As promised, I forthwith eat my unkind words about Sony from the other day. Evidently the premium gift cards are just that and not the only way that Sony is going to sell digital music. I still think they have made a pricing mistake with their gift cards, but that's just my opinion. I say buy the CD if it is going to cost just as much. I can then rip it to any bitrate and/or format I want.
Now we don't know the price, but Sony would be well advised to not charge more for their a la carte MP3 than the other labels. That is generally between $.79 and $.99 apiece. In light of the rootkit fiasco in 2005 (that seems to still be mentioned in every article about Sony DRM, this one included) there is still a lot of hate and discontent towards the company amongst the CD buying and MP3 buying public.
This time I'll wait and see what they do before I rant. I just hope they don't screw it up.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
CES: Asus to super-size the wee Eee
The sub-sub notebook market is booming, thanks in no small part to Asus. Now it seems they are filling the niche in the hopes of having something for everyone, especially those who found the EeePC just a bit too minimal.
Besides Asus' models, there are several others, including the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) XO device, combined in almost instantly giving legitimacy the market segment.
I think it is fair to say that sooner or later a lot of us are going to be looking at this type of device for ourselves.
Jack
Besides Asus' models, there are several others, including the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) XO device, combined in almost instantly giving legitimacy the market segment.
I think it is fair to say that sooner or later a lot of us are going to be looking at this type of device for ourselves.
Jack
New rootkit hides in hard drive's boot record
The most interesting thing about this rootkit is that it attacked systems unpatched for about 2 years. That's how long ago Microsoft patched the flaw being used as the attack vector. If you are up to date on patching, this really isn't a problem for you.
Once again; the moral is patch, patch and patch.
Jack
Once again; the moral is patch, patch and patch.
Jack
Here comes Origami 2.0
Paul Thurrott's Super Site has some thoughts on the second iteration of Microsoft's "Origami" initiative. The first one was a real yawner, though I found reason to be optimistic over it's possibilities. Since then, Microsoft has obviously been hard at work to counter all the competing schemes, such as Nokia's Internet Tablet and the Asus EeePC.
Microsoft is not going to take the success of those other sub-notebook devices lying down. They're obviously on a war footing over this one and I think they might just put out an OS and software for some compelling machines this time around.
Jack
Microsoft is not going to take the success of those other sub-notebook devices lying down. They're obviously on a war footing over this one and I think they might just put out an OS and software for some compelling machines this time around.
Jack
AT&T and Other ISPs May Be Getting Ready to Filter
"Network-level filtering means your Internet service provider – Comcast, AT&T, EarthLink, or whoever you send that monthly check to – could soon start sniffing your digital packets, looking for material that infringes on someone’s copyright."
I don't engage in the kind of activities that would be filtered but this is scary to me, none-the-less.
I don't engage in the kind of activities that would be filtered but this is scary to me, none-the-less.
What's a Widget Worth?
Advertising, advertising, advertising. I'm a little sick of ads cluttering up everything I do on the web, but the link will take you to a fascinating article at Business Week's site in which they discuss monetizing Facebook and other such sites. It really is interesting and short enough to be worth your time.
Jack
Jack
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Welcome to Open Voices
It is the Linux Foundation's new podcast. Naturally, the first episode is an interview with Linux creator Linus Torvalds. I'm downloading that now and looking forward to hearing it. But the real attraction to this series is that over the next few weeks, they will do interviews with a number of open source and Free Software luminaries, including Ubuntu creator Mark Shuttleworth.
This is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Jack
This is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Jack
Apple's flash sub-notebook rumours fuelled
Not really being of the rumor-monger sort, myself (please; no comments that might shatter my fragile self-esteem) I can't really understand why this rumor grabs so much mindshare with me. I guess because if Apple does it, the new "sub-sub-notebook" idea gains complete legitimacy in the market. That would please me greatly.
Anyway, here's a bit of gasoline tossed on the spark.
Jack
Anyway, here's a bit of gasoline tossed on the spark.
Jack
» Geeks.com not so ‘Hacker Safe’ | Zero Day | ZDNet.com
"On December 5, 2007 that customer information, including Visa credit card information, may have been compromised."
If you’ve been a Geeks.com customer in the last year you may want to monitor your credit report.
This is the company we have a link to on our web site.
AlaskaJoe
If you’ve been a Geeks.com customer in the last year you may want to monitor your credit report.
This is the company we have a link to on our web site.
AlaskaJoe
Sony Offers DRM-Free Digital Downloads?
If this is the only way Sony is going DRM free, this is crazy! Do they think people only download to get an mp3? People download so they can get the single they want, to get instant gratification and to get a price break. Sony, pure baloney, again.
(If in the near future they do offer DRM free downloads as singles at reasonable prices, as other labels are doing, I will take the above statement back.)
(If in the near future they do offer DRM free downloads as singles at reasonable prices, as other labels are doing, I will take the above statement back.)
Monday, January 07, 2008
Microsoft admits Office 2003 'mistake'
This is a follow up to what Jack posted on this matter last week.
Have you ever noticed that when Corporate America decides what is best for consumers, they are usually proven decisively wrong?
Have you ever noticed that when Corporate America decides what is best for consumers, they are usually proven decisively wrong?
CES: BitMicro preps 832GB solid state drive for launch
Veeery Eenteresing!
Because of service life issues, I'm not sure I'm ready to accept large flash-based drives, but there is no doubt others are and that they are coming. This is just the first announcement in a long string, I'm sure. But this sort of device is coming.
Note that they didn't mention price at all.
Jack
Because of service life issues, I'm not sure I'm ready to accept large flash-based drives, but there is no doubt others are and that they are coming. This is just the first announcement in a long string, I'm sure. But this sort of device is coming.
Note that they didn't mention price at all.
Jack
Sunday, January 06, 2008
McAfee throws some FUD at the GPL
This strikes me as the funniest thing in computing since Bill Gates said no one would ever need more than 640 kilobytes of system memory. Really! I think you will find it so, as well.
It seems McAfee is like some other companies and confuse software licensed under the GNU Public License (GPL) with software in the public domain. There is a world of difference. It also seems as though McAfee appropriated some of this code and is now being held to the terms of the GPL, which require someone who distributes such software to return any improvements or changes they made to the code to the community and to publish the source code. (The two are usually one and the same.) The company is just now getting around to admitting this and, seeing as they are legally bound to the terms of the GPL (no matter they say it has not been tested in court, which is a widely held assumption and totally false) they've thought to disparage the license with that and other falsehoods.
This is a quick read and about as funny as it gets.
Jack
It seems McAfee is like some other companies and confuse software licensed under the GNU Public License (GPL) with software in the public domain. There is a world of difference. It also seems as though McAfee appropriated some of this code and is now being held to the terms of the GPL, which require someone who distributes such software to return any improvements or changes they made to the code to the community and to publish the source code. (The two are usually one and the same.) The company is just now getting around to admitting this and, seeing as they are legally bound to the terms of the GPL (no matter they say it has not been tested in court, which is a widely held assumption and totally false) they've thought to disparage the license with that and other falsehoods.
This is a quick read and about as funny as it gets.
Jack
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 01-06-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 01-06-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Links from the Gregg Zone!
