8:44 AM CST     0 comments

Excuse me: Gateway - Out with 'stupid' rules!

And I quote:

"Until the change, Gateway would invalidate the warranty if customers installed any third-party software on their machines."

Uhm... ok. I'll agree that is stupid. I can't believe anyone would stand for such a thing. Apparently Gateway machines weren't supposed to be actually *used* or anything. They were just for looks I suppose.

8:31 AM CST     0 comments

Yep: A kinder, gentler gorilla?

It must be Microsoft Day today.

8:15 AM CST     0 comments

Ugh: Microsoft issues bounty for OS-less PC buyers

If Microsoft was truly concerned with educating consumers regarding operating system licensing they would do so directly. This sort of thing boils down to be little more than a witch hunt. It certainly makes me want to trust Microsoft with all my personal data. How about you?

2:33 PM CST     0 comments

w00t: Goatee Style

Ryan is good people. He figured out that I linked him from my others page and gave me a reciprocal link on Goatee Style. I would have been more impressed had he spelled the name of the site correctly, but I'm still pleased to get the link.

You should visit Ryan. Ryan is good people.

10:20 AM CST     0 comments

Interesting: Meet the Messengers, Former Kozmo.com Employees Tell All

I wonder how closely their experiences mirror those of other dot-com closings? I mean, I can understand the management being worried about securing their few remaining assets, but these workers are human beings, not cattle.

10:06 AM CST     0 comments

Huh: Sony tests Linux on PlayStation 2

Pardon my ignorance, but what on Earth would a Linux Playstation 2 be used for? Everyone seems to think it's a cool idea, but I haven't read a single opinion on what problem it is attempting to solve. I'm stumped.

10:03 AM CST     0 comments

Hmm: AOL wants to put the brakes on IE

And I quote:

"AOL does have the power to change the browser market overnight if they were to change which browser they use," said Gartner's Smith.

Do they really? I mean, I realize AOL has millions of subscribers world-wide, but does the browser used by those subscribers really trickle down to the remainder of the net community? I'm not convinced.

Personally, I think the release of IE4 followed by Netscape's failure to produce an equally attractive alternative, tipped the scales in Microsoft's favor. I suppose when AOL bought Netscape and declined to use it as their default browser their vote of "no confidence" probably sealed Netscape's fate. I would love to see a stable version of Gecko released as a stand-alone browser, but I'm not holding my breath.

9:48 AM CST     0 comments

Damn: Watermark Crackers Back Away

I was sorta hoping this case would make to trial. Every case which demonstrates the flaws in the DCMA will weaken the use of the act by overzealous litigants such as the RIAA. I certainly don't blame the scientists in this case though. They have every right to avoid a legal brawl.

9:20 AM CST     0 comments

Oops: WinXP product activation - is MS only kidding?

The Reg has received information from a supposed Microsoft employee which sheds new light on the XP activation scheme. If taken at face value, the letter would seem to indicate Microsoft is not quite as eager to cut their own throat as was originally thought. It's particularly important since it looks like MS might apply XPesque activation to all their products.

One thing people tend to forget about Microsoft is that, while they are quite greedy and self-serving, they excel (no pun intended) at anticipating what the public wants and what level of unconvenience the public will endure without revolting. Given the rather precarious position they are currently in with Passport, Hailstorm, etc. I would think they would handle this activation situation with kid gloves. It should be interesting to see how this turns out.

9:47 AM CST     0 comments

After spending 8 hours reloading all my apps yesterday my machine ate itself again. I'm forced to assume it is a hardware issue which is corrupting the Windows registry. I spent most of this morning cobbling together a temporary stand-in until my new machine arrives next week.

It's damned hard to do my job (IT Director) without a working PC. As it stands I have a PC, but only a few key applications are loaded. I feel like a ditch digger outfitted with a spork.

I'll try to catch up here once I've regained my footing and made up for lost time.

11:38 AM CST     0 comments

Sorry folks, but no bloggage today. My main machine at work wouldn't boot this morning and I'm going to be spending the rest of the day stripping it back to bare metal and reinstalling everything. Luckily I was able to at least boot into Safe Mode and pull off a few critical files.

Needless to say I'm a bit grumpy.

10:46 AM CST     0 comments

Oh well: IBM to purchase Informix unit for $1 billion

That's a damn shame... Informix had some good technology.

