canada

So, What's All This SOPA and PROTECT-IP Stuff About?

I can't say it any better than this video.

Or if you live outside the USA, below is a lecture/rant from the perspective from someone who lives abroad.

Merry Christmas, Do You Know What SOPA or Bill C-11 Is?

As my final Christmas gift to you, you need to watch this video. On Christmas Eve, I was chatting to my sister about video, music, and the Internet. I asked her what she knew about SOPA. She didn't know what SOPA is. Honestly, I didn't expect her to as most people I know haven't a clue that something fundamental is happening to the Internet. I have been struggling often to figure out a way to express the dangers with SOPA and (in Canada) Bill C-11. As Canadian's there isn't a whole lot we can do to fight SOPA but C-11 is Canadian and is similar and we can fight it.

In a nutshell, these bills will destroy the Internet in the name of perceived copyright infringement. Not proof of infringement. If a recording company or label thinks you have something they own, your site can be taken down without notice. At least, this is what the language says at the moment. I beg you all to educate yourself about this stuff. It is important. I talk about this stuff with Andrew Currie, Mike Vardy, and Anthony Marco all the time. Why not check us out and get involved in the discussion?

You all realize that web sites such as Twitter, Google, Facebook, and any other site featuring media you did not create are in jeopardy? You know this, right? If you have a blog and you post a video, it will be taken down. Not the video. Your web site.

See?

The Queen's Christmas Message for 2011

There is something about what she said this year that makes me feel like she looked me up, read my web site, and then added a few words just for me.

Wake Up, Wake Up, It's Christmas Day!

Good morning, everyone, and Merry Christmas to you. Yes, I did post something yesterday that covers the holiday but I must tell you one thing about the holiday season. I only just realized I had forgotten a ritual I particularly enjoy around Christmas - watching the Queen's Christmas broadcast. You can watch it below, if you like.


I have watched the Queen's broadcast for years but have missed many of them as well. With the Royal Family having their own Youtube channel now, I suspect we'll be able to see more messages like this and far more accessible than ever before. Lucky for us, you can watch all of her broadcasts here.

Happy Canada Day, You Hosers!

What does it mean to be a Canadian?  Superman.

About Me

Shane Birley is a blogger, huge geeky nerd, web developer, poet, and creative writer based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He is a partner at Left Right Minds, a web development, arts management, business blogging and on line marketing company.

buy the book, blog your world, feel like a million bucks

Just in case you didn't know, I co-wrote Blogging For Dummies! Before you send me any congratulations, questions, flowers, or blow me any number of kisses  - why don't you go buy ten copies and make me rich and famous.  

Or you could just buy a copy since it is a really good book and it has loads of great information for those of you out there who want to jump into blogging because it is fun and exciting.

podcasting

What else do I do? I talk out loud, record it, and post it on line. I chatter about all kinds of things. Some of the things are nerdy, some professional, and some of them are very much NSFW. Why? Because do them for myself and my non-work life. You can be the judge.

events

I do a little traveling here and there for technology conferences and what not. Here are the ones I am going to next or have attended recently.

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