SHOW NOTES FROM GLENN
SHOW NOTES FROM MARK

errata

Mark last week said that WEP was the best but that is not the case. WPK is the best.

http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3672711

thanks to bigants

Web-based artists pop up with unlikely winner | The Courier-Mail
Web-based artists pop up with unlikely winner

"What we do is we turn people's photographs into canvas printed pop art," Mr Pascoe said.

The business has been growing well, from an initial dozen orders in its first month of operation, to an expected rate of between 50 and 100 for this Christmas.

Mr Pascoe said one of the major challenges was establishing the legitimacy of the business.

"Because we've insisted on making it an online enterprise, it's been difficult conveying a sense of integrity; convincing people that they're going to get what they pay for," he said.

He addressed this by personalising the site with his own photo and providing personal interaction while designs were developed. And no money is charged until the customer selects their design from a range of options.

Counteracting this challenge is PascoePopArt's major strength – its flexibility.

"Because we don't have to worry about the responsibility of an offline business with rent and equipment, we can offer a range of services and products. We don't have to worry about having a back catalogue – it just exists on the computer," Mr Pascoe said.

"Next year, we'll be looking at rolling out T-shirts and postcards – as value adds. (There are) all sorts of media to get images printed on."

Mr Pascoe has used his experience in web development and web marketing to ensure the website operates at its optimum.

About 60 per cent of sales are from overseas, with more than 80 per cent of these sales from the US.

NASA plans moon base | The Courier-Mail
NASA plans moon base

 

NASA says it plans to build a permanently occupied base on the moon, most likely at the lunar north pole.

The habitat will serve as a science outpost as well as a testbed for technologies needed for future travel to Mars, and construction will follow a series of flights to the moon scheduled to begin by 2020.

"We're going for a base on the moon," Scott "Doc" Horowitz, NASA's associate administrator for exploration, said from the Johnson Space Centre in Houston.

Plans for what the base will look like and what astronauts would do there have yet to be determined. Similarly, NASA has not projected a date when the base would go into operation.

The moon's polar sites are preferred to equatorial regions because of more moderate temperatures and longer periods of sunlight, which is critical for the solar-powered electrical systems NASA plans to develop. Eventually, nuclear power may be used to augment or replace the solar energy systems.

Scientists also suspect the poles have resources such as hydrogen, ice and other materials that could be used for life support.

"It's exciting," said NASA deputy administrator Shana Dale. "We don't know as much about the polar regions."

The US had already announced plans to develop new spacecraft to travel to the moon and land on its surface for the first time since the last Apollo flight there in 1972. It also plans to provide a communications system linking Earth and the moon.

But NASA doesn't plan to go to the moon alone. The United States will look for international and commercial partners to share the expense and possibly provide components such as extra power systems, living quarters and resources for surface travel on the moon.

NASA is not expecting a budget increase to pay for the program. Rather, it will use funds that will become available as the space shuttle fleet is phased out.

The shuttles are set to be retired in 2010. By that time, NASA plans to have finished building the space station, leaving the moon initiative as a successor to both programs. NASA receives about $US16 billion ($20bn) a year.

Countries that already have been working with NASA to develop its so-called Global Exploration Strategy are Australia, Canada, China, Europe, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Korea and Ukraine.

3 slashes mobile broadband prices for Christmas – Mobile Phones
3 slashes mobile broadband prices for Christmas

 

The carrier has slashed its prices by half for customers entering a 24-month contract. The lowest priced entry plan is AU$14.50 for 1GB, but only linked with a 3 mobile telephone plan. Otherwise, the tariffs are AU$24.50 for 2GB, AU$34.50 for 3GB or AU$45.50 for 5GB — without obligation to take up a mobile plan.

Charges for exceeding the download limit are set at 10c per MB.

Vodafone is offering 5GB for AU$39 per month, while Optus is promoting 2GB for AU$39.99 per month.

Group warns parents about video game sex, violence – CNN.com
Group warns parents about video game sex, violence

 WASHINGTON (AP) — Graphic scenes of gunshot victims spurting blood and a jailer urinating into a prisoner's cell are included among the 10 video games that a media watchdog group warns should be avoided by kids and teens under 17.

The institute showed gory scenes of sword, gun and knife violence from several video games. A scene from "Assassin's Creed" depicts an attacker plunging a knife into his victim's back several times. A jailer in "Manhunt 2" taunts his prisoner by urinating into the man's cell. A fallen victim's body is riddled with gunfire as blood spurts across the screen in "The Darkness."

The group's list of 10 "games to avoid, " all M-rated, are in the video game report card on its Web site, http://www.mediafamily.org, along with a list of recommended games for kids and teens

19 who killed eight people and himself at an Omaha, Nebraska, mall was placed in a mental health treatment center five years ago after making homicidal threats toward his stepmother

iTWire – Windows Server 2008 RC1 up for grabs
Windows Server 2008 RC1 up for grabs

 Windows Server 2008 can download Release Candidate 1 from Microsoft's web site

The beta can be obtained on a 30-day licence. An evaluation period extended to June 30, 2008 is offered to those prepared to register with Microsoft.

