It is with deep regret that we must inform everyone that our friend and colleague, Jack 'daWabbit' Imsdahl, succumbed to liver cancer and passed in his sleep during the AM hours on Sunday, July 20th.
Anyone wishing to send regards to Jayna, please send an email to memorial@oncomputers.info and your comments will be forwarded to her.
There will be a Celebration of Life party in Jack's honor in Ft Worth in the near future. Details will be forthcoming.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Links from the Gregg Zone
1) Going to start off with a link sent to me by our fried Tony in California it is one of those spoof sites to sort of tweak your friends minds a little. The link is the one sent to me, you will just have to click on it to see just how well it is done, do your own at the end. I think you can have a lot of fun, of course that is if you can spell. http://www.news3online.com/
2) This is one for those who do not understand just how bad the economy can get. When I read this article I was torn between being scared, and thinking it was a little funny. I would think if you lived there you sure would not see the humor. Zimbabwe has just released 100 billion dollar bills, and yes that is billion with a “B”. If that surprises you how about this one of those bills is not enough to buy a loaf of bread. Worth about one dollar U.S. http://us.cnn.com
3) For the first of two green links this week a site I like quite a bit. Good videos, thoughtful solutions, interesting links. They have a different way of looking at the oil problem, they show industries how they can profit by changing. When you compare the price of a barrel of oil to a wind mill, or solar panel, the ratio changes as the price of oil increases, there by making what was once costly cheaper. If we remove the subsidy’s we give to the oil companies, or start to give them to the green producers, we might have a chance. http://www.rmi.org/
4) Here is another green link I thought you might link it is from a radio interview I heard the other night that just floored me. Basically about converting to alcohol. I had no idea how twisted the oil problem is when viewed through the lens of history. The early Fords were alcohol cars, designed for the farms using stills to create their own fuel. It was the oil barons who sold our future for a buck. Did you know that four million dollars were donated to the probation movement by oil people, the legislation pushed through congress by wealthy oil people. Not to stop people from drinking alcohol, but to stop us from fueling their cars with it. http://www.permaculture.com/
5) Last a link suggested by Joe, I know it was one of Jacks favorites also, he told me once that he went here daily to click the ad button. Every click helps to feed animals in need of care. I thought it might be a good time to ask those of you who might be interested to help with something he cared about. http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com
2) This is one for those who do not understand just how bad the economy can get. When I read this article I was torn between being scared, and thinking it was a little funny. I would think if you lived there you sure would not see the humor. Zimbabwe has just released 100 billion dollar bills, and yes that is billion with a “B”. If that surprises you how about this one of those bills is not enough to buy a loaf of bread. Worth about one dollar U.S. http://us.cnn.com
3) For the first of two green links this week a site I like quite a bit. Good videos, thoughtful solutions, interesting links. They have a different way of looking at the oil problem, they show industries how they can profit by changing. When you compare the price of a barrel of oil to a wind mill, or solar panel, the ratio changes as the price of oil increases, there by making what was once costly cheaper. If we remove the subsidy’s we give to the oil companies, or start to give them to the green producers, we might have a chance. http://www.rmi.org/
4) Here is another green link I thought you might link it is from a radio interview I heard the other night that just floored me. Basically about converting to alcohol. I had no idea how twisted the oil problem is when viewed through the lens of history. The early Fords were alcohol cars, designed for the farms using stills to create their own fuel. It was the oil barons who sold our future for a buck. Did you know that four million dollars were donated to the probation movement by oil people, the legislation pushed through congress by wealthy oil people. Not to stop people from drinking alcohol, but to stop us from fueling their cars with it. http://www.permaculture.com/
5) Last a link suggested by Joe, I know it was one of Jacks favorites also, he told me once that he went here daily to click the ad button. Every click helps to feed animals in need of care. I thought it might be a good time to ask those of you who might be interested to help with something he cared about. http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com
Friday, July 18, 2008
BBC NEWS | Technology | Say goodbye to the computer mouse
"It's nearly 40 years old but one leading research company says the days of the computer mouse are numbered."
Can you live without your mouse? I know Riley can. We all have had to get around in our computer without a mouse, but do you do it by choice?
We will see how this goes.
AlaskaJoe
Can you live without your mouse? I know Riley can. We all have had to get around in our computer without a mouse, but do you do it by choice?
We will see how this goes.
AlaskaJoe
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Dosbox
I've been a pinball enthusiast for 40 years or so. I have a bunch of old pinball computer games. Most of them are from the days before windows. Most of them won't run under windows. I used to use a DOS boot disk but, geting the sound to work was hit and miss. I finally googled DOS emualtor and DOSBOX came up. It's a DOS emulator for windows. It's basically simulates a 486 in windows. Most important it emulates a sound blaster 16 and Gravis ultrasound. It runs all my old pinball games fine. If you got old DOS games you still want to play, check it out.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 07-13-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 07-13-08. 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) As usual I will start off the week with a green link. It should be rather obvious, what with the gas situation and all that in the near future we will be looking for something different to drive. This is a link I ran across dealing with the hybrids out there, quite a lot of links here to help keep you educated as to what is out there, or on the drawing board. http://www.care2.com
2) Next up a link on how to hypermile. Not a term you are familiar with well it is also related to the previous subject, but it is more oriented with today. This is the most extensive article I hound on how to hypermile. That is to get the very utmost gas mileage from what ever you are driving now. Tricks of the trade so to speak, some sensible and some down right scary. So if you choose to try some of these do so with utmost caution. http://www.cleanmpg.com
3) This link is to a scientific study on animal behavior I found quite interesting. They taught a group of monkeys to use money. It is very interesting to see they are a lot like us, they had what amounted to a bank robbery, started to spend their cash to buy fruit, and the most surprising was prostitution. I guess it really is the oldest profession. http://lists.ibiblio.org
4) If you are a Science Fiction enthusiast you might like to check out this site, you can even write and submit your own short novel in a contest. I have not had much time in the last few days to investigate this, I ran across it last week and had it in my follow up folder on the desk top, but I thought I would enter it here for those who might like to look around, I know I will be back soon as it looks pretty interesting. http://www.orionsarm.com/
5) The last one for the week an article on the Viacom YouTube fight. Seems YouTube has been ordered to turn over records of every clip watched, along with time and IP address of every viewer who watched it. Kind of makes you wonder where all that personal information on us all will wind up. Think the spamers might want to know what you are interested in, and what you IP address is, not to mention the government, lawyers, and the Lord knows who else. Maybe it is just me, but I do not like where all this seems to be heading. http://www.news.com.au/
2) Next up a link on how to hypermile. Not a term you are familiar with well it is also related to the previous subject, but it is more oriented with today. This is the most extensive article I hound on how to hypermile. That is to get the very utmost gas mileage from what ever you are driving now. Tricks of the trade so to speak, some sensible and some down right scary. So if you choose to try some of these do so with utmost caution. http://www.cleanmpg.com
3) This link is to a scientific study on animal behavior I found quite interesting. They taught a group of monkeys to use money. It is very interesting to see they are a lot like us, they had what amounted to a bank robbery, started to spend their cash to buy fruit, and the most surprising was prostitution. I guess it really is the oldest profession. http://lists.ibiblio.org
4) If you are a Science Fiction enthusiast you might like to check out this site, you can even write and submit your own short novel in a contest. I have not had much time in the last few days to investigate this, I ran across it last week and had it in my follow up folder on the desk top, but I thought I would enter it here for those who might like to look around, I know I will be back soon as it looks pretty interesting. http://www.orionsarm.com/
5) The last one for the week an article on the Viacom YouTube fight. Seems YouTube has been ordered to turn over records of every clip watched, along with time and IP address of every viewer who watched it. Kind of makes you wonder where all that personal information on us all will wind up. Think the spamers might want to know what you are interested in, and what you IP address is, not to mention the government, lawyers, and the Lord knows who else. Maybe it is just me, but I do not like where all this seems to be heading. http://www.news.com.au/
Friday, July 11, 2008
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
MS update KB951748 and ZoneAlarm --- PROBLEM
Experienced this myself. If you install this update all websites are blocked. You can either not install the update or setting the Internet zone of ZA to medium also works. I did the latter and also turned on windows firewall.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Is site X down for everyone, or just me?
Have you heard that question all too often?
Well Alex Payne has, and he did something about it. He has created downforeveryoneorjustme.com Where you can ask if your favorite site is really down, or if may be your connection.
The article has other details about outages of some of the biggest sites on the web. The article is actually titled : "Internet traffic grows, and so do glitches"
Well Alex Payne has, and he did something about it. He has created downforeveryoneorjustme.com Where you can ask if your favorite site is really down, or if may be your connection.
The article has other details about outages of some of the biggest sites on the web. The article is actually titled : "Internet traffic grows, and so do glitches"
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Getaway day: How to secure your laptop for holiday travel | Zero Day | ZDNet.com
It’s getaway day and as we prepare to hit the road, trudge through airport security and snag that car rental, spare a thought for the valuable data that travels with you on that trusty old laptop.
This is a good article on how to encrypt files on your computer. It's a good idea when you travel.
AlaskaJoe
This is a good article on how to encrypt files on your computer. It's a good idea when you travel.
AlaskaJoe
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Firefox 2.0.0.15 security update, July 1, 2008
Twelve vulnerabilities fixed in total, some platform specific. Four rated critical, four rated high, two rated moderate, and two rated low.
Link above is to the Firefox 2.0.0.15 Release Notes, links from there take you to the list of items fixed.
Link above is to the Firefox 2.0.0.15 Release Notes, links from there take you to the list of items fixed.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 06-29-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 06-29-08. 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.
