The Yak’s Interview with Big Brother 13’s Shelly Moore!

The Yak had the opportunity to interview Shelly before being whisked off to the jury house. Keep reading to see what she had to say!

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The Yak: The Big Brother fans at YakkityYaks can see what a pressure cooker the Big Brother House truly is, but we never had the chance to experience it. Can you tell us now, first hand, how it felt to be trapped in the house with strangers, and how stressful it really was?

Shelly: Absolutely – it is absolutely and emotional train wreck in there. In real life, when you have emotional ups and downs, you have things you can use to diffuse the emotions. Inside the Big Brother house there is nowhere to escape. When things go down, you are right in the middle of it and you have no privacy to put things in perspective. And there is a lot of downtime and there are people who use that time to stir the pot and just get things going. As a fan watching over the years, I never realized how stressful it really is. In the house, you can never turn your brain off. Anytime you see people talking, you automatically assume they are talking about you, that they are talking game, etc. I’ve cried more in the Big Brother house than I have in my entire life! However, I’ve learned more about myself and for that, I will be forever grateful.

The Yak from Forum Member Hapyhouswf: How did the strategy you were going to use before walking into the house differ from the strategy you actually used in the house? Was the way you played both sides in the game your original game plan?

Shelly: Actually, going into the house yes. My gameplan was to align immediately with the veterans. And I knew my forte would be to be social with everyone in the house, to be helpful to everyone and someone people could turn to. And wanted to stay on good terms with both sides in case I needed to switch. Having a good social game was good when I couldn’t do as well in the competitions. I was a bit of a manipulator, not necessarily in a bad way but trying to be a sounding board to everyone and to use the skills I’ve obtained in my career to manage both sides in a way that could be beneficial to me in the game.

The Yak from Forum Member Yellowdog: Do you feel that Jeff and Jordan’s outrage for you was unwarranted?

Shelly: Yes, I do. I think what resulted from a game move was only looked at as a personal move. I think its very important to remember that we were playing a game and it wasn’t personal. My adoration for them hadn’t changed. I just needed to make a game move to knock out a strong competitor. I think when people step back they will understand what I did. But it was difficult because we became good friends. At the end, we were all competing for half a million dollars. If the tables had turned, I wouldn’t have blamed them because they were also competing for half a million dollars. But, I know it’s the emotional pressure from the house. Jordan apologized later for her reaction.

The Yak from Forum Member kmteach: Why did you campaign so hard to keep Daniele in the game? Do you believe that move now is the reason for your eviction?

Shelly: I thought if I could keep Daniele, her and I could move through with her skills in the game and my social ability. I thought we could begin to get rid of Rachel and some of the others in the house. Daniele and I had become close and she played a completely different game and I saw a side of her that I appreciated. If I had not voted to keep her, I wouldn’t have exposed my intentions and caused the fall out with my alliance.

The Yak from Forum Member kmteach and Sphinx: Our fans would like to know why you took Rachel’s stuffed dog, why did it take you so long to return it, and how do you feel about those actions now?

Shelly: I took Rachel’s stuffed dog after she told a bold face lie. Rachel cares more about stuffed animals more than people. Sometimes when you take something special away from somebody it shows her real colors. I thought I would take the game, see how Rachel reacted and if she could make a change and think more about people than stuffed animals. I was angry and trying to play a trick on her. It was childish, but was it fun? Heck yeah!

The Yak: If you stayed in the game last night and won HOH, who would you have put up? If who you put up won the veto, who would you have put in their place?

Shelly: I would have put up Kalia and Porsche. If one of them won the veto, Rachel would have gone on the block.

The Yak: What would you say is the best thing you experienced while being in the house? What was your worst experience (other than being evicted of course.)?

Shelly: My favorite part was solitary confinement and being able to hear the voices of my husband and my sweet baby girl. My least favorite was having to make the decision to turn on my alliance or not. In the real world I am somebody who would never turn on friends and people and knowing I would hurt somebody was tough and it was hard to look into the eyes of someone you care about knowing that you hurt them.

The Yak from Forum Member Sassygal: What do you think Josie would be most proud of you for accomplishing and what she be most disappointed in you for doing?

Shelly: I think she would be most proud of how I treated people in the game and how I tried to take care of them and show them a good side of the person that I really am – little things like pulling Porsche aside and reminding her that she is on national TV and thinking of the impression she puts out there of herself. I know she’d be happy I kept her puppy with me the entire time.

