S. I love Kevin Smith and his boring-ass life.  We just got word that while I'm in Vancouver Thursday morning, hours before the Future Shop event, I am interviewing Mr. Smith about his new book.  The film director is not in Vancouver, but he is in Toronto on Sept. 27th .  He's agreed to do our TV chat via web cam, but this time it will be me on the web cam in my hotel room in BC and Kevin in Toronto with the Webnation camera crew (OK, minus Jane Goodall).  Not many Hollywood types would be game to do an interview like this, but Mr. Smith is a big-time geek (I mean that in the most flattering way!). 

Leave OJ Alone - A Britney Fan Video Spoof

One of dozens of "Leave OJ Alone" videos hitting YouTube, all parodies of a Britney fan video.  Lord, the web is much more entertaining than TV!

Play asteroids on the web with other people

Via Waxy.  THX!  Love it, although I'm pretty bad ;).  Oh, in other news, :-) is 25. 

CNN can't say Dick...unless it's Cheney

I love that CNN.com is perfectly OK writing sensational news stories with grisly details, but they repeatedly replace "Dick" with "Blank" in this one article about the Emmy-nominated SNL skit that they call "(Blank) in a Box."

On the positive side, they do follow up the (Blank) mention with some Britney-related Internet rumours.  Phew. ;-)

If you do want to watch Dick (not Blank) in a Box, here is the link!

Goodall & Loose Change on Webnation #13

For links to all the stuff we chat about on Webnation #13, visit CityNews.ca.  Enjoy!

Gophilla Collins goes ape on piano

I could not resist sharing this video, a Cadbury ad that's gone viral on the web. 

An animated video tribute to Internet superstars

I recognize most of the people in this video, which might be a surefire sign that it is time to disconnect ;).

"Tex" & Katrina's comic on Webnation #12

Many thanks to "Tex" from the Halo-inspired web animation series Red vs Blue and Josh Neufeld from online graphic novel New Orleans A.D. for taking the time to chat with us on Webnation.  Also in this week's episode is a story about Camp Okutta, an innovate viral video campaign from War Child Canada. 

(Of course we also have lots of silly stuff that we hope will make you laugh ;).

You have five months to impress Spike Lee

At the Venice Film Festival this past weekend, Director Spike Lee announced that he will be Chair of the Babelgum Online Film Festival. 

"The festival will have six categories, including one recognizing new talent, short films under 20 minutes, documentary, animation, advertising and films that focus on social and environmental issues. Organizers expect about 2,000 submissions."

You can submit your work of art (max. 45 min upload) on Babelgum.com anytime after September 15th, 2007.  I'm dreaming up ideas ;-).