Posts
Having built another blog already (this one), it seemed there was an opportunity to create a second one. It is to be found here mypcplug
It is there for personal use to be shared by those who know me or have reason to raise issues away from the main forum of pchelpers. Welcome to the blog (2)!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
News:Skype crash: Software bug and server overloads blamed
Server overloads and a bug in Skype for Windows caused the two-day outage for the net phone firm.
Details of what caused the service to be unusable for millions of users prior to Christmas have been posted on the firm's blog.
The two events combined to create a cascade of problems that managed to knock out much of the network underpinning the phone service.
Skype is assessing how its network is built to stop the problem recurring.
more here
Details of what caused the service to be unusable for millions of users prior to Christmas have been posted on the firm's blog.
The two events combined to create a cascade of problems that managed to knock out much of the network underpinning the phone service.
Skype is assessing how its network is built to stop the problem recurring.
more here
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
News:Earth project aims to 'simulate everything'
By Gareth Morgan Technology reporter
It could be one of the most ambitious computer projects ever conceived.
An international group of scientists are aiming to create a simulator that can replicate everything happening on Earth - from global weather patterns and the spread of diseases to international financial transactions or congestion on Milton Keynes' roads.
Nicknamed the Living Earth Simulator (LES), the project aims to advance the scientific understanding of what is taking place on the planet, encapsulating the human actions that shape societies and the environmental forces that define the physical world.
more here
It could be one of the most ambitious computer projects ever conceived.
An international group of scientists are aiming to create a simulator that can replicate everything happening on Earth - from global weather patterns and the spread of diseases to international financial transactions or congestion on Milton Keynes' roads.
Nicknamed the Living Earth Simulator (LES), the project aims to advance the scientific understanding of what is taking place on the planet, encapsulating the human actions that shape societies and the environmental forces that define the physical world.
more here
News:Web attack takes Anonymous activists offline
The notorious message board 4Chan has been taken offline by an overwhelming web attack.
Thanks to the attack, the discussion boards of the site have been hard to reach or offline for almost 24 hours.
The attack might be retaliation for similar attacks that some 4Chan members, as part of the Anonymous group, mounted in support of Wikileaks.
It is not yet clear who is carrying out the attacks and no-one has come forward to claim responsibility.
more here
Thanks to the attack, the discussion boards of the site have been hard to reach or offline for almost 24 hours.
The attack might be retaliation for similar attacks that some 4Chan members, as part of the Anonymous group, mounted in support of Wikileaks.
It is not yet clear who is carrying out the attacks and no-one has come forward to claim responsibility.
more here
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
News:Call for help for self-employed
Self-employed people need more help if they are to expand their businesses and employ others, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
The FSB in Scotland said one-to-one support was needed if they were to make a dent in unemployment figures.
Three of Scotland's main business organisations have sent out New Year messages aimed at politicians going into the Holyrood election next May.
more here
The FSB in Scotland said one-to-one support was needed if they were to make a dent in unemployment figures.
Three of Scotland's main business organisations have sent out New Year messages aimed at politicians going into the Holyrood election next May.
more here
Monday, December 27, 2010
News:Trowbridge driver lost for three days
A Wiltshire grandfather spent three days trying to find his way home from Gatwick Airport after becoming disorientated in snowy conditions.
Moroccan-born Mohammed Bellazrak's family reported him missing after he failed to return to Trowbridge after dropping his wife off for a flight.
Police in Oxfordshire eventually flagged down the 72-year-old after his car triggered a camera in Oxford.
They found he had spent from 23 - 25 December driving, trying to get back.
Analysis from number-plate recognition systems showed he had driven around various towns in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire and on the M4.
Mr Bellazrak had no mobile phone with him, and he told newspaper reporters that his sat-nav was not working.more here
Moroccan-born Mohammed Bellazrak's family reported him missing after he failed to return to Trowbridge after dropping his wife off for a flight.
Police in Oxfordshire eventually flagged down the 72-year-old after his car triggered a camera in Oxford.
They found he had spent from 23 - 25 December driving, trying to get back.
Analysis from number-plate recognition systems showed he had driven around various towns in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire and on the M4.
Mr Bellazrak had no mobile phone with him, and he told newspaper reporters that his sat-nav was not working.more here
Sunday, December 26, 2010
News:Toyota pays $10m to fatal Lexus crash family
Toyota has paid $10m (£6.5m) to the family of four people killed in a runaway Lexus car in the US in 2009.
The amount, agreed in September but kept confidential, was released by a lawyer for the dealership that lent the Lexus to the family.
Toyota, which did not admit or deny liability in the settlement, said in a statement it was disappointed the amount had been made public.