1) I thought I would do a little bit on predictions after all this is the first show of the New Year. Let us start it off with a little humor with a geek bent. Enough said it is a short video clip, there are a lot more there but this on is predictions for 2008. http://www.allanjosephbatac.com
2) Next up, here are the top ten predictions from a stock market guru on the likely trends for the up coming year. Sort of wish I had something to invest in other than an hour at the casino, okay maybe a half hour. Any way this is just one of several I read through, I am just interested in the expected trends. http://seekingalpha.com
3) This one is a look back at last years C.E.S. show and how well the predictions of the show booth people came out interesting. http://www.itworld.com
4) Okay enough of that how about scientist finding alien DNA in humans here is a very interesting article about it. This one made me say hummm maybe, sounds good to me, why not. We had to come from somewhere why not the cosmos, seems we had to originate there, the only question is how we wound up here. http://ancientx.com
5) The other evening I was sitting here shooting the bull with Riley, we were toying with several subjects when one of our topics reminded me of something I wanted to look into. Several months ago, I was going to take a bus trip to
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Death of DRM Could Weaken iTunes, Boost iPod
Here's a story you've probably already heard, but the ramifications for the iTunes store may be interesting as are the possible reasons the music industry is doing this.
I've used the Amazon MP3 downloads and they are quick, easy and show up in iTunes automagically. The are also DRM free so you never have to worry about losing them as long as you keep backups against disaster. There is no reason that I can tell not to use Amazon's DRM free MP3s. The are 256 kbps so are pretty high quality and ususally much less expensive than buying the physical CD. You also get nearly instant gratification.
Be aware that the DRM free downloads are probably watermarked and can probably be traced back to you if you share one with a million of your closest friends. But putting them on the several computers on your home or sharing them on your LAN (check your settings to make sure you aren't sharing with the Internet) should be no problem.
I've done some comparisons and in most cases Amazon costs less than iTunes, however sometimes iTunes includes bonus tracks or materials for the same price. Check it out both places before you purchase and weigh the pros and cons if you are using an iPod. If you use several different players DRM free is the way to go besides buying the CD and ripping it yourself.
I've used the Amazon MP3 downloads and they are quick, easy and show up in iTunes automagically. The are also DRM free so you never have to worry about losing them as long as you keep backups against disaster. There is no reason that I can tell not to use Amazon's DRM free MP3s. The are 256 kbps so are pretty high quality and ususally much less expensive than buying the physical CD. You also get nearly instant gratification.
Be aware that the DRM free downloads are probably watermarked and can probably be traced back to you if you share one with a million of your closest friends. But putting them on the several computers on your home or sharing them on your LAN (check your settings to make sure you aren't sharing with the Internet) should be no problem.
I've done some comparisons and in most cases Amazon costs less than iTunes, however sometimes iTunes includes bonus tracks or materials for the same price. Check it out both places before you purchase and weigh the pros and cons if you are using an iPod. If you use several different players DRM free is the way to go besides buying the CD and ripping it yourself.
Friday, January 04, 2008
500-fold increase in space communications leads SETI@home to call for help
The story is at NetworkWorld's site. You can also read official press release.
Lots of our community did Seti@Home for a long time, but lost interest when the official client started keeping count of work done in a way that made direct competition to do more than the other guy harder to guage. I, personally, have kept it up, on at least a couple machines.
I would like you to reconsider lending your spare computing cycles to the project. I think it is important scientific work and hope you will, as well.
Jack
Lots of our community did Seti@Home for a long time, but lost interest when the official client started keeping count of work done in a way that made direct competition to do more than the other guy harder to guage. I, personally, have kept it up, on at least a couple machines.
I would like you to reconsider lending your spare computing cycles to the project. I think it is important scientific work and hope you will, as well.
Jack
Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification for January 2008
Patch Tuesday is coming! Patch Tuesday is coming!
That said; there appear to be only two patches of significance this month. Details at the link above.
The critical patch applies to all operating systems Windows since W2K. The important one just to those before Vista. Nice to see Vista doesn't require at least some of the patches.
Jack
That said; there appear to be only two patches of significance this month. Details at the link above.
The critical patch applies to all operating systems Windows since W2K. The important one just to those before Vista. Nice to see Vista doesn't require at least some of the patches.
Jack
Antitrust Lawsuit Charges Apple With Monopolizing Online Music
I'm not sure what to make of this, except that maybe some of the lawyers involved have too much time on their hands. Enjoy,
Jack
Jack
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Information about certain file formats that are blocked after you install Office 2003 Service Pack 3
Should you be considering installing Office 2003, Service Pack 3 (SP3), you should know that a number of previously accessible file formats will be blocked by default. This Knowledge Base article (#938810) tells you which ones and how to unblock them, should you need to. I'm posting this here because I'm betting that a number of you will need this knowledge for yourselves or others whose computers you work on.
Jack
Jack
The Sears "Community" Installation of ComScore
It's good old Ben Edelman again. A researcher from Computer Associates, Benjamin Googins, discovered this and covered it thoroughly. Edelman's researches confirm everything Googins said and offers an informed opinion as to the legality and so the morality of the Sears site's behavior. As SHC, the company that controls Sears seems also to control what is left of KMart, I think it safe to consider their site compromised, as well.
Jack
Jack
iCali | My Top 10 Gadget List for 2007
I thought this was a great list, and everything is on my wish list ;)
I'd put the drobo (though its expensive) and the evolve wireless speakers as #1 and #2.
A video version of this list can be found at GeekBrief.TV Cali's daily vidcast.
As an added plus (like you really need one :P ) there's a link to hulu invites at the link below.
--MissM
iCali |My Top 10 Gadget List for 2007
4BAY Drobo Fully Automated Sata Robotic Storage Array USB 2.0 (This is an Amazon associate link, but I plan on sharing any revenue with the bloggers here.)
EVOLVE WIRELESS Speaker system FOR IPOD,MP3 Player (same disclaimer as above)
I'd put the drobo (though its expensive) and the evolve wireless speakers as #1 and #2.
A video version of this list can be found at GeekBrief.TV Cali's daily vidcast.
As an added plus (like you really need one :P ) there's a link to hulu invites at the link below.
--MissM
iCali |My Top 10 Gadget List for 2007
4BAY Drobo Fully Automated Sata Robotic Storage Array USB 2.0 (This is an Amazon associate link, but I plan on sharing any revenue with the bloggers here.)
(This is an Amazon associate link, but I plan on sharing any revenue with the bloggers here.)EVOLVE WIRELESS Speaker system FOR IPOD,MP3 Player (same disclaimer as above)
(same disclaimer as above)
US-CERT warns of flaw in latest RealPlayer
As if we needed more reasons not to install RealPlayer!
At least this hasn't shown up in the wild. Yet. To their credit Real is checking it out. Hopefully, a patch will come soon.
At least this hasn't shown up in the wild. Yet. To their credit Real is checking it out. Hopefully, a patch will come soon.
Monday, December 31, 2007
The art of software murder
It's a rant against software bloat, and a particularly good one. I suppose we've all read enough of those, but I post this one because it mentions, indeed centers upon, Paint Shop Pro, of which Gail is an enthusiastic user. She was worried when Jasc sold out to Corel. I reassured her. Now it seems that I was wrong.
The comments on other applications are equally dark.
Jack
The comments on other applications are equally dark.
Jack
Sunday, December 30, 2007
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 12-30-07
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 12-30-07. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Links from the Gregg Zone!
