The Ultimate Monitor
Liebermann Inc. a Los Angeles based company announced their new four monitor display called the 'Grand Canyon Display'. The company claims it is the 'largest, highest image quality and highest resolution LCD displays in the world.' With monitor sizes up to 92', and maximum resolutions at 6400x1200 pixels.
Now the problem, a four-monitor, 92' display costs $17499.99.
Monday, September 29, 2003
Stupid Computer Products
Winner: USB Coffee Cup Warmer
Yes, I am not joking someone created a USB coffee cup warmer. This device originated in Japan, and now has made it into the US. Apparently, the device only works on pre-heated liquids (such as: coffee, tea, etc..), it also lacks a real heating element. It uses the heat generated by two voltage regulators to keep coffee warm.
Winner: USB Coffee Cup Warmer
Yes, I am not joking someone created a USB coffee cup warmer. This device originated in Japan, and now has made it into the US. Apparently, the device only works on pre-heated liquids (such as: coffee, tea, etc..), it also lacks a real heating element. It uses the heat generated by two voltage regulators to keep coffee warm.
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
VeriSign's SiteFinder
On September 15th, 2003 VeriSign inserted wildcard resolvers into their top level DNS root servers (.com and .net domain names) that forces all unregistered or mistyped domain names resolve to VeriSign's SiteFinder search engine. The biggest problem with this change is that it breaks the reverse-DNS lookup verification process used by mail servers to insure that incoming mail is coming from a valid domain. The other problem is that it violates the way that DNS is suppose to work.
Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser does something similar when you type a non-existent domain name, it will redirect you to the MSN site to assist you in finding the site you're looking for. This feature can be annoying for advanced Internet users, but novice users it might actually be of some benefit.
Note: If you run BIND 8 on your DNS servers, you can patch them to work around this problem.
The Aftermath
On September 19th, 2003 ICANN created the following advisory. On September 23th, 2003 VeriSign responded to the public outcry over the SiteFinder service.
On September 15th, 2003 VeriSign inserted wildcard resolvers into their top level DNS root servers (.com and .net domain names) that forces all unregistered or mistyped domain names resolve to VeriSign's SiteFinder search engine. The biggest problem with this change is that it breaks the reverse-DNS lookup verification process used by mail servers to insure that incoming mail is coming from a valid domain. The other problem is that it violates the way that DNS is suppose to work.
Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser does something similar when you type a non-existent domain name, it will redirect you to the MSN site to assist you in finding the site you're looking for. This feature can be annoying for advanced Internet users, but novice users it might actually be of some benefit.
Note: If you run BIND 8 on your DNS servers, you can patch them to work around this problem.
The Aftermath
On September 19th, 2003 ICANN created the following advisory. On September 23th, 2003 VeriSign responded to the public outcry over the SiteFinder service.
Tuesday, September 23, 2003
Cheap 802.11 Antenna
You may have seen projects that make 802.11 antennas out of Pringles and coffee cans. Now you can learn how to make a 802.11 antenna from an old floppy disk and a paper clips.
You may have seen projects that make 802.11 antennas out of Pringles and coffee cans. Now you can learn how to make a 802.11 antenna from an old floppy disk and a paper clips.
Thursday, September 18, 2003
WiFi Speed Spray
Do you live in a polluted environment? If so, you've probably experienced data transfer slow-down. Then WiFi Speed Spray™ can overcome the effects of pollution, increase fidelity, and provide you with the fastest wireless data transfer possible. Approved by the FCC, and 802.11b compliant! Compatible with Windows and most versions of Linux.
(Read the fine print...)
Do you live in a polluted environment? If so, you've probably experienced data transfer slow-down. Then WiFi Speed Spray™ can overcome the effects of pollution, increase fidelity, and provide you with the fastest wireless data transfer possible. Approved by the FCC, and 802.11b compliant! Compatible with Windows and most versions of Linux.
(Read the fine print...)
Friday, September 12, 2003
Mr. Security Says Patch Your System NOW!
Microsoft has announced some newly discovered vulnerabilities in the Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems. These vulnerabilities are similar to those leveraged by the MSBlast (Lovesan) worm that crippled many systems across the Internet a few weeks ago. This patch (MS03-039) is a available at their website:
Industry experts believe that it is only a matter of days before a virus exploiting these vulnerabilities appears. It is strongly recommended that you download the patch and install it on your personal computer(s) at home. Note: Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows ME users are not affected by these vulnerabilities and users with these operating systems DO NOT need to download and install the patch.
There is also another situation that needs your attention. There has been a rash of hoax and virus-containing email messages making their rounds for the past few days, focusing on the theme of the September 11 attacks. These messages should be deleted without forwarding or opening the attachments. One in particular, which mentions a WTC Survivor virus, is a hoax and has been circulating for over a year. Please do not forward it to anyone.
Microsoft has announced some newly discovered vulnerabilities in the Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems. These vulnerabilities are similar to those leveraged by the MSBlast (Lovesan) worm that crippled many systems across the Internet a few weeks ago. This patch (MS03-039) is a available at their website:
Industry experts believe that it is only a matter of days before a virus exploiting these vulnerabilities appears. It is strongly recommended that you download the patch and install it on your personal computer(s) at home. Note: Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows ME users are not affected by these vulnerabilities and users with these operating systems DO NOT need to download and install the patch.