The crash triggered a series of recalls involving millions of Toyota models.more here
The amount, agreed in September but kept confidential, was released by a lawyer for the dealership that lent the Lexus to the family.
Toyota, which did not admit or deny liability in the settlement, said in a statement it was disappointed the amount had been made public.
The crash triggered a series of recalls involving millions of Toyota models.more here
Saturday, December 25, 2010
News:Ka-Sat net-dedicated spacecraft ready for launch
25 December 2010 Last updated at 17:31 GMT
By Jonathan Amos Science correspondent, BBC News
Europe is about to get a second satellite dedicated to delivering broadband internet connections.
The six-tonne Ka-Sat will be launched atop a Proton rocket from Baikonur in Kazakhstan in a flight expected to last nine hours and 12 minutes.
The Eutelsat-operated spacecraft will concentrate its services on customers in the so-called "not-spots" of Europe.
It is estimated that tens of millions of households in these areas cannot get a decent terrestrial connection.
Ka-Sat will provide homes with speeds generally up to 10Mbps.
more here
By Jonathan Amos Science correspondent, BBC News
Europe is about to get a second satellite dedicated to delivering broadband internet connections.
The six-tonne Ka-Sat will be launched atop a Proton rocket from Baikonur in Kazakhstan in a flight expected to last nine hours and 12 minutes.
The Eutelsat-operated spacecraft will concentrate its services on customers in the so-called "not-spots" of Europe.
It is estimated that tens of millions of households in these areas cannot get a decent terrestrial connection.
Ka-Sat will provide homes with speeds generally up to 10Mbps.
more here
News:Coded American Civil War message in bottle deciphered
A message in a bottle delivered to a Confederate general during the American Civil War has been deciphered, 147 years after it was written.
In the encrypted message, a commander tells Gen John Pemberton that no reinforcements are available to help him defend Vicksburg, Mississippi.
"You can expect no help from this side of the river," says the message, which was deciphered by codebreakers.
The text is dated 4 July 1863 - the day Vicksburg fell to Union forces.
The small bottle was given to the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia, by a former Confederate soldier in 1896.
Earlier this year the museum's collections manager, Catherine Wright, decided to investigate the wrapped note it contained.
more here
In the encrypted message, a commander tells Gen John Pemberton that no reinforcements are available to help him defend Vicksburg, Mississippi.
"You can expect no help from this side of the river," says the message, which was deciphered by codebreakers.
The text is dated 4 July 1863 - the day Vicksburg fell to Union forces.
The small bottle was given to the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia, by a former Confederate soldier in 1896.
Earlier this year the museum's collections manager, Catherine Wright, decided to investigate the wrapped note it contained.
more here
Friday, December 24, 2010
News:Haiti mobs lynch voodoo priests over cholera fears
Voodoo priests in Haiti are being lynched by mobs who blame them for spreading cholera, the country's government has said.
At least 45 people have been lynched in recent weeks as Haiti continues to be ravaged by a cholera epidemic.
Haiti's communications minister has made an appeal for the lynchings to end and called for a campaign to ensure people understand how cholera spreads.
More than 2,500 Haitians have died from the water-borne disease since October.
more here
At least 45 people have been lynched in recent weeks as Haiti continues to be ravaged by a cholera epidemic.
Haiti's communications minister has made an appeal for the lynchings to end and called for a campaign to ensure people understand how cholera spreads.
More than 2,500 Haitians have died from the water-borne disease since October.
more here
Thursday, December 23, 2010
News:US attacks North Korea 'sacred war' threats
The US has denounced North Korea for threatening a "sacred war" against the South, whose military has been holding live-fire drills near the border.
The state department's Philip Crowley told the BBC there was no justification for Pyongyang's "belligerent words".
In a day of rising tension, Seoul and Pyongyang traded strong rhetoric, with the South warning of a "powerful response" to any attack from the North.
A month ago, the North fired on a Southern island, killing four people.
Thursday's speech by Armed Forces Minister Kim Yong-chun marks the strongest statement from Pyongyang since the attack on Yeonpyeong island.
Analysts believe the hard-line stance might be timed to coincide with the 19th anniversary of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il taking control of the armed forces, which will be marked on Friday.
more here
The state department's Philip Crowley told the BBC there was no justification for Pyongyang's "belligerent words".
In a day of rising tension, Seoul and Pyongyang traded strong rhetoric, with the South warning of a "powerful response" to any attack from the North.
A month ago, the North fired on a Southern island, killing four people.
Thursday's speech by Armed Forces Minister Kim Yong-chun marks the strongest statement from Pyongyang since the attack on Yeonpyeong island.
