Lap Steel Update

Well, they've already changed their welcome page message. Feel free to refer to the previous post to compare. Here it is.

Notice to Non-Internet Explorer users:

This website incorporates features available only by using Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 5.0 or later,

hence, it has been disabled for virtually all browsers except Microsoft Internet Explorer.

Due to the inability of many browsers to render our code as intended, we regret
that we will no longer attempt to service requests from browsers other than Internet Explorer.

We don't know what the problem is, and we don't care, but it is most likely that we make no attempts to conform to "standards"
imposed by some self-ordained "consortium" of web-developers attempting to force us to abide by their criteria.
We are not about to rewrite reliable code, that has been in use for many years, just because "someone" says we have to.

Please don't take it personal...

Our websites work just fine on MSIE, and we are perfectly happy with that.
With MSIE, it's so easy...even a caveman can do it!


Microsoft Internet Explorer can be downloaded for free from the links below...

Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 for older versions of Windows
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.2.3 for Mac

Unfortunately, Microsoft has discontinued development of Internet Explorer for Mac and Unix operating systems.

Just by reading this it seems that they've caught a lot of flack about it. Especially who ever this "self ordained consortium of web developers" are. I mean they must be real jackasses to suggest that your site which makes you money, I'm assuming, should be accessible by every person that uses the web.

If I were to re-write the message in my typical cynically humorous way (which is funny to me) it'd be a little like this.

Hey, you jerks that don't use Internet Explorer 5.0 or later!!

We put this site together to run perfectly on IE 5.0 or later. If you don't use that then go away.

The coding that we use for our site doesn't work with any browser except Internet Explorer. We don't care that you don't like IE or that you have the choice to use any browser you want. We're just tired of sticking to the same rule that our web site should be accessible to everyone. You know what? Use IE or don't bother us. We don't think we should have to update this site and it's coding just so you can surf at your own pleasure.

Quit bitchin about it. We're not telling you to not come here. We're just telling you what browser to use.
With MSIE even a total idiot that bashes things with rocks could use this site. Well, unless that person uses some browser other than IE.

Microsoft Internet Explorer can be downloaded for free from the links below...

Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 for older versions of Windows
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.2.3 for Mac

Oh yea... Microsoft quit making updates and stuff for Internet Explorer for Mac and Unix based operating systems. If you have one of those your gonna have to get a new pc or something to see our site. With all the regular IE updates you'll probably get a virus or something if your IE is a few updates behind.

So there's the first change. I'll have to keep an eye on the site and see what changes next. It's kind of interesting to me just to see what happens. Will they cave in and finally fix the coding so everyone can see the site? Will they leave it the way it is so they start losing business?

I think they'll change it. After all, a lot of musicians use Mac products and IE isn't available for Macs anymore. At least an up to date version of IE that is. And who really wants to run a browser that carries important private information that's over a year or more old?

No more Firefox?

I was Stumbling through the web today and came across this site.

http://lapsteelguitar.com/

I thought it was funny. I use FireFox for my web browsing. I find it's much easier to customize and use than Internet Explorer. Seeing as how you have to constantly update Explorer in order to use it safely.

Anywho.. The funny part about the Lap Steel Guitar site is that they've decided to reject anyone that uses any browser other than Internet Explorer. Pretty ballzy move if you ask me. They're definitely not an eBay or Amazon site that draws in millions of customers a day. I'm sure they get a fair share of traffic but do they get enough traffic that they can demand people use a certain browser? I guess their end of month hit totals will tell them in the end.

They even put up a nice message on their opening page for all to see.

Notice to Non-Internet Explorer users:

This website is optimized for Microsoft Internet Explorer and incorporates
features available only by using Version 5.0 or later.

We have disabled this website for virtually all browsers except Microsoft Internet Explorer.

If you are not using Internet Explorer, we regret that we will no longer attempt to service your requests. Please don't take it personal :)

Microsoft Internet Explorer can be downloaded for free from the links below...

Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 for older versions of Windows
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.2.3 for Mac

Unfortunately, Microsoft has discontinued development of Internet Explorer for Mac and Unix operating sysems.

(grammatical errors included. free of charge.)

I personally don't feel like installing IE and waiting for the updates in order to actually load this site. One never knows, it might be a guitar site or it might be a site that has been put up just to compromise one of the many back doors into IE and loading a virus.

I could install an add-on to FireFox that allows me to switch the user agent of my browser. This way the site is fooled into thinking I'm using IE. But it's not a necessary thing so I'm not.

I wonder how long until they notice their online sales and correspondence goes down. If they had a contact listed on the opening page I would be interested in contacting them to get that information. They don't so I guess the only thing I can do is to check the site occasionally and see if it reverts.

I guess we'll find out in time.

Red Bull makes a killing.

If you haven't heard about the $708,250 settlement that Red Bull won you should read about it on the Chicago Tribune site. Click THIS

So here's the low down in case you don't know. Red Bull has associates that go into bars and clubs and they actually pay these people to hang out and drink. (Well, they don't tell them to drink but what else are they going to do with the drink?.) Here's the stipulation. You have to order drinks that have Red Bull in them. You order the drink, ask if they use Red Bull and then ask to see the can. Here's the different problems.

Let's say you ask if they use Red Bull and these possible things happen.

• The bartender says "We use something that's like Red Bull." WRONG!
  

Here's the problem. Red Bull is trademarked. If you give something out other than Red Bull your infringing on the trademark and falsely providing something else. Even though Red Bull does taste like a lot of other energy drinks when mixed with vodka or any other alcoholic beverage.

• The bartender says "Yea" because it's easier than explaining and the club is packed and super busy. WRONG!

Bars and clubs get busy. Bartenders rely on tips. They get better tips from faster service. There isn't a single person that walks up and says "Give me a vodka and energy." People do say "Give me a whiskey an coke." So, should bartenders stop every customer and make them specify exactly what they want?

