Aurora – Secret Hypersonic Spyplane
Quote: Does the United States Air Force or one of America’s intelligence agencies have a secret hypersonic aircraft capable of a Mach 6 performance?
I recall reading speculation some time in the early 90’s about the Aurora project…
If you’ve heard of it, this is an interesting read. If you haven’t, it might be an even more interesting read…
BNL :: Barenaked Ladies Official Website
Quote: BARENAKED ON A STICK!
... is a USB flash memory drive containing songs, videos, and exclusive content from the Barenaked Ladies, and will go on sale November 22, 2005! Essential for any BNL fan’s collection, the 128mg USB flash memory drive (about the size of your pinky finger) is a fast and easy way to share music, videos, pictures and other data. It is PC/Mac compatible, re-usable and incredibly low priced at $29.98 (close to the same cost of the device on its own with no special content). It will be available on Amazon.com and Werkshop.com (Nettwerk’s online merchandise store), and will also be sold at all BNL shows this winter.
I have nearly no use for the couple of flash drives I own (work for myself, so no need at the moment), but this makes me want that thing… BNL kicks much arse – they are one of my all-time favorite bands… So this is just perfect. 
SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT - cp.sonybmg.com/xcp
Quote: November 17, 2005
To Our Valued Customers:
You may be aware of the recent attention given to the XCP content protection software included on some SONY BMG CDs (click here for list of titles). This software was provided to us by a third-party vendor, First4Internet. Discussion has centered on security concerns raised about the use of CDs containing this software.
We share the concerns of consumers regarding these discs, and we are instituting a program that will allow consumers to exchange any CD with XCP software for the same CD without copy protection. We also have asked our retail partners to remove all unsold CDs with XCP software from their store shelves and inventory. Please click here for exchange program details.
We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause our customers and we are committed to making this situation right. It is important to note that the issues regarding these discs exist only when they are played on computers, not on conventional, non-computer-based CD and/or DVD players.
Our new initiatives follow the measures we have already taken, including last week’s voluntary suspension of the manufacture of CDs with the XCP software. In addition, to address security concerns, we provided to major software and anti-virus companies a software update, which also may be downloaded at http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/updates.html. We will shortly provide a simplified and secure procedure to uninstall the XCP software if it resides on your computer.
Ultimately, the experience of consumers is our primary concern, and our goal is to help bring our artists’ music to as broad an audience as possible. Going forward, we will continue to identify new ways to meet demands for flexibility in how you and other consumers listen to music.
Please click here for an FAQ on this topic.
Better late that never. This is good for a start. I’m still considering all the implications and deciding how many points I’ll give them for this… I think part of it is that we need to see about the newer, simplified uninstall – one that doesn’t cause more problems. The offer to replace the CDs does go a long way—I’m sorry, Sony, but I think that’s a “minimum” after a screw up like this…
Maybe Sony thought they could pull a quick one… Maybe they did screw up royally on the software deal… Time will continue to tell, but this is definitely a good direction to be heading in…
Keeping in the “Stupid” category to update any who might be looking only in that category—this move is certainly not stupid…
Help2Go – How to Repartition Hard Drive without Reformatting
Quote: There is a way to change your partitions without reformatting and without buying any additional software.
Burn a Linux CD, boot from it, follow a couple of easy instructions.
Awesome.
Digital Inspiration: Windows Genuine Advantage supports Firefox
Quote: But the recent growth of Firefox has forced Microsoft to rethink their strategy. Microsoft Genuine Windows Validation process now works in Firefox and other Mozilla browsers. Firefox users can download and install the Windows Genuine Advantage validation Firefox plug-in – WGAPluginInstall.exe available on Microsoft’s website to complete the Windows validation process.
Niice.
Good move by Microsoft. This is one of those little things that makes me less guilty for being a Microsoft Apologist.
This truly will remove one small hassle…
Periodic Table of Elements with Flash and webMathematica
A neat periodic table of elements.