She would be most disappointed that I hurt a friend. As an 8-year-old, what they understand is friends, keeping friends and doing the right thing for a friend. I don’t know if Josie realizes as much that this is a game about money. I think she would be hurt that I hurt Jeff and Jordan and she will ask me why I hurt them since they are friends. And certainly I teach my daughter not to lie. It is a game and I struggled with having to lie to get by.

I hope my little daughter is proud of me though. I hope I represented my husband and daughter with class.

The Yak from Forum Member 19wingz: What is the ONE thing you want to be remembered for in the game of Big Brother?

Shelly: I hope people remember Shelly for the person that I am. I hope they see the moments where emotion shined through and how much I cared about people. I hope they remember that I am a mom who played the game, and I actually played the game and made moves and talked the game and learned about everyone.  I know people will remember that I was the one who cleaned up, but I don’t want to just be remembered for that. I hope I played the game the way the average fan out there watching the game would have played – as one of the fans out in America.

Thank you Shelly! It was a pleasure watching you on Big Brother this season!

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Well, what do you think? Let us know below, then come on into the forum HERE where you can submit your questions of the next evicted Houseguest!

*Please note: All questions submitted to us were asked as usual, but were either edited or removed by CBS for game purposes.

The FBI Meets with Shelly Moore over Death Threats

Shelly Moore’s family has now met with the FBI in regard to the death threads made to Shelly and her family over the phone and e-mail, received after last Thursday’s Big Brother double eviction. After reviewing the information Moore’s family put forth, the Feds have determined there was no “credible” threat to their well-being.

Many of the calls they had received specifically targeted Josie, Shelly’s young daughter and her employer had received threatening calls as well. This sparked our story HERE, and Executive Producer Alison Grodner to tweet to the fans of the show to stop the harrassment, pointing to our story, and saying “No matter how much you dislike an HG, this is wrong! True BB fans do not try to ruin lives. Please stop!”

The family and the authorities are still monitoring the threats to make sure they are safe.

Shelly may be the next evicted Houseguest from the show this evening, joining Jeff, Daniele and Brendon in the jury house. If so, the hate for her should die down I would imagine.

In the meantime, The Yak will be interviewing the next evicted Houseguest tomorrow, either Shelly or Adam, and we are taking your questions! If you would like to ask a question, come post yours HERE before 10pm Pacific tonight, 9/1/11.

Some Big Brother Fans Go Off the Deep End

UPDATE 8/28/11: The Yak scoops TMZ, who has now picked up our story (conveniently leaving out the link to our article in Big Brother Executive Producer Alison Grodner’s tweet). Sources close to Shelly say that Shelly’s family have been receiving death threats from fans and threats against her 8 year old daughter. Shelly’s employer also says they have been receiving harassing phone calls demanding Shelly be fired immediately. Sources say Shelly’s family will be getting the FBI involved, as they are taking the threats very seriously.

The Yak states again, it’s ok to hate how Shelly plays the “GAME”, hate the things she might say or do in the BIG BROTHER HOUSE, but leave her and her family outside of the show alone. I know it’s a minority, but whether you want to pretend it isn’t happening or not, it is happening.

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I write this article in utter disgust. Absolute, total, UTTER DISGUST.

I, along with many people here, are huge fans of Big Brother, the reality show on CBS. Most recently, many fans lost the captain of their “team” on Big Brother, Jeff Schroeder. The blame of this loss is projected on Big Brother Houseguest, Shelly Moore, who turned on what was her alliance, and friends, Jeff and Jordan.

Jeff and Jordan have many, many fans. In fact, between the two of them, probably the largest fan base of any Houseguests on Big Brother. The only other Houseguest that comes close in un-official Big Brother 13 only polls, like the one on this page, is Daniele.

Recently in the news, we have been hearing about the violence between fans at Football and Baseball games, leading to some beatings, shootings and sadly, deaths, and we thought that was vile. Some Big Brother fans have taken it to whole new level, and the Yak couldn’t hold his tongue on this any longer. It’s sickening, not funny, and is literally psychopathic behavior.