• The bartender says "Yes" and then uses the gun. WRONG! Red Bull does not produce a product that comes out of a gun.

Any of these could be big problem. Trademark infringement could be used in any of these cases. When a certain product is offered and another is used in it's place.

So what happens if the bartender won't show the can to the associate?

Technically. Nothing. You see, no one is supposed to know that the associate works for Red Bull. It's a covert operation, they're sent to spy on the businesses that actually buy the overpriced product. However, the associate is supposed to take note that the can wasn't shown. Which can bring up paranoia that it's not actually Red Bull being used. Thus giving Red Bull a reason to want to investigate.

But what about these associates? They get paid to go to bars and clubs and order drinks. What do they do with these drinks? I wouldn't assume that Red Bull would want their employees to drink while on the clock. I'm sure Red Bull would want an accurate description of the night. I'm sure they would need to know what the bartenders wearing, what music is playing and even what night or any other specific details. Can this all be 100% guaranteed if the associate has any liquor content?

What if these associates were driving the fancy Red Bull cars? Wouldn't they be driving inebriated? I can't see an associate ordering the drink and then just tossing it out. That would be a waste of money and alcohol.

Red Bull isn't the first company to have a product who's name is synonymous for a certain product. How many people use a facial tissue to blow their nose rather than a Kleenex? Do you use an elastic bandage or a Band-aid? Have you ever ordered a soda and received a Coke? Have you ever said coke and meant cocaine?

Red Bull, you can fight it but it's the truth. Your not going to change how people think of you unless you want them to think badly of you. You've become a part of the English Slang Dictionary. You are now the fastest way to order a mixed alcoholic beverage that contains an energy drink.

People in bars and clubs everywhere will use your trademarked name because it's easier than asking the bartender what kind of energy drink they have. Honestly, I'd say 85% or more of the people don't care if it's Red Bull or Red Rooster or Monster or Rock Star. It's an energy drink and nothing more.

Trademark laws are more focused on the well being of the consumers and not the creators. To protect the consumers from purchasing something that isn't what it's advertised as. So will Red Bull use this settlement to give back to the consumers? I'll say doubtful. Unless they use it to get more lawyers to sue more clubs. Then more clubs quit using Red Bull and they're company slowly starts to go under, also doubtful.

One can imagine though.

Looptopia Follow Up.

So I got a few responses on LiveJournal about the comment I put up. Here's the best possible reasoning behind the "Chicago's White Night" slogan for Looptopia 08.

"It's based on European all-night events that are called "White Nights" based on the city is all lit up and people play etc. all night long." - LJ User - meryddian

You can find the topic by clicking HERE.

I do remember reading something, last year, about the fest being inspired by some place in Europe.

I don't mean to stir up a bunch of shit but I'm surprised I was the only one to notice it. Or was I?

I decided to look at the Looptopia site after Miss Sarah left the link in my last blog. I wanted to see if they were actually using this logo as the official logo for this year.

I scanned over a lot of the pages and never found it. I did find the regular logo without a tag line or the year. In the Press Section of the site, there are links where you can download the Looptopia logo, the Looptopia Map and a logo for the Chicago Loop Association. And the part I thought was humorous... The file name for the Looptopia Logo.

Which is - 215Looptopia_without_White_Night_copy.jpg

I guess I wasn't the only one to catch it. Another disastrous political or media plague has been averted. Of course, the link doesn't work. Someone didn't link it right. So I guess we won't know until the bad link is found and fixed. I'm not to worried about it.

To me this was all. in a sense, funny. And I'm sure a lot of other people who read this thought it was all a waste of time to read. It's wasn't funny to me because it was actually said. It was funny to me because it was allowed and there are people who are oblivious to what it could suggest. In this total PC world it slipped through the cracks.

And to those that say it should be fine because that's how it is in Europe or where ever it originated. This isn't Europe and I do personally know a few people that got upset by it.

So far all problems have been squelched on the official side of things. If this did happen to pop up somewhere, I'm sure it could all be ignored with an explanation. "Someone has created this logo to tarnish the image of this great city and it's great culturally mixed people. The people of this city will not stand for such insubordination and neither will we."

Of course, if that were to happen they better change the name of that file. It kind of gives off the "Oopps, shit... We fucked up, better fix this quick!" feeling.

Looptopia??

I read something recently about Looptopia that is to take place in a couple weeks downtown. First time I've heard anything about it. Guess it doesn't make much of a difference to me, I avoid the downtown area like the plague. Unless it involves friends or going to the museum or something like that.

One thing I found disturbing. Check out the logo.

What's all this about "Chicago's WHITE Night"?

I'd like to think it's not a racial type of thing. I mean why would it be? It's all about music, art, circus', and dance parties. I'm just curious as to who the braniac was that came up with the slogan. Maybe the tagline could be, "Free admission with a hood or rope."

Ok, ok... I took it a little far there... What ever. My humor is darker than yours and very reflective of common thought both past and present. Live with it.

So anyways... Anyone actually know why they would call it "Chicago's WHITE Night"? I'm actually trying to think of reasons...

Maybe it's sponsored by the WHITE Sox? But then I'd think they're logo would be on the flyer...

Maybe they're only going to offer WHITE meat at the resteraunts involved... No, that can't be it.

For the life of me, I just can't figure out why it's "Chicago's WHITE Night".

It can't be because of all the lights used. Cause then I'd think they'd use Bright or Light instead of White. And would there be that many more lights used?

I'd hate to think it's something as simple as all the board members involved were white. Or that all the activities are only focused on the white people. I really don't think that's possible or appropriate.

I know this city is racist in certain areas and at certain types, but really?

Weird....