Recent Posts

1176

General Software Discussion / Re: Massive malvertising campaign on Yahoo, AOL and other sites delivers ransomware

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 24, 2014, 11:50 AM »

What I would do if hit with something like this, is;
-Shut down.
...

-bit (October 24, 2014, 09:06 AM)

Fail ... That is what they want you to do. Any rootkit's ability to burrow in and completely take over a machine is contingent on panicking the user into performing that ever critical first reboot. After which, with system level permissions it can do massive damage to mapped drives.

Now disconnecting any external backup drives you have would be a good idea in the hopeful assumption that the attack focused first on drive C: ... But nothing is guaranteed with these people.

Interesting read.  Were you able to remove the malware?

-crabby3 (October 24, 2014, 09:27 AM)

They're 50+ miles away and closed for the weekend - staff is trying to contact the out-of-town brass for authorization ... Blah, Blah, Blah - The situation is dire..

Hyper vigilant?  Even i know to go to the programs site.

-crabby3 (October 24, 2014, 09:27 AM)

Good plan. He did. Avast AV's download page sent him to CNet.  

Fake download buttons are hard to judge.  Some are marked Ad... some are not.

-crabby3 (October 24, 2014, 09:27 AM)

Quite true (most are not), and also quite possibly the crux of the problem here. I maintain that lawyers and marketing people should be actively hunted for causing problems like this.

^ I hesitated before i clicked your link...  

-crabby3 (October 24, 2014, 09:27 AM)

Me too.

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General Software Discussion / Massive malvertising campaign on Yahoo, AOL and other sites delivers ransomware

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 24, 2014, 07:52 AM »

Massive malvertising campaign on Yahoo, AOL and other sites delivers ransomware


One of the sites effected is apparently CNet, as one of our customers got nailed by this while trying to download the latest copy of Avast AV (which is hosted on CNet). The customer in question is a hyper vigilant old schooler who doesn't like, trust, or use the internet for anything unless absolutely necessary. So they most likely got burnt by the idiotic marketing practice of having multiple unidentified huge green download buttons that infest CNet.

1178

Living Room / Re: when will we eventually be able to

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 23, 2014, 08:54 AM »

I insist it's useless and you know why? because if we want to monitor health of frail individuals, we should do it constantly, not only inside the car

-kalos (October 23, 2014, 07:28 AM)

There are all sorts of technologies in modern cars that are not needed...but there anyway. Like the ever detrimental entertainment systems that can only serve to distract the driver. e.g. any silly assed bit of kit that can help fill out a brochure can be offered as an upsell option. So the driver - or other occupants - don't need to be frail...they just need to be interested in that level/type of "protection".

Anyone over 35 is at risk of a heart attack...statistically.

1179

Living Room / Re: when will we eventually be able to

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 23, 2014, 07:01 AM »

it doesnt really make much sense that you keep trying to convert those with the latter approach, to your enthusiastic approach.

-tomos (October 22, 2014, 09:55 AM)

Not to mention the futility of trying to innovate a dinosaur. Nobody is going to waste the time and effort to create a new and better payphone...because they are simply no longer needed. Gas stations are in an earlier yet much the same situation. There is no point in streamlining/improving a process that will start dying out in another 20 or so years.

I don't object to hybrids...I just find the toothless emasculated ones to be obnoxious. There are a few on the market that don't completely suck.

Hydrogen filling stations, yes.
Charging stations, yes.
Gasoline stations ... Let. It. Go. The risk/reward factor just ain't there.

-Stoic Joker (October 22, 2014, 01:14 PM)

look here what they develop, while we already have driveless technology
and it's not a small project, they want to make it detect even electrolytic imbalances!
they spend so many money and effort, while the future is clearly driveless!
Ford unveils a car seat which detects when a driver is having heart attack

-kalos (October 23, 2014, 02:18 AM)

You do realize that that assertion is rather obtusely predicated on the assumption that it is perfectly fine for any or all of the other occupants in the vehicle to drop dead...right?

Just because a vehicle is/was/would be driverless doesn't mean having it arrive at its destination with a corpse in it is to be considered a win.

That technology has potential, and a definite future in many applications - Kind of like Life Alert for your car.

Ford unveils a car seat which detects when a driver is having heart attack

No High Tech needed there.  The guy just got a look at his monthly car payment. 

-MilesAhead (October 23, 2014, 05:28 AM)

I don't know if one can actually win a thread...but this is definitely a contender..

1180

Living Room / Re: when will we eventually be able to

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 22, 2014, 04:58 PM »

I'd just settle for an at-the-pump receipt now and then.