**Click the pics in the article to make larger.**

[singlepic id=623 w=320 h=240 float=left]Today, a Facebook page has creeped up entitled “America Hates Shelly Moore.” Fair enough, the fans of Jeff and Jordan want to “vent” on Facebook, so be it. However, it has been taken to such a sick level that I am just in awe of the lunacy in people. I will not be posting the link to this Facebook Page here. If you want to see it, if you want to join it, look it up, or, go to Jokers where they are touting this hateful speech on their front page. **See Picture above**

[singlepic id=621 w=320 h=240 float=right]The hate speech has gone to a whole new level. People are posting phone numbers and e-mails to Shelly’s work, urging others to call to get her fired from her job. They are urging people to help get Josie, Shelly’s young daughter, kicked out from her school. They are posting Child Social Service numbers, and asking that everyone call them to report Shelly as a child molester to have her daughter taken from her, and they are wishing violence on her and their family. Why? Because she helped to evict someone they like on a Reality Game Show. It is a reality game show right? I mean, I am starting to think it isn’t anymore. I am beginning to think this is real life… like Shelly just killed these lunatics mother or child. It’s sick, and so wrong on so many levels, I just don’t understand it. Is Shelly the new Casey Anthony? This is crazy, sick and wrong.

[singlepic id=620 w=480 h=350 float=center]I am not a Shelly fan. I have not been a Shelly fan since day one. Her style of gameplay, her style of manipulation, the way she has gone about getting as far in the game as she has rubs me wrong. That’s an opinion. If you feel like you want to get her fired from her job, her child kicked from school, or you want her dead, then the Yak seriously suggests that you seek some mental help because it is truly, TRULY unhealthy. Even Jeff and Jordan would not only be very much against what you are doing, but they will HATE YOU for it. Know that.

This is giving Jeff and Jordan fans a really bad rap right now, and I really hope they will stand together, and “dislike” that page on Facebook, urge your BB friends to dislike that page as well, and try and keep the vitriol to a minimum as it is ONLY A GAME. IT IS NOT LIFE. Liking that page and posting hate there only incites these crazy people, giving them fodder to do more damage to a person, who at the end of the day, is a character/contestant we may not like on a reality show and will not affect us personally once the show is done. She will be forgotten along the likes of others we couldn’t stand. One should also ask that favorite site of theirs, if it is such, to take it off their front page, as promoting that hate is just wrong on any level.

Please, help to make it stop. We all love this show, and are avid, passionate fans. Don’t let that passion turn this ugly.

[Photo has been removed per TVGrapvine.com Request]UPDATE: An article on TVGrapevine is now endorsing this behavior as well, and jokers promoting their article. The article discussed the fight between Jordan and Shelly seen on the feeds after the eviction, and discussed how when a contestant on the show goes bad, that the internet viewers will use what they have at their disposable, the web, to fight back.

Second UPDATE: I would like to issue an apology to TVGrapevine. I received an e-mail from TVGrapevine this morning, defending themselves on their posting, saying that it was written by a member and not the views of the TVGrapevine team.  In fact, they now have, as of this morning, an article on their own front page denouncing the violent conversation about Shelly. Unfortunately, all the Big Brother sites do not have 100% control over what our members post in our forums. They now have a retraction at the bottom of the article discussed in the previous paragraph, stating “**** There is no where within this piece that says TVGrapevine or the writer supports the America Hates Shelly More Face Book Page. As a matter of fact the writer left out the URL on purpose the the terrible face book page.”

That said, they have also decided to attack us personally, YakkityYaks, and myself, touting “bad punctuation” of this article (in a badly punctuated article of their own) and that this article was written for self-promotion. They also say that we aren’t allowing comments on this post. Comments are open and free for anyone to put in their input. Them saying we are not allowing comments on this is an outright lie. Feel free below.

I would also like to apologize that the punctuation in this article is not perfect. The point of this article was not to write a dissertation of Reality Show Viewer’s psyche of the Id vs. the Idiot to be read over by Sigmund Freud, but to stop the insanity of wanting to do harm to a Reality Show Contestant and her family. If one chooses to read anything other than that into it, well, that’s ones own interpretation.

I am glad, however, to see that this article did incite some of the other sites to follow our lead in trying to put a stop to the Shelly Moore hate. Bravo to TVGrapevine for joining a very good cause since this article was written. This was my soul purpose. TVGrapevine has a Facebook Page Now: Stop the Shelly Moore Hate – I urge everyone to join it!

***Response to the comments below: This article is in NO WAY indemnifying Je/Jo fans! I said that Jeff and Jordan fans are getting a BAD RAP for this, (and they are) because the violent hate began after Jeff was evicted, and Shelly and Jordan got in a fight when the feeds came back up. This isn’t to say that it’s all Je/Jo Fans doing this. Let’s be clear about that.

