March 31, 2005

A First Makeover

Roxanne at Rox Populi has a new look. Don't overlook the comments.

Update
: Do be kind and click through her adds as well.

Posted by Steve on March 31, 2005

March 29, 2005

Shopping Online

A few of these Top 10 Reasons to Not Shop Online ring true. However, I've bought a lot of stuff online with happy results. The price is often right, it is generally much faster, and when I'm going to buy something besides clothes and food at a bricks and mortar place I find I still do most of the research online.

Via Ken MacLeod.

Posted by Steve on March 29, 2005 | Comments (3)

March 28, 2005

Google's Top Matt

Well, at this moment it isn't Matt Damon or Drudge!

Rather, it is a 21-year-old software developer named Matt Mullenweg.

Posted by Steve on March 28, 2005

March 26, 2005

Fighting the Wrong War?

Gary Becker argues that the war on drugs has failed and that alternate approaches involving legalization, regulation and high taxes might achieve current results along with other benefits without the large social and individual costs associated with the current prohibition.

Richard Posner generally agrees with Becker arguments:

If the resources used to wage the war were reallocated to other social projects, such as reducing violent crime, there would probably be a net social gain. For one thing, it is particularly costly to enforce the law against a �victimless� crime, more precisely a crime that consists of a transaction between a willing seller and a willing buyer.
In addition, he points out that:
The political source of the war on drugs is mysterious if, as I am inclined to believe, there is a legal substitute for every one of the illegal drugs:...
...it is apparent that our society has no general policy against the consumption of mind-altering substances, and there seems to be a certain arbitrariness in the choice of the subset to prohibit.
To get a sense of just how large the failure has been on a global scale check out the maps that Michael Stastny has posted from the World Drug Report 20041. Note what country is either number 1 or 2 in usage for each category. Stastny has an interesting supposition about his government:
Maybe Austrian authorities know that watching TV does more harm to your brain and health than taking drugs once in a while and that stigmatizing long-term users doesn't help either.
So, a war on TV instead of drugs? Well, no. We do not need any increased government intervention in media. But I would accept regulation and taxation of now illegal drugs as a first step out of the current quagmire. The proper long term goal is, though, to completely remove the government from any involvement in "transactions between a willing buyer and a willing seller."

Via Marginal Revolution where you can find more here.

1The report and the above referenced maps appear to overlook certain other popular drugs, e.g., alcohol!?

Posted by Steve on March 26, 2005

March 25, 2005

Hands and Fingers

You may need to restrain your imagination a bit when meditating on Rox Populi's new logo.

Via Brad Plumer.

Posted by Steve on March 25, 2005 | Comments (3)

Public Servants?

Why are these people even in office?

North Carolina cities and other government agencies are pursuing the authority to sue citizens who ask to see public records.

Lawyers for local governments and the University of North Carolina are talking about pushing for a new state law.

That law would allow pre-emptive lawsuits against citizens, news organizations and private companies to clarify the law when there is a dispute about providing records or opening meetings.

I can think of only one reason for public records not to be disclosed: they contains personal information that should not be released without an individuals consent. Anything else should be provided right now accompanied by a bow and a "May I help you with anything else?"

Via Politech.

Posted by Steve on March 25, 2005 | Comments (3)

Friday Ark

Cats, Dogs, Spiders and ? every Friday.

I'll post links to sites that have Friday (plus or minus a few days) photos of their chosen animals as I see them (photoshops at my discretion and humans only in supporting roles).

Leave a comment or trackback to this post or email me and I'll add yours to the list. Check back regularly for updates throughout the day on Fridays and somewhat less frequently over the weekend.

Dog folks: remember to submit your links to the Carnival of the Dogs hosted by Mickey's Musings.

Cat folks: remember to submit your links to the Carnival of the Cats which goes up every Sunday and will be hosted this week by Music and Cats.

And, check out Laurence's fine graphical analysis of Friday Ark boardings.

Archive editions of the Friday Ark.

Cats

InvertebratesDogsBirdsOther VertebratesDidn't Make ItExceptions inclusion not guaranteed

Posted by Steve on March 25, 2005 | Comments (25)

March 24, 2005

What the...

...heck is this picture (scroll down) doing up at Aljazeera?

I'm not sure what time Radley Balko noted this but it is now 3:20 GMT. How long will it stay there?

