Microsoft Employee Pens The Worst/Best Corporate Blog Post Of All Time

Your Childhood Is Now Fully Ruined! Paused Cartoon WTF’s!!

Maybe that next Xbox won’t require a constant net connection!

It’s been a mess of rumors and angry gamers since the first hint of the next Xbox, code-named Durango, would require a constant internet connection. A connection not only for online multiplayer, not only for updates but also to play games. Of course the cynic in us felt it was also a way to block used games, the “always on” component either way has been an irritating thorn in all our sides.

Thanks to recent reports at The Verge and VGLeaks, we’re now hearing that the constant connection will be only for the push of media content. Durango will still play games offline, without the need for the internet. It also seems the likelihood of Microsoft using this as a means to slit the used games market’s throat is pretty low.

The origin of the rumors seem to stem from the already out there dev units needing the connection. There was some mention of a possible second Xbox device needing a full-on connection. Of course we don’t know anything for certain as Microsoft won’t respond to rumors. We just have to wait until the alleged unveiling in May.

Police Informed a Mother About Her Son's Death Over Facebook

On January 24th, Ricky Lamb was hit by a car and killed. His body sat in the morgue until Valentine's Day, though, because the incompetent local police only contacted the family over Facebook. It took a month for Lamb's mother to find the message.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the ordeal of Anna Lamb-Creasey, who had no idea what had become of her son. Apparently, the authorities couldn't figure out how to find a woman who was desperately looking for her son, so they opted to send her a message over Facebook. Because Creasey isn't friends with the cops on Facebook, the message was filtered to the often ignored "Other" folder. Why didn't Creasey pay attention to message? Because it looked like spam. The message was sent by an account under the name "Misty" with a photo of the rapper T.I. as the profile shot.

So an official police communication was sent from a social media account using the name of a pornbot and the photo of a convicted felon. How could Creasey have possibly ignored the message?

It's bad enough to learn that your son is dead. The police could at the very least do their jobs by finding the next of kin. Or if they're going to be lazy, they could at least send the message from an official account. Or better yet, they could do their jobs and not communicate a tragedy in the coldest way possible. [Atlanta Journal-Constitution via Daily Dot]

Caviar Vending Machines Are Perfect for the Tycoon on the Go

Ever found yourself in the mood for some caviar but didn't have quite enough time to stop off for some on the way to your private jet for a trip to your own personal island? Me neither, but apparently someone has, because they invented the caviar vending machine.

The machines dispense $500 per ounce caviar along with mother of pearl spoons and all the other paraphernalia required for proper enjoyment of the delicacy. These vending machines—or "ATM's for caviar" if you want to be less pedestrian about it—have shown up at a trio of upscale malls in Los Angeles. It's hard to imagine many people who would be keen on eating caviar from a vending machine in a mall no less, but they probably only need a few sales to break even. Better start saving up. [LAMAG via Boing Boing]