But also neat from the tech point of view, as it is an integration of Flash and XML. Interesting.
I Forgot My Administrator Password!
Quote: As long as you have your Windows XP CD, you can get back into your system using a simple but effective method made possible by a little known access hole in Windows XP.
You will also need your Product ID Key.
This is a darned handy tidbit of info to know—also you can apparently make a floppy that will log you into Windows as well. ALSO handy to know.
The 11-Year Quest to Create Disappearing Colored Bubbles – Popular Science
Quote: When Kehoe isn’t blowing bubbles for businessmen, he’s at home inventing again, coming up with new uses for the disappearing dye, the importance of which is hard to overstate.
No, really. Read the article. This will be MASSIVELY AWESOME STUFF.
If nothing else, go there and check out the pictures of the bubbles…
I want some of this stuff!
Creating a Secure PHP Login Script
Quote: In this article Martin explains how to create a secure PHP login script that will allow safe authentication. Features remember-me function using cookies, validates logins on each request to prevent session stealing.
This looks like a bit of handy code to play with….
Wired News: Negroponte: Laptop for Every Kid
Quote: TUNIS, Tunisia—If tech luminary Nicholas Negroponte has his way, the pale light from rugged, hand-cranked $100 laptops will illuminate homes in villages and townships throughout the developing world, and give every child on the planet a computer of their own by 2010.
500Mhz processor, 1Gb flash storage, crank 1min = 40mins of power…. I don’t know the details of the mesh network, but if it’s wifi compatible, I know I’d be happy to get my hands on one…
It’s costing $110 right now; so it would sell (if they sell it) for probably $225 or so—but that price was mentioned with maybe $25 of it going towards the nonprofit distribution… It would be nice to have an option for $225, $250, or $300 – with the amount over $200 as a donation to the cause…
Sure, a ‘real’ notebook would be more useful in many ways, but this would be a good solution for many people – taking notes at college, writing and other tasks out at the coffee shop… Although I’d miss running Microsoft Streets and Trips—got to be an add-on possible, and we need to force Microsoft to release a Linux version… Okay, so I’m dreaming now.
But seriously, this sounds like a really cool concept. After reading this article, I’m feeling much more confident in this project than the last time I read about it…
Schneier on Security: Sony’s DRM Rootkit: The Real Story
Quote: The story to pay attention to here is the collusion between big media companies who try to control what we do on our computers and computer-security companies who are supposed to be protecting us.
The part of the article I have quoted is one that I—well, I don’t take issue with per se, but I partially disagree…
The rest of the article is a good read on and summary of the huge blowing-up issue… I highly recommend the entire article. 
Having said that, I want to pick on the bit I quoted—
I don’t buy the collusion argument- at least, not yet.
Collusion would imply, to me, an active agreement or common purpose, and I see none. I would say that the action is very much passive.
There is a certain sensitivity involved in such matters—innocent servers get blacklisted all the time; anti-spyware companies get sued by spyware makers in that dark-grey market…
So when you’re faced with a rootkit installed by a major corporation, although it’s easy to blog about it—it’s not so easy to take swift action. After all, Sony wasn’t making a mistake, per se—not like this was a rogue employee. No, this was the company itself doing this.
So I can understand the desire to try and find out a little more about it before rushing to do things that could have gotten them sued…
And I think this is a larger issue than just the Sony problem—the other two similar areas I mentioned are real problems…
But having said all that, I reiterate- well done article, and a good read to help you catch up on the timeline of how it’s gone down so far.
(Disclaimer: Stupid tag used because of the Sony issue, not my disagreement! I think I’ve filed all the Sony posts under stupid...)
Wired News: Sony Numbers Add Up to Trouble
Quote: More than half a million networks, including military and government sites, were likely infected by copy-restriction software distributed by Sony on a handful of its CDs, according to a statistical analysis of domain servers conducted by a well-respected security researcher and confirmed by independent experts Tuesday.