9:02 AM CST     0 comments

Uhm: E3 must love GameCube or we'll kill it

I'm certainly glad there is little chance of the E3 crowds turning their nose up at the Gamecube. On the other hand, it might be interesting to see if Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi is actually stubborn enough to live up to such hyperbole. Killing the Gamecube would like kill Nintendo's hardware division and leave them as only a game producer.

Hmm... that sounds familar for some reason...

11:12 AM CST     0 comments

w00t: Plycon Computers - Cutting Edge Tech and Cooling Solutions

Great design and a great selection of case mod products. Who could ask for more?

[link courtesy of Greg]

10:55 AM CST     0 comments

Whoa: Apple increases its Mac OS X options

Talk about flame bait. There's nothing new or interesting in this article. The only reason it was posted was to generate hits for the Talkback section of their site. Pretty cheap.

10:43 AM CST     0 comments

Wonderful: Web sites fined for COPPA violation

The organic matter has just contacted the ventilation device. Hold on to your hats folks, it's gonna get ugly.

10:38 AM CST     0 comments

Hmm: Time to buy a new computer -- but why?

Seems like somebody mentioned this before, but it's still worth reading again.

10:32 AM CST     0 comments

Interesting: WinXP activation - what happens under the covers?

The Reg dishes some details about what sorts of transactions make up an activation session.

9:15 AM CST     0 comments

Heh: SDMI cracks revealed

This is why I love The Reg so much. Any other site would just tell you that the SMDI paper had been published. The Reg flat out gives it to you. Now that's style.

9:11 AM CST     0 comments

Alert: Netscape SmartDownload opens up PCs to attack

I know most of you use Internet Exploiter, but for those who don't you may want to grab this patch for Netscape.

3:36 PM CST     0 comments

Fate seems to have a bit of an attitude today:

9:07 AM CST     0 comments

Amazing: Redheads are Neanderthals

Finally, a scientific explanation for my wife's family. <grin>

9:00 AM CST     0 comments

Heh: The Microsoft jinx

Dvorak doesn't like XP's activation scheme either. I'm wondering if it really matters how many people speak out about it? I mean, Microsoft certainly doesn't care what we think and there is no central authority who can stop Microsoft from implementing activation in their software. It seems tantamount to a done deal to me.

8:43 AM CST     0 comments

Cheap: BlueLight nixes accidental MP3 discount

With all the laws being bandied about regarding the internet, one would think a law regarding pricing errors would be a really good idea. Often it seems that there are conflicting State and Federal laws and, for the most part, online vendors are allowed to decide whether they want to honor their posted prices or not. It would seem prudent for some guidelines to be developed to protect both the consumer and the vendor.

Mistakes happen, but it shouldn't be left to the consumer to determine whether a posted price is "real" or not.

8:27 AM CST     0 comments

Update: Eudora adds new security in version 5.1

New Eudora for those interested.

8:19 AM CST     0 comments

Hmm: Exploit devastates WinNT/2K security

Another day, another hack. This one is unfortunately more likely to affect home users than corporate ones. Microsoft has had a fix for some time, but it is quite intricate and somewhat difficult to implement.

The big issue is that, as always, Microsoft selected the lowest possible security level as the default setting. More security is available, but the default is basically wide open. If anyone is going to take Hailstorm seriously then Microsoft needs to start thinking about security first and convenience later.

12:28 PM CST     0 comments

You know, when they told me Canadians liked hockey I was all like "whatever". I mean, how serious could anyone really be about hockey of all things? Then all of the sudden today I realized that they weren't even fucking around -- Canadians are some hardcore hockey loving mo-fos.

I still don't claim to understand it, but I no longer doubt its veracity.

9:57 AM CST     0 comments

Heh: Intel in bed with Apple?

ZDNet seems to think so:

9:45 AM CST     0 comments

Thhpt: MS Office Helper Not Dead Yet

I just *knew* it was too good to be true.

9:28 AM CST     0 comments

RIP: And now the end is nigh for 3dfx

I still use a 3dfx card and I'm pretty happy with it. That's not to say I wouldn't have bought an Nvidia board had I purchased a new system recently, because I almost certainly would have. I just hate to see the market get any more lopsided than it already is.

9:18 AM CST     0 comments

Damn: Nintendo GameCube launch date slips

It's not much of a slip really, but any slip is bad news. Of course, I'd rather have it ship in November and actually be able to buy one than have it ship in September and not be able to lay my hands on one until the Spring. We'll have to see how the Japanese release goes.

9:09 AM CST     0 comments

w00t: All you can eat...and eat

"You here four hour! You go now!"

9:04 AM CST     0 comments

Good point: Should OS vendors limit your choices?

Leave it to Leibovitch to compare Microsoft to Powdered Toast Man. He really doesn't make the analogy stick, but he does make some intereting points.

8:51 AM CST     0 comments

Heh: Mobo makers turn backs on Rambus development

Hear that Rambus? That's the sound of the world's smallest violin playing "My Heart Bleeds For You".

8:48 AM CST     0 comments

Surprise: 'Spyware' games developer says you have nothing to fear

An open letter from Tim Rance of Lionhead to Reg readers. It sounds like the "/NOINETCONN" command-line parameter is the best way to protect yourself. Otherwise Lionhead knows when you are online and can query your registration information to build a usage profile.

I'm not saying that they necessarily have nefarious purposes in mind for this information. I'm just saying that everyone should educate themselves about what is possible.

8:38 AM CST     0 comments

Hmm: Product activation, updates and control freakery

The Reg finally got a set of WinXP code (without an NDA) and dishes up the skinny on a few issues. They were more positive about the WinXP "experience" than I expected. Along with their praise, however, they included a few very pointed questions and a few possible answers.

As for me, I'm planning on sticking with 98SE and NT as long as I possibly can. I recommend that everyone weigh the alternatives very seriously and make their own decision.

4:23 PM CST     0 comments

Hmm: Mr. Murphy's Neighborhood

It's not that I don't appreciate the link... because I certainly do. It's just that generally I like to be considered as one in a slightly smaller group. Ok... *much* smaller.

1:05 PM CST     0 comments

Booyah: kitten blazes the ravers

It's odd to see your thoughts spilling out of another persons fingers. kitten is my hero.

8:33 AM CST     0 comments

Bravo: Lone Guns Set Sites on Spam

And the fight goes on.

8:25 AM CST     0 comments

Yep: DoS bug bites Microsoft's first security product

I just can't imagine why no one wants to trust their most personal information to Microsoft. Can you?

9:21 AM CST     0 comments

Hmm: NBC's New Quiz Show is All Wrong

Regardless of how bad it is, I have no doubts that The Weakest Link will garner at least a reasonable return on investment for NBC. The success of Survivor, a show which I thought beneath the intelligence of even the lowest common denominator, has proven I have no business predicting the success or failure of television shows.

9:00 AM CST     0 comments

Whoa: Iomega settlement: rebates for millions

I've never had any trouble with my Zip drive, but then I've probably used it a grand total of six times over the past two years. This article doesn't mention how to get in on the action (no pun intended), but Iomega has the skinny on their site.

8:54 AM CST     0 comments

Ugh: Options dream turns to nightmare

This is the sort of problem that tax regulations which attempt to balance the load will always cause. It is simply impossible to balance tax load because in any capitalist system the people with the money control the rules. Any attempts to regulate around that simple truth will only cause more pain for the load bearing 95+% of the population.

8:44 AM CST     0 comments

Clincher: University raided in MP3 copyright action

I once thought that the RIAA was merely running scared and trying everything it could to protect its dwindling copyright protections. It is now apparent that they are quite simply capital E, Evil. It seems less and less likely that we are going to have any say in the matter except how we "vote" with our purchases.

The olny real way to hurt the RIAA is with a unilateral boycott. This, of course, is not possible because the majority of the music buying public don't even own PC's much less care what digital rights could possibly mean to them in the future.

3:30 PM CST     0 comments

w00t: Countdown to GameCube Unveiling

The Nintendo Gamecube is on its way and cube.ign.com is counting it down. Can you smell what The Cube is cookin'?

10:56 AM CST     0 comments

Uh-oh: Pentium patent-infringement suit moves ahead

I'm torn on this case. On the one hand if Intel did in fact profit from Intergraph technology, then Intergraph deserves to see some recompense for their property. However, if Intel merely designed their own independent technology which was merely similar to Intergraph's, then I'd say it's just a way for Intergraph to regain some of the money they invested in delivering the "Clipper" chip to a market which did not want it.