1) I was reading an article titled
2) I was looking through my books the other day, thinking I would like to start a novel to read off an on, but could not find anything interesting. And so, I thought I would look around for something new. I found an author I was not familiar with, although maybe well known to a lot of you out there. Vernor Vinge referred as “The Online Prophet” how could, that! Not grab me. Evidently, in his Sci-Fi novel “True Names” he predicted the internet in 1981. I am going to look around for it on Ebay; here is a link about the author. http://www.salon.com
3) This is an interesting site for the DYI guy, or gal out there who likes to try building things, especially the off the wall type projects. I like this one quite a bit, because I am a tinkerer at heart. You can build; a solid wood clock, a welder from an old microwave, Tesla turbine from old CD’s (something to do with those AOL’s), a marshmallow gun, well you get the idea. Check it out at http://www.instructables.com
4) I was talking to someone the other day who did not know what the Hubble deep field was, that surprised me so I thought I would put up a very good link for anyone else out there who might not be familiar with the subject. Check out the video it puts things into perspective. http://www.deepastronomy.com
5) This is a link sent to me by Riley a few days ago, thanks for the trip down memory lane. Wow does this site transport me back in time to an era that defined a very large part of my life. The sounds of
Divine Disorder on the Desktop
It's an article in Technology Review about "revitalizing the tired old desktop metaphor". Now, while it probably could use a good revitalization, I'm not about to pronounce the desktop as we know it dead.
I've been reading a lot of this sort of thing of late and I find it interesting. I hope you will, too. Please either follow the link in the article to "Bumptop" or use this one.
I also found a sort of history of interactive desktops and/or Graphic user interfaces (GUIs) here that I think you might find both interesting and thought provoking.
Jack
I've been reading a lot of this sort of thing of late and I find it interesting. I hope you will, too. Please either follow the link in the article to "Bumptop" or use this one.
I also found a sort of history of interactive desktops and/or Graphic user interfaces (GUIs) here that I think you might find both interesting and thought provoking.
Jack
Friday, December 28, 2007
AOL pulls plug on Netscape Web browser - Yahoo! News
I don't many true Netscape users anymore, but it is still sad to see this coming.
HP EX470 Windows Home Server Easter Egg
Kudos to Paul Thurrott for pointing me to this. It's ridiculously cute. Besides; Windows Home Server needs a bit of good press now.
Jack
Jack
Open Source Living
I don't know how many times someone has asked me to look for an open source or Free Software app for them because they hate navigating SourceForge. (I LOVE navigating SourceForge, which is probably something I should use to build geek cred and not admit in public.)
Open Source Living is an index of the most popular and proven open source and Free Software applications around. Listings are for Windows, Macs and, of course, Linux and while not separated by OS, the listings are easy enough to get around in and understand. At least that's the mission statement. I note that the site carries a very Google-like beta tag. Still, it works fairly well and I urge you to have a look at it.
Jack
Open Source Living is an index of the most popular and proven open source and Free Software applications around. Listings are for Windows, Macs and, of course, Linux and while not separated by OS, the listings are easy enough to get around in and understand. At least that's the mission statement. I note that the site carries a very Google-like beta tag. Still, it works fairly well and I urge you to have a look at it.
Jack
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Microsoft's Windows Home Server corrupts files
Man; Microsoft certainly did not need this one. Windows Home Server has had a rather lackluster launch (to put it mildly) and though many, including myself, see a huge future for it, MS seems to be doing everything wrong.
I wonder what happened to product testing at MS? First Vista comes out half-baked and now this? Maybe they're all off shining Ray Ozzie's shoes?
Jack
I wonder what happened to product testing at MS? First Vista comes out half-baked and now this? Maybe they're all off shining Ray Ozzie's shoes?
Jack
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
IE's Acid trip back to conflict
Here is a short explanation of why one reporter sees Internet Explorer 8's passing of the Acid2 test as important. Basically, it says what I said on the show, Sunday. However, I think the author, Phil Manchester, does a much better job of putting it into perspective than I did, which makes this worth reading.
Jack
Jack
Monday, December 24, 2007
Pics of Deepak's Grandchildren
Not only pics of Tristan Jack Midha, the newest arrival, but some of Sophia Helen, who just turned 2.
Enjoy,
Jack
Enjoy,
Jack
Serious Windows Home Server concerns [Updated]
Now here is one to follow. In my very limited experience with WHS, this hasn't come up. However; it may well be device related, so don't dismiss it until we know.
Jack
Jack
Antivirus protection worse than a year ago
This will scare you a bit. The full report won't be out for a while, but the preview/peeks are bad enough.
Jack
Jack
Serious Flash vulns menace at least 10,000 websites
Your alarmist Uncle Jack has been negligent. It seems any of us who use Flash, regardless of underlying platform (here that Mac folks?) are in danger here. For now, the only thing I can think of to do is disable Flash.
There will doubtless be more details in the next few days. Expect protection from AV companies and workarounds from Adobe, if not an actual fix. (Everyone in the know seems to be betting on a combination of both, as the problem lies in something Adobe can't control; the tools used to build Flash sites.) Isn't the Internet grand?
Jack
There will doubtless be more details in the next few days. Expect protection from AV companies and workarounds from Adobe, if not an actual fix. (Everyone in the know seems to be betting on a combination of both, as the problem lies in something Adobe can't control; the tools used to build Flash sites.) Isn't the Internet grand?
Jack
Microsoft fixed borked IE update
A few people I have talked to have taken issue with Microsoft's timeline on their issuing a fix for this problem, but it is out there, it is automated if you have Automatic Updates on or it can be gotten manually. Anyway; it seems to fix the problems entirely.
Jack
Jack
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 12-23-07
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 12-23-07. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Geek Meet 2008
Hi all.
As you know, Geek Meet 2008 is scheduled for April 11-13 2008 in Las Vegas, NV.
We have started to look into the arrangements for Geek Meet this year, and due to the proposals being received, we are considering instituting a registration fee for Geek Meet this year. Please let us know your thoughts by responding to our polls on whether or not you would pay a fee, and if so, how much you would be willing to pay.
Unfortunately, if the response is that people would prefer not to pay a fee, we might be forced to find a new location.
Thanks.
Aaron
*Note: Any fee collected will be used to cover the Geek Meet expenses such as T-shirts and the cost of the meeting room for the show.
As you know, Geek Meet 2008 is scheduled for April 11-13 2008 in Las Vegas, NV.
We have started to look into the arrangements for Geek Meet this year, and due to the proposals being received, we are considering instituting a registration fee for Geek Meet this year. Please let us know your thoughts by responding to our polls on whether or not you would pay a fee, and if so, how much you would be willing to pay.
Unfortunately, if the response is that people would prefer not to pay a fee, we might be forced to find a new location.
Thanks.
Aaron
*Note: Any fee collected will be used to cover the Geek Meet expenses such as T-shirts and the cost of the meeting room for the show.
Links from the Gregg Zone!
1) I thought with Christmas only a day or two away I should find a good “Geek Gift” somewhere out there, and while I suppose a little late to get it on your list you might buy one of these with the Christmas money aunt Mary put into your Christmas card. You might have to add a few bucks of your own, well maybe quite a few, anyway check this out. The 914-PC-BOT is the first general service robot designed for digital life in the home. It is a host computer, it is a web server, it has an 80 Giga hard drive, and a Gig of Ram, and, you can program it with Linux Umbunto, or Windows XP, and there is a lot of other stuff above my pay grade. http://www.whiteboxrobotics.com
2) This is a revisit to the one laptop per child site. They have extended the give one get one program through the end of the year. Therefore, if you want to participate you have 10 days left before they change it. It would be a very nice thing to do in the holiday spirit. You might even know some one to give the one you receive, double your pleasure, double your fun, not to mention your karma. http://laptopgiving.org
3) This is a wiki site on free energy. Many (hundreds) of online free video links to sites dealing with free energy, every thing from home videos of people showing off their inventions, to professional videos, and news releases. Even crop circles displaying how to build inter-stellar space ships, analyzed, and explained if you want to build one. Being a person who likes conspiracy theories, I liked the videos on suppression. They made some good points, those who control how we get our energy, control everything. I put up a site a while back on a person running his car on water, I was wondering what happened to him, there are references here to other people doing the same thing, and they also disappeared. This site is amazing if you are into the subject, it is all here, so check it out. http://peswiki.com
4) If you are a fan of Google’s Sketchup program, this tutorial site that is very interesting, for instance you can watch someone design a tractor from scratch, step-by- step, at an accelerated rate. It is very interesting for anyone who has wanted to play around with a cad program just for fun, or design your new home for real. You could even design your own free energy system. If you have not seen it, Google’s program is worth checking out. http://www.youtube.com
5) To end the links for the week something for the space buffs out there, I ran across an article that took me by surprise. Formerly the Sun was the largest object in our solar system. Now, comet 17P/Holmes holds that distinction. An interesting read, and printed up it might even win you a bar bet, or two. http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Plexiglas-like DVD to hold 1TB of data
Finally! Someplace for John B. to put all his penguin pictures in one place!
