Cracktalk

Crack Talk 12-31-4

2005-01-05T18:37:00.000-08:00

Crack Talk 12-31-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com

Happy New Year!
.
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Feds Convict Warez Pirate
The Department of Justice has landed its first conviction against anAmerican defendant trapped via Operation Fastlink, a multinational lawenforcement effort undertaken against online software piracy.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa said that JathanDesir, 26, of Iowa City, has pleaded guilty to charges related to hisrole in a criminal enterprise that distributed pirated software, games,movies and music over the Internet.
Appearing in the U.S. District Court in Des Moines last week, Desirpleaded guilty to a three-count felony that charged him with copyrightinfringement and conspiracy to commit copyright infringement. Desir willface a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced onMarch 18, 2005.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/12/27/fbi_gets_desir/
http://www.techweb.com/wire/security/56200630
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The Unauthorized Content Distribution System
Everyone knows that just about any digital product you would want isprobably available somewhere online. What many people probably don'tknow, however, is how those products get there. Wired Magazine isrunning a fascinating article looking at the real distribution processfor unauthorized content. It is not about someone buying a CD andripping songs to their Kazaa-enabled PC. Instead, there's a complex, butamazingly efficient distribution system that operates on a variety oflevels above the popular file sharing networks, and the content allfilters down. If you're familiar with typical warez groups, it appearsthese are like supersized versions of those -- where everyone involvedis doing it to get access to more stuff, but also just for the fun ofit. While what's happening in these networks is obviously very muchillegal, what's most fascinating is just how incredibly efficient adistribution system it really is. If the entertainment industry wasbeing smart about things, they would stop reacting so badly, and startlooking for ways to actually leverage this distribution system. Ofcourse, that would require them to adjust their business models, and, ashas become pretty damn clear, the industry doesn't believe in everchanging business models. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.01/topsite_pr.html
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How-to Record on Your Ipod (for free)
Apple cripples recording on an ipod so Belkin and Griffin then have tosell us add-on devices for over $50 that can only record at 8khz, whichis all pretty shitty. apparently (the rumor is) apple does this sopeople don’t use their ipods to record stuff they think we shouldn’t,like concerts, whatever.
but don’t worry, there’s a way around it and you can record at highquality, all for free. http://ipod.hackaday.com/entry/1234000147025394/
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Defense Fund for Bit Torrent Indexer
LokiTorrent is a BitTorrent indexing site -- like the lamented Suprnova-- that has been threatened with legal action by the MPAA for tellingpeople where to download torrent files that allow them to download videoand other large data-objects. Unlike some of the other Torrent indexersthat shut down last week, LokiTorrent is mounting a legal defense.They're trying to raise a legal defense fund of $30,000 http://www.lokitorrent.com/
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Trojan Slips Through XP's Back Door
Online miscreants have released a Trojan horse that can infect computersrunning Microsoft's Windows XP, installing programs to remotely controla victim's system.
Symantec warned in an advisory this week that the program - dubbed"Phel", an anagram of "Help" - infects visitors to a maliciously createdwebsite through Internet Explorer's Help controls. A patch is not yetavailable from Microsofthttp://software.silicon.com/os/0,39024651,39126776,00.htm
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eBay has introduced an interesting new service called Want It Now
Want It Now is a new format on eBay enabling buyers to let sellers knowwhat they are looking for and allowing sellers to respond to buyers witheBay listings. http://pages.ebay.com/wantitnow/about.html
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Give your kids, spouse or employees this cell phone and you can alwaystrack where they are... and they probably won't even know it.
Although GPS was added to cellphones so that 911 emergency calls couldbe tracked, 15 million Nextel Communications Inc. subscribers can nowbuy the locator service for personal or business use. Next yearapproximately 23 million Sprint Corp. wireless users will be able tosign up. It costs about $15 a month to turn on the service. http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-gps27dec27,1,7147933.story
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Microsoft Antitrust Settlement Dollars Going Largely Unclaimed
California companies and consumers who purchased Microsoft's PC softwaremay be leaving more than $1 billion on the table.http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=02MWXHRJSRNWKQSNDBCCKHSCJUMEKJVN?articleID=56200598
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Satellite Images of the Tsunami http://www.digitalglobe.com/tsunami_gallery.html
More satellite images and raw videos here: http://tv.reuters.com/
CNN has reported the death toll rose above 135,000 http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/12/31/asia.quake/index.html
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Craigslist takes $50 million from newspapers' classified ads ClassifiedIntelligence, a consulting firm has released a report that sayscraigslist.com has seriously hurt newspapers' classified ad revenue. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/12/28/craigslist_costs_papers/
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Auction site eBay announced to members on its Web site Wednesdayafternoon that it will drop support for Microsoft's Passport and .NET
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Just when you think that things can't get worse...
Martha Stewart was unable to lead her team to victory in a prisondecoration contest.http://www.usatoday.com/money/2004-12-31-stewart-loses_x.htm
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USA Today's Top Photos of 2004
http://www.usatoday.com/news/graphics/yearinpics2004/yearinpics-top.htm
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US Bunkers, which manufactures a nice little pod to cozy up in when thepeak oil crisis-induced food, water, and energy riots commence. Load itup with plenty of guns, ammos, water, food, and antibiotics and ride outthe catastrophe. http://www.anigami.com/jimwich.html
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No Free Ride for You
Russia's cash-strapped space agency said on Tuesday it would stop givingU.S. astronauts free rides into orbit in the future. From 2006, we willput U.S. astronauts into orbit only on a commercial basis: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6762527/
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Skydiving without a parachute - this guy plans to try it http://dropzone.com/cgi-bin/safety/detail_page.cgi?ID=556
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Hang-glider with a Microlight to 30,000 ft over Mt. Everest
The glider was towed by a UK built Pegasus Quantum trike equipped with aTurbo-intercooled Rotax 914 engine and a Pegasus XL wing. http://www.flymicro.com/everest/index.cfm
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Jet Pilots Complain About Laser
A commercial airline pilot said that a laser beam entered the cockpit ofhis plane for several seconds on Monday, while it was 8,500 feet in theair. Air traffic controllers determined that the source of the lasercame from a neighborhood in Warrensville Heights, near Cleveland. TheFBI is investigating. And in September, a Delta pilot's eye was injuredfrom a laser beam while he was landing a plane in Salt Lake City. Here'sthe LA Times article about this.http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-laser30dec30,1,961441.story
I'm wondering if the idiots who are doing this are using lasers likethe ones sold at Lasershoppe.com. Wow: I just went to lasershoppe(http://cable.shiftlock.com:8009/) to read more about the $600 lasersthe site sells (which can burn holes through plastic cups,(http://www.flickr.com/photos/pmtorrone/2622866/) and I learned thatthey are no longer selling lasers because they don't want to haveanything to do with people who would use their lasers maliciously. Theylink to a CNN article that says six commercial jets have had theircockpits illuminated by laser beams in the last four days. http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/29/laser.plane/index.html
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Shoppers Unhappy with Amazon - The Model for Online Retailing
Not only is there no telephone number on Amazon’s Web site, but thecompany makes a point of not including one. Instead, customers are askedto fill out an online form and wait for a response. The whole purpose ofthese systems isn’t to provide customer service but to keep the customerat arm’s length. Of course that’s the idea - no one wants to *TALK* toyou, you messy human - they just want to take your money and provide aslittle service as possible.
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New system allows retailers to track sales without receipts, preventfraudulent returns and can scan an item you received as a gift and tellyou where it was purchased.http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1746941,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594
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An analysis by Edmunds.com found that in September the average vehiclesold at a record $5,200 under sticker price, breaking the $5,000 barrierfor the first time.
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How To Defend Yourself Against Ruthless Rebate Scams
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/consumerism/rebate_madness01.html
http://www.fatwallet.com/t/24/314746/
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The End
"How To Be Creative"
A book by by Hugh MacLeod
Chaos can be a positive thing. Chaos is inherently part of the creativeact. To embrace creativity means you must also embrace chaos. Thingsdon't happen when everything is neat and "just so". Creativity is allabout disruption. The people who tell you that creativity is pain-freeare liars. The people who tell you they've got a plan are liars. Thereis no plan. There's just you, God and the need to invent. And thisuncertain world is what most of us now find ourselves entering,willingly or otherwise.
26 tried-and-true tips for being truly creative. Each point illustratedby a cartoon drawn by the author himself.http://www.changethis.com/6.HowToBeCreative

Crack Talk 12-24-4

2005-01-05T18:36:00.000-08:00

Crack Talk 12-24-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com

Merry Christmas
Please spread the joy, peace, or another positive emotion of your choice.
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Office Depot was on the ball... the hard drives and free mini-fridgesarrived 2 days after placing the order . One member wrote to say thatthe mini-fridge offer was no longer available. It seems that they ranout of them. I hoped they would be larger but they will hold 6 cansand will run on ac and dc (automotive) power, so they are worth about$25 and do make practical gifts.
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A Fatal Blow to Shrinkwrap Licensing?
Cathy Baker refused to take the "you opened it, you bought it and norefund" policies of the software vendors anymore and sued and won! Nowwe can take back the software that does not do as it promises, or theythe vendors MUST give us a printed copy of the EULA=end user licenseagreement,and vendors are required to give us a refund or an instorecredit to purchase what we want. http://www.gripe2ed.com/scoop/story/2004/12/20/8257/4850
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Mark Pesce rants about the recent shutdowns of BitTorrent supersitesSuprnova.org and TorrentBits.com.
Hey, Hollywood! Can you feel the future slipping through your fingers?Do you understand how badly you've screwed up? You took a perfectlyserviceable situation - a nice, centralized system for the distributionof media, and, through your own greed and shortsightedness, are givingbirth to a system of digital distribution that you'll never, ever beable to defeat. In your avarice and arrogance you ignored the obvious:you should have cut a deal with SuprNova.org. In partnership you couldhave found a way to manage the disruptive change that's already wellunderway. Instead, you have repeated the mistakes made by the recordingindustry, chapter and verse. And thus you have spelled your own doom.
On a similar note... Several major music labels are investing in a newcopy protection scheme. (http://news.com.com/) But they are just wastingtime any sound that can be heard can be copied easily by programs thatrecord whatever is passing through the sound card. (Like Super SoundRecorder or Sound Snooper (Cream 44) or 3D MP3 Sound Recorder (Cream 44and updated on 46.) I know, I know many people say "quality, quality islost when you record that way" ...but I have news.... it never botheredus when we pressed record on our cassette player and copied a song offthe radio and the high quality is usually lost by poor speakers to thepoint that a slight loss in recording from the sound card will never benoticed anyway.
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Fix Windows XP SP2 Installation Woes
Plus, patch serious security holes in Windows and Internet Explorer. http://pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,118511,00.asp
A Chinese security group has released sample code to exploit two newunpatched flaws in Microsoft Windows. http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5502534.html
Hacking Windows XP: Speed Up Your Network and Internet Access http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1722547,00.asp
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Medicare said Thursday it intends to pay for counseling to help some ofthe nation’s 4 million older smokers kick the habit. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6750690/
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Atlanta Falcons' Michael Vick is set to become the highest-paid NFLplayer with a 10-year deal worth over $100m.
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The Tinfoil Hat Finally Gains Government Approval
As you stroll through the terminal in a foreign country, you pass anondescript man with a briefcase. The briefcase contains a powerfulradio scanner, and simply by walking past, you've identified yourself asan American. Without laying a finger on you, the man has electronically"skimmed" the data in your passport
For years (paranoid) people have been wearing tinfoil hats to preventaliens and "The Government" from reading their minds or controllingtheir thoughts - or simply to enhance meditation. (You can even buy themfor your pets.) The US government planned to embed RFID tags inpassports but they are worried about unauthorized access and haveplanned to "shield" the signals with wires woven into the cover ofpassports.... which are sure to set off airport security scanners.
This site sells shielded shirts, aprons, and even socks! And yes, theyalso have a shielded baseball cap. http://www.lessemf.com/personal.html
RFID tags can't be erased by a strong magnet (but a hammer will killthem.) They can be hacked. It's probably just a matter of time tillhackers will be buying expensive products for pennies on the dollar byreprogramming/repricing the tags on merchandise on store room shelves.http://www.clubukonline.co.uk/legal-update/legaldetail.asp?id=310
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Swarmcast -- The Granddaddy of Technologies Like Bittorrent.
The technology improves swarming by ensuring that the bytes that theuser wants next are scheduled to be received next. So if they're playingback a video file, the bytes from the front of the file will be receivedfirst. If the user (or application) skips forward to the middle of thefile, the bytes at the middle of the file will be prioritized. Thus,unlike first generation swarming systems like Swarmcast or Bittorrent,you don't have to wait for the entire file to download to do somethinguseful with it! http://onionnetworks.com/products/swarmstream/
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What an Idiot
Leonel Arias, 47, told police he was playing a practical joke by donningthe Bin Laden mask, toting his pellet rifle and jumping out to scaredrivers on a narrow street in his hometown, Carrizal de Alajuela(search), about 20 miles north of San Jose.
Guess what happens next?
Arias had startled several drivers that way on Monday afternoon. Butwhen he jumped out in front of taxi driver Juan Pablo Sandoval, themotorist reached for a gun and shot him twice in the stomach. He washospitalized in stable condition. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,141508,00.html
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X-Communist Say Take This Bolshevik Holiday and Shove it
Russia abolishes a number of key public holidays including the Sovietholiday marking the Bolshevik revolution of 1917. Note: the Bolshevikrevolution lead to the deaths of 100 MILLION people, 17 million inRussia alone, 20 million in China, etc.
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India Freaks Out Over Amateur Teen Sex Phonecam Video
The [oral] sex clip was recorded weeks ago and passed on by the braggingschoolboy to three of his friends and eventually made its way to videodisc sellers in New Delhi. It did not draw much attention until anengineering student at a prestigious Indian college listed it for saleon [eBay's Indian subsidiary] Baazee.com... it's the talk of urbanIndia, an obsession of newspapers and talk shows.
I don't understand the uproar... if they are so bent out of shape overan oral sex video then how can the people of India tolerate the highlevels of rape in their country?
Statistics from 2000 showed that on average a woman is raped every hourin India. Women's groups attest that the strict and conservativeattitudes about sex and family privacy contribute to ineffectiveness ofIndia's rape laws. Victims are often reluctant to report rape. In anopen court victims must prove that the rapist sexually penetrated themin order to get a conviction. http://www.indianchild.com/sexual_harassment_india.htm
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Huge parachute designed to save crashing planes Firm working with NASAtoward commercial version http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/12/22/airplane.parachutes.ap/index.html
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Most Popular Google Queries for 2004
http://www.google.com/press/zeitgeist.html
Ok... I admit that even thought I spend lots and lots of time reading thenews I had never heard of some of the top inquiries like Louis Vuittonand Orlando Bloom and David Beckham.
The "iPod" was among the most searched item on the Internet last week,with more than 1.67 million consumers looking up the product.
Note: beware of the "free ipod" scam. It started last year and wasexposed but it's still going around. It's just a pyramid scheme. Withthe usual send-this-message-to-five-people scheme, it only takes 15steps in the scheme before the total number of participants must be 7.6billion (larger than the Earth's population) in order for the schemeto continue. http://www.interleaves.org/~rteeter/pyramid.html
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Misty - A Classified Ripoff ?
The United States is building a new generation of spy satellitesdesigned to orbit undetected, in a highly classified program that hasprovoked opposition in closed congressional sessions where lawmakershave questioned its necessity and rapidly escalating price - 9.5 BILLIONhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56171-2004Dec10.html
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Steroids for the Brain
New drugs allow healthy people to increase their brain functioning toabove-average levels. "Brain-booster" drugs such as donepezil,modafinil, and methylphenidate (Ritalin) are officially approved onlyfor use on patients with problems like narcolepsy, Alzheimer's disease,and attention deficit disorder. But as a growing number of scientificstudies (and many anecdotal accounts) have suggested, these drugs alsoboost healthy patients' brain functioning markedly. Users have shown theability to learn new skills more easily, focus on a tasks morecompletely, react to emergencies faster, and remember more easily.http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-smartdrugs20dec20,0,5957156.story?coll=la-home-health
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Alternative to Getting Embryonic Stem Cells Without Killing an Embryo
The approach would involve removing one cell from a very early embryothat has developed to about eight cells (called a morula), and derivingstem cells from that single cell. The embryo would still have thepotential to develop into a human if implanted into a womb. http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,66113,00.html
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Sony DVDirect Offers Easy Path From VHS
Sony's DVDirect allows you to make relatively hassle-free DVDs from VHStapes by plugging the device into a camcorder, VCR or a computer. WithSony's DVDirect, you can easily transfer old videotapes and camcorderfootage to DVDs. This recorder is easy to operate. Connecting it to acamcorder is a snap. Just plug the camcorder into the unit's audio andvideo jacks and pop in a DVD+R or DVD+RW disc. Press "record" and theunit will start recording when it picks up a signal from the camcorder.If you turn off the camcorder, or pause it, the device willautomatically stop recording. ($300)
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Review: Sidekick II - T-Mobile's Cool New Smartphone
Sidekick is perfect for having fun and staying in touch.http://www.smartphonetoday.com/articles/2004/12/2004-12-9-Review-Sidekick-II.html
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If you are lucky with rebates this is an outstanding deal
Wintergreen Barebones PC $29.99
TigerDirect has the Wintergreen PM800-M2 Socket 478 Barebone Kit ECSKM800-M2 P4 Motherboard / 52x32x52x CD-RW / CPU Fan / Modem / 300 WattPower Supply / Keyboard / Mouse / Speakers $29.99 after a huge $140 inrebates.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=N52-3015&sourceid=qIa2Qcwsu2DbAcC5@Sqd&siteid=0029407737&CMP=AFC-AFFIL
$500 million is lost annually on fraudulent rebate claims.
Oh how I would enjoy busting the rebate scams. I'm sure someone hascome up with a printing system that can duplicate the barcode andreceipt requirements and is sucking in hundreds of dollars per day fromcompanies that do pay rebates. And why don't we hear about such(illegal) systems to generate income this way? My guess is that itprobably WORKS and the people doing it want to keep it hush hush toavoid it getting out of hand and ruining their cash printing press.Have you ever heard of anyone getting prosecuted for printing rebates?I haven't. My guess is that even if you were to get caught most judgeswould simply say "stop doing it" ...and you would have 9 million otherbusinesses to apply for rebates from.
NOTE: I am NOT suggesting anyone do this! Most rebates have thisprinted on them: "Fraudulent submission could result in federalprosecution under mail fraud statutes. "
When you see that a store is offering you a rebate, remember that backat HQ some executive is betting against you, rooting for you to slip up,calculating the odds that you will lose the receipt, go on vacation,write in a wrong number. And they know there is little chance anyonewill ever do anything. Even after a class action law suit against Dellfor failure to honor rebates, they still are doing it. And why not? Mostof their rebates are for large rebates (over $100.)
What me worry? (Alfred E. Newman - Mad Magazine)
In five years, the FTC has taken action against a relatively smallnumber of offenders. They include Iomega, Memorex disk producer MemtekProducts, scanner maker UMAX Technologies and Okidata, all fornondelivery of rebates. It dinged Philips Electronics, Office Depot andValue America for late delivery. Buy.com was cited for deceptiveadvertising that promised free Internet service with computer purchaseswithout explaining that a three-year contract was required. Like theMicrosoft class action fine in California... the amount they had to payout when convicted was still only about 30% of what the scam took in.
Note: TigerDirect seems to be a current leader in the rebate ripoffscams although this scam was probably the biggest of them all (they owed84 million in rebates then declared bankruptcy):http://groups.msn.com/CyberrebateRebateRecoveryAlliance/tonewsreporters.msnw
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ZipZoomFly.com - Great Online Store for Computer Parts
They are one of the highest rated online stores, have excellent priceson computer stuff, and most items come with free 2-day shipping. Anothergreat online store for computer parts is Newegg.com which also hasexcellent prices. The biggest difference between the two stores isZipZoomFly's free 2-day shipping on most orders.
The prices between these two highly-reputable online stores are oftenvery similar, but are not always close so be sure to compare pricesbefore choosing a store. Also it is to be noted that Newegg has one ofthe highest possible consumer ratings, which is a major factor for somepeople.
You probably won't find too many "hot" deals at these stores, but youcan't beat their everyday great prices on computer products.
TechSunny.com is another good site where you can find some great dealson computer hardware.
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Crack Talk 12-17-4

2005-01-05T18:34:00.000-08:00

Crack Talk 12-17-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com

During the holiday seasons e-cards sent through email are frequentlyinfected with viruses and trojans. If you get an e-card and feel youMUST run it, save it to your drive and scan it first. The easy way is touse the Panda online virus scan because their definitions are alwaysup-to-date and Panda disinfects or quarantines bugs - and it's FREE.http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm
E-Card Holiday Virus Packs Ugly Punch
A new virus strain masquerading as electronic Christmas cards isaccounting for one in every 10 e-mails hitting in-boxes. The W32/Zafi-Dworm, which originated in Hungary, is using mass-mailing and P2P(peer-to-peer) techniques to squirm through in-boxes and slow networktraffic to a crawl. The worm, which poses as a Christmas greeting, hasthe ability to replicate in as many as 19 languages, which makes it a"very serious threat" to computer users worldwide
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1742085,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594
'Playboy' Virus Dropping Dangerous Backdoor
The worm, called W32.Maslan.C@mm, arrives as an attachment promisingnaked photos of Playboy models but, if executed, drops an IRC (InterRelay Chat) both capable of transmitting passwords and sensitiveinformation back to the virus writer. http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1738912,00.asp
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In the United States and the United Kingdom, the Motion PictureAssociation of America, the main lobbying arm of American film studios,filed civil lawsuits today against more than 100 operators of BitTorrenttracker servers which point to locations where downloadable files can befound. The MPAA also targeted operators of servers for the eDonkey andDirectConnect networks. The group's actions include criminal complaintsand cease and desist orders issued to ISPs on 4 continents. http://wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,66034,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_2
Lots of stories get written when the Recording Industry Association ofAmerica sues people, but not much gets written about the aftermath ofthose suits. There should be: In the last 12 months, the RIAA lost alandmark suit against Grokster (essentially legalizing peer-to-peersoftware), lost a suit to Verizon (holding that it did not have toprovide names of its subscribers who the RIAA wanted to sue), and hasyet to actually win against any of the thousands of individuals it hassued in court (some of the cases have been settled out of court, mostare still pending). Suddenly, the RIAA isn’t looking so much asdevastating as it does merely pathetic. http://www.boingboing.net/2004/12/13/chris_null_the_riaa_.html
Ed Felten and Alex Halderman have created the world's smallestfunctional P2P filesharing program, written in fifteen lines of code.
TinyP2P is a functional peer-to-peer file sharing application, writtenin fifteen lines of code, in the Python programming language.Peer-to-peer apps can be very simple, and any moderately skilledprogrammer can write one, so attempts to ban their creation would befruitless. http://www.freedom-to-tinker.com/tinyp2p.html
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Justin Chapweske is the creator of Swarmcast, the first-ever "swarming"download technology -- the grandaddy of technologies like Bittorrent.He's just released "Swarmstreaming" -- a technology to make streaming gobetter if more people use it at once: http://blog.jackola.net/
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New IE Exploit Spoofs Web Sites
The bug, which has been confirmed on a fully patched Windows XP systemwith IE 6.0 and Service Pack 2, could allow a scammer to display a fakeWeb site with all the attributes of a genuine, secure site, includingthe URL and the icon indicating SSL security.http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1743407,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594
Critical Hole Found in Windows XP SP2 Firewall
A critical hole in Windows XP firewall in Service Pack 2 makes computersaccessible to anyone on the network. http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1743114,00.asp
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Eric Writes
Linux utility that boots from the floppy to reset any password.
It works on any NT based system. The link to the Zip file is here http://home.eunet.no/~pnordahl/ntpasswd
DL the file - create a floppy - Boot machine to floppy Follow theinstructions carefully.
The only time I have seen it fail is on some compact servers that haveproprietory drivers for the HD's.
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Microsoft Can't Figure Out How To Stop Spyware Itself, Needs To Buy Help
Considering that many people blame Microsoft's inability to design theiroperating system and browser properly for the rise in spyware, it'sinteresting that Microsoft felt the need to go out and acquire ananti-spyware company. This makes it sound more like they're trying topatch up some holes by applying this spyware technology on top, ratherthan looking at the underlying code to figure out ways to prevent thetype of security breaches that lead to the spyware in the first place.
Zone Alarm and/or anti-virus programs, and popup stoppers won't stopspyware from being installed. Spyware is put on a computer at the sametime you install or update a program. (Including sources like websitesand email.)
If you want a system to be free of spyware you have 3 options:
1. Do not install or update any software or allow a web site to installanything. (Note: some websites use trickery and tell you that you haveto have their viewer (or something else) installed to continue. That'sthe way a lot of spyware gets installed.)
2. Go ahead and install anything you want then fight the spyware usingseveral programs like AdAware and Spybot. (This may not find all thespyware and the companies behind some spyware have made arrangements andPAID anti-spyware companies to ALLOW their spyware anyway.)
3. Use a program that does not permanently save anything to your harddrive. There are two of the:
Centurion's DriveShield Plus is software that blocks any attempts todigitally add or remove anything from the computer's hard drive. Onceinstalled on a PC, the program takes note of all the software files,including critical pieces of the Windows operating system, and "locks"them in place.
When a user starts up the PC, the program creates a temporary copy ofthe Windows operating system files and "tricks" the computer into usingthese copies rather than the actual files, which have been hidden fromthe view of the user and other computer programs.http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=325702&page=1
The only down sides are that it slows down a system and if you have toapply service packs/updates/etc. you'll have to take steps and enterpasswords to allow the updates to become permanent.

ShadowSurfer (mentioned in a newsletter last month) creates a virtualcopy of your normal PC and nothing actually gets written to your harddrive, rather the changes are saved in special ShadowSurfer file.
When you end the ShadowSurfer session you have the option of savingthese changes and making them permanent or totally discarding them.
http://www.shadowstor.com/products.html
Note: Some people consider cookies to be spyware. Cookies can be blockedunder Tools/internet options/privacy/advanced, or just deleted from timeto time. If you are concerned about cookie spying/tracking then youprobably don't want to post messages or write email because theseactivities leave traces of what you have done.
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DirecTV Hacker Sentenced to Seven Years
A Canadian man was sentenced to seven years in a US prison this weekafter admitting he led a sophisticated satellite TV piracy ring thatproduced and sold thousands of hacked smart cards in the US and Canada.Mullen was responsible for at least 16,000 hacked cards, and that eachcard cost DirecTV and NDS $1,500 in financial losses, for a total of$24m. DirecTV estimates that, in all, Mullen and his distributors put68,000 cards on the street.
Piracy was costing DirecTV $1.2bn a year when, in April, the companyfinished a wholesale swap-out of 17 million older access cards and shutdown its legacy data stream, effectively slamming the door on signalpirates. Since then, a slow resignation has begun to settle over thepirate community, which has been unable to crack the company's fourthgeneration smart card, called the "P4."
~~~~~~~~~~
ICQ Beta Presents IM Walkie-Talkie
ICQ is previewing version 5.0 of its instant messaging software, whichdelivers more robust communication capabilities including awalkie-talkie like function called Push2Talk and improved videomessaging. Other updates include the addition of new customizationoptions and core improvements.http://www.betanews.com/article/ICQ_Beta_Presents_IM_WalkieTalkie/1102997619
~~~~~~~~~~
Apple Blocks Real Downloads from iPod
RealNetworks is upping the ante in its cat and mouse game with Apple.Tuesday, the company announced intentions to port its controversialHarmony technology to the iPod Photo after a firmware update brokecompatibility. In July, Real "stunned" Apple by unlocking the iPod'sdigital rights management components, essentially breaking Apple'sproprietary hold on the player.
~~~~~~~~~~
I'm not ready for this... it's just too freaky
Frameless eyeglasses held in place by a single bridge piercing - as inbody piercing. http://www.bmezine.com/news/pubring/20041214.html
Does this remind anyone of a movie called "The Jerk?" http://www.mvps.org/st-software/Movie_Collection/details/2568.html
~~~~~~~~~~
In an effort to fight upstart content distributors like Netflix,Blockbuster Inc. is planning to eliminate late fees on games and moviesas of January 1. Blockbuster apparently makes as much as $300 millionannually on late fees; they think they'll make up for this lost incomewith increased volume.
~~~~~~~~~~
Too Much Time on Their Hands
Scientists are developing tiny clocks that are stable to one part in 10billion, meaning they lose or gain a maximum of just one second every300 years.http://www.thefeature.com/article?articleid=101283&ref=90c47bdf12dc550dd455a0aec3429294::5500
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Researchers are now building an ambulance communication system that usesinternational maritime satellite and varying frequencies to bridge thosecommunication gaps and, perhaps more importantly, virtually placedoctors inside an ambulance in transit.http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=528&ncid=528&e=7&u=/ap/20041215/ap_on_hi_te/satellite_ambulance
~~~~~~~~~~
'Nano-needle' Operates on Cell
Scientists have performed a delicate surgical operation on a singleliving cell, using a needle that is just a few billionths of a metrewide. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4078125.stm
~~~~~~~~~~
A Patch for Broken Hearts
Researchers at MIT are one step closer to creating patches for damagedhearts: They've used rat cells to construct a beating slice of cardiactissue about the size of a dime. http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,66018,00.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Alabama Troopers Issue Electronic Tickets
Alabama state troopers are getting on the information highway. Fiftystate trooper cars are already equipped with laptop computers, scannersand printers that allow them to issue traffic tickets electronically.
~~~~~~~~~~
Google Inc. won a major legal victory Wednesday when a federal judgesaid the search engine could continue to sell ads triggered by searchesusing trademarked company names. Geico Corp., which argued that Googleshould not be allowed to sell ads to rival insurance companies thatappear whenever Geico's name is typed into the Google search box.
~~~~~~~~~~
Google Moves into Product Reviews
Google Inc. is combining online reviews into its Froogle shopping-searchservice, but rather than eliciting new opinions it is aggregatingreviews and ratings from around the Web.
~~~~~~~~~~
Christopher Writes
This site will read the search results to you http://speegle.co.uk/
~~~~~~~~~~
Yahoo Maps Offer Live U.S. Traffic Conditions
Yahoo Inc. is set to offer an online service that lets users view liveU.S. local traffic conditions on custom-created maps, the first site todo so nationally.
~~~~~~~~~~
It will be difficult to top the goof by the workers who dropped thesatellite causing $135 million in damages. But this comes close...
Baggage screeners at Newark Liberty International Airport lost a fakebomb planted in luggage by a supervisor during a training exercise.
Despite an hours long search Tuesday night, the bag, containing a fakebomb complete with wires, a detonator and a clock, made it onto anAmsterdam-bound flight.
~~~~~~~~~~
No GPS for you
Tucked into the Bush administration's space policy is a plan to take theglobal positioning system offline temporarily during a nationalemergency. The goal: preventing terrorists from using the navigationaltechnology.
~~~~~~~~~~
Slap on the Wrist Justice
AOL Cuts a deal after they were found to defraud investors by making itsrevenues look better than they were. The U.S. Department of Justiceagrees to a $210 million settlement / payoff. But the prosecution willbe deferred for two years.
Why are the sentences/fines for defrauding investors so light? If youget caught robbing a liquor store (for a couple hundred dollars) with agun you get a mandatory 10 years in prison. If you set up a scheme anddefraud investors of million you have to give some of it back - and inextreme cases spend a few months in jail. Why is the justice system sokind to white collar crime?
~~~~~~~~~~
The Canary Wireless Hotspotter is a $50 WiFi detector with an LCDreadout that shows the name, WEP status and signal strength of the802.11g and 802.11b networks it finds. This is what's been missing fromtraditional WiFi detectors (which only light up to indicate the presenceof 2.4GHz radio emissions, which can also come from microwave ovens,cordless phones and walkie talkies).https://www.canarywireless.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=1&cat=Wi%2DFi+Detectors
It seems to me the best feature of this detector is that you can findout if a hot-spot is open for public use without having to fire up acomputer to find out if you can log on.
~~~~~~~~~~
New generation of hacking tools puts many more Wireless LANs at risk http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/index.php?p=20
~~~~~~~~~~
Michigan Wi-Fi Hacker Jailed for Nine Years
A 21-year-old Michigan man was sentenced to nine years in federal prisonyesterday in federal court in Charlotte, North Carolina for his role ina failed scheme to steal credit card numbers from the Lowe's chain ofhome improvement stores by taking advantage of an unsecured Wi-Finetwork at a store in suburban Detroit. This is the longest sentenceever given to a hacker.
~~~~~~~~~~
Fbi's Most Wanted - Millions of Dollars in Rewards http://www.fbi.gov/mostwant.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Here's a link to some really great video from cameras mounted on aneagle. Shows the operation of the eagle's wings and tail, etc. http://tinyurl.com/5qqe7
~~~~~~~~~~
Have you ever wanted to build something using fiberglass? Here is a how-to: http://www.glassmanscustomforum.com/howtodvds.html
~~~~~~~~~~
New Vaccine Trials Bring Hope of Cure for Diabetes
A VACCINE against the most serious form of diabetes is to be tested onhumans for the first time, raising the prospect that a cure could bewidely available in less than a decade. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-210-1401879,00.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Exotic Guitars
http://www.exoticguitars.com/skeletar.html
~~~~~~~~~~
10 Reasons to Own a Cell Phone
http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/AnchorDesk/4520-7296_16-5613886.html?tag=adss
Ummm.. make that 11
Unlock the hidden pleasures in your mobile phone with the Purring Kitty!Instantly turn your cell phone into a discreet vibrating personal 'masseur'
http://www.vibelet.com/ http://www.blissbox.com/store/detail.asp?productid=4126
Homemade-Sex-Toys.com offers instructions for using your cell phone as avibrator even without hard or soft accoutrements.
Does anyone else think that these "accessories" are valid reasons toprohibit the use of cell phones while driving.
...on the other hand...
Maybe these accessories will help resolve some of the problemssurrounding mobile phone rage that seems to be showing up in manyplaces. For example, a woman attacked a flight attendant for tellingher to stop making phone calls during a flight. (www.nzherald.co.nz )and a 79-year-old man was sentenced to probation after physicallyfighting with a man half his age, over the use of a mobile phone in apublic place. The man took offense to the younger man's loud, repeatedcursing into the phone. He asked the phone user to take the conversationoutside, but was ignored. The old man kicked his ass.
~~~~~~~~~~
Game graphics cards review (256MB cards priced $400 -$500 ) http://pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,118701,00.asp
~~~~~~~~~~
Popular Science - Best of 2004 http://www.popsci.com/popsci/bown/2004/grand
~~~~~~~~~~
Guide to Common Cyberscams
Here is a list of common Internet fraud schemes drawn from the 100-plusinvestigations launched under Operation Cyber Sweep, a governmentinitiative to combat online crimehttp://news.com.com/Scam+traps/2030-1017_3-5491074.html?part=rss&tag=5491074&subj=news.1017.5
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Sears has a big tool sale for half price... click the "save 50%" box onthis page to list the deals.http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/vertical.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL
~~~~~~~~~~
4 Channel Wireless Camera System
Computer Geeks has a 4-Channel Wireless Receiver and 4 Color Cameras for$199 This is the perfect system for monitoring your home, office, orjust about anywhere else. Connect the receiver to your TV and you'reready to go. (It says "3 seconds auto change output" so I don't thinkyou can monitor all 4 cams on a split screen. If you find out I wouldlike to know.)http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=4CH-REALTIME-N&sourceid=qIZ6QcES7cfXAkmzaUNP
~~~~~~~~~~
Sirius has "everything you need to get SIRIUS in your car, all in onebox" for free when you sign up for 1 year. ($10 s/h) Use promo code 035if this deal doesn't come up for you. (I also have a referral code"1464428" that may give me an extra month if you can put it inanywhere.) https://home.sirius.com/webDUWI/HomePage.aspx
~~~~~~~~~~
I really need a CompUSA store in my area - this is a great deal!
GeForce 6800 128MB AGP graphics card $200 after $30 mail in rebate. Thatgraphics card is over $300 everywhere else. The offer is good forin-store pickup only. (It would be good to know of a source to get thememory and update those cards to 256mb. The 256mb versions sell forabout $450. I think there are extra slots to add memory to the 128mbversions.)http://www.hot-deals.org/relocate.cgi?www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=314100
~~~~~~~~~~ The End

