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Notes augmented

We've enhanced and de-bugged Notes. If you haven't tried it yet, now's the time! You can create a private note when you ban multiple users. You can also delete multiple notes at once. Lastly, paid users have the option to add a note (visible only to you) whenever you add or remove a friend (guaranteed to avoid embarrassing social mishaps). If you don't currently have a paid account, you can upgrade now! It only takes a few minutes and costs less than a bad shopping mall haircut (plus, it's way more fashionable)!

Product tweaks and bug kill

  1. In another effort to zap spam, comments containing links from domains LiveJournal deems untrustworthy are now automatically screened
  2. If you sign up to get notifications of the Writer's Block question of the day, you'll now see the daily question in the email notification, so you'll have a little extra time to ponder before you post. You can subscribe to Writers Block notifications here
  3. The issue causing random comments to vanish has been fixed!
  4. If you visit a LiveJournal page and get prompted to log in, you'll be returned to the same page after you sign in (Thanks, Dreamwidth)!
  5. If you don't edit the timestamp for an entry at all, the entry timestamp will indicate the time the entry was posted instead of the time the Update Journal page was loaded
  6. Comments with paddings/backgrounds render correctly within the comment box (and will no longer wrap outside the box and break frames/margins)

New FCK fixes rich text editor!

  1. We've updated our RTE (Rich Text Editor) to FCKeditor version 2.6.5
  2. When switching from the RTE to HTML editor, links for syndicated feeds are no longer broken
  3. RTE now functions properly in Safari 4.0
  4. An extra line/space will not be auto-inserted whenever you switch from RTE to HTML editor
  5. The insert image link now works correctly in all browsers

LiveJournal Cares

We’re pleased to introduce you to [info]lj_cares, a new LiveJournal community dedicated to raising awareness and funds for U.S. charitable organizations that improve the health and well-being of people around the world. Each month, we’ll spotlight a nonprofit that is making a significant global impact through medical research, public outreach, and/or humanitarian social programs. Charities will be selected in accordance with the U.S. calendar of national health observances based on a high rating (of over 60%) on Charity Navigator and global scope of impact.

In this, our inaugural month of November, we will celebrate national adoption month by offering a charitable virtual gift (priced at $2.99) to support Love Without Boundaries, an organization that saves the lives of orphans with life-threatening diseases and places them in loving homes around the world. LiveJournal will donate 100% of the proceeds from the sale of charitable vgifts (we'll cover the cost of credit card transaction fees). To learn more about Love Without Boundaries, please visit [info]lj_cares and read about how they helped save Baby Kang and the Rainbow Twins from fatal illnesses, who are now thriving in nurturing families. You can purchase your Love Without Boundaries gifts in the Virtual Gift shop.

Papered in postcards

A couple of weeks ago, we asked you to send in postcards to surround us with LiveJournal community. Thanks for coming through! We've received postcards all the way from Germany, Finland, and Canada and from all over the US, including Texas, Florida, Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, Indiana, Hawaii, and Oklahoma just to name just a handful. We're thrilled with our improved decor.

Please keep the love coming for one more week by writing to Frank the Goat, Esq., c/o LiveJournal, Inc., 539 Bryant Street, Suite 210, San Francisco, CA 94107. Be sure to include your username, since we'll be drawing the names of ten random contributors next Thursday to win paid account credits!

Photos of the week

We have more dazzling images posted by talented LiveJournal photographers from around the world. We're hoping to span the entire globe, so please continue posting and tagging. Of course, you can also sit back and enjoy the view at [info]lj_photophile.

You can see a sample of this week's gorgeous photos and check out spotlight communities and awesome user content after the jump!

Read more... )

Curtains

We thank you, once again, for joining us. See you next week!

 
 
 
On Saturday the 14th at 4AM UTC/GMT we will be upgrading the operating system of our network load balancers to a newer version, one that will allow us to use both CPUs! Nifty, because multiprocessing is nice.

Since we have 2 load balancers, the plan is to upgrade 1 at a time, and there really should be very little impact to our website. Hopefully you won't notice a thing and I'll get to go back to the hotel and watch some wonderful late night infomercials.

We've got a lot of exciting projects coming up for 2010 and we're hoping that we'll be able to deliver them all to you, that you will find it useful/cool/lovely and then you will use the site even more. Behind-the-scenes work like this will give us the capacity to handle the anticipated traffic, so expect a few more maintenance windows especially in the beginning of next year as we've got some neat ideas to improve performance around here! We had the recent 30-45 minute outage yesterday due to one of our logging databases filling up disk space -- not so great design coupled with my human error in handling the initial problem -- and it looks like we're going to finally have some resources to eliminate stuff like that. I can't wait!