I resent the assumption by the media that the big company is always the party at fault, even though I can't help but make that very assumption myself from time to time. I guess in absence of hard data you run with what you have.

7:50 AM CST     0 comments

Interesting: UltimateTV users get shrinking feeling

This is the sort of thing that Sony and Nintendo have been saying will happen to the Xbox. Microsoft is unaccustomed to designing products for the rigors of daily consumer use. People expect computers to be recalcitrant. Appliances, on the other hand, are just expected to work quickly, easily, and without fail.

It's a brand new world of Microsoft.

7:42 AM CST     0 comments

Thppt: Microsoft Clippy

I'm sure you've all seen this already. I'm not sure which is dumber... inventing Clippy in the first place or making such a big deal about removing him. There are few things more annoying than the Office Assistant. Very few. Ok, maybe this.

7:37 AM CST     0 comments

Hmm: Spyware concerns over fast selling PC game

It appears the makers of Black & White may have a bigger god complex than the players of the game. There aren't many details yet, but I'm sure more will follow. It could end up not being that big of a deal.

7:11 AM CST     0 comments

After Blogger came back up yesterday my ISP went down. No mail, no http, no ftp, no nothing. It seems to be back online except for mail, so I'm going to post this while I can.

If you don't hear from me for awhile or you can't reach this site, at least you'll know why.

1:47 PM CST     0 comments

Sorry for the distinct lack of bloggage today. Blogger threw one of it's little tantrums this morning and wouldn't post a damn thing. It's fixed now, but I'm to tired too look up everything I wanted to post.

1:46 PM CST     0 comments

Ugh: Tech giants out to ambush MP3

"The consumer is going to eat what he's given". That, friends and neighbors is how highly the industry thinks of us. Personally I have seen no evidence to suggest that any of these new formats are superior to MP3 in any way. All they do is restrict fair use.

Microsoft claims that though XP's media tools only record MP3 at bitrates less than 56kbps, that other vendors products can still rip at full speed. The question is, for how long? Once MS gets us going down the XP path it will be quite painful to return to Win98 or NT4W.

As Principal Rooney said, they're just leading us down the primrose path.

8:43 AM CST     0 comments

Hmm: OpenCola -- Have Some Code and a Smile

Is it just me or are there a lot of weirdos in the open source community?

8:41 AM CST     0 comments

Whatever: Microsoft declares a "war on hostile code"

This just in... Exxon says oil spills are a 'bad thing' and promises that in the next version of their tanker (codename Hummer) such leaks will be fewer. However, since the new Hummer tankers aren't expected to be released until 2002 and likely won't see wide-spread adoption until 2004, critics are saying that Exxon isn't doing enough to protect our oceans.

Exxon leak containment specialist, Newt Lipbanger, was quoted as saying, "we're doing what we can... those ducks should know by now not to swim into spilt oil."

8:28 AM CST     0 comments

Update: WinXP falls over old Cisco bug

More details about Xerox's problems with XP. It looks as though Microsoft bears at least a portion of the blame this time.

8:26 AM CST     0 comments

Heh: Buffer the FTP Slayer

Great headline. Serious problem.

8:56 AM CST     0 comments

Thhpt: 3D Web surfing gets a CPU boost

At the risk of sounding bitter, why not create at least *one* browser that works reliably in 2D before concentrating on 3D? Just a thought.

8:53 AM CST     0 comments

Heh: Jurors badly miscalculate MP3.com damages

"Excuse me, sir... I was told there wouldn't be any math."

8:51 AM CST     0 comments

Wait: Intel to cut up to 60 per cent off P4 prices

Although there is no real reason to do so as of yet, if you were considering purchasing a P4 I'd wait just a little while longer. What's even better news is that PIII prices are likely to drop a fair chunk as well. That's where the real value will be for quite some time.

8:42 AM CST     0 comments

Cool tech: Governor beams in to tech demonstration

While inappropriately named this technology is quite impressive. William Gibson called it "telepresence" which I consider to be a much more apt term. Whatever you call it, it's still cool.

[thanks to Jeff for the link]

4:49 PM CST     0 comments

Pimpage: Grayscale : others

I updated my "Who I Read" section. I didn't realize how long it had been since I updated it. Anyway, lots of fresh new linkage for the like minded.