Crack Talk 12-10-4

2005-01-05T18:33:00.001-08:00

Crack Talk 12-10-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com
120 gig hard drives
120 gig hard drives filled with hot NEW shareware will be available inJanuary. Click here if you want to get on the list and be first to haveone shipped when they are available: tblount@mchsi.com?subject=HardDrive
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A HUGE Annoyance Starting to Appear on Major Web Sites
If you haven't seen it yet, you will. Several major web sites,including MSNBC.com and the New York Times (nytimes.com) have startedusing the most annoying advertisement schemes you can think of. Whileyou are reading the story, about 30 seconds or so after you open the webpage, the whole page is replaced by an advertisement - that sits therefor about a minute. Then the article you wanted to read will reappear.By that time I have lost my place and have to start over. Uggggg
~~~~~~~~~~
Flying J Leaps into Truckstop Fray
The wi-fi service from Truckstop.net has be halted pending litigation,however there is good news for me and anyone who likes to travel andaccess the internet via wi-fi:
Flying J's TON Services, which offers Wi-Fi and Internet access at thecompany's nationwide service stops, will credit truck drivers with thebalance of their Truckstop.net account services against a Flying Jaccount. Flying J has 285 Wi-Fi hotspots currently. Call 1-800-870-9068 http://www.tonservices.com/hisp_home.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Fix it yourself
Nothing breaks down more often than a PC. Fortunately they are usually easy to fix.
Excellent PC troubleshooting guide - perhaps a bit simplistic but if youalready know troubleshooting you wouldn't need to go there. http://arstechnica.com/guides/tweaks/troubleshooting.ars
37 lightning-fast fixes for a locked-up PC, and the other glitchesyou're most likely to encounter http://pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,118512,00.asp
~~~~~~~~~~
Keep Your PC Hidden From the Bad Guys
Guard your networked computers with a router's hardware firewall. Arouter directs inbound and outbound Internet traffic so it appears tooutsiders that each of your networked machines is using the router'spublic IP address. When hackers make contact with your public IPaddress, they don't go to your computer, but instead to a "dumb" routerthat lacks the vulnerability of a Windows-controlled PC. http://pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,118525,00.asp
~~~~~~~~~~
KaZaA 3.0 Claims It Has No Spyware
...but security forum users demon state the claims are bunk. http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/remark,12058308~mode=flat
~~~~~~~~~~
Panda Software has extended its enterprise family of products and hasreleased a FREE download of Panda SambaSecure Antivirus
SambaSecure Antivirus provides real-time antivirus scanning of files anddirectories, shared and unshared; scans within and repairs compressedarchives; scans symbolic links; and uses caching to prevent unalteredfiles from being rescanned unnecessarily. http://www.pandasoftware.com/download/beta/corporate.asp
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So cool ! (make that COLD) Don't miss this! http://home.ripway.com/2004-7/151132/ice/russia.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
An illustrated lecture about the history of Safes and Safe breaking http://www.timhunkin.com/94_illegal_engineering.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Rat Brain Flies Jet
Florida scientists have grown a brain in a petri dish and taught it tofly a fighter plane. The "brain", grown from 25,000 neural cellsextracted from a single rat embryo, has been taught to fly an F-22 jetsimulator by scientists at the University of Florida. It was taught tocontrol the flight path, even in mock hurricane-strength winds. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/12/07/rat_brain_flies_jet/
(Humm, did the brain grow legs too?)
~~~~~~~~~~
Scientists have come up with a cell phone cover that will grow into asunflower when thrown away.http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=7006675&src=rss/scienceNews
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The latest way to exploit the sun is through tiny materials that candirectly convert sunlight into large amounts of hydrogen. Hydrogen Solarof Guilford, England, and Altair Nanotechnologies are building ahydrogen-generation system that captures sunlight and uses the energy tobreak water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65936,00.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Siemens Develops Wi-Fi That Hits 1 Gigabit Per Second http://wifinetnews.com/archives/004542.html
~~~~~~~~~~
New DVD Has Dual-Layered Surface
Two Japanese companies said Tuesday they have developed a DVD that canplay on both existing machines and the upcoming high-definition players,raising hopes for a smooth transition as more people dump old TV setshttp://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20041209/ap_on_hi_te/japan_toshiba_dvds
~~~~~~~~~~
Star Wars Coming Soon
The US military planned to conduct the first full flight test of itsnational missile defense system in nearly two years, with the testpossibly coming as early as Wednesday evening.
~~~~~~~~~~
'Thinking Cap' Controls Computer
Four people were able to control a computer using their thoughts and anelectrode-studded "thinking cap", U.S. researchers reported Monday. Theysaid their set-up could someday be adapted to help disabled peopleoperate a motorized wheelchair or artificial limb.http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/12/07/computer.thought.reut/index.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Google exec calls click fraud the "biggest threat" to the Interneteconomy, urges quick action. As much as 20 percent of all clicks on paidsearch ads are shams. Google has reason to be nervous. Paid-searchadvertising generates about 98 percent of its revenues. Humans orspecially designed software click on ad links in order to "steal"revenue from advertisers.http://money.cnn.com/2004/12/02/technology/google_fraud/index.htm
Google has sued Auctions Expert International for click fraud: http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/38749.html
~~~~~~~~~~
They Beat The Casino At The Roulette Tables And Took Home Millions
The data was beamed to the microcomputer (by cell phone scanner), whichran through thousands of possible outcomes to forecast which sectionnumbers the ball would land on. This data was flashed on to the screenof the phone just before the wheel made its third spin, by which timeall bets must be placed.
Having reduced their odds of winning from 37-1 to 6-1, the trio placedbets on all six numbers in the section where the ball would end up.
Legal sources said that the gamblers had not broken any law becausetheir scanner did not interfere with the ball or the roulette wheel. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,4484-1390808,00.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Fantastic Photos Taken at Air Shows
http://nellis.airshowjournal.com/2004/ http://miramar.airshowjournal.com/2004/
~~~~~~~~~~
The news commentator Paul Harvey has a web site where you can listen tohis recorded broadcast. http://www.paulharvey.com/
~~~~~~~~~~
Dick Clark ( often call the America's Oldest Teenager) suffered a strokethis week. A member had sent this in email last week. A stroke hadtaken his mom.
Doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simplequestions: *Ask the individual to smile. *Ask him or her to raise botharms. *Ask the person to speak a simple sentence.
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediatelyand describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
~~~~~~~~~~
My, how things have changed in the last 100 years
One hundred years ago:
Only 14 percent of the homes in the US had a bathtub. Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone. 20 percent of US adults couldn't read or write.
Today it's only... well today 23% US adults can't read or write ...but Isuppose that's because the test are in English and a large percentage ofAmericans speak other languages - at least 13% speak Spanish.
...at least more people have tubs and phones today.
~~~~~~~~~~
Oscar Predictions
"Ray" (6 to 1). A rousing film starring best actor favorite Jamie Foxx
"Million Dollar Baby" (7 to 1). With academy icon Clint Eastwooddirecting and giving an elegiac performance as a fight manager whoreluctantly trains a woman boxer.
"Sideways" (8 to 1). Perhaps the year's picture with the best reviews
"Spanglish" (10 to 1). If there ever was an academy favorite, it's JamesL. Brooks, who has scored best picture nominations for three films hedirected.http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/chi-0412090435dec10,1,7043138.story
~~~~~~~~~~
Mercury Toxicity in the Human Brain
http://www.cem.msu.edu/~cem181h/projects/97/mercury/
There is also a lot of evidence that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome isactually mercury poisoning.
There are many products that claim to detoxify mercury from the body.Some are questionable at best. Before getting into all that it wouldprobably be a good idea to take a test to find out if you actually havehigh levels of mercury. The Greenpeace organization has testing kits youcan order for $25. Bauld men need not order. https://usa.greenpeace.org/mercury/
~~~~~~~~~~
Bribery is "Business as Usual" Throughout the World
The World Bank estimates that more than $1 trillion is paid out inbribes every year around the globe. Politicians/public officials topthe list. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/4080995.stm
~~~~~~~~~~
The Internet is Killing the Condom Industry
A condom maker is complaining that online porn is decreasing condomsales. http://www.todayonline.com/articles/30399.asp
~~~~~~~~~~
As many as 30 million of the 200 million cars and trucks on America'sroads are installed with "black box" data recording devices. Car makersaren't required to notify you, unless you buy the car in California.This PDF document contains a list of vehicles with built-in black boxes.The devices typically record for a few seconds after an airbagdeployment, collecting speed, braking and other operating data. Someprivacy advocates are concerned that the data could be used against youin court. http://www.harristechnical.com/downloads/cdrlist.pdf
~~~~~~~~~~
According to Mediaweek, 99.8 percent of the complaints going to the FCCabout indecency are coming from this very web site. https://www.parentstv.org/ptc/fcc/fcccomplaint2.asp
~~~~~~~~~~
Mind Hacks: Tips & Tools for Using your Brain in the World.
O'Reilly has just released its latest book in the hacks series. Whypeople don't like elevator buttons, map your blind spot, glimpse thegaps in your vision, create illusionary depth with sunglasses, neuralnoise isn't a bug; it's a feature, improve visual attention throughvideo games, why can't you tickle yourself? http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/mindhks/index.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Scientists have identified key genes involved in the body's response toHIV, which causes AIDS -- a finding that could narrow the search for aneffective vaccine against the deadly illness.http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=7031257&src=rss/scienceNews
~~~~~~~~~~
Imaginary Friends
Sixty-five percent of children say that by age seven, they've playedwith an imaginary companion. 57 percent of the imaginary companions ofschool-age youngsters were humans and 41 percent were animals. http://www.uwnews.org/article.asp?articleID=6814
~~~~~~~~~~
Scientist say that the efforts to pick up signals from extraterrestrialsare futile because even if they exist they are probably encrypted.
Speaking of communicating with extraterrestrial life...
Here are a couple articles that may stimulate your imagination as it hasmany notable people throughout history, including Thomas Edison, HarryHoudini, and a lot of people who call it esp or in religious terms:"writing on the wall" (Daniel 5:5)
Communicating with the Dead using Electronic Voice Phenomenahttp://www.totse.com/en/fringe/dreams_auras_astral_projection/evp1.html
Instrumental Contact With The Dead? http://www.pd.org/topos/perforations/perf5/commun-with-dead.html
I found it interesting that one of the articles mentioned that the"scientist" in the spirit world don't have actually "matter" to createdevices for communication from their side. All they have to work with isenergy, although they do have the ability to focus it in various ways.
Some instances found in the Bible of the perceivable intervention of thespiritual world into earth-life:http://www.christianspiritualism.org/articles/bibspirit.htm
Maybe he saw the writing on the wall?
A British philosophy professor who has been a leading champion ofatheism for more than a half-century has changed his mind. He nowbelieves in God http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6688917/
Or maybe he is considering dying, since he is 81, and made the decisionthat it's time (and a good idea) to cover his ars.
~~~~~~~~~~
Proof that People Will Buy ANYTHING
Mary Anderson said she placed her father's "ghost" on the online auctionsite after her 6 year old son said he was afraid the ghost would returnsomeday.
~~~~~~~~~~
The annual UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report sayspresent levels of hunger cause the death of more than five millionchildren a year. All but one of the 16 hungriest nations are insub-Saharan Africa http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4078003.stm
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Last week I reported on how Amazon tricks Froogle's searches. I reportedthe trickery to Froogle and they wrote back saying they couldn't findit. I replied saying that they couldn't be serious... and gave them theexact search. This week I ran across a hot deal for a 5 megapixelcamera and went to Froogle to check it out and see if it was really agood deal... or just hype. When I searched for 5.0 Megapixel (sorted byprice) Amazon took the top 6 matches with fake/trickery ads that lead to$400 cameras. I have to conclude that Froogle is in cahoots with Amazon.http://froogle.google.com/froogle?sourceid=deskbar&scoring=p&q=5.0+Megapixel
~~~~~~~~~~
I Feel Tingly
Homedics 5 Motor Portable Massager for $15. Add $5 for shipping one.http://www.famousbarr.com/gifts/OnlineShopping/FB?DSP=4&PCR=12:10012:10811:10812&IID=106855&c=1&R=7208
~~~~~~~~~~
Led Lighting for less - don't be left out in the dark!
Last week I mentioned an led flashlight that works for 1,200 hours on a9v battery. It cost $25 and isn't very bright. But here is a source forbrighter and cheaper led lighting... including strobe lighting and LEDflashlight bulb replacements for $1 to $5.. http://spectrumled.com/home.htm
Note the cost of using an LED light day and night is about 10 cents permonth... while a regular 100w light bulb consumes about $5 per month inelectricity... and the LED never (almost never) burns out.
This source of led lights are more expensive but I have been told theyare very bright. Some people are using them on their ultralights and therequirements for aircraft are that they must be visible for 3 miles andbe seen from every direction. These are led star shaped "clusters." http://www.luxeonstar.com/category.php
~~~~~~~~~~
A 3-in-1 appliance, this mini toaster oven, griddle and coffee maker canwarm or toast breads, heat pot pies, cook small-size frozen foods orcook an egg, hamburger patty, mini sausages or a pancake. It also brews4 cups of coffee. A convenient space-saver for efficiency apartments,dorm rooms and small households. $28http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2403231&cat=90791&type=1&dept=4044&path=0%3A4044%3A4064%3A112986%3A90791&xsell=2638128
~~~~~~~~~~
Dell has some deals (after rebates) that compete with Walmart's special
Dell Dimension 4700 P4 3.0 + 17" LCD Monitor For $499 and Dell 420SCServer, 2.8GHz, 256MB, 160GB, CD for $303 are a couple of them. (freeshipping - tax included)http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/outrageous_desktops?c=us&DGSite=qIZ6Qbn4nb4kAmScYoRj0040148066&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd
~~~~~~~~~~
Find your way home
Excellent reviews and on sale for several hundred dollars below thenormal price.
Tom Tom Navigation System $563
Compuplus has the highly rated TOM Tom Go Portable Car GSP Navigationsystem for a low $563 after rebate, $14.95 air shipping.
TomTom GO is a stand-alone, portable and easy-to-use car navigationappliance that incorporates navigation software, maps and GPS receiverin one device. Complete car navigation solution in one box.http://www.compuplus.com/insidepage.php3?refer=pricegrabber.com&id=1002790
~~~~~~~~~~
If you have tried to play any of the new games you may have discoveredthat without a graphics card with DirectX 9 support you are out of luck.Thousands of games will be bought for Christmas that not only can't beplayed on most home computers... but the software can't be returned forrefund.
This graphics card review is a must read for gamers... or anyoneshopping for a gamer.
http://techreport.com/reviews/2004q4/geforce-6600gtagp/index.x?pg=1
Cut to the conclusion of this extensive review:http://techreport.com/reviews/2004q4/geforce-6600gtagp/index.x?pg=17
Geforce 6600 PCI - found at pricewatch.com ($110 w/shipping)http://www.gameve.com/gve/Store/ProductDetails.aspx?sku=VC-ALBA-030
Geforce 6600 AGP - found at pricewatch.com ($220 w/shipping)http://www.gameve.com/gve/store/productdetails.aspx?sku=VC-EVGA-058

