Have Laptop Will Travel

Google Search convicts hacker

Originally posted on December 22, 2006 @ 2:19 pm

A disgruntled ex-employee of a wireless communications company has been convicted after Google Search records showed that he used the search engine to find information on disrupting the company’s systems.

Matthew Schuster began work as a computer technician for Alpha Computer Services in Wausau, Wisconsin in 2000. Schuster provided technical support for a wireless Internet system called CWWIS and also was a paying subscriber to CWWIS for his home.

However, after being fired in May 2003, he used customer information to hack into the wireless network to ensure he had free access to it.

He additionally used Google to search for information on disrupting wireless systems. Searches which were provided in court as part of the prosecution.

It’s probable in this instance that service records from Alpha Computer Service were used, which showed user behavior and searches on their network.

However, it does demonstrate increasing concern over privacy issues, not least the fact that search engines such as Google can assign personal names to recorded behavior, if subscribed to their services.

A recent CNET report on privacy also showed Google do receive requests for personal information from legal authorities but refuses to provide any information on how this may be used.

Overall, it continues to raise tensions that ISP’s are collecting far too much personally-identifiable data, which may work against individual privacy concerns.

Philips to blow gamers, literally

Originally posted on January 11, 2007 @ 11:14 am

amBX DemoPhilips has announced a collection of hardware that works together to enhance the PC gaming experience.

This gear will “blow gamers away: literally,” Philips’ big wig, Stewart Muller, told Games Industry.

“What you have is a wall-washer, which displays 16 million colours behind the computer screen. You have two desk fans which blow at different intensity levels depending on what’s happening in the game. You have two satellite speakers with integrated lights.”

amBX LogoHe also added there is a wrist-rumbler and subwoofer but these weren’t demonstrated.

The technology is called Ambient Experience, whose rather hip self would prefer to be called amBX. It seems that everyone is getting on the web 2.0 name bandwagon.

It’s a system which aims to deliver more sensory experiences to games and, in fact, other forms of entertainment.

According to Philips, the amBX hardware works “in harmony with the game to deliver a new sensory experience.”

These brand-new experiences include audio, surround lighting, vibration, and airflow.

It takes what’s pretty much a ‘virtual’ activity, games, DVDs, music and turns it into a far more tangible, immersive experience.

To find out more about this technology, visit the official amBX website.

Skype 3.0 Out Of Beta

Originally posted on December 13, 2006 @ 11:50 pm

Skype LogoI just wanted to let all my technology friends and readers know that Skype 3.0 has officially come out of beta.

So what does that mean? You should go download the latest version which as of this post is version 3.0.0.190 released moments ago.

The Skype development team has really improved the User Interface with this latest release which I’m really enjoying since I’m using Skype a lot more these days for online communications with friends, family and clients all over the World.

They’ve also done a lot of bug fixes and added some new features and improved on others.

Here is a brief list of some of the things added or improved with this release that I’ve noticed:

  • Rich Mood Messages
  • Connection Wizard
  • API: rich mood messages
  • API: public chat support
  • API: FILE TRANSFER object
  • Video quality improvements on low bit rate
  • Updated Extras Manager
  • Updated Internet Explorer and Firefox plugins

Skype has really come a long way in a very short amount of time and over the past year or so since I’ve really started to use it, I’ve got over 100 friends, family members and clients all using it now as a main source of communication for Instant Messaging and online phone calls.

Yay technology. W00t!

If you use Skype and you’re not on my contact list yet, be sure to drop me a message so we can exchange information.

Vista With 2 Gigs Of RAM

Originally posted on October 27, 2006 @ 10:59 am

Windows new Operating System Vista set for release in January 2007 may need double the RAM that Microsoft recommends, a Dell executive said earlier this morning.

In a speech at Shanghai’s Jiaotong University, Dell chief executive Kevin Rollins told Bloomberg News:

I think they tell you maybe 1 gig [gigabyte] of memory is okay. No. Two gigs of memory would be great.

According to Microsoft’s Vista Web site, they recommend 1 GB of RAM for running the operating system’s touted Aero interface. The minimum system requirements, however, claim that 512 MB of memory will be sufficient.

We’ve heard things like this before with Windows XP. They claimed it could run on 256 MB of RAM, which technically it does but it’s so slow and choppy. I tell everyone who wants to run Windows XP to have at least 512 MB but 1 GB would be much better.

Personally I run 2 GB of RAM on my laptop and 1 GB on my desktop. Feel free to check out my detailed system specifications for more information.

According to a September 2006 report by Citigroup Inc., the average amount of memory installed on new computers is 750 MB which is a nice amount of RAM for most applications. If you do a lot of Photoshop work like I do, the more RAM you have the better.

Microsoft has said as recently as this week that Windows Vista remains on track for delivery to volume license customers next month and to the retail channel and end-users in January 2007. We shall see.

I’m sticking with Windows XP Professional for a while until all the bugs get worked out with Vista.

ATM System Called Unsafe

Originally posted on November 30, 2006 @ 1:27 pm

A United States Secret Service memo obtained by MSNBC.com indicates that organized criminals are systematically attempting to subvert the ATM system and unscramble encrypted PIN codes.

ATM System Called Unsafe

Researchers who work for an Israeli computer security company say they have discovered a fundamental weakness in the system that banks use to keep debit card PIN codes secret while they are transported across bank networks – a flaw that they say could undermine the entire debit card system.

Read the full story courtesy of MSNBC.