Analysts believe the hard-line stance might be timed to coincide with the 19th anniversary of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il taking control of the armed forces, which will be marked on Friday.
more here
News:A secret journey to take Serbian nuclear fuel to safety
By Gordon Corera Security correspondent, BBC News
IAEA's John Kelly on the dangers of transporting nuclear fuel rods
A shipment of nuclear fuel has arrived in Russia after a top-secret international operation to remove it from Serbia, where it was feared terrorists could seize it to make a nuclear or dirty bomb.
In the dead of night, armed men in balaclavas surround a long convoy of trucks in the woods just outside Belgrade. Radios crackle as they prepare for a long journey.
Their mission is to escort a dangerous cargo, the kind terrorists would dearly like to get their hands on.
more here
IAEA's John Kelly on the dangers of transporting nuclear fuel rods
A shipment of nuclear fuel has arrived in Russia after a top-secret international operation to remove it from Serbia, where it was feared terrorists could seize it to make a nuclear or dirty bomb.
In the dead of night, armed men in balaclavas surround a long convoy of trucks in the woods just outside Belgrade. Radios crackle as they prepare for a long journey.
Their mission is to escort a dangerous cargo, the kind terrorists would dearly like to get their hands on.
more here
Skype slowly recovers from global blackout
23 December 2010 Last updated at 18:13 GMT
The free internet phone service Skype is slowly coming back online after an outage that affected millions of people around the globe.
The firm's engineers are still working to fix the problem, which first started at around 2030 GMT on 22 December.
Skype said the fault had been caused by a "software issue" on critical parts of its network.
At 1800GMT on 23 December, the firm said it was handling 16.5 million phone calls, 80% of its normal traffic.
"We take outages like this really seriously and apologise for the inconvenience," Skype chief Tony Bates told BBC News.
more here
The free internet phone service Skype is slowly coming back online after an outage that affected millions of people around the globe.
The firm's engineers are still working to fix the problem, which first started at around 2030 GMT on 22 December.
Skype said the fault had been caused by a "software issue" on critical parts of its network.
At 1800GMT on 23 December, the firm said it was handling 16.5 million phone calls, 80% of its normal traffic.
"We take outages like this really seriously and apologise for the inconvenience," Skype chief Tony Bates told BBC News.
more here
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Invisibility cloak
Years ago I found out that some objects can be made completely invisible. At the time I was working at the stage 2 chemistry lab at the Central Institute of Technology (Heretaunga Campus) in room A402.
After investigating it, I learned that the solution of ferric chloride in the beaker had exactly the same refractive index as the glass rod standing in it. The effect was that the part in the liquid could not be seen at all!
So in case you are interested in this effect, maybe you can re-create it with a little time and care! Note: The approximate date of this experience was 1974/75.
Postscript: A claim was made recently concerning a real life invisibility cloak. If you would like to know more please go to more here
After investigating it, I learned that the solution of ferric chloride in the beaker had exactly the same refractive index as the glass rod standing in it. The effect was that the part in the liquid could not be seen at all!
So in case you are interested in this effect, maybe you can re-create it with a little time and care! Note: The approximate date of this experience was 1974/75.
Postscript: A claim was made recently concerning a real life invisibility cloak. If you would like to know more please go to more here
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Internet rules to get go ahead by US regulators
By Maggie Shiels Technology reporter, BBC News, Silicon Valley
The rules have been criticised for setting different standards for fixed line broadband and mobile operators.
Officials said the regulations are "the first time the Commission has adopted enforceable rules" to govern the web.
Tuesday's vote is the culmination of five years of fighting over how best to ensure the free flow of information in all its forms over the internet.
more here
Controversial new rules affecting the running of the internet are expected to be approved by US regulators today.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote on a principle known as net neutrality; a tenet that ensures all web traffic is treated equally.The rules have been criticised for setting different standards for fixed line broadband and mobile operators.
Officials said the regulations are "the first time the Commission has adopted enforceable rules" to govern the web.
Tuesday's vote is the culmination of five years of fighting over how best to ensure the free flow of information in all its forms over the internet.
more here
Sunday, December 19, 2010
News:Bolivia charges 39 over alleged plot to kill Morales
Bolivian prosecutors have charged 39 people over an alleged plot to assassinate President Evo Morales and launch an armed rebellion last year.
They include opposition politicians and a former general who captured the guerrilla leader Che Guevara in 1967.
The alleged plot was uncovered in April 2009, when Bolivan police killed three suspected European mercenaries in the eastern city of Santa Cruz.
The accused have denied the charges, calling them politically motivated.
Most are already under arrest, but 17 are now living outside Bolivia.
The most prominent politician charged is Branco Marinkovic, a business leader and former head of the opposition Civic Committee of Santa Cruz, who is in exile in the US.