~~~~~~~~~~
The End

Crack Talk 12-3-4

2005-01-05T18:32:00.000-08:00

Crack Talk 12-3-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com

Hijacking Domains Made Easier
On November 12, 2004, ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Namesand Numbers, put in place its new transfer policy for all accrediteddomain name service providers.
The previous ICANN policy allowed providers to deny requests to transferdomain names to another registrar unless you explicitly confirmed yourintent to transfer. The new ICANN policy removes that protection. When arequest to transfer your domain name to a new registrar the providerwill attempt to contact you to confirm that you authorized the request.However, if you do not respond, or are not able to respond within 5days, your domain name WILL be transferred.
...so how can transfering a domain hijack a web site? Just moving itto a different server wouldn't be a problem... BUT if you move it toyour own server you can modify the site without any restriction... sinceyou host the html pages, files, etc. You won't even need a password.
Just think of all the info a hackers could collect from members logginginto a site that had been moved to their servers.
Make a request to move a domain the night before a 4 day weekend, sendthe webmaster a bunch of spam and most probably won't even see the"intent to transfer" before the 5 days expires.
~~~~~~~~~~
Unprotected Pcs Can Be Hijacked In Minutes
Simply connecting to the Internet — and doing nothing else — exposesyour PC to non-stop, automated break-in attempts by intruders looking totake control of your machine surreptitiously.
A test conducted by USA TODAY and Avantgarde, a San Francisco techmarketing and design firm. The experiment involved monitoring six"honeypot" computers for two weeks — set up to see what kind ofmalicious traffic they would attract.
Break-in attempts began immediately and continued at a constant and highlevel: an average of 341 per hour against the Windows XP machine with nofirewall or recent security patches, 339 per hour against the AppleMacintosh and 61 per hour against the Windows Small Business Server.
Intruders repeatedly compromised the Windows XP computer through thesame two security holes used by the authors of the July 2003 MS Blasterworm and May's headline-grabbing Sasser worm, which overloaded computersin banks, hospitals and transportation systems worldwide.
The intruder who cracked the Windows Small Business Server even uploadeda tool to prevent rival attackers from following behind him and gainingaccess to the system.
Lots more in this report that stresses the need for firewalls:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/computersecurity/hacking/2004-11-29-honeypot_x.htm
This week Microsoft patched 2 more browser bugs... so you better clickTools, Windows Update in your browser and apply the patches.
Windows server software has a flaw that could allow an attacker to gaincomplete control over systems running the software. However they aren'treleasing a patch. They recommend users protect their systems byblocking TCP port 42 and UDP port 42 on their firewall. http://security.itworld.com/4347/041201msflaw/page_1.html
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BitTorrent Servers Under Attack
A flood of data has hammered several of the tracking servers forBitTorrent downloads. http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5473754.html
The designers of the popular BitTorrent site Suprnova.org are reportedlyworking on decentralizing the BitTorrent client, according to Slyck.com,a P2P website. The existence of the new client is called "Exeem."http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1735071,00.asp?kc=ETRSS02129TX1K0000532
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Your XP Service Pack 2 Survival Guide
Included a number for live Microsoft support! http://pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,118510,00.asp
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Now Anyone Can Spy From Anywhere
Last week Byron wrote about the Keyhole software that allows you to usesatellite imagery to view any locations on earth.
This week, Vincent Tao, an engineer at Toronto's York University said hehas invented a mapping and surveillance tool called SAME (see anywhere,map anywhere), that produces images so sharp that geographicco-ordinates typed into a Web site can reveal the make of a car parkedon the street.
Tao said SAME works by taking satellite images of the Earth andcombining them with real-time remote sensors that monitor traffic andweather.
The information is reformatted on a searchable Web site that can captureground-level images of the Earth with little or no time delay.http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/redir.php?jid=060acc0b3062d4ff&cat=63e88d54af0cf473
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Recovering Lost Images From Flash Cards
Utilities will undelete images just like files on a hard drive can berestored. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/ZDM/story?id=295032
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Process Explorer v8.41
Windows Task Manager tells you what applications and processes arerunning, but some process names aren't very clear to the casual reader.Process Explorer helps you get to the bottom of things by digging downto see which application started a process and which resources that appis currently using. This excavation can be a big help when you're tryingto figure out which background processes you dare shut down, and it caneven help sniff out spyware, too.
http://downloads.pcworld.com/pub/new/utilities/procexpnt.zip
An earlier version of this program was on the SS cd and I frequentlyused it to kill programs that were running so I could delete the files.You can't delete a running program because you'll just get a sharingviolation if you try. (Using the "End Task" option (displayed byctrl-alt-del) will not turn off the file sharing.) This version is mostimproved over the older version. It shows cpu usage by each program tomake it easy to find out what programs are hogging your computer. I'lljust say it's one of the few (about 10) that I keep on my desktop andthat should tell you how useful it is.
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How Low Can You Go?
As part of their spam filtering SpamArrest harvests the email address ofeveryone who sends email to one of their users, or who sends email to amailing list one of their users is subscribed to. They've recentlydecided to spam all of those harvested addresses to sell their paidservice. (Recommend course of action: DUMP IT and block all email from"@spamarrest.com" )
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Windows Xp Pro Corp. Build 2600
ftp://211.139.39.1/pub/software/os/winxp2600en.rar
RAR Password is: www.faji.com Rename the file extension to ZIP when you save it.
SP1 and SP2 not included and if it requires a reg number it was notlisted where I found this link. All I can really say is that if youclick on that link a 500 meg file will start downloading - that takes44 hours to download via dialup.
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Best of 2004Don't miss this site. It covers all the best of the year awards from People, events, images, technology, music, movies, etc etc. http://www.fimoculous.com/year-review-2004.cfm
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Eel Writes
Protection for wireless lan http://www.maximumpc.com/how_to/reprint_2004-01-05.html
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Gino Writes
All the games we played in the 90's - and a few current ones http://www.abandonia.com/genre.php?genre=allgames&page=0
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Rukus Writes:
I bought a new computer that came with XP installed. I rather haveWin98SE on it. Do you have any suggestions?
Yes Rukus, leave it as it is. The probabilities are high that it hashardware that is using XP specific drivers and if you install an olderversion of Windows you will be lucky if you can find the drivers for yourgraphics card, sound, cd writer, onboard devices, etc. If you must dothis, put your old hard drive in the computer first and see if you canget everything to work before you change the new hard drive from the wayit was set up by the factory.
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'Blog' (weB LOG)Most Popular Word on Web Dictionary
The most requested online definition this year was "blog" — a word noteven yet officially in the dictionary.
Apparently Microsoft got wind of this and set up their own bloggingsite. But what's amusing about it is that they censor words that aperson can use in the title. Their choice of words to censor is a bitamusing as reported in this article:http://www.boingboing.net/2004/12/02/msn_spaces_seven_dir.html
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Looking for faster downloads? Try a sustained transfer of 101 gigabitsper second between Pittsburgh and Los Angeles on Internet2. That's thespeed hit by an international team lead by Caltech last week.http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1734241,00.asp?kc=ETRSS02129TX1K0000532
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I'm Stunned
As orders soar, concerns over stun guns grow fatalities arouse worriesover abuse of shock devices. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6614365/
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(Almost) Secret Government Information
Google has a little-known government specific search engine: http://www.google.com/unclesam
Homeland security alerts about truck bombs and the intelligence needs ofthe FBI: http://agr.wa.gov/FoodSecurity/docs/ThreatBulletin.pdf
Another trove of information is George Washington University's NationalSecurity Archive, which contains thousands of documents acquired throughpatient Freedom of Information Act requests: http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv
And there's CoolGov, a blog devoted to ferreting out quirky tidbits: http://coolgov.com such as videos of airline crashes: http://coolgov.com/index.php?s=faa&Submit=Go%21
Those interested in the nitty-gritty of how and why the government hidesinformation can subscribe to Stephen Aftergood's Secrecy News listserv,which is part of his work as the director of Federation of AmericanScientists' Project on Government Secrecy. Aftergood, who publishes acouple times a week, has built up an archive of previously unpublishedreports created for Congress and information about the CIA's ongoingopposition to the publication of its budget. http://www.fas.org/sgp/news/secrecy/
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She Said The Treatment Made Sex Fun Again
The "viagra" for women hopes to get FDA approval http://www.theindychannel.com/health/3963334/detail.html
I would guess that this "treatment" already has the approval of men!
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Genetically Engineered Plants Detect Land Mines By Changing Color
When the roots of these GMO flowers hit nitrogen dioxide (which leachesinto the soil from buried land mines), the plant changes color. http://www.core77.com/materials_processes/
....but one has to wonder how you can set out these plants withoutcausing the land mines to explode when planting/cultivating the soil?
More than 100 million land mines kill or injure 26,000 people in 45countries each year. Today's most popular detection method is pokingaround with a stick. (Which incidentally is the same procedure used byredneck brain surgeons.)
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Alternative Fuel
Researchers at a government nuclear laboratory and a ceramics company inSouth Salt Lake say they have found a way to produce pure hydrogen withfar less energy than other methods, raising the possibility of usingnuclear power to indirectly wean the transportation system from itsdependence on oil. http://www.sltrib.com/ci_2475855
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Cool 12 Sided Calendar - That You Can Print http://www.ii.uib.no/~arntzen/kalender/
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Look What Target Department Stores Are Selling For Under $10 http://www.boingboing.net/images/targetblowjob.jpg
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Kazaa has been branded the world's biggest "copyright piracy engine" byfive record labels which today launched a legal case against SharmanNetworks, the company behind the internet file-swapping website.http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9075-1380741,00.html
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It's Really Easier To Tell The Truth http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,65871,00.html
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Outlook E-Mail Rules Stop Most Spam In Its Trackshttp://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/chi-0411290205nov29,1,7628406.column?coll=chi-techtopheds-hed
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Sometimes you just laugh when you read such a report as this:
Penis Painting Infringes Penal Code
A crowd tried to attack the seven actors who were having their penisespainted by a Chilean prostitute. The scene was filmed for an artproject. Police said it infringed the penal code.
No.. I didn't make that up. Here is the link: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_652731.html
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The prisoner with the most escapes in modern North American history willhave another chance to extend his record.
He is 62, broken out of prison 13 times and is going back to jail forpossession of a handgun.http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/bizarre/120104_APsn_breakout.html
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An Australian man was arrested for taking pictures of topless sunbatherswith his camera phone.
I see no logic in this since he wasn't sneaking around. Anything you canview in public should be photographable.
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Sad to report...
Froogle search is being badly abused. For example... search Froogle for"digital camera" and sort by price. You'll see the first page has linksto cameras mostly advertised by Amazon.com ... but click on the linksand you won't find $10 or $20 cameras.... the cameras are actually over$400.
Anyone could understand that this can occasionally happen but 6 or 8times on the first page is clearly trickery... making Froogleunreliable.
I can't say I blame businesses for tricking the search engine... howeverFroogle should offer an option for users to remove these fake ads... orat least mark them for removal.
Sometimes Amazon does have nice deals:
Memorex High Performance AA Alkaline Batteries, 50 Pack $10 free s/h http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000CFY7I/002-4297068-7809668
And Amazon has AudioVox 5-Mile GMRS 2-Way Radio for $11 each.... whichis a good deal for a radio with 5 mile range. (Most have only 2 milerange - Walmart's price on these is $15 each if you want them NOW.)http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009V2XI/002-4297068-7809668
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Keychain Digital Camera/webcam - $24 Shipping $1 Still camera stores up to 246 photoshttp://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PRODUCT&PROD_ID=870558&cid=25608&fp=F
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SiPix CAMeleon Digital Camera /webcam $10 - shipping $2.50 http://www.techblowouts.com/sku-TCAMERA.html
That site is worth checking out. It has some great deals... maybesomething you could use: http://www.techblowouts.com
Here is an item that would make a useful gift and normally sells forabout $40 at Walmart:
Vector 12V Travel Cooler / Warmer $21
5 liter capacity, or 9 drink cans - Cools to 40F degrees and heats up to120F degreeshttp://www.techblowouts.com/sku-SYN0175.html?sessid=HzSt031CZt88.f6wJ.5
If you want a compact model that cools/warms a single can here is onefor $20 http://store.yahoo.com/giftsandgadgetsonline/aucancowa.html

More Really Cool Gadgets for under $30 (from Wired) http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.12/tools.html
PAK-LITE LED FLASHLIGHT: $23.99It's the ultimate no-frills flashlight: an ultracompact beacon thatsnaps onto 9-volt batteries and shines for up to 1,200 hours. They nowhave a model that flashes and models with various colored lights. http://www.9voltlight.com/

GLOFISH ZEBRA FISH: $5.00These genetically modified zebra fish suck up light during the day andrelease it as fluorescence at night. Note to law abiders: They'recontraband in California. http://www.glofish.com
CELLULAR BLING: $10.00 - 20.00If the vibration mode on your phone is too distracting, check out theLEDs on this pen and bracelet - they flash whenever they detect theradio waves of an incoming call. http://www.cellularjewelry.com
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Walmart has a 2.6 ghz system, with a 17 inch lcd monitor for under $500
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3340268&cat=3951&type=19&dept=3944&path=0%3A3944%3A3951
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The End

Crack Talk 11-26-4

2005-01-05T18:31:00.000-08:00

Crack Talk 11-26-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com

Happy Thanksgiving: http://perfectflyer.com/Thanksgiving.jpg
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Bit Torrent is Hot
Kazza, eDonkey and other p2p file sharing programs are getting strongcompetition from the Bit Torrent file distribution network.
Bit Torrent is a novel approach to file distribution. Instead of relyingon a busy, slow FTP or website for a bunch of files, Bit Torrentdistributes the transfer of files over a network as large as the amountof people using it is. Bit Torrent is a refreshing piece of software, asit forces those who download to upload at the same time in order tocontinue spreading the file. On a regular website, in order to get thebest speeds, it was wise not to tell others about the page. With BitTorrent, YOU BENEFIT from a larger group of people knowing about a pagelike this. Bit Torrent pieces together the file you are downloading, towhere the first part of a file you get may be the last part someone elsegets. As you continue to retrieve the file, Bit Torrent also uploadsdata to other users - so the person with 98% of the file done isdirected to the people with the 2% of the file they still need. Bittorrents are spyware free and adware free. Files are verified and rated,no dummy files or corrupted files!
Install the "Torrent" Browser Addon http://www.sidewalkcrusaders.com/bthowto/btstart.html
Lots of great stuff listed here: http://www.suprnova.org/ And here: http://www.torrentbox.com/ And the top torrent sites: http://top100.topmango.com/bittorrent/ And torrent watcher is a cool program to track what's available and what's hot: http://www.torrentwatcher.coolfreepage.com/
Scorpion Writes
I like BitTorrent files the most because if they are active (i.e. alive)they are very fast to download. They are small (a few KB) and when youlaunch them they connect you instantly to other people sharing the samefile you are downloading. While you are downloading...you are alsouploading bits of that downloaded file to other people. It's TorrentEtiquette to leave your file uploading even after you have completed thedownload. That way you can even download more stuff. Its all aboutsharing....like the EDonkey Network...but faster.
I personally recommend you use the same ALL-IN-ONE client that I amusing. It's called "Shareaza" (get it from www.shareaza.com). It's opensource and free...and most of all ADs Free. It also has the simplestinterface...and you can find any help you need with it at the WebsitesWiki and Online Forums.
But the most exiting feature is that it can access ALL of the Networks Imentioned above (EDonkey, G2, G1, and Torrent files). So you only needOne client to get any file you need.
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MSN Web Messenger is Accessible Through a Web Browser http://webmessenger.msn.com/
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Hold the Press!
Colour laser printer manufacturers encode each printout with theprinter's serial number so they can trace it back to you if you arecounterfeiting. They can trace it back to you for anything else as well.http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1093&e=4&u=/pcworld/20041122/tc_pcworld/118664
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Why Pay? Norton Has A Free Online Virus Scanner
Click on Symantec Security Check and select virus scan to use the NortonAntivirus free online virus and trojan checker. http://www.symantec.com/
If you go to this full scan page you also have an option to check yourcomputer for exposure to online hackers and other threats. HOWEVER Ifound it comical that after running the check all their *recommended*solutions were - you guessed it - install Norton Personal Firewall. Idon't know if that firewall has ever helped anyone but I've seen severalmachines that were running it and they got destroyed by browser hijacksand spyware so I'm convinced it's pretty much useless. Maybe worse thanuseless since it hogs cpu time, making a fast computer slow and has hadFREQUENT problems ... such as totally killing XP after installingservice packs.http://security.symantec.com/default.asp?productid=symhome&langid=ie&venid=sym
Here are other free online virus scanners... as well as spywaredetection/removal programs. http://results.about.com/free_virus_scan/
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Who needs an OS ?
An interesting utility from BIOS maker Phoenix, called FirstWareAssistant lets you get a quick look at your Outlook data without loadingWindows. During boot, if you press the FirstWare key (F by default),FirstWare loads up instead of Windows, and you can check your calendar,contacts, and e-mail archives.
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Zipit: a tiny, expensive instant messaging appliance that can attach toa Wi-Fi network. Zipit connects to the first open (visible) network itcan see. It doesn't even wait and ask "Is it ok to connect to this one?"it just does. The build quality is very good and the keyboard is reallyvery usable and the clamshell lid complete with clip is very akin to alaptop that's been shrunk in the laundry. It will work with existingAOL, Yahoo and MSN IM accounts. It should be noted that it doesn't doanything more than IM over Wi-Fi, and relatively cheap at $99. http://wifinetnews.com/archives/004488.html
Larry Writes
Sherlock - The Codec Detective!
Determine the codecs installed on a Windows XP computer- Check to see ifany of the codec's were "BROKEN" - Export the data to a text file fortechnical support! http://www.updatexp.com/sherlock-codec-detective.html
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Byron Writes
Fly from space to your home town. Visit exotic locales such as Maui,Tokyo, Rome and Paris. Satellite imagery makes it real. Explorerestaurants, hotels, parks and schools. (No crack 4 this yet but a mustsee program!!!!) http://www.keyhole.com/index.html?promo=hpp-en-us-1
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Fred Writes
Re-Enable Right-Click When Web Pages Turn It Off
One of the most frequently used ways to preventing copying is to usejavascript to disable the ability to right-click. Of course, we can usejavascript to turn it back on.
When visiting the offending website, type the following into the URL barof your browser: javascript:void(document.oncontextmenu=null)
This example works against this page for example:http://www.users.totalise.co.uk/~bigoleg/javascript/javascript_disable_right_click.html
If a dialog box opens whenever you right-click, can often getaround it by the following sequence: Hold the right mouse button, hitenter to close the dialog box (with left mouse click), and then releasethe right mouse button.
This example works against the following web site, for example: http://www.cof.orst.edu/net/software/web/html/disable_rtclick.htm
Fred also Writes
http://www.hriders.com free 1TB email account - 1 terabyte = 1024 gigabytes
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Onsy Writes
The first security sandbox designed for home users has arrived and itlooks to be a very promising way to protect your computer. ShadowSurfercreates a virtual copy of your normal PC with all your existingsoftware.
You access this virtual copy by starting up ShadowSurfer and thenrebooting. After re-booting your desktop comes up looking exactly thesame as normal except the desktop background now displays theShadowSurfer logo. This is to remind you that you are not working onyour real PC but on a shadow copy.
In this copy you have full access to your normal programs and data andyou can do anything you normally do including surfing the internet.However nothing actually gets written to your hard drive, rather thechanges are saved in special ShadowSurfer file.
When you end the ShadowSurfer session you have the option of savingthese changes and making them permanent or totally discarding them. Ifyou choose the latter then, when you start up your real PC, all tracesof your previous ShadowSurfer session will have vanished.
And I do mean vanished. No traces of any programs you installed, notraces of viruses or spyware infections you may have caught and notraces at all of where you roamed on the internet.
You can see the advantages. With ShadowSurfer you can safely try out newsoftware without risking that your normal PC gets messed up by a badinstallation or infected with a trojan. It also means that you cansafely visit web sites that you would normally avoid for fear ofdrive-by spyware downloads and worse. http://www.shadowstor.com/products.html
Onsy also Writes
Qnext is a universal IM client, but much more than that. It hascapabilities the established Big Five (MSN, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, andTrillian) haven’t gotten close to including voice over IP, unlimitedfile sharing and GotoMyPC-style remote access. The entire service isfree and will remain so, according to the people who run it. It’s veryeasy to set up the whole thing and there are none of the annoyances ofusing things like Trillian's free client. http://www.qnext.com
Another Free Way to Free Up Your Desktop
Here is a free program launcher that's been around for years and it’sgreat! Hides all your program icons with re-locatable sidebars and takesonly one click to launch the program . I particularly liked the way thelaunch bars are invisible until you move the curser off a screen edge.Makes for a nice clean look. http://www.h-menu.com/homeEN.htm
(I've tried programs like that and they are cool... but I found it wasjust as easy to create a new folder on my desktop and drag and drop allthe seldom used junk to the folder. If I want something I've stashedit's instantly available just by clicking the folder.)
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80,000 Uk Government Computers Crashed After Routine Windows Upgrade http://management.silicon.com/government/0,39024677,39126151,00.htm
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Microsoft Will Send You And Xp Service Pack 2 Cd For Free From This Link: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx
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Sexual Tension
Photographs of behind the scenes in the porno industry http://www.cpoy.org/59/winimgdisp.php?cat=12
This is NOT acting... real emotion! http://www.cpoy.org/59/images/winners/C59-12-ButlE-B-08.jpg http://www.cpoy.org/59/images/winners/C59-12-ButlE-B-11.jpg
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Fantastic Images of Space http://www.davidmalin.com/
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Poor Defenders
Some anti-spyware companies use confusing ads, and our tests show their$20-$60 products are less effective than free competitors.http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,118362,00.asp
Other test showed the best-performing anti-spyware scanner failed todetect about 25 percent of the "critical" files and registry entriesinstalled by the malicious programs.http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1731474,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594
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Solar Energy Can Compete With Fossil Fuel
The Stirling system dishes are more efficient than commonly used photovoltaic solar cells at converting the sun's heat to electricity. TheSandia project converts heat from the sun to power a motor, whichgenerates electricity. The solar dishes project the sun's rays onto areceiver that transfers the heat to an engine filled with hydrogen. Asthe hydrogen is heated and then cools, the pressure on the enginechanges. That changing pressure drives the pistons, which in turn poweran electrical generator. http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9584_22-5466122.html
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Five Steps to a Leaner, Cleaner Windows http://pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,112039,00.asp
Send Windows-related questions and tips to scott_dunn@pcworld.com. Wepay $50 for published items. Visit here for more Windows Tips. http://pcworld.com/howto/locations/0,loc,71,00.asp
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Out with the Old
Dan Rather and Tom Brokaw announced their retirement from the newsanchor desk of mainstream US news networks.
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Google Sued by Nude Photo Website
Google has not yet commented on the suit A California-based pornographersays it is suing the world's most popular search engine, Google, foreasing illegal access to its website. Perfect 10, which offers picturesof "the world's most beautiful natural women", says Google's web searchgives users free usernames and passwords.
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Kazaa Offers Unlimited Free Internet Phone Calls
Sharman Networks Ltd., distributor of the Kazaa file-sharing software,on Monday launched its latest version which enables users to make freeonline calls anywhere in the world.
Kazaa v3.0 includes the integration of Internet telephony software fromSkype Technologies SA and also offers advanced search capabilities and afree weblog trial.http://www.reuters.com/audi/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=6890054
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TravelZoo Still Willing To Pay For Gimmick Shares
Earlier this year we noted that many, many people appeared to havecompletely forgotten that they had signed up with TravelZoo during thebubble. Travelzoo's initial gimmick to get users is that they gave youfree shares in the company for signing up. It appeared that most peopleassumed, like so many bubble-era gimmicks, that the company behind itsimply faded away. However, the company survived, and the stock actuallyhas done quite well. The only problem was that those who owned shareswere supposed to make a claim by April. However, after that news cameout, some people got upset that they missed the deadline and (amazingly)Travelzoo decided to honor those requests, saying they would pay out incash what the shares were worth... and yet still most people havecompletely ignored the offer, which can be worth somewhere between $500to $1600 for thousands of people.
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Take the Space Science Quiz
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6567839 (I missed #2 and #9)
Speaking of space, Japan and India have recently announced plans forunmanned missions to the moon. 1979 the Moon Treaty, to prevent the moonfrom becoming an area of international conflict, was proposed at the UNand since then it's been ratified by 9 nations. What two major nationshave objected to the treaty?
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I wouldn't suggest this except in this situation.
I spilled a cup coffee on my keyboard and quickly turned it over on a toweland though it would be ok but it started shorting out and typingpppppppp all the time. I knew that was bad news... and this was my $140keyboard. So I took it apart and rinsed it with water. I knew I had toget the sugar out before it cause permanent damage. It only takes alittle sugar added to a gas tank to totally destroy an automotiveengine.
After I rinsed it out I took my air hose and blew it out for about 10minutes. Then I turned my oven on and let it warm up to about 130 andput two small plates on the rack and put the keyboard on them (to keepit off the metal racks) and shut the door and let it sit overnight. Theheat was sufficient to remove the remaining moister but not melt theplastic keys. I'm using the keyboard now without any problems.
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CCIA Chief Pockets $10m from MS Settlement
Half of the $20m settlement from Microsoft that led to the CCIA droppingits Windows XP antitrust suit went straight into the pocket of CCIA'spresident. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/business/legal/0,39020651,39174912,00.htm
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How to Hacker-Proof Your Wi-Fi Networkhttp://www.theroyalgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041124/BUSINESS/111240085
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If you lose data from a multi-session cd write CDRoller can find theearlier sessions and restore them.http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/chi-0411220006nov22,1,1926759.column?coll=chi-techtopheds-hed
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Yahoo Traffic Dropping Dramatically
According to some sources that monitor traffic, Yahoo traffic droppedsignificantly this month. The theory is that Google and the MSN Searchis taking away their traffic. http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum35/2948.htm
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Supreme Court Takin Up Pot
At issue is whether states have the right to adopt laws allowing the useof drugs the federal government has banned or whether federal drugagents can arrest individuals for abiding by those medical marijuanalaws.
California passed the nation’s first so-called medical marijuana law in1996, allowing patients to smoke and grow marijuana with a doctor’srecommendation. The Bush administration maintains those laws violatefederal drug rules and asserts that marijuana has no medical value. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6585161/
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TV-B-Gone is a device that reports to turn off virtually all TVs, and sofar in our tests, it's knocked out anything we've pointed at it. Ofcourse that wasn't good enough, we're recording the IR signals andputting it on iPod with a sound to IR converter, that way we can play"tv off" all the time and turn off TVs wherever we go, always. http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000470021242/
~~~~~~~~~~
This Cracks Me Up
Target department stores... of all places... is selling a book byHiroyuki Nishigaki about how to deal with depression by constrictingyour anus 100 times a day. First, why buy a book that already explainsthe method/treatment for depression in the title?
Second... here is a customer's review at Amazon: "A wonderful treatiseon depression and a valuable resource for anyone, I can personallyattest to Mr. Nishigaki's methods. By following his instructionsimplicitly, I have banished the dark clouds under which I suffered foryears, and have integrated his practices completely into my life. Evenas I sit and type this review I am busy constricting my anus andcounting, 80,81,82,83....... ooops!"
~~~~~~~~~~
A Lot of Trouble to Squash a Bug
Scientists from Belgium, France, and Switzerland have developed InsBot,a small robotic interloper that is capable of infiltrating groups ofroaches, making friends with them, and luring them to places whereexterminators can do their thing. InsBot gains the trust of the insectsby mimicking their movements and scent. http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/000322.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Six Dead, Two Wounded After Dispute on Private Property in Wisconsin http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/11/23/hunters.shot/index.html
This story amazes me because anyone with good sense should know betterthan calling an Asian a "gook" when he is carrying an assault rifle.
~~~~~~~~~~
A tough place to be in on Thanksgiving... or any other day!
The fighting in Falluja is all but over and US marines combing the Iraqicity of Falluja after a major offensive say they found weapons stockssufficient to mount an insurgency across the country. The "stunning"finds included mortars, bomb-making equipment, grenades and rockets. Thebiggest haul was made at a mosque complex in the east of the city.Soldiers also found a house which contained a laboratory andinstructions on how to make anthrax and blood agents. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4041235.stm
~~~~~~~~~~
The End
Five million smokers died worldwide in 2000

Crack Talk 11-19-4

2005-01-05T18:30:00.000-08:00

Crack Talk 11-19-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com
Thanks for your vote. Crack Talk got 3rd place in the Techweb vote forbest independent blog. http://www.techweb.com/blogawards/cracktalk_03.html
3rd is ok I'm just disappointed that I didn't find anything worthcopying from the winner and runner up.
~~~~~~~~~~
I strongly suggest you open your browser NOW and go to tools and clickWindows Update. There are a lot of nasties out there that will hack andhijack an unpacthed IE. I got hijacked from a music lyrics site. The bugrequired me to go to my backup and overwrite Windoz (in safe mode)because after I got it removed Windows wouldn't boot.
These sites scan your browser for security holes http://browsercheck.qualys.com/ http://www.auditmypc.com/
~~~~~~~~~~
Here are the specifics on how to set up Gmail pop with any email client http://email.about.com/od/gmailtips/qt/et010605.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Caught with Hand in the Cookie Jar
Pirated software used to create help content in Microsoft's Windows XP
Members of a former software cracking group have discovered that audiofiles created with one of its cracked programs are distributed with eachcopy of the Windows XP operating system, possibly exposing Microsoft toa large-scale copyright infringement lawsuit.
The content in question can be found on every computer with Windows XPas operating system installed. Nine WAV audio files located in thefolder " "Help\Tours\WindowsMediaPlayer\Audio\Wav" in the Windowsinstallation directory include a signature of "Deepz0ne", a member offormer cracking group "Radium". If the files are opened not with anaudio player, but with a HEX editor or simply in Windows' own texteditor Notepad, the last line displays as "000-04-06 IENG Deepz0ne ISFTSound Forge http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20041115_135458.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft Releases Windows Update Beta - due to ship by mid-2005.
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1728266,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594
Until then... Microsoft is supplying patches through:
Microsoft Security Bulletin Advance Notification
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/advance.mspx
Starting in November 2004, the TechNet Security site will publish ageneral summary of planned security bulletin releases three businessdays before each regularly scheduled monthly bulletin release. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/news/bulletinadvance.mspx
Finjan Software Inc., claims to have discovered a set of 10 majorsecurity flaws in Microsoft Corp.’s Windows XP Service Pack 2, bypassingmany of the security measures the update puts into place.http://channels.lockergnome.com/news/archives/20041116_ten_major_holes_found_in_sp2_claims_security_company.phtml
Secunia has alerted its customers to three holes in Microsoft InternetExplorer http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20041117_101549.html
~~~~~~~~~~
How low can you go?
The Motion Picture Ass. of America is urging parents and teachers to runtheir software on home computers to snoop out, spy on and identifychildren who are swapping movies.... and then turn them over toauthorities. The software, designed to identify potentially infringingmaterial on the home PC, is part of the MPAA's war on file sharing andwill be released for free by the MPAA at a later date.
~~~~~~~~~~
US Government To Put Old Newspapers Online
While the government seems especially worried about copyright for recentcontent, once content gets old and in the public domain, suddenly it's a"national treasure" that needs to be available to everyone. The first ofwhat's expected to be 30 million digitized pages from papers publishedfrom 1836 through 1922 will be available in 2006. Copyright restrictionsare in force on papers published after 1923 and the type faces of printused before 1836 is too difficult for optical scanners to read.http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/internet/11/17/oldnewspapers.ap/index.html
I'm sure politicians don't want anything more current because itwould be too easy to check up on what they have said in the past.
~~~~~~~~~~
The most popular online Internet application Web sites for the weekending Nov. 7, as ranked by Nielsen//NetRatings.
Windows Media Player 18 Million AOL Instant Messenger 13 Million MSN Messenger Service 11 Million Yahoo! Messenger 8 Million RealOne/RealPlayer 7 Million
~~~~~~~~~~
Some unusual/amusing photographs at this site http://strangecosmos.com
~~~~~~~~~~
Internet Hunting Idea Has Wildlife Officials Up in Arms
Hunters soon may be able to sit at their computers and blast animals ona Texas ranch via the Internet. The Web site already offers targetpractice with a .22 caliber rifle and could soon let hunters shoot atdeer, antelope and wild pigs.
The owner of the website said that humans have always adopted newtechnologies to hunt. "First it was rocks and clubs, then we sharpenedit and put it on a stick. Then there was the bow and arrow, blackpowder, smokeless power and optics," Berger said. "Maybe this is thenext technological step out there." http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/11/16/life.hunting.reut/index.html
Hummm.... I wonder if the job is open for picking up those dead animals?Me thinks it should pay pretty good since it's definitely a high riskoccupation. Doesn't everyone at a golf range target the guy picking upthe balls? This job should be safe since the system runs on Windows andwe know it is reliable.
You can practice at the site now: http://www.live-shot.com/
In a related story... New security tested at border crossings
Gateways from Mexico at Laredo and Douglas, Ariz., have been chosen tobegin testing the Homeland Security Department’s increased bordersecurity technology. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6491647/
Getting Worse - I've reported on this before but new statistics are in.
Cars and motorcycles crash into deer more than 4,000 times a day, andit’s taking an increasingly deadly toll on people. Last year a record210 motorists were killed in collisions with animals, mostly deer. Deerare involved in about 75 percent of fatal animal-crash accidents. Therewere 1.5 million deer crashes last year, injuring 13,713 people andcausing $1.1 billion in vehicle damage. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6515765/
Perhaps the technology to shoot deer on the ranch in Texas can be usedto thin them out along the highways. When I was growing up there weredog food plants that would pay $25 for a fresh deer and it was RARE tosee deer by the roadside. I wonder if that was just a coincidence?
~~~~~~~~~~
TiVo Sells Your Fast-Forward Button to Advertisers
TiVo has jumped another shark, adding a "feature" to its PVRs that fewTiVo customers would have agreed to if they'd been given the choice.When you fast-forward with your TiVo, it will show you banner ads.That's right -- it shows you ads while you're skipping ads.
~~~~~~~~~~
Current bid: US $7,600 - with 3 days left
Virgin Mary in a grilled cheese sandwich. Selling on eBay.
"I made this sandwich 10 years ago, when I took a bite out of it, I sawa face looking up at me, It was Virgin Mary starring back at me, I wasin total shock.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=19270&item=5535890757&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
~~~~~~~~~~
Is this a good idea?
The city of Pleasanton, California has come up with an innovative way todeal with speeders:
The city's traffic engineers have created a traffic signal withattitude. It senses when a speeder is approaching and metes out swiftpunishment. It doesn't write a ticket. It immediately turns from greento red.
This is the most stupid idea I have heard in a long time. It's got tolead to lots and lots of serious accidents. I suspect a lawsuit afterthe first accident.
The Japanese have a similar plan to deal with motorcycle gangs speedingand weaving in and out of traffic. Cops are armed with paintball riflesand nail guns to shoot out tires. http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/waiwai/0411/1116bosozoku.html
~~~~~~~~~~
K-Sears
Sears, Kmart Merger to Create Huge Retail IT Operation The new retailerwill be the nation's third largest with $55 billion in projected annualrevenues and almost 3,500 stores.
~~~~~~~~~~
No wonder he is on a mission to kill spam!
Bill Gates receives nearly 4 million emails a day -- most is spam.
Bill was gone to France for 5 days. I'm wondering how long it will takehim to catch up on the 20 million emails that have backed up? A goodspam filter should kill about 90%... leaving only 2 million messages tomanually read.
~~~~~~~~~~
Freaked Out!
To say that normal people are freaked out over potential computerviruses is an understatement. I needed to print a letter and didn't havea printer available so I put the text file on a floppy disk and went tothe small town (where I grew up) and went to 7 businesses asking if theycould print a letter for me from a text file.
Ironically most of these people knew me personally (maybe that's thereason for their paranoia) but they all said no, they wouldn't do it.Some said they didn't know how and some said they weren't allowed toprint anything.. bla bla bla. What I found most amazing was how they allturned pale with a look of horror like I was holding a gun in my handwhen I asked if they could print a letter from a text file and they sawthe floppy disk I was holding. These are usually pretty good folks, thekind that would stop and give you a ride if you had car trouble... orhelp you fix a flat. The fact that they were horrified of printing atext file just shows how little most people actually know aboutcomputers.
~~~~~~~~~~
Latest definitions for AdAware http://download.lavasoft.de.edgesuite.net/public/defs.zip
You may need the current version to use the latest definitionshttp://www.techspot.com/downloadget.php?id=13&file=1&evp=066e86d98bcf54e50dd5f8ac8f0bfaef
~~~~~~~~~~
Bob Writes
Some of the best software sites are in Russian. Since I don't knowRussian, I have found a site that translates websites, including thisone.
1. Go to http://www.online-translator.com/srvurl.asp?lang=en2. Change "Direction" to Russian-English Translation (or any of theothers that are appropriate for the web site that you wish to view)3. Type or paste the web page in the "Address" box4. Click the "Translate" button
~~~~~~~~~~
Joe Writes
I found a new program to rip sites. It is the best one I have found sofar. GASR-QGWAEK-QKKPG-C4A-UHSKF2 http://www.bluesquirrel.com
~~~~~~~~~~
Ron Writes
Spambayes 1.0 for WIN 2000 - FINALLY...a spam program that really learnsas you receive emails. Within a week it was getting most junk emailscorrectly, separating them from the email I wanted. This is an add onfor OUTLOOK that really works...and its Freeware!http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/spambayes/spambayes-1.0.exe?download
~~~~~~~~~~
Ed Writes
Insultingly Stupid Movie Physics http://intuitor.com/moviephysics/
~~~~~~~~~~
Tim Writes
Does anyone ever use acronyms and you have no clue what they mean? Doyou ever read articles and are sometimes lost due to all of thesevarious acronyms? Well, BTW, this is a great site that IMHO is worthyof a bookmark, and AFAIK, it hasnt failed me on an acronym yet. :) http://www.acronymfinder.com
With Windows XP, ClearType delivers improved font display resolutionover traditional anti-aliasing. It improves readability on color LCDmonitors with a digital interface, such as those in laptops andhigh-quality flat desktop displays. Readability on CRT screens can alsobe somewhat improved. However, Clear Type has to be first turned on,then tuned for maximum display quality. http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/tuner/1.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Science Counts Species on Brink
A list of 15,000 species threatened with extinction - many of them byhuman activity - is published. Threatened animal species up from 5,205to 7,266 since 1996. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4013719.stm
~~~~~~~~~~
3 Joints = 55 Years Without the Possibility of Parole
This guy sold marijuana three times to an undercover officer and thejudge had to give him the mandatory sentence of 55 years without thepossibility of parole. He'll only be 80 when his time is served. http://www.plastic.com/article.html;sid=04/11/19/06334816
~~~~~~~~~~
Let's make men out of these sissy boys!
Several schools in East Texas had a tradition of cross-dressing one dayout of the year. The boys dressed up like girls and vice versa. But nowthat tradition has been halted because religious groups concludedcross-dressing promoted homosexuality. A parent who complained said shedidn't want her daughters to experience "gender confusion" or to havethem witness "a bunch of adolescent boys who have suddenly grown breastsand are groping themselves. Instead of cross-dressing they now put oncamouflage and pretend to be hunters killing defenseless little animals,or soldiers killing people.
The boys should sue: Technically speaking, the female sex has been"cross-dressing" by donning trousers and shirts for the last 60 years.So why should they be denied the same opportunity?
I remember I once was required to dress like a girl in school. It was aninitiation into Shop class. It didn't give me "the gay" but I did learnwhat it meant when they say "don't get your panties in a wad."
~~~~~~~~~~
It's definitely the LOL clip of the month.
Someone sent me this hilarious video clip. I think it's available on cdfor $29 from a popular website. I'll leave it on this site for a fewdays. http://perfectflyer.com/camel_toe.zip
~~~~~~~~~~
Here is a rather amusing mix of a song from The Beatles' White Album andthe rapper J-Z's Black Album. Better hurry before the people that havethe rights to these tunes have it removed from this location. (17 megs) http://www.greyvideo.com/smallwmv2.html
~~~~~~~~~~
5 Medications You Probably Don't Want to Take
These drugs pose such risks that their sale should be limited or stopped.http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=528&ncid=528&e=10&u=/ap/20041118/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/vioxx_safety
~~~~~~~~~~
The Human Body Don't Mesh Very Well With a 9-to-5 Work Day
Researchers have found that when humans are fed at regular intervals anddeprived of all sources of time, such as light and clocks, they have thegreatest tendency to fall asleep during two periods of the day: between1 a.m. and 4 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. These are natural dips in ourbiological clocks, or circadian rhythms, and the core body temperaturedrops along with a person's eyelids.
~~~~~~~~~~
Pure Evil
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4017515.stm
~~~~~~~~~~
The End
In the end the worm always eats the bird.

