Parley:

Find us now at http://iapet.us/parley.

1000 words.   How about this one?


Yes, this is a real dog, though he recently passed away at the age of 15.  Sam the ugliest dog has his own website.  Here's what his owners say about him:

"Sam is a purebred, yes that's right, a purebred Chinese Crested Hairless. He's almost 15 years old and was taken in as a rescue over five years ago by Susie Lockheed. He was considered "un-adoptable" by local shelters. Susie took him in on a 48-hour trial period. During that time he lived in a cage because he acted like "Cujo" the rabid dog. Susie had to shove food and water into the cage and run. The 48-hour trial became several days, and then Sam just walked out of the cage and became one of the pack (other hairless dogs who found harbor in Susie's domain). "

This has got to be one of the funniest videos that I've seen online in a LONG time.  Reply with a video of your own that you've found that is too funny to pass up.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6739710473912337648&q=i+want+it+that+way

Anyone born in the 70's had the extream pleasure of literally growing up with Madonna.  We were old enough to realize what she was really saying, and what it meant; and as we grew and matured...she...well she stayed in our lives.  I was in Middle school when the pop-princess made her debute.  Maybe I didn't have MTV at the time, but (t's not like the Music Video Channel has played video's in a while anyway) her presence was felt and you knew she was here to stay.

Recently, Madonna released her latest music venture.  Over the years she has honed a certain style:  part social commentary, part opinion, part sassyness and you can dance to it.

In the 80's she created a new Thesis of pop-star, in the 90's with her Sex book and "do whatever I want attitude" she took it to the furthest edge of the established Anti-thesis, and of late she's becoming more and more of what we children of the 70's recognize a grown-up to be:  Her kids don't get candy and ice cream, her daughter has to buy back clothes with good behavior and dancing is still important.

But where does the now Dance Queen fit in?

Ok.   So, there's a debate raging in educational and political spheres about whether or not "intelligent design" should be taught in science class as an alternative theory to evolution.

What is your take on the debate?



Some reference material:

In this world of elightenment and technology, we have an infinate number of ways to communicate with those around us.  Is it any wonder that we all still have communication problems.

"I didn't understand you."
"I don't understand you."
"Thats not what I thought you said, at all."
"I'm joking."
"I'm not joking."
"Isn't that what you meant?"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"What do you want me to say?"
"I shouldn't have to tell you."
"Oh, that's what you meant."
"What are you talking about?"


Name ten ways You communicate.  (I bet once you get going, you'll have trouble choosing only ten.)

1000 words.  What words does this one make you say?

Topic for the very first Technology Thursday is web standards and web browsers.

Roughly 80% or more of people browsing the web use Internet Explorer, or IE. On the other hand, the latest IE today is functionally the same browser it was two years ago, while web standards have evolved. Fans of more up-to-date browsers, such as Firefox or Safari claim IE is arhaic, and IE's popularity is holding back web development. On the other other hand, the other 80+ percent of web browsers are happy with the way things are and are not planning on switching to another browser anytime soon. The web is their oyster; it has been optimized for their browser. They are the majority, and they feel they should be treated as such.

Many sites are only Windows Internet Explorer 6 compatible and won't work with any other browser. Most of these sites are internal/intranet sites. Some sites work with any browser, but look good only with browsers that support specific features or standards not found in IE. Some sites use non-standard IE tags and only look good when viewed with IE.

Should web designers wait for the next major version of IE to be widespread before taking advantage of some of the newer standards? If a site is functional with any browser, is it acceptable to make the site more attractive or user-friendly for users of a specific browser(s)?

Our Wednesdays will be for political discussions.

Topic for today is the French riots currently raging in Paris and its suburbs.  What is your take on the reasons for the riots?  Do you think the French government & police are doing a good job dealing with the riots?  What do you think this says about religion and government?



A little reference material:

The riots were sparked on October 27th when two teenagers of African Muslim decent died scaling an electrified fence.  The one survivor says they were running from police because they were near the scene of a crime and feared they would be arrested.