Despite the name, RC1 is the second release candidate to be made available to customers. According to Microsoft, more than 1.8 million customers have downloaded evaluation versions of Windows Server 2008, and more than 3000 IT professionals have already been certified on the new operating system.

Windows Server 2008 is expected to be released to manufacturing by the end of February. Microsoft has scheduled a major launch event for Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 on February 27, 2008. The company is spending more than $US150 million on "outreach and demand generation to IT Pros and developers," according to the Windows Server Division Weblog.

The current version is Windows Server 2003 – five years is a long time between major upgrades for a significant operating system.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, the release candidate of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 will be made available to the general public next week. Vista SP1 is expected sometime in the first quarter of 2008, and Microsoft has warned that it will be necessary to uninstall the release candidate before SP1 proper can be installed.

iTWire – 'Highly critical' update for OpenOffice
'Highly critical' update for OpenOffice

 OpenOffice 2.3.1 fixes a variety of bugs, but one of the most important concerns a vulnerability in the database engine shipped with the package

Users of OpenOffice derivatives should either watch for a corresponding update or (if necessary) install the revised version of the database which can be downloaded via hsqldb.org.

iTWire – WGA anti-piracy mode for Vista softened thanks to Linux and OS X threat?
WGA anti-piracy mode for Vista softened thanks to Linux and OS X threat?

 Microsoft’s new WGA anti-piracy mode in the upcoming Vista SP1 lets users continue using their newly detected non-genuine copies of Vista, albeit with Aero disabled and hourly reminders, in a major backflip. Will pirates give in and pay for a legal copy of Vista Home Premium at less than half price, or consider moving to Linux or Mac OS X instead?

Microsoft have announced major changes to the WGA anti-piracy system in Windows Vista SP1 to detect users of non-genuine Vista copies, ‘hacktivated’ by the OEM Bios exploit or the Grace Timer exploit, and inform them of their non-genuine status.

Unlike the current WGA anti-piracy system in today’s pre-SP1 Vista, which puts Vista into a
‘reduced functionality mode’ only gives the user access to a browser for one hour, effectively locking you out of your PC until a legally purchased key was supplied, the Vista SP1 WGA regime is much more forgiving.

It allows people who’ve likely been using a non-genuine copy of Vista some time now to continue using their computer, their software and hardware, and access their data, albeit with Aero and some other more advanced features disabled, changing the background to include a notification of non-genuine status and reminding users of this on hourly basis with a pop up message.

The newly softened stance is despite Microsoft reporting that Vista’s piracy rate is “less than half that of XP today”, attributed to Vista’s better anti-piracy measures, including preventing the ability of volume license keys to allow the installation without activation, as was the case with Windows XP.

iTWire – House hunting just got easier with Google Maps collaboration
House hunting just got easier with Google Maps collaboration

 Couples searching for the perfect real estate now have a great online assistant thanks to Google Maps' new collaboration features.

Google has updated its My Maps service to allow several people to collaborate on a single map, making it an invaluable tool in the hunt for the perfect house. Along with satellite images and street maps, the Google Maps interface has now replaced the hybrid button with 'terrain' – perfect for those looking for an abode in the hills.

The first step to using Google Maps for house hunting is to create a map to share:

– go to maps.google.com (or your local country's Google Maps service, if available)
– sign in using the link at the top right of the window
– click on the My Maps tab at the top left
– click 'Create new map' and give it a relevant title like "House Hunt"
– set the privacy settings to 'unlisted'
– click 'Done" (next to Collaborate)

The first thing is to search for your target suburb and then click back on the My Maps tab. Now click on the 'Draw a shape' tool at the top left of the map and draw around the area in which you want to restrict your search. Now head off to your local online real estate portal, such as www.domain.com.au in Australia, and run a search on houses for sale or rent in that suburb. When you find an upcoming property of interest, or one that recently sold, copy the street address. Now paste it into the search bar on Google Maps and click 'Search Maps'.

Australia's cheapest laptop sells out – Technology – BrisbaneTimes
Australia's cheapest laptop sells out

 

Taiwan computer maker Asus might have underestimated the local demand for its diminutive Eee PC, as the $499 laptop is now virtually sold out in Australia.

Neither Asus nor the exclusive retailer, Myer, will say how many units were sold, but an Asus spokeswoman said more stock would be shipped to Myer at the end of this week.

The Eee PC, Australia's cheapest laptop, went on sale in Myer stores nationwide on Sunday and by close of business on Monday all the capital city stores were sold out. The Asus spokeswoman said other metro stores might have a small amount of stock left.