Crack Talk 11-12-4

2005-01-05T18:29:00.000-08:00

Crack Talk 11-12-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com

~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft Crawling Google
http://www.webpronews.com/insiderreports/searchinsider/wpn-49-20041111MicrosoftCrawlingGoogleResultsForNewSearchEngine.html
Man Arrested for Selling Windows Source Code
A man has been arrested for selling portions of the Windows 2000 andWindows NT 4.0 source code online.http://www.out-law.com/php/page.php?page_id=manarrestedforsel1100100906&area=news
Let's see if I got this right.... Microsoft is building a new searchengine and apparently using/copying Google's database to build the indexfor their search engine - which is much easier and less expensive thancrawling the internet and collecting this data themselves.... yetMicrosoft's former employees have been arrested for attempting to sellsome source code, rather than writing it themselves. What a crazyworld we live in! We're lucky to have Microsoft to help us understandwhat's right and wrong.
~~~~~~~~~~
Definitely a member's only link!
Find almost everything you need here - with some great how-to's http://beam.to/XaliasX
~~~~~~~~~~
Biggest scam around
The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has doubled the bounty it will payto people who shop their employers for using illegally pirated software,taking the upper limit to £20,000 until the end of the year.http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/05/bsa_snitch/
~~~~~~~~~~
Eight EBay sellers admit to phony bids - second biggest scam around
Eight eBay sellers were ordered to pay nearly $90,000 in restitution andfines after admitting they bid up products online to inflate the prices. http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20041108_104421.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Best Buy tries to separate "angel" customers from "devils" and get ridof the "devils."
Best Buy's angels are customers who boost profits by snapping uphigh-definition televisions, portable electronics, and newly releasedDVDs without waiting for markdowns or rebates.
The devils are its worst customers. They buy products, apply forrebates, return the purchases, then buy them back atreturned-merchandise discounts. They load up on "loss leaders," severelydiscounted merchandise designed to boost store traffic, then flip thegoods at a profit on eBay. They slap down rock-bottom price quotes fromWeb sites and demand that Best Buy make good on its lowest-price pledge.
At dozens of Web sites like FatWallet.com, SlickDeals.net andTechBargains.com, they trade electronic coupons and tips from formerclerks and insiders, hoping to gain extra advantages against the stores.
Oh how I wish LOTS of people would start buying stuff, collect therebates then return it to bust this mail-in-rebate scam. It may bedifficult to return stuff without the upc code though.
~~~~~~~~~~
Dell Going Strong and Staying Home
Dell plans to build its third US manufacturing plant in North Carolina,employing at least 1,500 people within five years. The new facility,scheduled to open in the fall of 2005 will produce desktop computers.
~~~~~~~~~~
Google will soon make it possible for users of its free Gmail serviceto check their e-mail via Microsoft Outlook or on certain handhelddevices such as mobile phones.
There is also a gmail offline storage program for Windows now. Check thecracktalk group files section on yahoo if you want the file.
Google's index now exceeds eight billion pages - almost doubling theirindex. The expanded search helps users find obscure facts andinformation... and probably causes error messages over at Microsoftwhen they try to sort the huge database.
~~~~~~~~~~
The Federal Communications Commission seized regulatory control overInternet-based telephone services on Tuesday by issuing an order thatsharply limited the role of state regulators.http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/10/technology/10fcc.html?ex=1257742800&en=b6f4f0433ab73e6e&ei=5088
~~~~~~~~~~

Meet the New Boss - Same as the Old Boss
Ashcroft steps down, Gonzales steps up to assume the top job at theJustice Department. Little difference except Gonzales has eagerlysupported military torture. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/11/new_us_attorney_general/
~~~~~~~~~~
Aurora Gallery
An intense geomagnetic storm, which began on Nov. 9th when a coronalmass ejection hit Earth's magnetic field, is now subsiding. Great photos. http://spaceweather.com/
More links to spectacular images from here: http://www.boingboing.net/2004/11/08/aurora_borealis_ligh.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Coast to Coast in 20 mins
It can be done. SF to DC in 20 mins. You'll be flying Mach 10 -- about7,200 mph, or 10 times the speed of sound. This scramjet engine isamazing. Read more about it here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6448094/
~~~~~~~~~~
Here is a scam on a scam that ends up scamming your tax dollars
The internet has many so called "deploma mills." Basically this is afake university where people can purchase various unacredited/fakecollege degrees. People who buy these degrees have been known to usethem to get jobs they don't actually qualify for and practice law,medicine etc. Now we find out that many governmental officials havebought these degrees and billed tax payers through various"tuition-reimbursement" programs. http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20040513/1056206.shtml
It is so easy to pass with a fake degree because very few employerscheck accreditation. Even some well known institutions such as BobJones University are not accredited. I found that amusing since therecent Tom Hanks movie "Lady Killers" had several mentions of donationsto BJU. ( It's a pretty good movie.)
~~~~~~~~~~
Lexmark, manufacturers of inkjet and dot-matrix printers have beencaught installing spyware when their drivers are installed on customer'scomputers. http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/0,2000061744,39166406,00.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Death of AOL
AOL will phase out broadband. They are currently telling their broadbandcustomers to find other carriers.http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=528&ncid=528&e=1&u=/ap/20041112/ap_on_hi_te/aol_broadband
To AOL's credit they got a lot of people online and helped many newbiesget going on the internet... but they overcharged (a LOT) and rammedpage after page of advertisements down their customer's throats. With nocable, phone lines or wireless services of their own they never had apromising future. To top that off Netscape, owned by AOL is offeringdialup for $10 and undercuting AOL's rates. Is that dumb or what? http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/ZDM/story?id=241442
~~~~~~~~~~
PestPatrol Spyware Protection - Full Corporate Version of Pest Patrol
http://download.pestpatrol.com/downloads/corporate/setuppestpatrolcorporate.exe
Be aware that this program thinks you need to run it all the time and willinstall in your startup without warning. I hate programs that do that.
~~~~~~~~~~
5 out of 5 stars from everyone who reviewed this program.
Bypass the latest "unbreakable" protections using X-Copy Software'sstate of the art burning process! Make perfect 1:1 backups of yourvaluable original discs by using the Disc At Once RAW+96 power. TrialNunber: 3217947039 http://www.wolverinesoft.com/Files/X-Copy.msi
~~~~~~~~~~
Tim Writes:
Control Your Car Via Cell Phone
Motorola is working on a cell phone that enables you to remotely turn onyour car, fire up the header, lock the doors and other functions.
U.S. Deploys Satellite Jammers
The US Air Force has quietly launched the military version of a cellphone jammer. It's new weapon, called the Counter Communications System,is designed to jam enemy satellite communications. It works by blastingout overwhelming quantities of electromagnetic radio waves.
Free file transfers to friends, even large files. No passwords to share,no software to install, no accounts to create, and no full mailboxes. http://s11.yousendit.com/default.uplx
If you speak Spanish and I speak English, we can enter a languagetranslating chatroom and chat with each other, and our messages will betranslated into each other's native tongue in real-time. http://www.babelchat.com
These 4 shapely women found a unique way to break ahead of the lineand get into a popular night club... and they didn't even have to pay.That's a good thing though because they didn't have any pockets to bringtheir cash or visa card. http://ohohfun.com/oooops/plaatje43.html
Find used car parts online: http://www.car-part.com/ (This is a greatsite I have used enough to have it memorized. I may have mentioned it inthe past but it's worth noting again since it finds the SAME parts thatthe auto salvage yards find. If you go to a salvage yard looking forsomething they will use this same database then buy the part for you andmark it up.)
~~~~~~~~~~
Honda builds a jet engine to become available in 2007 for $300k. It willbe sold by GE. The engine powers a 6 seat aircraft with 40% better fuelefficiency than similar jets now on the market. The engine could lowercost of operating a jet from $4 per mile to $1.50. http://www.forbes.com/global/2004/1115/022.html
~~~~~~~~~~
A 2 seat touring aircraft manufactured in the USA and will soon becertified to FAR Part 23 requirements. The base price of the aircraft is$129,500. The aircraft has a 125 horsepower Teledyne Continental FADECengine, a 48-inch wide cockpit, a payload of 603 lbs, a range of 600miles, fuel consumption of 5.5 gph and a cruise speed of 132 knots. http://www.libertyaircraft.com
~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.landings.com/
Great site for aviation news with FAA search for pilots ratings http://www.landings.com/_landings/pages/search/certs-pilot.html
~~~~~~~~~~
New diet pill, Acomplia, made by the French pharmaceutical firm
The biggest test yet of the drug found that it helped people not onlydrop pounds but also keep them off. Cholesterol and other healthmeasures improved, too. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2893179
~~~~~~~~~~
Browser helpers are NO help!
Perhaps there may be one or two browser helpers, like Google bar, thatare helpful but MOST are a HUGE nuisance. They are impossible to disablewithout a third party program like BHOdemon (on the SS cd) and they eatso much of your processor time you think you are running a 386. I urgeyou to install it and disable anything you don't want. You can go backand enable anything you decide you need. You can download it here: http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Imaginary Lover - Real Cash
Using fake names, forged visas and snapshots of young Russian women, a newcrop of on-line swindlers is luring Western victims into highly successfulconfidence games.
Each is an escalating flirtation between an unsuspecting man and a Russiangrifter masquerading as a young woman. It typically ends when the victim wiresmoney to Russia to pay for visas and airfare for a consummation of the affair.Then the beloved disappears. (NY Times)
~~~~~~~~~~
After All, He's Just a Man...
A web dating agency has dumped a 55-year-old male subscriber after settinghim up with 119 dates over a 5 year time period. Apparently he had sexwith 100 of those dates and several women complained that he "lackedcommitment." He said he just hasn't met the right woman yet.
~~~~~~~~~~
Spare the Rod - Break out the Cattle Prod
Miami police used a stun gun (50,000 volts) on a 6-year-old boy inhis principal’s office because he became "unruly." Ummm, maybe kids want to reconsider spankings?
~~~~~~~~~~
Smart Truck 3, the replacement for the Humvee
The beast weighs 3,000 pounds more than the H2 and is three inchestaller and four feet longer. Amazingly though, it apparently guzzlesless gas. You can buy one too. (This is a bad boy!)http://www.internationaldelivers.com/site_layout/militarybusiness/
~~~~~~~~~~
Fred Gives Us the Skinny on Black Friday Sales
The biggest shopping day of the year is the day after Thanksgiving.Naturally every store wants to get customers into their stores to do theshopping before they go anywhere else.... so the competition is verystrong to offer some incredible deals that will attract shoppers. http://bf2004.net/
Harbor Freight has a 2hp air compressor in their one day sale for $50. That's a steal!
~~~~~~~~~~
The End

#3

2004-11-17T18:29:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone for your vote. Crack Talk took bronze place in the TechWeb blogger contest.

I want to say welcome to the people who may be checking out this blog/newsletter for the first time.

Crack Talk is starting the 8th year of publication. You are reading the public versions. The public versions
are posted a week or two after the member's editions are emailed to supporting members. At one time I
was emailing a free edition to almost 50,000 readers but that got to be too much trouble so I put a free
edition on a web site then moved it to this blogging site a few months ago. If you want to sign up for the
member's edition it's about $1 per issue, we take credit cards and bill $30 two times a year. Send my
wife email with your credit card info if you want to join. We have been processing credit cards since
1992 when we were selling the Cream of the Crop shareware cd rom disk and never had a problem
that wasn't immediately resolved. Her email address is: cblount@mchsi.com

The member's edition has additional info like links to great underground sites, hacking tips and hardware
deals that are not included in the free editions. I guess the best thing I could say about the member's
edition is that it is EXTREMELY rare that a member unsubscribes (and when they do it is usually because
of some hardship) and about half the time the members comes back later. Although I do manually scan
through at least 4,000 rss headlines every week and open at least 300 web pages and check out the
stories and message boards, the main success of the newsletter is the contributions made by members.
Not only do they alert us all to extremely useful info but they find the most amusing clips on the net.

Although Crack Talk came in third in the contest, I still think it's number ONE ... or I would be copying the
blogs that got more votes!

Enjoy!

Cracktalk Newsletter 11-5-4

2004-11-10T19:10:00.000-08:00

Crack Talk 11-5-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com

Cracktalk will soon begin it's 8th year. The first issues were onlysent to customers who were on the Cream of the Crop autoship list. Thenewsletter went public a couple months later (12-18-97). I combined allthe back issues and the word count came to about a half million words,over 3 million characters and over 10,000 links... and that's withoutthe hot deals, cool links and a lot of "special services" thatsupporting members have been emailed, ad free! You can download a 1 megzipped file of all back issues through the last one from: http://home.mchsi.com/~tblount/index.htm

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A HIGHLY critical vulnerability has been discovered in MicrosoftInternet Explorer and an exploit has already been seen on a publicmailing list. According to the security advisory outfit Secunia, theflaw can be exploited remotely and an attacker could execute arbitrarycode on a victim's machine. http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=19440
A security company has found IE attacks are more common than any otherhacking techniques.http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/security/0,39020375,39172428,00.htm
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Fast-Moving Bagle Worms Open PCs' Backdoors
Two new versions of the venerable Bagle worm are on the loose, infectingPCs and opening backdoors as they go. Once the backdoor is opened onPort 81, the worms listen passively for instructions from a remote host.Experts say that the worm likely will try to upload more files toinfected PCs at some point in the future.http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1696931,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03129TX1K0000614
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AN Israeli hacker on October 30 has found a security hole in Google'sGmail web-based e-mail service that would allow remote users to hijackaccounts.
"A remote user can create a specially crafted link that, when loaded bythe target user, will disclose the target user's cookie. With the targetuser's cookie, the remote user can then access the target user'saccount," the website added.
Google has acknowledged the security flaw but reports indicated that theproblem has yet to be fixed. http://news.inq7.net/infotech/index.php?index=1&story_id=16845
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Kenny Writes:
Free program to easily copy entire websitesOnce you backup/mirror a site you can easily share it with your friends. http://www.httrack.com/page/21/en/index.html
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Jay Writes:
The Wi-Fi-FreeSpot Directory is a listing of Wi-Fi enabled locationsthat offer Free Wireless High Speed Internet Access. http://www.wififreespot.com/
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Here are a few of the quality tips that were posted on the cracktalkboard: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cracktalk/messages/

Fred Writes:
Some excellent links: http://www.homenethelp.com/http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/getstarted/default.mspx http://www.ctlow.ca/HomeNetwork/SmallNetwork.html http://www.practicallynetworked.com/http://computer.howstuffworks.com/home-network.htm http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetworking/http://www.windowsnetworking.com/j_helmig/guide.htm
Great list of "how-to's" http://www.mansoorbinsaeed.com/docs/how%20to/
Microsoft Partner Pack for Windows XP
Microsoft has just released a free suite of software dubbed the "PartnerPack", for computers running Windows XP. The free add-on pack includesnew Microsoft and 3rd party software items.http://www.microsoft.com/windows/partnerpack/default.aspx?prereq=true
IPScanner is a tool that is designed for the day-to-day monitoring ofcomputers. It allows Systems Administrators to gather information fromall the computers in the network without installing server-sideapplications on these computers. With its powerful engine, this utilitycan scan hundreds of computers using different scan types and can helpyou make "snapshots" of the systems for future comparison and notationof changes. (Check groups for keygen) http://in.yahoo.com/*http://www.ip-scanner.com/bin/IPScanner.exe
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Phil Writes:
Adobe Reader SpeedUp is a simple application that was created to helpmake the loading time of Adobe's Acrobat/Reader software bearable foreveryday use. AR SpeedUp only needs to be used once (a process takingonly a few seconds) and then your 'Reader will be transformed forever.There are also some tweaking options available. "w00t!", as the youngkids say. http://www.tnk-bootblock.co.uk/prods/misc/index.php
One of the best mass file renamers - http://www.1-4a.com/
BugMeNot.com was created as a mechanism to quickly bypass the login ofweb sites that require compulsory registration and/or the collection ofpersonal/demographic information (such as the New York Times). http://www.bugmenot.com/
The other day, I got a video file in a MKV format. Impossible to read onmy DVD player (which plays Divx)
I found this site which helps you do what ever you want with any type offiles and explains to you step by step how to do it. It also links you tothe appropriate codec and software you need. http://www.videohelp.com/convert
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Microsoft E-Mail Looks Like Spam
For a year, Microsoft Corp. has extolled the virtues of the Can-SpamAct, which Congress passed in late 2003 to crack down on purveyors ofunwanted bulk e-mail. But some think the software giant is engaged inits own spamming. Chief executive Steven A. Ballmer's mass e-mailpromoting Microsoft products has caused a stir among spam opponents.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26555-2004Nov4.html?nav%3Drss_technology&sub=AR
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15 Year Old Hacker With Quite a Resume'
He is a self-taught hacker going by his Net alias 'Wired'.
'I read about all these things that were happening on the Internet, andI couldn't believe you could do it so I went to find out for myself,'said Wired.
His curiosity led him to scour the Internet for how-to information onhacking. Along the way, he also taught himself programming skills.
Wired spends six to eight hours a day in front of the computer - andthat's just on weekdays.
Wired is now occupied with what he calls 'Internet marketing', fromwhich he gets a stable income to the tune of $10,000 a month. He has 12PCs in his HDB apartment, and sitting next to one is a Sony Aibo, arobotic dog - a gift from a client. http://it.asia1.com.sg/newsdaily/news002_20041103.html
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AOl loses 2.2 million customers and lays off 700 employees http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/03/aol_q3_04/
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Beam me up
An Air Force Research Lab report calls for $7.5 million to conductpsychic teleportation experiments. The Air Force paid $25,000 for thereport. And while Star Trek fans may be happy to hear that the Air Forcehas paid to study psychic teleportation, scientists aren't so thrilled,calling it "crackpot physics."http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-11-05-teleportation_x.htm
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20 reasons you shouldn't post your picture on the internet http://www.columbia.edu/~rhee/
I have to say that was done incredibly well.
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Google's innovative ways of finding new talent to put on the payrollhttp://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/internet/11/04/us.googlingen.ap/index.html#
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11 Western states back medical marijuana http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6406453/
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HOW-TO: Get music OFF your iPod
In this How-To we show you several different ways of getting the musicoff of your iPod and onto both Macs and PCs, all with free tools. http://www.engadget.com/entry/7166385640773718/
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Queen of the Sky Gets the Pink Slip
Air hostess Ellen Simonetti, who was suspended for including photos ofherself in uniform on her personal blog, has been sacked by DeltaAirlines. She was originally suspended without pay in early Octoberwhile an investigation was carried out.http://queenofsky.journalspace.com/ (darn... that site disappeared)
Never fear... Google archived it:http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:FaL3SGFIlvgJ:queenofsky.journalspace.com/+delta+%22queen+of+sky%22&hl=en
How ironic it is that an airline would fire a lady for photos on herblog in their uniform (she wasn't nude.) I can remember when theairlines used ads with nice young flight attendants saying "Fly me, I'mJane," or "We really shake our tails for you" or "coffee, tea, or me."
They didn't fire male attendants when it was pointed out that they hadposted photos in their Delta uniforms.
Delta, the company that fired her, has used slogans like "fly Delta fora bucking good time" and "we promise you a good ride."
I think the queen should consider herself lucky http://www.avaruusmies.com/jokes/images/211.html?send=true
Here is a top ten list of Delta's slogans: http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/mattheerat/delta.htm
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Some RAW political humor at this site. Don't say I didn't warn you. Itgets real raw under the Regan/Nancy section. http://whitehouse.org/
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Not your grandfather's Catholic Church
The Vatican has published a pamphlet called "It's a Sin Not to Do It,"in which the Church sanctions masturbation for married women, and urgesCatholics to have sex more frequently. http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=50987
We have wondered where celibate Catholic Cardinals get such profoundinsight to human sexuality?
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Map of the recent US presidential election
This county by county map shows how rural people everywhere voteRepublican while city folk vote Democratic. Note the statistic that Bushwon nearly 5 times as many square miles as Kerry.http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/vote2004/countymap.htm
It's really interesting to save both images to a folder then load themin a viewer and click back and forth and see how little changed...except some noticeably dwindling in the support for the Democraticcandidate.
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I was explaining phobias to my son the other night during Monday NightFootball because John Madden - the color commentator - has such a fearof flying (aerophobia) that he travels in a motor home to the events inspite of a LOT of driving.
Then I ran across taphephobia in the news. Anyone know what it is? Here is a hint and what a man did to deal with it: http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_1160966.html
Many people who suffer from phobias begin to think that something iswrong with them or that they're crazy. This is simply not true. In fact,in a strange sort of way having a phobia proves that your brain isworking. This article explains more: http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Anxiety/phobias_2.asp
There are hundreds of phobias... probably the best known isArachnophobia - fear of spiders - because there was a popular movie bythat title or claustrophobia - fear of close places. http://www.phobialist.com/
Here is a good pickup line: "Hi, I have gynophobia. Can you help me?"
You don't have to worry about this one this month: Paraskavedekatriaphobia
Now close your eyes and spell that.
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Spammers get Slammer
A North Carolina man has become the latest example of Virginia'scrackdown on spam, after being found guilty for sending hundreds ofthousands of unwanted advertising e-mails. Jeremy Jaynes, considered oneof the top ten spammers in the world by Spamhaus, was sentenced to nineyears in prison.
For all the talk about how this was an anti-spam case, that's notentirely true. The focus was less on the spamming and more on thescamming of what was in the email -- even if it was brought underVirgina's anti-spam law. It makes you wonder why they used the anti-spamlaw at all, rather than using more time-tested anti-fraud laws. In fact,the defendant, who insists he's "innocent" is vowing to challenge theconviction because he claims the anti-spam law violates his FirstAmendment rights.
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Farmers in India Spray Crops With Coca-Cola
The sugar in Coke attracts red ants which in turn feed on other pestswhich attack the crops.
Hummm.... isn't it cheaper to just dust with sugar or spray sugar water?
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I can't tell you how many headsets I've worn out over they past 10 yearsbut this is the last set I bought and definitely the best I ever had.It's not showing any signs of wear even after a year with daily use.Quality and comfort are A++. They are on sale now for $35. I would buyan extra set but I just don't think I'll need it for a long time.
http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?DPNo=265386&adcampaign=email,EWB06495
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The End

Cracktalk Newsletter 10-29-4

2004-11-01T13:07:00.000-08:00

Crack Talk 10-29-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com

Microsoft Plans Windows XP Second Edition http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20041022-4342.html
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Interesting Case on Music Sharing in Australia
After being taken to court by music industry lawyers for copywriteviolations lead counsel for the defence, Anthony Morris QC, said Coopercould not have abused any copyright material as "all he has done is putin a set of pointers to MP3 sites around the world". The site generatedmoney by offering advertising space.
"He has done nothing that Google or Yahoo hasn't" he provided adirectory for certain types of content," Morris said. "He only provideda hyperlink."http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/business/0,39023166,39164069,00.htm
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Extortion Pays
Rather than brass knuckles and baseball bats, the weapons of choice forthese digital extortionists are thousands of computers. They use them tolaunch coordinated attacks that knock targeted websites off-line fordays, or even weeks, at a time.
The shakedowns generate millions of dollars. Many Internet operatorswould rather pay protection money than risk even greater losses if theirwebsites go down.
After more than a year perfecting their techniques on gambling andpornographic websites, the gangs are starting to turn their talents tomainstream e-commerce operations.http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-extort25oct25,1,5082191,email.story?coll=la-headlines-technology
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Search Engine for Travel Bargains
Travelzoo.com recently unveiled its SuperSearch feature, a sort of smart"aggregator" that performs like a Google search engine for travel sites,scanning the websites of 45 travel suppliers.http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-tr-internet24oct24,1,4002633,email.column?coll=la-headlines-technology
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Google Surpasses Yahoo
Google surpassed Yahoo in stock market capitalization on Monday, as thestock continued its three-day surge on stronger than expected results.
After Monday's 8.7% gain, investors are now valuing Google at $50.8billion, more than Yahoo's $47.9 billion market cap, more than nine ofthe 30 Dow Industrials, and more than all but about 50 of the S&P 500stocks. At $187.40, shares of Google have more than doubled from their$85 IPO price just two months ago.
I never did like Yahoo and almost never used it. Yahoo is on my "doomed"list with AOL. Yahoo's cluttered page looks as bad ashttp://www.icq.com/ and takes a long time to load on dialup... whileGoogle is instant.
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Sex Is Out, Consuming Is In
University of Pittsburgh and Penn State researchers conclude people aregetting bored with internet sex/pornography and are doing more onlineshopping. Queries for e-business or commerce increased by 86 percent inthe past seven years.
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What's in a Name?
With all the IE browser security issues many people have looked foralternative browsers. The hottest one is called FireFox and even Googleis working on an "arrangement" to promote it and incorporate theirtools. Well it turns out that FireFox is running the core code ofNetscape. So there you have it. Change your name and slap on a different"skin" and you are born again.
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10 Facts You Should Know About Homeland Security
Although the first section deals with campaign rhetoric, the rest of thearticle is interesting and informative. Fact #4 was especiallyinteresting: Homeland security spending has less oversight than Pentagonfunding. (YIKES.. just throw those tax dollars away!)http://news.com.com/Digital+Agenda%3A+10+facts+you+should+know+about+homeland+security/2009-1009_3-5431338.html
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Scientists Develop Clean Diesel System
Scientists at the Idaho National Engineering and EnvironmentalLaboratory say they have developed the first system to convert dirtydiesel fuel into a quiet, self-contained and efficient energy source.http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6360675
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Schaison Writes:
Recently I was given MPC music files. These are not recognize by myIpod. You need to convert them into MP3s. Here is the solution:http://www.dbpoweramp.com/
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Call me suspicious or paranoid... but this doesn't look quite right
Someone is selling a ppc on eBay but look at the bidding...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63722&item=2496092023&rd=1
Someone with the nick MarkZ signed up for eBay almost the same day thiswent up for auction... and has been running the bid up. They could belegit but when I see someone running up a bid that has never bought orsold ANYTHING and has just signed on eBay recently... well it looks likeit COULD be the seller using another nick.
Running up the bid is THE most common scam on eBay. The way it works isthat you will always be oubid on expensive items and the next day or twothe seller will contact you and say the winning bidder backed out andyou can have it at your last bid price. That way they squeeze every centout of you they can.
If you are bidding on anything expensive you are wise to check theperson bidding against you and see if they have bought any related itemsor anything expensive and how long they have been a member. The moreexperienced scammers will set up a nick and use it for a while and win20 or 30 auction on books or cosmetics or any junk that's under $10 tobuild up their rating and look legit. Then they bid against you on theirbig ticket items.
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Ask your Doctor... has HE had enough sleep lately?
You see all those ads on tv from pharmaceutical companies telling you to"ask your Doctor about..." But here is something you do REALLY need toask your Doctor about...
Harvard Study Shows Sleep-Deprived Doctors-In-Training Make SeriousErrors More Often.
While it's no surprise that anyone who needs rest is prone to make moremistakes, it does seem a bit strange that a truck driver is required toget much more rest than a Doctor. "There are currently more than100,000 physicians-in-training in the United States, most of whom workthese kinds of 30-hour shifts on a regular basis."http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory?id=205256
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Google mapping - What are your neighbors hammering on over there?
Google has acquired Keyhole, a supplier of online satellite maps thatallow users to zoom down to street level to specific locations. Thesystem is built on database with trillions of bits of mapping datacollected from satellites and airplanes.http://www.usatoday.com/tech/techinvestor/2004-10-27-google-mapping_x.htm
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As part of its growing effort to thwart piracy, Microsoft is offeringfree photo slideshow software to customers who verify that they have agenuine copy of Windows. There is still no "stick," or penalty, forcustomers whose software is found not to be genuine. That could change,Microsoft said. http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-5429449.html
I wonder how many people are going to pay $100 to register theirbootlegged version of Windows to get a $20 program they don't want?
Wait... more incentive...
Users who agree to participate in Microsoft's program will be offered upto $390 worth of software for free or reduced prices. In one month828,000 users logged in to check their software.http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1684765,00.asp
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Skeletal Remains Reveal Human Species That Measured 3-Feet High http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=198867&page=1
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The US Military Has Ordered 277 Fighter Jets $260 Million Each
The FA-22 stealth fighter can fly at 1500 km/h and still remainundetected by radar. It fires precisely targeted smart bombs and canengage hostile aircraft far beyond the pilot's vision.
Some years ago there was a serious attempt in the Congress to scrap thewhole project, especially as the revised cost exceeded four times theoriginal estimate.
It failed largely because of pressure from military contractors andlabour unions in states that will directly benefit from thismulti-billion dollar programme.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3959673.stm
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Nuclear Waste Map
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has shut down its online documentlibrary. The action came after a report by NBC that among the itemsfound on the NRC Web site were detailed information on the location ofradioactive substances, generally used in medicine and for industrialpurposes, that could be used to make a so-called dirty bomb.
In some cases, the data included detailed building diagrams thatpinpointed the location of the material in hospitals and otherfacilities, according to the NBC report.http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-10-26-nuclear-documents_x.htm#
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Howard Stern confronts Michael Powell for fining him millions andholding radio stations hostage (withholding their licenses) till theypay the fines. http://members.cox.net/cowicide/sternvspowell.mp3
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2005 Tour de France Racing Course to be Less Demanding
Organizers try to find a way to give Lance Armstrong's rival's a chance. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/3958427.stm
Damn, you know you are good when the officials try to find a way to giveyour opponents an edge. That's like giving a poor hitter 4 strikesbefore they are out or letting a lesser defense in football play with 12men. Maybe they should make him carry extra weight like a strongerhorse has to do in a race?
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A hacker defaced more than 200 Brazilian government Web sites this weekwhat appears to be a political protest.
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You may have missed it but this is a great report on the eclipse of the moon that occurred last night. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6307233/
Another good article with interesting facts about lunar eclipses. http://space.com/spacewatch/top10_eclipse_041026-1.html
141 Photos of the eclipse taken by armatures http://flickr.com/photos/tags/eclipse/
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Three very strange stories I saw this week
Mi casa su casa
A woman came home from vacation to find a stranger living there, wearingher clothes, changing utilities into her name and even ripping outcarpet and repainting a room she didn't like. She first told police shewas renting the house but later admitted to breaking in with a shoveland squatting on the property.http://edition.cnn.com/2004/US/10/22/stranger.in.house.ap/index.html

Take This Nickel and Shove it
A man was jailed for five years without parole for sexually assaultingfour women with a coin after convincing them he had magical healingpowers. He met women at railway platforms and at shopping centres,convincing them he had magical powers by performing sleight of handtricks. After gaining their confidence he went to their homes where theyallowed him to place a five cent coin on their bodies and theneventually in their vaginas - constituting rape under Queensland laws.http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11223115%255E421,00.html

You Light Up My Life
A man who said he threw a live electrical wire into his wife's bathhoping a near-death experience would save their marriage was convictedof attempted first-degree intentional homicide.http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/10/28/wired.bath.ap/index.html
This one reminds me of a joke I once heard. You want to hear it? Ok itgoes like this: An elderly couple revisited their hometown and returnedto the place they first made love. The man asked his wife if sheremembered the time they made love leaning against a wooden rail fence.She said of course. He then suggested they do it like that again for oldtime sake. She agreed and they got started. When they finished the mansaid "THAT WAS INCREDIBLE!" The way you were moving around and wasmaking wild animal passion love to me was much better than 40 years agowhen we were young. His wife replied... "40 years ago there was noelectric fence here."
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Door Goes Up... Door Goes Down
An upgraded PC has turned itself into an unintentional emitter thatworks a nearby garage-door opener when a certain video game is played onit. http://www.boingboing.net/2004/10/25/accidental_pctogarag.html
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Tips for Hygiene on the Road
If you travel and not staying in motels or pulling a travel trailer hereare some tip on how/where to get a free bath. http://guide2homelessness.blogspot.com/2004/10/hygiene-on-road.html
I'll add this tip. Truckstops have great showers but they require youto buy a lot of fuel and keep them locked to keep out rif-raf like me.When I owned my moving company a couple times a month I would move someout of state. I usually unloaded and headed straight home but after thework of unloading their furniture I would be sweaty and wanted to getthe road funk off. So the first time I stopped to fuel up I wouldusually try to get a shower. One time the lady who took my moneywouldn't give me a shower key because she said I hadn't bought a 100gallons of fuel. I've heard that before but I always said that I alwaysfill up at Petro (or whatever the station name was that I was at) andthat my truck only would hold 50 gallons. Usually they say ok and gaveme a key and towel. But this lady was a tough old broad and said sorry,can't do it. I said.. "I understand, can you tell me where there is aHoliday Inn in town? I'll just go jump in their swimming pool. I'll beclean by the time the security guard kicks me out." The lady moaned"you would probably do that" and said... "here is the key, don't tellanyone I gave it to you." I guess I get a kick out of getting peopleto reverse their decisions.
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Amazing Treatment for a Horrible Condition - Parkinson's disease
First doctors drill a hole in your skull then insert a blunt solderingiron type probe into your head. It pushes it's way through brain tissueto the desired location and the heat is turned on for about 2 minutes.This process, called a pallidotomy, if done correctly, destroys a verysmall part of an overactive area of the brain called the globuspallidus.http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/27/60II/main651750.shtml
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Amazon has a huge dvd movie blowout with many titles under $5http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/12917411/104-6745050-9016737
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The End