Posted by Steve on March 24, 2005 | Comments (1)

Why Spammers Send Spam

Well, duh, they make money:

"With the near-zero cost of sending out huge volumes of spam, the fact that more than one in ten users are purchasing products is clearly continuing to drive the economics of spam," said Radicati.
Another way of looking at this is that a lot of folks consider the unsolicited email proffering painkillers, stiffeners, low interest mortgages, etc., to be as useful as other forms of advertising.

Posted by Steve on March 24, 2005

March 23, 2005

Tangled Bank #24

Tangled Bank #24 is up at Syaffolee:

There's everything from visual perception to DNA repair and evolution to salamanders. The sheer variety of science articles and links surely live up to this weblog carnival's title.
Yep, lots of good, interesting material!

Posted by Steve on March 23, 2005

March 22, 2005

Security Freeze? Not enough!

The Washington legislature is considering legislation that will give consumers the authority:

....to put a security freeze on their credit-reporting file. A security freeze lets the consumer prevent anyone from looking at his or her own credit reporting file for purposes of granting credit unless the consumer chooses to let that particular business look at the information.
This is a partial step in the right direction. It is not enough and will not as article suggests give consumers the ability to prevent identity thieves from getting credit in their names.

As I commented last month individuals must own their personal information and:

No institution, government or private, can be allowed to collect or distribute, for free or for fee, any information about an individual without that individuals specific consent on a per incident basis and if the distribution is for a fee then that individual must be compensated at a rate agreeable to the individual.
Anything less is a recipe for theft underwritten by the very governmental institutions alleged to be our protectors.

Posted by Steve on March 22, 2005

March 21, 2005

Branching Out

Using 1850, 1880 and 1920 US Census data and 1990 phone book data Hamrick Software has created a nifty way to look at how folks with a particular surname spread geograhically over the years.

PZ Myers has posted a complete set of dispersion maps for the Myers surname.

Posted by Steve on March 21, 2005

March 20, 2005

Carnival of the Cats #52

Laurence has made this First Anniversary Edition special!

Thanks for creating and nurturing this wonderful window into the many varied worlds of cats and their humans.

Posted by Steve on March 20, 2005 | Comments (1)

March 18, 2005

Friday Ark

Cats, Dogs, Spiders and ? every Friday.

I'll post links to sites that have Friday (plus or minus a few days) photos of their chosen animals as I see them (photoshops at my discretion and humans only in supporting roles).

Leave a comment or trackback to this post or email me and I'll add yours to the list. Check back regularly for updates throughout the day on Fridays and somewhat less frequently over the weekend.

Dog folks: remember to submit your links to the Carnival of the Dogs hosted by Mickey's Musings.

Cat folks: remember to submit your links to the Carnival of the Cats t which goes up every Sunday and the he one year anniversary will be hosted this week by, yep, the founder himself: Laurence.

And, check out Laurence's fine graphical analysis of Friday Ark boardings.

Archive editions of the Friday Ark.

Cats

InvertebratesDogsBirdsOther VertebratesDidn't Make ItExceptions (inclusion not guaranteed)

Posted by Steve on March 18, 2005 | Comments (23)

March 16, 2005

Carnival Rounds

For your ongoing edification the Carnival of the Capitalists is up at The RFID Weblog and the Grand Rounds schedule is up at Respectful Insolence.

The latter includes an appearance of PZ Myers' exploration of the finer aspects of ear wax and smegma.

Posted by Steve on March 16, 2005 | Comments (1)

March 15, 2005

Suing Caterpillar

My deepest condolences go out to the parents of Rachel Corrie:

the 23-year-old American peace activist and student who was run over and killed by a Caterpillar D9 bulldozer on March 16, 2003.
I also wish them success in this suit:
The Corries also filed a tort claim today in Israel against the State of Israel, the Israeli Defense Ministry and the IDF for their role in the death of their daughter.
The perp driving the dozer should also be and object of the suit and serving time.

When I first heard it from one of the evening talking heads I had a much different initial reaction, to this suit:

...filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western Federal District of Washington, alleges that Caterpillar, Inc. violated international and state law by providing specially designed bulldozers to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) that it knew would be used to demolish homes and endanger civilians.
I thought this was BS. Sure, go after the hands on perpetrators: the driver, his employer, relevant patrons, etc. But Caterpillar? Nope. There are tens of thousands of these big machines out around the world. Caterpillar should be no more culpable than a baseball bat manufacturer whose product is used in a beating.

