Network World : Nightmare Robots: 20 Real and Creepy Androids

"Happy Halloween: These 20 creepy robots are guaranteed to give you the heebie-jeebies." ~Jared Newman

http://www.networkworld.com/slideshows/2010/102710-robots-androids.html#slide1

I have to say the spiders are the ones that creep me the most, they can crawl across the water... although some of the other ones are creepy too. I am also amazed at how close we are starting to come. Beware of the future we will wrought. 

Tech News World : Get Ready to Kiss IPv4 Goodbye: Q&A With ICSA Labs' Guy Snyder, Part 1 & 2

"Pressure to implement IPv6 is coming from both public and private sectors. "Based on these statistics, we can look out into the future and say pretty much for sure these are going to go away within the next 10 to 12 months, at least by the end of next year," said Guy Snyder, secure communications program manager at ICSA Labs." ~Richard Adhikari


http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Get-Ready-to-Kiss-IPv4-Goodbye-QA-With-ICSA-Labs-Guy-Snyder-Part-1-71118.html

"The concern regarding the Internet's dwindling supply of IPv4 addresses isn't new. Now, however, the bells are ringing again in the push toward IPv6. "Today the number shows 234 days remaining [for IPv4], and it shows 181 million IPv4 addresses remaining, and it's going down constantly. It shows 5 percent of those addresses are left," said Guy Snyder, the secure communications program manager at ICSA Labs." ~Richard Adhikari

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Get-Ready-to-Kiss-IPv4-Goodbye-QA-With-ICSA-Labs-Guy-Snyder-Part-2-71126.html

This is a good sign that we are actually moving forward in the technology department. Our president either is tech savvy or has some intelligent people at the helm in this department. I know that this will make some of the things I use now obsolete, but I understand that this is necessary. We all buy new equipment as we need it, I just hope the people higher up give us a heads up similar to the one with all TV going digital. 

KidZui Review

Sorry it has taken so long to get to the next video review of a Child safe browser. Enjoy the Vid, and even with a 7 rating I think this is a good choice.

Find it here:

http://www.kidzui.com/

Network World : 12 "White Hat" hackers you should know

I would just suggest you look at this and read about these people. Also note that many "White" hats used to be "Black" hats.
Drat! Just realized that some of you may not understand those terms.
3 Classes of Hackers:
"White" hat - These are the good guys, many are running companies making products to protect us.
"Gray" hat - Not good, but not bad, these guys work on the outside, many times are just curious and want to see if they can.
"Black" hat - These are the bad guys. They do things because they can and want to do harm and in many cases are doing it to extort money from someone.


http://www.networkworld.com/slideshows/2010/041510-white-hat-hackers.html#slide1

Network World : How to protect against Firesheep attacks

"Security experts today suggested ways Firefox users can protect themselves against Firesheep, the new browser add-on that lets amateurs hijack users' access to Facebook, Twitter and other popular services.

Firesheep adds a sidebar to Mozilla's Firefox browser that shows when anyone on an open network -- such as a coffee shop's Wi-Fi network -- visits an insecure site.
A simple double-click gives a hacker instant access to logged-on sites ranging from Twitter and Facebook to bit.ly and Flickr." ~Gregg Keizer

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/102610-how-to-protect-against-firesheep.html?hpg1=bn

I am a person who would like to be under the "White" hat. So I am posting this so that you can protect yourselves better.

Tech News World : Firesheep Exposes the Soft Underbelly of Website Security

"The new Firefox plug-in Firesheep is a tool that a public WiFi hotspot user can implement to snoop on the activities of other users of that hotspot. Mozilla says the flaw Firesheep exploits is not found in Firefox per se, but rather in the lax security standards to which many popular websites adhere. Firesheep will make it easier for malicious hackers to do their dirty work, but it also may motivate improvements." ~Richard Adhikari

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Firesheep-Exposes-the-Soft-Underbelly-of-Website-Security-71115.html

Well this is interesting. For you non-techies this should be a bit of a wake up call, and for you techies this is yet another way to have fun with others.
I have to say this doesn't surprise me. I, in some ways, am amazed it took this long for someone to find a way to create a hacking add in to Firefox. This might be one of the reasons I do not use my laptop at Starbucks, that and the fact that they want a subscription.

