Recent Posts

9601

Living Room / Re: The End of the CrunchPad

« Last post by 40hz on November 30, 2009, 06:27 PM »

Fusion Garage's blog is now throwing a 404 page.

9602

Living Room / Re: Building a home server. Please help, DC!

« Last post by 40hz on November 30, 2009, 06:13 PM »

I think your best bet might be Windows Home Server for what you're describing. To give credit where due, Microsoft did a very nice job with their latest iteration of this product. The way it handles data storage and harddrives is particularly well done. Add in the network backup capabilities, system health monitoring, and remote access features and you have a very good solution for a small home or SOHO server. WHS is also (IMHO) one of the easiest to administer servers available. Worth a look.

Info here: http://www.microsoft...server/features.mspx

You can download a 120-day evaluation copy which should give you plenty of time to see if it meets your needs.

Link: http://www.microsoft...67-b881-55ce0648c784

If you decide to go ahead with WHS, an OEM copy will set you back about $100 street.

If you're feeling more adventurous, take a look at the Amahi Home Server. It's a Fedora/FOSS-based alternative that provides similar functionality. Free to install, but registration is required.

Info here: www.amahi.org

 

9603

Living Room / Re: The End of the CrunchPad

« Last post by 40hz on November 30, 2009, 12:18 PM »

Just one more sad example of how much it pays to know exactly who you're going into business with. (Been there twice myself - so I know.)

Time to scratch CrunchPad off my list to Santa.

9604

Living Room / Re: Tech News Weekly: Edition 48-09

« Last post by 40hz on November 29, 2009, 09:43 PM »

Or perhaps this was part of an effort to stop kids at the college from boasting about illegal drinking.

-mouser (November 29, 2009, 03:20 PM)

Bingo!

I'm guessing the local police were under pressure to "do something" about underage drinking in their jurisdiction, and one enterprising officer came up with the idea of using Facebook to identify someone to serve as an example.

I'm also sure that (as you noted) there were additional factors at play in this case. The entire thing smacks of "payback" doesn't it?

9605

Living Room / Re: Tech News Weekly: Edition 48-09

« Last post by 40hz on November 29, 2009, 09:33 PM »

I've a somewhat related question- Are police allowed to conduct an undercover investigation of private property without a warrant? For example I know that if you invite an officer into your home they are allowed to use any evidence they happen to see against you, something which they couldn't do so if they entered without your consent without a warrant.

But does inviting a officer pretending to be someone else inside require a warrant on their part? Personally I've no real legal knowledge of this area. I ask because this case seems somewhat like an undercover investigation.

-Eóin (November 29, 2009, 04:55 PM)

It revolves around the issue of probable cause, which is one of the trickier (as in "it all depends") areas of law. It's particularly problematic in the USA because laws can vary from State to State. And Federal law adds an additional layer of complexity to the mix. (It often comes as a complete surprise to most US citizens when they discover they have different, and occasionally contradictory, civil rights under federal as opposed to state law.*) Furthermore, social conditions and politics also have a much larger influence on the ways laws get enforced than most people would like to admit. Any legal system reflects the beliefs and concerns of society at large. In times of crisis or change, the legal system can exhibit arbitrary or erratic interpretation and enforcement. Especially at the "street level" where most encounters with the police occur.

While it's always dangerous to make general statements, there's a pretty good video that provides enough basics and recommendations to at least get you thinking about the process and ramifications of being arrested, and how to protect your rights should you find yourself in that unfortunate situation.

When you can spare about 45 minutes, check out the video Busted: the Citizen's Guide to Surviving Police Encounters courtesy of FlexYourRights.org  It's up on YouTube for free viewing if you're so inclined.

Link: http://www.youtube.c.../watch?v=yqMjMPlXzdA

---
*Note: No joke. In 1951, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were tried and executed by the United States government for espionage.

Although this famous case raises questions on several levels, what is interesting for the purposes of this discussion, is how two people could be sentenced to death by a federal court based on evidence that would not have been sufficient to even file charges against them in a New York State court.

9606

Living Room / Re: Tech News Weekly: Edition 48-09

« Last post by 40hz on November 29, 2009, 03:04 PM »

how is this not entrapment

-Ehtyar (November 29, 2009, 01:33 PM)

Hiya Dr.E!