If this debuts at reasonable prices, this puts a whole new spin on backups. Until it does, I'm staying skeptical.
Jack
If this debuts at reasonable prices, this puts a whole new spin on backups. Until it does, I'm staying skeptical.
Jack
Friday, December 21, 2007
Kaspersky false alarm quarantines Windows Explorer
"Stuff" happens. This highlights the problem with signature databases. As time goes on, they get so large that confusion rears it's ugly head. Kaspersky got on top of this one in a hurry, but some users were still affected; especially those with it set to delete rather than quaranteen files. A cautionary tale, that.
Jack
Jack
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Download details: Standalone Update Package for Windows XP Service Pack 3
"Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release Candidate"
This is a public release of XP's SP3. This is still BETA it's very close to the full version. This is 336.1MB download and I would guess Microsoft will be mailing CD's at a later date.
Maybe it can fix some of the WUD problems.
AlaskaJoe
This is a public release of XP's SP3. This is still BETA it's very close to the full version. This is 336.1MB download and I would guess Microsoft will be mailing CD's at a later date.
Maybe it can fix some of the WUD problems.
AlaskaJoe
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Patch Tuesday IE Update Goes Wrong
I ran into this yesterday, but did not attribute it to the proper cause and instead reinstalled IE, which seems to have fixed the problem, which is something you might wish to keep in mind.
However; This short article at The Inquirer will give you the basic info you need and steer you to the appropriate Knowledge Base (KB) article if you are having the problem.
It's hard to tell how widespread this is. However, it is starting to get a lot of press and may affect a lot of people or only a few.
Jack
However; This short article at The Inquirer will give you the basic info you need and steer you to the appropriate Knowledge Base (KB) article if you are having the problem.
It's hard to tell how widespread this is. However, it is starting to get a lot of press and may affect a lot of people or only a few.
Jack
QuickBooks update shreds Mac files
This story is still only about 12 hours old and is still developing in terms of what Intuit might be able to do to mitigate damage. Support is available. For now, don't install anything and hit the Intuit support pages for further instructions.
Jack
Jack
Sunday, December 16, 2007
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 12-16-07
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 12-16-07. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Links from the Gregg Zone!
1) I just ran across this site looks interesting sort of like a cross between a verbal blog, personal talk show (you can host), a Socrates café, all wrapped up in one. I will need to check into it some more, but on the surface I think it might be fun to play around with. http://www.talkshoe.com
2) Next up a site that is in process of creating a web reference for every species of life known to exist on the planet, and then to keep up with the new discoveries as they come along. Sounds easy until realizing there are currently 1.8 million known, and we add several thousand every year. The problem is cataloging them before they become extinct. http://www.eol.org
3) This is another of those free online movie sites they currently have over four hundred available. Need to sign up, but it is free. They even had Rocky and Bullwinkle, used to be a favorite of mine, especially the fractured fairy tales, and Peabody the Dog, with the way back machine. They also have many classic movies, and you can share viewing, not sure, I understand why though. http://cinema.lycos.com
4) This is an interesting link on determining the meaning of your name, just type in a name and you will get a breakdown of who you are supposed to be. The readings are interesting, and surprisingly accurate. http://www.bostonuk.com/
5) One more for those who like ghost stuff, sorry I found this to late for Halloween, but rather than wait till next year I thought I would just throw it in. It is rather extensive there are many subjects, covered in depth. I am still browsing around the site, I hold most of this stuff at arms length, but am always willing to keep an open mind. http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/
A Few Words About Flash Memory Sticks
I've spoken on the show about durability of flash memory devices several times. Because I'm often questioned by listeners and others on this subject, I decided to write a bit about it for you and sort of put it all in one place.
Note throughout that this is just my opinion and based on my experiences and those of a few people I know. This base is fairly limited and your experiences may vary quite a bit. I do walk around with a minimum of 4 at all times, carrying Windows software, Linux distros and all sorts of tools for working on systems, not to mention how-to stuff and my own documents. I use them a lot at home, as well.
Still, I have gone through a number of these things now and I think I can state rather fairly that there are some problems that can affect them.
First and foremost is heat. These devices get warm. The longer they stay warm, the more prone they are to failure, in my experience. Not total failure. They will simply lose capacity. I assume a few transistors die and the system drops that entire block from the file allocation table. Neither I nor anyone I know has had one simply die. They just lose capacity, either in small or large increments, as they age.
Because simply leaving the memory sticks plugged in to the system keeps them quite warm, I have taken to physically removing them whenever I am not either actively reading or writing from them. (Just ejecting them or unmounting them from the file system is not enough. They will still heat up if left connected.) Since implementing that little policy, I have not had one lose even a tiny bit of capacity. Obviously, I do not recommend someone plugging flash memory devices in to take advantage of Microsoft Vista's "Ready Boost" feature. You can do it, but be warned that the boost in performance is not large at all and you're going to have to replace the flash device fairly often. And if you insist in giving this a shot, there are devices specifically intended to fulfill this purpose. Buy one of those. The price premium is because they are designed to take the heat.
And you've already figured out not to leave them in the car, right? That will kill them faster than a 3 year old with a hammer.
The second enemy of memory sticks is dust. It gets into the sockets and kills connectivity. I assume what happens is that the dust is sometimes conductive and crosses connectors, but I am not sure of this. I never buy a stick that folds into it's cover. I want one with a proper cap that fits rather tightly. That way it won't collect all the different dusts and particles that lurk in my pockets and in the bottom of my toolbox and purse. (Yes, guys. I carry a purse. I simply have too much junk to handle when I move away from my home to get along without one. I just make sure it's neither pink nor patent leather and no on says anything about it.)
The third area of concern as far as reliability goes is rough handling. This is kind of a "no brainer", but even the toughest sticks I have seen are prone to damage if they are crushed. It sounds simplistic, but when we chuck these things into a bag or whatever, if we pay just a bit of heed to storing them they will not be damaged. Personally, I just put them into a side pocket and go. Back pockets are a no-no.
I've had experience now with all sorts of brands and models. I have a few favorites. Tied for first place are Memorex and PNY brands. They seem to last the best and offer the best read and write speeds, regardless of whether you buy the fast stuff or just their run of the mill. Running relatively close behind them is San Disk and their Cruzer lines especially.
A word about PNY brand. In the early days of flash memory sticks, their stuff was average at the best. The ones they made early on were in sizes of a few megabytes, and that stuff failed repeatedly on me. Since then, and especially in the last 18 months, they have really brought up their game. I hear this from everyone and my experiences jibe with theirs. I used to avoid PNY like the pest because they were so unreliable, but now will spend my own money on them and gladly so. Even at that, I do steer clear of the older, smaller PNY units; those 256 MB or smaller. I have some and I use them, but only where a quick backup or replacement is at hand. I have learned not to trust them the hard way and they never leave the workbench. It is at the least embarassing to have one fail in front of a client.