Top Tech News : File-Sharing Site LimeWire Shut Down by Federal Court

"In another victory for the Recording Industry Association of America, music-sharing site LimeWire has been shut down by a federal court. The RIAA also sued to close Napster and Grokster, and called LimeWire a "massive piracy machine." Another trial will determine damages, with the RIAA seeking $450 million from LimeWire principals." ~ Barry Levine

http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=12300AADLHXU

As much as I do not like to see the RIAA win, I am actually seeing this as a good thing. When working a tech bench for a computer repair company, I saw Limewire a lot on machines that were riddled with viruses. But I see an even worse side to this also, this means people will use the more dangerous ways to get their music and not the ones that annoyed me.
For those of you that are just looking for a way to listen to music at work, and have a computer with an internet connection, you should try Grooveshark.

http://listen.grooveshark.com/

Top Tech News : Ray Ozzie Warns Microsoft of a 'New Day' Beyond PCs

"Microsoft's rivals are embracing a "New Day" in computing while Microsoft has not, outgoing Software Architect Ray Ozzie has warned. Five years ago, Ozzie outlined a "clear vision" for Chairman Bill Gates that remains elusive under CEO Steve Ballmer. Ozzie sees "connected devices" eroding Microsoft's traditional software monopolies." ~Jennifer LeClaire

http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=122009J5KBQY

Well this seems to be the way things are going. And I do have to agree that it takes those few visionary people to make the new things happen. You can only get as far as you can dream possible.

New York Times: Will Apple’s Culture Hurt the iPhone?

"SAN FRANCISCO — If you want a smartphone powered by Google’s Android software, you could get Motorola’s Droid 2 or its cousin, the Droid X. Then there is the Droid Incredible from HTC, the Fascinate from Samsung and the Ally from LG.
That’s just on Verizon Wireless. An additional 20 or so phones running Android are available in the United States, and there are about 90 worldwide.
But if your preference is an Apple-powered phone, you can buy — an iPhone." ~MIGUEL HELFT 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/technology/18apple.html?ref=technology

I do see some trouble ahead for Apple in this market. But there are many ways for which they can still compete well. One way would be to open up the ITunes store to other phones. Yas this is risky but what in business is not in some way. This would still give them an edge. Maybe people with IPhones get a better price than those with a DROID or other mobile device. ITunes is available on a PC, and you have to pay for somethings just like the IPhone. I am speaking as a person who doesn't own an IPhone, DROID, or other device of the like. So this might already be implemented, and if it is, good thinking on the part of Apple.

Top Tech News : Homeland Security and Spy Agency To Join Forces

"The United States is stepping up its military-civilian cyberdefense coordination to help the country guard against the growing threat of cyberattacks against government and private computer networks. Government and private networks are increasingly under attack by hackers and other cybercriminals. The plan will include privacy oversight." ~ Lolita C. Baldor

http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=102003IN7BGO

Well I'll be, once again we seem to have someone in the big leagues with a good idea. Quick someone get them an aspirin.
Seriously though, I am happy to see that someone is at least attempting to plug the holes. And trying to work together with others, sometimes more heads passing ideas along is a good thing.

Praise to you whoever thought up this idea.

Tech News World : Mac Lion: The King of the OS X Jungle?

"Apple has hinted that new Macs and a new OS X will be on the agenda during its next product announcement, scheduled for Oct. 20. The new OS will most likely be nicknamed "Lion," but beyond that, what Apple has in store is anyone's guess. Meanwhile, Microsoft wants to drive off zombies, Hulu may hold an IPO cash drive, and Google cars drive themselves.
Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) has this way of making its more devoted fans feel as though the company is giving them some sort of gift whenever it rolls out a new product. It plans a party, makes special invitations, and trots out the new inventions like it's paying tribute to a visiting dignitary. Nobody's giving anyone anything, of course; it's total salesmanship. Not a bad way to go about it, though." ~Paul Hartsock

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Mac-Lion-The-King-of-the-OS-X-Jungle-71043.html

Another new OS for Apple. I'm guessing Microsoft will push 7 even further, either that or make a new OS. The new OS is probably not a good idea for them. If I had a Mac I would appreciate this more I am sure. But honestly right now I would like the IPhone or the IPad. I feel these would suit my needs better. But who know a new IPad or special IPhone may be announced. Honestly Apple and Nintendo could try to sell us Dog Poo and call it the next peripheral and we would buy it and say it is awesome.