-crabby3 (October 22, 2014, 01:39 PM)

Heh.  We keep expecting exotic convenience through technology when in the US we can't even get them to put personal medical history on a Smart Card.  Just the fax mam. 

-MilesAhead (October 22, 2014, 04:30 PM)

I take it you haven't seen the nightmare that is the medical software backends trying to align themselves with the Meaningful Use (government) requirements that are positioned to become what you speak of. Duct tape and bailing wire doesn't even come close to describing how the stuff is being slapped together ... And security?!? OMFG The things I've seen done - at the direction of a support "tech" - would make anyone with an ounce of common sense terrified to be caught with one of those cards ... You'd be safer in the jungle with a Voodoo witch doctor.

1181

Living Room / Re: when will we eventually be able to

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 22, 2014, 01:14 PM »

it doesnt really make much sense that you keep trying to convert those with the latter approach, to your enthusiastic approach.

-tomos (October 22, 2014, 09:55 AM)

Not to mention the futility of trying to innovate a dinosaur. Nobody is going to waste the time and effort to create a new and better payphone...because they are simply no longer needed. Gas stations are in an earlier yet much the same situation. There is no point in streamlining/improving a process that will start dying out in another 20 or so years.

I don't object to hybrids...I just find the toothless emasculated ones to be obnoxious. There are a few on the market that don't completely suck.

Hydrogen filling stations, yes.
Charging stations, yes.
Gasoline stations ... Let. It. Go. The risk/reward factor just ain't there.

1182

General Software Discussion / Re: Cloning SERVER 2008 R2 SYSTEM TO A BACKUP 2TB DRIVE-Which app is best?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 22, 2014, 12:35 PM »

^Agreed.

As an alternative to imaging, have you tried using the built-in Windows backup software to do a complete system backup? I've had great luck with it doing restores/recoveries to both original and alternate hardware. Also as mentioned above it will allow you to do a test restore of a few files (like the really critical ones...) to alternate location to verify it's integrity.

1183

Living Room / Re: when will we eventually be able to

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 22, 2014, 06:51 AM »

A robotic arm that refuels cars in service stations has been launched in the Netherlands.

-kalos (October 22, 2014, 02:44 AM)

Um... That article doesn't actually support your position, as it primarily confirms all of the issues/drawbacks mentioned earlier.

For electric cars they can just Tesla Zap you. 

There may be a long wait to "fully charged" though.

-MilesAhead (October 22, 2014, 04:37 AM)

Not really, Tesla came out with that video awhile back (posted on the board somewhere) where they can now change the entire battery pack in like 1.5 minutes at special service stations.

1184

Living Room / Re: Interesting "stuff"

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 21, 2014, 04:53 PM »

Yes, but that sort of grounded practical information is to hard to sensationalize...which seemed to be a rather strong undertone in the article. IMO as an entry piece it did nothing for the sites credibility - Kinda gave it a two headed space baby feel.

-Stoic Joker (October 21, 2014, 11:23 AM)

I bet it appealed to some people. Do you think it's popular on Facebook or Reddit?

-Arizona Hot (October 21, 2014, 11:53 AM)

Undoubtedly ... Much for the same reason I never visit either one.

There are lifestyle change downsides to owning any pet - which more people should properly consider - But that doesn't really warrant the article's cats are evil shock value tone. We've recently had a cat add itself to our (3 dog) household. It's a tricky mix...but I'm not about to turn the cat away. I'm also not going to do a piece about 101 fun things to do with cat shit...but that has nothing to do with the article..

1185

Living Room / Re: when will we eventually be able to

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 21, 2014, 03:10 PM »

just a ring to the hole of the fuel slot would be suffice!

-kalos (October 21, 2014, 03:06 PM)

Explain that to the mother of the flaming baby..

1186

Living Room / Re: when will we eventually be able to

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 21, 2014, 03:09 PM »

You could use a cell phone app that uses GPS to identify which gas station you were at, punch in the pump number, and then authorize the charges for either $x.xx in gas or a fill up. But that would still take more time than just swiping your card, punching in a 4 or 5 digit code and hitting enter ... Is fear of actual casual human interaction really that rampant these days?

Honestly I still prefer cash, if for no other reason than it always works...and it's fun to see the clerk (panic) try to remember how to make change (yes that's a joke for the over 40 crowd..).