I am not aware of a "bad" brand; one that you need to steer clear of.
Jack
Note throughout that this is just my opinion and based on my experiences and those of a few people I know. This base is fairly limited and your experiences may vary quite a bit. I do walk around with a minimum of 4 at all times, carrying Windows software, Linux distros and all sorts of tools for working on systems, not to mention how-to stuff and my own documents. I use them a lot at home, as well.
Still, I have gone through a number of these things now and I think I can state rather fairly that there are some problems that can affect them.
First and foremost is heat. These devices get warm. The longer they stay warm, the more prone they are to failure, in my experience. Not total failure. They will simply lose capacity. I assume a few transistors die and the system drops that entire block from the file allocation table. Neither I nor anyone I know has had one simply die. They just lose capacity, either in small or large increments, as they age.
Because simply leaving the memory sticks plugged in to the system keeps them quite warm, I have taken to physically removing them whenever I am not either actively reading or writing from them. (Just ejecting them or unmounting them from the file system is not enough. They will still heat up if left connected.) Since implementing that little policy, I have not had one lose even a tiny bit of capacity. Obviously, I do not recommend someone plugging flash memory devices in to take advantage of Microsoft Vista's "Ready Boost" feature. You can do it, but be warned that the boost in performance is not large at all and you're going to have to replace the flash device fairly often. And if you insist in giving this a shot, there are devices specifically intended to fulfill this purpose. Buy one of those. The price premium is because they are designed to take the heat.
And you've already figured out not to leave them in the car, right? That will kill them faster than a 3 year old with a hammer.
The second enemy of memory sticks is dust. It gets into the sockets and kills connectivity. I assume what happens is that the dust is sometimes conductive and crosses connectors, but I am not sure of this. I never buy a stick that folds into it's cover. I want one with a proper cap that fits rather tightly. That way it won't collect all the different dusts and particles that lurk in my pockets and in the bottom of my toolbox and purse. (Yes, guys. I carry a purse. I simply have too much junk to handle when I move away from my home to get along without one. I just make sure it's neither pink nor patent leather and no on says anything about it.)
The third area of concern as far as reliability goes is rough handling. This is kind of a "no brainer", but even the toughest sticks I have seen are prone to damage if they are crushed. It sounds simplistic, but when we chuck these things into a bag or whatever, if we pay just a bit of heed to storing them they will not be damaged. Personally, I just put them into a side pocket and go. Back pockets are a no-no.
I've had experience now with all sorts of brands and models. I have a few favorites. Tied for first place are Memorex and PNY brands. They seem to last the best and offer the best read and write speeds, regardless of whether you buy the fast stuff or just their run of the mill. Running relatively close behind them is San Disk and their Cruzer lines especially.
A word about PNY brand. In the early days of flash memory sticks, their stuff was average at the best. The ones they made early on were in sizes of a few megabytes, and that stuff failed repeatedly on me. Since then, and especially in the last 18 months, they have really brought up their game. I hear this from everyone and my experiences jibe with theirs. I used to avoid PNY like the pest because they were so unreliable, but now will spend my own money on them and gladly so. Even at that, I do steer clear of the older, smaller PNY units; those 256 MB or smaller. I have some and I use them, but only where a quick backup or replacement is at hand. I have learned not to trust them the hard way and they never leave the workbench. It is at the least embarassing to have one fail in front of a client.
I am not aware of a "bad" brand; one that you need to steer clear of.
Jack
Saturday, December 15, 2007
BZ's '07 San Francisco Fleetweek Photo Gallery
wow! Some really incredible Blue Angel photographs from Fleet Week, which is this week in San Francisco. Thanks
to the BadAstronomer for pointing them out.
BZ's '07 San Francisco Fleetweek Photo Gallery
--MissM
my shared google reader items.
to the BadAstronomer for pointing them out.
BZ's '07 San Francisco Fleetweek Photo Gallery
--MissM
my shared google reader items.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
MikeOS
Here's something to do on those cold winter nights; make your own operating system!
In the words of the web site;
I think some of you might like this.
Jack
In the words of the web site;
MikeOS is a 16-bit operating system for x86 PCs, written in assembly language, which boots from a floppy disk or CD-ROM. It features a text-based dialog-driven user interface, a command-line, support for FAT12 (DOS) floppies and PC speaker sound. It can load external programs and has over 30 system calls. Basic DOS .COM program support is also included.
It isn't supposed to be a "general purpose" operating system. Rather, it is a teaching tool with basic functionalities. I think it is cool. It has a good reputation, too. I've downloaded a copy to fool with here at some point in the future.I think some of you might like this.
Jack
PlayForSure becomes "Certified for Windows Vista"
Huh? Does this make as little sense to you as it does to me? Frankly, it is time go to one of the legit stores that sell non DRM'd MP3s (Amazon.com for example). If you want whole CDs you can always rip them, too. But this MS incompatible changing target stuff is pretty lame. I feel very sorry for the MS partners who are trying to sell their hardware and trying to compete with the iPod and the Zune using PlaysForS^H^H^H, er, Certified for Vista?
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Rogers accused of hijacking other web pages
Canadian web surfers have been subjected to modified content as their ISP injects it's own content into http pages they have requested. This is outrageous and to be sure Canadians are duly outraged.
I'm only surprised that a US ISP hasn't done this yet (that I know of). We usually have the lead in this kind of baloney.
I'm only surprised that a US ISP hasn't done this yet (that I know of). We usually have the lead in this kind of baloney.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Amateur Time Hackers Play With Atomic Clocks at Home
This is just too darned cool!! Folks who have acquired surplus precision timekeeping stuff on eBay or elsewhere and play with it. I especially liked the home demonstration of relativity. I know you're going to enjoy this one.
Jack
Jack
Monday, December 10, 2007
Asus allows memory upgrades to EEE
The link is to a news blurb at The Inquirer rather than the Asustek web page, which seems to have been slashdotted by the rush to look at the new warranty terms. Even so, this has all the relevant details unless you're an EeePC owner who needs to print out a page for future reference.
Jack
Jack
Sunday, December 09, 2007
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 12-09-07
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 12-09-07. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Links from the Gregg Zone!
1) This is one of those “Covers it all sites”, just plain interesting reading on world oddities covering nature, people, technologies, media, and much more actually fifty-seven different subjects, a great read. http://2spare.com/
2) Next up another car of the future, but not to distant you can order one today. This car looks more like an airplane than a car; in fact, its name Aptera means wingless flight in Greek. Very cool car either all electric, or hybrid, 0 to 60 in ten seconds, 85 mph cruising speed, up to 300 MPG. http://www.aptera.com/
3) This is one of those above my pay grade sites, and I think a lot of this audience is familiar with it. But, it is new to me and I thought I should put it up just in case some of you may have missed it, and for those novice types, like me who may be listening. A device called the Bug, which is an open source modular, mobile device, kind of like a electronic Lego concept. A base unit which is a fully programmable and “hackable” Linux computer, equipped with a fast CPU, 128 MB Ram, built-in WiFi, rechargeable battery, USB, Ethernet, and a small LCD with button controls. Each Bug base houses four connections, for users to combine any assortment of BUG modules to create their individualized ultimate gadget. http://www.buglabs.net/products
Microsoft publishes detailed Vista SP1 “changelog”
Here it is, folks. The list of "stuff" they've put into Service Pack 1 for Vista. The reading is dry, dry, dry, but nowhere near so dry as the "official" Microsoft post. Though this one is rather long, it does fit on one page, where the MS one seemed to go on for eternity.
