Archive for October, 2006
Wardriving: Why WPA is “good enough”
October 24, 2006Advisory lacked info?
October 24, 2006iPod virus advisory lacked information — anti-virus analyst:
“This known virus affects only Windows computers, and up-to-date anti-virus software which is included with most Windows computers should detect and remove it. iPod nano, iPod shuffle and Mac OS X are not affected, and all Video iPods now shipping are virus-free,” the Apple advisory added.
The Apple advisory also did not determine the specific iPod models affected; does not mention preventive steps in further manufacturing processes; had no detailed characteristic information of what the virus really does; leaves the search work up to the user; and was unable to pinpoint affected regions where affected product was shipped, said Yaneza.
Apparently Mr. Jaime Lyndon Yaneza, a senior threat researcher and analyst at the Security and Intelligence Group of Trend Micro, Inc., also lacked information when he said his comment above. I mean, Apple currently produces only three models of iPods: video-capable iPods, iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle. Anyway, I am glad that he did his homework and found out that the latest video-playing iPods are the ones affected.
Oh, Mac OS X is not affected so you should have your anti-virus software’s database updated if you are using Windows. Hey! All Windows users must have anti-virus software installed! Not only should a Windows user install one, s/he must have it up-to-date always!
In hindsight, I am glad that Apple does not allow Mac OS X to run on hardware other than their own. With iPods running on Windows as well, Apple has no control over issues such as this one (virus infection), which has no direct effect on Mac OS X customers! What happens when the likes of Dell (or worse, DIY computers!) bundles hardware that does not properly work with Mac OS X – Apple will be swamped with complaints, etc. Oh well…
WWDC 2006 on iTunes
October 24, 2006
Woohoo!!!! I am downloading WWDC sessions that I failed to attend when I was in SF last August. Now I can view it on my iPod and even show it to my DILC friends. Cool, huh? I am not sure if it is available to all, though. Try it out and tell me if you can get access to the sessions as well.
Technorati Tags: WWDC, Apple, iTunes, Developers
Microsoft promises to “wipe-out” spam this year
October 24, 2006Microsoft to open up its e-mail technology to fight spammers:
In 2004, Bill Gates famously predicted that, thanks to Sender ID, spam would be “wiped out” by 2006.
We all know that this prediction did not come true but hey, it is still 2006, right? Who knows? Maybe Microsoft plans on obliterating each and every email that gets routed thru anything that runs on Windows! It’s just a service pack away! 
Luckily, there are systems that do not rely on Windows! Hehehe…
Anyway, I commend Microsoft for trying to help get rid of spam! At least they are trying to do something, right? Companies have generated a lot of money providing users with anti-spam technology. I, for one, have invested on software to get rid of spam considering the numerous e-mail addresses that I maintain. At least I have no reason (yet) to invest on an anti-virus technology, an industry that Microsoft helped boost! 
E-mail quickly became the killer app of the Internet, and it didn’t take long after that before spam became the number one aggravation of using e-mail. Now, Microsoft is proposing to help clean up the morass that e-mail has become, by announcing that they are opening up their specifications for their Sender ID e-mail framework under the Open Specification Promise (OSP). The move will make it possible for anyone to build e-mail systems that use Sender ID without a license, with an irrevocable promise under the OSP that Microsoft will not sue the implementer for any patent violations.
The next question now is – will the open source community trust Microsoft here? I mean, personally, I’d rather that open standards are used. The OSP promises the availability of the specifications to everyone. However, who defines the specification? One vendor! This is not entirely a good thing, afaic.
Imagine, Sender-ID framework version 1 is released with everyone implementing it. Once open source applications are released, Microsoft comes up with version 2, maintaining their lead over the open source applications. Quite a ploy, I must say. This ensures that Microsoft is always ahead of its competitors, right? From a business point of view, this just makes sense!
Contrast this with an open standard. Before the standard is released, it goes thru a process where each member votes whether to approve it or not. During that process, assuming that the members already are leaning on approving it, all the stake-holders can start implementing the standard without fear that once products are out, a new version will be introduced right away. The next version will go through the same process again.