Next week will be the 4th of July weekend and most of the OnComputers hosts will be gone for the weekend. We will be playing the Geek Meet 2007 show from Boston. Have a great 4th of July and be safe!
AlaskaJoe
Next week will be the 4th of July weekend and most of the OnComputers hosts will be gone for the weekend. We will be playing the Geek Meet 2007 show from Boston. Have a great 4th of July and be safe!
AlaskaJoe
Links from the Gregg Zone
1) This first link I am putting up is one that comes with the strongest disclaimer I can think of. I have not watched this video nor do I intend to watch it. It was sent to me by someone connected to the show, they ask me not to divulge their involvement or any reference to the fact they sent it. Please understand I have not watched it and will not watch it, and I like the very weird. But I do not believe in censorship, and the nature of my listings is somewhat related to the very bizarre, this evidently qualifies in spades. Even our friend in California who is banned from the show has expressed utter disgust with this, and has asked me to bury it in the cyber trash heap. If you are an animal lover do not watch this video, if you have a squeamish bone in your body do not watch this video, if you do watch it and are upset by it do not say you were not warned, do not hold me responsible in any way. What we have here is a Russian experiment involving the severed head of a rather cute little dog, kept alive without a body, and experimented on. Frankenstein was fiction this may not be, I hope I made myself clear, please use utmost restraint here http://gizmodo.com
2) Somewhat related although much more palatable is the story of Mike the Wonder Chicken, he was a headless chicken, who lived for a year and a half. Wow I almost feel like Halloween is here. Anyway this is a story I heard about a long time ago and looked up only because of that last link sent to me. Seems there was a chicken in the forties that was making all the side shows; and a lot of money for the owner. The owner was getting a chicken ready for dinner, when he cut off its head the chicken did not even seem to notice. The owners kept Mike alive using an eyedropper to feed him for eighteen months. The chicken walked around, scratched the ground, tried to peck, crow and cluck (but only gurgled), and basically acted like a chicken. He only died because they had forgotten his eye dropper, and he could not be aspirated as he sometimes needed. There is even a holiday in the Colorado town where he lived honoring Mike, now that’s pretty weird. http://www.sideshowworld.com
3) Okay enough of that….. Let’s get back to something a little less macabre. Another link sent to me by one of our listeners, (thanks JavaBeans) something a little easier on the sensibilities. This has to be the oddest green link I have had up since I started with the show. A building that generates its electric power by rotating each individual floor, or apartment. The building never looks the same at any time EVER each of its forty floors rotate individually of each other powered by the wind, and that rotation creates the electric power for the building, it even has some extra to feed into the grid. There are plans to build two of them one in Dubai and one in Moscow. This link to a BBC story complete with video is a must read for those into the green side of the internet. http://news.bbc.co.uk
4) Now still another link sent to me by a listener here in Las Vegas (thanks USS ROVER) for my geek link of the week (actually there are two of them). This is something that everyone should have on their daily schedule, one of those things you click on when you check your mail, and or read the news, just to see what is offered for the day. After all how can you beat something for free, those of us who live in Las Vegas almost worship the very word. This is free software downloads that rotate daily, some are quite expensive if you want to buy them, the catch they are only free for 24 hours, so pay attention. The second link is the same thing only it is for games, sounds like a gamers’ paradise. Thanks again Rover. http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/ http://game.giveawayoftheday.com/
5) Last is something I just found at a site I use on a daily basis, but for some reason just did not notice. I am a devotee, and big fan of craigslist I am there at least once a day and often several times a day. Not sure how I missed the little link on the left side that says “best-of-craigslist”, but this is a great read just check it out even if you are not a user, buyer, or seller. http://www.craigslist.org
2) Somewhat related although much more palatable is the story of Mike the Wonder Chicken, he was a headless chicken, who lived for a year and a half. Wow I almost feel like Halloween is here. Anyway this is a story I heard about a long time ago and looked up only because of that last link sent to me. Seems there was a chicken in the forties that was making all the side shows; and a lot of money for the owner. The owner was getting a chicken ready for dinner, when he cut off its head the chicken did not even seem to notice. The owners kept Mike alive using an eyedropper to feed him for eighteen months. The chicken walked around, scratched the ground, tried to peck, crow and cluck (but only gurgled), and basically acted like a chicken. He only died because they had forgotten his eye dropper, and he could not be aspirated as he sometimes needed. There is even a holiday in the Colorado town where he lived honoring Mike, now that’s pretty weird. http://www.sideshowworld.com
3) Okay enough of that….. Let’s get back to something a little less macabre. Another link sent to me by one of our listeners, (thanks JavaBeans) something a little easier on the sensibilities. This has to be the oddest green link I have had up since I started with the show. A building that generates its electric power by rotating each individual floor, or apartment. The building never looks the same at any time EVER each of its forty floors rotate individually of each other powered by the wind, and that rotation creates the electric power for the building, it even has some extra to feed into the grid. There are plans to build two of them one in Dubai and one in Moscow. This link to a BBC story complete with video is a must read for those into the green side of the internet. http://news.bbc.co.uk
4) Now still another link sent to me by a listener here in Las Vegas (thanks USS ROVER) for my geek link of the week (actually there are two of them). This is something that everyone should have on their daily schedule, one of those things you click on when you check your mail, and or read the news, just to see what is offered for the day. After all how can you beat something for free, those of us who live in Las Vegas almost worship the very word. This is free software downloads that rotate daily, some are quite expensive if you want to buy them, the catch they are only free for 24 hours, so pay attention. The second link is the same thing only it is for games, sounds like a gamers’ paradise. Thanks again Rover. http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/ http://game.giveawayoftheday.com/
5) Last is something I just found at a site I use on a daily basis, but for some reason just did not notice. I am a devotee, and big fan of craigslist I am there at least once a day and often several times a day. Not sure how I missed the little link on the left side that says “best-of-craigslist”, but this is a great read just check it out even if you are not a user, buyer, or seller. http://www.craigslist.org
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Laptop seizures at customs raise outcry
We talked about this very subject on the show on Sunday. Be sure not to have anything you don't absolutely need on your computer and certainly don't have anything personal.
No reprieve: XP phase-out begins June 30 | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com
It looks like this MIGHT be your last chance to buy a new computer with Windows XP installed.
I find that interesting the day Intel says it is staying it isn't moving to Vista Microsoft decides to pull the plug on Windows XP.
After months of rumors that Microsoft might rethink its decision to pull the plug on Windows XP, the official word is out: XP is on its way out.
Microsoft is sticking to its plan to cease providing PC makers with XP to preload on new PCs after June 30, as Microsoft is now letting customers know via a letter it has posted to its Windows XP and Windows Vista Web sites.
AlaskaJoe
I find that interesting the day Intel says it is staying it isn't moving to Vista Microsoft decides to pull the plug on Windows XP.
After months of rumors that Microsoft might rethink its decision to pull the plug on Windows XP, the official word is out: XP is on its way out.
Microsoft is sticking to its plan to cease providing PC makers with XP to preload on new PCs after June 30, as Microsoft is now letting customers know via a letter it has posted to its Windows XP and Windows Vista Web sites.
AlaskaJoe
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
ICANN to vote on more Top Level Domains
Depending on the vote this week, YOU TOO COULD OWN YOUR VERY OWN TOP LEVEL DOMAIN!
They are not cheap to own from what I have read in the past, but it may be possible soon.
www.alaskajoe.oncomputers ? nah....
They are not cheap to own from what I have read in the past, but it may be possible soon.
www.alaskajoe.oncomputers ? nah....
Sunday, June 22, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 06-22-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 06-22-08. 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.
Todays guest from the Better Business Bureau
Michael Lauf, Director of Public Relations is with the Better Business Bureau www.bbb.org
Michael has been in Evansville Indiana since 2001. His degree is in Radio-TV Broadcasting from Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel Illinois. Michael worked in radio in Vincennes Indiana from 1983-1993 and ran his own DJ service from 1990-2000.
Michael speaks for free to schools, churches, businesses and helps disabled persons learn to use computers. He is involved with Serotek corporation who allows any visually impaired person in the world a free speech application to use their computer.
www.serotek.com
Blog:
www.bbbconsumereducation.com
Michael has been in Evansville Indiana since 2001. His degree is in Radio-TV Broadcasting from Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel Illinois. Michael worked in radio in Vincennes Indiana from 1983-1993 and ran his own DJ service from 1990-2000.
Michael speaks for free to schools, churches, businesses and helps disabled persons learn to use computers. He is involved with Serotek corporation who allows any visually impaired person in the world a free speech application to use their computer.
www.serotek.com
Blog:
www.bbbconsumereducation.com
Links from the Gregg Zone
1) At the time of writing this on Friday night the 21st of June, 2008, even though I am not big on birthdays, and the like. I must acknowledge a rather auspicious event that happened on this day sixty years past on this very day in Manchester England. According to a linked article here the modern computer as we know it had its sixtieth birthday today. This was the first programmable computer with rewritable memory a whopping 128 bytes, check out the article with a video clip here.