SP1 is going to be interesting. It seems to me MS has concentrated on a different set of enhancements than I would have chosen, but then I don't have all the feedback they have to help me choose stuff.
Anyway; have a look. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. SP1 is not the simple security rollup we were told it would be at first. Far from it, in fact.
Jack
SP1 is going to be interesting. It seems to me MS has concentrated on a different set of enhancements than I would have chosen, but then I don't have all the feedback they have to help me choose stuff.
Anyway; have a look. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. SP1 is not the simple security rollup we were told it would be at first. Far from it, in fact.
Jack
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Linux is about to take over the low end of PCs
An opinion piece from Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols. SJVN makes a point with real numbers, dollars and cents type, for Linux gaining a foothold the the business market.
I think the biggest problem for the Linux PC vendors if this happens, will be keeping up with the demand. Dell and HP may come back into play, if they will do something about the prices. Case in point, Dell selling the Linux loaded PC for more than the same Windows loaded PC in the UK, and then Dell pulling the Linux offering, because it wasn't selling. I would buy the one with Windows, and wipe the drive, loading my own Linux, if I had to pay more for the Linux one up front.
I think the biggest problem for the Linux PC vendors if this happens, will be keeping up with the demand. Dell and HP may come back into play, if they will do something about the prices. Case in point, Dell selling the Linux loaded PC for more than the same Windows loaded PC in the UK, and then Dell pulling the Linux offering, because it wasn't selling. I would buy the one with Windows, and wipe the drive, loading my own Linux, if I had to pay more for the Linux one up front.
Friday, December 07, 2007
UPDATED! Western Digital NAS drive blocks full access to media files
It seems Western Digital has decided for themselves what type of files we are allowed to put on our hard drives. This is a twisted tale. It started with this post on BoingBoing, then grew from there. Here is a list of the types of files it restricts access to. It is huge.
Though this is an ongoing story, I have a hard time believing a hard drive company could be so stupid as to do this to customers. We shall have to see. Other companies could follow. If that happens, this is a disaster for our freedom of use of our machines.
Jack
UPDATE; Now it appears Seagate is selling drives that are natively incompatible with Linux and Macs without a workaround being instituted. I smell a monopoly at work here and I am not happy about it.
Jack
Though this is an ongoing story, I have a hard time believing a hard drive company could be so stupid as to do this to customers. We shall have to see. Other companies could follow. If that happens, this is a disaster for our freedom of use of our machines.
Jack
UPDATE; Now it appears Seagate is selling drives that are natively incompatible with Linux and Macs without a workaround being instituted. I smell a monopoly at work here and I am not happy about it.
Jack
Substantial green benefits to running Linux
From a 2004 study done in the UK, this article from CNN explains in short how Linux benefits the environment.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
» Vista SP1 will deliver big network speed boost | Ed Bott’s Microsoft Report | ZDNet.com
"Vista SP1 will deliver big network speed boost"
Forget the reports you might have read about SP1 resulting in no performance boost. That story was based on a silly artificial benchmark involving scripting of Office applications. Back here in the real world, where gigabit network connections are now commonplace, you’ll see at least one huge improvement when transferring files over network connections.
The big question is: Will this really improve Vista's network speed?
AlaskaJoe
Forget the reports you might have read about SP1 resulting in no performance boost. That story was based on a silly artificial benchmark involving scripting of Office applications. Back here in the real world, where gigabit network connections are now commonplace, you’ll see at least one huge improvement when transferring files over network connections.
The big question is: Will this really improve Vista's network speed?
AlaskaJoe
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
BBC NEWS | Technology | 'Kill switch' dropped from Vista
"Microsoft is to withdraw an anti-piracy tool from Windows Vista, which disables the operating system when invoked, following customer complaints."
Wow, excellent response! Well done Microsoft!
--MissM
BBC Technology | 'Kill switch' dropped from Vista
Wow, excellent response! Well done Microsoft!
--MissM
BBC Technology | 'Kill switch' dropped from Vista
AT&T to exit pay phone business in 2008 - Boston.com
This is a sad news article.
I guess everyone better get a cell phone.
I guess everyone better get a cell phone.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Video: RSS in Plain English | Common Craft - Explanations In Plain English
I may have posted this before, but daWabbit's better half and I were talking about ebay this weekend, and I mentioned RSS to her, and she'd never heard of it. So, I thought I'd post this and mayyyyybe, the most prolific contributor to the blog would show his wife the video . I really liked the comparison between RSS/bookmarks and Netflix/video store, very appropriate. One comes to you, you have to go fetch the other.
Video: RSS in Plain English | Common Craft - Explanations In Plain English
--MissM
Video: RSS in Plain English | Common Craft - Explanations In Plain English
--MissM
WORLD'S FIRST .COM
thelongestlistofthelongeststuffatthelongestdomainnameatlonglast.com has a list of the first 100 .com domain names registered. I found it interesting and think you will, too.
Jack
Jack
At software giant, pain gives rise to progress
CNet.com has an interesting account of how Microsoft became more aware of security and changed their internal practices to not only deal with problems but to avoid them whenever possible. While it is somewhat "rah, rah" in it's tone, it seems to match the facts. In other words, it isn't made pretty just for your consumption. I think it is worth a read. Plus, I enjoyed it.
Jack
Jack
Vocalize Firefox
A platform independent, browser specific screen reader? Yup.
After some problems working with Jaws, Charles Chen went to work on his own and created Fire Vox, CLiCk, Speak, and the CLC-4-TTS library that power this idea into reality. It's pretty cool. Works well, so far at least.
Worth checking out.
Jack
After some problems working with Jaws, Charles Chen went to work on his own and created Fire Vox, CLiCk, Speak, and the CLC-4-TTS library that power this idea into reality. It's pretty cool. Works well, so far at least.
Worth checking out.
Jack
Sunday, December 02, 2007
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 12-02-07
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 12-02-07. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Links from the Gregg Zone!
1) First link of the week is a free service, to our service men, and women. This site sponsored by Xerox, and offered to help support our troops. You may select a card, enter a short message, and send it to help support troop moral during the holiday season. While you cannot select a particular individual, they will select at random a service person for you, and mail it in your name, cost nothing, but even a few seconds of pleasant distraction can be a gift. http://www.letssaythanks.com/
2) Offering number two, you know I have an interest in on line audio and video sites. I suppose it says something about the amount of free time I have, but the reality is I cannot watch T.V. anymore, due to lack of content, and over commerciality. This site is conversations with who they consider the most fascinating people of the year, we are not referring to the people you generally see on the tube, these are people who excel in their fields. The subject matter covers a very wide spectrum, I very much like this site, and intend to spend some time here. http://test.ted.com
3) I am putting this old favorite up because I have not heard it mentioned off the net in a while, although I know it is doing very well on the net. People who are old A.B. fans will recognize it immediately. For those not familiar it is an Art Bell type audio site. I was just there yesterday because they did an interview with Shirley Maclaine, and I wanted to see if they mentioned the Kucinich comment from the debates, which they did, but briefly. This link will take you directly to the interview on the archive page, http://www.unknowncountry.com , if you want to explore the site use this link to the home page. http://www.unknowncountry.com/ To navigate to show archives from the home page use the dreamland tab.
4) Last up for the week a link to an interesting article on “The Sliding Rocks of Racetrack Playa” in death valley. I have a cousin who hangs out a lot in
Vulnerability of software integrity and code signing applications to chosen-prefix collisions for MD5
Some of us rely on code signatures. I know I do. I check them religiously on files I download, keep them in secure places and run them every time I open one of those executable files for installation.
It has been known for some time that MD5 checksums might be vulnerable, but according to the paper linked to above it is toast. I'm worried.
