HT: AOTS

I had not paid much attention to how to workaround the paywall, as I had already implemented a simple workaround–use Incognito Mode in Google Chrome (or the equivalent setting in a modern browser of your choice).  After some time of successfully using this workaround, though, I decided take a deeper dive into how to solve this. Needless to say, thanks to reddit and some tools already at my disposal, the solution is pretty simple.

Some of you who read this might complain that I am stealing content.  I would counter by stating that I am just leveraging technology to take advantage of a feature in the paywall that Tribune Media has invested in.  I would also reply with the following image:

Interestingly, many of the sites that implement this paywall technology–Press+ from RR Donnelley–admit to knowing about the existence of a workaround to the paywall.  They explain it away, however, by stating that the technical knowledge required to do so is too much for the average user.  In other words, most users are too dumb to realize how easy it is to get around paying for a digital subscription, so we will profit from the dumb.

Following the very simple how-to below, however, shows this to be pretty easy to implement.

1. Install Google Chrome (if you have not done so already).
2. Go to the Chrome Web Store, and search for Adblock Plus for Google Chrome (Beta).  Install the extension.
3. Once it is installed, go to the wrench icon to the right of the address bar, then click Tools|Extensions.
4. Select the Options link for Adblock Plus.
5. Click on the Add your own filters tab.
6. In the text box next to “+ Add filter,” paste the following filter:
   div[id="gregbox-overlay"]
   Click the “+ Add filter” button once done.
7. Repeat the previous step for the following filter:
   div[id="gregbox-wrap"]
8. Once done, open up a new tab to baltimoresun.com.  Enjoy paywall-free browsing, and feel free to say with me "SUCK IT, Tribune Media!"

Thankfully, the Internet exists to rediscover things like this.  After viewing the link on YouTube, I was reminded of the scene from "The Big Lebowski" where The Dude is discussing his visit to Malibu.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Perfect way to start a Monday morning.

Among the progressive, forward-thinking citizens, there stands a great cancer.  A type of human that has not evolved like the rest of the race--the Douche.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I cannot resist the lure of lining George Lucas' pockets with more of my hard-earned dollars in an effort to recapture that which so captivated me in my youth.  Sarcasm aside, even with this being the Lucas-tampered versions of the original trilogy, I am certain to enjoy it in all its high-def glory.

I continue to be fascinated as to how easily the new Speaker of the House is moved to tears.  What better way to share those tears than to cry alongside Don Draper and (shudder) Glenn Beck.

I could not resist.

Fortunately, someone has yet to ask me to write down anything important I see on the Internet.

Do we really need to know what device you used to reply to my email?  Furthermore, do I need to see it in every reply in an email thread?  The same behavior is not done when I use the fat-client on my desktop, and it is certainly not done when I happen to use my Blackberry.  Imagine how annoying it would be if every reply to an email contained my standard email signature.  Better yet, imagine email replies containing "Sent using Outlook 2007."  This issue has been exacerbated by the preponderance of iPads being used at the most senior levels within my corporate master, and an email I received this weekend was the last straw.

By all means, show off your overpriced iPod Touch groundbreaking computing device, but do us all a favor: turn off the signature that says "Sent using my device of the moment."  Your signature is doing nothing but displaying an overbearing sense of pretentiousness and self-worth by advertising your device as a status symbol to the rest of the "unwashed masses."  So, please, turn it off!