2) As my green link of the week another offering about the water fueled car, this has become a favorite topic of mine. Seems a company in Japan Genepax, just last week announced their new car, running on water. I have seen an awful lot of stuff about this subject, mostly on the fringe and rather questionable, But operating on the principal where there is smoke, you may find fire, I keep my hopes alive. There are two links here the first I ran across from Reuters at engadget with video, released on June 12, and the other at Wikipidea, they already have a reference page. Very interesting stuff. 1) http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/13/genepax-shows-off-water-powered-fuel-cell-vehicle/ 2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genepax
3) Well for link number three I want to start by reviewing a link I posted last week for the new Netflix viewer for your television. I got it and installed it yesterday, it works great, installed in about a half hour, very simple and easy. This is the direction I believe television is headed. In a few years we will not even recognize the way we watch today. As another aside to this concept I offer a link to an article about hoe Hulu is kicking YouTubes tale. The main problem I see to the way most of the online T.V. sites are working is the program guides, when those are modified to the skill level of average people watch out. Article link here and here is YouTube's response to that article.
4) Link number four is offering a spot to do some future preparation for what
will surly be a host of future links coming up. What can I be referring to, well just think about the date, December 23rd 2012 is only a little over four years away. Here is a Wiki page to get you started in regards as to what will surly be one of the main topics around the water cooler very soon. Why not have some ammunition in your corner, there are a lot of quick reads on the major topics, and people here.
5) My on the lighter side link for the week, I have always liked puzzles of different forms. Here is an online free puzzle link, one of many I am sure, but I have managed to waste several hours here with puzzles that I liked. So I thought I would pass it along http://www.freepuzzles.com/
2) As my green link of the week another offering about the water fueled car, this has become a favorite topic of mine. Seems a company in Japan Genepax, just last week announced their new car, running on water. I have seen an awful lot of stuff about this subject, mostly on the fringe and rather questionable, But operating on the principal where there is smoke, you may find fire, I keep my hopes alive. There are two links here the first I ran across from Reuters at engadget with video, released on June 12, and the other at Wikipidea, they already have a reference page. Very interesting stuff. 1) http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/13/genepax-shows-off-water-powered-fuel-cell-vehicle/ 2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genepax
3) Well for link number three I want to start by reviewing a link I posted last week for the new Netflix viewer for your television. I got it and installed it yesterday, it works great, installed in about a half hour, very simple and easy. This is the direction I believe television is headed. In a few years we will not even recognize the way we watch today. As another aside to this concept I offer a link to an article about hoe Hulu is kicking YouTubes tale. The main problem I see to the way most of the online T.V. sites are working is the program guides, when those are modified to the skill level of average people watch out. Article link here and here is YouTube's response to that article.
4) Link number four is offering a spot to do some future preparation for what
will surly be a host of future links coming up. What can I be referring to, well just think about the date, December 23rd 2012 is only a little over four years away. Here is a Wiki page to get you started in regards as to what will surly be one of the main topics around the water cooler very soon. Why not have some ammunition in your corner, there are a lot of quick reads on the major topics, and people here.
5) My on the lighter side link for the week, I have always liked puzzles of different forms. Here is an online free puzzle link, one of many I am sure, but I have managed to waste several hours here with puzzles that I liked. So I thought I would pass it along http://www.freepuzzles.com/
Friday, June 20, 2008
Planning a Trip to the Olympics? ( or most anywhere )
Food for Secure Computing Thought :
When traveling outside your country, LEAVE THE TOYS AT HOME!
Industrial espionage may be more of a threat than theft as you travel abroad. And don't just leave your toys at home, check everything you bring back very carefully! Treat any media as infected, be it optical ( CD/DVD/HDDVD/BluRay ), solidstate ( USB and other flash media, Solid State hard drives ) or magnetic ( internal or external hard drives ).
The article linked above has some very interesting and thought provoking comments.
When traveling outside your country, LEAVE THE TOYS AT HOME!
Industrial espionage may be more of a threat than theft as you travel abroad. And don't just leave your toys at home, check everything you bring back very carefully! Treat any media as infected, be it optical ( CD/DVD/HDDVD/BluRay ), solidstate ( USB and other flash media, Solid State hard drives ) or magnetic ( internal or external hard drives ).
The article linked above has some very interesting and thought provoking comments.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 06-15-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 06-15-08. 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) First up for the week has to be my big spend. Yea I just spent $99.00 for a new toy, just because the money I got from those firemen’s pants was burning a hole in my PayPal account, and I did not get enough to buy the microscope I had in mind. This seemed to me to be something we will see a lot of in the future. I heard someone say the other day television as we know it today will be unrecognizable in ten to fifteen years. My toy site here http://www.roku.com/netflixplayer/
2) Now that I’ve calmed down a bit time for my green link of the week. Seems Ford has a new prototype out, a flex-fuel hybrid electric vehicle. The engine is needed after the first thirty miles, provided you keep the speed down. Then once the flex-fuel (85% ethanol) it kicks out a healthy 50 mpg city, and 88 mpg highway. Sounds awfully good to me, another thought Ford stock at the moment is around $6.25 per share. Wonder how many patents they own on this technology, just a thought. Article link here http://gas2.org/
3) This is a link to a short story here falls under the same comment as last weeks cell phone corn popping link. I am fairly sure it will be shot down, but I just had to toss it in. I am not a big fan of happy faces any where, but the thought there is one on Mars just sort of disturbs my sense of faith in the idea of the universe being somehow above all that. I can only hope it does not turn yellow at sunset. For what it is worth here is the link. http://jackbrummet.blogspot.com
4) I was at Mufon the other day doing a quick check on a newspaper article that mentioned a UFO sighting, when it dawned on me that there are most likely people who do not know about the site. Say you heard about a sighting in the next town, or maybe you have seen something yourself. At Mufon you can search by time and location to see if others may have filed reports. They get thousands every year, there are also other things to read there all around an interesting place to visit. http://www.mufon.com
5) My last link was a surprise to me as I found it at a site I visit often. I am referring to New Scientist, I find myself there a lot, by links to stories or text type links. For some reason I noticed and clicked on the video link. I like T.V. stations like Discovery, Science Channel, T.L.C., Edu. 1 & 2, at this site they have the video so you can just start it and it will go to the next. Interesting short science stories, about five min. each. Almost like watching Discovery News. http://www.newscientist.com/
2) Now that I’ve calmed down a bit time for my green link of the week. Seems Ford has a new prototype out, a flex-fuel hybrid electric vehicle. The engine is needed after the first thirty miles, provided you keep the speed down. Then once the flex-fuel (85% ethanol) it kicks out a healthy 50 mpg city, and 88 mpg highway. Sounds awfully good to me, another thought Ford stock at the moment is around $6.25 per share. Wonder how many patents they own on this technology, just a thought. Article link here http://gas2.org/
3) This is a link to a short story here falls under the same comment as last weeks cell phone corn popping link. I am fairly sure it will be shot down, but I just had to toss it in. I am not a big fan of happy faces any where, but the thought there is one on Mars just sort of disturbs my sense of faith in the idea of the universe being somehow above all that. I can only hope it does not turn yellow at sunset. For what it is worth here is the link. http://jackbrummet.blogspot.com
4) I was at Mufon the other day doing a quick check on a newspaper article that mentioned a UFO sighting, when it dawned on me that there are most likely people who do not know about the site. Say you heard about a sighting in the next town, or maybe you have seen something yourself. At Mufon you can search by time and location to see if others may have filed reports. They get thousands every year, there are also other things to read there all around an interesting place to visit. http://www.mufon.com
5) My last link was a surprise to me as I found it at a site I visit often. I am referring to New Scientist, I find myself there a lot, by links to stories or text type links. For some reason I noticed and clicked on the video link. I like T.V. stations like Discovery, Science Channel, T.L.C., Edu. 1 & 2, at this site they have the video so you can just start it and it will go to the next. Interesting short science stories, about five min. each. Almost like watching Discovery News. http://www.newscientist.com/
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Blackmailing Trojan encrypts hard-drive
Kaspersky Labs wants help cracking the endryption used in a "ransomware" scheme. We are going to see more and more of this sort of thing and it may well be that groups of security venders and interested parties (i.e. clients, law enforcement will have to join together to put something of a brake on it.
Check it out.)
Jack
Check it out.)
Jack
Sunday, June 08, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 06-08-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 06-08-08. 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) Not to sure how green this car is, but BBC says it is the worlds cheapest. That statement causes one to ponder the term cheap. Just how cheap would the world’s cheapest car be? Well this car fresh off the line is $2,500.00; I would have to say that’s cheap considering today’s prices. I don’t think I would want to get in any arguments with SUV’s. http://news.bbc.co.uk/
2) This is one of those links I am going to post feeling there must be more to the story. If the short videos are on the up and up, they will justify my stance on cell phones. If anyone out there has the ability to try this I would like to hear about it, but email me no phone calls. http://icantseeyou.typepad.com
3) The next couple of links are on the subject of my paranoia concerning the invasion of the computer related side of my life. First up an article about using a toaster to hack a computer. While that sounds a little absurd given all the talk around here about heat control in your computer, the general drift about the subject I find disturbing www.darkreading.com/
4) Related to the last link another hacker worry story. Seems this guy using a computer hooked to the television in a hotel can hack into everyone staying at the property, heck maybe the whole chain world wide, why not? http://www.cnet.com.au/
5) Last link for the week is going to be a new gadget the new Polaroid Photo Printer, what caught my eye about this was the Zink Paper. Could this be the return of the concept of film, what made Kodak, Fuji and the other giants so big, was rhe need to use film, a required medium, like ink cartridges for printers. http://www.electronista.com/
2) This is one of those links I am going to post feeling there must be more to the story. If the short videos are on the up and up, they will justify my stance on cell phones. If anyone out there has the ability to try this I would like to hear about it, but email me no phone calls. http://icantseeyou.typepad.com
3) The next couple of links are on the subject of my paranoia concerning the invasion of the computer related side of my life. First up an article about using a toaster to hack a computer. While that sounds a little absurd given all the talk around here about heat control in your computer, the general drift about the subject I find disturbing www.darkreading.com/
4) Related to the last link another hacker worry story. Seems this guy using a computer hooked to the television in a hotel can hack into everyone staying at the property, heck maybe the whole chain world wide, why not? http://www.cnet.com.au/
5) Last link for the week is going to be a new gadget the new Polaroid Photo Printer, what caught my eye about this was the Zink Paper. Could this be the return of the concept of film, what made Kodak, Fuji and the other giants so big, was rhe need to use film, a required medium, like ink cartridges for printers. http://www.electronista.com/
Friday, June 06, 2008
Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification for June 2008
Here is Microsoft's announcement of issues addressed in June's "Patch Tuesday". Three are rated "critical", Microsoft's highest rating. Three are rated "important" and one is rated "moderate". Many of the flaws patched have to do with remote code execution flaws and so are ones you will want fixed regardless of their actual rating.