In addition, regardless if Shelly hid a stuffed animal, had an argument with Jordan, doesn’t stop the conversation from Porsche about Rachel, leaves her child at home to go on a show, etc. etc. by no means should incite people to call Child Services on her family, try to get her fired, or promote any other violence to her or her family. If a person thinks that what she has done on a reality show deserves that, well then, this is who this article was written for.

You can dislike Shelly and the way she plays the game, the arguments with Jordan, and any other antics in the BB House all you want, just help to put a stop to the other madness going on. It’s just not right.

The Yak’s Interview with BB13 Evictee Jeff Schroeder!

The Yak had the pleasure to interview the latest victim of elimination, Jeff, following a grueling double eviction night in the Big Brother House! Keep reading to see what he had to say to our members questions, before being driven off to the jury house!

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The Yak: We have a lot of fans of yours over here at YakkityYaks! We fans can see what a pressure cooker the Big Brother House truly is, but we never had the chance to experience it of course. Can you tell us, first hand, how it feels to be trapped in the house with mostly strangers, and how stressful it really is?

Jeff: The “strangers” part you get over quickly.  I like meeting new people – that wasn’t stressful.  The daily grind is stressful…very stressful.  The fun part is meeting everyone…the stressful part is living with them.

The Yak: Had you met Dick, Daniele, Rachel and Brendon outside the house previous to this meeting, and did you like them?

Jeff: I spoke with Dick several times before coming back on the show.  I liked him…you know what you are getting with him.  I never met Brendon and Rachel or spoke with them and I had met Daniele one time before briefly at a party.

The Yak, from Forum Member TheKdd: It was very ironic that both you and Daniele agreed that there were many players in the game that never stood up and did something for themselves, rather you both had to get your hands dirty. Many of us were hoping you two would have teamed up. Looking back, do you think there was anything you could have done more of that would have put you two on the same side of the house?

Jeff: I would have loved to team up with Daniele. I think we think alike, but after she tried to backdoor me for no reason, I could never trust her again.  It would have been stupid on my part to take that chance.

The Yak, from Forum Member KaysarRocks and CR: You and Kalia were discussing the Harry Potter book, and the fact that, originally, he was written to be a gay character, and your reaction to that. Can you clarify for the fans what you meant as it didn’t seem you were able to really express what your views on that was.

Jeff: My hesitation was not regarding the fact that he was gay…my point was that you cannot send your 8 year old kid off to a magical fantasy land…regardless of whoever is in charge. I would not send my kid off to a fictional, magical land.  It came off wrong and I apologize for that, but again, that was not my intention.

The Yak, from Forum Member Hapyhouswf: Unfortunately, you got got again. Anything you wish you had done differently?

Jeff: Yes – lots of things.  I wish I wasn’t painted as a target.  I wasn’t comfortable with that role and it ultimately led to my demise

The Yak, from Forum Member SassyGal: What was the best thing about returning to the Big Brother House? Other than eviction, what was the worst thing about returning?

Jeff: Best thing – 2nd opportunity at a once in a lifetime experience.
Worst Part – how stressful it is and how your mind plays tricks on you.  You feel yourself changing while you’re in the game.  A lot harder this time around.

The Yak, from Forum Member Kristin: Will you remain friends with Shelly outside the house? Will you pursue working with her?

Jeff: I thought I would be and I want to say that it’s all just a game, but for Shelly to do something like that to me really hurts — past the game level.  Right now, it stings, but we’ll see how I feel at the finale.

The Yak: If you had stayed and won HoH last night, who would you have put up and why?

Jeff: Kalia and Porsche – because I wanted to get floaters out of the house.  Shelly might have been in the mix because of what went down, but likely Kalia and Porshce.

The Yak: Who at this moment would you like to see join you next in the jury house?

Jeff: Shelly

The Yak: If you have the chance in the future, would you do it all again?

Jeff: You have to give me at least 6 months before I can even talk about BB.

The Yak: If you could start this season over again, what would you do differently?

Jeff: Wish I wouldn’t have been a target.

The Yak: Thank you Jeff! You are most loved over at YakkityYaks! Our fans are hoping to see you soon!

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Well, what do you think about Jeff’s responses? Let us know below, then come on in and join us for all things Big Brother in the forum HERE!

The Yak’s Interview with BB13 Evictee Daniele Donato!

The Yak had the pleasure of interviewing the latest evicted Houseguest Daniele this morning, before she was off to the jury house. Keep reading to see what she had to say to our members questions!

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The Yak: We have a lot of fans of yours over here at YakkityYaks! We fans can see what a pressure cooker the Big Brother House truly is, but we never had the chance to experience it of course. Can you tell us, first hand, how it feels to be trapped in the house with mostly strangers, and how stressful it really is?