On the other hand, if Caterpillar conspired with state actors to create a device specifically to be used to violate individual rights then both Caterpillar and the state actors should be held accountable.

Posted by Steve on March 15, 2005

March 14, 2005

Blogrolling Down?

03:13 GMT

Seems blogrolling is down. Hence my sidebars are not loading and I suspect others are experiencing the same.

Of course, none of you came here for the sidebars, right?

I think they were up a couple hours ago when I left work. Anyone know how long they've been down and whether there is an ETA for a return to service?

To bad Movable Type does not have a useful blogroll tool.....

Thanks!

Posted by Steve on March 14, 2005 | Comments (1)

March 13, 2005

Spamliments

Zengun received many compliments from spammers in February and has provided a list of all 83 for our entertainment.


Posted by Steve on March 13, 2005

March 11, 2005

A Few Days Late, But Let it Shine

Kim reminds us that 3/8 is the anniversary of Pigpen's passing:

Ronald C. McKernan
9.8.45 - 3.8.72
R.I.P

Posted by Steve on March 11, 2005

Friday Ark

Cats, Dogs, Spiders and ? every Friday.

I'll post links to sites that have Friday (plus or minus a few days) photos of their chosen animals as I see them (photoshops at my discretion and humans only in supporting roles).

Leave a comment or trackback to this post or email me and I'll add yours to the list. Check back regularly for updates throughout the day on Fridays and somewhat less frequently over the weekend.

Dog folks: remember to submit your links to the Carnival of the Dogs hosted by Mickey's Musings.

Cat folks: remember to submit your links to the Carnival of the Cats which goes up every Sunday and will be hosted this week by maggies meanderings and shameless plugs.

And, check out Laurence's fine graphical analysis of Friday Ark boardings.

Archive editions of the Friday Ark.

Cats

InvertebratesOther VertebratesDogsBirdsDidn't Make It
None of the Above (inclusion not guaranteed)

Posted by Steve on March 11, 2005 | Comments (21)

March 10, 2005

Job Choices

Walmart is regularly bashed because of their compensation plan. They may be deserving but there are some who are worse. For example, the state of Maryland:

BALTIMORE - Audra White loves her job caring for a 55-year-old man and a 51-year-old woman who need help with everyday tasks, but her paychecks from the state of Maryland leave her living below the poverty line.

Audra White"I bathe them, wash their clothes, run errands, talk to them. It's like a second family. You bond with them," said White, 39, a contract worker for the state in a program that provides Medicaid patients with in-home care. As a personal care assistant, she cleans and cooks and will even arrange cans in the cupboard so all labels are facing front if that's what a client wants.

The state of Maryland pays her a maximum of $40 a day for eight hours' work. One of 3,000 personal care assistants who work as contractors for the state, she averages less than the $5.15-an-hour federal minimum wage. The workers haven't had a raise in 19 years. White also has no health insurance, workers' compensation, sick leave, paid vacations or unemployment insurance.

The article suggests that there may be an $80/month raise in the works for these personal care assistants. Yep, 50 cents/hour. Not much.

It is, though, puzzling why the 3000 people who have these jobs don't move on to better paying positions elsewhere. Isn't that what people do when they believe they are undercompensated and they aren't getting relief from their current employer?

Posted by Steve on March 10, 2005 | Comments (4)

March 9, 2005

Radio Alternatives

Last week Mark Morford hammered a bit on corporate rock radio:

This is the problem with rock radio. It has become the last option, the thing you listen to only when all other options fail, when you're too tired to pop in a CD or too lazy to reach for the iPod or just a little too buzzed on premium tequila and postcoital nirvana to care about searching your glove box for that old AC/DC tape.
After getting subsequent feedback from his readers he now has some alternatives to recommend presented, of course, in his own unique style, i.e., some of you may be a bit offended. Oh, well:
These are places to go and listen anew and dig deep into the raw bloody gorgeous musical universe and rediscover the joys of radio and realize it really doesn't, despite the howlings of the rigid neurons and the religious Right and the ass-clenched FCC, have to be all about preprogrammed DJs and bleeped f-words and endless goddamn repeats of Eric Clapton.
Of those on his list, I have listened to KPIG and KEXP and find them both very worthy. Give'm a try.