This MS announcement is rather short and it looks like the company has exerted some effort to make them easier to read and digest, too, which is nice.
Jack
This MS announcement is rather short and it looks like the company has exerted some effort to make them easier to read and digest, too, which is nice.
Jack
Sunday, June 01, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 06-01-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 06-01-08. 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) Starting off the week with my green link as usual. I just watched a movie suggested to me by a listener; and friend Gary from
2) Next up one of those just interesting science articles. Seems they have weighed the Milky Way Galaxy, one of those things I suppose they do just because they can. Kind of like in the early days when someone decided to determine the circumference of the earth. Later to weigh the planet in my limited world the big question is why, or so what. Though I am sure they have reasons that are just beyond my understanding. In case you are wondering the answer is slightly less than one trillion solar masses. http://www.livescience.com
3) One more link that is just an interesting read, The Six Most Badass Stunts Ever Pulled in the Name of Science. You might also be interested in the link to The Five Most Badass Presidents, same site. There is some offensive language in some of the text, if that bothers you, you might want to pass. http://www.cracked.coml
4) With the economy getting more dicey by the moment I thought I would post this article from CNN Money, kind of a follow up on the coupon lady I posted a week or two back. This one deals a lot more with on line advice. Actually it was pretty interesting to find out just how much I did not know about smart shopping, lots of tricks here. http://www.money.cnn.com/
5) Okay to close out the week my just plain cool link. This would require a much younger Gregg to take it seriously, but I can dream. And when it comes to something I think is just kind of cool this would have to be near the top of the list. The wearable motorcycle Wow, me thinks I like it, though it most likely will never make it into production, but then why not. http://www.impactlab.com
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Full Disclosure and why Vendors Hate it
The link above will take you to a fairly short, yet comprehensive rumination of why full and complete disclosure of security problems in phones, computers and their software and other communication/office devices we use.
This discussion has been taking place for ages now. Nothing has ever been settled. Nothing! Frankly, the signal to noise ratio is frightening. It's all laid out here for those of you who are already impressed with a need for full disclosure. And for those of you not so convinced, this may alter your position.
Jack
This discussion has been taking place for ages now. Nothing has ever been settled. Nothing! Frankly, the signal to noise ratio is frightening. It's all laid out here for those of you who are already impressed with a need for full disclosure. And for those of you not so convinced, this may alter your position.
Jack
Monday, May 26, 2008
Microsoft Confirms Windows 7 for 2010 (17 screenshots)
Now it begins. Microsoft isn't going to be all that talkative about the next version of Windows, at least for a while. They don't want to hurt Vista sales. However; they do want you to know they are working on a successor to Vista and have evidently released a few screenshots (17 in all) to show that off.
It really does seem as if they have copied the Apple Mac desktop, this time.
Jack
It really does seem as if they have copied the Apple Mac desktop, this time.
Jack
Sunday, May 25, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 05-25-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 05-25-08. 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.
This is only a short show, because of Memorial day weekend and the Indy 500 race we only did about 1 hour live .
AlaskaJoe
This is only a short show, because of Memorial day weekend and the Indy 500 race we only did about 1 hour live .
AlaskaJoe
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Microsoft Expands List of Formats Supported in Microsoft Office
If one refuses to see a Microsoft conspiracy behind every move they make (and I do) this looks like a very good thing. For the first time interoperability is not about others interoperating with MS so much as it is about MS interoperating with everyone else.
Progress in this direction can only be a good thing.
Jack
Progress in this direction can only be a good thing.
Jack
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Mac Clone Maker Psystar Ships First 'Service Pack'
Who'd have thunk it? Not only is PsyStar for real, they are serious about quality in the same way we all hoped they were. Apple is not sending in the legal dogs (at least not yet) and reports on the machines themselves are generally good.
And now PsyStar is fixing stuff in OS X that Apple has not yet gotten around to fixing. I'm not sure what to think about all this, except to cheer PsyStar on and keep to myself around the "true believer" Mac fans I know.
Jack
And now PsyStar is fixing stuff in OS X that Apple has not yet gotten around to fixing. I'm not sure what to think about all this, except to cheer PsyStar on and keep to myself around the "true believer" Mac fans I know.
Jack
Annoying software: a rogues' gallery
Everyone who has been around computing for a while has a similar list. I happen to pretty much agree with this one and thought you would like to see it.
Enjoy,
Jack
Enjoy,
Jack
Windows XP SP3 reboot bug
A brief quote from the link "The problem occurs on AMD-based systems where Windows was build from an OEM image captured on an Intel-based system."
All I can say is OOPS, and I sure am glad I own real XP OEM CDs that came with my custom built computers.
All I can say is OOPS, and I sure am glad I own real XP OEM CDs that came with my custom built computers.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Gregg Link
Mozilla phancies doing a Phorm
Firefox - your friendly data snooper
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/19/firefox_data_snoop/
Sunday, May 18, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 05-18-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 05-18-08. 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) My first link up for the week, as usual will be something with a green tint, and as usual dealing with technology. After all, if we are to survive our situation it will be advances in technology that gets us out of the mess we are currently suffering from. This has evidently been around for a while, but it was news to me so I thought I would post it in case some of you missed it. It was evidently part of the movie “Hunt for Red October” I have seen the movie put just put it in my queue at Netflix, because I do not remember. Anyway, check it out, called magnetohydrodynamics or MHD, uses magnetic energy to push seawater for propulsion. No moving parts, silent, low cost and almost pollution free. http://query.nytimes.com
2) Next up is my cool video link for the week. You must have seen those animated drawings where they flip through the pages of a tablet creating the perception of movement. Well this is one where an artist named “Blu” did it in
3) All right staying with the concepts of cool, art, and technology, but getting a little geeky. If you have not seen this yet, and are into your digital camera, this will knock your socks off. How about a device you can buy for your current digital camera that will give you billion-pixel panorama shots. These pictures are zoom capable, and will allow you to navigate the entire picture panning from side to side.
4) Another rather geeky item I ran across, aimed mostly at gamers, but it may have other applications. We are talking about a peripheral monitor, this is a nice link dealing with this concept, there is a very good video showing and explaining the devise. I would like to try this, but I think in the end, it would give me a headache. http://uk.gizmodo.com
5) This has to be one of the most interesting articles I have run across in quite awhile. This may very well be worth the price of admission all by itself. This lady, Chrissy has got to be the world’s best shopper, and proves if you are willing to do the homework, you too can perform these shopping miracles. Try imagining going in to a Target buying $380.00 worth of merchandise, and paying 2 cents at the register. Granted that was her best trip ever, and she was very proud of it, but all I can say is WOW. http://www.11alive.com
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Spammers ordered to pay MySpace 230 mln dlrs - Yahoo! News
Maybe one day the spammers will learn that they can not win.....
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Fedora 9 - an OS that even the Linux challenged can love
The Register has a nice, relatively short yet relative comprehensive review of the recently released Fedora 9. I think you might want to read it.
To me, the only area where Fedora lacks in relation to what I see as the best is in package management. If you are going to set up a desktop and simply leave it alone (meaning no constant installations of "stuff") Fedora should be fine. It has it's own personality and this is a good thing. I've seen it in action now and am actually thinking of trying it.
Jack
To me, the only area where Fedora lacks in relation to what I see as the best is in package management. If you are going to set up a desktop and simply leave it alone (meaning no constant installations of "stuff") Fedora should be fine. It has it's own personality and this is a good thing. I've seen it in action now and am actually thinking of trying it.
Jack
What is blocking Vista users from recording NBC shows?
As the post makes clear, no one seems to know (or want to admit) just what is going on here. Hardly surprising, that. It's an embarassment for DRM and providers both.
This is one to watch, though. It's most likely to come to naught, but there is a chance we might at least get a glimpse into DRM policies at NBC, Microsoft and cable providers, who have to this point been quite successful in keeping them out of the spotlight.
Jack
This is one to watch, though. It's most likely to come to naught, but there is a chance we might at least get a glimpse into DRM policies at NBC, Microsoft and cable providers, who have to this point been quite successful in keeping them out of the spotlight.
Jack
Sunday, May 11, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 05-11-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 05-11-08. 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.
Happy Mothers day!
Happy Mothers day!