1187

Living Room / Re: when will we eventually be able to

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 21, 2014, 02:58 PM »

Robotic fueling arms probably won't become a thing unless auto manufacturers agree on a standard for the placement of the fuel neck on the vehicle. Right now they are far too varied, a system would have to optically scan the car, try to find and open the hatch, try to find and open the cap, try to insert the nozzle, and the whole time hope that it isn't punching a hole in the car's body or dispensing fuel onto the ground because it missed the opening.

-SeraphimLabs (October 21, 2014, 12:57 PM)

Exactly...  As there is a decidedly finite number of times you can accidently punch a hole in a car window and fuel up the baby before it becomes a rather sticky legal issue.

1188

Living Room / Re: when will we eventually be able to

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 21, 2014, 12:39 PM »

This to me is more of a downside to technology, when things get created solely because they can be with little or no regard for the ramifications. Or more specifically ... What problem are we trying to solve here??

To put gas in you car there is an inherent risk of physical exposure because you need to exit the safety envelope of the vehicle. You have to interact with the gas pump to select a grade, put the nozzle in the tank, get your receipt (if desired), and of course as is being discussed pay for said fuel. Now the problem here - for me - is that in the interest of...I'm not entirely even sure...an additional risk is being added to the operation by exposing the transaction to anyone in the vicinity by transmitting it through/out into the air...for the sole purpose of shaving ~3 seconds off a 5 minute operation ... Why?

1189

Living Room / Re: Interesting "stuff"

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 21, 2014, 11:23 AM »

they miss out on possibly the most relevant difference here:
cats are loners, dogs are pack animals.
   Dogs respond to their 'owner' as the leader of the pack (then again, with some owners, this doesnt quite work as it should...).
   Cat's dont see you as an owner, nor as a leader.

-tomos (October 21, 2014, 07:58 AM)

Yes, but that sort of grounded practical information is to hard to sensationalize...which seemed to be a rather strong undertone in the article. IMO as an entry piece it did nothing for the sites credibility - Kinda gave it a two headed space baby feel.

1190

Living Room / Re: Interesting "stuff"

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 21, 2014, 07:02 AM »

Granted I'm a dog person, but...

Cats are selfish, unfeeling, environmentally devastating creatures.

So... Cats are really more like people - Sounds like a better match to me.

Besides if they've been "killing billions of birds every year"...and we're not showing any signs of running out of birds - which we ain't - It kinda sounds to me like they're holding down the balance rather nicely.

1191

Living Room / Re: when will we eventually be able to

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 20, 2014, 06:20 PM »

Amen to ^That^!! I went through $100 in float needles before I finally gave up and traded in my beloved tricked out 87 FLHTP. Now I've got a 100lb heavier (electronics mostly--> EFI 10 FLTRX with a 23ci larger engine that tops out ~20mph slower (but mileage is roughly the same).

Instead cops should be driving a 4 cylinder turbocharged toyota or a 3 cylinder turbodiesel saab, that way the bulk of their cruising time is done with the utmost fuel efficiency while still retaining the kick in the pants for running down fugitives.

-SeraphimLabs (October 20, 2014, 03:47 PM)

While it would be fun(ny) to force them all to drive Smart Cars, the fuzz are just fine with American muscle. The Dodge Chargers are actually pretty good on gas (we just bought one a few months back) if you don't stand on it constantly. AFA cruising efficiency, that's what the computer is for ... They just need a chip they can toggle between pursuit and eco-tastic happy butterfly mode.

1192

Living Room / Re: when will we eventually be able to

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 20, 2014, 05:52 PM »

Regardless of how it's paid for, they need to go back to selling actual gas ... Instead of this marginally combustible Ethanol shit they've been foisting on people. Ethanol is more expensive to make, destructive to the engine components, kills performance, and ruins gas mileage. It's just one big black-eyed tree hugging Epic Failure all the way around. They need to quit it, apologize - maybe refund a few bucks for damages - and go back to what works.

1193

Living Room / Re: driveless cars

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 17, 2014, 07:56 PM »

Vehicle Control Interface Not Found - Press F1 to Continue.

1194

Living Room / Re: driveless cars

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 17, 2014, 05:05 PM »

UK to allow driverless cars on public roads in January

-kalos (October 17, 2014, 02:02 PM)

Yes, some people are trying it, in some places...tentatively ...And that's fine. It's what is colloquialisticly referred to as 'sticking a toe in the water'. Nobody however is jumping to mandate it as option on all 2016 vehicles ... Which seems to be what you're pushing for. The technology is simply not mature enough.