Cracktalk Newsletter 10-22-4

2004-10-29T07:42:00.000-07:00

Crack Talk 10-22-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com
I wanted to mention that you must first subscribe to the message board(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cracktalk/messages/) before your postwill be accepted. Here is the easy way... from your email account (thatyou want to sign up under) just send a message to:cracktalk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
You will get back a message to confirm... and when you confirm you aresubscribed. You can also post messages directly from your emailaccount (that is signed up): cracktalk@yahoogroups.com (or unsubscribevia email: cracktalk-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com) I suggest you use asecondary email account or read online. If anyone has info about Yahoogroups security/hacking let me know so we can run it right. A couplemembers are helping moderate even though the only rules at this time areto be nice and use common sense about posting anything that may beillegal.
If you have a cool website or a book or a service or some otheraccomplishment you want to let people know about you can post to thegroup. Only about half the people who have signed up are CT members soyou can reach people that the newsletter doesn't.
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Here is a very good tip posted on the Yahoo Cracktalk message board:
Fred Writes: (Fred is also helping to run the board.)
Title: Huge Security Risk: hidden Admin account in WinXP Category:Windows by Dennis Faas The administrator account in Windows XP isactually hidden and poses a massive security risk (especially forWindows XP Home Edition users).
" ... If you first boot into Windows XP and you are prompted with a'Welcome' screen asking you for a user ID to log into the computer, thenyou can access the Administrator account directly by pressing CTRL + ALT+ DEL on the keyboard, let go of DEL (still holding onto the otherkeys), and then tap DEL again. This will bring you to a Windows 2000/NTstyle login box; if you type in 'Administrator' as the user ID inWindows XP Home Edition, there is no password by default and you canaccess the system. On XP Pro, the admin password is whatever you set itas at the time of installing Windows."
Side note: Both techTarget.com and fateBack.com confirm that the XP HomeEdition Admin account has no password. It's also worth mentioning thatthe 'welcome' screen can be accessed at any time if you click Start ->Log Off [user name], even if you don't have the welcome screen displayedat boot up.
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Fosi is still going strong: http://jupsoft.host.sk/fosi/
Good Crack Searching Engine http://cracksearch.ws
News about cracking groups and occasional quotes from Crack Talk http://zor.gulli.com
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AMD Present More Troubles for Intel
Chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices renewed the claims of being the makerof the fastest PC Microprocessors with the launch of two new processors. http://news.techwhack.com/450/amd-presents-more-troubles-for-intel/
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Terrorism Really Sucks
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3758354.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3945443.stm
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No football for you !
New Powers for Women
TV B-Gone, a keychain fob that you can use to turn off TVs anywhere.The device, which looks like an automobile remote, has just one button.When activated, it spends over a minute flashing out 209 different codesto turn off televisions, the most popular brands first.http://www.gtconnect.com/articles/2004/10/17/news/top_story/gtsun01.txt
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Google Tips and Tricks
http://www.infolets.com/1046966811/
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Grand Theft of Grand Theft
Take-Two Interactive Software confirmed that a purloined copy of "GrandTheft Auto: San Andreas," set for commercial release next week, ismaking the rounds of "warez" sites used to swap pirated software.
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Internet-based calling is moving beyond the PC and into the mobilerealm, as Boingo Wireless and Vonage join forces to provide voice overWi-Fi service as a complement to traditional VoIP.http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/nf/20041019/tc_nf/27714
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Anti-Virus Programs Can Be Tricked By Hackers
Here is how they do it and a list of AV scanners that are fooled. http://www.techweb.com/wire/networking/50500804?_loopback=1
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Save $199,000
Last week I reported on Virgin's plans to take tourist on a sub-spacegravity free flight. The price for the trip is about $200,000 ... howeverfor those who can wait till they are dead it will only cost $1,000. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,57679789,6622,f/
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Do you have satellite?
Why yes we do... right here in our living room. Luckily we weren't homewhen it came crashing through the roof. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-10-18-china-crash_x.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Howard Stern Credited For 69K New Sirius Subscribers
Sirius is claiming that the announcement that Howard Stern would bejoining their programming ranks has helped them sign up 69,000 newsubscribers, pushing their total subscribers over 700,000 (still wellbelow XM). Of course, those 69,000 Stern fans may not be all thatthrilled when they realize that Stern doesn't move to Sirius untilsometime in 2006.
Maybe someone can explain his popularity to me. I've listened to Sterna few times and watched his program on cable tv... but all I ever sawwas him interviewing some porn queens or a model he was trying toconvince to expose her breast. They call him the king of the media... butthat's kingly about the same behavior you find from drunks at a bararound closing time?
~~~~~~~~~~
Gooks headed for space?
South Korea will pick its first two astronauts next year for a spacetrip by 2007, the science ministry said Sunday, after Russia agreed tohelp the country's space program.
Now before anyone jumps on me for using that headline... in the Koreanlanguage "Me gook" means American. As the story goes... in the Koreanwar when the American soldiers would pass by Korean children they wouldsay "me-gook." Naturally, to the American soldiers who didn't speak thelanguage it sounded like they were saying "I'm a gook" and to make along story short... all oriental people started being called "gooks."The term became even more popular in Vietnam war it was mostly used asa derogatory racial slur - but gook simply means nation. Me gook isAmerican, Chong gook is China etc. Since Americans have already been tospace the headline is misleading.
~~~~~~~~~~
UK Scientists Develop New Vaccine Technology
The new technology eliminates refrigeration of vaccines which makes itcheaper and possible to deliver to an extra 10 MILLION children inremote areas of the world.http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2004/10/19/eline/links/20041019elin003.html
~~~~~~~~~~
American Passports to Get Chipped
The United States plans to issue passports with personal data stored onradio frequency identification chips. The documents would be harder toforge, but might leave holders vulnerable to identity theft.
~~~~~~~~~~
Churches Jam Cell Phones
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=528&ncid=528&e=10&u=/ap/20041019/ap_on_hi_te/cell_phone_jammers
I tried to call but you didn't answer.... Signed God
~~~~~~~~~~
Samsung Unveils First 5-Megapixel Camera Phone
Handset also features camcorder functions and text-to-speech conversion.The new phone provides image quality similar to a top-end digital stillcamera and has a flat screen capable of displaying 16 million colors http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,57630151,7665,f/
~~~~~~~~~~
Fuel cells are just arriving on the market as a replacement. But thereis a new contender: micro gas turbine engines under development at theMIT. Engineers there shrunk jet engines to the size of a coat button.And their blades which span an area smaller than a dime can spin amillion times per minute and produce enough electricity to power yourPDA or your cell phone. While there are still a few hurdles to overcome,these micro turbine engines should be operational in two or three years.These micro jet engines also have the potential to free soldiers ortravelers to carry heavy batteries. The engineers even think theirengines on a chip could be used in poor countries to bring electricitythere. http://radio.weblogs.com/0105910/2004/10/19.html
~~~~~~~~~~
And the winners are....
Google posts third-quarter profit of $52 million
Symantec posted third-quarter profits of $135.6 million
eBay posted third-quarter profits of $182 million
Microsoft posted third-quarter profits of $2.9 BILLION
~~~~~~~~~~
U.S. to Poison Prairie Dogs in South Dakota
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=6548495&src=rss/scienceNews&section=news
What? I'm confused...
US Wildlife and Fish Services put Prairie Dog on the endangered list inFebruary 2000. http://www.schoolworld.asn.au/species/prdog.html
This reminds me of the movie "Caddyshack" where Bill Murray was tryingto get rid of the gophers (prairie dogs) which by the way starred RodneyDangerfield the comedian who finally got some respect when he passedaway at 82 - Oct 6, 2004.
~~~~~~~~~~
The CONVICTED Rich Get Richer
Martha Stewart is selling her prison memoirs for a cool $5 million.Reports say she is making the best of her jail time by developing'innovative' new microwave cooking recipes.
In my opinion she shouldn't have been locked. After all she just didwhat we all do. We just do it on a smaller level. For example of daily"insider trading" you may go to Walmart and put a tv in a shopping cartbut on your way to the checkout counter you meet a friend who worksthere. She tells you "Honey, don't buy that now.... It will be on salenext week."
~~~~~~~~~~
Sweat Shops
A detailed study found that turning up the heat in the building whereemployees work increases their productivity. A company could earn anextra $2 per employee per hour. The details show that at 68 degreesthere were many more typing errors and slower output. At 77 degrees,errors decreased 44% and output increased 150%. http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/507802/
~~~~~~~~~~
The Luminous Toilet Seat
http://www.kiss-textil.de/galactikaen.htm
Cool - but it must be for the ladies room. I can't see going to thatmuch trouble to help men with their aim.
~~~~~~~~~~
Which is the most fuel-efficient car on the road?
The government has come out with its report for 2005 models and thetwo-seater Honda Insight came in with the best fuel economy with 61miles a gallon in the city and 66 on the highway.
The lowest fuel economy award goes to the Dodge Ram pickup, two-wheeldrive, with 9 miles a gallon in the city and 12 on the highway. http://www.nbc10.com/consumeralertarchive/3822528/detail.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Size Does Matter
New study finds that fat men have poor lazy sperm. The study also findsthat overweight women also have trouble conceiving naturally.
Humm, does this prove that Darwins theory of natural selection iswrong? It would seem that if fat people aren't procreating thehuman species would get thinner.
~~~~~~~~~~
Some Polls are Supicous at Best
57% of Turkish women said their spouses were right to beat them.
Turkish women enjoy greater freedoms than those in many other Muslimnations. For decades, they have had the right to vote, access toeducation, the right to divorce and the right to abortion. But a recentreport by Amnesty International estimated that at least one third ofTurkish women are victims of domestic violence in which they are "hit,raped and, in some cases, killed or forced to commit suicide. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3944983.stm
~~~~~~~~~~
New Age Plastic
Composite America is testing a process that turns oil from crushedsoybeans into solid form, which in turn could be shaped into panels forcars, construction equipment, farm machinery, snowmobiles - and evenairplanes. Many automobile manufacturers are already using soybean oilinstead of petroleum oil to make interior car parts. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,57480170,6622,f/
~~~~~~~~~
Thinking about taking up the sport "Kiting"? This guy took it to a new level. "Hang on tight!" http://tinyurl.com/6hxrw
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The End

Cracktalk Newsletter 10-15-4

2004-10-17T23:37:00.000-07:00

Crack Talk 10-15-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com

I checked my rss feeds to see how many headlines I read to prepare anewsletter. There were 7,854 headlines during the past 2 weeks. That'sabout 4,000 news headlines per week. Since a lot of headlines areduplicate stories carried by various news agencies (and a lot of the"deals" are insignificant 10% discount coupons or free shipping) Iestimate that I open about 1 out of every 20 links and scan thearticles. That comes to about 200 articles I open and browse from therss feeds. I probably scan another 100 articles from websites that don'thave rss feeds or links etc from message boards and tips sent bymembers.
I know some good stuff still slips by but I'm doing the best I can tobring the best news/tips to your attention. When you see something ofinterest don't forget to let me know so I can pass it on to othermembers. That's often where the best info comes from. Don't bediscouraged if I don't include your tips. Usually the reason for notincluding a tip is because I had already mentioned it.. or sometimesit's too political. I think I can address the political situation andmake most readers happy with one of the following statements: That DogBush! That Dog Kerry! There you go.. fair and balanced reporting. Haha
~~~~~~~~~~
If you bid on eBay watch out for a con known as "second chance"
People who have lost out in an auction are sent an email offering them asecond chance to buy goods they bid for. But when the consumer clicks ona link in the email, they are taken to a hacker's website where theircredit card details are stolen. Because the hacker's site looksidentical to eBay - which runs a legitimate second chance service - manyare fooled by the scam.
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Ashcroft in Attack Mode to Stop Piracy
This initiative is the most ambitious, aggressive crackdown onintellectual property theft in history.http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-piracy12oct12,1,7796459.story?coll=la-home-business
He may not have trashed any hotel rooms, but US Attorney General JohnAshcroft spent over $200,000 of taxpayers' money in a four-week, 31-citytour last year promoting the controversial USA PATRIOT Act, according toa report by Congressional auditors released Tuesday. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/13/patriot_act_tour/
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BSA earns $2.2m in Annual Anti-Piracy Sweep
The Business Software Alliance -- a trade group supported by Apple,Intuit, Microsoft and about 20 others -- has collected $2.2m inout-of-court settlements in its annual software piracy sweep. The grouptargets US companies that violate software licensing and copyrightrules. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/business/legal/0,39020651,39170128,00.htm
One member wrote saying they had heard a national BSA radio ad that wasasking employees to report any unregistered software they could find ontheir companies computers.
It's Blackmail - any other form of blackmail would be illegal
The BSA campaign is nothing less than a form of intimidation andblackmail. Major vendors, namely Microsoft, are using the BSA and otherorganizations to spread Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt (FUD) into thehearts and minds of corporate IT organizations. http://www.funkyfresh.com/spotty/mrw/mrw_Blackmail_BSA.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft Patches 21 Bugs In Windows, Exchange, Office
In the biggest monthly patch roll-out of the year, Microsoft on Tuesdaydisclosed 21 flaws in Windows, Exchange, and Office, and said that usersneeded to "install the update immediately" for the seven bulletinstagged as "Critical." http://www.techweb.com/wire/security/49901163
~~~~~~~~~~
Top 20 Computer Threats Unveiled
Top 20 list helps organizations find out if they are closing the mostcommonly exploited loopholes. Almost 60% of the loopholes listed thisyear were in the 2003 Top 20 list. Mr Paller said this was because onlyhalf of all organizations bother to patch their systems.
~~~~~~~~~~

The US government is funding a year long study on chat room surveillanceunder an anti-terrorism program. Instead of rummaging through megabytesof messages, RPI professor Bulent Yener will use mathematical models insearch of patterns in the chatter. Yener also wants to check messagesfor certain keywords that could reveal something about what's beingdiscussed in groups.http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=528&ncid=528&e=4&u=/ap/20041012/ap_on_hi_te/chat_room_surveillance
Hummm... hasn't Echelon been doing this since the internet started? http://www.echelonwatch.org/
~~~~~~~~~~
Norbert Writes:
Remember the cracksearcher tool you turned us on to way back when? MyNorton AV doesn't find a problem with it, but I installed Panda AV anddid a scan, and it automatically removed it because it is a "hackingtool". Have you had any other feedback about this?
I haven't heard that yet.. but it doesn't surprise me. For a long timevirus scanners have recognized cracks as viruses because they can tellthat the cracks have code to modify an exe file and only viruses (andcracks) are written to do that. Panda should give you a choice todelete it or not though.
~~~~~~~~~~
It's Election Time
The Supreme Court on Tuesday sidestepped a dispute over whether Internetproviders can be forced to identify subscribers illegally swapping musicand movies online. The Bush administration agrees with recording andmovie companies which want to use a 1998 law to get information aboutInternet users, but the administration also had encouraged the SupremeCourt to wait to settle the issue.
~~~~~~~~~~
Google has released a tool that lets people search their hard drives.
You can search e-mails in Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express, as wellas files in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and in plain text. It alsosearches web pages viewed in Internet Explorer and instant messages inAOL Instant Messenger.
Google said the software was based on its internet search engine. Ittakes a while to index a PC hard drive, but after that the company sayssearch results will appear in fractions of a second. http://desktop.google.com
Note: The disclaimer says: "non-identifying statistics will be sent."
"Once the Google search technology is installed it will transmit basicdata daily about usage patterns. For example, it will tell the companyhow often Google is being used to search personal computers, how oftenit is used to search the Web, and how often simultaneous searches aredone. Google lets users opt out of sending some usage data, but not allof it."
You may not want this "tool" on your business computer. And you may wantto rename any folders that are labeled "Pirated Software" before youindex your drive.
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Google: Sending Out an SMS
Google has taken the wraps off of a beta release of Google SMS,extending Google's reach to cell phones and other handheld devices.Google SMS returns names, addresses and the phone numbers of localbusinesses and residences; provides a dictionary, and compares productprices between stores. http://www.betanews.com/article/1097196610
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Optimizing Windows XP
If you're having performance issues with Windows XP then follow thissimple step-by-step guide to speed things up.http://insight.zdnet.co.uk/software/windows/0,39020478,39169958,00.htm
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Derek Writes:
Windows XP Service Pack 2 Installation Problem
If you install XP SP2 on a machine and don't have the serial numberquite right it will leave several folders that can't be deleted and thesystem will frequently crash or just reboot even in safe mode. To fixthat you apparently have to get back ownership. Here's how: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q308421
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Brian Writes:
For those of us using legitimate versions of WinRAR, give this patch ashot for some great new looks for WinRAR! http://www.neowin.net/comments.php?category=software&id=24760
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Daniel Writes:
With Macally SyncBox you can transfer photos from your digital camera toyour flashdrive (USB HDD) with a touch of a button and never have toworry about your digital camera running out of memory space again.http://www.macally.com/new/new_syncbox.html The best price I found was $33.32 at www.ecost.com
eCost has a 1 gig usb drive for $49 after rebatehttp://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?DPNo=507425&adcampaign=email,blank
~~~~~~~~~~
Mac vs. PC - who cares anymore?
New software called Cherry OS lets PC Windows machines run Mac OS X orMac users to run Windows applications on their Macs. http://cherryos.com/
~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes I come across something that I would never have imagined andthe more I think about it the more ridiculous it becomes.
Here is the latest example... Hip-hop music is now on Karaoke
Not only is this astonishingly stupid - because I can't see any "rapper"hitting the streets with his Karaoke in hand and setting up on the conerwith a hat strategically placed for spare change.... but MOST of hip hopis profanity which appears on the lyrics screen as ####. I guess thosewho know the words have no problem substituting the "N" word or the "F"word when they see those pound signs appear.
I'm still shaking my head because a rapper with a Karaoke is just askingto have his A$$ kicked... haha Perhaps that's what artist Stroke 9Lyrics was rapping about in his song: "Kick Some Ass"
~~~~~~~~~~

Introducing the FREE Radio@Netscape!
Access to more than 175 stations, including music, news, sports, andlocal radio. Improved listening experience: less up-front buffering timeand less gaps between songs. Ability to save your favorite stations andrate your favorite songs. http://radio.netscape.com/radio/radiosell2.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Amazon is getting into the movie rental business and Netflix vows tolower their prices. I signed up for the Walmart movie rental trial andfound that they are SLOW to send out the movies I rented. It took abouta week to get them. It looks like I could enjoy about 6 movies per monthfor the $15 fee. Unless I order the old movies that play for free on tv.
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Alaska Joe Writes:
Hi Terry, here is a new one for your readers, Windows Ultimate Boot CDsame idea as the UBCD but made from your Windowz XP CD. http://www.windowsubcd.com/
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Gary Writes:
How to put sp1 & 2 on one cd for xp to make it a 100% auto run install
The name of tool is Service Pack 2 Deployment Tools the info how to dothese steps are here. (They check our OS to see if it is legit.)http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=47212312
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Stolen 'Halo 2' Hits Pirate Sites
Microsoft threatened severe penalties for those who circulate a stolencopy of "Halo 2," the hotly anticipated Xbox game set to go on sale nextmonth. Microsoft representatives confirmed that a pirated copy of "Halo2"--in the French language and the PAL video format used by Europeantelevision sets--began circulating on the Internet late Wednesday vianewsgroups and "warez" sites for swapping pirated software.
~~~~~~~~~~
Yahoo Inc. reported a quarterly net profit that more than tripled lastyear boosted by the sale of shares it held in rival Google Inc.
~~~~~~~~~~
About one percent of adults have absolutely no interest in sex. http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/science/10/14/asexual.study/index.html
~~~~~~~~~~
This Crazy World
China has decided that a man cannot name his kid "@" because it can't betranslated into Mandarin. However, someone has figured out how totranslate @ into Mandarin, because there are an awful lot ofMandarin-speaking people with email addresses.
~~~~~~~~~~
Just weeks after the success of SpaceShipOne...
Virgin has found a lot of people are interested in blasting off tospace, even if for only five minutes. The expected price tag hoveringsomewhere near $200,000 isn't scaring off many people. Over 3,000 havesaid they're interested, according to the company, including a bunch whohave showed up at the company's offices with checks in hand.
~~~~~~~~~~
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday overwhelmingly passed abill that would make spyware illegal and provide stiff sanctions foranyone found breaking that law.http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1668518,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03129TX1K0000614
The law doesn't go into effect till Jan 1st... so why are we waiting?
~~~~~~~~~~
F.C.C. Clears Internet Access by Power Lines
Federal Communications Commission adopted rules on Thursday that wouldenable the utility companies to offer an alternative to the broadbandcommunications services now provided by cable and phone companies.http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/15/technology/15power.html?ex=1255579200&en=218fdf790316c00a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt
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Only 4 percent of Americans have ever used the Internet to buyprescription drugs and even fewer do so through foreign pharmacies.http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=528&ncid=528&e=8&u=/ap/20041011/ap_on_he_me/online_drugs
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You think gas is expensive, this water is about $15 per gallon http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/11/tech/main648542.shtml
You think that water is expensive, try ink.
At $2,145 per liter, printer ink is more expensive per drop than ChanelNo.5 or a good bottle of whiskey. Ink costs more than vintage champagneand filling a swimming pool with ink would cost nearly $6 billion. http://techdirt.com/articles/20041012/1139207.shtml
~~~~~~~~~~
Priceline No Cancellations and No Refunds -- No Kidding
Your credit card company won't give you credit if you are dissatisfied.No matter how much trouble you get into, Capt. Kirk's not coming to therescue, and Scotty's not beaming you up.http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-tr-internet10oct10,1,6122599.column?coll=la-headlines-technology
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Wireless Purple Pill
The aptly-named "Jonah" pill contains a wireless temperature sensor toremotely monitor your vital signs. The pill is part of the VitalSensephysiological monitoring system designed by the Mini Mitter Company incollaboration with the US Army.http://www.boingboing.net/2004/10/12/wireless_purple_pill.html
FDA Says Docs Can Chip Patients
The Food and Drug Administration gives doctors the go-ahead to implantradio frequency microchips in patients. When scanned, the chips willrelease patients' medical information to doctors, speeding care.http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,65332,00.html?tw=rss.TOP
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Getting off the controversial "do-not-fly-list" is as simple asmodifying your name. Add a middle initial or a suffix, and you'll b0rkthe data management system. The system seems to be poorly designed. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6232745/
~~~~~~~~~~
Camcorder - works like a webcam - only much better!
Higher resolution, clearer picture, twice as fast refresh rate than aweb cam... thats what you can get if you use your camcorder for awebcam. OrangeWare makes the WebcamDV software that will turn yourcamcorder into a Webcam. The software actually tricks Windows intothinking the camcorder is really a Webcam. You can download the trialversion from their website and then upgrade to the full version for $20. http://www.orangeware.com/endusers/webcamdv.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Funny Websites
John sends this one: http://www.rio.com.br/animation/iconstory.htm
Larry sends this one: http://www.illwillpress.com/tech.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Good Luck
Taiwan Hopes to Wipe Out Red Fire Ants in 3 Yearshttp://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=6485850
I got news for them... the fire ants will not be eradicated. I'vespent between $100 and $200 every year to kill the mounds just aroundmy dad's house and farm. Their only hope may be this fire ant predator: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/k7722-2.htm
I don't get the sense that this fly actually kills many ants... but theones it does kill die a horrible death. They attack only fire ants. Thefemale deposits an egg on or in a fire ant's body. Weeks later, a maggothas moved through the unlucky ant's neck into its head-and eaten thecontents. The head falls off after an enzyme dissolves its connectingtissue.
I pray that I never get one of those eggs on me. As bad as I hate fireants I don't want a maggot eating the "contents" of my head prior tometamorphosis after my head drops to the ground like a coconut.
~~~~~~~~~~
Flat-Panel LCD Monitors dropping in price
19 inch lcd Acer monitor 500:1 contrast ratio $399 ($15 shipping)http://www.emicrox.com/eShop/product.aspx?advanced=1&cid=10008&attr=LCD%2fFlat+Panels%7c19%22&pid=1439290
Same price here: http://www.c-source.com/ttechnote.asp?part_no=1117888&src=f
Princeton 19" Flat-Panel Display 700:1 contrast ratio, 1280x1024 maxresolution, DVI & VGA inputs, 170B0 super wide viewing angle andbuilt-In Hi-Fi speakers. $399.00 AFTER $100 mail in rebate.http://www.ecost.com/referrals/default.asp?store=ecost&source=EWB06348&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ecost.com%2fecost%2fshop%2fdetail.asp%3fDPNo%3d372518
~~~~~~~~~~
Sony unveiled a new DVD burner that can be connected to a camcorder orVCR for transferring taped footage directly to a DVD, without using acomputer.
DVDirect can also be attached to a PC, the company said. Sony willsupply software for video authoring, as well as the creation of data,music and video DVDs and CDs.
Sony said the $300 burner is set to begin shipping next month.
The device can burn up to 12 hours of MPEG-2 video onto compatibledouble-layer DVDs or up to six hours onto standard single-layer DVD+R orDVD+RW discs, using its real-time video-capturing and MPEG-2-encodingcapability. The machine supports dual-format, double-layer burning whenattached to a PC with a USB 2.0 connection, and has maximum recordingspeed of 16X. http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1040_22-5406423.html?tag=adnews
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Compaq Presario 2.7GHz MiniTower $299
Intel Celeron Processor 2.7GHz, 256MB DDR SDRAM, 40GB 5400rpm HardDrive, CD-RW Drive, 10/100 NIC, 56K Modem, Microsoft Windows XP HomeEdition (refurbished)http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/category.asp?eStore=82387000&Category=82409000
That's a pretty good deal. After I bought the HP 2.8 ghz system fromGeekdeals a few months ago all these machines went up about $150 (From$300 to $450). This one doesn't have DVD but it comes with Win XP makingthis a hard deal to beat. Just a few days ago my son spent $223 on 2.7ghz processor and motherboard alone. And he did a lot of research onPricewatch and other sites to find that deal. For $75 more he couldhave gotten it in the case with powersupply, hard drive, cd-rw, xp, etc.http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/category.asp?eStore=82387000&Category=82409000
~~~~~~~~~~
The Windows version of Froogle was launched this week
http://windowsmarketplace.com/
Froogle.com still finds better deals but it's been around at least ayear. Hopefully this price search portal will become a valuable tool.
NEVER NEVER buy a product before you have checked it's current value onsites like Froogle and Pricescan. I'm FREQUENTLY shocked at the hugeprice drops. Often an item will be discontinued and dealers that haveit move fast to dump their stock.
These resources can help prevent overpaying.
http://www.activshopper.com/ ActivShopper - A web browser add-on thatautomatically scans, locates and compares prices for any item selectedat an e-commerce site. Eliminates price comparison tables and the needto jump from site to site to find the best price.
http://www.buypath.com/ BuyPath - An online comparison shopping guidewith shopping community to share experiences.
http://shopper.cnet.com CNET Shopper - Searches for the lowest prices oncomputers, software, office products and electronics.
http://www.compare123.com Compare123 - Compare prices on computers,digital cameras, home electronics, DVDs, and music.
http://electronics.comparesite.com/ CompareSite.com - Compare prices onbooks, clothing, collectibles, computers, electronics, home and garden,Internet services, movies, music, office products, video games. Includesreviews.
http://www.gtmci.com DealTime - Compare products, prices, stores,services, and read reviews.
http://www.mysimon.com/ mySimon - Comparison shopping site presentingproduct listings from stores, organized categorically.
http://www.shoppingspot.com ShoppingSpot - Shopping and consumerinformation portal that simplifies the search for shopping sites bycategory, product reviews, comparison shopping sites and coupons.
http://www.streetprices.com/ StreetPrices - PC component, PDA, anddigital camera price index with graphs of prices over time. Includese-mail alerts when an item drops below the price specified.
http://shopping.yahoo.com Yahoo! Shopping - Includes productinformation, price comparisons and merchant reviews.
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The End
SUPPLEMENTAL READING
I won the court case against Airframes Unlimited for failure to upholdtheir warranty and was awarded a judgement of $6,612 to buy anotherengine. Collecting the money is still the most difficult part though.
I'm definitely not a lawyer and don't even want to pretend to be one butI did a LOT of research and got great legal help from a few lawyers whodidn't want to take a case that involved trying to collect only a fewthousand dollars. Here is some critical information that will be mostuseful to you if you have a dispute that you can't settle with abusiness... and don't want to hire a lawyer to fight for you.
First, as I have mentioned briefly before, you can take someone to courtby filing a small claims report at your local courthouse. The fee isusually about $200 and you can ask for up to $10,000. You don't need alawyer, you just tell your story - like you see on the tv programs.Small claims can only give you MONEY.. so you need proof of what it willcost to fix or replace the product in dispute.
The court sends a certified letter to the person or company... if theperson/business refuses the letter that's still proof that they are atthat location and they will send a second letter that says they havebeen served and must enter a plea and a court date will be set. (Unlessthey settle the matter with you at that time and you drop the case.)
Keep in mind that the main thing you want to do is INCONVENIENCE theother party. So sue them where YOU live. The reason you can sue someonewhere you live (who has sold you something over the internet) is wellestablished in several cases. This summary of Internet-Based PersonalJurisdiction, in the Computer Law Reporter is excellent:http://extranet.law.smu.edu/courses/vogel/Internet%20Jurisdiction%20Feb%202004.pdf
Fundamentally it comes down to these things:
Their web site is designed to sell product(s) in all states includingYOURS. They meet the 3 qualifications for doing business in your state:(1) directed electronic activity into the state, (2) with the manifestedintent of engaging in business or other interactions within the state,and (3) that activity created, in a person within the state, a potentialcause of action cognizable in the state’s courts. (ALS Scan, Inc. v.Wilkins et al. 293 F. 3d.707 (D. Md. 2001))
Second, like in my case, businesses often try to blame you for theproblem. This act puts the burden of proof on them to show that youcaused the problem. This keeps an automotive dealer from saying thetires blew out because you tinted your windshield.
MAGNUSON MOSS WARRANTY ACT - US Code - Title 15, Chapter 50, Sections2301-2312 says:
Legally, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty on a vehicledue to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarketpart caused or contributed to the failure in the vehicle. http://www.granatellimotorsports.com/magnusonmoss.htm
Third, also in my case, the business may say that you didn't ask for awarranty and didn't get one. The Uniform Commercial Code is VERY clearabout implied warranties - making it almost impossible for them tosquirm out if you didn't sign a statement that says you agreed to thepurchase "as is."
The UCC..Uniform Commercial Code says:
An implied warranty of merchantability automatically arises in everysale of goods made by a merchant who deals in goods of the kind sold(UCC 2-314) Goods that are merchantable are "reasonably fit for theordinary purposes for which such goods are used". They must be of atleast average, fair, or medium grade quality. The quality must becomparable to quality that will pass without objection in the trade ormarket for goods of the same description. A sale is also accompanied byan IMPLIED warranty of merchantability that imposes on the merchantLIABILITY for the safe performance of the product. It makes nodifference whether the merchant knew or could have discovered a DEFECTthat makes the product unsafe.
The implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose arises when ANYseller (merchant or non merchant) knows the particular purpose for whicha buyer will use the goods and knows that the buyer is relying on theseller's skill and judgement to select suitable goods. (UCC 2-315)
In my case, Don Stutts said that he didn't manufacture the engine so hewasn't responsible for the warranty... even though he sold it to me. Itold the judge that if that argument worked then anyone busted forselling pot could get off by saying "I didn't grow it."
Hope you never have to use this info but good luck if you do.