Among the former senior military officers charged is the retired General Gary Prado, who led the unit that captured and killed the Argentine-born guerrilla leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara. more here
They include opposition politicians and a former general who captured the guerrilla leader Che Guevara in 1967.
The alleged plot was uncovered in April 2009, when Bolivan police killed three suspected European mercenaries in the eastern city of Santa Cruz.
The accused have denied the charges, calling them politically motivated.
Most are already under arrest, but 17 are now living outside Bolivia.
The most prominent politician charged is Branco Marinkovic, a business leader and former head of the opposition Civic Committee of Santa Cruz, who is in exile in the US.
Among the former senior military officers charged is the retired General Gary Prado, who led the unit that captured and killed the Argentine-born guerrilla leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara. more here
News:Guatemala moves against Mexican Zetas drug gang
19 December 2010 Last updated at 21:48 GMT
Guatemala has given the army special powers to reclaim control of the northern province of Alta Verapaz, which officials say has been overtaken by Mexican drug traffickers.
The move allows troops to hold suspects and conduct searches without warrants.
Security forces are looking for members of the Zetas drug gang, which has been expanding its operations from Mexico.
All cars entering and leaving the provincial capital, Coban, were being inspected.
The special powers will remain in place for at least 30 days, government spokesman Ronaldo Robles says. Source here
Guatemala has given the army special powers to reclaim control of the northern province of Alta Verapaz, which officials say has been overtaken by Mexican drug traffickers.
The move allows troops to hold suspects and conduct searches without warrants.
Security forces are looking for members of the Zetas drug gang, which has been expanding its operations from Mexico.
All cars entering and leaving the provincial capital, Coban, were being inspected.
The special powers will remain in place for at least 30 days, government spokesman Ronaldo Robles says. Source here
News:EU could turn to 'crowd sourcing' in cyber crime fight
By Brian Wheeler Political reporter, BBC News
Cyber crime The public could help track down criminals operating in cyber space
Millions of internet users across the EU could be encouraged to join the fight against cyber crime if a ground breaking experiment in "crowd sourcing" goes ahead.
The director of Europol told peers he wants to get net users directly involved in catching cyber crime gangs.
Rob Wainwright briefed a Lords EU sub-committee on plans for a European cyber crime centre.
He said the extent of the problem was often underestimated in the EU.
And criminal gangs were becoming more sophisticated in their use of technology, which was spreading into the world of "offline" crime such as drug and people trafficking and VAT fraud, which netted criminals in the EU 100bn euros (£85bn) last year alone.more here
Cyber crime The public could help track down criminals operating in cyber space
Millions of internet users across the EU could be encouraged to join the fight against cyber crime if a ground breaking experiment in "crowd sourcing" goes ahead.
The director of Europol told peers he wants to get net users directly involved in catching cyber crime gangs.
Rob Wainwright briefed a Lords EU sub-committee on plans for a European cyber crime centre.
He said the extent of the problem was often underestimated in the EU.
And criminal gangs were becoming more sophisticated in their use of technology, which was spreading into the world of "offline" crime such as drug and people trafficking and VAT fraud, which netted criminals in the EU 100bn euros (£85bn) last year alone.more here
Saturday, December 18, 2010
News:Bank of America stops handling Wikileaks payments
18 December 2010 Last updated at 16:06 GMT
Bank of America has stopped handling payments for whistle-blowing website Wikileaks, joining several other major financial institutions.
It said it acted because "Wikileaks may be engaged in activities that are... inconsistent with our internal policies for processing payments".
In response, Wikileaks urged its supporters to stop doing business with the bank - one of the world's largest.
MasterCard, PayPal and other companies earlier cut off Wikileaks' payments.
The financial institutions acted after Wikileaks - together with several major media organisations - began publishing thousands of secret US diplomatic cables, causing tension between Washington and some of its allies.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was earlier this week freed on bail in the UK while facing extradition proceedings to Sweden over sexual assault allegations.
more here
Bank of America has stopped handling payments for whistle-blowing website Wikileaks, joining several other major financial institutions.
It said it acted because "Wikileaks may be engaged in activities that are... inconsistent with our internal policies for processing payments".
In response, Wikileaks urged its supporters to stop doing business with the bank - one of the world's largest.
MasterCard, PayPal and other companies earlier cut off Wikileaks' payments.
The financial institutions acted after Wikileaks - together with several major media organisations - began publishing thousands of secret US diplomatic cables, causing tension between Washington and some of its allies.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange was earlier this week freed on bail in the UK while facing extradition proceedings to Sweden over sexual assault allegations.
more here
Friday, December 17, 2010
Article:The woman who cannot feel fear
Woman who cannot feel fear may help in treating PTSD
A woman who cannot feel afraid because of a missing structure in her brain could help scientists discover treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Research published in Current Biology showed the woman felt no fear in a variety of scary situations.