Links from the Gregg zone
I need to start the week with an apology for last weeks missing blog. While most of the events that caused me to go blogless for the week were beyond my control. It seems I lost all of the links, except this one from Riley http://www.liveatc.net . As for the rest of the links, I thought I had them saved somewhere, but when I started looking for them in order to get the blog up, they had disappeared into the
1) First link up for the week as I often do will be the green link for the week. Having trouble with gas prices? This may be for you, I ran across this link about having your own personal Ethanol Refinery in your own back yard. This was just unveiled last Thursday by a company called “Micro Fueler” Their target price is $1.00 per gallon, while I see holes in the idea for the masses, it may work well on an individual basis, worth checking out at this link. http://www.sciam.com
2) Next up a product trying to be along the green line, I think it is more in the realm of very cool, oh and just a little dangerous. We are talking hybrid here though it sure is not a Prius. What do you think about a cross between a Segway, motorbike, and a unicycle? It is totally electric powered, 40mph, and very spiffy if I was still twenty years old would probably be in trouble. http://gizmodo.com
3) As long as we are looking at cool stuff, here is another concept I really like. I used to fold and fly paper airplanes like most youngsters. The idea of launching one off the
4) Here is my geek link for the week, as usual while it sounds very cool to me; I have to admit I really have no idea what they are talking about, over my pay grade. So forgive me if it is old, lame, and uninteresting. But, if it is a good one give me credit for getting lucky. It is a DYI link (the “build it link”, has directions to build your own). http://www.popsci.com/
5) This is a link to an article which I suppose may affect me, seems inter-net addiction has been given a DSM-V number by The American Psychiatric Association. While I do not fit any of the three subgroups mentioned in the article, the general symptoms are another story. There are quite a few copy and paste type papers to google, I may need to read a little further. http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Free 'AxBan' Tool Kills Bad ActiveX Controls
The byline says; "Errata Security offers freebie ActiveX 'killbit' tool for users".
Face it; ActiveX is evil. Everyone needs to know this and, more importantly, act on the knowledge. This new tool from Errata Security seems to offer some promise for power users, at least. As soon as I can get a copy, I will test it and see exactly who it is suited for.
Jack
Face it; ActiveX is evil. Everyone needs to know this and, more importantly, act on the knowledge. This new tool from Errata Security seems to offer some promise for power users, at least. As soon as I can get a copy, I will test it and see exactly who it is suited for.
Jack
Microsoft May Build a Copyright Cop Into Every Zune
First off; RELAX ! This is the classic tempest in a teapot. Honest. And the New York Times should be ashamed of itself for posting it in the first place. Surely a bit more research is/was called for. At least that's my take on things.
NBC mentioned it and reporters took off with the thought, without checking the reality. Microsoft vehemently denies it and I believe them, as the presence of any such capability is relatively easy to verify, meaning they would be caught in relatively short order. It is a certainty that they know this and they do not want the product damaged in the public eye by such a thing.
Unfortunately, they might have been damaged a lot just because the subject came up and The Times ran with it.
Jack
NBC mentioned it and reporters took off with the thought, without checking the reality. Microsoft vehemently denies it and I believe them, as the presence of any such capability is relatively easy to verify, meaning they would be caught in relatively short order. It is a certainty that they know this and they do not want the product damaged in the public eye by such a thing.
Unfortunately, they might have been damaged a lot just because the subject came up and The Times ran with it.
Jack
First look: OpenOffice.org 3.0 beta a big step forward
I thought I would just pop this onto the duallie (Ubuntu Fiesty) and check it out. Instead, I have been locked in dependency hell with not enough time to sort things out. I'll get it running before too long. For now, though, Ars Technica has a nice piece about it that will tell you what to expect.
Jack
Jack
Firefox Infects Vietnamese Users With Trojan Code
I found out about this two days ago when a local pal wrote me to ask if I knew any way Firefox could infect a machine. It seems a Vietnamese national he knows who lives here had the problem. I've been following it since.
This is a tale that should teach us not to trust everything. EVERY system in place to protect us can break down. What is remarkable is that this doesn't happen more often.
I had it happen with a very well known download site in 1999. (They shall remain nameless here.) I downloaded a newly posted file and my AV freaked out. I contacted them and that was the end of the problem. However, some 1100 users who had also downloaded the file had to be notified, with red faces all around and many apologies.
Scan your system regularly. It is NOT a waste of time.
Jack
This is a tale that should teach us not to trust everything. EVERY system in place to protect us can break down. What is remarkable is that this doesn't happen more often.
I had it happen with a very well known download site in 1999. (They shall remain nameless here.) I downloaded a newly posted file and my AV freaked out. I contacted them and that was the end of the problem. However, some 1100 users who had also downloaded the file had to be notified, with red faces all around and many apologies.
Scan your system regularly. It is NOT a waste of time.
Jack
Fake MP3s Running Rampant
McAfee and others are calling this the most severe malware outbreak in the last few years, though they do not rate it all that highly.
This post is interesting both for how it demonstrates malware authors trying to cloak themselves in an air of legitimacy and how they rely on users not reading the EULA that is trying to make them look on the up and up.
Jack
This post is interesting both for how it demonstrates malware authors trying to cloak themselves in an air of legitimacy and how they rely on users not reading the EULA that is trying to make them look on the up and up.
Jack
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Windows XP SP3 is out!
Windows XP SP3 came out yesterday, You can get it from Windows Updates.
I guess Microsoft fixed the problem they had.
Joe
I guess Microsoft fixed the problem they had.
Joe
Privacy and Preference Settings in Adobe Flash
Privacy settings in Flash are a well kept secret. Well, that might be too strong a statement. At least I know I rarely thought about them. Here's Adobe's take on how to go about setting them.
This is well worth a good look.
Jack
This is well worth a good look.
Jack
OpenSolaris 2008.5
If you want to try a "true Unix", meaning one that has descended fairly directly from the original AT&T source tree, whether via Berkeley or not, this is your shot. Linux is not a Unix, though it is closely related and structured in the same way. (That sort of statement can cause endless argument, so please let it go and move on :))
The link above will take you to a personal blog/review of OpenSolaris 2008.5 by one Bill Beebe that I thought pretty nice. (One of those "I wish I had written that" things.)
Jason Perlow, writing on ZDNet, has a real "rah-rah" take on it, here.
And the Practical Technology blog has a very odd take on Open Solaris, predicting more or less that it has arrived just in time to be killed off. No, really. See that here.
Jack
The link above will take you to a personal blog/review of OpenSolaris 2008.5 by one Bill Beebe that I thought pretty nice. (One of those "I wish I had written that" things.)
Jason Perlow, writing on ZDNet, has a real "rah-rah" take on it, here.
And the Practical Technology blog has a very odd take on Open Solaris, predicting more or less that it has arrived just in time to be killed off. No, really. See that here.
Jack
Monday, May 05, 2008
Read all about it… before it disappears
Paper that sheds it's ink in 24 hours. You can reprocess it or simply let it fade, then print on it again after it has been stripped.
I have no idea what to make of this one. If you read it real fast, it sounds like a grand thing. But I wonder what will happen when someone prints a valuable document for archiving on this stuff by accident. Still, it's interesting.
Jack
I have no idea what to make of this one. If you read it real fast, it sounds like a grand thing. But I wonder what will happen when someone prints a valuable document for archiving on this stuff by accident. Still, it's interesting.
Jack
Sunday, May 04, 2008
MicroSoft drops the bid for Yahoo
As Aaron mentioned on the show today, MicroSoft has dropped their bid for Yahoo. But from across the pond, we have views from the BBC's Time Weber, short and kind of interesting read.
Quite the turn around from Ballmer's statements early last week that they would be putting forth their plans for Yahoo.
Quite the turn around from Ballmer's statements early last week that they would be putting forth their plans for Yahoo.
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 05-04-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 05-04-08. 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.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Ubuntu Hardy Heron: Beyond the Hype and into the Dilemma
Bruce Byfield has written a pretty good review of Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron's place in the market. He concentrates mainly on the tension between "free" software and proprietary extensions. For those of you who have wondered exactly what that argument is about, this is for you. Byfield lays it all out succinctly and accurately.
I'm an Ubuntu fan. I'm a Linux and free software advocate. There are problems in paradise, though, and Byfield has laid them out in an easy to understand form. Well worth your time.
Jack
I'm an Ubuntu fan. I'm a Linux and free software advocate. There are problems in paradise, though, and Byfield has laid them out in an easy to understand form. Well worth your time.
Jack
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Review: PsyStar OpenComputer
The link above will take you to a short review at OS News.com and here is CNet's take on one of the machines offered.
I think it is safe to say that the company is trying to pull this off. It is not a scam. However, I will still excercise and preach caution as it might be easy for PsyStar to either get swamped under the demand or crushed by Apple's lawyers, whether temporarily or permanently.
Jack
I think it is safe to say that the company is trying to pull this off. It is not a scam. However, I will still excercise and preach caution as it might be easy for PsyStar to either get swamped under the demand or crushed by Apple's lawyers, whether temporarily or permanently.
Jack
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The ABCs of securing your wireless network
Ars Technica gives you the basics. If you haven't, or even if you have secured your wireless router, you might want to read this article.
Man gets prison after hundreds of thousands of spam e-mails - Boston.com
One down, infinite number left to go.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
XP SP3 not generally available yet, after all | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com
"Microsoft has decided not to release Windows XP Service Pack (SP) 3 to Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center as planned on April 29. The reason? A last-minute compatibility issue with a Microsoft application — Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS)."
I guess we have to wait a little longer for XP SP3.
Joe
I guess we have to wait a little longer for XP SP3.
Joe
Getting to Know the Nabaztag Internet Rabbit
You can tell by my nick that I have something of an attachment to rabbits, though I won't go into that here.
I have looked at the Nabaztag rabbit for a while now, but have given up on most articles about it because they are simply too dense. Mac Tidbits has finally reviewed it right.
Jack
I have looked at the Nabaztag rabbit for a while now, but have given up on most articles about it because they are simply too dense. Mac Tidbits has finally reviewed it right.