Cracktalk Newsletter 10-8-4

2004-10-10T19:37:00.000-07:00

Crack Talk 10-8-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com

New Software Allows File Sharing, Legally
As RIAA pushes to sue over 5,500 users for copyright infringement, a newsoftware program attempts to get around the central argument: "Personaluse" means you can share your music with a small, select group offriends, not everyone on Kaaza.
Grouper was introduced yesterday by Grouper Networks. Instead ofallowing at-will downloading, this program lets up to 30 of your friendsand family share what's on your computer. It does not allow anyone todownload files, just view/listen to them off your computer.
Grouper Networks hopes this free program will get around the musicindustry's claim that trading music is a criminal offense when done witha standard file-sharing program.
If "personal use" means I can loan CDs to someone I know, it appearsGrouper has solved the biggest problem facing users. It also will givenew headaches to the music industry.
Windows 98 and ME are not supported http://www.grouper.com/
http://www.audiographics.com/agd/s6100604.htm
I'm sure the RIAA will claim this is broadcasting. But it's aninteresting concept.
~~~~~~~~~~
Panda Finds Program to Create JPEGs Exploiting Microsoft Flaw
Panda Software reported finding a tool on black hat hacker sites thatcan be used to create files in the JPEG image format that exploit thevulnerability in Microsoft's JPEG processing component.
Officials with Panda Software said the attacker tool, calledJPGTrojan.C, allows a user to create several payloads that can beincluded in the malicious image file. They include payloads to add a newuser to the infected computer and grant that user administrative rights,specify a port to be opened to allow remote access to the computer,specify a remote IP address and a port and establish a connection ordownload an executable file and run it. http://entmag.com/news/article.asp?EditorialsID=6396
Here is a list of programs that the JPEG bug can attack: http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/200409_jpeg.mspx
~~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft Eyes Lighter Versions of Longhorn
Microsoft is developing versions of its Windows operating system withonly a subset of the Windows code base, designed for specific servertasks, in a move that could reduce maintenance costs for customers andcreate products that are less vulnerable to attack. http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20041004_155521.html
Finally someone listens to me! Now make the light/secure versionavailable for USERS!
~~~~~~~~~~
Intel Releases New 64-bit Compilers, Supports EM64T
Santa Clara (CA) - Intel today introduced new software compilers whichallow developers to create applications for Intel's Extended Memory 64Technology (EM64T). The products support AMD64 architecture and join theexisting compilers for the Itanium 2 platform. http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20041004_131210.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft to Muscle Deeper Into VOIP?
Microsoft is expected to play up Live Communications Server 2005, dueout this month, as a key piece of its quest to conquer the telephonymarket. Microsoft's end game is to become a telephony provider and giveVonage, Verizon, etc., a run for their money.http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,1995,1667468,00.asp?kc=MWRSS02129TX1K0000535
~~~~~~~~~~
New Trojan Program Squashes Adware
A new Trojan horse program that attacks and removes troublesomeadvertising software, known as "adware," is circulating on the Internet,according to antivirus company Symantec.
The program, called Downloader.Lunii, was discovered on Monday. Whenrun, it attempts to kill off computer processes and delete files used bycommon adware programs like Powerscan and BargainBuddy. However, Luniiis not entirely benevolent. Like other Trojan horse programs, it alsomodifies the configuration of Microsoft (Profile, Products, Articles)Windows machines and attempts to download files from a remote location.
http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/10/06/HNnewtrojan_1.html?source=rss&url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/10/06/HNnewtrojan_1.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Pirating Just Got Easier
Sony's music unit is abandoning its CDs that use built-in technology tolimit copying them, after pushing the program for two years. The CDs letusers copy their music once for free onto a personal computer, but usethe internet to charge a fee for subsequent copying of the same disk. http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,65213,00.html?tw=rss.TOP
~~~~~~~~~~
Google Offers New Book-Search Feature
Expanding a program introduced last year, Google is inviting publishersto include entire books in its index, enabling people to peak at thecontents before making a decision on whether to buy.
Although entire books will be scanned in, the new feature won't letpeople read them entirely online. But participating publishers mustallow people to read at least 20 percent.
~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft Opens IM Server to AOL, Yahoo
The interconnection will allow enterprise users of LCS 2005 to send andreceive messages with users on AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Messengerand MSN Messenger directly from the software's IM client, WindowsMessenger, as well as to add members from those networks onto theirbuddy lists. http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1634150,00.asp
~~~~~~~~~~
A Government-Mandated Backdoor For Every Network
Under pressure from the Department of Justice (DoJ) and federal lawenforcement, the FCC is gathering comments on a proposal to expand CALEAto cover broadband Internet access providers and Voice over IP (VoIP)telephony companies.
If the FCC adopts the proposal, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) andnearly all VoIP companies will have to design their systems to betappable, http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/archives/001986.php
~~~~~~~~~~
Hot Wheels
It's cute, tiny, and plastic. The kids love it (especially in Europe).It also gets 70 miles per gallon, and you can fit three side by side ina standard parking spot. Move over, Mini: The Smart microcar could bethe next big thing on America's roads. A major study ranked the Fortwo'stailpipe the least polluting in the world, ahead of more than 1,200cars. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.10/microcar.html
~~~~~~~~~~
House OKs Bill Imposing 'Spyware' Fines
Companies and others that secretly install "spyware" programs onpeople's computers to quietly monitor their Internet activities wouldface hefty federal fines under a bill the House passed Tuesday. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,55955041,1466,f/
~~~~~~~~~~
Sony's Home Server Stores 1 Terabyte
Sony has started selling a TIVO on steroids.
http://news.com.com/Sony%27s+home+server+stores+1+terabyte/2100-1041_3-5397103.html?part=rss&tag=5397103&subj=news.1041.10
~~~~~~~~~~
Plan to Regulate Tobacco Blocked in Congress
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2004/10/06/eline/links/20041006elin003.html
~~~~~~~~~~
$50 Million Orbital Space Race Launched
A Las Vegas hotel magnate who is hoping to build the world's firstcommercial space stations on Tuesday launched a challenge offering $50million to the creators of the first privately funded spaceship to reachorbit.
SpaceShipOne, built by aircraft designer Burt Rutan and financier PaulAllen, had to travel at about three times the speed of sound in order toreach the 62-mile altitude required to win the Ansari X Prize.
An orbital spacecraft has to travel six times faster and four timeshigher, and, like NASA's space shuttle, also requires more extensiveheat shielding. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,55967967,7665,f/
~~~~~~~~~~
Two Israelis and an American won the 2004 Nobel Prize for Chemistry onWednesday for helping to understand how the human body gives the "kissof death" to rogue proteins to defend itself from diseases like cancer.http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=6428396&src=rss/scienceNews&section=news
~~~~~~~~~~
AT&T Looks Into Closing its Windows
Network services giant AT&T is evaluating different operating systems,including Linux and Mac OS X, as alternatives to Windows for internal use.http://news.com.com/AT38T+looks+into+closing+its+Windows/2100-1016_3-5397748.html?tag=nefd.top
~~~~~~~~~~
North Korea has trained more than 500 computer hackers capable oflaunching cyber warfare against the United States, South Korea's defenseministry says.http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/109911/1/.html
Humm... I thought North Korea only had one or two comptuers. I guess youcan learn how to hack using a pencil and notepad. I wouldn't take thatthreat too serious. It's probably hype to slow the withdrawel of UStroops from South Korea. It must be working:
U.S. delays S. Korea troop withdrawal - October 6, 2004 http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-skorea06.html
Hey I've got an idea... why not recruit the North Korean hackers?Samsung is trying to find new talent. Oops, I nearly forgot. Youcan't LEAVE North Korea.http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/tech/200410/kt2004100720545111780.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Spammers Use 'Opt-Out' to Install Trojan
MessageLabs has issued a warning to Internet users not to click on the"opt-out" link on spam emails, as the company said it had discoveredyesterday a number of messages using this function to open a spamdistribution point on the recipient's computer.http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/security/0,39020375,39169061,00.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
What's new on Gmail?
Gmail Notifier Want to know if you've got new mail? Let us do thechecking so you don't have to. Find out when new messages arrive, andeven see their subjects, senders and snippets, all without having toopen a web browser.
Search your contacts With the new and improved Contacts list, search fora contact as easily as you would a message in Gmail. Add notes and phonenumbers. View messages directly from the Contacts list. Stay in touchwith the people in your life more easily than ever before.
Automatic forwarding to another email account. We're testing a newfeature that lets you forward new incoming messages to any email accountyou want. It's free during the test and you can set it up in seconds.Even set up filters to forward only some of your messages. It's yourmail. Get it the way you want it.
And finally... Save Drafts! For when you can't find the right words,save drafts and find them later.
http://www.google.com/gmail/help/whatsnew.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Thoms Hardware Guide: RAID 5 Scaling Tests With Up To Eight Drives http://www.tomshardware.com/storage/20040723/raid-scaling-01.html
~~~~~~~~~~
I ran across this tip on a message board.
This is a unix computer with a bunch of folks all running on one PC.
If you mirror (RAID 1) a pair of Serial ATA drives, and back up to DVDor CDRW, you will be most of the way there as far as speed andreliability go with the least money and effort.
Get an adaptec RAID card with cache memory on it. (for example I justput in a 3200S). This can be bought on ebay for ~200
Get 2 15,000 rpm drives. There are now several brands that sell thesenow. Stay away from the $%&*^ Hitachi drives, I have now 4 of 10 thatwere bad.
Get 73Gb drives, even if you do not need the space. If your stuff is onthe front 1/2 of the drive, then it doesn't have to move as much to getyour stuff and will result in a faster read.
Mirror the 2 drives. This gives a slightly slower performance (maybe10%) on writes than a single drive system, but gives a 100% performanceincrease on average if you are reading data. Since every write needs toread to see where to write, and other reasons, I have found that 9 of 10disk operations are reads. This results in a total of a 90% speedimprovement over one drive. This weekend I was seeing average accessstats in the sub 1 millisecond range. That is ripping it up!
On a RAID 5 system (do not do this) you are slower on writes, and do notgain much back on reads. Only the striping helping there. Also thistakes 3 drives minimum.
Bill Watson
~~~~~~~~~
Gaming Tip - XP
One trick to help when the game is running is to do a CTRL + DEL andfind the game in the task list. Right click on it and set the priorityof the game either to realtime or high. That tells the CPU to favor thegame and give it more processor cycles. Just keep in mind if it'sfavored too much then other things may suffer. So you'll have to try itand see what works best for you.
~~~~~~~~~~
Cool Magic Trick
http://www.gougoule.com/vrl/magic-trick.php
~~~~~~~~~~
New Fuel Cell Technology That Cuts Price in Half
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/05/business/05membrane.html?ex=1254628800&en=b1b5c71647c2b246&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt
~~~~~~~~~~
Chat room open 24/7 to talk with users and experts about Win XP.
http://channels.lockergnome.com/news/archives/20041007_have_a_freindly_chat_with_bill.phtml
~~~~~~~~~~
Interesting Reading About Sirius Satellite Radio and Howard Stern
http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-sirius7oct07,1,3230900.story?coll=la-headlines-technology
~~~~~~~~~~
Oh Boy we need a lot more of these.
This credit card-sized shotgun, created by a gun store owner for selfdefense, fires seven standard steel BBs from each barrel.
It's a two-shot weapon made from a piece of metal the height and widthof a standard credit card, and about a half-inch thick. Each barrelfires seven standard steel BBs. It will retail for $100.http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2004-10-06-lil-gun_x.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Nature is Amazing
Take these birds that mate and then go their own way to spend the winterthousands of miles apart. In the summer the male and female arrivewithin 3 days of each other to their original mating grounds to mateagain. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6191553/
~~~~~~~~~~
Competition for Google
A group of Carnegie Mellon graduates have put together a search enginethat they hope will prove to be serious competition for Google. Thesite, clusty.com, is intended to provide shorter, more aggregategroupings (or "clusters") of search results. The company, which wasfounded by the graduates four years ago, is profitable and has made mostof their money by selling search technology to corporations.
http://clusty.com I tried it - it's pretty good.
~~~~~~~~~~
Toot My Own Horn
No... you ladies don't need to look away... this is something I ranacross that gave this newsletter high praises. And this was way back in1999 but it still applies today. http://www.secretsyoushouldknow.com/micro.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
This cracks me up...
Remember the $200 million satellite that fell over when workers weremoving it? When it fell it caused $130 million dollars in damages. Imentioned it in a previous newsletter. After about a year of "study"they concluded the damage was caused by the workers who dropped it.haha... Everyone figured that out when they first read the story.http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/10/06/satellite.mishap.ap/index.html
Hey Joe... sorry we are going to have to let you go. The boss over atthe head office is pissed about that rocket you dropped.
~~~~~~~~~~
Once upon a time you only saw these kinds of stories in the supermarkettabloids. Now the main stream media is reporting them. This week therewere two that surfaced.
Monkey Boy
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/466616.stm
Dog Boy
http://www.onlypunjab.com/real/fullstory-newsID-2203.html http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=547785 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3582191&thesection=news&thesubsection=world
The media really likes the Dog Boy story.
~~~~~~~~~~
Huge Price Drop! Benq T904 19" LCD Display Black - 1280X1024 25MSRefresh 700:1CR FREE SHIPPING! Buy.com price: $429.99http://enews.buy.com/cgi-bin5/DM/y/ebJX0HkHBy0EyH0Bh5z0GI
~~~~~~~~~~
The End

Cracktalk Newsletter 10-01-4

2004-10-04T00:25:00.000-07:00

Crack Talk 10-01-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com
~~~~~~~~~~
Jpeg of Death - Personal hacking has arrived!
This is truly the "backdoor" to Windows that everyone has either wishedfor or worried that was coming.
The corrupted JPEG images are INDISTINGUISHABLE from other images butcontain a slightly modified version of recently released exploit codefor the JPEG vulnerability called the "JPEG of Death" exploit. The JPEGof Death uses a JPEG file formatted to trigger an overflow in a commonWindows component called the GDI+ JPEG decoder, which is used byWindows, Internet Explorer, Outlook and many other Windows applications.
When opened by Win XP users, the infected JPEGs try to install a copy ofRadmin, a legitimate software application that allows users to remotelycontrol their computers. In this case, however, the program is beingused by the remote attacker as a Trojan horse program. Infected Windowsmachines are also programmed to report back to an IRC (Internet relaychat) channel.
Antivirus software, in combination with the Windows patch, is currentlythe only known protection from attacks that use this vulnerability. http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/09/28/HNhackerporn_1.html
A patch has been issued for the JpegOfDeath hole. But so what? No onebelieves every single user of Microsoft's Internet Explorer is going toapply it, and this means the door is wide open for hackers.
It's here if you are one of the few users who may actually patch it.http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-028.mspx
Note... DON'T get the whole 93 meg service pack... unless you want it.Get WindowsXP-KB833987-x86-ENU 1.35 MB

Instant Message programs and web sites may also be used to install thecode... and it will send messages to other people on your contact listto visit the site and also get hacked.
The malicious code is embedded in a JPEG image and exploits a securityflaw in the way many Microsoft applications process such images.Microsoft identified and patched the flaw on Sept. 14, but severalapplications, including Office and Windows, require separate patches.http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/09/29/HNjpegworm_1.html?source=rss&url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/09/29/HNjpegworm_1.html
Quick and dirty perl code to detect djpeg can be found here: http://www.ijg.org/files/jpegsrc.v6b.tar.gz
The code is floating around in the "wild" for anyone to download andmodify. This makes it very easy for any amature programmer to hack thecode and use as they wish - and take over the computer of anyone theysend a picture to. When I say "take over" I mean use the computer justlike you are sitting at the keyboard. You can browse through their filesand find personal information, turn on their sound and camera, or usetheir computer to send spam, hack other computers... the possibilitiesare endless.
All the attacker has to do is simply change image extension from .jpg to.bmp or .tif or whatever and stupid Windows XP will still treat the fileas a JPEG. Also the fact is this vulnerability is exploitable withoutthe victim clicking a link. For instance you send them the image witha 1,1 width,height and then' they can't see it in Outlook Express, sothere like man this image has a cool name so I'll try to open theattachment, then they're are screwed.
You can find the source code here:
http://vdb.dragonsoft.com.tw/exploit/msJPEGParsingVulnHighT1mes.cOr here: http://foro.elhacker.net/index.php/topic,39878.0.htmlOr here: http://seclists.org/lists/bugtraq/2004/Sep/0021.htmlOr just Google "John Bissell A.K.A. HighT1mes" and you'll find thesource code posted on dozens of web sites and discussion boards.
I have a feeling that before his bug is gone people won't care what youlook like and you'll seldom be asked to send your picture.
~~~~~~~~~~
What to do if your security is lame?
If you are Microsoft you $ charge $ Hotmail users to download their email into Outlook. In the past, people could download e-mail fromHotmail into Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express for free. But nowonly people who had paid an annual subscription fee will be able toaccess their messages without opening a browser window. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3697286.stm
The stated purpose of this fee is to curb spam. How will keeping peoplefrom reading their email help reduce spam? Hotmail already limits you tosending ~100 messages/day. They're clearly using spam as a scapegoatbecause you can still use Hotmail Popper and any POP3 email client (evennon-Microsoft ones... Oh, the humanity!) to access their account, andeven send messages through it. http://www.boolean.ca/hotpop/ (It's onthe 120 gig drive... just about everything that is good is on it.)
~~~~~~~~~~
Underground Files Site: http://kadets.ru/ddl/
~~~~~~~~~~
What to do when your product is crappy?
If you are Microsoft you teach your customers to run it in "safe" mode.http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-22_11-5388972.html
It's relatively easy to add a Safe Mode option to the Win XP Boot menu.Follow these steps: http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-22_11-5388975.html
~~~~~~~~~~
I suspect this is an advertising gimmick.
California company gives away 100 GByte email accounts... and promises 1tetra byte to first person to fill it.http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20040927_194824.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Hackers use Google to Access Photocopiers
Making copies of something important? Photocopiers are the latestnetworked devices to fall prey to hackers armed with nothing more thanGoogle's search engine "You don't have to be a genius to do this," saidJason Hart, security director at Whitehat UK. "You can see what peopleare photocopying on your monitor. You just have to search for onlinedevices on Google."http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/networks/0,39020345,39167848,00.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Carlo's Bootleg RSS Feedpalooza
Carlo builds RSS feeds for sites that don't offer them. And for a coupledollars he will personally build a RSS feed for any site you want. http://bootleg-rss.g-blog.net/
~~~~~~~~~~
Saudi Edict Bans Mobile Phone Cameras
Saudi Arabia's highest religious authority has issued an edict barringthe use of cell phones with built-in cameras, blaming them for"spreading obscenity" as a final resort after a ban on their sale andimport to the kingdom failed to dent their popularity.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=528&ncid=528&e=6&u=/ap/20040930/ap_on_re_mi_ea/saudi_camera_phones
Someone explain this to me... You can't photo a nude woman in SaudiArabia but a victim of rape must produce four witnesses in order toprove her accusation against the rapist. Something is flawed in thislogic. If I were an abused female I would just say he used his cameraphone.
~~~~~~~~~~
Jail Time for Downloaders
The House of Representatives passes a bill that would sic the feds onpeople using peer-to-peer networks to swap songs or movies. Copyrightinfringers may face up to three years in prison. http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,65122,00.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Linux: A Vehicle for Pirating Windows
PCs running Linux are growing in popularity in part because they can beloaded with a pirated copy of Windows. A consulting firm issued a reporton Wednesday stating that about 40 percent of Linux PCs will be modifiedto run an illegal copy of Windows, a bait-and-switch maneuver thatlowers the cost of obtaining a Windows PC.
Price, of course, is a huge motivator in piracy. All of the componentsinside PCs have dropped in price in the past several years, exceptWindows. Windows accounted for around 5 percent to 6 percent of the costof building a "professional"-level PC in 1996. Now, the operating systemaccounts for 12 percent to 15 percent of the cost. http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-5388863.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Your Book Sucks! That'll Be $350
The previously reputable and even harsh Kirkus Reviews has decided thatfor the honor of receiving a review from their sacred work force youshould pay a modest $350 (US) fee. http://www.plastic.com/article.html;sid=04/09/27/18055910
~~~~~~~~~~
Once you are in ... you are in.
More than 40 percent of the Pentagon's $900 billion in prime contractsduring the past six years have been awarded without competitive bidding.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A60726-2004Sep29.html?nav%3Drss_technology
http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,55236305,3498,f/
~~~~~~~~~~
ACLU and EFF strike down part of PATRIOT Act
EFF has helped the ACLU overturn one of the worst elements of the USAPATRIOT Act, the "National Security Letters," which were secret warrantsthat the Justice Department could write for itself without judicialoversight and then bind the recipients to indefinite silence. That'sright: secret, no-oversight warrants with perpetual gag-orders. The ACLUbrought suit against the DoJ on this one, and we filed briefs on theirside, and today, a federal court struck down this part of PATRIOT asunconstitutional.http://www.boingboing.net/2004/09/29/aclu_and_eff_strike_.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Judge Says No More Secret Access To ISP Records
A judge has declared part of the Patriot Act unconstitutional,suggesting that the FBI shouldn't have powers to look over the privaterecords of a company's customers without the company being allowed totell anyone. http://techdirt.com/articles/20040929/141240.shtml
~~~~~~~~~~
Nokia Enters Video Surveillance Business
Unlike most systems that send video to mobile handsets, the cell phonegiant's new Nokia Remote Camera bypasses the Internet altogether throughits own integrated GSM transceiver.http://www.smartphonetoday.com/articles/2004/9/2004-9-23-Nokia-Enters-Video.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Derek Writes:
I was looking for a cd boot so I can access my NTFS drives in DOS andstumbled upon this. http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/
~~~~~~~~~~
Jay Writes
If you're running Windows XP networked, you can use a little-knownapplication to talk to other available users on the network. AtStartRun, enter "winchat" without the quotes. Click on Conversationsand Dial, select the computer to call and click OK. This will ring theuser and invite him or her to chat with you.
Package your applications for installation on other computers by usingWindows XP IExpress. It creates a simple self-extracting,self-installing package of applications. To launch IExpress, clickStartRun and enter "iexpress" without the quotes. A Wizard will talkyou through the procedure from there.
PC Micro stocks this IDE Drive to USB 2.0 adapter item PCMS-IDE2USBfor $18 + shipping. It is basically the guts of an external enclosure,useful for quick hot-swapping between drives. http://www.pcmicrostore.com/PartDetail.aspx?q=p:10501935
~~~~~~~~~~
Wanna quit smoking? ..just get tossed in jail in California.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill to ban tobaccoproducts in state prisons. (What will the prisoners use for currency?)
~~~~~~~~~~
The company that first popularized the concept of a PC that fits in yourhand will launch its first model next month, after two years of delays.
OQO will launch its tiny computer Oct. 14. The upstart has created afull-fledged Windows XP computer, called OQO model 01, that is about thesame size and shape as a Palm organizer or Pocket PC. The unit can alsobe inserted into a docking station.http://news.com.com/Start-up+OQO+to+launch+hand-size+PC/2100-1041_3-5388677.html?part=rss&tag=5388677&subj=news.1041.10
~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft announced several new efforts this week to make it easier toconnect digital cameras to PCs. Until this is available you have toinstall software on a pc to get the images off your camera. The MTP is astandard that will be incorporated into XP updates.
~~~~~~~~~~
Video Cameras at Movies Would Be Crime
Using video cameras to record films in movie theaters would become afederal crime punishable by up to six years in prison under a billpassed Tuesday by the House. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,55108804,1466,f/
~~~~~~~~~~
No Tan for You
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill on Friday barring childrenunder 14 from going to tanning salons. California lawmakers backed thelegislation in May citing concerns by dermatologists who blame theartificial light in tanning booths for contributing to a rise in skincancer. Violators could be liable for a fine of up to $2,500. Teenagersbetween the ages of 14 and 18 need a note from their parents to go to atanning salon.
(They still don't need a note to buy crack and heroin on the streets.)
~~~~~~~~~~
Ed Writes:
Dilbert's Ultimate House (DUH) is the product of the combined wisdom ofthousands of Dilbert readers, plus the help of real world experts, andit's online for viewing at http://www.dilbert.com/duh.
You can see the "redneck" input on this project when you note that theyhave a special closet that stores the decorated Christmas tree all yearlong and it simply rolls out on wheels.
~~~~~~~~~~
DVDs could hold '100 times more'
Imperial College London researchers in the UK are developing a new wayof storing data that could lead to discs capable of holding 1,000gigabytes . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3696306.stm
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Airlines Could Save Millions
Officials at American, the largest U.S. carrier, believe they can save$11.2 million a year by fixing the less efficient in the 726-plane fleet- sometimes with mechanical adjustments, other times by smoothing outsmall dings that affect a plane's aerodynamics - as part of a largerplan to save $118 million in fuel a year. Also, fueling up at locationswhere aviation fuel is cheaper can save as much as $400 on the next trip. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,55140132,6622,f/
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This shows you can prove anything with statistics
According to a recent study, women could be faster 100-meter sprintersthan men by the 2156 Olympics. Scientists at Oxford University inEngland reached this conclusion after studying records that revealedthat women have been improving their times faster than men.
~~~~~~~~~~
Using Maggots to Heal Wounds
Technology and drugs aren't enough to help some patients with woundsthat don't heal properly. Dead flesh is often difficult and painful toremove, and doctors sometimes can't help but take away healthy skin --including scar tissue -- in the process. Leaving the flesh there isn't agood option, either.
Enter the maggots, which are happy to gorge themselves, usually withoutdoing much damage unless they slip into healthy tissue. They also killbacteria, which can be a bonus in patients infected with bacteria thatare resistant to antibiotics.http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,65117,00.html?tw=rss.TOP
~~~~~~~~~~
Wanna hear what that "breast-enlarging" ringtone sounds like?
Admit it, even though you know it's totally bogus and totally crass,you've got to be curious to actually hear what that breast-enlargingringtone they've been selling in Japan. You can hear it here. These guysrecorded it to mp3 and after listening all morning they said "we mustnow run out to get our first training bras." http://www.engadget.com/entry/7291965875463854/
~~~~~~~~~~
This Will Never Make it to the Market
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a gene therapythat employs hammerhead ribozymes to inhibit herpes viral replication.When administered by a single injection after the initial infection, thetherapy provides life-long inhibition of recurring outbreaks. http://apps.rgp.ufl.edu/otl/viewTechInfo.cfm?case=10994
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This Won't Hurt a Bit
An Israeli scientist has invented a device that could put an end toinjections and the widespread fear of needles. Among those expected tobenefit eventually are millions of diabetics and children needing shotsfor immunization or anesthetics. The SonoPrep is a hand-held ultrasounddevice that painlessly opens microscopic pores in a small area of theskin, allowing medication to pass into the bloodstream.http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040928.wxneedles28/BNStory/Technology/
~~~~~~~~~~
48 AA Batteries $8.99
CircuitCity.com has the Panasonic 48 pack of AA Digital Alkalinebatteries for only $8.99 Pick up in store and save $14 shipping charge.http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?b=g&c=1&oid=85989&u=c&carriage=befree&sourceid=qIZ6QVoVUCfVAmBdGn92&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&affiliateid=39869722&qp=0&ct=0&BV_SessionID=@@@@0132523936.1096422751@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccccadcmjgjlildcfngcfkmdffhdfgo.0
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The End

Cracktalk Newsletter 9-24-4

2004-09-25T10:18:00.000-07:00

Crack Talk 9-24-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com

Microsoft will secure IE for XP only.
If you're one of about 200 million people using older versions ofWindows and you want the latest security enhancements to InternetExplorer, you'll have to pay at least $99 to update to XP. Microsoftsays the only way they can secure Internet Explorer is to require theuse of Windows XP as the platform.http://news.zdnet.com/Microsoft+to+secure+IE+for+XP+only/2100-3513_22-5378366.html
This is Microsoft's way of strong-arming people to pay for an upgrade toan operating system they don't want. It won't work. Their are corporatecustomers with thousands of systems on networks set up on older versionsthat will demand security fixes. And what could be worse, millions ofWin98 machines are sitting in people's houses, connected to always-onbroadband. If those machines are compromised and turned into zombiesthey will be used to attack Microsoft as well as their customers.
~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft has a released patch to fixed a hole in XP Service Pack 2. (Just check for updates.)
~~~~~~~~~~
What do you do when your security is lame?
If you are AOL you charge your customers $2 more to add a secondpassword for logging on. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,54057039,1466,f/
~~~~~~~~~~
Exploits Circulating for JPEG Flaw
Just eight days after Microsoft released a fix for a "critical" flawin the way JPEG files are processed, researchers have discoveredproof-of-concept exploit code that is targeting unpatched machines. http://www.internetnews.com/security/article.php/3412161
~~~~~~~~~~
How Microsoft Tricks Search Engines for Top Billingshttp://www.webpronews.com/insiderreports/searchinsider/wpn-49-20040921IsMicrosoftSpammingSearchEngines.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Windows besieged by hackers
Computer security firm says number of viruses aimed at Windows soars bymore than 400%. Nearly 5,000 new Windows viruses and worms weredocumented in the first half of the year, up from about 1,000 a yearearlier, said Symantec.http://money.cnn.com/2004/09/20/technology/symantec_msft.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes
~~~~~~~~~~
BSA now pushing 700 software piracy probes in the U.S
http://www.computerworld.com/securitytopics/security/cybercrime/story/0,10801,96109,00.html
The story was interesting to me because the head of the BSA (Kruger)estimates that 95% of the e-mail spam that people receive with offers offree software comes from a single location in Russia, "and it's veryhard to stop."
~~~~~~~~~~
No Peeking
The House approved legislation to make it a crime to secretly photographor videotape people for lascivious purposes. Under the legislation videovoyeurism on federal lands would be punishable by a fine of not more than$100,000 or imprisonment for up to one year, or both. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,54284272,1466,f/
On Federal lands? Hummm, guess that rules out a few places like Yellowstoneand Yosemite and the White House.
Speaking of Peep Shows...
Federal regulators on Wednesday fined CBS a record $550,000 for JanetJackson's 'wardrobe malfunction.'
~~~~~~~~~~

Google Wants a Browser
Google is buying staff of programmers to build a web browser. Employeeshave already been poached from Microsoft and Sun.http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/21/google_browser_hirings/
~~~~~~~~~~
You're not sick... go home!
New software assesses pain and administers the exact amount of painrelief and sedative drugs the patient needs. This would save hospitalsbillions in wasted drugs, as well as make better use of bed spaces.http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/09/16/andrew.rudge/index.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Patrick Deuel is on a diet.
He is down to about 700 pounds after losing 372. He hopes to lose 400 more.He was up to 1,072. (It's unbelievable that someone could lose 800 lbs andSTILL be overweight.)http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/diet.fitness/09/21/half.ton.man.ap/index.html
~~~~~~~~~~
The Shawshank Redemption has been voted the best film never to have wonan Oscar in a poll conducted for the Radio Times Guide To Films.
TOP 10 NON-OSCAR WINNERS1) The Shawshank Redemption2) It's a Wonderful Life3) ET the Extra-Terrestrial4) 2001: A Space Odyssey5) The Great Escape6) The Wizard of Oz7) Some Like It Hot8) The Color Purple9) Raiders of the Lost Ark10) Psycho
~~~~~~~~~~
North Korea: On the face of it
Very seldom do journalist get a view inside North Korea but thisreporter got a staged tour and found that despite the outward appearancethe whole country looked as if it had broken down, with no prospect ofrepair.
You could see when the glory days had ended. No more guaranteed marketsthen for North Korea's shoddy goods, and no more big investment fromsympathetic communist neighbors either.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/3666676.stm
~~~~~~~~~~
Can you solve this problem? http://www.borrett.id.au/computing/petals-j.htm
It took me about 20 minutes to figure it out.
~~~~~~~~~~
NASA-funded scientists are designing Stirling engines, first invented in1816, to power long-range spacecraft that travel too far from the Sun touse solar power. Decaying plutonium heats up helium until it starts achain reaction of contraction and expansion, producing sound waves thatfire a piston. http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996419
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What to Eat on the Way to Mars
Food scientists are working out ways to feed astronauts on a mission toMars that will last years.http://www.wired.com/news/space/0,2697,64976,00.html?tw=rss.TOP
~~~~~~~~~~
John Madden will join Sirius Radio as one of their footballcommentators. http://news.designtechnica.com/article5443.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Federal law requires that men living in the US who are at least 18 yearsold, but not yet 26 years old, must be registered with SelectiveService. It takes only a minute to register on-line. You must have yourSocial Security number to register this way. http://www.sss.gov/inslink.htm
The penalty for failing to register can be up to five years in jailand/or a fine of up to $250,000.
~~~~~~~~~~
The death toll in Haiti from Hurricane Jeanne could reach 2,000. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6004150/
~~~~~~~~~~
More than five million South Africans are HIV positive http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3683210.stm
The Department of Health estimated that 5.6 million of the SouthAfrica's 45 million population are HIV positive.http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2004/09/23/eline/links/20040923elin004.html
~~~~~~~~~~
I'm being followed by a Moon Shadow
It turned out that the "Moon Shadow" following Cat Stephens was actuallythe Homeland Security Service. They decided to deport the 70's pop starbecause they said he had "potential" terrorism links.http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=925580
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Spectacular Aerial Photos of the most beautiful places on Earth http://www.yannarthusbertrand.com/yann2/affichage.php
Some spectular views are man madehttp://www.yannarthusbertrand.com/yann2/affichage.php?reference=Expo_366_01-26&pais=Etats-Unis
~~~~~~~~~~
Half of Today's Singles Have Used a Dating Service
Just a decade ago, only 8% of U.S. singles stated that they had everused a dating service. Times have changed. According to a recent studyof 3,968 singles, 48% of men and 52% of women have used a dating serviceto increase their odds of meeting someone.
The study found that women do care how much money their partner makes.88% of women said that money is very important in a relationship.
68% of men will not go on a second date if there was no chemistry.Women are more willing to give it a second chance. 56% of women will goon a second date and hope that the chemistry improves.
There are currently over 110 million singles in the United States. Thedating industry is estimated at nearly $1.5 billion and is growing at25% annually.http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-24-2004/0002258232&EDATE=
~~~~~~~~~~
Slow Getaway
A man in a wheelchair robbed a bank and didn't even come close togetting away with the $200. (He needs a better plan... I suggest heturbocharger his get-a-way vehicle before his next big caper.)http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/09/22/national2118EDT0863.DTL
~~~~~~~~~~
Going strong at 90
Jack LaLanne (the fitness guru) plans to swim 22 hours underwater (withair tanks or a hose to the surface) the 26 miles from Catalina Island toLos Angeles. At 40, he towed a 2,000-pound cabin cruiser as he swam theGolden Gate Channel. At 60, he put handcuffs on his wrists and swam fromAlcatraz to Fisherman's Wharf while towing a half-ton boat. At 70, heswam a portion of the Long Beach harbor with 70 people in 70 boats tiedto his back.http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/09/24/DDGA38T07J50.DTL
~~~~~~~~~~
A 70 year old Malaysian man shot and killed his wife after he mistookher for a monkey picking fruit in a tree behind their house. His wife,68, had used a ladder to climb into the tree and was picking thetropical fruit when she was shot. The couple had raised 13 children.http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=757&e=4&u=/nm/20040922/od_nm/people_malaysia_dc
~~~~~~~~~~
Too much of a good thing
Tiger Woods has admitted he is still struggling with the inconsistenciesthat have plagued his game this year.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/3681518.stm
DUHHHHHH.... Tiger, haven't you noticed you haven't won a single majortournament since you got MARRIED? Poontang has been scientificallyproven to diminish a man's performance.
Despite his winless streak in golf's majors he is still among thehighest paid celebrities, making about 70 million per year inendorsements.
Mel Gibson, Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg make 3 times Tiger'sannual income. Which of those 3 are the riches? Mel, Oprah or Steven ?
Forbes 400 riches Americans.. admission price 750 million. http://forbes.com/home/forbes400/2004/09/22/rl04land.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Dogs trained to smell bladder cancer in urine
Research published in the British Medical Journal, scientists have showndogs can identify bladder cancer by detecting chemicals in urine emittedby cancerous cells. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6081728/
~~~~~~~~~~
Parents of newborn babies could be in for a better night's sleep, thanksto an invention by a young design graduate, which gently rocks a baby ifit starts crying. http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/09/20/garry.cho/index.html
~~~~~~~~~~
This Just in
The US Government has determined that cigarette makers lied about thedangers of smoking for 50 years.http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2004/09/21/eline/links/20040921elin022.html
Good to see our tax dollars on top of things.
~~~~~~~~~~
Ladies... tune in and pump them up!
No more operations to enlarge your breast... just listen to thespecially designed music and your brain will be stimulate to enlargeyour breasts. http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/waiwai/0409/0923ringtones.html
Not to discredit this amazing scientific breakthrough.... but the onlytestimony I could find was from a 19 year old who claimed hers grew awhopping 2 centimeters. Hummm, couldn't that have just been the resultof pms? Anyway, I'm looking forward to the "perky" version of this hittune.
~~~~~~~~~~

Bush/Edwards 2005
What would happen in the next presidential election if there was a tiein the Electoral College. Who wins the seat in the Oval Office? WouldPresident Bush win automatically because he's the incumbent? Or, wouldthere be another election?
In the event of a tie, the U.S. House of Representatives would choosethe president based on one vote per state represented. The winner musthave an absolute majority. With the House under Republican control, itwould seem logical that George W. Bush would be tapped as the winner.The Senate chooses the vice president. With Democrats in control of theSenate, they would likely select John Edwards as the vice president.http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-24-2004/0002258150&EDATE=
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California bans weed pulling by hand on farms New rule says work is too backbreaking for laborers http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6084196/
Yeah... it's backbraking... but compared to a tour in Iraq where thetemprature is 120+ and much hotter in the protective cloting the menhave to wear... I think I'll chose pulling weeds.
~~~~~~~~~~
The average internet user spent about $1,000 online last year.
Her is a summary of what they bought: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0,1271,-4511254,00.html
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John Writes:
You can buy the Phillips DVP642 at the Phillips website for $59 withfree shipping. http://www.outlet.philips.com/b2c_OUTLET/b2c/mainFS.jsp?
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This is a great online store for Australians http://www.ascent.co.nz/
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Ford Motor Co. announced new incentives for customers, including sixyear loans with zero-interest - start this Sunday on 2004 models.
~~~~~~~~~~
Corrections... 3.142 is spelled pi.. not pie. I better be careful or I'll be trying to lose 800 lbs!
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The End

