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03 Nov 2011 20:23

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World: Cuba’s crazy non-communist-sounding idea: Property sales

  • then For decades, Cuban gave its citizens socialist housing, which was tough to move out of because that required government approval; many families and even divorced couples stayed together under the same roof as a result.
  • now Cuba’s changing its policies in reaction to economic concerns, it’s now allowing people to buy and sell property — which sounds kinda like capitalism. The government, however, says they’re working hard to protect socialism.  source

27 Sep 2011 01:38

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Tech: Too social? Spotify and Facebook get too friendly for some users’ taste

  • Not cool. My Spotify account isn’t linked to Facebook, and it’ll stay that way, thankyouverymuch. If I didn’t have an account already, this would prevent me from signing up.
  • A Get Satisfaction user • Venting about Spotify’s Facebook-only signup option for new users. On top of that, Spotify recently started cross-posting what songs users are listening to on Facebook, which might be a little to personal for some people. Whistling Britney Spears while you work? Have a soft spot for Depeche Mode? Now all your friends will know, too. Follow these steps to stop or limit Spotify oversharing. source

04 Jan 2011 21:23

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Politics: From Pelosi to Boehner: The changing of the Twitter guard

  • I’m now @NancyPelosi – 2 characters shorter than @SpeakerPelosi. RTers rejoice!
  • A tweet from @NancyPelosi • Regarding Pelosi’s change from Speaker to mere House Majority Leader. In case you’re wondering, John Boehner can be found at @SpeakerBoehner. And the ceremonial change of the Twitter guard commences. Hey, @SpeakerGingrich is open! So is @SpeakerHastert! And @SpeakerNewt! Anyone wanna make a parody account? (thanks pantlessprogressive for the tip) source

29 Aug 2010 21:10

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Tech: Did YouTube break its featured videos formula for some reason?

  • Half of the top eight videos are videos that have something to do with a single YouTube celebrity – Shane Dawson. Great if you’re a fan of Shane Dawson, awful if you’re just about anyone else. Why is this? Well, YouTube changed its formula recently, so now it’s not done by hand. This makes no sense. Before, it encouraged the discovery of new videos. Now, we get Shaytards. And Fail Blog. And Shane Dawson. All of which, in our opinion, completely suck and aren’t nearly as good as that random stuff that used to bubble up. In other words, established entities win over actual viral content. Way to not understand your user base, guys. We know you’re owned by Google, YouTube, but get your humans back. source

22 Aug 2010 10:06

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Biz: The final stage of the Credit Card Act of 2009: The big changes

  • one The law limits the penalty fees on credit cards so that you’re not paying a $20 penalty for a $5 overage.
  • twoOther fees will disappear, too: You can’t get punished for not using your card for a while anymore.
  • threeAnd if you buy a gift card starting today, the balance will be active for a full five years after you buy it.
  • fourFinally, if a card company raises your interest rate for any reason, they have to tell you why. source

27 May 2010 20:57

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Tech: Were Facebook’s privacy changes enough to win over its critics?

  • NO they’re still not convinced Facebook is trustworthy source

15 May 2010 20:25

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Biz, U.S.: The Senate’s financial reform bill trying to limit nickel-and-diming

  • 50¢ limits to ATM fees could be coming, too, guys source
 

06 May 2010 10:35

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Tech: Facebook feeling the pressure over its latest privacy changes

  • 15 consumer groups aren’t fans of Facebook’s privacy stance source

26 Apr 2010 11:06

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Biz: The car rental business just got a little more consolidated

  • $1.2 billion for Hertz to buy, not rent Dollar-Thrifty source

16 Apr 2010 14:20

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Tech: Dear AP Stylebook: “Web site” is not “website.” Please no changey

  • Responding to reader input, we are changing Web site to website. This appears on Stylebook Online today and in the 2010 book next month.
  • The official Twitter @APStylebook account • Regarding a minor language change that has us all riled up. We’ve spent the last six years going out of our way to type “Web site” instead of “website,” to the point where we way preferred it that way. Now these jerks want to change it. We’re offended. Even worse, Twitter largely agrees with them. We’re gonna throw something if this style stands. Where’s our AP Stylebook when we need it, and is there a way to make it easier to break something with it? source