"We've had a lot of schools coming in making multiple purchases."

In the US, Asus said it sold out of 10,000 units within two weeks and planned to sell 350,000 by the end of the year

Kevin Rudd, education – pc companies better get thinking caps on re pricing

Hot Tomato left with egg on face – Queensland – BrisbaneTimes
Hot Tomato left with egg on face

 

A Queensland radio station has unwittingly released the names, postal and email address, phone numbers and personal details of more than 50 contestants in one of its competitions.

The embarrassing privacy breach occurred in a competition run by Gold Coast radio station 102.9 Hot Tomato to win a $5000 shadecloth structure from VP Structures.

When contestants click on the competition's icon on the Hot Tomato website, instead of being taken to the application page, they are taken to a uncoded file page where anyone can access a subpage that lists names, home address and other personal details.

 

give out info as if you expect the world to see.

Video shop death knell? – Technology – brisbanetimes.com.au
Video shop death knell?

 

Australians can now rent movies while doing their grocery shopping with the arrival of DVD vending machines in supermarkets.

Instant DVD has installed vending machines in 12 supermarkets throughout Melbourne and Sydney and intends to expand to 500 throughout the country, creating yet more competition for the traditional video shop.

The machines offer a choice of 300 of the latest movies that can be paid for with the swipe of a credit card.

All movies cost $2.99 a night to hire and can be returned to any of the service's vending machines. If you fail to return a movie within two weeks its price is charged to your credit card and it becomes yours to keep.

Instant DVD believe it will be at least seven to 10 years before movies on discs start to disappear."

Fed Court rules against Telstra over Next G ads: News – Communications – ZDNet Australia
Fed Court rules against Telstra over Next G ads

 

A ruling by the Federal Court has declared that Telstra misled consumers over the extent of its Next G mobile phone coverage, but Telstra has already announced it will appeal the decision.

The legal action was brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which questioned Telstra's claim that the Next G network had "coverage everywhere you need it".

In her judgment, Justice Michelle Gordon said Telstra had engaged and continued to engage in conduct that was misleading or deceptive in various Next G advertisements, which appeared in print, on television and online.

Telstra said it intended to appeal what it described as a "very disappointing" court decision.

Telstra gives its customers credit for understanding advertising," spokesperson Peter Taylor said in the statement.

Reality-check or rip off? People spending millions on virtual gifts – CNN.com
People spending millions on virtual gifts

They are nothing more than cutesy icons posted in a "gifts" section on a person's profile page, the smiley faces of the 21st century. And like that 1970s icon, they have mass appeal.

Since they were introduced in February, Facebook says its users have purchased more than 24 million of these dollar items, which are sold in limited editions to generate more interest.

Elsewhere online, including virtual world sites such as Second Life, Utherverse and Stardoll, people can give gift certificates so their friends' avatars, or online personalities, can shop at "malls" on the sites.

Causes is one of the most popular Facebook Applications, with over 300,000 active users. The service, which leverages virality to spread the word about worthy causes, aggregates 40,000 causes that benefit 13,000 nonprofits worldwide

 But now you can give a gift that says a little more than “I spent a dollar on you.” With Gifts from Causes, you can give a $10 – $200 gift to a friend. Each virtual gift (see image below) benefits a different charity. 100% of the proceeds (minus only credit card fees) go directly to the charity.

Aussie Search Results

SHOW NOTES FROM MARK (Below)
SHOW NOTES FROM GLENN

 Chinese fury at cyber spy claims | Australian IT

Chinese fury at cyber spy claims

Branson's gift to Google co-founder | Australian IT

Branson's gift to Google co-founder

Google, TomTom in alliance | Australian IT

Google, TomTom in alliance

Ads land Next G in hot water | Australian IT

Ads land Next G in hot water

Telstra insists Next G is everywhere | Australian IT

Telstra insists Next G is everywhere

Telstra rejects Labor net plan | Australian IT

Telstra rejects Labor net plan

Telstra investigated over AWAs | Australian IT

Telstra investigated over AWAs

Telstra to cut more jobs | Australian IT

Telstra to cut more jobs

3 cuts mobile broadband price | Australian IT

3 cuts mobile broadband price

BBC NEWS | Technology | Facebook founder apology over ads

Facebook founder apology over ads

Facebook has 50 million users worldwide The founder of social networking site Facebook Mark Zuckerberg has apologised to users for the way it launched a social advertising system. Called Beacon, the system tracks web shopping on partner sites outside Facebook and then sells adverts to the social network based on purchases. After complaints the site was invading privacy, Facebook changed Beacon from an opt-out system to opt in. Mr Zuckerberg has said users can now switch off Beacon completely.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Microsoft trials XP on XO laptop

Microsoft trials XP on XO laptop

The XO laptops are being trialled worldwide Microsoft is to begin field tests of Windows XP working on the so-called $100 laptop, or XO, early in 2008. It has not committed to offering XP on the XO laptop but hopes to release the operating system in the first half of 2008 if the trials succeed. The work, undertaken as part of the firm's plans to widen access to technology, forms part of a project to run Windows on flash-based machines. The XO does not have a hard drive, and uses a lightweight flash drive instead. Microsoft's James Utzschneider, writing on his blog, said: "We are hard at work on the project here. "Between Microsoft employees and third party contractors that we have brought into the effort, we have over 40 engineers working full-time on the port."