Crack Talk 9-17-4

2004-09-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

Crack Talk 9-17-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com
Thanks to everyone who wrote wishing us well through hurricane Ivan.Ivan definitely brought some very high winds and a good bit of damageresulted. However it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. Powerwas only out about 15 hours here at my dad's farm about 100 miles northof Mobile but power is still out for thousands of residents in southAlabama and northern Florida - and probably will be for up to 3 weeks.The main reason the damage to power lines was kept to a minimum is thatthere wasn't much rain the weeks before (and during) the hurricane. Hadthe ground already been soaked and soggy only a few trees could havewithstood the 100+ mph winds.
An Australian member wrote saying that I should move to Australia sincethey didn't have hurricanes and tornadoes. A couple days later I sawthis in the news. I think I'll stay here.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=6264103&src=rss/scienceNews&section=news
~~~~~~~~~~
Scammers Use Gmail Invite as Phishing Hook
Scammers have caught on to the allure of Gmail and are using the Googlee-mail service for a "phishing" scam to harvest e-mail addresses andpasswords. http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-5367986.html
I just checked the gmail.3@netzero.net email account and all therequested invites had been filled. I got a couple messages from memberssaying that they received invites for the requests they had sent... so Ithank the members who filled them. If you still need a gmail invitejust send an email to that address and maybe someone will have an extraand send you one.
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The Wayback Machine
Browse through 30 billion web pages archived from 1996 to a few monthsago. To start surfing the Wayback, type in the web address of a site orpage where you would like to start, and press enter. Then select fromthe archived dates available. The resulting pages point to otherarchived pages at as close a date as possible. http://web.archive.org/
~~~~~~~~~~
PayPal said it would fine customers as much as $500 if they violate thecompany's policies against using the service for gambling, pornographyor selling prescription drugs without official certification.
And PayPal offerers VERY high interest financing.http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/chi-0409120324sep12,1,6055524.story?coll=cracktalk
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Amazon releases A9 search engine
A9.com allows users to create a history of their Web searches and managethe information they find. Google is behind it and it returns the sameresults as Google... except with Amazon ads.
~~~~~~~~~~
FTC May Use Reward System To Catch Spammers
The FTC issued a report that discusses whether a system that rewardsmembers of the public for helping to track down spammers would help theCAN-SPAM Act. http://news.designtechnica.com/article5403.html
The plan is to offer $100,000 reward. I'm wondering how many people arethinking what I'm thinking.... first, it would be hard to believe thatanyone would actually sit in jail over a year for sending too muchemail.... so what's to keep someone from spamming and then turningthemselves in for the reward? There are a LOT of people who don't make$100,000 a year. I would demand the money up front though.. haha.
~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft defends Piracy (when it's to their advantage)
Microsoft a staunch defender of its own copyrights, may have to answerin court for streaming radio stations with '"fewer ads, no DJ chatterand less repetition.".http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,64984,00.html?tw=rss.TOP
They are basically replaying recorded radio broadcast butediting/cutting out the commercials and chatter.
~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft has launched a pilot program in which some visitors tothe main Windows download page are being asked to let them checkto see whether their copy of the operating system is licensed.http://news.com.com/Microsoft%3A+Can+we+check+your+software+license%3F/2100-1016_3-5371664.html?part=rss&tag=5371664&subj=news.1016.5
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List of programs and the spyware they install http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft Patches JPEG Security Flaw
Microsoft has issued a critical security bulletin regarding a bufferoverrun vulnerability that exists when Windows processes JPEG imagefiles. The flaw could allow code to be remotely executed and give anattacker full control over an affected system.
Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 are vulnerable, as well as olderversions of Windows running any of a long list of Microsoft softwaretitles. Windows XP Service Pack 2 already contains a fix for JPEGprocessing, but may still be affected if Office is installed.
~~~~~~~~~~
Woman, 93, marks birthday with first skydive
Polly Gifford jumped out of an airplane at 14,000 feet over the weekendto celebrate her 93rd birthday. It was her first jump, and probably herlast, she said.
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Is that a potato in your pocket ...or are you just glad I'm frisking you?
Airport screeners now have the authority to feel your crouch should theysuspect you are "packing" a lethal weapon. (I guess I'm grounded.)http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-09-16-airport-screening_x.htm
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For $1500, you can equip your luxury car with a genuine self-destruct switch.Forget once or do it wrong, and your engine and transmission will self-destruct.
http://www.asktog.com/columns/065WorstInterface.html
What dope would install that when they could just install some simplecut off switch to kill the engine electrically?
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A computer technician made possible the largest identity theft in U.S.history, surpassing $50 million, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy ina scheme that poached personal information from tens of thousands ofpeople. Philip A. Cummings, 35, said he did not realize that hisaccomplices would do so much damage with the information he sold. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,53098349,707,f/
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Parabolic flights offer 'weightless' experience to the public (for $3,000)http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/services/2004-09-14-weightless-flight_x.htm
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Remembering Pie (22/7)
In March, a savant in England recited pie from memory to more than22,000 decimal places. Still, he wasn't even halfway to the world recordset by a Japanese man in 1995. How do people remember this kind ofboring stuff? Here is a method:
Gezz I can't remember where I put that link... oh here it is... http://plus.maths.org/issue31/features/eastaway/index-gifd.html
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High-Tech Hearing Bypasses Ears
A wristwatch phone that lets you listen by sticking a finger in yourear, an MP3 player that vibrates the bones in your skull to play musicthat only you can hear -- these are some of the products being developedusing a technology called bone conduction that sends sound waves throughthe bones around the ear.http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,64963,00.html
~~~~~~~~~~

Pinnacle Turns PC Into Media Center for $100
Users who are looking for simple TV tuner and PVR functionality of theirTV have another choice to equip their PC accordingly. Pinnacle offers aninternal TV tuner board and an external TV tuner device which transformcomputers into media centers. products include a TV tuner with a remotecontrol and Pinnacle's MediaManager software. PMC software lets usersview live television with the added ability to record, pause, and createinstant replays with the touch of a button, as well as schedule theirfavorite programs for recording using Internet-based programming guides.The internal board is available for $99, the external device is pricedat $129. http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20040915_183322.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Flashlight accepts batteries of different sizes ($10) http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,53127817,1846,f/
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Olympus Launches World's Smallest 7.1 Megapixel, Digital Camera
Olympus has launched what it claims is the world's smallest consumerdigital camera with a resolution of 7.1 megapixel and a 5x optical zoom.The C-7000 measures about 4 inches by 2.3 inches by x 1.7 inches andweighs 7.7 ounces. The features of the camera include an Autofocus -$600 http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20040916_181825.html
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The End

Crack Talk 9-3-4

2004-09-07T18:25:00.000-07:00

Crack Talk 9-3-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com
I got 25 more gmail invites and sent them out to those of you on thewaiting list. It was taking too long because I had to copy and pastefrom the waiting list... then close gmail and open another account andcopy and paste them back... so I just made up names to save time. If yougot one from perfectflyer or southernpilot that was me. Donald sent 4 tomembers who were on the waiting list. Thanks Donald.
~~~~~~~~~~
The XM Radio Recording Software is HOT ....BUT
StationRipper, is available free of charge and had been downloaded morethan 44,000 times on Download.com as of Tuesday. Other popular recordingprograms include TotalRecorder and ReplayRadio.
In postings on Download.com, several users hailed StationRipper as abetter alternative to peer-to-peer networks, which are often mined withdecoy files and are monitored by recording industry sleuths.
One user said the program made it possible to download nearly 3,000songs in a 20-hour period from multiple Internet radio stationssimultaneously.
The recording industry has yet to devise a way to block such methods ofcopying music, so it has mostly concentrated its enforcement campaign onpeople who distribute song files.http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,49909229,1466,f/
~~~~~~~~~~
Gmail offline storage... didn't I suggest something like this?
GmailFS provides a mountable Linux filesystem which uses your Gmailaccount as its storage medium. If you're using Linux, you can turn Gmailinto a mountable filesystem with GmailFS.http://richard.jones.name/google-hacks/gmail-filesystem/gmail-filesystem.html
I'm sure someone will port this to the Windoz platform.
~~~~~~~~~~
Longhorn 2006
Microsoft announcement that it is targeting 2006 for release of the nextWindows Os system called Longhorn. Compromises will have to be made andsome planned features like the new file system will be scrapped.http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3400941
Microsoft opted to cut the new Windows File System. This file system wassupposed to offer a lot and could have really given them an edge.Microsoft has apparently decided that they will rely on offering moreunwanted features in its place in hopes that no one will mind that much.Sure, that'll work.
Some journalist are now calling it "shorthorn" and say the door isopening wider for alternative operating systems.http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1640879,00.asp
"Longhorn is going to stop being a whole new thing and more of an XPwith a lot of good new stuff," said one developer close to Microsoft,who requested anonymity.
~~~~~~~~~~
Media Player 10 officially released
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10/default.aspx
Notice: If you are running Win ME it will detect it and send you Version9 instead. I guess 10 only works with XP.
~~~~~~~~~~
Yahoo Inc. sold $191 million in Google Inc. stock this week, cashing outsome of the 2.7 million shares Google gave Yahoo this month to settletwo lawsuits.
Apparently the big wheels at Yahoo don't think Google's stock will go up.
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Hack Caller Id and show the person you are calling any number you want.Great for debt collectors! (NOT free) http://star38.com/s38.php
~~~~~~~~~~
HP is angry with a distributor who bought and sold millions of dollarsworth of their computer hardware at discounts and wants 8.6 millionback.http://news.com.com/HP+files+lawsuit+over+discounts/2100-7341_3-5344650.html
~~~~~~~~~~
3am Labs will release a free version of its Logmein desktop remotecontrol package. People can access desktop applications on their home orbusiness PC from any device with a browser.http://news.com.com/Software+maker+launches+remote-access+tools/2100-1012_3-5338700.html
Get it here: https://secure.logmein.com/go.asp?page=home
~~~~~~~~~~
Divorce-by-Remote
In a marriage between a centuries-old custom and the latest intechnology, some Muslim men are dumping their wives by simply texting,"I d4c U" three times to their cell phones.
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Video Motion Detector Fits Mini Ic Board
The VMD-19 is a video motion detector on a standard 0.6-in.-wide 18-pinmini IC board. It can be directly connected to a composite video signalto detect motion of objects within the video signal. The unit analyzes avideo signal and, when movement is detected, an output signal is giventhat can be used to start a VCR to automatically record the scene oncethe motion stops, the VCR can stop recording. The unit is compatiblewith NTSC, PAL, EIA, CCIR and SECAM video standards, and offers andprovides a digital output upon signal loss. ($33 available now.)http://electronicproducts.com/ShowPage.asp?SECTION=3700&PRIMID=&FileName=bpgj35.oct2004.html
~~~~~~~~~~
eBay: Not For Everyone
For as big a group of users as eBay has, still there are plenty ofpeople who would just rather buy products at a fixed price. Of course,eBay does now have the "Buy it now" feature that solves exactly thatissue, but that seems like a footnote to how eBay is supposed to work.The writer here notes that the whole eBay auction takes too much time.If she wants to buy something, she just wants to buy it. She doesn'twant to bid. She doesn't want to check the auction, and she doesn't wantto wait a few days to find out if she got the product. "While I havebought two or three things off of eBay, overall, I've found betterprices, reliability and service just by buying at fixed price stores(including eBay's fixed price division Half.com)."
Here is an example: Dell Latitude CPX P3 650MHz, 128MB, 12GB, 24X CD + 6month warranty. $385.00
~~~~~~~~~~
Keyboard with 512k of memory, 700h battery life
The AlphaSmart Neo is a full-sized keyboard with a little LCD screen onthe top. It acts as a word-processor, letting you type into its 512kcache while it draws power from 3 AA batteries. When you get back toyour Mac or PC, you just dump the text over USB or IR. The thing runsfor 700 hours on a 3 AA batts and costs $250, and weighs about 2 lbs.http://www.pdalive.com/showarticle.php?threadid=6984
AlphaSmart has a model that supports memory cards -- and it comes withWiFi and PalmOS. http://www2.alphasmart.com/products/dana-w.html
Hummm.... $250 for this device or $1 for a notepad and pencil from thedollar store... that's a tough call.
~~~~~~~~~~
We May Never Have Flying Cars http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2004-08-30-flying-cars_x.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Reports of alien radio signals are merely another crackpot internet rumor,say astronomers.
~~~~~~~~~~
ScreenGoo is a paint-on movie screen compound that can turn any wall into a screen: Screen Goo is a specially formatted, highly reflective acrylic paint, designed specifically for the video projection industry. Screen Goo acrylic paint allows one to transform any smooth paintable surface into a high performance projection screen. http://www.goosystems.com/cgi-bin/ic/goosystems/screengoo?id=gUDbCMye
Sony has created a new black screen material that rejects ambient lightother than red, green, blue. This means that the Achilles heel of frontprojectors -- rejection of ambient light -- may soon be eliminated.http://www.cdfreaks.com/news2.php?ID=9984
~~~~~~~~~~
UPS has deployed three fuel cell-powered trucks, a first in the US. "Ourtest programs showed the on-road reliability of fuel cells is excellent,equivalent to our current fleet"
~~~~~~~~~~
Gavin Writes:
You mentioned this in your newsletter:
Although Microsoft neglected to include msconfig in Windows 2000, you can run it by copying the files onto your Windows 2000 computer from a Windows XP computer.
I've been using a program for a while to sort out configuration problemsfrom time to time, and you do not have to install, run it from anywhere,it can (right click) also jump to where it is in "REGEDIT" very usefuland its "FREEWARE"
The programs called "AUTORUNS" only 40k zipped Autoruns works onall versions of Windows.
The site: http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/autoruns.shtml
~~~~~~~~~~
A 15-year-old boy shoplifted the ticket from a grocery store outside thenortheastern Swedish town of Oernskoeldsvi. When he went home andscratched the ticket, he discovered it contained a winning combinationworth up to 7.5 million kronor or about $1.3 million Cdn. Store managerPatrik Nygren, however, recognized the teenager on surveillance tapes,and went to the boy's house to reclaim it.
My question is... why didn't the boy immediately go to another store.Buy a ticket and shout "I WON!" and THEN turn in the winning ticket?
~~~~~~~~~~
There Was Gold In Them Their Hills
Huge Pot Bust in Madera County
A huge marijuana raid in the North Valley has netted thousands ofplants, including a type which is particularly attractive to illegalgrowers. About 6,200 plants were hacked out of an almond orchard nearAvenue 18 1/2 after a midnight raid. Investigators estimate the streetvalue of the plants at over $18 million.
From the Madera County official web page:
Madera County, situated in the heart of California, and counting one ofthe Nation's gems, Yosemite National Park, as one of the county'sassets, makes Madera County one of the best choices to live, learn andearn a living. http://www.madera-county.com/
~~~~~~~~~~
Buy A Car Without A Credit Check
What makes this program work is the Navicom GPS unit in every car," saidScott Miller, CEO of Automotive Capital Group. The lender hasknowledge of the location of the car at all times and even has theability to disable the auto from starting via the Internet. WithNavicom, a late payment on a vehicle allows the lender to be proactiveand shut off service on that car.http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-03-2004/0002243750&EDATE=
~~~~~~~~~~
JVC GR-D30US Digital Camcorder
I saw that Sears had a $100 instant savings on this dvd video cam whichbrought their price down to $305 but you know me... I'm never satisfiedtill I've done more checking. I found a factory reconditioned one here:http://shop.store.yahoo.com/discountsonline/jvcgrdica.html for $234, butI don't like the $26 they jack it up for shipping so I opted out. Youcan bet I wrote to them and told them I opted out too. A lot of vendorsare selling it for less than Sears even after their discount.
You can get one a customer returned for $199 /free shipping from: http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/497399275
Even after all I read about this video camera I still don't know howlong you can record on a single mini dvd.
Tip: Use http://www.bizrate.com/ to check prices before you buy. Theyfrequently find much better deals than Froogle.
~~~~~~~~~~
The End

Cracktalk Newsletter 8-27-4

2004-08-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

Crack Talk Member's Edition
8-27-4
Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com
Worm Uses Webcams to Spy on Users
A new variant of the Rbot worm has the ability to take over users'webcams and use them to spy on people in their offices and homes.http://www.internetnews.com/security/article.php/3399291
Now if you could only point the cams away from the wall! Voyeurs would be better satisfied loading paltalk.
~~~~~~~~~~
Free Online Legal Service Launched
The site is sponsored by the San Francisco-based Public InterestClearinghouse and can be found at http://www.lawhelpca.org. The statecourt site address is www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp they have referralsin 48 states. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,49284759,1466,f/
~~~~~~~~~~
MS Releases XP SP2 App Testing Guide
http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3399001
Separately, Microsoft released a script on its TechNet portal in orderto offer a way for enterprise customers to remotely block or unblock theautomated delivery of SP2.
"The ability to block delivery of Windows XP SP2 will be available for alimited time only," the company said.
~~~~~~~~~~
US Starts Cyber Crime Crackdown - Spammers and Scammers Targeted
THE US JUSTICE Department is set to announce a major crackdown oncyber-crime that will include arrests, subpoenas and property seizuresof email spammers and online scam artists. They have already bustedabout 100 people.http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20040825/ap_on_hi_te/computer_crime
~~~~~~~~~~
U.S. Searches Computers, Trying to Disrupt Piracy
The government said its action was aimed at a group called theUnderground Network.http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/26/technology/26share.html?ex=1251259200&en=b2b826a2e8b6f53b&ei=5088
~~~~~~~~~~
Public Radio News Site
Public Radio has a pretty good web site that covers stories not pickedup by major news networks. http://www.prnewswire.com/
~~~~~~~~~~
RSS Attracts Really Serious Money
Over the last year or so, RSS has become one of the buzz terms mostheard in blogging circles. It allows anyone to automatically receivefree feeds from countless numbers of blogs and a growing number of newsservices. One of the leading blog and RSS tracking services acknowledgedMonday it recently closed a multimillion-dollar round of venture capitalfunding.http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,64716,00.html?tw=rss.TOP
~~~~~~~~~~
Record songs from your XM PCR satellite radio directly onto your PC inMP3 format! http://www.nerosoft.com/TimeTrax/
It's a pretty cool program since it saves the songs individually undertheir titles. It only works with XM and is $29... till someone cracksit.
I'm happy with one huge mp3 file. After all I couldn't skip a song beingplayed via satellite anyway. I've also filled several tapes that I takewith me if I'm going on a short drive and don't want to move my receiverto my pickup. It's easy since the music is played through a radio thathas a tape recorder.
For $42 you can broadcast anything on your computer to a tv or radio.This card turns your PC into a high definition TV and FM entertainmentcenter. http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?SCriteria=AA18890
There are much cheaper ways to broadcast audio only from a pc, or anyother device with a headphone jack, but since the range of most of themis limited to about 30 feet you may as well turn up the volume.
~~~~~~~~~~
'NFL 2K5' edges out 'Madden NFL 2005'
NFL 2K5 has rolled out a polished game for the bargain price of $20,while Madden NFL 2005 goes for $50. give the edge to NFL 2K5 for itslower price and superior graphics and presentation.
Ratings: NFL 2K5, four stars out of four; Madden NFL 2005, three and ahalf stars out of four. Madden NFL 2005 has sold 1.3 million copies.
~~~~~~~~~~
Size Doesn't Matter After All
A new extra-solar planet has been identified orbiting a star 500 lightyears from our solar system. The discovery was made by a team using afour-inch diameter telescope to make their observations - a size of'scope readily available at stores like Walmart.
~~~~~~~~~~
Steve Writes:
How to fix XP SP2 after it blocks your maximum new connections to max 10/sec. http://www.xn.se/sp2-speed/fix.htm
Installing SP2 on AMD 64-bit machines may cause the devices to restartrepeatedly, according to Microsoft. The problem occurs in those systemsif they also are configured to enforce so-called data executionprevention (DEP) and contain hardware that requires driver softwareknown as mpegport.sys. A specific program known to set off the glitch isSigma Designs' Hollywood Plus DVD decoder application.
Microsoft says users may be able to resolve the problem by configuringan exception to the DEP rule. Otherwise, the company advises AMD usersto remove SP2 altogether.
~~~~~~~~~~
A security bug in Microsoft Internet Explorer's drag-and-drop featureaffects IE versions 5.01, 5.5 and 6.0 on fully patched systems runningMicrosoft Windows XP SP1 or SP2.
Secunia rated the flaws "highly critical" and urged IE users to disablethe browser's Active Scripting feature.
The company said the vulnerability is caused by insufficient validationof drag-and-drop events issued from the "Internet" zone to localresources. An attacker could potentially plant a harmful executable filein a user's startup folder, which will execute the next time Windowsboots.
NOTICE: Turning scripting off causes many major websites to FAIL toopen. Only do it if you are running XP and remember you have done itif a page won't load.
~~~~~~~~~~

Everything You Need to Know About Writing Successfully - in Ten Minutes
by Stephen King
http://www.msu.edu/~jdowell/King_Everything.html
Good stuff although I think #5 is the most important thing you cancontrol. "Don't do anything that will break your train of thought." Onceyou get rolling on an idea just let it go and don't stop for spellin,gramar, ect.
~~~~~~~~~~
Energy from the Sea
Escalating oil prices and worries about global warming have shifted thequest for renewable energy sources into high gear. While wind and solarclaim most of the attention, and hopes are high for high-tech hydrogen,the dark horse in this race may be the restless energy of the sea.http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,64695,00.html?tw=rss.TOP
~~~~~~~~~~
Energy from Hamsters - Hamster Powered Night Light http://www.otherpower.com/hamster.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Holiday Inn Pulls Out Of Expedia, Hotels.com
The reason for pulling out of Expedia and Hotels.com is a failure tomeet the "certification" process they've laid out, but it really justmeans they want more control over their own inventory. http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20040817/1258259.shtml
More than half of all hotels booked online are booked by a third-partyagency such as Orbitz," according to a 2004 study by PhoCusWright.
~~~~~~~~~~
Google to Pay Bloggers
We were making money from those ads, but you weren't getting any of it.Now, we're inviting you to set up your own Bloggerized AdSense accountso that you make the money. What's the catch? We're going to take someof the action. The move to pay bloggers is sure to give Google a leg upon rivals in the space, notably Movable Type's fee-based TypePadservice. http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3399751
~~~~~~~~~~
Why drive a long way and stand in line and wait for hours to get a lostbirth certificate?
Go to www.cdc.gov and look for the "National Center for HealthStatistics" link. Here you will find state-by-state listings of how toobtain a birth certificate. In a matter of minutes, a certified copy canbe authorized and put in express mail to you.
~~~~~~~~~~
Someone at Google literally scans the pages of more than 6,000 mailorder catalogs, page by page, into the site. Although you can't orderdirectly from the site, you can browse and then grab the telephonenumber off the bottom of the page, call and place an order or simply getyourself on the catalog's mailing list. http://www.catalogs.google.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
NASA will parachute samples to the earth from outer space and catch themas they fall with a hook from a helicopter. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5821986/
~~~~~~~~~~
U.S. investigators found that women who sipped at least one sugary drinkevery day had an 83 percent higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes.Previous research has also shown that kids who are heavy soda-drinkershave a higher risk of obesity, suggesting that sugary soft drinks putpeople in particular danger of weight gain.http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2004/08/24/eline/links/20040824elin002.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Have some fun and get a 30 second review of a classical movie performedby bunnies. http://www.angryalien.com/
~~~~~~~~~~
This is currently the hacker's favorite DVD player.
Philips DVD/Divx Player $69
Walmart.com now has the popular Philips DVP642 in stock at $69.84, $7.01shipping. Search for DVP642
Plays those downloaded movies. DVD, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/+RW, CD, CD-R/RW,VCD, SVCD, MP3-CD, MPEG-4, Picture-CD and DivX 3.11/4.x/5.x.
Also plays JPEG, mpg, Xvid, PAL DVDs, PAL Divx, and even ASF (which itdoesn't claim to support, but still works). It also has Progressive scanand 4x upsampling. You can just dump these files on a DVD and it willstart playing them. No need to specially format the disk. We've verifiedit ourselves.http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php?DVDnameid=4117&Search=Search&#comments
Latest firmware update-http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/d/dvp642_17/dvp642_17_fus_eng.zip
Instructions on how to run the firmware upgrade at:http://www.p4c.philips.com/files/d/dvp642_17/dvp642_17_fur_eng.pdfBasically you just unzip the firmware and write it to a cd and put thecd in the player. The flash is automatic and takes about 2 minutes. Ifit's successful the player will shut down. Unplug the unit and waitabout 15 seconds. Plug it back in and turn it on and the tray will open.Remove the cd immediately.
Region hack - PRESS and HOLD STOP for 2 seconds. The dvd player willopen. Press 7, 8, 9 on your remote. Press OKAY. Select 0 for regionfree. (if that didn't work your firmware is different and 0-0-0-0-OK-0may work.) Get some snacks, drink, lubrication, and watch your movie.
~~~~~~~~~~

Businesses that record the security videos day and night pay thousandsof dollars for the systems. However with the $29 video/audio camera fromharbor freight you can set up the same system for a fraction of theprice. You won't get real high quality and you'll need a vcr that canrecord real time 24 or more hours but it will work good enough to catcha thief. Here is the best deal I have found for a 24 hr vcr... and itwill record up to 960 hours (on 120 min tapes) using snapshots. Anexcellent value for UNDER $200!
http://store.yahoo.com/webtronics/24hr960hrtim.html
http://store.yahoo.com/sentimentalgifts/sharvcsa5ful.html
These are only about $10 more and will record up to 1280 hrs on a tape.Some have built in alarms.
http://www.noonshopper.com/?s=product&a=0&_est_=19&pid=38205
This one for $211 has Longest-life bearing capstan motor for 250% to800% longer life than standard time lapse VCR's 24 hour real-time/1280hour recorders. http://store.commlinkstore.com/sy96.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Gateway 5Mpixel $149, Aug 27
TigerDirect has the Gateway DC-T50 / 5.25 Megapixel / 3x Optical Zoom /4x Digital Zoom / Refurbished Digital Camera $149.99, $13 shipping. (32meg memory stick)http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Sku=G153-1004
For about $20 more you can have this 6.0 megapixel 4x zoon digitalcamera (16 meg memory stick)http://www.paradisestores.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1170
~~~~~~~~~~
For Export Only
The Model AMP2441 is a 1 Watt, 2.4 GHz waterproof bi-directional polemounted amplifier for use with Spread Spectrum radio modems and wirelessLAN equipment. When used with 24 dB gain grid dish antennas, ranges upto 50 miles (80 km) line-of-sight can be achieved! $545
http://pnt.zoovy.com/product/AMP2441?META=froogle-AMP2441
Another one for $300 http://pnt.zoovy.com/product/AMP2440RF
You can find some great deals and interesting stuff by searching formerchandise marked for "export only" using sites like Froogle.com
~~~~~~~~~~
The End
Political campaigns usually bore me because it's mostly the same old bsover and over again. But sometimes I see something clever like this. 10 out of 10 terrorist agree: Anybody But Bush

Cracktalk Newsletter 8-19-4

2004-08-19T01:12:00.000-07:00

Crack Talk 8-19-4

Terry Blount

tblount@mchsi.com

I'll probably be sending out the newsletters on Friday for a while.

~~~~~~~~~~

According to the Internet Storm Center, an unpatched Windows PC
connected to the Internet will last for only about 20 minutes before
it's compromised by malware, on average. That figure is down from around
40 minutes, the group's estimate in 2003.

The drop from 40 minutes to 20 minutes is worrisome because it means the
average "survival time" is not long enough for a user to download the
very patches that would protect a PC from Internet threats.
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105_2-5313402.html

Internet security firm MessageLabs said one in every 12 emails it
scanned between January and June contained a virus designed to infect
computers and often cause havoc. MessageLabs said 63.5% of emails
scanned on behalf of its customers in the first half of the year was
spam. This is up from 37.9% during the same period last year

~~~~~~~~~~

Watch out for Freddie

This is the monster of all browser hijackers. Like the villain of
Nightmare On Elm Street, it can't be killed.

This new 'kruegerware' can steal your homepage, lock you permanently to
a pornographic site, or ship all your Google queries to a dubious
ad-driven alternative.

This type of program doesn't just wreak havoc, they cause computers to
crash or slow down so much you can't use them. By locking in their own
main search page, the kruegerware, and other hijacking, authors can
generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in referral commissions.

Kruger can avoid detection by spyware programs, and even if you think
you've got rid of it, it usually returns, like Freddy, to haunt you.

The resurrection instructions are buried deep within the code for
Microsoft Windows, making removal extremely difficult for even
technically savvy users. And once kruegerware reinstalls itself on a
"cleaned" machine, the nightmare continues.

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/SciTech/US/nightmare_spyware_040818-1.html
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/top/story/0,4136,67508-1,00.html

Steps to protect yourself from becoming a victim of kruegerware:
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/SciTech/US/nightmare_spyware_040818-3.html

There is NO CURE yet...

FIRE, stakes and silver bullets won't work. There's only one sure way to
get rid of persistent spyware, including browser hijackers: Completely
rebuild your operating system and software, a process that takes the
better part of a day.

Most computer manufacturers simplify this by including an 'image' CD set
of Windows and the rest of the programs that came with your computer.

Before you run this restore disk, copy or back up all your data files,
because the restore disk will wipe out changes that have been made to
your computer since you bought it.

Allow a couple of hours to download the updates to Windows that weren't
on the original disk, and still more time to restore settings.

There are some good utilities from Seememe Software - http://seememe.com
(Diagnose Window, IE Manager, Windows Utilities and Junk Remover (on the
120 gig drive too) that are good for cleaning up Windows and IE spyware,
scum ware and hijacking. I tested the IE Manager (also on Cream 46 -
SeeMeMe.IE.Manager.v2.0) and it returned IE to it's original state,
removing the Google tool bar and other addons I had intentionally
installed. I tried their Registry Firewall but it killed almost every
program I tried to load when it was running. I reported the errors
and maybe they will get it fixed. This kind of protection is probably
the future of Windows security. Permission to install anything on an OS
should be required and protected from stealth installations. That is why
I have encouraged everyone to run the Startup Monitor I've written about
so many time. Here is another program like it that's worth checking
out. I'm running both for a while.
http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=regprot

~~~~~~~~~~

I took some time to experiment with several of the packet sniffers on
the last 120 gig drive. I was hoping to catch the url for a music feed.
One program grabbed a url (that looked like the ones we once had) but
when I tried it Windows Media Player opened with an error code. I also
tried the ip address the music was coming from but when Windows Media
Player loaded I got the same error message.

If someone can figure out how, or show me how to find these direct feeds
again let me know. It's interesting to view how much is going on and
where it's going to when you are surfing the internet.

~~~~~~~~~~

New Tool Identifies 'Phishy' Web Sites

WholeSecurity tool can spot fraudulent Web sites used in online cons The
new product, called Web Caller-ID, can detect Web pages dressed up to
look like legitimate e-commerce sites. http://www.wholesecurity.com/

Phishers also spoof domain names, as well as URLs and legitimate Web
sites, to trick people into divulging passwords, credit card numbers and
other personal information.

The Institute for Spam and Internet Public Policy (ISIPP) launched a new
service to help businesses whose domain names have been hijacked by
spammers. ISIPP helps them evaluate and take charge of suing spoofers
for trademark infringement.
http://www.internetnews.com/xSP/article.php/3395771

~~~~~~~~~~

The Norwegian hacker famed for developing DVD encryption-cracking
software has apparently struck again this time breaking the locks on
Apple Computer Inc.'s wireless music streaming technology.

Jon Lech Johansen released on his Web site defiantly named "So Sue Me" a software key that helps to unlock the encryption Apple uses for its
AirPort Express, a device that lets users broadcast digital music from
Apple's online iTunes Music Store on a stereo that's not plugged into a
computer.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=528&ncid=528&e=6&u=/ap/20040815/ap_on_hi_te/dvd_kid_apple

~~~~~~~~~~

Blogs: The Marketing Killer

Weblogging -- or blogging -- is taking social networking to new heights.
And with the improvements to the technology, the personal journals are
now supplying tens of millions of bits of information every day. Now
multi-million dollar corporations looking for cheap and effective ways
of getting their message out are using the technology to their
advantage. http://www.internetnews.com/ent-news/article.php/3394841

~~~~~~~~~~

MSNBC.com started an online classifieds site
http://classifieds.msnbc.com/

Basically they are indexing newspapers for jobs and real estate much
like Froogle indexes vendor's prices for hardware.

They just use eBay and cars.com and other major sites to find
autos/merchandise and match.com for personals... like other portals....
and you have to actually subscribe (and pay) to use those services.

This is a VERY lame effort for a multi-billion dollar company. This page
could have been set up in a couple hours by anyone who has ever created
a homepage.