These included exposure to snakes and spiders, horror films and a "haunted house".
The woman feels other emotions but said as an adult, she had never felt afraid.
She is the first known case of someone who is unable to process fear.
more here
A woman who cannot feel afraid because of a missing structure in her brain could help scientists discover treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Research published in Current Biology showed the woman felt no fear in a variety of scary situations.
These included exposure to snakes and spiders, horror films and a "haunted house".
The woman feels other emotions but said as an adult, she had never felt afraid.
She is the first known case of someone who is unable to process fear.
more here
Thursday, December 16, 2010
News:Caste discrimination in the UK could be outlawed
Discrimination on the grounds of caste exists in the UK, research suggests.
The study, by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, found evidence of harassment in the workplace, in the provision of services and in education.
The government will now consider the evidence to determine whether there is a serious enough problem to impose a legal ban on caste discrimination.
The prejudice affects members of the mainly Hindu and Sikh communities.
A person's caste is their historic social standing and often refers to their forefathers' occupation. more here
The study, by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, found evidence of harassment in the workplace, in the provision of services and in education.
The government will now consider the evidence to determine whether there is a serious enough problem to impose a legal ban on caste discrimination.
The prejudice affects members of the mainly Hindu and Sikh communities.
A person's caste is their historic social standing and often refers to their forefathers' occupation. more here
News:Interpol warned of 'al-Qaeda plots' in US and Europe
Interpol has confirmed it has received information about possible attacks by al-Qaeda cells in the US and Europe.
The global police agency's office in Baghdad received information about the alleged threats on Wednesday.
Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani earlier told the Associated Press that militants had confessed suicide attacks were planned for the Christmas period.
The suicide bombing in the Swedish capital Stockholm last weekend was one of the alleged plots revealed, he said.
Officials say they are 98% sure the bomber was Iraq-born Taimour Abdulwahab al-Abdaly, who grew up in Sweden and was living in the UK.
Abdaly owned a car that exploded in Stockholm, shortly before the blast nearby which killed the bomber. Two people were also injured.
Officials believe the bomber intended to kill "as many people as possible", possibly at the central train station or a popular department store.
more here
The global police agency's office in Baghdad received information about the alleged threats on Wednesday.
Iraqi Interior Minister Jawad al-Bolani earlier told the Associated Press that militants had confessed suicide attacks were planned for the Christmas period.
The suicide bombing in the Swedish capital Stockholm last weekend was one of the alleged plots revealed, he said.
Officials say they are 98% sure the bomber was Iraq-born Taimour Abdulwahab al-Abdaly, who grew up in Sweden and was living in the UK.
Abdaly owned a car that exploded in Stockholm, shortly before the blast nearby which killed the bomber. Two people were also injured.
Officials believe the bomber intended to kill "as many people as possible", possibly at the central train station or a popular department store.
more here
News:Wikileaks founder Julian Assange awaits bail hearing
16 December 2010 Last updated at 05:39 GMT
Swedish authorities will be at the High Court on Thursday to try to block bail for Julian Assange, founder of the whistle-blowing website Wikileaks.
The 39-year-old Australian was granted bail earlier this week on condition he provides sureties of £240,000.
But he has remained in Wandsworth Prison after Swedish prosecutors appealed against giving him bail.
Mr Assange is fighting extradition to Sweden where he faces sex allegations involving two women, which he denies.more here
Swedish authorities will be at the High Court on Thursday to try to block bail for Julian Assange, founder of the whistle-blowing website Wikileaks.
The 39-year-old Australian was granted bail earlier this week on condition he provides sureties of £240,000.
But he has remained in Wandsworth Prison after Swedish prosecutors appealed against giving him bail.
Mr Assange is fighting extradition to Sweden where he faces sex allegations involving two women, which he denies.more here
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Imperfection
This afternoon I was reminded of how far we all need to go before achieving perfection. As moderator of the pchelpers list, it is my job to look at postings which don't comply with its requirements. I have to make a decision regarding whether to allow or block suspect messages.
In this case Ekhart picked me up on an error of over quoting.
He was correct in doing so. I would have liked to produce a better result for list members, but wonder now how long perfection is going to take. Therefore on behalf of the list I apologize to everyone, especially to those who pick up such errors. All list and blog members are welcome to share the work and keep us alert to our better/best potential. Remembering that correction of error (even the result of age) helps keep us going the right way. Looking forward to one day having really perfect days!
In this case Ekhart picked me up on an error of over quoting.
