Episode 165

posted in: Show Notes

GLENN’S SHOWNOTES

BBC News – Malware suspected of ‘Black Screen’ issue
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8388253.stm
Malware suspected of ‘Black Screen’ issue

Some Windows users are confronted by a totally black screen after they log on to their system.

It was thought that a security update on 10 November had been the cause, although this has now been discounted.

Reports suggest the problem also affects Windows Vista and XP, which experts are putting down to malware.

In a blog posting on its security site, Microsoft said that it had investigated the claims and “found that our November Security Updates are not making changes to the system that these reports say are responsible for these issues”.

The firm said that the behaviour was associated with malware, such as Daonol, and that this was probably the root cause.

Pirate Party gears up for Federal elections
http://apcmag.com/pirate-party-gears-up-for-federal-elections.htm
Pirate Party gears up for Federal elections

has sounded the call for 500 ‘Founding Members’ as a “small but significant step …

that’s what it will take for the Pirate Party of Australia to register with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and field candidates in the next Federal election.

If you want to be a pirate, click to pirateparty.org.au

Australia gets Windows 7 Family Pack for $249
http://apcmag.com/windows-7-family-pack-australia.htm
Australia gets Windows 7 Family Pack for $249

The Windows 7 Family Pack, containing three licences for Windows 7 Home Premium, on sale now for $249 RRP.

a stand-alone upgrade edition of Windows 7 Home Premium retails for $199.

Microsoft Australia made representations to Microsoft HQ in Redmond “and managed to get Australia included in the global trial on the basis that our market is very similar to America and also because we were able to demonstrate the high level of interest from Australia.”

Below from iTWire

Microsoft also wanted to ensure it did something for the upgraders who had already purchased three separate Win 7 Home Premium upgrades at $199 each (with the proviso that they were purcahsed on the same credit card before November 30), and if consumers can prove that with receipts, Microsoft will offer three Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop and Mouse keyboard packs as compensation.

Farmville Players Launch Class Action Suit Against Zynga Over Credit Card Scams
http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/facebooks-farmville-loses-its-country-glow-20091201-k3c7.html
Facebook’s Farmville loses its country glow

farming application has amassed 60 million players worldwide and is just one of several popular social networking games created by US developer Zynga for Facebook and MySpace users.

users “may have been charged without their consent for ‘special offers’ that result in unauthorised bank, credit, or phone charges, sometimes through the use of phone text messages and auto-recurring SMS subscriptions”.

Zynga brand was making its big break into the mainstream. The company recently secured $US15 million in new funding, and also was named Hot Brand by US magazine Advertising Age last month.

Facebook has also recently moved to boost standards among third-party applications. The company abolished its “Verified apps” scheme today and plans to review all applications on an ongoing basis.

Qantas introduces laptop power sockets on economy-class domestic flights
http://apcmag.com/qantas-introduces-laptop-power-sockets-on-economy-class-domestic-flights.htm
Qantas introduces laptop power sockets on economy-class domestic flights The first of the new A330s made its maiden domestic flight today as the QF575 service between Sydney and Perth, with passengers in cattle class able to enjoy in-seat laptop power and even the recharging of USB devices such as their BlackBerry or iPhone.

The A330 – registered as VH-EBM and named Tamar Valley – also sports video on demand through Panasonic’s touchscreen eX2 system with movies, TV programs, a digital music library and games.

same system will be fitted to all new aircraft entering Qantas’ domestic network, beginning with the second A330-200 – to be christened the Clare Valley – when it touches Aussie tarmac in February next year.

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