Network World : Security guidelines aimed at zapping power industry cyberattacks, malfunctions

"Based on input from the federal government, the North American Electric Reliability Corp., whose mission is to ensure the reliability of the bulk-power system, Thursday sent new security guidelines to about 2,000 electric-power operators to prevent compromise and malfunction of the grid.

The large motors and generators connected to the bulk-power system have to be turned on and off with considerable caution to prevent problems from occurring, notes Tim Roxey, manager of critical infrastructure protection at NERC. There are acknowledged gaps in protection -- something the industry since 2007 has named the "Aurora vulnerability" -- that could allow major disruptions to the power grid by throwing it out of sync through a potential cyberattack or simply an accident." ~ Ellen Messmer

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/101510-nerc-security-guidelines.html?hpg1=bn

Well news like this makes me feel a little better. I am happy to know the government is actually paying attention to the threat of Cyber warfare. If this keeps up I may actually gain some renewed faith in the possibility that we are not run by a bunch of brainless humanoids. I use the term humanoid because of Politics, Poly = many, Ticks = blood sucking creatures. I am not for republicrats or demicans, I just want to see the country moving forward in a good fashion with some intelligence at the helm. 

Tech News World : Three Apps That Keep Linux Squeaky Clean

For my Linux friends:

"As good as the Linux OS is, troublesome stuff sometimes happens. When it does, BleachBit and GtkOrphan can do a good job helping you solve small problems before they become major complications. Even if you manage to keep your OS in pristine condition, Startup Manager can help you alter settings without having to drag out the Linux manual." ~Jack M. Germain

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Three-Apps-That-Keep-Linux-Squeaky-Clean-71010.html

This seems like an interesting and useful article for those of us who are new to Linux. I will actually go into Linux and flavors of it at a later time.

BBC News : Two million US PCs recruited to botnets

"The US leads the world in numbers of Windows PCs that are part of botnets, reveals a report.
More than 2.2 million US PCs were found to be part of botnets, networks of hijacked home computers, in the first six months of 2010, it said.
Compiled by Microsoft, the research revealed that Brazil had the second highest level of infections at 550,000." ~ unknown

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11531657

This number is not really surprising to me, maybe a bit bigger than I expected, but not a surprise. I have worked on so many PCs and MACs that were used by people who don't believe in cyber security (ie anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewalls). Windows is not secure and OS X is not perfect, you need to set both up properly in order to be secure.

BBC news : UK infrastructure faces cyber threat, says GCHQ chief

"The UK's critical infrastructure - such as power grids and emergency services - faces a "real and credible" threat of cyber attack, the head of GCHQ says.

The intelligence agency's director Iain Lobban said the country's future economic prosperity rested on ensuring a defence against such assaults.
The internet created opportunities for hostile states and criminals, he said.
For example, 1,000 malicious e-mails a month are already being targeted at government computer networks, he said." ~ unknown

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11528371

Okay it is nice to know that it is not just us. WAIT! This could happen to us too. Yes this is a very real threats for us in the U.S. and many other countries. Our main defense now is that our infrastructure is so outdated in many ways that it is obscure. Defense through obscurity is actually a way people think they can be secure, not so. Just as the U.K. needs to address this matter we here need this matter attended to. Please secure yourself and family.

School and difficulties

For those of you that are wondering why I have been more absent lately, here is an explanation.
1- I have just started back to classes, I do go to school full time.
2- I am having some wireless difficulties with my desktop still. This is forcing me to look into  some alternative cures for my signals. Nothing illegal..... at least I do not believe so.
 One such cure is to turn another router into a repeater, if I manage this I will post links and a how-to.
3- My spare time has been spent on family and the videos on the child safety products.

Network World : Waging crypto wars 2.0

"I was drawn to security in the early 90s during the crypto battle against the U.S. government, which was trying to force companies to adopt broken encryption with built in backdoors, like the failed Clipper Chip. Fortunately, the crypto wars were won by the side of reason, not least because of activists hoarding crypto technology in offshore locations. Today we all enjoy strong, unbreakable, backdoor-free encryption as a result of the 90s crypto battle. That battle is about to begin again as the U.S. government proposes to introduce backdoors, by design fiat, into commercial communications security systems. They were wrong then and they are wrong now but the stakes are much higher this time. " ~ Andreas M. Antonopoulos

http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2010/100610antonopoulos.html?hpg1=bn

For those of us who fear a "Big Brother" taking over, this would be one of the ways for it to be done. Most of us do not even think about it. It seems to me that the Democrats want to create and be "Big Brother", and the Republicans just want to act that way. Neither side has been getting security right, and it is definitely a major no-no to create a purposeful backdoor into all systems. Right now at least we are more secure because the systems have different holes. If we allow this to happen we are just asking for a full scale cyber attack. This will not make us more secure, in the end it will be less.