Jack
Psystar delivers Hackintosh
That the company is delivering small numbers (and there is only evidence for a very few deliveries, yet) does not make this a wise investment. However; PsyStar is headed in the direction of proving themselves worthy of our money. Let's see how they do before sending off checks, though.
ALL early reports are very good.
Jack
ALL early reports are very good.
Jack
Sunday, April 27, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 04-27-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 04-27-08. 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.
Remember the pictures from Geek Meet 2008 are up, you can click here to see them.
Remember the pictures from Geek Meet 2008 are up, you can click here to see them.
Links from the Gregg zone
1) Well, we are going to start the week green, I ran across this site following a link about green gasoline. A very promising breakthrough announced earlier this month April 7, in the magazine Chemistry & Sustainability a publication in the biomass field. Link to the article here http://www.nextenergynews.com it seems they have found a new process for handling stuff like switchgrass, cottonwood, woodchips, cornhusks, and the like into green gasoline. The process is cheap and produces a product almost exactly like gasoline, even can be used as jet fuel. The carbon footprint for the process is almost zero, and produces electricity as a by-product to the process. The other thing I like about this site is an extensive amount of videos concerning everything from electric cars and alt. fuels, to geothermal and wind power. A very interesting site, you should not miss this one if the subject interest you.
2) This is along the same line, here is a video I looked up due to a reference on the Jay Leno show, actually, there are several of them here, but this one caught me because you can do it today. Leno commented that he uses zero gas to commute back and forth to work. His Prius hybrid prototype uses only electric power for the first forty miles, his commute is twenty, he plugs it in when he gets to work. Later I saw an interview with a couple of guys who have an add-on conversion kit to boost the Prius hybrid up to 100+ mpg. That got me googling the conversion cost is currently about three thousand dollars installed in one day, which will come down. It can be reversed to the point you can use it on a lease car, remove it and they will not be able to detect it was ever there. http://www.youtube.com
3) This is a link to a short article I ran across I thought some of you might be interested in. Seems that Sony one of the most vocal music piracy companies, is being sued by a small software company for using pirated software in Sony computers. An ironic twist if there is any thing to it. http://www.news.com.
4) However, that previous story link is nothing compared to one Jack sent me about a Rupert Murdoch firm going on trial for tech sabotage. This one reads like a spy novel, the cast of characters include hired hackers, former intelligence agents, Canadians, TV pirates, Bulgarian and German hackers, a UK-Israeli firm, the Israel domestic security agency, a research lab in Haifa, would-be terrorist Yossi Tsuria, code breakers, people disappearing only to be found hanging in the park, I mean this sounds more like a TV movie than a trial over TV smart cards. http://www.wired.com
5) To wrap it up for the week another link sent to me by Jack about one of my favorite things, duct tape. I cannot begin to recall one tenth of the times duct tape has saved my day. I think it is one of the greatest inventions of all time, at least for the handy-person around the house. I had no idea that it was used on the moon to save the day for the Lunar-Lander. What I found most surprising was the comment about it being under the seat in the space ship, I thought the weight factor would have prohibited any such thing. You just have to read this; it will win a beer at the local pub trivia contest every time. http://science.nasa.gov
Friday, April 25, 2008
Between black and white: the state of grayware on the PC
An interesting article at Ars Technica. Well worth your time.
A listener wrote in with a series of related questions after last week's show and I'm actually doing something of an investigative bent to answer then and present what I find on the show, either next week or the week after that.
There is an awful lot of deception in software. Especially in freeware supposed to enhance security. Bundled toolbars with absolutely no notice to the user is probably the most common fault. But there are too many to count. Really.
At any rate; this is a pretty good and fairly concise overview of the problem.
Jack
A listener wrote in with a series of related questions after last week's show and I'm actually doing something of an investigative bent to answer then and present what I find on the show, either next week or the week after that.
There is an awful lot of deception in software. Especially in freeware supposed to enhance security. Bundled toolbars with absolutely no notice to the user is probably the most common fault. But there are too many to count. Really.
At any rate; this is a pretty good and fairly concise overview of the problem.
Jack
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Microsoft Takes Back the Music
Well, we've been wondering when this would happen. MS is not the first to lock subscribers out of legally purchased music files and they surely won't be the last.
The sub-header on the article reads "choose piracy" and, frankly, while I am not advocating that at all, it looks more and more attractive.
Jack
The sub-header on the article reads "choose piracy" and, frankly, while I am not advocating that at all, it looks more and more attractive.
Jack
This Week's QuickTime Zero-Day Hits Windows XP, Vista
This should have been posted yesterday, but I missed it. I'm sorry for that.
It is, I think, time to say that friends don't let friends use QuickTime.
Jack
It is, I think, time to say that friends don't let friends use QuickTime.
Jack
A Reasonable Successor to CAPTCHA?
The page explains how it works and allows you to try it out.
With the completely automated cracking of CAPTCHA images an accomplished fact, we are in desperate need of a successor to tell the bots and the humans apart. This one seems to do it, and without changing everything in the world to get it up and working. Check it out.
Jack
With the completely automated cracking of CAPTCHA images an accomplished fact, we are in desperate need of a successor to tell the bots and the humans apart. This one seems to do it, and without changing everything in the world to get it up and working. Check it out.
Jack
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
"Single Core Systems are History"
It's not like most of you haven't already figured this out and I hope I'm not being somehow offensive by posting something so glaringly obvious and proposing you read it. It's really nice to see it all in one place, though. The arguably best reason for pointing you to this is so you can bookmark it to show to those who really don't get it when you encounter them.
Jack
Jack
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Geek Meet 2008 Pictures are posted
Sorry for the delay, but the pictures from Geek Meet 2008 are now posted at http://geekmeet.oncomputers.info.
Thanks to all that came out.
Thanks to all that came out.
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 04-20-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 04-20-08. 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.
There is a minute or so gap when I lost my internet connection about 2 ½ hours into the show.
AlaskaJoe
There is a minute or so gap when I lost my internet connection about 2 ½ hours into the show.
AlaskaJoe
RSA Conference 2008 - Keynote Webcast Schedule
I thought that some might enjoy access to the conference video or "interactive webcast," from this past week's RSA conference available. Sadly, no audio only...
RSA Conference 2008 - Keynote Webcast Schedule
--MissM
RSA Conference 2008 - Keynote Webcast Schedule
--MissM
Links from the Gregg zone
1) My first couple of links today are going to be a little on the dark side. I have always been, intrigued by the question. What makes humans, my-self included do the things we do? It is amazing to me to watch people acting in ways that I find completely incomprehensible. From world leaders, to the people living next door, I often find my-self running away from that old saying, “if everyone else seems crazy, maybe it’s you”. Anyway, I thought I would post a couple of links about psychological tests I ran across during my net surfing; they were controversial when first conducted; and could not be done today due to ethics. However, they are enlightening when you look at some of the actions of the people around us. http://www.youtube.com
2) The second link is similar to the first one another experiment done a few years later at
3) These next links also delve into the workings of our brain, body, and consciousness. The first link is to an article, I ran across in the Daily Mail about a hypnotist who put himself under for an 83 min. operation on his arm to have a bone growth chiseled off, using a hammer and chisel after cutting him open, no anesthetic. http://www.dailymail.co.uk I have used self-hypnosis in the past. Not to this degree, but the article got me to look around to see what is available on the net, because I did enjoy the experience. Here is some of what I found. My first thought was an old friend, Mind Tools. http://www.mindtools.com Then I found this one a free online five-day audio course, I am thinking about it if I can make time I think I will try it. http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com
4) It’s time to lighten things up a bit, this link was sent to me by Jack, thanks. What we have here is a list of the “Ten Genius Inventions We’re Still Waiting For” put together by Popular Mechanics Magazine. Some future inventions here, but I can probably wait for most of them. http://www.popularmechanics.com
5) Last up a geek link, I have heard some negativity about Safari on the show off and on, so when I saw this I thought I would link it up. It seems PayPal is blocking it as an unsafe browser, and does not live up to their standard. Older versions of some other browsers will also be blocked, so if you are having problems an upgrade might help. http://www.thestandard.com
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Blind users still struggle with 'maddening' computing obstacles
We, and especially Riley, have commented on this for years. Here is a succinct summary of the problems encountered by blind users, along with some information on remediation and tools available.
I was recently asked to re-write a web site to increase usability for the visually challenged. I had to turn it down. Why? Well, most of us who do HTML and derivatives never thought about the blind and so we did our sites in such a way that simply inserting "ALT" tags would do nothing to improve accessibility. Sites need to be designed for accessibility from the start. Once that is done, improving accessibility is really not that much work and surely not inconvenient beyond the needed labor. The site I was being asked to work on really needed to be completely redone, not just tarted up for the blind. Too big a job for the likes of me.
Jack
I was recently asked to re-write a web site to increase usability for the visually challenged. I had to turn it down. Why? Well, most of us who do HTML and derivatives never thought about the blind and so we did our sites in such a way that simply inserting "ALT" tags would do nothing to improve accessibility. Sites need to be designed for accessibility from the start. Once that is done, improving accessibility is really not that much work and surely not inconvenient beyond the needed labor. The site I was being asked to work on really needed to be completely redone, not just tarted up for the blind. Too big a job for the likes of me.
Jack
Firefox 2.0.0.14 released April 16th
Just a bug fix, no new features.
Quote from the release notes :
Fixed in Firefox 2.0.0.14
MFSA 2008-20 Crash in JavaScript garbage collector
Interesting though, when you go into the full details, they say the bug is fixed in Thunderbird 2.0.0.14 as well, but no update showing up there, yet. Still 2.0.0.12 showing for latest download.