Daniele: After I got out last time people would always ask me if it feels like you are in jail and my answer is no. It feels like you are stuck in a mental institution. That is why the have not room is so fitting this year. The Big Brother House is an emotional roller coaster. Words cannot express truly how emotional it is in there.

The Yak: Had you met Jeff, Jordan, Rachel and Brendon outside the house previous to this meeting, and did you like them?

Daniele: I met them all for a minute at Big Brother events, but I didn’t get to talk to them long enough to develop a real opinion on them. I wish I had.

The Yak, from Forum Member kmteach: Would you have kept your deal with Jeff and Jordan, not putting them up as initial noms or a replacement, had Jeff not broken the deal first?

Daniele: Yes, unless it meant putting up Kalia. I was never going to turn my back on her.

The Yak, from forum member Sphinx: A lot of our members are baffled about Porsche not washing her hair and how greasy it appears on the feeds… What’s up with that?

Daniele: We were have nots all week and had to take cold showers. She figured she could go one week without washing her hair.

The Yak, from Forum Member CappieSux: As bad as Rachel can be, would you have teamed up with her and gone to final 2 with her?

Daniele: Teamed up yes… to the final two… no. I would have never turned my back on Kalia.

The Yak: Really late last night, it looked like Rachel may vote to keep you. What happened between the time you woke up this morning, and the live show?

Daniele: I thought I was staying until an hour before the live show. Shelly blew up at Jeff and I looked at Porsche and said, “I’m going home.”

The Yak, from Forum Members KaysarRocks, SassyGal, and hwl4wlfmn: You stated that you wanted to make a big move with the backdoor Jeff plan in week two. Do you regret pushing for it so much now?

Daniele: No. If it would have worked it would have been a great move. Unfortunately, it didn’t and I tried to make the best out of it.

The Yak, from Forum Member SassyGal: Why do you think America voted Brendon back in the game?

Daniele: Either America hates me, America loves drama or his Mom voted more than anybody else in the country.

The Yak, from Forum Member CR: Why do you think your dad left early, and are you happy you had a chance to be in this season without your dad?

Daniele: It was a new experience playing without him. Both where great experiences in their own way.

The Yak, from Forum Member CR: If Jeff and Jordan had been split up in week one, or even when you were pushing for it in week two, do you think you would still be in the house?

Daniele: Yes.

The Yak, from Forum Member Hapyhouswf: Do you regret not taking the deal with Brendon or backdooring him over Jeff?

Daniele: At the time I thought it was the best decision for myself. I saw Brendon as my biggest threat.

The Yak, from Forum Member hwl4wlfmn: Rachel teasing you constantly, we saw, got on your nerves. Do you think she may have gotten the idea by the torment your dad is known to cause?

Daniele: I don’t think it had anything to do with strategy. I think that is actually who Rachel really is.

The Yak, from Forum Members hwl4wlfmn and Hapyhouswf: We know you don’t like to play this game personally, but it seemed personal once Brendon and Rachel said no to the backdoor Jeff plan. Was it?

Daniele: Absolutely not. Brendon and Rachel were the biggest threats in the game. When I was working with them they weren’t threats to me but once they turned on me they became threats to me. I had their backs 100% and they didn’t have mine. Why would I work with them after that?

The Yak: Do you think you could have turned Adam earlier in the game had you used the Donato card much sooner?

Daniele: I thought Adam had more of an appreciation of this game being such a big fan. Week three when I tried to back door Jeff it wasn’t only to get Jeff out it was to save Adam. I should have just let him go.

The Yak, from Forum Members TheKdd and Terpkings: Many of us absolutely LOVE the way you dress, (and the male fans think you looked very, shall we say, lovely on your eviction night. (HOT)) Can you tell us females where you get some of those great clothes?

Daniele: Thank you very much! I kind of shop everywhere. My style is hobo sheek. I really like vintage stores and Urban Outfitters.

The Yak, from Forum Member TheKdd: It was very ironic that both you and Jeff agreed that there were many players in the game that never stood up and did something for themselves, rather you both had to get your hands dirty. Many of us were hoping you two would have teamed up. Looking back, do you think there was anything you could have done more of that would have put you two on the same side of the house?

Daniele: I did everything I possibly could to try and team up with Jeff. He just wasn’t buying what I was selling.

The Yak: If you had stayed and won HoH last night, who would you have put up and why?