Tech News World : Microsoft Wants to Cordon Off Botnet-Infected Computers

"Microsoft is calling for "collective action" to combat cyberthreats -- particularly botnets. "Governments, industry and consumers should support cybersecurity efforts modeled on efforts to address human illnesses," says VP of Trustworthy Computing Scott Charney in a new position paper. "For a society to be healthy, its members must be aware of basic health risks and be educated on how to avoid them."" ~Kimberly Hill

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Microsoft-Wants-to-Cordon-Off-Botnet-Infected-Computers-70998.html

This seems like a good idea, however I fear will be implemented badly.

Kidrocket web browser for kids - Part 2

Kidrocket web browser for kids - Part 1

Check it out here:
http://kidrocket.org/

New feature list:

• New Email for Kids with Art/eCard attachments
• New Time Lock for limiting a childs time on the computer.
• New updated browser navigation (thumbnail GUI) and graphics.
• New Kidrocket.org websites. (Public & KidSafe)
• New online games and puzzles.
• Now Vista compatible. (Windows 98, 2000, XP, MCE, Vista)
• Updated kidsafe website list. view approved websites
• Now provides vocal prompts and confirmations, for alerts and various security related operations. - It Talks!

Existing feature list:

• Desktop protection "Lockdown" with ctrl+alt+delete disabling.
• Full featured childrens web browser, internet filter.
• Interactive math flashcards with configurable math equations.
• Art section with Doodle/Paint Pad & StarBrite (Lite-Brite) game.
• Full featured parental control panel - Browser admin.
• Customizable browser colors (almost 250 colors)
• Allow/Block Printing.
• Allow/Block Email.
• Built-in popup blocker
• Time in Use: timer and Digital Clock

BBC News : Online child protection chief Jim Gamble resigns

"The chief executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) has resigned in a row over its future, the BBC has learned. "

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11472033

I am one who believes in smaller government, but I do think certain things should remain separate. By rolling this agency into another organization you might lose more than you gain. When you combine you many times put more work on others thus problems arise and mi9ght get dropped by the wayside. Now what may happen is that his will actually bring more help for each to the table, more like a partnership rather than a merger which in many cases makes both smaller. For the sake of the children I hope for the former not the latter.

Top Tech News : October Declared Cyber Security Awareness Month

"President Obama has declared October Cyber Security Awareness Month and urged citizens to back up files and keep children safe. The declaration is part of a Global Online Safety Campaign urging digital citizens to protect themselves. McAfee, CyberDefender and Visa are among companies participating in the online security campaign." ~Barry Levine

http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=012001D187R0

I see our security advisers are starting to get through to Washington. However this needs to happen a bit faster. But perhaps learning about how little our country has done to protect the infrastructure I have been jaded.

Network World : How to Keep Your Kids Safe on Facebook

"For the most part, Facebook provides a fun and safe way for users of all ages to communicate with their pals. But because kids and teens are, well, kids and teens, they're the ones most at risk of falling victim to the dangers of Facebook. With a bit of strategic parental guidance, you can educate your kids about the potential hazards of social media and give them the tools they need to protect themselves from online predators, guard their personal information, preserve their online reputation, and avoid suspicious downloads that could harm your PC. " ~Leah Yamshon

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/100110-how-to-keep-your-kids.html?source=nww_rss

I for one feel that there should be some age restrictions of FB (facebook). But I do know that these would not be followed or would just be subverted. It is the job of a PARENT to decide whether their child should be online at all. But it is also their job to monitor what they do on their computer. My children may have their own computer, however they have no internet connection and do not know what they need to make it happen. I find that a abstinence approach to their internet use is best while they are so young.

Top Tech News : Only You Can Keep the Internet Secure

"In an effort to elevate online safety to a major public issue, a coalition overseen by the Department of Homeland Security has launched a public-awareness campaign with the slogan "stop-think-connect." The campaign stems directly from President Obama's May 2009 pronouncement that the U.S. will assume a leadership role in making the web safer." ~Byron Acohido

http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=0120012IKIPC

Well, how about that. It would appear that the approach is to teach the users more about how to keep themselves safe. Stop-Think-Connect. It actually sounds good, and seems like a decent plan.