It all comes down to who was responsible for initiating the action.

Entrapment is when the authorities provide the person they're charging with the motive and (optionally) the methods to commit the illegal act in question.

It's a subtle legal distinction, but a very important one. And it's also one of the reasons why US law enforcement agencies seldom try to entrap people. It's too easy for the defense to get an acquittal. Especially since most juries don't cotton too kindly to a prosecutor making an argument that basically says:

"Of course he's guilty. The police planned the crime; showed him how to do it; gave him the resources he needed - and then caught him red-handed!"


Either way, you're absolutely right. The charge against that kid was complete BS. And it's so full of holes that it would have lasted less than 5 minutes in court if it got there. Too bad he waived his rights by making his plea.

---

As far as "sting" operations are concerned, those usually don't play out too well for the police either, unless the person who got stung had enough 'prior history' with the law to convince a jury he was probably guilty of something.

If a cop can't run around trying to sell you drugs then arrest you if you accept

Umm..over here they can.

Guess it depends on where you live.


 

9607

Living Room / Re: Tech News Weekly: Edition 48-09

« Last post by 40hz on November 29, 2009, 12:03 PM »

Re #3:

http://www.lacrosset...b3-001cc4c002e0.html
I really would have thought this was entrapment, but apparently in the USA cops are well within their rights to send a friend request to you on Facebook, then pillage your profile for evidence of illegal activity should you accept.

FWIW, the police in the USA are not within their rights to do any such thing -as long as you don't allow them to do it to you. This kid let himself be set up.

To demonstrate how dumb this kid is, ask why did he plead "no contest?"*

There was a picture of him holding a beer can. So what? Holding a beer can is not an illegal act under any statute in the USA. Who is to say the beer can wasn't merely a prop in a posed picture designed to create the impression they were drunk for the amusement of visitors to their webpage? Simply holding a beer can does not prove it contains any beer at the time the picture was taken - nor does it prove he was drinking beer even if it did. And that's assuming the beer can wasn't 'photoshopped' to replace a can of cola.

Heck, even if the people in the photo could be described as "intoxicated" that does not prove that they actually were.

Any attorney would have made mincemeat out of the police if this kid didn't panic. Not that he would have needed an attorney. Almost any judge would have thrown his ticket out if he denied he was drinking and challenged it. I'm also fairly sure the local State's Attorney wouldn't have even considered bringing the case to court since there was absolutely no concrete factual evidence to support an underage drinking charge. All the defense would need to request at trial was the results of the blood alcohol tests the police should have had in their possession before they brought charges against anybody in the picture.

Big Brother may be watching you. But it's (still) not enough to get a conviction. Or isn't as long as you're not stupid enough play along with an overzealous cop out on a fishing expedition.

9608

General Software Discussion / Re: "New image organizer feedback wanted"

« Last post by 40hz on November 28, 2009, 01:53 PM »

40hz,
I'm  interested in the problems you had with Search 4.0.

-StCroixSkipper (November 28, 2009, 01:08 PM)

Search anomalies and excessive CPU usage.

Attempted an uninstall and reinstall at Microsoft's recommendation. Search uninstalled, but refused to be reinstalled using either standalone or via update afterwards. Once I flat-lined the drive and restored a clean copy of barebones Win XP Pro followed by a new install of Search via update, everything worked fine for about a month. Then CPU use started shooting up again.

Went back an forth with Microsoft several times on various issues following that but ultimately got nowhere.

In the end I abandoned Search since I'm very organized with my files to begin with - and Search wasn't bringing enough to the party for the hassles it created on my machine. Truth is, I can usually lay my hands on whatever I'm looking for pretty quickly without needing to search for things. Nowadays, use Everything as a fallback on those rare occasions when I do actually need such a tool.

I've gone over to Win7 for day to day use anyway so I'm not going continue to bother with XP for this app. The only reason I loaded OverExposure onto this particular box is because I'm still using it as a test machine until I work up the energy to wipe and set it up for Win7.

We'll be bringing new Win7 test machines online next week so I'll be sure to give OverExposure a shot on one of those.

