Episode 173

posted in: Show Notes

GLENN’S SHOWNOTES

BBC News – PlayStation 3 ‘hacked’ by iPhone cracker
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8478764.stm
PlayStation 3 ‘hacked’ by iPhone cracker

A US hacker who gained notoriety for unlocking Apple’s iPhone as a teenager has told BBC News that he has now hacked Sony’s PlayStation 3 (PS3).

George Hotz said the hack, which could allow people to run pirated games or homemade software, took him five weeks.

He said that he was not yet ready to reveal the full details of the hack but said that it was “5% hardware and 95% software”

Google Street View bikes hit Australia – Hardware – Technology – News – iTnews.com.au
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/165507,google-street-view-bikes-hit-australia.aspx
Google Street View bikes hit Australia

Google has launched StreetView tricycles in Australia. The pedal powered versions of its StreetView vans are able to capture images in places where cars are barred – such as Taronga Zoo.

This is the first time Street View bikes have appeared in the southern hemisphere, according to Andrew Foster, a product manager at Google

Google is already using this technology in the US, UK, Japan and Singapore. The first place to be captured by the tricycles was Legoland in California. Australians will be asked to vote for locations they would like Google to capture using the tricycles.

Images of Taronga Zoo will be available on Google Maps “later this year”.

AppleInsider | Apple plans second fix for flickering 27-inch iMacs – reports
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/01/25/apple_plans_second_fix_for_flickering_27_inch_imacs_reports.html
Apple plans second fix for flickering 27-inch iMacs – reports

In a thread on the Apple Discussions forums that spans nearly 250 pages, users have begun to report conversations with AppleCare representatives who claim a new update is forthcoming. A month ago, Apple released a software fix for the flickering issue on the 27-inch iMac, but since then users have said it did not address the problem.

Australia Day internet blackout protests filtering
http://apcmag.com/australia-day-internet-blackout-protests-filtering-.htm
Australia Day internet blackout protests filtering

Electronic Frontiers Australia today announced that over 500 Australian websites will be “blacked out” in protest against the Rudd government’s mandatory Internet filtering scheme.

Included among the websites are the Australian Greens, the Australian Democrats, an Internet service provider, media outlets, and hundreds of other Australian businesses and organisations.

The plan, which will see all Australian Internet connections subject to a Government-controlled blacklist of banned sites, will apply to all Australian Internet connections within 12 months of the legislation being passed.

Greens Communications spokesman Senator Scott Ludlam, in deciding to support the campaign, said “The Government’s plan will not protect children, will do nothing to crack down on criminal activity online, and sets a dangerous precedent of centralised net censorship.”

Critics of “the list” say its broad scope, its secret nature, and the inability of Australian businesses to know if and when they have been placed on the list are among its key failings.

Stop using IE6, IE7 NOW, warns Microsoft
http://apcmag.com/microsoft-warns-stop-using-ie6-ie7-now.htm
Stop using IE6, IE7 NOW, warns Microsoft

The software giant today issued an advisory warning companies and individuals to upgrade to Internet Explorer 8 as soon as possible to protect themselves from the vulnerability that allowed Chinese hackers to infiltrate and steal software source code from some of the world’s largest software companies, including Google and Adobe.

While Microsoft says the hackers got in to corporate PCs running Internet Explorer 6, it is recommending that companies upgrade to version 8 immediately to get its stronger security. Microsoft also said that anyone using Windows XP original release or XP service pack 2 should immediately upgrade to XP service pack 3 (or a newer version of Windows such as Windows 7 if their PC is capable of running it).

My School goes offline

the site was designed to take one million hits per day

My School uses complex methodology to compare statistically similar schools to reveal some private schools are “coasting” by performing above the average of all schools but in some cases below the performance of similar schools.

For example Geelong Grammar’s Toorak campus  in Victoria, which charges nearly $30,000-a-year in Year 12 fees and was once attended by Prince Charles, performed substantially below the average of similar Year 3 schools in spelling.

It was also below the average of similar schools in reading, grammar and numeracy.

http://www.myschool.edu.au/

iiNet ruling due next week

the court today announced that Justice Dennis Cowdroy would hand down his decision next week.

The group of Hollywood studios has attempted to persuade the court that iiNet can be held legally liable for alleged copyright infringement activity by its customers, so the decision is expected to have wide ramifications for internet providers.

The studios argued that iiNet should have taken “reasonable steps” to act on infringement notices that contained internet addresses of computers using the ISP’s service to allegedly share illegal movies and music on peer-to-peer file networks.

The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT), which acted on the studios’ behalf, argued that iiNet authorised its customers by ignoring the notices.

However, iiNet told the court that it would fall foul of telecommunications laws regulating the use of consumer information if it were to act on them. It also argued that there were no reasonable steps it could take.

State aims for $10m savings through whole of government Microsoft purchase

QUEENSLAND is set to save $10 million over three years because of a whole-of-government deal signed with Microsoft Australia late last year.

The state spends $20m with Microsoft annually.

It will now begin the march towards Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 7, migrating from Windows XP.

The final agreement, sealed in November last year, covers up to 150,000 employees from 17 departments over a three-year period.

Google enters fight for sports broadcast rights

The company has signed a two-year global deal to offer live and on-demand access on YouTube to all 60 matches in the Twenty20 Indian Premier League competition, which begins on March 12. It will also show on-demand content on mobile phones.

The move signals Google’s intention to transform YouTube from a video search engine and repository for home-made videos to a global internet and mobile TV channel.

 

Google flagged over logo dispute

Before and after ... (above) Jessie Du's winning logo, (below) the altered version that appeared online.

Jessie Du Australia-themed version of the Google logo beat thousands of other entrants in the search giant’s Doodle 4 Google competition, which ran in schools across the country. Jessie, 11, is a student at Rydalmere East Public School.

Her entry fashioned the letters in Google’s logo out of native Australian animals, such as the kangaroo, koala and emu. The central “o” in the original design was the Aboriginal flag but this has been edited out of the final version that adorns Google’s home page today.

The designer of the flag, Harold Thomas, who owns the copyright to the flag, refused to give Google permission to reproduce the design on its website, Google said.

Harold Thomas, who lives in Humpty Doo in the Northern Territory, said he refused only because Google did not approach him in a respectful way and had demanded to reproduce the flag without charge.

“I said well you can use it but there’s a fee component and the [Google] person said: ‘Oh we can’t do that, we can’t pay for it, we’ll have to ask the girl to change it [the logo] if we have to pay for it,’ ” Thomas said.

Thomas designed the flag as a symbol of unity and national identity for Aboriginal people during the land rights movement of the early 1970s.

The Federal Court officially recognised him as the author of the flag in 1997.

It is now protected under the Copyright Act 1968 and so it can only be reproduced with his permission.

Thomas said he allowed health, education, legal and other organisations that help Aboriginal people free use of the flag, but generally charged a fee to commercial entities.

[But] they first contacted me wanting it to be used freely … you don’t start off negotiations that way – they put me on the back foot, and therefore I had to protect my interests in a respectful way.

“They didn’t give me a straight-out offer, and with all their money and machinery and know-how, they should have known what to do – it’s as simple as that.”

Thomas would not say what fee offer from Google would have been acceptable.

The Apple iPad: what you need to know

released globally at the end of March starting at US$499 with a 16GB solid state drive.so we can expect it to be around $650

A 32GB edition will sell for US$599 say A$730
and 64GB for US$699 say A$850

first shipment of the iPad will be fitted only with 802.11n Wi-Fi.

A model equipped with 3G (7.2 Mbps HSDPA) for Internet access and downloading content – but apparently not for making phone calls –  “will be available in the US and selected countries” at the end of April for an extra US$130 (A$160 inc GST) extra on the price tag of the Wi-Fi models.