Daniele: I would have put up Adam and Jeff with Jordan as the replacement if one of them came off. One of those three people need to go.

The Yak: Who at this moment would you like to see sitting in the final two? Who would you like to see join you next in the jury house?

Daniele: I would love to see Kalia, Porsche or Shelly go far in this game and I would love to see Adam come through the jury doors right after I do.

The Yak: Thank you Daniele! You have a lot of fans here at YakkityYaks! It was a pleasure!

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What do you think about Daniele’s answers? Who do you think she will vote for at the end? Let us know below, then come join us in the forum HERE for all things Big Brother!

Stay tuned for the Yak’s Interview with Jeff coming shortly!

Random Thought Thursday! I LOVE the Muppets! Ok Go!

I don’t have many random thoughts today. I stayed up way too late watching the crazy Big Brother Houseguests flipping back and forth and causing drama. Yep, they went to bed at like 5am, after much drama, and me sitting there with my head spinning. Now, they’re all sleeping in the HOH room. Can’t they do this drama during normal people hours?

But I digress. For my poor tired brain, I need entertainment, and Ok Go’s new video is absolutely perfect for this kind of day. I liked this so much I thought I should share. So, here is my share for the day. Let me know what you think below!

Webtastic Wednesday!

It’s Webtastic Wednesday! This is the day the Yak shares what he has found most interesting on the web recently. Enjoy!

We all got stuff.

Are you looking to get new stuff, swap some old stuff, or just do something with your stuff? Are you tired of all the Craigslist crap, the Newspaper Classifieds or the ebay fees and shipping? Well, look no further, there are new sites popping up to help!

First up is Pawn Go. Pawn go is an online Pawn Shop, as the name implies, and allows you to do all your pawn dealings from the comfort of your own home. You can pawn for a loan, getting your items returned to you at the end of the term, or just straight pawn your stuff, up to you. In this economy, I would imagine pawn shops are doing pretty good business.

Swap.com is, well, a swapping site. You enter what you have, and what you want, and they match you up with someone who wants what you have and has what you want. It’s that simple. There are however, shipping fees, but you can search local to avoid that.

U-Exchange: So imagine that you are looking for someone to paint your house, and you are, say, an accountant. Enter U-Exchange. You just put in what you do, what you want done, and that’s where the matches begin. Are you willing to do the taxes of Joe Bob the Painter, in return for him painting your house? There are no fees associated with this site (unless the exchange includes property), they make their money off Ads. Nice way to save.

Hackers Hackers Hackers

Whether you agree with it or not, hackers have been doing some notorious scandalous things as of late.

The Hacker group ‘Anonymous’ recently attacked the San Francisco Bay Area’s Rapid Transit website, in reaction to them shutting down cell phone and wifi service during a protest over a police shooting in the area. However, unknown hackers have now taken it a step further. So much so that the group ‘Anonymous’ do not want anything to do with it. These new, unknown hackers have broken into the Bay Area’s Rapid Transit (BART) Police database, and have posted all their info online. This means Police Officer’s names, e-mails, password, home addresses, phone numbers etc. are available for all to see. According to BART, they have forwarded all evidence to the FBI.

Speaking of hacking, be careful who you steal from! Recently, someone stole a laptop. Yeah, happens every day right? Well, this laptop belonged to a hacker. Actually, to a man named Greg Martin, an IT Security Specialist who used to work for the FBI and NASA. Well, Greg had recently installed some tracking software called PREY, a FREE open source program on his Macbook. According to the website, the software “lets you keep track of your phone or laptop at all times, and will help you find it if it ever gets lost or stolen.” Within two days, Greg knew pretty much everything about his thief, including his name, school, address, IP, and even his Facebook ID number. He passed this info to the cops, who raided the guys place, and back came Greg’s Macbook. WTG Greg!

When was I in New York?

Apparently, I was in New York a few days ago, and I was just driving along, minding my own business. I was apparently going way too fast too, and the NYC Police nabbed me, electronically… or so says the e-mails I keep receiving. The e-mails have an attachment (that includes a nice little bonus trojan) all about the ticket I got, according to the e-mail. Course I haven’t opened the attachement so other than the trojan, I couldn’t tell you about any other contents. So, for further reference, don’t open any attachments talking about your New York Speeding ticket.

Another one making the rounds appears to be from UPS. The e-mail address is almost the same as the one above (from New York) and tells you your “parcel” has been shipped, and to open the attachment for details. No one will send you something like this with an attachment. It will always be a link to the UPS website, or the store website you purchased your item from, so don’t open that one either, unless by parcel, they meant trojan, and you want one.