 

9609

General Software Discussion / Re: "New image organizer feedback wanted"

« Last post by 40hz on November 27, 2009, 06:24 PM »

Resolution: Install Windows Search 4.0

-StCroixSkipper (November 26, 2009, 10:45 AM)

Not gonna do that. Sorry.

I had too many bad experiences with Search 4.0 under XP to want to chance going back there.

I'll just test your app on a Win7 box if you don't mind.

9610

Living Room / Re: What is a "Gentleman's drink"

« Last post by 40hz on November 27, 2009, 01:02 PM »

So... does the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster count?

-Stoic Joker (November 25, 2009, 12:45 AM)

Hard to tell. I've never met anybody who could honestly claim to have drunk one made per the recipe in The Hitchhiker's Guide.

I've always though Gin&Tonic is a pretty girly drink

-f0dder (November 24, 2009, 08:27 AM)

The fact that it seems to smell like perfume to me doesn't help

-4wd (November 24, 2009, 04:26 PM)

Couldn't personally agree more, since I wouldn't consider using gin for much else besides cleaning grease off small automotive parts. But the question was about what is considered a 'Gentleman's Drink' - not what I personally would consider drinking - even though I like to think of myself as a 'gentleman' of sorts.

Gin & Tonic traces it's heritage back to the British Army and that 'most gentlemanly' of all carpet-bagger organizations: the British East India Company. Since gentlemen drank it, G&T is a gentleman's drink QED.

 

9611

General Software Discussion / Re: CNet's Security Starter Kit 2010

« Last post by 40hz on November 27, 2009, 12:49 PM »

Congratulations Mouser!

Looks like FARR and Donation Coder are starting to reach 'critical mass' up on the web.

We all know they're the best. Nice to see the rest of the world is starting to come around to the same realization.

Well done!

9612

Living Room / Re: Be careful with your credit cards!

« Last post by 40hz on November 27, 2009, 08:26 AM »

Miserable thing to have happen.

I think a lot of to has to do with HSBC's internal policies. I've run into similar billing issues, but I've never had a problem getting it straightened as long as I used Amex. Ditto for my MasterCard through a major US bank. A phone call (on one occasion two) was all it took to get the purchase canceled.

Didn't stop one magazine from trying to put me into collection since they continued to send me their magazine no matter how many times (via phone, letter, and registered letter) I told them to cancel the subscription. But that was hardly MasterCard's fault. (I won that one too BTW.)

I'm guessing the UK doesn't have much in the way of consumer protection laws that cover disputed credit card purchases?

9613

General Software Discussion / Re: "New image organizer feedback wanted"

« Last post by 40hz on November 25, 2009, 04:13 PM »

I remember I had trouble installing OverExposure on my daughters computer.  It said it had .Net 3.5.  To resolve the problem I downloaded the latest .Net 3.5 and uninstalled the old version and re-installed the new.

-StCroixSkipper (November 25, 2009, 03:34 PM)

@StCroixSkipper - Did that:

3) Did a complete uninstall/reboot/new install. - Still no good.

-40hz (November 25, 2009, 03:20 PM)

It just might be this particular box I'm testing it on so I'll give it a try on a different machine when I get a chance.

Have a great Thanksgiving Day tomorrow!

9614

General Software Discussion / Re: "New image organizer feedback wanted"

« Last post by 40hz on November 25, 2009, 03:20 PM »

To resolve this, try repairing and/or reinstalling the .NET Framework.

-StCroixSkipper (November 25, 2009, 02:29 PM)

I had a slow day so I gave it a try. (.NET 3.5-SP1 was already installed BTW. )

1) Downloaded fresh copy of the installer from Microsoft

2) Ran the installer and selected repair option. - No good. Same lockup with your app.

3) Did a complete uninstall/reboot/new install. - Still no good.

I'm running XP-SP3 on an Athlon-64 w/1.5Gb RAM for this test. I have several other apps on this machine that require .NET 3.5 SP-1, and they're all working fine.

Luck!

9615

Living Room / Re: Apple Declares Smoking Near Apple Computers Voids Warranty

« Last post by 40hz on November 25, 2009, 01:20 PM »

I'm guessing this was all brought about either: (a) a service tech with a personal anti-smoking agenda, or (b) a disgruntled employee who is trying to create some hassles for Apple.

