Today’s bug: My Yahoo beta – loading an RSS with the default settings is freezing

My day-job is software testing. Sometimes more than just a tester, a QA Analyst.

While I surf the Web, for instance, I can’t help but notice bugs of all caliber. My brain works as a website grader in the background!

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Here’s an example that I picked up on the recently delivered (July 14th) My Yahoo beta:

iTunes subscribers: please renew your subscription

As I am not a techie, and am not an iTunes user, I blocked the old iTunes RSS feed (on podomatic), and then sent a new one (worpress) with the same name for the podcast. I didn’t know any better.

I had to install iTunes to submit the new feed, since WordPress.com does not offer this service.

So, if you were an iTunes subscriber before, please “renew” your subscription by clicking the link on the right side of the page.

Thank you.

Vara la tara, Transilvania, anii 40.

TEXT: locuintza de vara la tzara in Maramuresul anilor ‘40, povestita de mama.

MUZICA: Daniel Fat - fantastic, spumos, umoristic…Maramuresean!

DURATA: 11 minute si ceva.

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A Canadian stranded in rough America

I felt so good at Podcamp Boston 3 last weekend, that I was beginning to wonder: is Murphy asleep?

He wasn’t. Our Toronto flight was cancelled Sunday night, just as it was revving engines ready to take flight.

…

Back into the airport, American Airlines re-booked us and then gave us taxi vouchers, a night’s stay at the Sheraton in Wakefield (a 30 minute ride away) and also threw in a breakfast voucher. Nice.

A week before I spent a great weekend at the Sheraton in Niagara Falls, so it was appreciated.

It wasn’t to be that much appreciated this time.

Just for laughs Toronto 2008: the ethnic show.

I went to see the CBC-taped, “ethnic” show last night, at Just For Laughs Toronto 2008.

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Just a little detour before commenting the actual show.

I recently found (online) an excellent Toronto writer, freelancer, Caterine Kustanczy. She sparked a lively conversation on her blog on MySpace, along the lines of “ethnic funny or just FUNNY?”

A very refreshing discussion, and necessary too. Let’s forget for a while the commercial appeal of the “ethnic” keyword, and stop throwing it in show-names just to sell tickets.

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The host was George Stroumboulopoulos of the excellent CBC Television show The Hour.

Podcamp Boston 2008. First impressions.

TEXT: First impressions from Podcamp Boston 3, 19-20 July 2008.

MUSIC: no music today.

RUNNING TIME: 08′47″

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Music that changed my life. Archie Shepp featuring Jeanne Lee.

TEXT: why FM radio in Northern Transylvania circa 1993 was as much about freedom as podcasting is today.

MUSIC: Archie Shepp – Blase (featuring Jeanne Lee)

RUNNING TIME: 13′12″

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I updated the “About / Despre” page

Not only that you can find how old I am, but there are links to family photos and videos. Enjoy!

O idee care ar putea prinde si in Romania. Se ofera cineva voluntar? helpareporter.com

helpareporter.com

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HelpAReporter.com

No internet, no cell phone, no TV: I can take it, if it’s at the Sheraton on the Falls.

My in-laws are recently landed immigrants, and they live with us until they smoothly merge into the Canadian sweet lifestyle.

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One of the objects in our house that is a gift from my father in law is a wall clock, so here’s the obligatory “FIL/clock on the wall” joke:

Wife: Dear, this afternoon the big clock fell off the wall. Had it fallen a moment sooner, my father would have been hit on the head.

Husband : That clock has always been slow.

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Joke aside, my MIL & FIL were kind enough to babysit, so we can take off for a “sans-souci” weekend at Niagara Falls.

Having seen the Falls about 20 times in the past 5 years as a guide, it was my (and wife’s) first chance to explore outside the beaten path.

We started by setting tent at the Sheraton on the Falls, which offers this view from the 7th floor outdoor pool: