From "The Register"
Sony's rootkit-style DRM software, XCP, designed to prevent copyright infringement, looks like it's breaching the terms of a copyright agreement itself.
In fact it contains code written by the Motion Picture Ass. of America's villain of the week for several years running, 'DVD Jon' Johansen, who was dragged through the Norwegian courts by the MPAA using a very dubious extension of US law, for circumventing the DRM on DVDs. Johansen eventually prevailed in having the spurious charges against him thrown out.
The irony of a company using code from someone who circumvented DRM to develop an even nastier form of DRM - without even saying "Thanks!" - will surely feature in geek trivia quizzes for years to come.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Friday, November 18, 2005
Windows Genuine Advantage - A Firefox Plugin
For those of you running with Firefox, you will - i am sure - be aware of an annoying problem when using this browser to download Microsoft tools and utilities...
With IE, an ActiveX control is installed on your machine the first time you access one of these files, subsequently Microsoft can easily check if your copy of Windows is a genuine copy before allowing the download to proceed.
With FF, this active X approach does not work, so every time you need one of these downloads, you first have to download a seperate .exe file, run it, and then you are allowed to download... Not anymore - it seems - visit the WGA Plugin site to get a plugin installed into FF that allows it to behave in the same way as IE....
With IE, an ActiveX control is installed on your machine the first time you access one of these files, subsequently Microsoft can easily check if your copy of Windows is a genuine copy before allowing the download to proceed.
With FF, this active X approach does not work, so every time you need one of these downloads, you first have to download a seperate .exe file, run it, and then you are allowed to download... Not anymore - it seems - visit the WGA Plugin site to get a plugin installed into FF that allows it to behave in the same way as IE....
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Been looking at Nikons again...
Handled a D50 and D70s again today... I think I prefer the D70s, the D50 just feels so light and plasticky by comparison!
I have been reading some reviews on both the D50 and D70s as well as some lens reviews, and was a little dissapointed with the optical performance of the standard kit lens supplied with the D50, the D70 lens being significantly better. The general opinion is that you should get a D50 body, but with a Sigma 18-55 f2.8 lens. The problem with that combo is - the price is the same as the D70s with the Nikon lens, and both seem to be about the same quality.
Given similar lens specs and similar price, would it not be better to have the higher spec body? Uhmmmmm...
How much I wonder for a D70s Body only and the Sigma lens? - Ah well, a little more reading to do yet
I have been reading some reviews on both the D50 and D70s as well as some lens reviews, and was a little dissapointed with the optical performance of the standard kit lens supplied with the D50, the D70 lens being significantly better. The general opinion is that you should get a D50 body, but with a Sigma 18-55 f2.8 lens. The problem with that combo is - the price is the same as the D70s with the Nikon lens, and both seem to be about the same quality.
Given similar lens specs and similar price, would it not be better to have the higher spec body? Uhmmmmm...
How much I wonder for a D70s Body only and the Sigma lens? - Ah well, a little more reading to do yet
First Parents Evening at Earls
Tonight we attended Earls High School to haer from her form tutor how Amy is doing after her first 3 months at High School.
Well - that girl has a lot to live up to!
We are very proud of her, but as I pointed out to her:- from here the only way is down!
Well - that girl has a lot to live up to!
- Every topic of every subject was ticked in the "Excellent" column
- Amy is House Form captain
- Amy is top of the House Points League with 37
- Her teacher could find *nothing* negative to say about her performance and behaviour
We are very proud of her, but as I pointed out to her:- from here the only way is down!
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Sony DRM Rootkit - Microsoft's view
From the Microsoft Anti-Malware Engineer Team Blog
I've been getting a lot of questions in the last week about Microsoft's position on the Sony DRM and rootkit discussions, so I thought I'd share a little info on what we're doing here. We are concerned about any malware and its impact on our customers' machines. Rootkits have a clearly negative impact on not only the security, but also the reliability and performance of their systems.
We use a set of objective criteria for both Windows Defender and the Malicious Software Removal Tool to determine what software will be classified for detection and removal by our anti-malware technology. We have analyzed this software, and have determined that in order to help protect our customers we will add a detection and removal signature for the rootkit component of the XCP software to the Windows AntiSpyware beta, which is currently used by millions of users. This signature will be available to current beta users through the normal Windows AntiSpyware beta signature update process, which has been providing weekly signature updates for almost a year now. Detection and removal of this rootkit component will also appear in Windows Defender when its first public beta is available. We also plan to include this signature in the December monthly update to the Malicious Software Removal Tool. It will also be included in the signature set for the online scanner on Windows Live Safety Center.
Not sure what all the Rootkit fuss is about? Read all the gory details on the Sysinternals site: Sony, Rootkits and Digital Rights Management Gone Too Far
I've been getting a lot of questions in the last week about Microsoft's position on the Sony DRM and rootkit discussions, so I thought I'd share a little info on what we're doing here. We are concerned about any malware and its impact on our customers' machines. Rootkits have a clearly negative impact on not only the security, but also the reliability and performance of their systems.
We use a set of objective criteria for both Windows Defender and the Malicious Software Removal Tool to determine what software will be classified for detection and removal by our anti-malware technology. We have analyzed this software, and have determined that in order to help protect our customers we will add a detection and removal signature for the rootkit component of the XCP software to the Windows AntiSpyware beta, which is currently used by millions of users. This signature will be available to current beta users through the normal Windows AntiSpyware beta signature update process, which has been providing weekly signature updates for almost a year now. Detection and removal of this rootkit component will also appear in Windows Defender when its first public beta is available. We also plan to include this signature in the December monthly update to the Malicious Software Removal Tool. It will also be included in the signature set for the online scanner on Windows Live Safety Center.
Not sure what all the Rootkit fuss is about? Read all the gory details on the Sysinternals site: Sony, Rootkits and Digital Rights Management Gone Too Far
Saturday, November 12, 2005
BBC unwraps new series' Cybermen
[Listening to: Push - Madonna - Confessions On A Dance Floor (03:57)]
The BBC has revealed what the major villains from next season of Doctor Who will look like.
Yes, that's right, the Cybermen have a new design, the latest in a long line of silvery, cybernetic fashion statements that the monstrous Mondasians have been attempting to foist upon Earthlings since the late 1960s.
See The Reg for a picture and more information
Friday, November 11, 2005
Free Programming Tools from Microsoft
Every fancied having a go at writting some code, but not had the tools to do so, Visual Studio etc too expensive...
Not any more:
With the release of Visual Studio 2005, Microsoft have decided to GIVE AWAY the 'Express' versions of the tools..
Visual C# 2005
Visual C++ 2005
Visual Basic 2005
Visual Web Developer 2005
and even
SQL Server Express 2005
Download then and register them (for free) to recieve additional benefits:
At Microsoft, we understand that product registration is usually a hassle. It can take a long time, requires you to enter personal information, and you usually get very little in return. Quite frankly, it hasn’t been worth the effort. Until now.
We are offering thousands of dollars worth of resources from Microsoft and third-party partners to ensure that you have a great experience with the Express Editions. Depending on the product you register, your benefits may include the following:
orbis Image Pack — An assortment of 250 royalty-free images from Corbis for inclusion in your web sites and applications
IconBuffet Studio Edition Icon Suite — A collection of over 100 professional, royalty-free stock icons from IconBuffet.com
Various Components — A selection of components for use in applications that you build
E-Books and Articles — Full-text electronic books from Microsoft Press along with articles on topics of interest to beginners, hobbyists, and people trying Microsoft Developer Tools for the first time. E-books that will be offered include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
Not any more:
With the release of Visual Studio 2005, Microsoft have decided to GIVE AWAY the 'Express' versions of the tools..
Visual C# 2005
Visual C++ 2005
Visual Basic 2005
Visual Web Developer 2005
and even
SQL Server Express 2005
Download then and register them (for free) to recieve additional benefits:
At Microsoft, we understand that product registration is usually a hassle. It can take a long time, requires you to enter personal information, and you usually get very little in return. Quite frankly, it hasn’t been worth the effort. Until now.
We are offering thousands of dollars worth of resources from Microsoft and third-party partners to ensure that you have a great experience with the Express Editions. Depending on the product you register, your benefits may include the following:
orbis Image Pack — An assortment of 250 royalty-free images from Corbis for inclusion in your web sites and applications
IconBuffet Studio Edition Icon Suite — A collection of over 100 professional, royalty-free stock icons from IconBuffet.com
Various Components — A selection of components for use in applications that you build
E-Books and Articles — Full-text electronic books from Microsoft Press along with articles on topics of interest to beginners, hobbyists, and people trying Microsoft Developer Tools for the first time. E-books that will be offered include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
- Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition: Build a Web Site Now! by Jim Buyens
- Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition: Build a Program Now! by Patrice Pelland
- Microsoft Visual C# 2005 Express Edition: Build a Program Now!by Patrice Pelland
End of the Dancing Robot
[Listening to: Love Over Gold - Dire Straits - Private Investigations: The Best Of Dire Straits And Mark Knopfler (06:19)]
The dancing robot car is back. But this time hes got company...
http://www.jakx-game.com/carjakd.htm
Flowchart of Sex
[Listening to: Private Investigations - Dire Straits - Private Investigations: The Best Of Dire Straits And Mark Knopfler (05:59)]
It all Leads one way - Well not quite...
PPS File : http://uk.download.yahoo.com/pr/fu/oa/flowchartofgettingsex.pps
Nice Bogs!
[Listening to: Private Investigations - Dire Straits - Private Investigations: The Best Of Dire Straits And Mark Knopfler (05:59)]
Why can't all public urinals look like this:
http://uk.download.yahoo.com/pr/fu/oa/bog.jpg
Check twice - Agree Once
When deciding upon an internet domain name, perhaps people should give a second long hard look before agreeing...
Firstly there is "Who Represents", a database for agencies to the rich and famous:
http://www.whorepresents.com
Second is the "Experts Exchange", a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views:
http://www.expertsexchange.com
Looking for a pen? Look no further than "Pen Island":
http://www.penisland.net
Need a therapist? Try:
http://www.therapistfinder.com
And there is an Italian Power company:
http://www.powergenitalia.com
Finally we have the Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales:
http://www.molestationnursery.com
Well, they made me smile anyway....
Firstly there is "Who Represents", a database for agencies to the rich and famous:
http://www.whorepresents.com
Second is the "Experts Exchange", a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views:
http://www.expertsexchange.com
Looking for a pen? Look no further than "Pen Island":
http://www.penisland.net
Need a therapist? Try:
http://www.therapistfinder.com
And there is an Italian Power company:
http://www.powergenitalia.com
Finally we have the Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales:
http://www.molestationnursery.com
Well, they made me smile anyway....
www.pandora.com: Updated
Dear Pandora Listener -
I hope this email finds you well, and enjoying some great music discovery.
We're writing to you now, at the stroke of midnight, so that you would be the first to know about an important development in our service. The sheer volume of new listeners has led us to accelerate our timetable for offering expanded functionality. We have been scrambling to complete a bunch of work originally slated for next year and are now ready to bring it online.
As you read this, we are releasing Pandora Version 2. In addition to many new features including bookmarking, station editing, playlist improvements and much fine-tuning, the new service will now include a free, ad-supported version. Listeners have the choice to subscribe and stay clear of ads, or use the free service which will gradually incorporate advertising.
As one of our most treasured early listeners, we want to make sure this transition works for you--recognizing that you subscribed at a time when subscription was the only option. To that end, we've automatically given you a complimentary upgrade of your current annual subscription to a 2-year subscrition--12 additional months at no cost to you. If you would prefer a full refund, please just reply to this email with your request and we'll process it with no questions asked. No matter what, all of your stations will remain intact.
Thank you for being part of a magical two months for Pandora. The enthusiasm and support from our early listeners such as you, has been nothing short of overwhelming. In just 8 weeks you have collectively created over 1 million stations from over 70,000 different artists and songs... Amazing! In the process you have showered us with countless new feature ideas, and thousands of great new suggestions for the Music Genome Project. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Cheers,
Tim
Tim Westergren
Founder
Pandora Media
I hope this email finds you well, and enjoying some great music discovery.
We're writing to you now, at the stroke of midnight, so that you would be the first to know about an important development in our service. The sheer volume of new listeners has led us to accelerate our timetable for offering expanded functionality. We have been scrambling to complete a bunch of work originally slated for next year and are now ready to bring it online.
As you read this, we are releasing Pandora Version 2. In addition to many new features including bookmarking, station editing, playlist improvements and much fine-tuning, the new service will now include a free, ad-supported version. Listeners have the choice to subscribe and stay clear of ads, or use the free service which will gradually incorporate advertising.
As one of our most treasured early listeners, we want to make sure this transition works for you--recognizing that you subscribed at a time when subscription was the only option. To that end, we've automatically given you a complimentary upgrade of your current annual subscription to a 2-year subscrition--12 additional months at no cost to you. If you would prefer a full refund, please just reply to this email with your request and we'll process it with no questions asked. No matter what, all of your stations will remain intact.
Thank you for being part of a magical two months for Pandora. The enthusiasm and support from our early listeners such as you, has been nothing short of overwhelming. In just 8 weeks you have collectively created over 1 million stations from over 70,000 different artists and songs... Amazing! In the process you have showered us with countless new feature ideas, and thousands of great new suggestions for the Music Genome Project. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Cheers,
Tim
Tim Westergren
Founder
Pandora Media
The End of the World is Nigh!!
Well, not really - it just feels like it...
Amy had her first French Horn lesson today, and she has been blowing it most of the night!!!
Amy had her first French Horn lesson today, and she has been blowing it most of the night!!!
Announcing Windows Defender
From the Microsoft Anti-Malware blog:
What's in a name?? A lot!!
Every week seems like a big week for us in the engineering team working on our anti-malware technology. However, last week was especially important in a sentimental way. We got the final name for the cool technology our team has been developing for Windows. The name, after long consideration by our product marketing and branding folks, is "Windows Defender"! What's really cool about this name is that it’s more positive than "Windows AntiSpyware". Windows Defender is about what Windows will do for customers, defending them from spyware and other unwanted software. Our solution has really been about more than just the standard definition of "spyware". We’ve always said we will provide visibility and control, as well as protection, detection and removal from other potentially unwanted software, including rootkits, keystroke loggers and more.
What's in a name?? A lot!!
Every week seems like a big week for us in the engineering team working on our anti-malware technology. However, last week was especially important in a sentimental way. We got the final name for the cool technology our team has been developing for Windows. The name, after long consideration by our product marketing and branding folks, is "Windows Defender"! What's really cool about this name is that it’s more positive than "Windows AntiSpyware". Windows Defender is about what Windows will do for customers, defending them from spyware and other unwanted software. Our solution has really been about more than just the standard definition of "spyware". We’ve always said we will provide visibility and control, as well as protection, detection and removal from other potentially unwanted software, including rootkits, keystroke loggers and more.
Firefox 1.5 Release Candidate 2
Firefox 1.5 Release Candidate 2 is now available for download. This is the second release candidate of our next generation Firefox browser, to be released later this year, and it is being made available to our developer and testing community for compatibility testing and to solicit feedback.
Note: This may not be the final release of our Web browser; it has been made available for testing purposes only, with no end-user support. If that sounds scary, you'd probably be better off with the latest version of Firefox 1.0.
Checking the Readme for RC2 gives the following additional information:
Here's what's new in Firefox 1.5 RC 2:
* Several fixes to automated update system.
Uhmmm - not too sure that I will bother, just yet, with this update...
Note: This may not be the final release of our Web browser; it has been made available for testing purposes only, with no end-user support. If that sounds scary, you'd probably be better off with the latest version of Firefox 1.0.
Checking the Readme for RC2 gives the following additional information:
Here's what's new in Firefox 1.5 RC 2:
* Several fixes to automated update system.
Uhmmm - not too sure that I will bother, just yet, with this update...
Monday, November 07, 2005
Weight Check
At 19:30 on 30-07-2005 : 14st 1lb, 26.7% BF
At 16:30 on 14-08-2005 : 13st 5lb, 26.3% BF
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
At 17:30 on 12-09-2005 : 13st 0lb, 25.7% BF
At 17:30 on 26-09-2005 : 12st 12lb, 25.0% BF
At 19:30 on 10-10-2005 : 12st 10lb, 24.5% BF
At 17:30 on 24-10-2005 : 12st 8 lb, 24.9% BF
At 18:30 on 07-11-2005 : 12st 7 lb, 23.9% BF
Starting to level off nicely, and a good reduction in BodyFat... Weights have increased quite a lot over the last week, so all in all, I am quite happy!
At 16:30 on 14-08-2005 : 13st 5lb, 26.3% BF
At 19:30 on 29-08-2005 : 13st 3lb, 25.8% BF
At 17:30 on 12-09-2005 : 13st 0lb, 25.7% BF
At 17:30 on 26-09-2005 : 12st 12lb, 25.0% BF
At 19:30 on 10-10-2005 : 12st 10lb, 24.5% BF
At 17:30 on 24-10-2005 : 12st 8 lb, 24.9% BF
At 18:30 on 07-11-2005 : 12st 7 lb, 23.9% BF
Starting to level off nicely, and a good reduction in BodyFat... Weights have increased quite a lot over the last week, so all in all, I am quite happy!
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Glazer regime now attacks own fans
[Listening to: Your Love Has Got A Handle On My Mind - Vanessa Paradis - Vanessa Paradis (03:57)]
From MUST NEWS 2005-11-04
It was only a matter of time perhaps but, true to form with their actions in Tampa the Glazer regime are now attacking their own fans in Manchester too. United's lawyers have objected to the registration of the name Manchester United Supporters' Trust.
We do not think their objection is legally valid, but it will not prevent us from launching MUST and carrying out the activities which we are planning. It is perhaps another example of the new 'pravda' regime at Old Trafford.
In the meantime, predictably, the situation at OT gets worse. Should we blame the Glazer takeover?
We all know that things have not been going well on or off the pitch in the last couple of years, but there can be no doubt that the hostile Glazer takeover has in two ways steeply accelerated a possible decline into a potentially disastrous downward spiral.
First, by the way that the takeover has ripped the heart out of the club with the loss of loyal fans, worsening atmosphere at OT and job cuts. Morale seems to be low throughout the club. Sir Matt wanted United to be like a family, but this dream is further away than ever under the new ownership.
The second reason is the debt - it seems that there is no money to rebuild the team in the areas everyone has identified, because of the priority in cutting costs and paying off the growing debts.
An example of how this affects the team is the cutting of one reserve team and the loan-out of several key junior players like Jon Spector, whose would have filled the vacancy at left back instead of Kieron Richardson but whose loan terms are such that in order for Charlton to pay his full wages, he cannot be recalled before the end of the year. When money drives decisions, the football will suffer.
That would not happen under a supporter-led ownership of United.
Firefox 1.5 - Release Candidate 1
[Listening to: Be My Baby - Vanessa Paradis - Vanessa Paradis (03:42)]
Firefox 1.5 Release Candidate 1 is now available for download. This is the first release candidate of our next generation Firefox browser, to be released later this year, and it is being made available to our developer and testing community for compatibility testing and to solicit feedback.
Note: This is not the final release of our Web browser, it has been made available for testing purposes only, with no end-user support. If that sounds scary, you'd probably be better off with the latest version of Firefox 1.0
I had a problem with this new version initially - I installed it over 1.07 and when I clicked on the icon to start it up - Nothing happened!! I uninstalled 1.5, reinstalled 1.07 and that worked fine... Next time I tried 1.5, I uninstalled 1.07 first, renamed the installation folder (C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox), then installed 1.5 - it worked fine
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Bike Show 2005
Last of my three days off today, and to treat myself I went to the Motorcycle Show at the NEC Birmingham.
Arrived at the NEC after only 25 minutes, traffic was really moving freely on the M40/M42, but it then took a further 30 minutes to get parked, bus to the actual building, buy ticket and enter!
As you would expect, lots of very pretty girls in very few clothes, lots of VERY nice bikes, some extortionate prices on food and drink, and an awful lot of people - yes, even on a Wednesday morning...
What, I hear you ask, did you buy then?
Well, a replacement pair of boots - Frank Thomas (£100),
Two new PinLock visor inserts - 'Yellow' and 'Dark Tint' (£30) and
a pair of custom ear plugs (£45)
Arrived at the NEC after only 25 minutes, traffic was really moving freely on the M40/M42, but it then took a further 30 minutes to get parked, bus to the actual building, buy ticket and enter!
As you would expect, lots of very pretty girls in very few clothes, lots of VERY nice bikes, some extortionate prices on food and drink, and an awful lot of people - yes, even on a Wednesday morning...
What, I hear you ask, did you buy then?
Well, a replacement pair of boots - Frank Thomas (£100),
Two new PinLock visor inserts - 'Yellow' and 'Dark Tint' (£30) and
a pair of custom ear plugs (£45)
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Guess Who's Got An Hernia?
Yep! Me!!
Whilst I was at Maidenhead a few weeks ago, I found that I was getting quite a lot of pain in my abdomen after lunch and breakfast, and that there was a small but significant bulge visible just above my belly button. Pushing on this was quite painfull, but it was soft and squidgy, and it was possible to push it back into my abdomen.
Yesterday, I went to the doctors, and he confirmed it was a hernia, and I have been refered to the local hospital to see a consultant. Just waiting now, anyone care to guess how long that will take!
The good news is, it seems that hernia repairs are able to be carried out as "Day Case" and the recovery time is only a metter of a few days
Whilst I was at Maidenhead a few weeks ago, I found that I was getting quite a lot of pain in my abdomen after lunch and breakfast, and that there was a small but significant bulge visible just above my belly button. Pushing on this was quite painfull, but it was soft and squidgy, and it was possible to push it back into my abdomen.
Yesterday, I went to the doctors, and he confirmed it was a hernia, and I have been refered to the local hospital to see a consultant. Just waiting now, anyone care to guess how long that will take!
The good news is, it seems that hernia repairs are able to be carried out as "Day Case" and the recovery time is only a metter of a few days
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