BBC NEWS | Technology | Light to shrink computer clusters

Light to shrink computer clusters

The breakthrough could mean smaller supercomputers Supercomputers may one day be the size of a laptop thanks to research by IBM. Scientists at IBM have completed work that may make it possible to do away with the copper wires used to couple processing cores to each other. The connector created by the team uses light to pass data between the computational cores that is faster and uses less power than copper wires.

BBC NEWS | Business | 20% of iPhones in France unlocked

20% of iPhones in France unlocked

iPhones were launched in France on 29 November Mobile phone company Orange has said 20% of customers who have bought iPhones from it in France have opted for unlocked ones. Orange sold the popular Apple product for 399 euros (£288) with a two-year contract, or 749 euros without one. Elsewhere, mobile companies only sell iPhones to customers who take out network contracts with them. Orange sold 30,000 iPhones in the first five days, 20% of which were unlocked so they could be used on any network. Orange says that 48% of people buying the phones were new customers for the network.

BBC NEWS | Technology | 'Kill switch' dropped from Vista

'Kill switch' dropped from Vista

Vista was launched at the start of the year Microsoft is to withdraw an anti-piracy tool from Windows Vista, which disables the operating system when invoked, following customer complaints. The so-called "kill switch" is designed to prevent users with illegal copies of Vista from using certain features. But the tool has suffered from glitches since it was introduced with many Windows users claiming that legal copies of Vista had been disabled. Microsoft says its efforts have seen a drop in piracy of its software. In a statement released by the company, Microsoft corporate vice president Mike Sievert, said: "Users whose systems are identified as counterfeit will be presented with clear and recurring notices about the status of their system and how to get genuine copies."

BBC NEWS | Technology | The future is bright for LEDs

The future is bright for LEDs

By Anna Lacey BBC Science Unit reporter Energy-efficient LEDs are being used to light up Christmas They wink at us every day from computer screens and stereos. But the humble LED is heading for a brighter future. New generation Light Emitting Diodes will purify water, make lights that mimic the colour of sunshine, and keep private data immune from hackers. Dr Rachel Oliver, an LED researcher from the University of Cambridge, thinks that they could easily succeed tungsten bulbs as the main way to light our homes. "LEDs have enormous benefits over standard light bulbs because they're a great deal more efficient, come in a range of different colours and have a very long lifetime. They are also good at saving energy too," she told BBC Radio 4's The Material World programme.

BBC NEWS | Business | Vodafone loses iPhone court case

Vodafone loses iPhone court case

Vodafone wanted iPhone users to be able to choose between networks Mobile provider Vodafone has failed to break up a deal giving rival T-Mobile the exclusive rights to distribute Apple's iPhone in Germany. A German court overturned a temporary injunction it granted two weeks ago, which forced T-Mobile to sell iPhones that were not tied to a single network. Vodafone objected to the exclusivity agreement and said customers should be able to choose between networks. Apple has similar licensing agreements with O2 in the UK and AT&T in the US. There has been much speculation about the details of the deals between Apple and the mobile providers, who are reported to be paying the US computer firm anything from 10% to 30% of their iPhone revenues. "We are pleased with the outcome," said T-Mobile spokesman Rene Bresken.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Video game giants in $18bn merger

Video game giants in $18bn merger

By Rory Cellan-Jones Technology correspondent, BBC News World of Warcraft is played by more than nine million people The companies behind Call of Duty and World of Warcraft are merging in a deal which could shake up the global video games industry. Activision and Blizzard have said they will form "the world's most profitable games business" in a deal worth $18.8bn (£9.15bn). US-based Activision also makes hit console games such as the Tony Hawk series and Guitar Hero. Nine million people pay a monthly subscription to play World of Warcraft.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Graphics chips rev up research results

Graphics chips rev up research results

By Mark Ward Technology Correspondent, BBC News website A better graphics card means PC games look more realistic               Every serious PC gamer knows what a difference a good graphics card can make to the fun they have. But it is not just hardcore gamers who have recognised the worth of a PC graphics card. Increasing numbers of research scientists have woken up to their potential too. But the scientists in question are not using the cards to appreciate the detail in PC games such as The Witcher. Instead they are using them as cheap sources of supercomputer-class processing power.