He was correct in doing so. I would have liked to produce a better result for list members, but wonder now how long perfection is going to take. Therefore on behalf of the list I apologize to everyone, especially to those who pick up such errors. All list and blog members are welcome to share the work and keep us alert to our better/best potential. Remembering that correction of error (even the result of age) helps keep us going the right way. Looking forward to one day having really perfect days!
News:Kosovo rejects Hashim Thaci organ-trafficking claims
The Kosovo government has reacted angrily to a draft report alleging that serving leaders are responsible for crimes including organ-trafficking.
The Council of Europe report names Hashim Thaci - prime minister and wartime political leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) - 27 times.
The human rights body's inquiry reinforces several aspects of a 2009 BBC report into similar allegations.
Kosovo's authorities have rejected the claims as "baseless and defamatory".
The draft report, which is due to be published on Thursday, is the result of a two-year investigation by the special rapporteur of the Council of Europe, Dick Marty.
The EU's police and justice mission in Kosovo (Eulex) said it would look carefully at its findings.
more here
The Council of Europe report names Hashim Thaci - prime minister and wartime political leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) - 27 times.
The human rights body's inquiry reinforces several aspects of a 2009 BBC report into similar allegations.
Kosovo's authorities have rejected the claims as "baseless and defamatory".
The draft report, which is due to be published on Thursday, is the result of a two-year investigation by the special rapporteur of the Council of Europe, Dick Marty.
The EU's police and justice mission in Kosovo (Eulex) said it would look carefully at its findings.
more here
Monday, December 13, 2010
News:Dutch nursery abuse arrest prompts major inquiry
A 27-year-old man who worked in at least two nursery schools has been arrested in Amsterdam on suspicion of abusing 30 to 50 young children.
Robert M - as he was named by police - was detained last Tuesday and more than 50 parents were contacted on Sunday.
A spokeswoman for the Dutch public prosecution service described the case as "huge" and "unprecedented".
The suspect was identified after a two-year-old boy's picture was shown on Dutch TV as part of a US inquiry.
Police said he had also worked as a childminder in the Amsterdam area.
They said they were trying to establish whether other people were involved in the alleged abuse of young children up to the age of four.
The man's male partner, 37, has been detained on suspicion of possession of child pornography.
Another employee at a nursery where Robert M, originally from Latvia, worked is also being held.
more here
Robert M - as he was named by police - was detained last Tuesday and more than 50 parents were contacted on Sunday.
A spokeswoman for the Dutch public prosecution service described the case as "huge" and "unprecedented".
The suspect was identified after a two-year-old boy's picture was shown on Dutch TV as part of a US inquiry.
Police said he had also worked as a childminder in the Amsterdam area.
They said they were trying to establish whether other people were involved in the alleged abuse of young children up to the age of four.
The man's male partner, 37, has been detained on suspicion of possession of child pornography.
Another employee at a nursery where Robert M, originally from Latvia, worked is also being held.
more here
News:Chinese archaeologists unearth 2,400-year-old 'soup'
Chinese archaeologists have unearthed what they believe is a 2,400-year-old pot of soup, state media report.
The liquid and bones were in a sealed bronze cooking vessel dug up near the ancient capital of Xian - home to the country's famed terracotta warriors.
Tests are being carried out to identify the ingredients. An odourless liquid, believed to be wine, was also found.
The pots were discovered in a tomb being excavated to make way for an extension to the local airport.
"It's the first discovery of bone soup in Chinese archaeological history," the newspaper quoted Liu Daiyun of the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology as saying.
"The discovery will play an important role in studying the eating habits and culture of the Warring States Period (475-221BC)."
The scientists said the tomb could have held the body of either a member of the land-owning class or a low-ranking military officer, the report said.more here
The liquid and bones were in a sealed bronze cooking vessel dug up near the ancient capital of Xian - home to the country's famed terracotta warriors.
Tests are being carried out to identify the ingredients. An odourless liquid, believed to be wine, was also found.
The pots were discovered in a tomb being excavated to make way for an extension to the local airport.
"It's the first discovery of bone soup in Chinese archaeological history," the newspaper quoted Liu Daiyun of the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology as saying.
"The discovery will play an important role in studying the eating habits and culture of the Warring States Period (475-221BC)."
The scientists said the tomb could have held the body of either a member of the land-owning class or a low-ranking military officer, the report said.more here
Sunday, December 12, 2010
News:Stockholm blasts: Sweden probes 'terrorist attack'
Two explosions in Sweden's capital Stockholm are being investigated as a "crime of terror", officials say.
A car blew up in a busy shopping area on Saturday afternoon, followed moments later by a second explosion nearby.
Witnesses said a man found dead after the second blast had been carrying an explosive device. Two people were hurt.
Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt condemned the attacks as unacceptable in an open society with a functioning democracy that respects different cultures.