You know, I must admit that I had not even considered the government and military impact of this…
I have a strange feeling that Sony will be going through some interesting times…
I really hope this opens up the eyes of various governmental bodies… Maybe, in a perfect world, we can begin to work on some real solutions to the wider problem.
As much freedom as we have in our society, that freedom is being constantly attacked and eroded. I will grant that copyright and patent holders have rights; but so do average citizens. There has to be a better balance found than exists right now.
Institute for Applied Autonomy
Quote: GraffitiWriter is a tele-operated field programable robot which employs a custom built array of spray cans to write linear text messages on the ground at a rate of 15 kilometers per hour. The printing process is similar to that of a dot matrix printer. GraffitiWriter can be deployed in any highly controlled space or public event from a remote location.
That’s just cool.
I want one.
The VroomBox. – The Red Ferret Journal
Quote: VroomBox utilizes a powerful microprocessor to digitally recreate the sound of 15 different cars and fantasy vehicles, and play them through speakers under the car. It even includes special effects such as screeching tires and turbo blow-off valves that trigger automatically. And you can download more cars and effects from the web…the VroomBox monitors your engine’s RPM and load constantly, so when you step on the gas or shift gears, your new engine sound follows perfectly.
Sounds like an…. interesting idea. I suppose it might be cool if it works well, particularly if you have a nice, quiet engine… heh.
Okay, I admit it. If I could waste $160, like, literally burn it—yeah, I’d get one. Just because.
Quote: The spyware that Sony installs on the computers of music fans does not even seem to be correct in terms of copyright law.
It gets better and better…
It looks like the Sony rootkit, which was intended to prevent copyright violation, is itself a violation of copyright.
Poor Sony… They really have screwed up royally… I have crossed the line from irritation and anger now into pity… not that they shouldn’t face justice, mind…
Freedom to Tinker » Blog Archive » Don’t Use Sony’s Web-based XCP Uninstaller
Quote: Alex Halderman and I have confirmed that Sony’s Web-based XCP uninstallation utility exposes users to serious security risk. Under at least some circumstances, running Sony’s Web-based uninstaller opens a huge security hole on your computer. We have a working demonstration exploit.
It keeps getting worser and worser… (sorry for the bad grammar—I just thought it fit this sad situation…)
Seriously, folks, boycott `em until they change—if they change.
Quote: After weeks of criticism, Sony has finally agreed to temporarily stand down on an abusive and likely illegal copy restriction practice. Hold the applause.
On Friday, the world’s second-biggest record label pledged to temporarily stop making CDs that leave computers vulnerable to security breaches. This is a step in the right direction, but it does not go nearly far enough toward correcting a serious ethical lapse. In fact, it is proof positive that Sony is unworthy of our trust or our business.
Haven’t decided to boycott Sony yet? Take a gander at this Wired article and join the boycott.
Sony has made a HUGE mistake here, and the continue to make it worse and worse…
Wired News: Sony to Suspend Antipiracy CDs
Quote: Stung by continuing criticism, the world’s second-largest music label, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, promised Friday to temporarily suspend making music CDs with antipiracy technology that can leave computers vulnerable to hackers.
Sony defended its right to prevent customers from illegally copying music but said it will halt manufacturing CDs with the “XCP” technology as a precautionary measure. “We also intend to re-examine all aspects of our content protection initiative to be sure that it continues to meet our goals of security and ease of consumer use,” the company said in a statement.
Maybe that’s the problem.
It was secure and easy to use—it just was one of the most irresponsible actions I’ve seen from a company that should have known much better.
They forgot to add “and legal” to the checklist, I think.
And “temporarily” suspending that tech? Right. Too little, too late. And a slap in the face if they resume…
Rest assured, people will be watching Sony like a hawk now…
Globetechnology: Tragically, it’s not hip – just a sum of No. 1 hits
Quote: The researchers pull data from weblogs, chat rooms and music reviews—anywhere a song is being discussed—and feed it into the computer, which allows the software to gauge the popularity of a certain sound.