10:02 AM CST     0 comments

w00t: CheeseNet

Behold, the power of cheese.

9:59 AM CST     0 comments

Cool tech: Happy Hacking Cradle

Need a keyboard adaptor for your Palm? Look no further. The biggest problem I can see is that at $50 for the cradle and another $30-50 for a decent keyboard you've spent nearly enough to buy another Palm.

[link courtesy of StreetTech]

9:21 AM CST     0 comments

Thhpt: IBM brrr-ings Net to air conditioners

You'll have to excuse my bluntness, but this is just plain dumb. What ever happens to delivering solutions to customer problems? Why must companies invent remedies for imagined ills?

That said, the day I can buy a Coke with a cell phone I am *so* there.

9:18 AM CST     0 comments

Yep: Personalize me, baby

If you can dig through the myriad of Spice Girls references, there's a article worth reading in there somewhere. Honest.

9:15 AM CST     0 comments

Heh: Xerox bans Windows XP beta

I'm confused. If Xerox already had a strict policy not to let employees use "non-standard software technologies" on machines on its network, then why would they be forced to specifically ban WinXP? I figure someone in IT at Xerox did a limited trial roll-out of XP and ended up frelling their network in the process. This, of course, would not be Microsoft's fault.

The bitter irony of Xerox using Windows is evidently lost on the author of this article. It didn't even bear mentioning.

9:09 AM CST     0 comments

Hmm: MacOS X is 'crap' says Torvalds

I'm torn about this one. On the one hand Linus is something of an authority on *nix kernal development, so his opinion should matter. Then again, as the driving force behind the Linux kernal, he is in direct competition with Mach.

I suppose if given the choice between trusting Jobs and trusting Linus, I'd have to go with Linus. In my experience, true geeks often have very strong ethical and moral standards. I think Linus would tell us if Mach was worth a crap even if it did compete with his own baby.

9:15 AM CST     0 comments

Bullscrit: Software Turns Language Into Code

People will never understand this issue I guess. The language you code in doesn't matter... if you don't think like a programmer you can't *be* a programmer. The level of detail which must be used to get a machine to do what you tell it is far beyond what is required to tell another human how to the same task.

Douglas Adams said it best in Dirk Gently. To paraphrase, programming is merely attempting to educate a very dim-witted pupil. Most people just don't have the logic skills to dissect a problem thoroughly enough to be programmers.

Besides, why does everyone want to eliminate programmers anyway? I've never tried to eliminate *your* job have I? <grin>

9:06 AM CST     0 comments

Yep: Microsoft neuters Bluetooth

Here's an interesting question... if Microsoft isn't a monopoly, which is what those fine folks in DC are preparing to tell us, how could their software decisions effectively kill a standard supported by virtually the entire computer industry?

My guess is that Microsoft will wait until there is good Bluetooth support in the marketplace and then they will release a slightly tweaked, proprietary version of the standard to interoperate with Bluetooth-capable devices. Next, the device manufacturers will fall over themselves trying to get a "Designed for WinTooth" sticker for their boxes. Eventually Microsoft will modify their protocols so that *only* WinTooth certified devices will work and all other Bluetooth implementations will fail to connect.

Embrace and extend.

8:55 AM CST     0 comments

Hmm: When Internet convenience costs a bundle

If you use PayPal you may want to reconsider using a debit card. I question whether such a business practice is legal, but even if it is they should be forced to make it clear *before* you sign up.

8:48 AM CST     0 comments

Yeah, yeah: MPAA believes all Netizens are criminals

Does anyone else remember the Freakazoid episode where they mercilessly slammed Jack Valenti? That was some funny stuff.

12:49 PM CST     0 comments

w00t:The Anti-All Your Base Movie

This one is for my buddy Dan. Even if you *like* AYB you should still check this out. Funny stuff.

9:33 AM CST     0 comments

Yep: "High five" may do in bank robber

That's from our local paper here in Evansville. We sure raise 'em up smart in these parts.

9:18 AM CST     0 comments

Right: Privacy terms revised for Microsoft Passport

Blah, blah, blah. I'm sorry, but I'm getting sick to the teeth of Microsoft doing this sort of thing. They implement or announce something that might be considered controversial. If the public makes a stink, they pull back and claim is was all just a big misunderstanding.