Posted by Steve on March 9, 2005 | Comments (3)

Ideological Warfare

Contra Horowitz is Holbo's When Whigs Attack.

Via Crooked Timber.

Posted by Steve on March 9, 2005

March 8, 2005

Lee, Haggard, and Dylan

The Modulators attended the opening night of Bob Dylan's tour and for a first night it was quite technically well done. Merle had issues with the sound during his set but it was, I think, more a problem for him than the audience. Set changes, etc., were carried off with precision and determination...really, it seemed there would be no extra time allowed for the first two acts.

Amos Lee walked on stage right at 7 performed a pleasing, low key, 30 minute set. I hadn't heard before but Mrs Modulator was familiar with him and looking forward to the performance. And, I can understand why. He has a great voice, good stage presence, writes fine lyrics, and is very easy to listen too. His music has a bit of a country folk feeling that sat a fine tone for the rest of the evening.He was off the stage at 7:30 with no encore allowed though I think the audience response warranted one.

Fifteen minutes later The Strangers played Merle Haggard onto the stage to a rousing, everyone on their feet, welcome. And then the crowd sat back down. A drag....

Merle's performance was strong and entertaining and even in the sit down crowd he still had us wanting to stomp our feet and, yes, also wanting to knock down a few long tall ones. Too bad they weren't available where you could enjoy the music. The 50 minute set was to0 short! Kind of like his songs. As noted above, Merle wasn't happy with the sound. He wanted more volume. Just like he has in his preferred setting of 40 years: bars and dancehalls.

Haggard's memorabilia table was overloaded with red, white and blue "love it or leave it" type of stuff. But, from the songs he sang and the words he spoke it was pretty clear that his version of "love it or leave it" is much more nuanced than what you will hear on talk radio or read on some blogs and mailing lists. His strong performance of That's the News brought a huge rsponse from the crowd. Especially the lines:

Politicians do all the talkin': soldiers pay the dues.
Suddenly the war is over, that's the news.
While he still wasn't going to hold back on hammering the media he was also not cutting any slack to the administration. Merle's voice was strong, the band played well, and all to soon The Strangers were playing Merle off the stage.

Dylan was a bit late. He didn't come out until 9:04..:) and he was gone at 10:49. Too short. But, then, we did get about 3 hours of fine performances from the artists. I shouldn't complain but I will anyway...give me more!

The Lee and Haggard sets almost, but not quite, prepare you for the ambiance. Think Dylan in a Vegas lounge; think the Roy Orbison Black and White Night show that is a regular on PBS; think Dylan run through the chops of the Cowboy Junkies!

Except that you would have been able to understand all the lyrics if Margo Timmons had been singing them. Yep, Bob brought out full gravel for this show. Long time Dylan fans are fully aware of this voice and it is powerful but I strongly suggest that those of you catching shows on this tour spend some time listening to the old and new albums, reviewing the lyrics and tuning your ears. Or bring your Startrek universal translator. Newbies be warned.

His set list was relatively short and, folks, you may not be ready for the new arrangements or, at least, the new sound. Bob endlessly changes what he does and this is a big part of why I go back regularly.

Bob's band for this tour was, last night, excellent and nicely built on the country/folk platform put up by Lee and Haggard. All the players1 were up to snuff and you will enjoy them! Of course, Bob and his players did have the blessing of full volume which was not given to the openers.

The selection was fine if abbreviated. But Dylan tunes are not Haggard length. Bob definitely has lyrics. One song probably has more lyrical words than either of the openers used in their entire sets and the breaks between songs, if they existed at all, were short. So, the 14 songs averaged out to about 7 minutes each of meaty performance. If you are not familiar with Dylan check out the lyrics to the song linked at the bottom of this post.

I'll jump right to the end because the three encore tunes were my favorite part of the performace. The entire audience finally got up and danced! Like a Rolling Stone was, for this night, pretty driving and the entire Watchtower was performed in a subdued, exotically tense mode much like Dave Matthews does the opening verse. Dylan closed with a moving version of Haggard's Sing Me Back Home. We thought Merle would come out and join in that finale but no joy. They wrapped it up and sent us home.