Once all the information is tabulated, the computer can listen to an entirely new album and predict how people will respond based on what it knows about the latest reactions to the music it has already heard.
Yeah… One more reason to write off the big labels and seek alternative sources…
Quote: # If you file for bankruptcy, you have to delete all the music on your computer. Seriously.
Some more Fun With Sony… I swear, I’m going to have to make a Sony category before this is over, I think…
Shake-u-lator Calculator at Gadgets.co.uk – Ideal gadgets, gifts and novelties for Christmas
Quote: Shake the calculator so that the magnet slides through the copper coil in the visible chamber around 20-25 times, and enough electricity is generated to operate for 10 minutes.
Nice.
Besides, don’t you just want to shake your [insert_malfunctioning_electronics_here] when it malfunctions? I think more electronics should encourage such shaking.
FOXNews.com – Business – First Sony BMG ‘Rootkit’ Virus Reported
Quote: The malware hides by using software that is also hidden — software which is installed on Windows-based PCs when consumers play Sony BMG’s copy-protected music CDs.
Surprise, surprise.
Dell embraces AMD chips for courtroom duty? | Channel Register
Quote: Why would a computer maker with such a staunch Intel-only stance offer chips that can’t even slot into its own products?
Heh. Nice catch on this one.
Techdirt:Sony: Rootkits Are Okay, Because No One Knows What They Are
Quote: Thomas Hesse, President of Sony’s Global Digital Business, literally says: “Most people, I think, don’t even know what a rootkit is, so why should they care about it?”
The gall.
The absolute gall.
Using this logic, we should throw out all the asbestos claims—at least, they could have, before people knew it was harming them. After all, people didn’t know asbestos was bad, so why should they care about it?
Ladies and gents, if you don’t know what a rootkit is, I’ll tell you why you should care: A rootkit is basically software you didn’t authorize (like a virus) that hides itself from the system.
I’m a geek. I can typically tell when a virus has infected a computer. And even if I can’t, typically anti-virus software eventually can.
But a rootkit is able to hide itself from the operating system. It’s a virus gone stealthy.
Now, let’s back up a moment, because many people associate “virus” with “destructive”. That’s simply not true. It’s like a gun—by its very existence, it has the possible capability to cause harm, but it might be innocuous—consider that a “toy gun” that fires no bullets is still technically a “gun”. For this analogy, that’s very much appropos. Not all virii necessarily cause harm. (Except that some might cause harm by their very existence, much like pointing a toy gun at a police officer might not have the most positive outcome)
So, not all rootkits themselves might cause harm. And, in fact, Sony’s rootkit is not designed to do harm.
However, it won’t be long, now that knowledge of it is trickling out, that real virus writers will be writing things to exploit the Sony rootkit—because it’s not even a well-designed rootkit: it’s very poorly written, and allows for exploits…
If you’re infected with Sony’s rootkit, if someone is able to write a file that starts with “$sys$” as the name (i.e. instead of somedocument.doc, they call it $sys$somedocument.doc), it is hidden from Windows. Which is how they hide the rootkit from you. But with something as simple as that, it means it’s very easy to write something that exploits it…
This is an outrage.
I am personally boycotting Sony until such time as they completely disavow this entire method, and offer true, complete, and workable solutions to systems they have infected.
Quote: I’ve done a 0-62 mph time trial to give you an idea of the Reva’s acceleration. Trouble is, it’ll only do a maximum of 40.
Kind of interesting—good if you have broadband, you can download some vids this guy in London has taken of his electric car. This car seems to be of the slow variety, so if you’re not really aware of the electric car scene, don’t let this get you down.
I think it’s a good, informative look at the type of car I wouldn’t be looking for, but would do for many. Well, heck, I’d even consider this as a third car and try to use it as much as possible… But not a primary car. Nah. I’m too big-American-big-cars… hehehe