In English, "Cat Caster"

I keep hearing about a site called "Chatroulette" The premise is breathtakingly simple. The site will randomly connect you to somebody else using the site. From there, you can see and hear them via webcam, as they can you, plus there's a large text window. The controls are simple as well. Three buttons for "Next", "Stop" and "Report". That's it. I spent a total of about ten minutes trying out the site. It was exactly what I expected.

Cock. *Next*
Jailbait. *Next*
Blurry. *Next*
Cock. *Next*
Blank. *Next*
Some chick. *Next*
Three young dudes playing xbox. *Next*
Cock. *Next*
Tits. *Next*
Black screen. *Next*
Jailbait. *Next*
A teddy bear. *Next*
More cock. *Next*
etc.

In other words, it was like the early days of CUSeeMe, ISPQ, ICUII, etc. The difference is that you have no control of who you will be connected with, and there's no way to find them again if, by any stroke of luck (no pud pun intended) you actually strike up a conversation. Plus, of course, more than likely the person on the other end will have clicked the "Next" upon seeing your face (or other body part, for that matter).

If nothing else, it's nothing more than a Flash-powered comic diversion. YMMV.

For anyone who has had a dog

That is, for anyone who has had a dog for a good, long time. Here is a downright wonderful little essay called "Why old dogs are the best dogs." Written by Gene Weingarten from the Warshnin Post (who is one of my favorite columnists when it comes to human interest stories), I think this short essay captures perfectly exactly what it is about dogs when they get older and, as he says, how we all can learn from them. This piece is spot on, and I dare someone to read this copy and not feel at least a little wistful. I know some of you reading this have lost a beloved pet recently (gentle wave @ dan4behr), and I think this little essay sums things up nicely why we feel close as we do to our pets, and perhaps this might give non-pet-owners some insight on our attachment.

The article is here. ( Also behind this cut in case the article vanishes. )