Caffeine drip
October 23, 2006
Apologies to Scott Adams and his wonderful comic strip. What a great time to think about caffeine when Starbucks Philippines is having a buy-one-take-one promo! Woohoo!
Buy a friend a cup of coffee and get yours free!
October 23, 2006
More reasons to skip the first Merom-based Macs
October 21, 2006
Not only did Intel announce the 1GB NAND-flash inclusion to their Santa Rosa platform but the integrated HSDPA will make the new system very attractive to road warriors. Centrino Pro, the new design, will be available come Q2 of 2007. Just about the same time that Leopard will be in full swing! 
Microsoft Philippines shows old technology!
October 20, 2006Microsoft 5th CIO Quest: Changing the role of IT Manager — Pinoy Tech Blog:
Lastly, another interesting thing that the microsoft guys are able to demonstrate was calling via WIFI. Yes, no need for a sim card! It uses a mobile phone that can communicate with voice over IP via a wifi connection. Imagine, if you can go to a free wifi connection, all your voice calls would be free. If I were a telco, I would be scared. Microsoft has a program called one follow me and tuloy/konek project in partnership with OWWA which leverages this technology.
Geez, man! I thought that Microsoft always showcases the new technologies to CIOs but I think that they are running out of ideas or maybe they just poured so much of their creative juices to improve Internet Explorer and copying Mac OS X for Vista and was left with nothing else to show.
Anyway, I used VoIP over WiFi on a Sharp Zaurus running Linux since 2003! And if you want something more recent, Nokia’s 770 can also do it (which, btw, is also running Linux). Now, if the demo was done using Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) with a seamless handing over of the session from GSM to WiFi and back, then it would have been impressive. AFAIK, Microsoft is nowhere near that yet unlike Motorola, Samsung and Nokia.
As per Microsoft’s standards, imho, this is really lame!
Skipping the first Merom MacBook(Pro) line
October 19, 2006DailyTech – Intel to Include 1GB NAND Chipset on New Notebooks:
This inclusion of 1GB of NAND memory is actually the first phase of Robson. Soon after launch, vendors will also have the option to include 512MB instead of 1GB modules, as a cost-down alternative. Both the 1GB and 512MB modules are integrated into the Crestline chipset that makes up the core of the Santa Rosa platform.
This is another good reason not to hurry and get the first Merom-based MacBook(Pro) line. A faster FSB plus this new NAND-flash inclusion will definitely make the next gen-Merom MacBook(Pro) fly!
Why Not Linux?
October 16, 2006People often ask me why I advocate both Mac and Linux platform but I always use a Mac. I am guilty preferring the Mac over Linux but I do support Linux 101%! Like any other platform, Linux is not without flaws. So why am I not using it? Let me count the ways…
1. User Interface
Whilst I prefer using Gnome over KDE, the fact that application developers can choose one over the other renders some applications to look uber ugly on the non-native platform. I am glad that some folks are trying to create a unified look-and-feel for Linux.
2. Device Support
This has been one of the top concerns for users. How can you hook up your USB TV Tuner? USB printer? Portable music player? Most of time, getting it to work requires a lot of effort – more than what ordinary users are willing to exert. Real working plug-and-play is not yet there.
3. Application Management
Whilst you get Synaptic, apt-get, etc. to manage your software installations, wouldn’t it be great if you know what files are getting installed and where? Well, the same goes true for those who prefer living in DLL hell.
4. Games
I rarely play games on the computer so this is not a reason for me not to use Linux but for others, it may very well be the only reason. Initiatives like WINE and CrossOver Office Pro allow users to run some of their less demanding Windows games on Linux. I sure wish that someone creates a kickass game only for the Linux platform!
Oh man! I am struggling to make the list longer! I guess there are not that many reasons not to use Linux. Anyway, if you have other suggestions, please feel free to send it to me.
Technorati Tags: linux