As usual, I will be updating status.livejournal.org before and after, just in case you are not able to reach our main website during the work.
 
 
11 November 2009 @ 02:27 pm
I'll be sending a thank you card to a Korean professor and would like someone to correct what I've written below. I'm sure it's mega awkward.

Thanks in advance!


권선생님께

저는 Fulbright* 지원 도움에 감사드립니다. 이월에 한국위원회가 지원을 논평하면
알리겠습니다.

What I want to say/write:
Dear Dr. Kwon,

Thank you for helping me with my Fulbright application. I will let you know in February if the Korean committee will be reviewing it/the application.

Fulbright= 플러브라이트 ?? I still have trouble with "Konglish".

Also, what's a good way to end a letter/note?
 
 
Current Mood: busy
Current Music: "Let Me Hear Your Voice"- BB
 
 
 
11 November 2009 @ 01:29 am

"She’s already forgotten about me, completely erased. Why can’t I do that?"

Artist: 2PM
Song: Heartbeat
Nationality: Korean
Genre: Pop
Summary: A song about not being able to forget a lost love even though you know you need to

My Opinion: .... I don't know. There are parts of this that I love and parts that make me want to repeat WTF over and over again. When the video first started I was completely mesmerized (the hotness, the tears, the overwhelming emotion, guh) and then it was like a roller-coaster ride after that. My biggest fear is that this is not good enough to get them back on top. Their own fanclub is boycotting them and this is not amazing enough to bring in new fans :/ I mean I love these boys so much and my own feelings about the song still reduce down to "meh". The song is okay but there are parts of it that sound terribly out of tune and their rapping doesn't have the rhythm and flow it used to (I'm looking at you Nichkhun). The upside is that Wooyoung & Junho get more singing parts and they sound phenomenal! Wooyoung just brought a whole new level of sexy this time around. Unfortunately this also means that Junsu sings less and is pretty much just stuck with a few lines in the chorus and some ad-libs. The choreography is okay but it's nowhere near the level of "10 Points' or "Again & Again" and there are some moves that are utterly ridiculous. I got second-hand embarrassment watching them do stuff like crawl around on the floor and twitch as they sunk down. I do love the zombie/puppet part because it's unique and fun to watch. The acrobatics at the end were good too but they seem to be severely lacking (in technique and enthusiasm) without Jaebum. While the song and video have their good parts to balance out the bad, I don't get the clothes and hairstyles at all. Those patterned suits need to be burned so they never see the light of day again and the ponytails just undermine the serious of everything. How am I supposed to get into the angst and emotion when I keep thinking about Eunhyuk during his "Pajama Party" days every time I look at Nichkhun and Junho? However Chansung, Wooyoung and Taec are so sizzling hot that they overrule the craziness. Also, even though I think the overall song is mediocre, I LOVE the chorus. Both musically and choreography wise. I'm still sort of overwhelmed by everything but I know I'll probably end up watching/listening to it so many times that I'll stop being bothered by the weird parts. My 2PM bias is too strong for me to resist a new release after such a long (and emotionally painful) absence. I'm not sure what the future will hold for these boys but I'll definitely be cheering them on. Also, if you need help matching names to faces, check out the member guide here.

*I will resub this when the HD version is released

Download links, thumbnails & credits under the cut )
 
 
 
10 November 2009 @ 07:14 am
Basic Info
Name: Beka/Bixy (whichever you like best)
Mother tongue: English (American)
Language(s) I'm learning: Welsh
Skill level: Utter Beginner. :D
Can people contact you if they want to practice your mother tongue? Absolutely.

IM programs
AIM: archangelet

Voice chat
Skype: bekarose
Google Talk: evie@beyondtherift.com
Phone number: +1.607.216.4585

Pen pals
Email address: evie@beyondtherift.com
Home address may be given if we get on. :)

Anything else about yourself you'd like to add: I have a deep love for the Welsh language, though I'm only just starting to properly learn it. Also, my program is focusing more on being able to speak/understand Welsh (I'm using the Rosetta Stone program right now), so my grammar and spelling are likely to be pretty off. On the English-speaking side, I'm fluent in American English, though I actually tend to write/speak in a sort of mix of American and British English. My spell check IS set to British English, so most of the spelling differences between the two, I will let you know now, is more likely to be on the British side of things. That said, I'd love to help anyone with their English (I'm a writer, and I tend to be good with grammar), and anyone who'd like to chat with me in Welsh is welcome to, though my current skill level pretty much extends to things like, "Mae'r merched yn rhedeg."
Tags: ,
 
 
 
09 November 2009 @ 09:49 am
[info]sixwordstories
Whether you're in the mood for a creative challenge or you're short on time or attention span, this semi-addictive community is perfect for those who find flash fiction way long. Once you get the hang of it, you won't be able to stop. The prince turned into a frog. The girl ran home to mother. Tough to write. Easy to read. It's a double threesome of fun.
 
