A Perfect Storm…

Folks, something a bit different today. Completely off-topic.

I have had a “perfect storm” of strange little.. um, er, well, I like to call them “eerie coincidences”. Maybe you might know what I mean. (Sometimes, they make your little hairs stand up?) Anywho.. this series of separate occurrences made me decide to revisit a subject I have talked about before, but do so in a way that one, or possibly two, of you out there might appreciate.

One of the eerie-weird occurrences was, I happened to – by pure chance – overhear the tail end of a song I haven’t heard in ages and ages… and ages (from a music genre I don’t listen to, as a rule.)

And.. should this bring up a “sensitive subject” for you.. I found an old “coping with loss” Q & A article on WebMD that you may find practical and helpful, here.

But since it is a sunny Saturday, the beginning of a long holiday weekend for many, and a good day to Be Happy!, maybe you want to skip it… sorry.

But sometimes I trust a hunch.

(And to that one person [or, possibly two] – if you’re out there – I’d like to say, please stand up. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. It does get better. It really does.)

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Netflix Streaming Outage?

There seems to be a small problem with my Netflix service here where I am (Silicon Valley, CA.) .. like, a total service outage. (Noticed it about 8:50 pm.)

Anyone else?

Wow. Their website doesn’t load, either.. I get a blank (all white) page.. 11:40pm The website is back

I appreciate your input, folks.

(DownRightNow say Twitter is having outages too)

(Cloud computing can be great when it works… but a wee bit aggravating when it doesn’t.)

[update: 6/30, 11:30am: Netflix still appears to be down, Twitter back, and now Facebook and Tumblr down..]

Nude Surfing (And More Friday Fun)

Former White House CIO: You Are Naked Online

A former White House CIO and security consultant says people are giving away too much data and personal information online — to the point where the average American is stark naked in a digital sense.

“Payton described one consulting client that actually thought its offices were bugged by competitors — but then realized that employees were spreading too much confidential information through social media. “Nobody needs to bug you,” she said. “They just follow you around on FourSquare.“” Read more..

I wonder if people are ever going to wake up? (It is the final days of Internet Safety Awareness Month Stay safe online. Stop. Think. Click.)

Friday Fun 1 (Seems appropriate to revisit)

The dark side of geo: PleaseRobMe.com

“You know all those people who push their Foursquare and Gowalla locations out onto Twitter? Now there’s an aggregator for aspiring crooks who want to rob their houses.” Read more..

Friday Fun 2

Friday Fun 3

Just for giggles, why don’t we play a game. Recognize these?

Let’s spend the day clicking completely random links/entering random search terms, bounce around all over the ‘net, and click on every one of these we see. Let’s do it for, say, an eight hour stretch. You can start with mine.

Friday Fun 4 Need some ideas for good movies to relax and watch this weekend? Check out my Top 30 Movies list, here.

Friday Fun 5 (For the Techies) Paul Vixie (a member of the heroic “Conficker Cabal“) is a very smart man. How do I know? He (seems to) think as I do, but said it long before I thought it (ha!). Here’s his noteworthy 2005 DefCon 13 lecture: The Internet’s March of Folly
(For those of you not holding a Networking cert, watching this might be .. challenging, but you’ll learn all you need to know about this Inter-web-thingy.)

Definition of FOLLY

1: lack of good sense or normal prudence and foresight

2: criminally or tragically foolish actions or conduct 

3: a foolish act or idea

4: an excessively costly or unprofitable undertaking
5: an often extravagant picturesque building erected to suit a fanciful taste

Today’s quote: “The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Oracle – The Worst Tech Company?

I am tired of asking nicely, been doing so for years, so now I am just going to say it. IMHO the people at Oracle (who purchased Sun, which brings us Java) should be legally reprimanded. Whether it should prove they’re too lazy, simply morons, or deliberately sleazy makes no difference to me at this point. In my mind they’re criminally lazy and/or criminally stupid and/or criminally sleazy.
And/or all three.

And there’s no excuse. If it were at all possible, I would not get near anything they produced.

Why am I so angry? Yesterday, I told my browser, Firefox, to “Find Updates” for my Add-ons and Plug-ins. (Click on the “Tools” menu, then “Add ons”.)

and it turned out I needed to update my Java. So I did. Of course I did! Java is a known favorite target of the hackers (because it’s an easy target? Because it’s weak code? Because it’s everywhere?).

Here is Unpardonable Sin 1

Note there is no “Back” button, or “do not install this crap” option visible

Recommend?? I cannot print the words I use when I see this. To call them “angry and salty” is gross understatement. In case you do not know, Ask.com has a reputation as the greasy used-car salesman of the Search engine set. In case you do not know, browser “toolbars” are spyware. (I’ll further tell you, I assess how “savvy” someone is by counting their installed toolbars. And I’ll tell you you won’t find any on my machines, or those of my family, or my clients.)

When I see this kind of thing built into an installer – particularly for an update – I know I am dealing with either a ‘starving artist’ independent programmer (freelancer) or bottom feeders. These latter types are counting on the fact that you “average computer users” are ignorant and/or mentally lazy and/or unobservant, in hopes of penny-packet profits.