Network World : Microsoft sues Motorola over Android phones

"Microsoft filed patent infringement complaints against Motorola and its Android phones in the International Trade Commission and U.S. federal court Friday, indicating that the software giant may hope to use its strong patent position as one way to set its mobile software apart from the competition.

Microsoft said that Motorola's Android phones infringe nine patents, including some that would appear to threaten most smartphone platforms. Android is the open source OS built by Microsoft rival Google.
The patents appear to include some related to Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, which syncs e-mail, calendar and contacts between a mobile phone and a software-based computer program, according to a blog post written by Horacio Gutierrez, general counsel at Microsoft." ~Nancy Gohring

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/100110-microsoft-sues-motorola-over-android.html?hpg1=bn

It would appear that MS is using it's weight to gain a larger foothold into a market again. But maybe it isn't deliberate. However I do not believe that infringement of patents or copyrights is a good idea. This case is bad for each company's business.

Tech News World : Jailbreak Could Boost Apple TV's Wow Factor

"Apple TV may be jailbroken, but there's nothing to run on it yet -- no apps or customizations to make the Apple TV experience more exciting. Still, those are bound to be down the pike, and the result could be a whole lot more than Apple initially intended to give consumers for their $99." ~Erika Morphy

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/Jailbreak-Could-Boost-Apple-TVs-Wow-Factor-70953.html

Being that many of Apple's devices seem to get jail broken so fast, it makes me wonder if it was actually built into it from the beginning. But this is actually a good thing in my eyes, although I don't have one and I do not really know what these apps will enable it to do.

BBC News : Tech Know: BBC Micros used in retro programming class

"Computer history is cruel. It is a story of the old constantly being pushed aside for the newer, the faster, the smaller, the shinier.
Those old machines are rarely allowed a graceful retirement. Cast aside, they end their days in the dark ,fit only to be homes for spiders in lofts and cupboards.
But one lucky flock of BBC Micros is getting another lease of life by helping to educate students in the art of rigorous programming." ~Mark Ward

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-10951040

I know that to most of you this would not be interesting at all, but it is to me. Think about the fact that these machines were used to create some of the first programs ever used. I find it even more interesting that they work at all.

New York Times : A Simple Swipe on a Phone, and You’re Paid

"It’s always thrilling when somebody looks at the Way Things Have Always Been Done, and then asks: Why?
And then goes on to change the world forever.
1967: Why is it necessary to wait in line for a human teller if all you want to do is withdraw cash?
1974: Why shouldn’t your document on the computer screen look the same way it will when it’s printed?
1991: If shampoo always settles to the bottom of the bottle, why is the cap on top?" ~David Pogue

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/technology/personaltech/30pogue.html?_r=1&ref=technology

I have to say that this intrigues me. I do some computer work on the side and being able to do this would make life a bit easier. Of course I would have to get the phone and hardware to do this but I digress. I can honestly say that I see a downside right away though, being from service industry jobs for a long period of time, what if the person reverses the charges on you. Or where does the money go? But the ammount of money the company asks for is fairly reasonable for the use of this device. 

A video update

BBC News : Change to 'Bios' will make for PCs that boot in seconds

"New PCs could start in just seconds, thanks to an update to one of the oldest parts of desktop computers.

The upgrade will spell the end for the 25-year-old PC start-up software known as Bios that initialises a machine so its operating system can get going.
The code was not intended to live nearly this long, and adapting it to modern PCs is one reason they take as long as they do to warm up.
Bios' replacement, known as UEFI, will predominate in new PCs by 2011.
The acronym stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface and is designed to be more flexible than its venerable predecessor." ~Mark Ward

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11430069

Being honest I did not even think about how old BIOS was, nor did I ever think something would replace it. But getting my computer to "boot" faster is a good thing and a bad thing. I run a dual boot system, Ubuntu 10.04 and Windows 7. For those of you that are wondering why.... Because I can, and I want to learn more about Linux. Ubuntu is one of the more wider known versions and fairly easy to use.
For those of you that do not know what dual booting is, basically it means my computer runs two operating systems of which I choose what one will load during boot up.
Here's the Wiki definition of it:
Multi-boot or Multi-booting is the act of installing multiple operating systems on a computer, and being able to choose which one to boot when starting the computer. The term dual-booting refers to the common configuration of exactly two operating systems. Multi-booting requires a program called a boot loader.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual-boot