"Our democracy functions well," he told a press conference. "Those who feel frustration or anger have the opportunity to express it without resorting to violence."
more here
A car blew up in a busy shopping area on Saturday afternoon, followed moments later by a second explosion nearby.
Witnesses said a man found dead after the second blast had been carrying an explosive device. Two people were hurt.
Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt condemned the attacks as unacceptable in an open society with a functioning democracy that respects different cultures.
"Our democracy functions well," he told a press conference. "Those who feel frustration or anger have the opportunity to express it without resorting to violence."
more here
Friday, December 10, 2010
News:'Diamond exoplanet' idea boosted by telescope find
By Pallab Ghosh Science correspondent, BBC News
A US-British team of astronomers has discovered the first planet with ultra-high concentrations of carbon.
The researchers say their discovery supports the idea there may be carbon-rich, rocky planets whose terrains are made up of diamonds or graphite.
"You might see land masses and mountains made up of diamonds," the lead researcher Dr Nikku Madhusudhan told BBC News.
The study in Nature journal raises new questions about how planets are formed.
more here
A US-British team of astronomers has discovered the first planet with ultra-high concentrations of carbon.
The researchers say their discovery supports the idea there may be carbon-rich, rocky planets whose terrains are made up of diamonds or graphite.
"You might see land masses and mountains made up of diamonds," the lead researcher Dr Nikku Madhusudhan told BBC News.
The study in Nature journal raises new questions about how planets are formed.
more here
Thursday, December 9, 2010
News:Amazon site unaffected by pro-Wikileaks attack
'Coldblood', a member of the group Anonymous, tells Jane Wakefield why he views its attacks on Visa and Mastercard as defence of Wikileaks.
Attempts by online activists to bring down online retailer Amazon's website appear to have failed.
The group Anonymous had pledged to to attack the site at 1600 GMT but the site seems to be functioning normally.
The site was targeted because it withdrew services from whistle-blowing website Wikileaks
The tool through which attacks are carried out against websites perceived to be anti-Wikileaks has now been downloaded more than 31,000 times.
Security experts warned people to avoid joining the voluntary botnet.
more here
Attempts by online activists to bring down online retailer Amazon's website appear to have failed.
The group Anonymous had pledged to to attack the site at 1600 GMT but the site seems to be functioning normally.
The site was targeted because it withdrew services from whistle-blowing website Wikileaks
The tool through which attacks are carried out against websites perceived to be anti-Wikileaks has now been downloaded more than 31,000 times.
Security experts warned people to avoid joining the voluntary botnet.
more here
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
News:Private firm launches space-taxi prototype
Published: 9:06AM Thursday December 09, 2010 Source: Reuters
A privately owned company put a spacecraft into orbit in a test flight that NASA hopes will eventually lead to cargo runs to the International Space Station after its space shuttles are retired next year.
The NASA-backed mission is intended to test a new system for delivering cargo - and eventually possibly crew - to the International Space Station.
more here
A privately owned company put a spacecraft into orbit in a test flight that NASA hopes will eventually lead to cargo runs to the International Space Station after its space shuttles are retired next year.
The NASA-backed mission is intended to test a new system for delivering cargo - and eventually possibly crew - to the International Space Station.
more here
News:Wikileaks defended by Anonymous hacktivists
Internet hacktivists have fired the latest salvo in the Wikileaks infowar.
A group called Anonymous has hit sites that have refused to do business with the controversial whistle-blowing site with a series of distributed denial-of-service attacks.
It mirrors similar attacks aimed at the Wikileaks site.
Targets include the Swiss bank that froze founder Julian Assange's assets and PayPal which has stopped processing donations to Wikileaks.
Anonymous is a loose-knit group of hacktivists, with links to the notorious message board 4chan.
more here
A group called Anonymous has hit sites that have refused to do business with the controversial whistle-blowing site with a series of distributed denial-of-service attacks.
It mirrors similar attacks aimed at the Wikileaks site.
Targets include the Swiss bank that froze founder Julian Assange's assets and PayPal which has stopped processing donations to Wikileaks.
Anonymous is a loose-knit group of hacktivists, with links to the notorious message board 4chan.
more here
News:Private space capsule launched
8 December 2010 Last updated at 15:46 GMT
A private US capsule that could soon be hauling cargo and even astronauts to the space station has launched on its first demonstration flight.
The Dragon ship launched from Florida on a Falcon 9 rocket at 1543GMT (1043 EST).
The capsule separated about 10 minutes after launch and has reached orbit, its manufacturer SpaceX said.
After completing several manoeuvres some 300km above Earth, the capsule will splash down in the Pacific.
Dragon and Falcon 9 are both products of California's SpaceX company.