And Apple...ever conscious of potential insurance liabilities (since the jury is still out on many of the "second hand" health risk claims)...decided to sidestep the issue and leave it up to the individual employee as to what to do. Notice how they refuse to comment specifically about cigarette smoke residue? That's Apple  doing a classic 'duck & cover' and hoping the whole thing will go away.

Personally, I'm betting it's a pissed-off Apple employee who found a way to create a hassle that his management group can't just dismiss out of hand.

I knew a copier tech that hated to go out on the road. Of course, that posed a bit of a problem since that's what she was hired to do. So she decided that exposure to the "fumes" coming from a photocopier posed a significant health risk to her and unborn children. (This might sound crazy, but there were a bunch of irresponsible news stories circulating about such "potential risks" at the time she made her claim.)

So after some "back & forth," the company gave her an office job (at a higher salary) just to shut her up.

I asked her boss why they let her get away with it. He said that it just wasn't worth it to the company to get tied up in court for the next 20 years defending themselves in what would probably end up becoming a class action lawsuit. It was just too expensive - even though they were sure the case would ultimately be dismissed for lack of scientific proof.

Then he shot me a wink and said: Besides, there's always that slim chance she could be right.

9616

General Software Discussion / Re: "New image organizer feedback wanted"

« Last post by 40hz on November 25, 2009, 12:40 PM »

No joy for me, I'm afraid. It hangs on startup.

Got this first try:



And this second try:

9617

Living Room / Re: What are you waiting for?

« Last post by 40hz on November 24, 2009, 10:47 PM »

I'm waiting for:
— openSUSE 11.2

-zridling (October 21, 2009, 01:54 PM)

That's Robb linux of choice here - so it is awaited here too

-iphigenie (October 28, 2009, 11:52 AM)

It was worth the wait! Not a problem yet.

-zridling (November 23, 2009, 03:47 PM)

Agree 100% w/Zaine. I've shifted all my desktop NIX boxes over to Suse 11.2. Very well done release.

9618

General Software Discussion / Re: Has anyone discovered any cool Windows 7 third-party utilities?

« Last post by 40hz on November 24, 2009, 10:38 PM »

Microsoft has just updated SyncToy to version 2.1 - and Windows 7 is now officially supported. (Yay!)

Very nice file/folder synchronization utility. This version is noticeably quicker and has enhanced error reporting and better fault tolerance. Also noteworthy: Microsoft has apparently fixed the data corruption issue SyncToy had with some NAS devices.

Versions available for 32 and 64-bit Windows.



Full info and free download at this link: http://www.microsoft...e9-a7c5-98d0592d8c52

9619

Living Room / Re: What is a "Gentleman's drink"

« Last post by 40hz on November 24, 2009, 10:20 PM »

Who makes a mixed drink nowadays anyways? The real drinks are straight shots or on the rocks scotch.

-Josh (November 24, 2009, 06:34 PM)

My GF and I do. Once a year on Kentucky Derby Day.

A Mint Julep is de rigueur while watching the race with friends. (Wild Turkey bourbon and fresh home-grown spearmint leaves are highly recommended for this drink.)

Just one more annual event we celebrate with our 'horse friends.'

(P.S. The rest of the year I confine myself to single-malts or ale.   )

9620

General Software Discussion / Re: Need audio driver(s) for SigmaTel in Windows 7 ...

« Last post by 40hz on November 24, 2009, 10:08 PM »

Hi:

You most likely need this:



Download from this link:

http://support.gatew...Driver%206.10.5405.0

Luck!

9621

General Software Discussion / Re: Has anyone discovered any cool Windows 7 third-party utilities?

« Last post by 40hz on November 24, 2009, 02:41 PM »

One thing I do miss in Win7 are those little network taskbar icons for each network interface.



Apparently somebody else does too, because there is now a tiny (57Kb) stand-alone executable that brings most of it back. This app isn't quite the same since it only displays a single icon for all interfaces. But, unlike the original, it now indicates incoming and outgoing packet activity separately.

Software is available from the IT Samples website.

Description and download link: http://itsamples.com...ivity-indicator.html

Network Activity Indicator for Windows 7
     © 2009 Igor Tolmachev, IT Samples

Description

Network Activity Indicator displays the old 'two monitors' icon in Windows 7 that flashed blue to show network activity in the System Tray.