But it gets better. Unpardonable Sin 2

Even though it is 2012, the programmers at Sun/Oracle still do not build an old version uninstaller into their installer package .. even though a 1st year programming student would know to do this.
Doing so is fundamental. Basic. ABC.

That means the old, insecure (and “vulnerable”) version of Java – the one I am trying to replace (aka “update”) IS STILL THERE. Still saying, “here I am! Attack me!

So I have to go into Control Panel > Programs and features > Uninstall a program and remove the old version(s) manually. And I have to go into my browsers and disable/uninstall the old plug ins. Even though it’s 2012, the “average computer user” does not know to do this. They assume that because they clicked “Update now” they’re safe. And they should be.

I think such a basic failure is reprehensible.

Inexcusable.

And the toolbar business, vile.

The most polite words I can use. Oracle management and employees, shame on you. (And in case you’re wondering, yes; I feel this way about  Adobe, and their “Flash”, too.)

Important Tech Tip: Do yourself a favor. Take a moment – right now – and open your Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel, as described above.

1) Uninstall any (non-Security) toolbars you find listed.

2) Uninstall any old versions of Java, Java runtime, Java Update, Java Deployment Toolkit. (At the time of this writing, version 7 update 5 is the most current.)

3) Reboot (aka “restart your computer”)

Now you’ll be less vulnerable to hackers and “drive-by downloads“, less spied on, and your web browsing will probably be faster.

Bonus Important Tip: Next, visit Secunia’s online scanner and have it scan your machine for any other outdated (aka “vulnerable”) items of software. To get started, click here. (You want to do this every so often, as a habit — say, once a week, or every two weeks at the most. Or, if that’s too much trouble, download and install their PSI (onboard) updater.)

.. counting on the naivete of people for profit.. leaving insecure code behind.. that’s snake-belly low, any way I look at it.

(For those of you wondering what “Java” really is.. well, think of it like the motor oil in your car. It doesn’t really do anything for you, like, say, your windshield wipers do, but you probably need it for the engine to run smoothly. Kinda.)

Today’s reading:

* Which is the most popular antivirus software?

Summary: “Using a data set consisting of 120,000 data points, researchers from OPSWAT estimate that Avast is the market share leader in the antivirus software market.” Read more..

* Free App Encrypts, Destroys Mobile Messages

“Startup Wickr launches today with iPhone, iPad, iTouch app that ‘leaves no trace’ of text, video, and picture messages.” Read more..

~     ~     ~

Today’s quote: “Even if it’s a little thing, do something for those who have need of a man’s help, something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. For, remember, you don’t live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Google Apple Samsung Facebook

Here we go…

It’s deja vu all over again.

* Apple wins U.S. sales injunction against Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Summary: Apple has won a preliminary injunction barring U.S. sales of Samsung’s iPad rival, the Galaxy Tab 10.1.” Read more..

* June has been a busy month with big announcements from Apple and Microsoft. Now it’s Google’s turn. Tune in to CNET and get the news as it’s announced.

CNET’s live coverage of Google’s I/O developers conference, June 27, 2012

Today, June 27 at 9:30 a.m. PT, join us for live coverage of the Google I/O developers conference. There’s no shortage of rumors leading up to the event, including a new 7-inch tablet priced to sell. Check out what other CNET members are speculating. Have some thoughts of your own? Let others hear what you are thinking.

CNET will be there to bring you the action. Our live coverage begins at 9:30 a.m. PT with a live blog.

Can’t make it to the live event? Tune in afterward to get CNET’s detailed coverage and discover what is new from Google. (click here)

Or.. not. (But, it’s “big news”!)

Some of you might need this info.. Facebook changed your e-mail address, here’s how you can change it back.

“Today, Facebook was kind enough to replace the e-mail account listed on your profile with the @Facebook.com e-mail address it provided you with awhile back. Wait, you didn’t give Facebook permission to make the change? No one did. Not cool, Facebook.” Read more..

I’m sorry, but I am LMAO.

Seriously. LMAO.

Wow. What’s next from the Zuckerbergs? (And why do they want to route all your e-correspondence through their servers? Hmm?? [*cough cough*] )

[update: (just in) This guy’s not laughing.. Welcome to the soon-to-be enormous world of Facebook email spam

Summary: “Thanks, Facebook. You just [expletive deleted] us up the [expletive deleted]. [Expletive deleted] you!” Read more…

This is so good.. I can’t resist. Here’s more.

“I am pissed off. Like most other Facebook users, I woke up recently to discover I had a Facebook email address. I don’t want a Facebook email address. Frankly, if I were King of the World, I’d boot Facebook into a giant black hole and laugh gleefully as the entire thing burned to a never-to-haunt-us again crispy hulk.

Fine, I’m mixing metaphors. But I’m pissed.

I didn’t pay all that much attention to this until I read Violet’s piece on Facebook email addresses, and then I realized what a nightmare those [profanity deleted] at Facebook are.“]

Hee, hee! LMAO!

Today’s quote: “Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.” ~ Swami Sivananda

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Not One Thing

Looking over all the top tech stories making the rounds this week, and perusing all the tech websites, and scanning all my InfoSec resources, in hopes of coming up with a topic for conversation today, I came to a decision.