~~~~~~~~~~

Online Music Price War

RealNetworks has halved the price of its music downloads in an
aggressive attempt to boost its share of the online music market. The
company is offering songs for $0.49 each, down from the usual $0.99.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3572436.stm

~~~~~~~~~~

Windows update causes headaches for at least 200 applications.

SP2 impacts Unreal Tournament 2003 Games, security software and popular
business programs are clashing with Microsoft's long-awaited security
update for Windows XP. eBay has posted a notice saying that some of the
features of its eBay Toolbar program will cease to function after users
install SP2. (http://www2.ebay.com/aw/marketing.shtml#2004-08-13215905)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242

XP SP2's security uses DEP but its useless on new Intel processors.

DEP - (Data execution prevention) uses the CPU to mark all memory
locations in an application as non-executable, unless the location
explicitly contains executable code. This way, when an attacking worm or
virus inserts program code into a portion of memory marked for data
only, an application or Windows component will not run it.

If you purchased a computer since February that doesn't support DEP (for
example, any non-Itanium Intel-based PC), you've purchased a computer
that is unable to take advantage of the latest SP2 security feature.
From a security perspective, it could be argued that you purchased an
obsolete system. http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105_2-5310417.html

Ok... but on the bright side... SP2 does fix about 1,000 problems that
Microsoft has listed here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;811113

~~~~~~~~~~

If You Are Too Weak to Just Say NO

Give this address to a spammer or someone who is bugging you for your
email address and when they write they get back a rejection reply...
telling them you don't want to have anything to do with them.
YourName@papernapkin.net

Should they insist on getting your phone number there are rejection
hotlines in about 30 major cities:
http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,64612,00.html?tw=rss.TOP

~~~~~~~~~~

Internet Heading to Light Speed

A new nanotechnology that eliminates network bottlenecks could help
create a web surfers' paradise that is 100 times faster than today's
internet.
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,64584,00.html?tw=rss.TOP

~~~~~~~~~~

New High-Speed Wireless Format

A group of technology companies including Texas Instruments Inc.,
STMicroelectronics and Broadcom Corp., will propose a new wireless
networking standard up to 10 times the speed of the current generation.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=5989565&src=rss/technologyNews§ion=news

~~~~~~~~~~

Although Microsoft neglected to include msconfig in Windows 2000, you
can run it by copying the files onto your Windows 2000 computer from a
Windows XP computer.

Using msconfig saves you the trouble of digging in the Registry or a
half dozen other places for basic settings. You can control what
programs and services load at startup for diagnostic purposes, as well
as settings in the System.ini, Win.ini, and Boot.ini files. Use it to
either look for an entry that shouldn’t be there (e.g. a virus) or, more
commonly, to turn off some program that insists upon setting itself to
load at startup when you install it.

~~~~~~~~~~

This is truly revolutionary!

http://www.emachineshop.com/

The Internet Revolution Meets the Industrial Revolution

A new program lets people design 3-D objects like car parts and door
knobs in metal or plastic then order them online. You can sit at your
home computer, draw up some parts, submit them and 30 days later they
are on your doorstep, all without human contact.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=528&ncid=528&e=2&u=/ap/20040818/ap_on_hi_te/online_manufacturing

~~~~~~~~~~

Energy of the Future Flows into Downtown Toronto

Air cooled by the frigid waters deep in Lake Ontario started bringing
relief to buildings in downtown Toronto on Tuesday after the valves were
symbolically opened on the multi-million-dollar project.

The project, which is believed to be the first of its kind in North
America, could be cooling significant parts of the downtown by the time
the heat and humidity hits Toronto next summer.

This is clean, renewable, reliable energy. Compared to traditional
air-conditioning, Deep Lake Water Cooling reduces electricity use by 75
per cent and will eliminate 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide, the
equivalent of taking 8,000 cars off of the streets of Toronto.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040817.water0817/BNStory/National/

~~~~~~~~~~

Give us back our pot!

A group of 38 California medical marijuana patients filed legal motions
on Tuesday asking the federal government to give them back their pot
worth nearly a million dollars.
http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2004/08/17/eline/links/20040817elin023.html

~~~~~~~~~~

Brian Writes:

Some people like me have been looking for codecs to play certain video
files and here is what will help us all out!
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/ACE_Mega_CoDecS_Pack.htm

The mega codec pack is 44 MB of codecs for damn near everything you
could want to play. I have also used the ever-popular K-lite Codec pack
as well, which is a nice alternative to this one with a smaller
footprint.

~~~~~~~~~~

Genetic Savings & Clone enriches the lives of pet lovers through
superior cloning technologies. Cat cloning available today; dog cloning
available in 2005. http://savingsandclone.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

New Cars Never So Affordable

The average American has never had a better opportunity to purchase a
new car or truck. According to the Comerica Bank Auto Affordability
Index in the second quarter of 2004 it took 20.6 weeks of median family
income to purchase a new vehicle compared to 21.1 weeks in the first
quarter. This is the lowest level in 25 years. Those enormous
incentives, continuing low interest rates and what some consider an
improving economy all factor into the statistics.

~~~~~~~~~~

After much criticism over the release of Microsoft's "lite" edition of
Win XP Microsoft's spokesman says:

"We have designed an operating system that enables first time users to
perform their most popular tasks, such as e-mail, accessing the web,
writing documents and entertainment, and that provides a lot of
assistance and guidance in getting started with using their PC."

Hummm.... sounds like Windows 95.... which you can get FREE when you
buy a $20 mouse: http://www.softwareandstuff.com/s_ba_os_mswin95.html

Or for about $43 you can get a legal copy of Win ME:
http://www.kingpda.com/xcart/customer/product.php%3Fproductid%3D2902&fr=AI5hp0hKernyQ9meiVZRKm7xUbPS7V_MVXyjS7-irHAxAAAAAAAAAAA

~~~~~~~~~~

Wireless networks could soon be running 10 times faster than they do
now. Competing technology groups are proposing different ways to speed
up the data rates of wi-fi which could reach 540 megabits per second.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3561808.stm

~~~~~~~~~~

1,747 Miles Per Gallon
http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-me-wheel17aug17,1,697907.story

~~~~~~~~~~

Cellular Connects With Home Phone

You can save/eliminate long distance phone charges using your land line
with cell phone free minutes.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/chi-0408140183aug14,1,4548191.column

But don't pay $140 for the cradle.... they are available for $18
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&q=Cellsocket&scoring=p

~~~~~~~~~~

Illustrated guide for buying, selling, maintaining, fixing cars.

This is an excellent site folks!

http://www.samarins.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

I wish I could take credit...

I've written a couple times to surpluscomputers.com complaining about
their high shipping fees.... now I see "free shipping" on several of
their products... mostly light weight stuff like software, flash cards
or expensive stuff like LCD monitors. Maybe if a lot of people start
getting on their case they'll do away with shipping fees. They have
cheap crt monitors but shipping for them is $35 and up. It's worth
checking the site now and then. The best deal I found was Logitech
QuickCam Express USB Camera 2 Pack $23.99 + $6 shipping. The best thing
about this deal may be that you could throw away the cameras and still
have 2 good usb cables worth about $15. http://surpluscomputers.com/

~~~~~~~~~~

Movielink.com - Rent Any Movie For Just $0.99.

Movielink is a newer service that allows you to download movies to watch
on your computer. After you download them you usually have between
25-30 days to start watching it. After you start viewing you can watch
it as many times as you like in a 24 hour time span. Great for taking a
trip with the lappy or even a movie for home. New customers can use
code FIRST99 (exp. 9/30/04). Registered users can use coupon code
LINK99 (exp. 8/31/04) or EQ99 (exp. 10/15/04) and you can watch any
movie for just $0.99

~~~~~~~~~~

Fun Unclogging Drains

Explosive sink and toilet plunger is a gift from the gods
http://www.boingboing.net/2004/08/16/explosive_sink_and_t.html

~~~~~~~~~~

Targus PA605U Noise Reduction Headphones $10 These are good. I have a
set myself that I paid $30 for. You don't need a rebate to get this deal
either. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00008KJ31/

~~~~~~~~~~

100 DVD-R or +R Azo $23

Meritline has GreatAZO 4X DVD+R or DVD-R Blank Media 4.7GB DVDplusR
Disc, 100 for Only $23 after Coupon "Techbargains-azo4off"
http://store.yahoo.com/meritline/great-azo-dvd-r-blank-media.html

~~~~~~~~~~

My oldest son is taking a welding class his senior year in high school
and the cost of supplies, boots etc came as a shock. But learning a
skill like welding is good to have. I have found it useful many times.
I have an older flux welder but thought about looking around for the
newer welders that uses the wire feeds and found that Harbor Freight is
currently offering 2 models at half price:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44567
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=06271

~~~~~~~~~~

The End

Crack Talk 8-12-4

2004-08-11T20:14:00.000-07:00

Crack Talk 8-12-4

Terry Blount
tblount@mchsi.com

~~~~~~~~~~
Big Brother is Watching
The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 grants the FBIunprecedented power to obtain records from financial institutionswithout requiring permission from a judge.
Today's the Day. Under the law, the FBI does not need to seek a courtorder to access such records, nor does it need to prove just cause.
Previously, under the Patriot Act, the FBI had to submit subpoenarequests to a federal judge. The new law, however, lets the FBI acquirethese records through an administrative procedure whereby an FBI fieldagent simply drafts a so-called national security letter stating theinformation is relevant to a national security investigation.
And the law broadens the definition of "financial institution" toinclude such businesses as insurance companies, travel agencies, realestate agents, stockbrokers, the U.S. Postal Service and even jewelrystores, casinos and car dealerships.
The law also prohibits subpoenaed businesses from revealing to anyone,including customers who may be under investigation, that the governmenthas requested records of their transactions.http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,61792,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_1
I don't know about you but I feel kinda sick about this.
~~~~~~~~~~
Feds Seek a Few Good Hackers
"We're looking for good, talented people. We need a lot of help," saidJim Christy, director of the U.S. Department of Defense's Cyber Crime.http://www.computerworld.com/securitytopics/security/hacking/story/0,10801,95054,00.html?f=x583
~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft is testing a new version of its MSN Messenger that can be usedover the Web without having to install software.http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/nm/20040809/tc_nm/tech_microsoft_messaging_dc
~~~~~~~~~~
Car owners will be able to let insurance companies monitor their drivingvia new technology in exchange for lower rates. The technology willtrack some combination of when, where, how far and how fast they drive,giving insurers a way to reward low-risk driving. Now just experiments,the technology might be a glimpse of the future of car insurance. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,46988933,1846,f/
~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft is limiting downloads of the Service Pack 2 for Windows XP to2.5 million a day. 80 megs - if you use dialup you are in for a longwait. Microsoft says there will be an order button on the Microsoft Website where you can get a copy of the CD completely free -- includingpostage and packing.http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en
A group called Downhill Battle has set up a link using file-sharingsoftware to distribute the Windows SP2 update. http://www.downhillbattle.org/
I don't know if the SP will require valid registration but I've saw acrack that was released a while back that allows you to update Windowseven if you are using a blacklisted reg number. http://s88606488.onlinehome.us/UpdateBlacklist.zip
The ‘new’ XP firewall still doesn’t work on outbound connections - soyou still need something like ZoneAlarm. Microsoft released Windows XPService Pack 2 to the masses today after months of delay and mountainsof hype. But don’t think IT managers are chained to their desksfeverishly working to install it across their networks. Those asked saidthey’ll carefully study the package on test computers to ensurecompatibility with other programs before loading it. More here: http://www.ebcvg.com/news.php?id=3282
SP 2 exploit has already been found.http://www.computerworld.com/securitytopics/security/hacking/story/0,10801,94366,00.html
Big Blue Warns Users About Windows XP SP2
IBM is warning its users not to install Microsoft's much delayed ServicePack 2. In an article headlined "To patch - or not to patch" which wasposted on its corporate intranet, IBM has warned its employees not todownload SP2. http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=17738
Other SP2 article to consider:
Redmond, We Have a Problem Here: XP SP2 - Implementing XP SP2 is almostas much work as installing a new operating system.http://channelzone.ziffdavis.com/article2/0,1759,1633858,00.asp
~~~~~~~~~~

Microsoft Opens Cut-Price Windows
Microsoft is to launch a cheaper version of its Windows XP operatingsystem in an effort to halt the rise of low-cost Linux software."XP Lite" - will feature lower resolution graphics and limited optionsfor networking computers together. It will also limit users to runningthree programs concurrently. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3554084.stm
Even at $30 it's more than a pirated copy of the full blown XP sells forin the countries the "Lite" version is targeted for release in.
It will be a failure... read on...http://www.theregister.com/2004/08/11/winxp_starter_edition_announced/
~~~~~~~~~~
FCC Lets TiVo Send Shows Via Internet
Over the objection of the entertainment industry, federal regulators onWednesday approved technology that allows TiVo subscribers to sendrecorded television shows over the Internet.http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,46626726,7127,f/
~~~~~~~~~~
The Official DOOM 3 Hardware Guide http://www2.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NjQ0
Doom III Performance Boost for ATI Cards
A post a Rage 3D suggests that a shader file might increase Doom IIIperformance with ATI cards. The download URL and description areavailable here. http://www.rage3d.com/
~~~~~~~~~~

The War on Drugs morphs into the new War on Terror
U.S. has spent more than $3.6 billion on Plan Colombia with dismalresults. (http://www.wola.org/Colombia/plan_col_report_card03.pdf).
By declaring leftist guerilla groups such as FARC (with some 35,000members) as terrorists, the U.S. is now funding counter insurgencyefforts in Colombia -- tripling the U.S. military personnel and doublingthe "civilian contractors" in country. http://www.plastic.com/article.html;sid=04/08/09/19074890
~~~~~~~~~~

Google Adds More Number Based Searches
Google has added more search by number features, which include areacodes(will bring up maps), UPC codes(displays information about theproduct), airline flight numbers(provides links for flight tracking),Vehicle ID Numbers(will link to a CarFax report on the kind of car andit's status), and United States Postal Service tracking numbers to showthe status of a package.
~~~~~~~~~~
3D Holograms to Crack Forgeries
No two signatures by one person are exactly the same in style, so thenew technique involves making a 3D model of the pressure applied when aperson writes.
The model translates the writing into an image showing dips and furrowsof the sample so that anomalies can be detected. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3552132.stm
~~~~~~~~~~

Cosmic phone hasn't rung; why don't they call?
The search for life in the stars has yielded only statistics, falsealarms, some inexplicable blips, some intriguing anomalies, but nothingthat has come close to meeting the standard of scientific proof. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,47077787,7665,f/
They are wasting their time... if they want to contact other "life forces"they need to work on a way to communicate with the spirit world... withouttaking peyote.
~~~~~~~~~~
About 2 dozen programs have already been released to support Gmail. Hereare a few examples:
Using GMail For Backup - PHP script that can be used to backup files toGmail and then quickly retrieve them back if and when you need them.(Note: You have to install the PHP for Windows server to run this scriptand this is a complicated process - Probably better to wait for a bettersolution or run it from a web site that is on an Apache server.)
Pop Goes the GMail - Lets you access your GMail account with a POP3 mailclient.
GmailerXP - This program, still in development, will offer total controlof your GMail account from any Windows computer.
GTray - Lives in your system tray and alerts you to pending GMails.
http://www.marklyon.org/gmail/gmailapps.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Toolbar Boots Out Spies and Pests
Yahoo has released a version of its internet-services toolbar thatremoves spyware and adware. http://216.92.8.170/hardnews/input/index.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft Releases Server Toolkits
Microsoft has released two new Web Part toolkits and a Web servicestoolkit for Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies. The kitsenable the connection of systems from multiple vendors using XML Webservices standards. Available at no charge on GotDotNet.com, andcomplete with source code, the two Web Part toolkits facilitate theintegration of Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003 andWindows SharePoint Services sites with information line-of-businessapplications from SAP and other vendors.
~~~~~~~~~~
My Drivers Pro - So Sweet !! Install it and back up your drivers!
I got around to backing up all my drivers with "My Drivers" that ison Cream 46 and must give the program an A+. Once you have made abackup you can also take any drivers to another machine with thesame hardware (for example a modem) and click "Have Disk" and installthe hardware directly ...or right click on the .ini file and selectinstall to do it instantly. You don't need My Drivers installed on themachine to restore/install a driver that is backed up. Copy all yourdrivers to cd and you won't regret having them. Even if you have allthe driver disks it's still much easier to find one backup that works.
~~~~~~~~~~

Despite the Kerry camp's best efforts to attack the book and discreditits co-author, the white-hot new book Unfit for Command is holding firmat #1 on both Amazon and BN.com. Publisher Regnery Publishing reports thatbookstore orders are still flooding in, and that they have gone back fora third printing, putting the total number of books in print up to 175,000.All this before the book has even been officially released, still slatedfor August 15th.
Unfit provides an avalanche of evidence that Kerry's war wounds were self-inflicted, that he lied to gain his medals and get out of Vietnam after justfour month' active duty, and that the vast majority of Swift Boat vets whoserved with Kerry do not think him fit to be Commander-in-Chief.
Even ABC News couldn't deny the book's appeal, calling it "clear, crisply-written, occasionally compelling, and full of polarizing firepower."
~~~~~~~~~~

Honeywell has developed a chemical solution that will help make so-called supercapacitors. Like batteries, these devices could hold enough energy topower portable devices, computers, or even cars. And they could be rechargedwithin seconds, not hours like traditional rechargeable batteries.http://abcnews.go.com/sections/SciTech/FutureTech/super_capacitors_futuretech_040810-1.html
~~~~~~~~~~

Sharp today introduced a LCD with 3D technology, which previously onlywas available for certain models of its notebooks line. The screen canbe switched between 2D and 3D display, the latter offers a greater levelof depth perception resulting in a more realistic display ofthree-dimensional graphics. http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20040809_183807.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Five top video games to check out in August, as selected by the editorsof Game Informer magazine.http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/chi-0408050020aug05,1,7960654.story
~~~~~~~~~~
Just Tooo Cool
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/motor_cycles/2004/1/2004_ny_motorcycle_show/print.phtml
~~~~~~~~~~
Electric motors use 65% of the total electricity consumed by U.S.industry, ranging from large pumps for municipal water plants tocompressors that transport fuels through pipelines to simple airconditioning units, the companies said.
The goal is to dramatically reduce the cost of owning motor monitoringsystems, which should accelerate technology adoption and enable energysavings in motor systems throughout industry, the companies said.
Wireless sensors will be installed on selected motors in a plantoperation. The sensors will monitor motor efficiency, paying attentionto vibration, temperature and power quality. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,47143999,1846,f/
~~~~~~~~~~
Shut UP and Get Back to Work ... or I'll Give You Another Treatment!
Researchers use a gene treatment to turn off monkeys' dopamine receptors-- yielding harder-working, more focused monkeys. Despite obviousapplications in the corporate world, the scientists say they're justtrying to understand mental illness.http://www.wired.com/news/medtech/0,1286,64550,00.html?tw=rss.TOP
~~~~~~~~~~
Bigger, Harder, Longer
It's sometimes amusing at the way companies will go about selling theirproducts. Here is an example of very cleaver marketing:http://www.boingboing.net/2004/08/10/syndication_sold_lik.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Walmart Unlimited DVD Rentals $15.54 per month (2 titles out at once)($22 for titles out at once)
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=5430&path=0%3A5430&sourceid=16001185382047055143&dest=20765
Blockbuster throwing their hat into the ring too: three movies at a timefor $19.99 per month -- undercutting Netflix by $2. It will offer fiveDVDs at a time for $29.99 a month or eight for $39.99.http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/sns-ap-blockbuster-subscriptions,1,7805128.story
~~~~~~~~~~
NEC 8x DVD Burner Dual Layer $71.99
Price drop. NEC ND-2510A Dual Layer 8.5GB 8x DVD Dual Layer burner atnewegg for $71.99 shipped free. Select the free DVD-R 5 pack too.http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?DEPA=0&description=27-152-025&ATT=CD+DVD+Burners+RW+Dr&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r
~~~~~~~~~~
Suck it Up!
HSN.com Today's Special - Euro Pro 1440 Watt Vacuum with MotorizedPowerhead - $99.90 Shipping =$14.95!! You save $200.09 http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=37919329&siteid=41126262
~~~~~~~~~~
Walmart has 83-Piece Kitchen Starter Set $30 http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=2618730
That is a great deal! I spent $70 outfitting my travel trailer kitchen.
~~~~~~~~~~
The End

Personal Entry

2004-08-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

So much to do..... so little time...
My oldest son, Charles, move to the farm to go to Millry High School his senior year and try to play football. He has been in the band until this year. He worked very hard to get his grades up enough to play ball but with no experience and going to a school that had about 70 kids trying to make the team he realized that his best chances to play were to transfer to the small school I went to for 12 years. There are about 30 boys dressing out in Millry High but about half are 8th and 9th graders or very small. Charles is 6' 2" and over 200lbs and has lifted weights for several years and should be able to hold his ground.. once he figures out what to do and gets more confidence. It's good to have him here since I have been spending a few days a week here for the last 3 years and trying to help out my parents. I think he enjoys being his "own man" for a while.
My daughter Teresa is 20 now and has finished 2 years of public service she joined after she finished high school. She will be coming home next week and Charlotte is flying to New York to her graduation and spend a week visiting her friends (who used to be our neighbors.) Teresa is flying home with her and we have fixed her old room so she can stay with us and attend college. It will be good to see her. I got to see her about 6 months ago when she was in Atlanta.
James is staying with Charlotte and entering the 11th grade this year. I'll have to go take care of him while Charlotte is gone since he is a diabetic and needs to have someone around should his sugar level get too low. And to get him off to school in the mornings. He hates to get up!
I should be finishing the work on the house in Butler this weekend and although I really appreciated the income I need some time to slow down and catch up on some things... and maybe even relax or travel to a flying event.
Speaking of flying... it seems the guy who sold me the bad engine is going to have to answer to court. He was served and has 14 days to reply or set the date of the hearing. I'll be so happy to get that matter resolved. I really think he should have cooperated to swap the engine when it was obvious the engine he sold me was not going to work on an aircraft and the company pulled it from the aviation market. I offered to pay the difference but he just took the "screw you" attitude. I guess he figured it was too much trouble for me to take him to court.
On top of all this stuff .. and the work that I put into each newsletter every week, my dad had a company come and cut down a 70+ year old oak tree in his front yard. The base of the tree is at least 5 ft. The limbs are up to 2 and 3 feet. They just cut the tree and left everything for us to clean up. It's a HUGE job, especially since it is all going to be cut to about 18 inches and the big logs split for fire wood. And dad wants to run the limbs through a chipper.... that will be a LOT of work. I rather buy chips than fight that thing... I suspect he will eventually reach the same conclusion.
I borrowed a bush hog from the guy who lets me fly from his field and cut the bushes and tall weeds that grew up between the pine trees that were planted about 5 years ago. That makes the place look much nicer. Within a couple more years the trees will be so big that nothing can easily grow under them. I'm looking forward to that.
Since I got my new 2.7ghz computer I gave Randy (the guy at Millry Metal Works that flies with me and help me fix my powerchute) a good deal on my old system. The Scsi drive and extra memory on a processor 3 times the speed he was running is a world of difference. He is probably going to use it mainly to listen to BlueGrass music on Sirius and play Elf Bowling and Solitaire... but at least he can load it fast! I have a feeling he will be too busy to waste time because he got the contract to build the stairs for the tallest building in Alabama... 37 stories.
Ok... this is taking too long and I got to get the newsletter mailed out and play a game or two of spades in the zone before I go to bed.
Later,

Blogger Help : What is BlogThis! ?

2004-08-11T07:18:00.000-07:00

Let's verify that this works.

Blogger Help : What is BlogThis! ?

Cracktalk Newsletter Aug 8-2004

2004-08-11T06:58:00.000-07:00

Crack Talk - 8-5-4
Terry Blount
cracktalk@gmail.com

I selected articles from the May - August member's edition of cracktalkand converted the text to html so the links will be easy to open and putit online. http://home.mchsi.com/~Readers/May-Aug.zip
~~~~~~~~~~
Security Update Fixes Critical IE Flaws
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1629559,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03129TX1K0000614
Microsoft Warns of Three Critical IE Flaws http://cio-today.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=26133
Go to Tools/Windows update to get the patches... however, it seems thatsince I applied the new patch I have to load web pages twice to get themto appear. When I click on a link it just opens a blank page and saysdone. I suspect they need to patch the patch.
~~~~~~~~~~
Microsoft will finalize the code for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)sometime today, release it via Microsoft Download Center and MSDN onthe Web tomorrow, and then ship it to customers via Windows Updatebeginning August 25, though Automatic Update users will get itimmediately on a staggered basis.
~~~~~~~~~~
Business Software Alliance - The Microsoft Police
Here are some of they facts about how the BSA operates. I found itinteresting that they only have 13 members and they use their "audit"power to comb through a company's PC stock, matching installed programswith licenses. Companies that come up short can be forced to pay bigfines and buy tons of new licenses. (and simply upgrade older version)http://news.com.com/Software+piracy:+Hype+versus+reality/2008-7343_3-5291273.html
~~~~~~~~~~

1and1.com - Account Hijacking
Like most people I don't read all the "fine print" and didn't know that1and1.com web hosting would freeze/lock an account if too many visitorsvisited a site.... AND shut down all access and hold data for ransom.But that's what they have done to my site.
It is not unusual that a web hosting service has a limit and will closethe service if the monthly quota is exceeded... TILL the next month. Andweb host don't lock FTP access and tell members that they must pay to gettheir data back. This is the way 1and1.com works.
~~~~~~~~~~
Doom 3 leaked to the Internet
Thousands of copies of Doom 3 have apparently already been downloadedfrom the Internet. The official shipping date is August 3 2004.http://www.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20040802_153541.html
Pirates who download Doom 3 may be in for a surprise when the game failsto install on their system, as the hardware requirements aresubstantial.
'Doom 3' may doom users' current systems
System requirements, which are the minimum components needed in a PC toplay the game, are often souped up compared to the average system. For"Doom 3" they include, according to Amazon.com: Microsoft Windows2000/XP, a 1.5GHz Pentium 4 or an equivalent AMD Athlon processor, 384MBof RAM and various high-end video cards.http://news.com.com/'Doom+3'+may+doom+users'+current+systems/2100-1043_3-5295390.html
You have to carefully read the system requirements of games these days.My boys bought 2 $40 games that would not run on their computers.Walmart will only replace software with the same software when it'sdefective.
~~~~~~~~~~
57 people have been arrested in a weekend operation targeting music,film and computer game piracy in the UK. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3534364.stm
~~~~~~~~~~
Plenty FREE music here - some commercial free http://live365.com/
~~~~~~~~~~
The Long View on Longhorn
If you want a good look at what the next version of Windows is aboutthis is a good overview. http://www.technewsworld.com/story/35489.html
~~~~~~~~~~
The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that the FederalAviation Administration should require babies to be in infant seatsduring flights, which would mean parents would have to purchase ticketsfor little ones.. F.A.A. said that requiring parents to buy an additionalticket for children under 2 years old would make some of those familiesdecide to travel by car instead, raising the overall risk.
...Hold on a miunte... ins't the National Transportation Safety Board thesame folks who have decided that seat belts on school busses is not necessary?

~~~~~~~~~~
7,000 Sources... Or Just A Few Favorites?
For all the hype about how good Google News is for putting together anautomated snapshot of the news of the day, an analysis of the front pageof Google News found that they seem to rely on just a few sources forall of their main stories. http://techdirt.com/articles/20040802/1336203.shtml
~~~~~~~~~~
Firewall FAQ
Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding firewalls. We've alsoprovided some additional resources for your research. http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6264_11-5279595.html?tag=e101
~~~~~~~~~~
Security Management - July 2004
Help: I Got Hacked. Now What Do I Do? Cleaning a Compromised System What Tools Will Help? Salvaging Data in the Absence of Backups Recovering After an Attackhttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/columns/secmgmt/sm0704.mspx?pf=true
~~~~~~~~~~
Amazing photos
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
Here are two that caught my attention http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040802.html http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040730.html
~~~~~~~~~~
Largest FREE wi-fi network
Panera Bread is now offering Wi-Fi high-speed wireless internet access —free of charge — in bakery-cafes across the country. If your computer isWi-Fi enabled, you can connect to the Internet wirelessly while at yourPanera. http://www.panerabread.com/wifi.aspx
~~~~~~~~~~
Justice Department attempting to remove public documents from libraries
The topics addressed in the named documents include information on howcitizens can retrieve items that may have been confiscated by thegovernment during an investigation. The documents to be removed anddestroyed include: Civil and Criminal Forfeiture Procedure; SelectCriminal Forfeiture Forms; Select Federal Asset Forfeiture Statutes;Asset forfeiture and money laundering resource directory; and CivilAsset Forfeiture Reform Act of 2000. Destroying these documents frompublic libraries would make their content available only to those withaccess to a law office or law library. http://scoop.agonist.org/story/2004/8/3/84635/46365
~~~~~~~~~~
I don't remember ever mentioning a "Mac OS" tip but here is one I haveread that really works great to speed up a Mac. It's worth reading abouteven if you never intend to use a Mac. http://lowendmac.com/benchmarks/iisi.shtml
~~~~~~~~~~
Windows XP Super Tweaks http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/supertweaks.htm
~~~~~~~~~~
Political Humor at it's best http://politicalhumor.about.com/
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Pentagon Looks to Directed-Energy Weapons
It just feels like your skin is on fire," said Rich Garcia, a spokesmanfor the laboratory who, as a test subject, has felt the Active DenialSystem's heat. "When you get out of the path of the beam, or shut offthe beam, everything goes back to normal. There's no residual pain.http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,46237472,1466,f/
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Portable Video Players
These compact players have room for up to 80 hours of video — that'sall five seasons of The Sopranos, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and sixhours of Thighmaster infomercials.
Built-in video screens about 3.5 inches across provide a crisp picturefor personal viewing, while output jacks allow them to be plugged into aTV screen for a more panoramic experience.
Users can record TV programs off the air, download movies from theInternet or copy vacation videos from their own camcorders. http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,46412940,1846,f/
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D-Link today announced what it says is the first 802.11g wirelessInternet security camera with remote pan, tilt and zoom features. http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=342
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System Uses Ultraviolet Light to Disable Airborne Threats
Bio-Defense Research Group Inc is testing prototypes of the device,which zaps airborne threats with ultraviolet light as they pass throughheating and cooling ducts.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33124-2004Aug1.html?nav%3Drss_technology
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Building affordable strong homes using polystyrene in Florence Alabamafor housing in Afghanistan and other parts of the world with harshenvironments. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/3528716.stm
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New Pill May Help Recovering Alcoholics Stay Sober
A new pill that aims to keep alcoholics from drinking again after theyhave quit could hit the shelves by the end of this year after U.S.health officials approved the drug on Thursday. It was not clear how thepill worked, health officials said, but studies showed more patients whotook the drug stayed away from drinking compared to those who took aplacebo.http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2004/07/30/eline/links/20040730elin002.html
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Colleges Selling Leftovers on eBay http://www.newsisfree.com/iclick/i,46510061,1466,f/
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Imitation's new double layer DVD+R media nearly doubles the storagecapacity of a DVD recordable disc from 4.7GB to 8.5GB on a single side,without having to turn the disc over during recording.
http://www.imation.com/
(Verbatim brand is $14 from vendors on Pricewatch.com)
NEC Double layer recorders are available from $72 from vendors onPricewatch and JVC for $70, Sony $77 found by Froogle.com
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eMusic.com - 50 Free MP3's.
eMusic offers 50 free MP3 files for signing up for a two week trial oftheir music service. You can cancel at any time right from yourcomputer.
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Panasonic 48-Pack Of Alkaline AA Batteries For $10
Circuit City has a Panasonic Digital Alkaline AA Battery (48-Pack) onsale for $9.99 this week after a $10 instant rebate. At the time ofposting, it's sold out online - but you can still order it online andreserve a copy for in store pick up!
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Executive Chair $19.99 A/R...Office Depot - Leather or Cloth http://madmaddeals.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1021#post1021
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Some good stuff here... especially the military surplus http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/
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The End