But even the President of the United States
Sometimes must have
To stand naked.

Bob Dylan, It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)

1For the curious Dylan is playing piano this tour.

Posted by Steve on March 8, 2005

Ode to Martha

They're not done with her yet
She presents a national threat...

Merle Haggard, work in progress, 3/7/2005

Posted by Steve on March 8, 2005

March 7, 2005

Government Failure in the Telecom Industry

I often agree with Larry Lessig but he is off base here:

But the government also should not act as the cat's paw for one of the most powerful industries in the nation by making competition against that industry illegal, whether from government or not. This is true, at least, when it is unclear just what kind of "good" such competition might produce.

Broadband is the perfect example. The private market has failed the US so far.

First, he is absolutely correct when we rails against government enforced monopolies which reflects the state of the telecom industry for, well, seemingly forever.

Second, though, what private market has failed us? The heavily regulated, monopolistic telecom industry? No, this is better described as a government failure.

Lessig goes on to suggest:

The solution is not to fire private enterprise; it is instead to encourage more competition.
But it is not market competition he is suggesting. It is governments entering the market.

Lynn Kiesling has a great suggestion:

A better approach would be for governments to strive to be technology neutral, focus on defining the objectives, and work (interjurisdictionally, if necessary) to reduce the transaction costs and other features of the institutional landscape that prevent robust, private competition from occurring.
This is, I think, a very polite way of saying quit mucking with the market and start clearing out the sludge that has been put in the way of effective market functioning.

Posted by Steve on March 7, 2005

March 6, 2005

Cleaning House

This is a great idea. Something I'd enjoy!

However, it works only if one is completely cut off from external resources while working through a pile. Otherwise, two more piles will rise up just so you can follow up on the interesting ideas in the first pile.

Really, if a paper or a book is worth reading then it is going to lead you to more interesting stuff and nevermind the growing list of stuff to write about.

So, I sometimes go one step beyond Tyler and, with great anguish, just toss stuff out. Or, maybe I'll box it to read later. And, sometime in the future, hopefully a far distant future, folks will wonder why the hell he saved this stuff.

Posted by Steve on March 6, 2005

March 4, 2005

Earth Security Alert

This guy has published 16 ways to destroy the earth. He is also planning to publish instructions on how to move the earth. Does this make him a terrorist? Hey, this material is published and specific which seems a higher standard than the oft heard "credible but not specific."

Maybe the earth security department should make an announcement to help boost you know who's popularity rating.

Prophet or Madman has verified that the material appears to be unstained by theocratic or political leanings.

Posted by Steve on March 4, 2005

Friday Ark

Cats, Dogs, Spiders and ? every Friday.

I'll post links to sites that have Friday (plus or minus a few days) photos of their chosen animals as I see them (no photoshops and no humans).

Leave a comment or trackback to this post or email me and I'll add yours to the list. Check back regularly for updates throughout the day on Fridays and somewhat less frequently over the weekend.

Dog folks: remember to submit your links to the Carnival of the Dogs hosted by Mickey's Musings.

Cat folks: remember to submit your links to the Carnival of the Cats which goes up every Sunday and will be hosted this week by maximum stacy.

And, check out Laurence's fine graphical analysis of Friday Ark boardings.

Archive editions of the Friday Ark.

Update: While Laurence worries about our dog owning friends overtaking the felines there is a brewing uprising:

Liberate the Friday Ark from the shackles of mammalocentric oppression!
Hey, send in the links!

Cats

DogsBirdsOther VertebratesInvertebratesDidn't Make ItCreek Running North: middle Devonian brachiopod
  • The Loom: H. floresiensis
  • Posted by Steve on March 4, 2005 | Comments (20)

    March 3, 2005

    Legislator Speak

    It is well known that legislators generally can only be trusted when they promise to take your money. They are not bashful about speaking disengenously, providing misleading information, and, for that matter, outright lying about the impacts of proposed legislation. They'll regularly contradict themselves in the course of the same conversation.

    For instance, the Illinois senate just passed a bill that says:

    Working parents would be entitled to 24 hours of unpaid work leave during a school year to attend their children's school conferences or classroom activities,
    One of the sponsors, Senator Iris Martinez, touts the bill:
    "I personally feel that when you have employees, and you are sensitive to their parental needs, you have a happy employee," Martinez said. "It shows the employer cares about family. Then you have families involved in education."

