Facebook just announced a new tag today, the fb:random tag. From their website:

“Fb:random allows the developer to input a series of tags, of which 1 or more will be shown randomly. Each item can have a weight and the tag can be specified to show more than one of the choices. Each option should be wrapped in an fb:random-option tag.”

You also have the option to assign a weight to any of the tags. So it looks like you now have the option to, with pure fbml, to include random items in your profile. Expect to see many more non-Flash 8-balls, dice, and random quotes in the near future on your friends’ profiles.

Okay, I’m really only doing this so I can beat Phil801 in Google ranks for “facebook developer utah”, but after talking to Paul Allen today it came up that I am the only result for “Facebook Developer” in Utah on LinkedIn. It is a new technology, only a month or so old, but I’m sure there are more than just me. If you are interested in consulting for your Facebook app, please contact me – I am definitely considering moving in that direction.

Speaking of Paul Allen, I have noticed he and I seem to be on the same page. I just recently looked at his blog, and while I was aware of his Facebook API Excitement, it seems we’re blogging in parallel, as he shares my excitement for Google Gears (notice I wrote mine first ).

Recently, I don’t know if it was because I didn’t have air conditioning or a swamp cooler for a week or so in 100 degree+ weather, or if it just broke, but my Xbox 360 started crashing in the middle of video games with 2 red blinking lights. I’ve heard about the 3 red blinking light thing, which evidently is some “unknown error” that Microsoft doesn’t want to explain. 2 red lights supposedly means it’s overheating. So I took advantage of my warranty, and decided since Microsoft had admitted their consoles were broken anyway I would send it in.

When I called to get it fixed they promised me a 4-5 business day turn around time – I thought this was excellent service and had no problem with that. Well, after 2 weeks I decided to call and they said they had changed it to a 3 week turn around time. Then, after not receiving it one week later, I called and they said they had turned it to a 4-5 week turn around time. I wasn’t happy about it (my Xbox is my Media Center, my Tivo, and my all around client for entertainment – expect a future article on this), so I spoke to a supervisor. The supervisor was able to send notice to the repair center to just send out the next fixed console they had available, and within 4-5 days later I had received my fixed console. I guess the new warranty/pseudo recall has them busier than normal, considering they’re losing billions on it.

I have to admit, I’m impressed with the new unit. The decibel level is way lower than before, and actually bearable this time. It doesn’t seem to work as hard to keep cool. I don’t dare open it up and void my warranty (unless someone wants to buy me a new Xbox (wink, wink)), but I hear they add at least 2 new heat sinks to lower heat emissions with their latest fixes. Who knows, but overall I’m satisfied (minus the wait time and false estimate) and very excited to finally finish Halo 2 before Halo 3 comes out.