Wikileaks

I will leave you this week with this. You decide what you think.

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Let us know what you think below! Have a website or video you would like featured? Have a friend that owns a website or made a video you want featured? Drop us a line!
(If you are reading this article in the forum, CLICK HERE to view the video.)

Tech Tuesday! Get All Caught Up in One Day!

It’s Tech Tuesday! Here are your quick little tech updates, all in one place!

Netflix: Streaming, Charging and the Kiddos

Let’s begin with Netflix. As you may already know, Netflix is raising their prices for their streaming/DVD out plans. Well, this is our way of reminding those of you that wanted to switch their plans before the changes take affect, better get to it. The price change takes affect for current subscribers on September 1st. Time to get those DVD’s back you had sitting around for months! I myself am canceling the DVD Service, and will just stick to streaming. If something new comes to DVD that I just have to see, then I guess RedBox will be getting my business. In the meantime, for the geeks out there, check out the nifty PBS Documentaries Netflix has streaming. I can vouch for the FDR and Huey Long Docs as being pretty interesting.

Another Netflix note: Netflix is currently testing a “Just for Kids” interface that will allow kids to browse for streaming content by character. Users that were selected for this beta test will notice a new tab on the main menu of their accounts located between the “Watch Instantly” and “Browse DVDs” tabs. Clicking the characters will bring up choices that feature that character. Sounds pretty great for parents who have to shuffle the kids around on errands. No word when it will be available to all.

iReadersDigest, iPad 3, iPhone 5 = iWantThemAll

Starting in September, Readers Digest will launch it’s digital subscription just for iPad users. Print subscribers will be able to receive their first 6 months free, but thereafter, will have to pay the regular non-print subscriber rate of $1.99 per issue, or $14.99 for the year. I know, you younger set think Readers Digest is just so old school, but I still subscribe, if only for the short articles that you can read when, well, you know when. Is the iPad about to take over the bathroom magazine rack?

Speaking of the iPad, rumor has it the next iPad version, iPad 3, is scheduled for release around February, 2012. Yep, right after Christmas, just like the iPad 2. I’m not real sure why Apple keeps pushing the latest and greatest AFTER the holidays, but I am assuming it’s to try and get rid of it’s previous version inventory as quickly as possible. I won’t make that mistake again. (Damn you iPad original!)

Which leads us to Apple, again. Did you run out and grab the iPhone 4? Well, of course, here comes iPhone 5. It’s just a rumor for now, but a report stemming from a Japanese website puts September 8th as the next Apple Media Event Day, which they believe Apple will launch the iPhone 5. Although in the past, Apple traditionally released their newer version of iPhone at the summer Worldwide Developers Conference, they didn’t this year, leaving speculation that Apple will announce at the September Media Day, usually reserved for their new iPod releases.

Mice!

Since Apple’s “Magic Mouse” has been released, it doesn’t seem like companies have been paying that close attention to that little gadget we use every day, until now. Two mice have hit the market recently, and both are very interesting, in their own very unique ways.

First the Microsoft Touch Mouse. Exclusive to Windows 7, this mouse scrolls like a dream. A three finger swipe will minimize all your windows, the two finger swipe will minimize the window you are in. The biggest difference between this mouse and the Apple version however is it’s feel. Testers say this mouse fits in your hand perfectly.

Our next mouse innovation is the USB Optical Mouse with Pocket Digital Scale. Yeah, you heard me. A mouse with a mini scale built in. The mouse offers a precise scale with a range of 0.1 to 500 grams allowing you to weigh small objects laying around on your desk. Perfect for the jewel thief or drug dealer on your Christmas List. http://usb.brando.com/usb-optical-mouse-with-pocket-digial-scale_p02420c037d15.html

Bedphones

Can you just see the informercial for these? Picture a man, tossing and turning dramatically in bed, trying to listen to music to sleep by. His ears aching for the dastardly large headphones he is wearing. Introducing Bedphones! The amazingly thin and tiny headphones designed to put you to sleep. That’s right, for only $29.95 you too can stop that horrible ear ache you get from those unsightly headphones you use when trying to sleep. They are less than 1/4″ thick and about as round as a penny. They ear hooks are made from moldable memory wire for all your comfort needs. The headphones are compatible with all devices that have a standard headphone jack, and come with a Satin eye mask and a travel case. Course if there were an infomercial for these, getting the eye mask and travel case would mean you would have to call within the next 15 mins… Aside from the corny infomercial we may see in the near future, these are pretty cool.