Mostly I'm afraid what might happen if somehow one of these issues slips through the cracks. You can bet if there's no public outcry Microsoft would gladly capitalize on our oversight.

9:05 AM CST     0 comments

Hmm: Did AOL shoot the messenger?

The chickens seem to have returned home to roost. I certainly wouldn't want to be in AOL's shoes at the moment. On the other hand, AOL is probably the only company that has a real chance of surviving a Microsoft "embrace and extend" death sentence. After all, AOL did beat Microsoft in the ISP arena even after Bill made MSN "a top priority" a few ears back.

Personally, I wish they would just release ICQ into the wild and have done with it. That way there would be at least one IM client without ads.

8:45 AM CST     0 comments

Whatever: Apple bans PC SDRAM for users own good

I think the The Reg is being a bit hard on Apple. There is a tremendous amount of sub-standard SDRAM floating around the market these days. In fact, I would be willing to bet that nearly half of all computer problems are caused by low grade RAM.

I think Apple's solution was a good one, even if it does appear to be self-serving in the short term.

12:48 PM CST     0 comments

Cool: ESCMAG -- Gaming Magazine

What a refreshing change... an independent gaming site. I'm reserving judgement on the quality of the reviews until I read a few more, but so far they've been pretty well-balanced.

[thanks to Gwen for the link]

9:18 AM CST     0 comments

Hmm: And my new desktop will be...

What is the wrold coming to? An unbiased, balanced commentary from ZDNet? What next? Dogs and cats living together? It's chaos!

9:02 AM CST     0 comments

Update: IE Hole-Finder in Odd Position

More news about the latest Microsoft security faux pas, including links to the relevant downloads from Microsoft's "hidden security update" page.

8:56 AM CST     0 comments

Wow: Third Voice Trails Off....

That took a lot longer than I thought it would. Regardless, it's good riddance to bad rubbish as far as I'm concerned.

9:21 AM CST     0 comments

Heh: Welcome to DutchWater

Some people really *love* a good April Fool's joke. I suppose it could also be argued that some people have too much time on their hands as well.

9:09 AM CST     0 comments

Right: A Glitch With the Patch

It was purely an accident that you must upgrade to IE5.5 to install this new patch. And I am the Earl of Gooseberry.

9:06 AM CST     0 comments

Ugh: Survey finds support for e-mail monitoring

The problem with polls like this one is that they are often conducted during normal business hours. The only people who are willing to waste time answering the questions are, by definition, exactly the sort of people who should not be asked their opinion on such matters. It's far too easy to phrase the questions in such a way as to steer the survey in the direction you want it to go.

8:49 AM CST     0 comments

Whoa: Sega employees 'imprisoned and ignored'

And you thought your job was boring.

8:43 AM CST     0 comments

Sigh: Be axes 25 percent of staff

This sort of makes be sad. I mean, I've never used any Be technology, but I've always admired the company for its aplomb and its commitment to technology. That said, I have little hope for the new BeIA even with Sony's blessing.

Call me short-sighted if you like, but I just don't see wide-spread adoption of internet appliances. There are niches where IA's will succeed of course. Things like "buy that" services which allow a television viewer to purchase products they see on screen. Envy Noah Wyle's sunglasses? Then just click on them and select "buy" on your remote.

Such a market won't become a reality until the capabilities are ubiquitous and transparent. And that, my friends, is a long way from where the technology is right now. In the mean time, someone has to pay through the nose to outfit everyone with the gear to make it possible and fervently hope that it actually catches on much as the CA-TV startups had to do in the late 70's.

9:03 AM CST     0 comments

Cool: Apple & Microsoft -- Déja vu all over again

It's good to see at least a few tech journalists have some memory.

8:47 AM CST     0 comments

Uhm: Will the "refresh" button become obsolete?

Is it just me or does this look like an article from 1998? Didn't we get over the whole "push" craze years ago? Maybe these guys should ask PointCast how well push works as a business model.

8:40 AM CST     0 comments

Heh: War driving - the latest hacker fad

I wondered how long it would take someone to figure this out. What's worse is that most wireless hubs aren't firewalled and don't have the logging capabilities necessary to track illicit login attempts. It's quite hard to track an intruder that appears to be a valid user to the system.