There is also another situation that needs your attention. There has been a rash of hoax and virus-containing email messages making their rounds for the past few days, focusing on the theme of the September 11 attacks. These messages should be deleted without forwarding or opening the attachments. One in particular, which mentions a WTC Survivor virus, is a hoax and has been circulating for over a year. Please do not forward it to anyone.
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
RIAA vs. A 12-year-old girls
I believe that RIAA has the right to protect the Intellectual Property of the artists it represents. I don't agree with their recent tactics of suing file swappers, but it is means to an end (I guess).
Although now, I think they have stepped across line of overzealous enforcement, on Tuesday (09/09/2003) the RIAA sued a 12-year-old girl in a New York city housing project on the Upper West Side. The girl was wrong for sharing the copyrighted material, but forcing her mother to pay $2,000 fine, then having to apologize and admit that her daughter's actions violated U.S. copyright laws is very excessive in my opinion.
Check out Boycott-RIAA.com for more information.
I believe that RIAA has the right to protect the Intellectual Property of the artists it represents. I don't agree with their recent tactics of suing file swappers, but it is means to an end (I guess).
Although now, I think they have stepped across line of overzealous enforcement, on Tuesday (09/09/2003) the RIAA sued a 12-year-old girl in a New York city housing project on the Upper West Side. The girl was wrong for sharing the copyrighted material, but forcing her mother to pay $2,000 fine, then having to apologize and admit that her daughter's actions violated U.S. copyright laws is very excessive in my opinion.
Check out Boycott-RIAA.com for more information.
Friday, September 05, 2003
Checkout These New Products:
- HP's ScanJet 4670 digital flatbed scanner (Q3122A), it is very cool looking. It features, vertical see-thru scanning. ($199 US)
- Lexmark PrintTrio Photo P3150, the features include:
- Built-in memory card readers that accepts CompactFlash I & II, Memory Stick, Multimedia, Secure Digital, SmartMedia and Microdrive
- Borderless, 6-color inks for professional photo prints and copies
- Host-based black, white and photo copies. Reprint your favorite photos with the push of a button.
- 48-bit CIS flatbed color scanner easily handles books, traditional photographs and more
- Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi on photo paper; up to 2400 x 1200 dpi on all other paper types
- All this for only $99 US...
Note: I am only mentioning these and other products in my blog because I like the features that they have to offer, and in no way am I endorsing them.
- HP's ScanJet 4670 digital flatbed scanner (Q3122A), it is very cool looking. It features, vertical see-thru scanning. ($199 US)
- Lexmark PrintTrio Photo P3150, the features include:
- Built-in memory card readers that accepts CompactFlash I & II, Memory Stick, Multimedia, Secure Digital, SmartMedia and Microdrive
- Borderless, 6-color inks for professional photo prints and copies
- Host-based black, white and photo copies. Reprint your favorite photos with the push of a button.
- 48-bit CIS flatbed color scanner easily handles books, traditional photographs and more
- Up to 4800 x 1200 dpi on photo paper; up to 2400 x 1200 dpi on all other paper types
- All this for only $99 US...
Note: I am only mentioning these and other products in my blog because I like the features that they have to offer, and in no way am I endorsing them.
Cool Sites
Free Classic E-books:
- Planet PDF
- Project Gutenberg
Miscellaneous Sites/Products:
- Whacky Japanese TV Skits: I am pretty sure that some of a these videos are destined to be Internet cult classics.
- Digital spy camera: This digital camera is so small that it will fit on a keyring. Note: I am pretty sure it will cause some privacy issues (can you say, 'Camera Phone').
- Insultingly stupid movie physics: Only a true geek will like this site...
Free Classic E-books:
- Planet PDF
- Project Gutenberg
Miscellaneous Sites/Products:
- Whacky Japanese TV Skits: I am pretty sure that some of a these videos are destined to be Internet cult classics.
- Digital spy camera: This digital camera is so small that it will fit on a keyring. Note: I am pretty sure it will cause some privacy issues (can you say, 'Camera Phone').
- Insultingly stupid movie physics: Only a true geek will like this site...
Wednesday, September 03, 2003
Another Free OS Alternative...
SkyOS (http://skyos.org/) a free operating system for x86 PCs. Features include multiprocessor support (SMP), virtual memory, memory protection, multitasking and threading, and much more. The minimum requirements for installing SkyOS are: Pentium, 32MB RAM, VESA compatible video card, and a bootable device.
Water-Cooled PC
If your planning to overclock your PC, you might want to consider using a water-cooling system. Water-cooling systems are very quiet and keep the temperature of your CPU and other component in your case much cooler than adding a few fans to your heat sink. The main problems with the technology is that it is more expensive then fans, and you have to run plumbing inside your case.
For more information check out:
- Koolance, they sell an external cooling system that costs about $230 US.
SkyOS (http://skyos.org/) a free operating system for x86 PCs. Features include multiprocessor support (SMP), virtual memory, memory protection, multitasking and threading, and much more. The minimum requirements for installing SkyOS are: Pentium, 32MB RAM, VESA compatible video card, and a bootable device.
Water-Cooled PC
If your planning to overclock your PC, you might want to consider using a water-cooling system. Water-cooling systems are very quiet and keep the temperature of your CPU and other component in your case much cooler than adding a few fans to your heat sink. The main problems with the technology is that it is more expensive then fans, and you have to run plumbing inside your case.
For more information check out:
- Koolance, they sell an external cooling system that costs about $230 US.
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