 
09 November 2009 @ 09:46 am
[info]dailyfoodie
Delicious, ambitious, and occasionally nutritious dishes make for an eclectic, all-you-can-eat feast. Whether you're searching for recipes for your next dinner party or you're jonesing for a late-night brownie fix, your cravings are sure to be well sated. A warm and inclusive community that welcomes all orientations, from carnivores to vegans, from gourmands to junk-food junkies. Guaranteed bias-free, food-positive, and pan-epicurian.
 
 
08 November 2009 @ 09:46 pm


full set )


as promised here is a zip of all the pics and gifs posted in the spam post. enjoy! :) ♥
 
 
 
07 November 2009 @ 03:50 pm
avi, 640x480, 63,2 mb | download on MF
from sment@youtube
ripped, converted & uploaded by me ^^



please find a second to say thank you, if you take it! and credit properly if reposting!
enjoy and support the boys! ^^
 
 
06 November 2009 @ 11:24 pm


full size )

for those of you who might have missed it, yesterday's spam post is still open and will remain open for the next day or two before i put together a zip so you guys don't have to worry about saving any of the pics or gifs. :)
 
 
06 November 2009 @ 07:56 pm
I should probably know how to say this by now - alas I don't know much of your conventional "traveller's" Korean usually taught in textbooks *prefers to devour grammar books rather than workbooks*

How might you go about asking a shopkeeper or clerk to buy something? Would it literally be "I want to buy this, please", or more along the lines of "Please give me x", as I've heard before? I ask because I'm in contact with native speakers tomorrow and don't want to fudge everything up and make a fool out of myself. ♥

감사 for any suggestions!
 
 
Current Music: F.T Island: 바래
 
 
06 November 2009 @ 11:39 pm
여러분 안녕하심니까?

A while ago I knew of a website where you could watch short news clips in Korean. They had transcripts along with them and I found it tremendously helpful; however, I've lost the website address and can't find it again. I think the videos may have been Nocut News, but I'm not sure. Does anyone else know what I'm talking about and if so, do you know where it is?

Alternately, any suggestions for other sources of Korean listening material that also have transcripts or subtitles? I'm specifically looking for so-called authentic materials, like news clips or movies, rather than material tailored to second-language learners.
 
 


The empire strikes back

In recent weeks, we've taken huge steps towards blocking spam accounts on LiveJournal. In fact, we've suspended as many as 30,000 accounts in a single day! We've implemented several pre-emptive measures to prevent the creation of spam accounts, and we've honed our detection of suspicious content. Spam bots are a crafty lot, so we'll continue to refine our tactics and keep up the good fight to keep you safe from spam attacks on LiveJournal.

RSS feeds again

If you're addicted to [info]xkcd_rss, [info]icanhaschzbrgr, or other syndicated feeds, we're pleased to report that we've resolved the update error that was mucking up your RSS feeds. While content was being pulled correctly, it wasn't being posted to the feeds themselves. Late last week, we finally nailed down what we hope was the root problem, so content should post properly. We thank you for your patience.

Wii have killer CSI Deadly Intent contests!



[info]c_s_i

If you're a gamer who loves CSI, have Wii got news for you! [info]c_s_i is sponsoring killer contests. Simply post a question to a member of the CSI crew. The winner will get a free copy of CSI: Deadly Intent for Nintendo Wii (with a retail value of $39.99) and get their question answered by a member of the CSI writing team! There's also a fantastic monthly contest. To enter, join [info]c_s_i, play the online version of CSI: Deadly Intent, and respond to a two-part query for a chance to win a Wii! Entries will be judged on composition and originality. Sorry, but you must be a U.S. resident and over 18 years old to participate. Check out the rules here.

Enveloped in postcards

Last week, we asked you to send in postcards to help us decorate our drab concrete walls. Here's a photo of the results so far! Thank you so much and please keep them coming! You can mail them to Frank the Goat, Esq., c/o LiveJournal, Inc., 539 Bryant Street, Suite 210, San Francisco, CA 94107. Be sure to include your username, since we'll be giving ten random users paid account credits.



