I attempted to view a trailer today for an upcoming Ben Stiller / Jack Black feature (title) but was unable to pass the Web site’s required validation.*

Upon entering the Web site, a visitor is presented with a basic age-verification form - basic except for one feature: Instead of using simple client or server-side validation of the form fields for age, the Web site passes your entered information to a third-party verification system that attempts to match your information with government-based data (stated on the Web site). I’ll dig into who the data provider(s) are, as well as the third-party provider at a later date.

I know my zipcode, my own name and of course my age - unfortunately, the information in some backend database did not match, and therefore I was unable to watch the trailer. Not earth-shattering as it’s just a bloody video trailer; however, it raises the point with me that why have a verification system if you’re going to use information that is not explained as to its source. A “government issued ID” is what I have - a passport and a driver’s license. Of course, my passport doesn’t hold my zipcode, and my driver’s license zipcode apparently doesn’t match what’s in their system.

Completely worthless in my opinion.

* I have since found a direct link to the .swf file on Digg.com - this makes the entire validation scheme even more useless.

Update: On another note (related to the film itself): Is that a black Robert Downey Jr? Yep, it is.

So Safeway had a coupon in today’s paper - 5 boxes of Life Cereal (or Cinnamon Toast Crunch) for $5. That’s right - $1.00 a box for enough cereal to last us the rest of the year.

I’m not a big cereal person, especially not with milk, or in the morning. But five boxes for five bucks - even with me rejecting those “spend money just because it’s on sale” scams, I couldn’t resist.