Yo 911. Cn u hlp me plz?

FCC Chairman, Julius Genachowski, announced a plan last Wednesday to update the 911 technology to include texts, photos and videos, along with a way to track the location of such communication. 911 Operators think this is a great idea, but without a way to track where the text or video came from, it will be useless. The Chairman is trying to implement that feature first.

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That’s it for this week! Are you going to grab the iPhone 5 or the iPad 3? Are you cancelling Netflix because of the price hike? Let us know below!

It’s Melodic Monday!

I know, it’s been quite awhile since you have seen one of these. With Big Brother running it’s course, it’s really hard to focus on anything else. Alas, I was in a musical mood today, so I thought I would just throw this up there.

Since it has been awhile, and since I haven’t yet found any great new artists to love, I thought we would do a throw back this week of one of my favorite songs, by the master himself, Elton John. This song will forever be a staple in my music life. Enjoy.

If you know of some upcoming artists that may like to be featured here, drop us a line! (Visit our contact us page HERE) We love featuring the awesome unsigned artists out there that just need some exposure!

Now grab yourself your favorite drink, and enjoy the next 10 or so minutes of greatness and be sure to let us know what you think below!

If you are viewing this from the forum, CLICK HERE to watch the video.

The Yak’s Second Interview with Brendon from Big Brother 13

The Yak had a second opportunity to interview Brendon, the latest, two-time evictee from Big Brother 13. See below what he had to say!

The Yak, from Forum Member Yellowdog: You were voted back in, only to be sent back out a week later. How are you feeling now that you have been evicted 3 times from the Big Brother House?

Brendon: The third was definitely the hardest, but I really look at it from the standpoint of a blessing to be able to go back in for another week to comfort Rachel and recharge her fighting spirit.

The Yak, from Forum Member KaysarRocks: Why did you get so upset that Jeff wouldn’t vote for you to stay, when you knew it’d be useless and a tie vote?

Brendon: Because we had been in an alliance since day 6 and we were a big part of the reason that Jeff hadn’t gone home or had been a target by Dominic if we had allowed him to stay.

The Yak, from Forum Member Kristin: Everyone talks behind others peoples backs in the Big Brother game. Why do you complain about people talking behind others’ backs when you and Rachel do the same thing?

Brendon: Everything that Rachel and I have said behind people’s backs we have said to their faces.

The Yak, from Forum Member CR: Now that the game is nearly through, we know you must be thinking of your upcoming wedding! Would you want your wedding to be televised?

Brendon: At this point, I would love for our wedding to be paid for, but I also want it to be very special and I don’t want it to be a spectacle because Rachel and my marriage is forever and not just some made for TV special.

The Yak, from Forum Member 19wingz: Did you plan on adjusting your game plan should you have re-entered the Big Brother house? If so, what was your new strategy?

Brendon: Not really. My game is always going to be the same no matter what big brother season I am in. It is going to be to win as much as I can and to align myself with people who will keep me safe if they win, but other than that I am always going to be a huge target in the house.

The Yak, from Forum Member 19wingz: If you could be remembered for ONE thing during your time in the Big Brother house, what would you like that to be?

Brendon: Using the POV on Rachel.

The Yak, from Forum Member Sphinx: Our readers would like to know more about your future plans with your Ph.D program and your Master’s. What do you hope to study, and what would you like to focus on in your career?

Brendon: I will be focusing on positron emission tomography imaging and the application to pharmaceutical drug therapy for cancer patients. Eventually, I would like to work in a pediatric cancer patient setting, something along the lines of St. Judes.

The Yak, from Forum Member yellowdog: Did it frustrate you that Rachel was unable to control her emotions in the game?

Brendon: At times, but if she was anybody else I wouldn’t love her like I do.

The Yak, from FB Member Shauna: If you could go back and do anything different, what would it be?

Brendon: I might have confronted Daniele about her plans to backdoor Jeff before we went to Jeff and told him what was going on.

The Yak, from FB Member Shauna: In hindsight, do you think that throwing Jeff & Jordon under the bus to Daniele was a mistake?

Brendon: Not at all. I know that Jeff had already struck a deal with Daniele the first week that Rachel and I had gone up.

The Yak: Who would you like to see Rachel try and evict from the house?

Brendon: At this point, I think I wouldn’t mind seeing Jeff be evicted.

The Yak: Thank you Brendon!

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So, did you expect these answers? Let us know what you think below, then come on in and join us for all things Big Brother in forum HERE!