Unlike original Windows XP utility (that has individual indicators for each interface), this program indicates outgoing and incoming network packets on all available interfaces.

*****

With special thanks to Download Squad for this find.

Link to original article:
http://www.downloads...stem-tray-in-window/

9622

Living Room / Re: What is a "Gentleman's drink"

« Last post by 40hz on November 24, 2009, 06:39 AM »

I think app103 nailed it. The traditional drinks you think of being served after a successful climb on Mt. Everest; or in the hands of well-dressed men posing over newly signed treaties.

My list:

• Gin & Tonic (ice permitted)
• Scotch & Soda (soda optional and never ever served with ice)
• Whiskey (always served straight-up)
• Martini (US only - and must be served "very dry")
• Cognac (after dinner or late night only)

 Cheers!

9623

Living Room / Re: Tech News Weekly: Edition 47-09

« Last post by 40hz on November 23, 2009, 07:52 AM »

I've decided to take a new approach to the news. Instead of going through the week's news of a Sunday and picking out what I consider to be the most relevant headlines, this week's news is a collection of what I found most interesting from news articles I came across throughout the past week. Please let me know what you think over the next few weeks

-Ehtyar (November 22, 2009, 01:33 PM)

I think I'd like that a lot better.  

I can find This Week's Top Headlines on a hundred different websites. "Doc Ehtyar's" personal take on what's interesting I can only get here. From you.

Can't tell you how much I enjoy your 'column.' Thank you for your hard work and ongoing efforts to provide all of us with something interesting (and fun!) to read once a week.

 

9624

Living Room / Re: Murdoch and Microsoft: When no one wants to buy your content, take it offline!

« Last post by 40hz on November 23, 2009, 07:26 AM »

This is going to end up being an absolute bonanza for all the bloggers out there.

When polled, something like 70% of the people under 30 say they never bother reading/watching (or trust) the major news sources. Most say they prefer to get their news from smaller independent sources such as bloggers and "focused topic" websites.

When the TV screenwriters went on strike, the major networks countered by dropping a lot of their scripted content and replacing it with cheap to produce 'reality' and talk shows. Once the strike was over, the writers got much of what they asked for in their new contract. Unfortunately, they got a better contract in a market with significantly less demand for their services than existed before they walked out.

If my revenue stream was shrinking, I'd be the first to allow - nay insist - that Google and every other search engine out there index my stuff. I'd also try a reverse strategy of sorts, by having some content available only in print as opposed to on the open web. Web 'exclusives' lured print readers onto many magazine websites when they first came out. I'm wondering if a similar strategy could get web readers to purchase print editions.

And it should come as no surprise Microsoft is toadying up to Murdoch's scheme either. Microsoft has been actively seeking out (and paying large sums for) exclusive rights to content over the last several years - probably as a hedge for the inevitable day when they can no longer sell their operating system; or convince people they want the newest - and even more feature bloated version of Office.

I have no problem understanding why Murdoch would like his readers to pay for his content. But it's a complete mystery to me why he seems to feel that restricting who can index it will benefit him or his business. When business is hurting, the absolute last thing any sane company wants to do is give people a reason to go out shopping for an alternative.

But then again...who ever said Murdoch was sane?

About the only possible temporary winner I can see would be Microsoft (typical for a Microsoft deal!) since Murdoch's action might have the short-term benefit of forcing people to use Bing instead of Google for some of their web search needs. This could also be beneficial to Microsoft in the long run since it helps damage the public perception of Google as the sui generis search engine. When people think "web search" they almost always automatically think "Google." Microsoft would very much like to change that way of thinking. And the best way to do that is to make sure it can't be used for everything. Teaming up with Murdoch to balkanize web searching is a step in that direction.

I think it will only be a matter of time before Murdoch realizes the truth of the saying: Walls can't shut things out - they only shut things in.

9625

Living Room / Re: You have a computer backup plan.. but does it work?

« Last post by 40hz on November 23, 2009, 06:35 AM »

Third... how do you test a system partition backup? I'm not comfortable risking the entire setup just to test the backup...

-urlwolf (November 13, 2009, 01:38 AM)

If you don't use swappable drive trays, the easiest way is to temporarily install a spare hard drive into your PC and do a test restore onto that.