Jack
It has been known for some time that MD5 checksums might be vulnerable, but according to the paper linked to above it is toast. I'm worried.
Jack
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Security firm cracks encryption for Microsoft's wireless keyboards
Okay; I have absolutely no idea if this is actually important to anyone not already wearing a tinfoil beanie (with or without propellor) and NSA types. But it does illustrate the extent to which our systems and tools are being scrutinized. And anyone who reads up on stuff like this has to despair at the state of security.
Jack
Jack
Leopard is the New Vista, and It's Pissing Me Off
Writing in PC Magazine, Oliver Rist takes Apple to task over Leopard. This is a harsh criticism, by any standard, but well worth your time.
Jack
Jack
Thursday, November 29, 2007
EFF Releases Reports and Software to Spot Interference with Internet Traffic
Are you a ComCast subscriber? Do you think your ISP is fooling with your business on the web? The Electronic Frontier Foundation has some tools for you, including a rather windy how-to (including some necessary network theory as background) on how to spot such tomfoolery. Just click on the link titled "Detecting Packet Injection: A Guide to Observing Packet Spoofing by ISPs".
Jack
Jack
Hackers hijack web search results ( BBC News )
Deliberate poisoning of search engines endangers Windows computers using Google, MSN and Yahoo search engines. Comments from Sunbelt, Trend and others.
It gets worse everyday, as the criminals try to find new ways to sneak into your private information.
Sunbelt's blog has more details http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/
It gets worse everyday, as the criminals try to find new ways to sneak into your private information.
Sunbelt's blog has more details http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Age Determines Technology's Value
"Look at a PC and what do you see? Many baby boomers and older members of Generation X are conscious of the technology and infrastructure that make PCs work; then they see content. Generation Y and the Millennials see just content."
What do you see? Maybe it's a good thing to be old! :)
AlaskaJoe
What do you see? Maybe it's a good thing to be old! :)
AlaskaJoe
Rambus aims for a terabyte of bandwidth
Now this is a cool one. You can find several articles about it around the well known tech news sites. I chose this one because it is short.
I know this would be an important gain in computer capabilities but, to be perfectly honest, I can't get my mind around the concept. It is just too far removed from today. I guess that means it would be a very great leap forward. If you can't imagine the benefits, they are either imaginary or very huge.
Jack
I know this would be an important gain in computer capabilities but, to be perfectly honest, I can't get my mind around the concept. It is just too far removed from today. I guess that means it would be a very great leap forward. If you can't imagine the benefits, they are either imaginary or very huge.
Jack
Monday, November 26, 2007
Rumour of new hole in Windows
This one is to be proven, as the announcement at Heise makes perfectly clear. Still, it's one to watch, to see if we are in any danger.
Jack
Jack
Sunday, November 25, 2007
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 11-25-07
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 11-25-07. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Links from the Gregg Zone
1) For the first couple of items this week I thought I would take up a general view of Thanksgiving, meaning a year round giving thanks for the use of the planet by supporting green technologies. If you have not been keeping up with the advancements in the field of solar energy, you are in for some real surprises. There is a company called Nanosolar that is doing some very big things, and not in the future I mean now. They have been quietly working away building a plant in San Jose California (140,000 sq. ft.), and another near Berlin, Germany (507,000 sq. ft.). They expect to be in production early next year; they have made some very large advances in the technology. The solar cells they produce are printed like newspaper, and about the same thickness, with a cost around a tenth of current conventional solar panels. Due to the fact these do not use any silicon, which is in short supply these days, they can keep the cost low. The link I have put up is the main site for the company, however I suggest you link to the “news + awards” link page, because this is the best place to research what is going on, very interesting, check it out. http://www.nanosolar.com/
2) My second item is something I just think is one of the best ideas I have seen come along in a long time. It is a device called the Sawfish, what it does is to harvest the forests that have been flooded by the creation of dams, reservoirs, and man made lakes. It seems even after fifty years in the cold water areas these trees have been perfectly preserved. The Sawfish is a remote controlled device, using cameras to maneuver into position it grabs on to the tree with two large pinchers, attaches an air bag, and then saws the tree above the lake bed without disturbing the eco-system in any way. It has proved itself already, late last year in British Columbia by harvesting six thousand trees in six months. It is estimated the value of submerged lumber is over fifty billion dollars. The today video on the main page is worth checking out, this is the type of progress we need more of finding wasted resources, and using them to slow our global problems. http://www.tritonlogging.com/
3) The third and final link for the week goes deep into the Gregg Zone, that area of questioning the origin of our reality. This is one of my favorite areas of introspection, asking the tough questions. Who am I? Where does my conscious perception of self originate from? What is reality? What is illusion? Where is the border between perception, and reality? This segment is dealing with something I ran across recently, an article by Nick Bostrom Department of Philosophy, Oxford University. The paper is titled “Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?” The simulation argument. This site, and subject are intense, approach with an open mind and I can guarantee it will be expanded. Mr. Bostroms original paper has a link on the left side of the front page; there is also an extensive list of links for further reading, and reactions to the paper. http://www.simulation-argument.com/
2) My second item is something I just think is one of the best ideas I have seen come along in a long time. It is a device called the Sawfish, what it does is to harvest the forests that have been flooded by the creation of dams, reservoirs, and man made lakes. It seems even after fifty years in the cold water areas these trees have been perfectly preserved. The Sawfish is a remote controlled device, using cameras to maneuver into position it grabs on to the tree with two large pinchers, attaches an air bag, and then saws the tree above the lake bed without disturbing the eco-system in any way. It has proved itself already, late last year in British Columbia by harvesting six thousand trees in six months. It is estimated the value of submerged lumber is over fifty billion dollars. The today video on the main page is worth checking out, this is the type of progress we need more of finding wasted resources, and using them to slow our global problems. http://www.tritonlogging.com/
3) The third and final link for the week goes deep into the Gregg Zone, that area of questioning the origin of our reality. This is one of my favorite areas of introspection, asking the tough questions. Who am I? Where does my conscious perception of self originate from? What is reality? What is illusion? Where is the border between perception, and reality? This segment is dealing with something I ran across recently, an article by Nick Bostrom Department of Philosophy, Oxford University. The paper is titled “Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?” The simulation argument. This site, and subject are intense, approach with an open mind and I can guarantee it will be expanded. Mr. Bostroms original paper has a link on the left side of the front page; there is also an extensive list of links for further reading, and reactions to the paper. http://www.simulation-argument.com/
Friday, November 23, 2007
ASUS eeePC: First impressions and GPL violations
Now this is disappointing. Very disappointing. Asus is apparently not playing by the rules. And who was the bright light that came up with the idea that opening the DIMM compartment to add memory voided the warranty?
I am a LOT less enthusiastic about the EeePC than I was and unless a bunch of this stuff gets fixed really quickly, I won't be buying one next week, as planned.
Jack
I am a LOT less enthusiastic about the EeePC than I was and unless a bunch of this stuff gets fixed really quickly, I won't be buying one next week, as planned.
Jack
Windows XP SP3 Yields Performance Gains
Now here is some very welcome news. Especially after the disappointment of no gains in performance with Vista SP1. In some areas gains are in the neighborhood of 10%, which is stunning, in my opinion.
You'll enjoy reading this one.
Jack
You'll enjoy reading this one.
Jack
Thursday, November 22, 2007
For your enjoyment...
In honor of the long weekend in America, I thought I'd post my google reader shared items.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, and we'll see you on Sunday, for another content filled show.
and apologies in advance to you rss readers, I know that the shared links don't show up.
And a LOL video:
[h/t Dvorak's blog for the video]
--MissM
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, and we'll see you on Sunday, for another content filled show.
and apologies in advance to you rss readers, I know that the shared links don't show up.