Quote from the release notes :
Fixed in Firefox 2.0.0.14
MFSA 2008-20 Crash in JavaScript garbage collector
Interesting though, when you go into the full details, they say the bug is fixed in Thunderbird 2.0.0.14 as well, but no update showing up there, yet. Still 2.0.0.12 showing for latest download.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
"Web tripwires" reveal 1.3% of web pages altered in transit
As far as I'm concerned, this is just one more thing to be suspicious of with regards to the Internet.
That the practice is supposedly "benign" justifies nothing to me.
Jack
That the practice is supposedly "benign" justifies nothing to me.
Jack
Mac Clone Maker Psystar Vows To Challenge Apple EULA
PsyStar, a Florida company specializing in storage rigs, announced their "Open Mac" product Monday and their site was immediately taken down......Slashdotted into oblivion. It's back up now, at least most of the time, so I felt it was time to post this.
Open Mac is a "Hackintosh"; Intel hardware that will run Apple's OS X without any modification to the code. Open Macs come with OS X installed, if you buy your copy from PsyStar. This is a violation of Apples license agreement and I waited over 24 hours for Job's Mob to squash PsyStar like a bug under a flood of legal writs. That didn't happen. Or at least it hasn't happened yet.
PsyStar has come out swinging on this; saying Apple gouges on hardware for the priviledge of running "what is arguably the best OS out there". They intend to change that. To accomplish their goal, they are going to have to challenge the Apple EULA (End User License Agreement). They have 3 possible avenues of attack, that I can see. One is to argue that the terms of the license are unenforceable. The second is to argue that the terms are unconscionable. I assume the third is to argue that Apple is basically objecting to free money for the product which they do not have to subsequently support, which is a very weak argument and probably won't actually come up. (If it does, it likely will be seen as without merit. After all; it IS Apple's property and they cannot be forced to sell it.)
This one is going to be a whole lot of fun to watch. Personally, I hope that PsyStar wins, though I doubt they can. Still, I am not a lawyer able to judge the case from afar and as everyone knows, stranger things have happened in courts.
Jack
Open Mac is a "Hackintosh"; Intel hardware that will run Apple's OS X without any modification to the code. Open Macs come with OS X installed, if you buy your copy from PsyStar. This is a violation of Apples license agreement and I waited over 24 hours for Job's Mob to squash PsyStar like a bug under a flood of legal writs. That didn't happen. Or at least it hasn't happened yet.
PsyStar has come out swinging on this; saying Apple gouges on hardware for the priviledge of running "what is arguably the best OS out there". They intend to change that. To accomplish their goal, they are going to have to challenge the Apple EULA (End User License Agreement). They have 3 possible avenues of attack, that I can see. One is to argue that the terms of the license are unenforceable. The second is to argue that the terms are unconscionable. I assume the third is to argue that Apple is basically objecting to free money for the product which they do not have to subsequently support, which is a very weak argument and probably won't actually come up. (If it does, it likely will be seen as without merit. After all; it IS Apple's property and they cannot be forced to sell it.)
This one is going to be a whole lot of fun to watch. Personally, I hope that PsyStar wins, though I doubt they can. Still, I am not a lawyer able to judge the case from afar and as everyone knows, stranger things have happened in courts.
Jack
Monday, April 14, 2008
First Look: Gimp 2.5.0 - UPDATED!
So far, the general consensus is that The GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program, for those who might not know yet) is not quite a competitor for Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro. Still, it's quite close. Close enough that I certainly am not qualified to judge. I simply don't work at that level in graphics.
In my opinion, and apparently the opinion of others, too, The GIMP's interface is even more confusing than that of it's competitors. As a result, the GIMP team has made a lot of changes. I think they are worth checking out. I'm a GIMP user on Windows or Linux and looking forward to them making more changes to make it easier for folks like me to use it profitably. I think this new release will be well worth your time to check out.
Jack
UPDATE: Here is Scott Gilbertson's Wired blog post on the subject, which seems an even better overview of things.
Jack
In my opinion, and apparently the opinion of others, too, The GIMP's interface is even more confusing than that of it's competitors. As a result, the GIMP team has made a lot of changes. I think they are worth checking out. I'm a GIMP user on Windows or Linux and looking forward to them making more changes to make it easier for folks like me to use it profitably. I think this new release will be well worth your time to check out.
Jack
UPDATE: Here is Scott Gilbertson's Wired blog post on the subject, which seems an even better overview of things.
Jack
The Coming Processor War: Opening Salvo
Here's an interesting quickie from Lloyd Case at Extreme Tech. He makes the case that eliminating the graphics processor in favor of the CPU is entirely possible now and will only become more so and wonders how NVidia will respond to that.
Jack
Jack
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 04-13-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 04-13-08. 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.
Remember this was our Geek Meet 2008 show with video of the show, to see the live video you need the asf file from our archives mms://live.oncomputers.info/OCArchive/2008/04-13-08.asf
Remember this was our Geek Meet 2008 show with video of the show, to see the live video you need the asf file from our archives mms://live.oncomputers.info/OCArchive/2008/04-13-08.asf
Sunday, April 13, 2008
How much can you improve network throughput with a high-end NIC?
Hi. We are finally back online, after 75 hours without power. Sorry for the absence.
Here's a short article at Linux.com that I think everyone should read.
For ages, I have trolled for the lowest cost nics with a decent chipset. For a couple years, I was centered on Kingston parts, but they got out of the nic market. Now, I have failed spectacularly in finding cheap nics that work well. I have had to resort to nics costing 3-5 times as much to get decent performance and reliability.
Jack
Here's a short article at Linux.com that I think everyone should read.
For ages, I have trolled for the lowest cost nics with a decent chipset. For a couple years, I was centered on Kingston parts, but they got out of the nic market. Now, I have failed spectacularly in finding cheap nics that work well. I have had to resort to nics costing 3-5 times as much to get decent performance and reliability.
Jack
Links from the Gregg zone
1) To start, the geek meet weekend show links this week I am posting a link to an article about storage of data. The goal of this group is to put a full petabyte of information on a single disc. To put that in perspective 20,000 times what fits on today’s blue ray disc or 200,000 DVD’s without increasing the size of the disc. They are looking at several options, such as, color spectrum, dimensions, layering, and nano technology. http://www.sciencealert.com.
2) This is a link I found the other day I thought was interesting it is the only free open internet-rating site. They provide audience profiles for over 20,000,000 sites. They are primarily for advertisers, but it is interesting to look up sites and see what type of audience is using the site. For instance, oncomputers ranks 859,387, mostly male, mostly over 55, mostly under 30k per year, mostly Asian, mostly no children in house hold. There is a statement that these results are based on insufficient data, and there is an option to “get qualified”, if we wanted, I suppose that would improve that accuracy http://www.quantcast.com/
3) Here is a very good audio/video site while there is an incredible amount of stuff here since this is geek meet I thought I would just highlight the computer section. Five-hundred-sixty items on the archives of the Computers Chronicles T.V. show broadcast for twenty years 1983-2002. Other shows available include The Digital Tipping Point, Net Café, Internet Governance, BBS Documentaries, several Linux groups. That is just part of the section covering the computer. I also found such things as the original ads for the Commodore, among many others. I found this stuff under Moving Images, browse from the main page. http://www.archive.org
4) A link to an article in Wired Magazine about the Chinese using Trojans to spy on us has spurred the latest Microsoft’s patches. Seems the
5) Last link before I have to head for downtown and meet the group for our prim-rib buffet at Fitzgerald’s casino, the ten weirdest computers. An article posted yesterday in the New Scientist Tech Magazine. I need to hurry so I’m just going to say here is the link, by. http://technology.newscientist.com
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Adobe Launches Ad-Supported Media Player
In what has to be considered one of the most useless expenditures of corporate resources in recent memory, Adobe has launched a media player supported by advertising; a feature which just about guarantees it's not being adopted widely.
The link above will take you to The Inquirer's announcement. Here is Adobe's official page for it.
Ars Technica's Review is here.
Jack
The link above will take you to The Inquirer's announcement. Here is Adobe's official page for it.
Ars Technica's Review is here.
Jack
EMC buys Iomega | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com
Unfortunately, I don't believe this is news to many people, just an expected occurrence.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
HP Admits to Selling Infected Flash-Floppy Drives
I post this not to embarass HP, but to illustrate that we are repeating history.
In the very old DOS days, the way to stay safe from events such as this was to format everything you got before you used it. Pre-formatted floppies encouraged poor practice in this regard, but those of us with a paranoid bent did it and everyone should have. Now, with flash drives, the modern floppy, we have the same problem. And the solution is the same.
If it is new, format it. If it comes with data or executables on it, scan it first, before doing anything else. Don't even open it and look at the contents before initiating the scan!
Jack
In the very old DOS days, the way to stay safe from events such as this was to format everything you got before you used it. Pre-formatted floppies encouraged poor practice in this regard, but those of us with a paranoid bent did it and everyone should have. Now, with flash drives, the modern floppy, we have the same problem. And the solution is the same.
If it is new, format it. If it comes with data or executables on it, scan it first, before doing anything else. Don't even open it and look at the contents before initiating the scan!
Jack
ISPs Hog Rights in Fine Print
It's just like software licenses. You sign away your rights and pledge your soul along with giving them your credit card details.
Periodically these things come under public scrutiny and occasionally they actually get made better for the consumer. Don't count on that happening this round in the cycle. Still, it's nice to see some public mention and the resulting chance the public awareness has been raised.