9.7 inch screen
1.27cm thin
weights 680 grams including the non-removable battery.
Battery life is rated at “up to 10 hours”, although during his presentation Jobs quoited this as being 10 hours for video playback — if so, less CPU intensive tasks such as eBook reading and Web browsing should stretch this a little further. Standby time is rated at one month.
Apple’s own silicon – a brand-new 1GHz processor called the A4. This uses a ‘system on a chip’ design and was created by PA Semi, the processor firm which Apple acquired in 2008

the iPad can support “virtually every iPhone app unmodified right out of the box”, promised Apple’s iPhone software veep Scott Forstall.

Asus release world’s first dual-core Atom netbook
http://apcmag.com/asus-release-worlds-first-dual-core-atom-netbook.htm
Asus release world’s first dual-core Atom netbook

dual-core Atom 330 processor, Nvidia ION graphics, and 12.1 inch screen – but a price tag of just $699.

Atom 330 processor, which is essentially a double-die version of the Atom 230 with both engines clocked at 1.6GHz.

The Nvidia chipset delivers full support for DirectX 10 and Windows 7’s Aero effects (the netbook comes with Windows 7 Home Premium) as well as upscaling of standard definition video to HD.

an HDMI port for full 1080p HD output.

The rest of the specs are up to par including 2GB of RAM, a 250GB hard drive and 802.11n wireless.
Early tests indicate the 1201N will top out around four hours in real-world use

Solar-powered Bibles sent to Haiti – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/19/2796032.htm
Solar-powered Bibles sent to Haiti

solar-powered audible Bibles that can broadcast the holy scriptures in Haitian Creole to 300 people at a time.

The Faith Comes By Hearing organisation says its Bible, called the Proclaimer, delivers “digital quality” and is designed for “poor and illiterate people”.

It says 600 of the devices are already on their way to Haiti.

Sky falls on ABC’s news channel – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/21/2798247.htm
Sky falls on ABC’s news channel

The chief executive of Sky News has launched an attack on the ABC after the public broadcaster announced plans to set up a 24-hour news channel.

The channel, to be launched this year, aims to provide constant coverage of breaking local and international news stories by harnessing the ABC’s existing network of regional and international newsrooms.

MARK’S SHOWNOTES

At first I thought this was funny….. Then I realized the awful truth of it.
Be sure to read all the way to the end!

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he’s fed.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think..

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won’t be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He’s good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he’s laid.

When he’s gone,
Do not relax,
It’s time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Airline surcharge tax
Airline Fuel Tax
Airport Maintenance Tax
Building Permit Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Death Tax
Dog License Tax
Driving Permit Tax
Environmental Tax (Fee)
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment (UI)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Gasoline Tax (too much per litre)
Gross Receipts Tax
Health Tax
Hunting License Tax
Hydro Tax
Inheritance Tax
Interest Tax
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Mortgage Tax
Personal Income Tax
Property Tax
Poverty Tax
Prescription Drug Tax
Provincial Income and sales tax
Real Estate Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Retail Sales Tax
Service Charge Tax
School Tax
Telephone Federal Tax
Telephone Federal, Provincial and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Water Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was one of the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had a large middle class, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in “Hell” happened?  Can you spell ‘politicians?’
I hope this goes around Australia at least 100 times! YOU can help it get there!

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BBC News – Ethiopian crash jet flight recorders found off Lebanon
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8484215.stm
Ethiopian crash jet flight recorders found off Lebanon

The “black box” flight recorders from a passenger jet which crashed off the coast of Lebanon two days ago have been found, officials say.

A search team located the recorders from the Ethiopian Airlines flight just over 1.3km (0.8 miles) underwater, 10km west of the capital, Beirut.

The search team is now trying to retrieve them, Lebanese security officials said.