Photos of the week

If you haven't visited our new LiveJournal photo community, you're in for an amazing visual trip. LiveJournal users from around the world will take you on a scenic journey to everywhere. Post your own pictures or kick back and enjoy at [info]lj_photophile. You can view some of this week's awesome photos after the jump. Please start tagging with geographic location, since we'd like to track all the places around the world represented in this community. Keep on commenting too!
Read more... )
 
 
05 November 2009 @ 10:44 pm


~THIS IS A SPAM POST~


since most of us are feeling a little anxious these days (i know i am) i thought lets have a jaejoong spam post to cheer us all up! :)

so go ahead bbs and comment!spam the entry with ~jae luurve~ and tomorrow i'll up a zip of all the pictures posted. ♥♥♥

happy spamming. :D ♥
 
 
05 November 2009 @ 12:45 pm
I've been reading a lot less since the drama happened but this was the most recent book I've picked up.
And of course, this entry will definitely stick out amongst all my others since it's about a book but never mind.
Anyways,  I loved Philippa Gregory's books since I started reading 'The Other Boleyn Girl' a few years ago and I've definitely enjoyed her Wideacre series as well as her books 'The Constant Princess' (on Katherine of Aragon)  and 'The Boleyn Inheritance'  (on Anne of Cleves and Katherine Howard). But her last 2 novels have been disappointing. I didn't really enjoy 'The Other Queen' cause the story dragged but I was looking forward to this book cause it was on the Planteganets - my latest obsession xD

True to other Philippa Gregory books, the main character is female: Elizabeth Woodville, wife to Edward IV/ She's been always accused of being a witch since she was a mere commoner when she married the King and also because her family is rumoured to have descended from a French water godess. I just couldn't get into this book even though the author uses more history than fiction and this book deals with 2 interesting events in English history - the War of the Roses (the White Rose - Plantagenets vs the Red Rose - Tudors) and the mystery of the 2 Princes in the Tower.

2 things I liked about the book though. 1) Philippa Gregory once again brings in conspiracy theories :D She suggests thet Prince Richard didn't die in the Tower and Elizabeth swapped him with a changeling. I tend to side with most of her theories and this is no different. From what I've read about Elizabeth Woodville's character, swapping her son with a changeling to at least try and preserve the Plantaganent line seems to be more in line with her character than the other version - her claiming that she gave her son to Richard III out of momentary madness or something
2) The curse. Elizabeth Woodville and her daughter Elizabeth of York (who later marries Henry Tudor to become Queen of England too) places a curse on the murderer of the rightful heir to the throne - the young Prince Edward who was supposedly murdered by Richard III.
The curse goes like this 'Our boy wast aken when he was not yet a man, not yet king- though he was born to be both.So take his murderer's son while he is yet a boy, before he is a man, before he comes to his estate. And then take his grandson too, and when you take him, we will know by his death that this is the working of our curse and this is payment for the loss of our son'
A little background information: Prince Edward was kidnapped by Richard III when he was travelling back to London to claim his throne after his father Edward IV died. Richard III (Edward IV's brother) proclaimed himself King instead. His messangers somehow managed to convince the fallen Queen, Elizabeth Woodville to hand over the young Prince Richard too and locked both princes up in the Tower of London. Both princes later mysteriously disappeared  and historically, there have been 2 possible people behind those murders - Richard III or Henry Tudor.
In the book, Richard III's only son dies shortly after the curse was placed, leading Elizabeth Woodville to speculate if Richard III was the murderer. However, I just realized that if you were to read the curse properly, the author seems to make Henry Tudor the most likely murderer instead. Richard III's son died of an illness and Richard III himself later died in the battle of Boswoth without an heir. BUT, Henry Tudor, later Henry VII's first born son - Arthur Tudor died of an illness and his grandson, Edward V died young too. Both died before they were men, before they could come into their estate, which makes me wonder if Philippa Gregory planned it this way cause in the book, Richard III warns Elizabeth Woodville and Elizabeth of York that they may regret the curse. Oh the irony of it all if Henry Tudor was the true murderer because Elizabeth of York just cursed her own son and grandson.

Everything here is just my speculation though. Speculating about the book was more fun than actually reading it, which is sad ): I actually enjoyed Posie Graeme- Evan's trilogy which also covers the war of the roses even though her books were more fiction than fact.

Okay, I'm going to end the entry here before I start going off into my history-fanatic tangent again :/