Jack
Periodically these things come under public scrutiny and occasionally they actually get made better for the consumer. Don't count on that happening this round in the cycle. Still, it's nice to see some public mention and the resulting chance the public awareness has been raised.
Jack
Apple Adds Anti-Hacker Features to QuickTime
You've all heard me rant about how media players are going to continue being one of the preferred attack vectors for the bad guys who want to compromise systems. Apparently Apple is tired of that truth and decided to do everything they can to stop it happening via QuickTime.
That's only to the good. How well Apple will succeed is open to question, as it appears [to me] that applications like media players are simply going to be vulnerable. Giving their best to these changes can only help users stay secure and, if they are really good, they might achieve a long period of "peace" where no new vulnerabilities are discovered for a while.
Jack
That's only to the good. How well Apple will succeed is open to question, as it appears [to me] that applications like media players are simply going to be vulnerable. Giving their best to these changes can only help users stay secure and, if they are really good, they might achieve a long period of "peace" where no new vulnerabilities are discovered for a while.
Jack
Sunday, April 06, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 04-06-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 04-06-08. 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.
Spirit Of Knoxville: Autonomous Trans-Atlantic Balloon Project
University of Tennessee students have built 5 balloons that they release into the jet stream, and track via radio and gps. The goal? To get to Europe. They have released 4 balloons so far, and the launch is tonight! April 06, 2007 (00:00 GMT/20:00EDT) is the scheduled lift-off. They need help tracking it, and have links and software to send your results back (almost like an earth bound seti). Hmmm, They have on the website, they say 8:00pm EST, aren't we on EDT? Oh well... check the Launch page to findout. The last flight lasted 40 hours and ended up in Ireland. They also have live updates, once it has launched.
Spirit Of Knoxville: Autonomous Trans-Atlantic Balloon Project
update: The Latest News:
* Recovery plans underway. Volunteers heading to area. 42 minutes ago
* Balloon has landed in southwestern Virginia. The balloon plastic seems to have failed during the initial climb. more details may be posted about 3 hours ago
* Landing will occur within the next few hours in the US. The balloon envelope has failed, no reason has been hypothesis about 14 hours ago
[h/t GeekDad blog @ wired]
--MissM
P.S. Because I have ADD, I'm unable to limit this to one topic. :P If you just read this through RSS, you might want to click through to the site, to check out the links I share in my google reader, have our posts read to you and search amazon, plus any other things I'm experimenting with (mwahahaha). Please let me know if you have suggestions or comments here or by email missm.oncomputers at gmail.com . As always, thanks for reading and contributing SO much to our weblog!
Jane
Why modular Windows will suck for Microsoft and suck for you
Here is Peter Bright's ideas on what might be wrong with the model for the next Windows version, or at least what we know of it now. While I have not formed my thoughts on all this as yet (there being very little hard information on the subject out and about) I tend to agree with Bright's reasoning.
Even so; it's a bit early to get all worked up over this. So take it with a grain of salt and think about it as time unfolds the whole story.
Jack
Even so; it's a bit early to get all worked up over this. So take it with a grain of salt and think about it as time unfolds the whole story.
Jack
Links from the Gregg zone
1) Well its geek meet in Las Vegas, links for the week are all about Vegas, I was ask about cheap things to do in town. The best site I found about having fun in
2) This is a link to the free shuttles available between different properties, even if you are using a cab you can save a bunch by limiting the distances traveling to off strip properties should you decide to go to them. http://www.a2zlasvegas.com
3) Another option is the city bus service they are usually on schedule unless there is an accident, or breakdown. Those are rare this time of year, more frequent in summer. You can get a 24hr pass for the bus. They cost $2.50 on any line other than the strip, meaning any cross street going away from the strip. The 24hr pass for the strip bus cost $5.00; if you want to use the off strip pass on the strip route they charge an extra fifty cents each time. This is the City bus service link http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com use the drop down menu on the left side hit Citizens Area Transit if you know the address just put them in the trip planer. The complete service schedule book, with maps bought on any bus for 25 cents. If you are, up late and want a nice way to see the strip and all the lights, take the bus to the terminal at either end. The buses run every ten min., so there are many busses you can get the second floor, front row seats nothing but window, ride to the other end with a terrific view, or get off any time.
Well it seems I should offer some advice about gambling, I am writing this from the review of my overall experience, not from an educated academic study based in the areas of math, statistical analysis, or anything like that. I have read numerous books on the various games, played many systems with various degrees of success and failure. I have developed opinions on playing most games. However, the most important thing to remember, casino gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money, change or improve your life, play for entertainment only. If you break even you have won, it is like going to the movie, having a good time and having them refund your money as you leave. The most important thing is money management, set your parameters. Know at what point you will quit in advance, if I lose X amount of dollars I quit, but just as important if I win X amount of dollars I will quit. Personally, I play what I think of as plateaus usually based on either tens, or twenties. In other words say I start with twenty dollars and I get to thirty-five on a particular payoff, I will quit if I drop to thirty, however if continued play gets me to fifty-seven dollars I will then quit if I drop down to fifty. There is always a place to quit, go do something else, however there is no limit on the top end, only the bottom, once I win I am guaranteed to come home ahead, the only question is how much.
Black Jack:
I have a preferred method of playing this game that originated from a system on roulette I read about in a Gambling Times Magazine article. It requires very little skill, only varying the amount you bet on each hand. As far as game decisions are concerned, you just follow the rules of basic logic. Here is a link to print out a chart of what to do with the cards dealt to you. http://www.hundredpercentgambling.com This chart is for a four-deck shoe, the amount of decks will not matter for this play, the chart is just to provide guidance, and stop you from doing something dumb. I will talk in units of play be they dollars, five dollar chips, or whatever.
Start with twenty units, follow strategy chart, first bet two units, if you lose at any time the next bet is two units. In essence, what you have is ten starting seed bets of two units each. If you win the first bet, you will have four units your two and the two you won. Next bet is three units, set aside the one left over in a separate stack or put them in your pocket, these units are not replayed, considered profit/reserve. If you win the second bet, you will now have six units, and your next wager is five units. One goes into your profit/reserve; your risk on this series is now zero. If you win three in a row, you will be ahead ten units. Your next bet is two units taken from the ten, you just won; repeat this pattern until you lose the seed bet. Then start over with a new seed, when you have lost the last seed bet, leave the table.
A variation I like to play with this is to find a table with open seats next to me, and if I complete a series, play one more hand on two spots five units each. If I win both of those, I am up twenty units, if I win one lose one I am still up ten, lose both break even. There are some situations requiring added units involving splits, and double downs. An extreme example you are dealt a pair of eights, split, draw another eight, and a three, split the other eight, double down on the three, draw another three, and a two, double down on both of those, you have up to 25 units on this hand. This is very unusual but, remember as a rule these situations increase your advantage, which is why the math says to bet more.
Slots:
I play them, but not often. However, I can offer some insight on them. I worked for a while for a secure document destruction company here in
Keno:
The worst odds in the casino, but I play this also sometimes. Better to play the machines for small amounts. I will play five dollars on nickel Keno, I play the way ticket games. I occasionally will throw a twenty at quarter keno machine; play a seven or six spot to kill time, but only if I am up quite a bit, and feel lucky. If you want to play live Keno, I would suggest the way tickets for smaller wagers, as low as 40 cents a way most places.
Baccarat:
Baccarat can be a very good game to play, and it is one of the easiest to play. There are only two bets, player and house. I play the same as I play Black Jack, with the wagering format. I usually play whatever won the last hand, looking for three player wins, or three banks, wins in a row. The other option just play bank. Another way to play is to look for a successful player, watch his chip stack off and on while wandering around. Some players are very adept at this game, find one you like just sit down and do what he does.
Craps:
I think I would like this game to much, so I avoid it. Sorry.
Pia Gow:
Pia Gow is the best table game to play if you just want to play a long time for your money, if you are not interested in winning a bunch, or worried about losing this is a great game.You break even on most hands, win a few and lose a few, but at a five-dollar table, you can play for a long time without losing much. The game is much easier than it looks, watch a few hands, sit down you can ask the dealer, or someone at the table how to set your hand. They are usually very nice to new players, and they expect questions, all you need to play is a basic understanding of the ranking of poker hands.
Video Poker:
Video poker is my personal favorite, but unless you have devoted some time to study these games, I would caution against playing them a lot. They are a game of skill and as such to get close to the expected rate of return will require an investment of time, patience, and study. There are many different teaching aides available. If interested take a trip to the gamblers bookstore (11th and
Horseracing:
Here I can offer two plays that may be of value to this particular group, providing you have a basic understanding of the game. Look for a short priced favorite in the race, 8-5 or less the horse must be bet down from the morning line odds. If you find one look for another horse in the same race bet down against it with a starting morning line of between 4-1, and 15-1, must be about half the morning line or less. I have made a lot of money on this play. The other play is much more risky, but can payoff big. Look for a race with eight or more horses in the field, and a favorite at 4-1 or more, toss the favorite and just pick three horses for whatever reason you come up with, like the names, colors, and/or jockeys, birthdays, whatever. Then you buy a one-dollar box for the exacta, and trifecta, this cost twelve dollars, but if you guess, right could pay thousands.
Roulette:
There are some plays on this game that will allow you to play for long times with limited risk, but you will lose in the end. You can play the Black Jack wagering system on red or black. If you want a more advanced play on this game, ask me, it is a little complicated, not to play, but to explain.
Other Table Games: Games like three card poker, let it ride,
I hope this might help, remember it is only advise, it is after all gambling, have fun, enjoy…Gregg
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)