All 90 people on board the flight are presumed dead following the crash.

At least 24 bodies have been pulled from the sea so far.

Ethiopian Airlines Flight 409, bound for Addis Ababa, crashed into the Mediterranean minutes after take-off from Beirut at 0237 (0037 GMT) during a severe thunderstorm on Monday.

YouTube – MadTV – Ad: iPad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTzhXMbOWHE
MadTV – Ad: iPad

Apple iPad

Apple – iPad – The best way to experience the web, email, and photos
http://www.apple.com/ipad/#video

BBC News – Sky launches 3D channel in pubs
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8483136.stm
Sky launches 3D channel in pubs

Sky is kicking off the UK’s first 3D channel with a live Premier League football match to be broadcast from nine pubs around the UK this weekend.

The match between Arsenal and Manchester United will be viewable in 3D in pubs in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin.

In April Sky will roll out its 3D channel to hundreds of other pubs.

Later in the year, Sky 3D will be made available to all Sky+HD customers with a range of content on offer.

This will include movies, sport, documentaries and entertainment.

Sky 3D will initially be available as a free add-on for those with Sky+HD boxes.

Viewers need to wear a special pair of glasses to watch the content.

There has been a great deal of hype around the technology since cinemas began showing films in 3D.

Avatar, shot in 3D, has become the highest grossing film of all time.

It is expected that 3D-ready TVs will hit the consumer market later this year.

“People have already embraced 3D cinema and because Sky’s 3D service uses the same kind of technology, we’re confident there will be demand for sport, movies, concerts and drama in 3D,” said Gerry O’Sullivan, SKy’s director of strategic product development.

In February, two rugby matches in the Six Nations championship will be filmed in 3D and shown at cinemas around the UK.

The 2010 World Cup will also be filmed in the format.

The BBC was the first to show a 3D sports event, broadcasting a Scotland v England rugby match at the Six Nations championship in 2008.

BBC News – PlayStation 3 ‘hacked’ by iPhone cracker
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8478764.stm
PlayStation 3 ‘hacked’ by iPhone cracker

A US hacker who gained notoriety for unlocking Apple’s iPhone as a teenager has told BBC News that he has now hacked Sony’s PlayStation 3 (PS3).

George Hotz said the hack, which could allow people to run pirated games or homemade software, took him five weeks.

He said he was still refining the technique but intended to post full details online soon.

The PS3 is the only games console that has not been hacked, despite being on the market for three years.

“It’s supposed to be unhackable – but nothing is unhackable,” Mr Hotz told BBC News.

“I can now do whatever I want with the system. It’s like I’ve got an awesome new power – I’m just not sure how to wield it.”

Sony said it was “investigating the report” and would “clarify the situation” when it had more information.

BBC News – Google ‘sister’ launches in China
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8483597.stm
Google ‘sister’ launches in China

A new search engine and social network provider called Goojje has appeared online in China.

The site contains very similar branding to Google, and the final syllable “jje” sounds similar to the Mandarin word for older sister (jiejie).

Goojie’s search results appear to be filtered for sensitive content in accordance with Chinese regulations.

Google has recently objected to those restrictions, but the new site appears to be urging it to remain in China.

Google said on 12 January that hackers had tried to infiltrate its software coding and the e-mail accounts of Chinese human rights activists, in a “highly sophisticated” attack.

The California-based firm – which launched in China in 2006 – said it would remain in China only if the government relaxed censorship.

According to the Reuters news agency, Goojje has a message on its site which reads: “Sister was very happy when brother gave up the thought of leaving and stayed for sister”.

While Goojje sounds like “sister”, the word Google sounds similar to the Mandarin word gege, which means “big brother”.

Google has declined to comment.

Watch Reporter Makes Backwards Half Court Shot Video | Break.com
http://www.break.com/index/reporter-makes-backwards-half-court-shot.html
Reporter Makes Backwards Half Court Shot

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