I can sum it up as follows:
1) I cannot believe the foofarrah over Microsoft’s “Slate”/Windows 8/Windows Phone. I understand people are getting paid to write, so they have to write some thing.. any thing. But, I guess I am tired of the thinly disguised advertising/hype/FUD/troll baiting. (It’s all I’ve seen for a decade now.)

None of these things are even available yet. And in a world filled with 663,792 tech devices already, I’m supposed to get excited over 3 more?

Here’s the bottom line (as I see it): as a Desktop and Laptop user – none of which have “touchscreens” – I do not want Windows 8. Period. When my contract expires on my cellular plan, I will look at the available smartphones, and I will consider a Windows Phone, and all other alternatives too. Until that date, I will be happy with my 4G HTC ‘droid (which was the winner of raves just 10 months ago).

Trust Me

2) I am NOT going to sell you “cloud computing”, or “online backup”. Cloud computing is not the direction to head in. It is the direction that profiteers see as currently profitable, and the non-techie bean-counters as “cost saving”. This means my repair business is probably fated. “Cloud computing” is the future. Never mind the consequences! Profit while you can!

Dear Reader, where you can avoid the cloud, do so. (For example, buy an external hard dive, and make your backups there. Learn about VPN’s and set up your own syncing.. do not pass your info to Bozo.)

3) Security and Privacy is not really getting any better. It’s getting worse. The “whitehats” have been getting, and are getting, their arses handed to them by the “blackhats”. None of our “data” is “secure”. No current plans to fix it have any chance. DNSSec and Identity Tokens are bandaids, not cures (a good/great bandaid is still a bandaid). But guess what? It’s worse than you think. Governments are waging war – undeclared and covertly – and using our devices to do it (think on that a bit). Your device was manufactured in the factory of a (potential) enemy.. do you know if there’s some hidden code on it? Did you not read about the “infected digital picture frames”?
The very nature ([mostly] free and [mostly] open) of the Internet is under threat of censorship and government bureaucratic control. Even the UN is getting involved. I like everything bureaucrats do, don’t you? (Been to the DMV lately?)

4) It seems pretty clear to me that species human learned not a single simple thing from the “dot com bubble bursts”.. the first time, or even the second time. As long as a penny or two can be earned without digging a ditch, or actually producing anything — full speed ahead! (I am beginning to lose respect for “IT types” and gain respect for welders/construction workers/farmers/assemblers..)
All IT types seem to want is to show me animated banner ads, (after snooping into my activities) and laugh about how easy their job is. (That ain’t working, that’s the way you do it, you play your gittar on your MTV..) Yeah. It may be unfair of me to say that. Some IT types are aces. Real good people. Working longer hours than many. So please take no offense, if you’re one of those.

So my conclusion is that I am not going to write about any topic today. I am going to take the day off. I would like to go somewhere where there are no people, and no TV, and no Internet. Perhaps.. here.

For all 6 of you who read down this far, you have my apologies for having wasted your time. As a small token of my appreciation, I will mention a new “app”, named “Cue”, that I think people should be aware of. See http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2012-06-19/startup-cue-iphone-app/55675598/1 (It is not just for iPhones).

And, here’s a good read: You’ll Hate Windows 8 (Hey! That rhymes!)

“You aren’t ready for Windows 8. It’s coming anyway, a slow-moving freight train of massive change and dread, an enormous update that will sow turmoil in the lives of millions of people around the world.“

And, I will say to you, live long and prosper.

Today’s quote: “For a gallant spirit there can never be defeat.” ~ Wallis Simpson

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.

Please Download Your Ticket

Folks, a new (to me) variation of a basic tactic.

Fat chance of that!

This is a variant of the “problem with your shipment” scam (aka “UPS scam”). It hopes that I will have recently have purchased an airline ticket from Delta Airlines (in this case). Which, basically, is “phishing” for a very small demographic.. and doesn’t make a lot of sense to me as a strategy. But all it takes is one sucker to make a criminal’s day a lot greener.
(Perhaps they’re hoping you will think you have won a free ticket..?)

I hope I don’t need tell you that just because it says the Sender is Delta Air Lines, doesn’t mean that it really came from them.. was some kind of honest mistake. I can make the “Sender” field say anything I want. It’s called “spoofing“. If that concept is news to you.. wake up, please. (And click the link.) These machines are programmable.

Exercise common sense when using your devices. Better yet, be paranoid. Do not open unsolicited email from strangers – period. Even strangers you think are legit (like Delta. Or the IRS. Or Microsoft.). Don’t be a sucker! Don’t be a rube! Please!

I say “be paranoid” because, yes. They are out to get you. (No. You did not just win a free iPad. Nor the Online Lottery.)

Today’s quote: “a foole and his money is soone parted.” ~ Dr. John Bridges, 1587. (I guess suckers and rubes have been with us for some while..)

Copyright 2007-2012 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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>> Folks, don’t miss an article! To get Tech – for Everyone articles delivered to your e-mail Inbox, click here, or to subscribe in your RSS reader, click here. <<

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.