So unless one's objective is to get a bunch of people killed...caution is warranted. Much like the article I posted earlier implied, it would be foolhardy at best to perceive this technology as a magic bullet. Because you're only going to alter which people get killed how ... Not save them all.

As the admin for many managed business networks, I see all sorts of truly bizarre issues crop up in systems that  - "smart" as computers are... - then invariably require me to sort out what really went wrong after some maintenance, management, or security system completely borked the end result that the end user thought they were waiting on. So knowing this, would I be willing to bet my life on a (linear thinking) computers ability to (fail at generating a truly random number and) contend with the chaos that is modern day traffic? Hell no.

The computer can't look into the window of the cars around me and react to the fact that the driver is on the phone, disciplining an unruly child, bopping to the radio a bit too enthusiastically, or just looking totally pissed-off-at-the-world ... But I sure as shit can.

And even if everyone went driverless tomorrow - to completely remove the people factor - there will still be glitches that result in fatalities...and I'm neither willing or interested in gambling on those odds. Because nothing in IT is truly "Standard" ... And if you want proof of that feel free to pick any two routers from two different manufacturers and try to set up a VPN between them. When you're finished tearing all your hair out, think about all the different auto manufacturers, how they will design their systems, and the scant snowball's chance in hell that they will be able to effectively communicate anything useful before the point of impact..

1195

Living Room / Re: driveless cars

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 17, 2014, 06:59 AM »

you who moan about driveless technology, you have already used it, if you have flied with an aeroplane

-kalos (October 17, 2014, 05:59 AM)

There's not a lot of cross traffic at 30,000 feet.

what is the possibility for aeroplane automatic pilot systems to fail?

-kalos (October 17, 2014, 05:59 AM)

Well... they do seem to make a point of having a someone sit there ready to take over in case an alarm goes off...and there a second someone there to back the first someone up if they're in the bathroom when the alarm goes off. So I'm guessing that somebody - who's willing to waste the money on paying all these people - thinks it is a possibility.

and how high would be the percentages of aircraft accidents if there weren't automatic pilot systems?

-kalos (October 17, 2014, 05:59 AM)

IIRC autopilot was added primarily as a convenience to mitigate the really boring parts. So outside of preventing the plane from wandering off course...(making them late)...it's not really a safety system.

1196

Living Room / Re: driveless cars

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 16, 2014, 12:00 PM »

@Wraith - That was beautiful man!

we are in a technology forum and I can't believe people are so much afraid of technological advancements!

-kalos (October 16, 2014, 08:46 AM)

I believe the part you are missing, is that Automotive Technology, is technology too. And that there are many more aspects to it than just ease of navigation. I get the impression that you've never actually been behind the wheel of a real car...otherwise you'd readily understand the shear joy of putting one through its paces on an open road the way it was designed to be driven. But this is the problem with some of the current generations who have only been exposed to the bubble wrapped, mother approved, child proof, gutlessly sterile econo-class conveyances of today. Like the Toyota Prius, or that god awful MP3 player on wheels contraption from Kia they are trying to pretend is fun to drive...Ha! With a 0-to-60 time north of 18 seconds and a top speed of not really calling it a soul is just a bad joke...'cause it ain't got one - or any heart either.

Try sliding behind the wheel of one of the old muscle cars from their (late 60's early 70's) heyday. When you put one of them two the floor, the back two barrels open, and the beast comes alive ... Then you'll understand what it means to have a pulse.

1197

General Software Discussion / Re: Change the focus of all the"save or search in" possibilities at once

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 16, 2014, 11:32 AM »

This is why I always keep the currently active project(s) folder(s) open so I can drag and drop files into anything if need be. No this method doesn't scale well...but then again at my age neither does my memory.

1198

DC Member Programs and Projects / Re: You Can Relax Now v1.0

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 16, 2014, 11:27 AM »

LOL (really) I Love IT! 

1199

Living Room / Re: driveless cars

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 16, 2014, 06:44 AM »

Of course when it's commonplace most everyone will lose the skill of driving or never learn it.

-MilesAhead (October 16, 2014, 05:40 AM)

Quite true, much liker coopers and candlestick makers. It's funny really that the smarter we get the stupider we become. I'm not so sure that is really forward movement. It's more like progress is just a rolling average paradigm shift in what is perceived as common knowledge.

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Living Room / Re: Interesting "stuff"

« Last post by Stoic Joker on October 15, 2014, 04:43 PM »

or are all the people interested in these things already here?

-Arizona Hot (October 15, 2014, 04:11 PM)

I'll go with yes, as some of us are just lurking to keep the content high and the chatter to a minimum.