And a LOL video:
[h/t Dvorak's blog for the video]
--MissM
BD+ crack released
Slysoft has released a HUGE functionality update to AnyDVD which allows reproduction of disks protected by BD+. This is the last link in the Blu-Ray chain to be broken and, as usual, Slysoft does it in a user-friendly way.
Read on;
Jack
Read on;
Jack
Monday, November 19, 2007
Steganos Offers Free Version of Safe One
Steganos is a German company specializing in serious encryption and data protection for industries like banking. They are highly thought of.
Now, they are offering a version of one of their products for free to Windows users. Check this one out. Really. It's a good product and encrypting a volume of super-private stuff you carry with you might be just the ticket to set your mind at ease. There is a password generator and everything.
Jack
Now, they are offering a version of one of their products for free to Windows users. Check this one out. Really. It's a good product and encrypting a volume of super-private stuff you carry with you might be just the ticket to set your mind at ease. There is a password generator and everything.
Jack
Vista Requires More Hardware Resources than Microsoft's Windows for Supercomputers
Softpedia takes Microsoft's Vista to task for it's profligate consumption of computer resources. This one is worth a read, if only for the irony inherent in it.
At the same time, exo-blog takes apart the beta for Vista Service Pack 1 and notes there is no performance improvement available from installing it. I'm not sure how to take this as it is in direct conflict with reports from testers whom I know and respect.
See for yourself.
Jack
At the same time, exo-blog takes apart the beta for Vista Service Pack 1 and notes there is no performance improvement available from installing it. I'm not sure how to take this as it is in direct conflict with reports from testers whom I know and respect.
See for yourself.
Jack
Sunday, November 18, 2007
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 11-18-07
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 11-18-07. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Links from the Gregg Zone!
1) This has to be the best site I have found in a long time. I really like documentary films this site has 589 of them free online, and will most likely be adding more. In the technology section, select computers there are about twenty full-length movies on computer related subjects. Also in the technology section I was very impressed with the listing “What We Still Don’t Know” Especially with part, three of that series, deals with how science first decided against intelligent design, then embraced the idea, then threw it out again only to come back to it in the end. I especially liked the concept that we are actually living in a computer program simulation, not like in the Matrix, but as in our reality is programmed. I have seen a couple of other references to this concept elsewhere. Another one I especially liked was under anthropology titled Guns, Germs, and Steel this was a “National Geographics Special” about the way civilizations developed around the world, and why some advanced more that others mostly by luck of the draw. Anyway, this site promises to take up way to much of my time. http://best.online.docus.
2) One of my recurrent themes since I started doing this has been the concept that the internet with its free exchange of information has the potential to change the direction of world development especially in the political realm. The last link I offered started me on a quest of sorts to find other links related to free online documentaries, there are a lot of them out there, from serious treatments of how we did not go to the moon, faked it all, to quack medical cures for everything. However, there are always diamonds in the ruff. I was surfing various sites looking for something interesting when I saw a title about Fox News, I remembered seeing a story about one of the current presidential candidates, and there connections to that organization. I am not going to get into that aspect of the subject; I will leave that part of the equation up to you. The link I am posting is about the manipulation of the news, a single person pushing his political views and agenda with an audience of 3/4 of the world population that to me is very scary. Without the internet, curiosity, and concern for what is really going on behind the propaganda fed to us daily I would never have known how staggering the numbers are. The video I am referring to is the seventh one on the list "Out Foxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism", I will be watching some of the others soon. http://www.trythis.com
3) Could Leonardo Da Vinci have left us the first Easter egg? An interesting article in the BBC linked here, might offer that possibility. Someone has postulated there is a 40-second musical score hidden in the painting “The Last Supper”. I am afraid I have no expertise in this area at all, so I will leave it up to you, and the experts. http://news.bbc
4) There might be some strange time loop angel to this article in the English version of “The Local” a Swedish newspaper about an iron age Mickey Mouse, found during an excavation in southern
Friday, November 16, 2007
What Intel Giveth, Microsoft Taketh Away
Even if you don't read much of what we post here, you have just got to read this one. Yes, it savages Microsoft. Yes, it is biased. However; the accusations could as easily be pointed at a number of other software companies.
Jack
Jack
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Public takes on Bletchley's Colossus UPDATED!
A rebuilt version of WWII's Colossus electro-mechanical computer used to break German codes is now in competition with PCs. It's kind of cool and will let us see just how powerful those old computers were.
Jack
Update; Here is a site where you can actually get problems generated by the Enigma machines to crack, if that turns your crank.
Jack
Update; Here is a site where you can actually get problems generated by the Enigma machines to crack, if that turns your crank.
Overclocker's University
It seems Foxconn has come up with a new scheme to keep in close touch with the overclocker/enthusiast communities. I thought some of you might want to see this.
Jack
Jack
Monday, November 12, 2007
Apple charges fortune for memory upgrade
It's not just Apple, though this seems a particularly egregious example.
The whole point in posting this is to remind you all, and inform those who might not know, that the company who "made" your computer is the LAST place you want to look for memory and some other upgrades. You are much better off going to reputable manufacturers and dealers on the web, or even local to you, and getting your parts there.
Jack
The whole point in posting this is to remind you all, and inform those who might not know, that the company who "made" your computer is the LAST place you want to look for memory and some other upgrades. You are much better off going to reputable manufacturers and dealers on the web, or even local to you, and getting your parts there.
Jack
Sunday, November 11, 2007
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 11-11-07
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 11-11-07. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific thats 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
How to troubleshoot Windows Home Server problems
This ComputerWorld article is the first on this subject I have seen. It looks pretty useful, too. Have a look for yourself and I'll bet you bookmark it against future need. I did.
Jack
Jack
AMD's Phenom/790FX utility could be a jewel
The link is to a fairly detailed review of Gigabyte's GA-MA790FX-DQ6 motherboard. The board is apparently a very good one, but the overclocking/tuning utility that came with it is what really caught the reviewer's attention, apparently with good reason. NVidia and Intel have similar utilities, but the new one from AMD is supposedly the new king of the hill.
I think you will enjoy the review. It's not too long nor overly occupied with the bit-level details. Even so, it gives a pretty good picture of what will probably prove to be a top enthusiast's board on the AMD side of the street.
Jack
I think you will enjoy the review. It's not too long nor overly occupied with the bit-level details. Even so, it gives a pretty good picture of what will probably prove to be a top enthusiast's board on the AMD side of the street.
Jack
Links from the Gregg Zone!
1) This is a video sent to me that I liked it is one of those three minute; make you think type of videos. Not sure how many others will like it, you know me I am just a little twisted in the way I look at the world. However, I think this little video says a lot about who, and what we are just kind of puts things in perspective. http://www.youtube.com
2) Last week, or maybe the week before, geez I seem to have forgot where I left my memory, anyway I posted the link for the 2001 UFO disclosure movie. You know the one with all the airline pilots, air force generals, and government officials coming out about UFO’s, at the National Press Club in
3) This strikes me as a sign of our times, I am not sure where I come down on it, but you may have a use or interest in this site. This is a map service updated every 450 to 900 seconds showing worldwide terrorist activity, gang activity, illegal alien activity, and soon to be added Amber Alerts, Bird flu reports, and I assume a host of others. This is a clickable google-earth type map, with various icons showing alerts, and locations of the events. You may navigate, and zoom, I am sure there are other features I did not find when I was there. You can click for related news stories if there is a URL for them. http://www.globalincidentmap.com/
4) I decided to update myself on the red rain phenomena that occurred a few years back in Kerala
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