    But Martinez said the legislation provides safeguards so employees don't abuse the privilege. She said employees would have to give advance notice of their absence and would be required to provide employers with certification from an educator upon their return.

    And then the lie:
    "We're making sure the employer doesn't lose any productivity," she said. "There are a lot of safety nets put into place."
    Uhh, let's see: employee gets unpaid time off, there is paper work to process, but there is no productivity lost? She is probably saying this BS with a straight face.

    Perhaps the Illinois house will have better sense.

    Remember, when stuff like this becomes law we all pay for it through higher prices, reduced wages, and lost jobs.

    Posted by Steve on March 3, 2005

    The Pledge

    Kenneth Quinnell, in his essay Why I Don't Say the Pledge of Allegiance states:

    But the very concept of a Pledge of Allegiance is wrong in a free country.
    He elaborates on this at some length and I could, and I'm sure some others might, debate some of his points.

    I do, though, agree with his basic point that free individuals have no obligation to recite a pledge of allegiance.

    On the other hand, there is a group who by dint of their position should recite a pledge...probably several times per day. That would be the set of government employees, elected, appointed or hired, throughout the world. Our servants: congress critters, kings and queens, premiers, secretaries of desks and states, governors, presidents, soldiers, firepersons, police, mayors, etc.

    They, each and everyone, in every government job throughout the world should start their day with something like:

    I pledge allegiance to the people of name your jurisdiction and swear to protect their lives, help them maintain their liberty and assist them in their pursuit of happiness.

    ...and repeat it frequently throughout the day and once again before going to sleep at night.

    Posted by Steve on March 3, 2005

    March 2, 2005

    What States Have You Been IN?

    Bold the states you've been to, underline the states you've lived in and italicize the state you're in now...

    Ok, my response breaks the meme a little as I have only done the states I've visited:

    Alabama / Alaska / Arizona / Arkansas / California / Colorado / Connecticut / Delaware / Florida / Georgia / Hawaii / Idaho / Illinois / Indiana / Iowa / Kansas / Kentucky / Louisiana / Maine / Maryland / Massachusetts / Michigan / Minnesota / Mississippi / Missouri / Montana / Nebraska / Nevada / New Hampshire / New Jersey / New Mexico / New York / North Carolina / North Dakota / Ohio / Oklahoma / Oregon / Pennsylvania / Rhode Island / South Carolina / South Dakota / Tennessee / Texas / Utah / Vermont / Virginia / Washington / West Virginia / Wisconsin / Wyoming / Washington D.C /

    Just to make it easier for the detail oriented...I haven't been to Hawaii.

    Go HERE to have a form generate the HTML for you.

    Via Inside Allen's Mind.

    Posted by Steve on March 2, 2005 | Comments (2)

    March 1, 2005

    February's Top Referrers

    On the right side bar is the updated roll of Modulator's 21 top referrers for the month of February. Numbers 20 and 21 each produced 20 referrals compared to 24 for numbers 20 and 21 in January.

    December churn: 9 blogs dropped and 9 new ones added compared to 8 and 9 in January.

    Overall traffic was up about 1.6% from January and up 235% from February 04 (no I do not expect the year to year growth to continue at that rate).

    Top Referrer: This Blog is Full of Crap . Thanks, Laurence!

    Top search phrase/word: live strong

    Most popular post: Live Strong

    Statistics are culled from AWStats running on Modulator's server at Hosting Matters.

    Again, thank you one and all!

    Also, I'd like to acknowledge referrals from some of the blogosphere's 'service' sites: Technorati, weblogs.com, blogrolling.com, MovableType, Blogdex, Bloglines, blogoshpere.us, Sitemeter, NZ Bear's Ecosystem, Bloogz and Daypop.

    All of the blog rolls are ordered by most recently updated so be sure to ping weblogs.com or blogrolling.com to push to the top of the rolls. These are certainly the sites I tend to look at first and visitors will see you at the top of the roll as well.

    For a brief discussion of Modulator's blog rolls look here.

    Posted by Steve on March 1, 2005 | Comments (3)

    Happy Easter

    Egged.

    Uses Flash and you will want your sound on.

    Via Simply Kimberly.

    Posted by Steve on March 1, 2005