The firm has a $1.6bn (£1bn) contract with the US space agency (Nasa) to provide 12 spacecraft with cargo capacity of at least 20 tonnes to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) through to 2016.
The initiative is part of a much wider American policy to place the carriage of freight and crew transport to the ISS in the hands of the private sector.
more here
A private US capsule that could soon be hauling cargo and even astronauts to the space station has launched on its first demonstration flight.
The Dragon ship launched from Florida on a Falcon 9 rocket at 1543GMT (1043 EST).
The capsule separated about 10 minutes after launch and has reached orbit, its manufacturer SpaceX said.
After completing several manoeuvres some 300km above Earth, the capsule will splash down in the Pacific.
Dragon and Falcon 9 are both products of California's SpaceX company.
The firm has a $1.6bn (£1bn) contract with the US space agency (Nasa) to provide 12 spacecraft with cargo capacity of at least 20 tonnes to resupply the International Space Station (ISS) through to 2016.
The initiative is part of a much wider American policy to place the carriage of freight and crew transport to the ISS in the hands of the private sector.
more here
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
News:Japan waits on Venus spacecraft
Japan's space agency (Jaxa) is working to establish the status of its Akatsuki mission to Venus.
The spacecraft fired its main engine just before midnight GMT on Monday in a manoeuvre designed to allow the planet's gravity to capture the probe.
Akatsuki then briefly lost contact with Earth as it moved behind the Venus.
Scientists said they would know later on Tuesday whether the operation to insert the satellite into the correct orbit had been successful or not.
Akatsuki was launched to the inner-world by an H-IIA rocket in May. Its goals include finding definitive evidence for lightning and for active volcanoes.
It will not be alone at Venus; the European Space Agency's Venus Express craft arrived at the planet in 2006. The pair are due to conduct joint observations.
Venus is almost identical in size to our planet, and is thought to have a similar composition. But there the resemblance ends.
Continue reading the main story
AKATSUKI ('DAWN') VENUS ORBITER
Akatsuki (Jaxa)
* Will study atmosphere and surface
* Size: 1.0m by 1.4m by 1.4m
* Mass at lift-off: About 500kg
* 5 cameras; 1 radio experiment
* Designed for 4.5-year life
* Will sit in 300km by 80,000km orbit
The thick Venusian atmosphere is opaque to instruments that operate at visible wavelengths and so the Japanese probe carries five cameras that are sensitive in the infrared and ultraviolet parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
more here
The spacecraft fired its main engine just before midnight GMT on Monday in a manoeuvre designed to allow the planet's gravity to capture the probe.
Akatsuki then briefly lost contact with Earth as it moved behind the Venus.
Scientists said they would know later on Tuesday whether the operation to insert the satellite into the correct orbit had been successful or not.
Akatsuki was launched to the inner-world by an H-IIA rocket in May. Its goals include finding definitive evidence for lightning and for active volcanoes.
It will not be alone at Venus; the European Space Agency's Venus Express craft arrived at the planet in 2006. The pair are due to conduct joint observations.
Venus is almost identical in size to our planet, and is thought to have a similar composition. But there the resemblance ends.
Continue reading the main story
AKATSUKI ('DAWN') VENUS ORBITER
Akatsuki (Jaxa)
* Will study atmosphere and surface
* Size: 1.0m by 1.4m by 1.4m
* Mass at lift-off: About 500kg
* 5 cameras; 1 radio experiment
* Designed for 4.5-year life
* Will sit in 300km by 80,000km orbit
The thick Venusian atmosphere is opaque to instruments that operate at visible wavelengths and so the Japanese probe carries five cameras that are sensitive in the infrared and ultraviolet parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
more here
Monday, December 6, 2010
News:List of facilities 'vital to US security' leaked
6 December 2010 Last updated at 03:01 GMT
By Jonathan Marcus BBC Diplomatic Correspondent
A long list of key facilities around the world that the US describes as vital to its national security has been released by Wikileaks.
The US State Department in February 2009 asked all US missions abroad to list all installations whose loss could critically affect US national security.
The list includes pipelines, communication and transport hubs.
Several UK sites are listed, including cable locations, satellite sites and BAE Systems plants.
This is probably the most controversial document yet from the Wikileaks organisation.
more here
By Jonathan Marcus BBC Diplomatic Correspondent
A long list of key facilities around the world that the US describes as vital to its national security has been released by Wikileaks.
The US State Department in February 2009 asked all US missions abroad to list all installations whose loss could critically affect US national security.
The list includes pipelines, communication and transport hubs.
Several UK sites are listed, including cable locations, satellite sites and BAE Systems plants.
This is probably the most controversial document yet from the Wikileaks organisation.
more here
Sunday, December 5, 2010
News:China leadership 'orchestrated Google hacking'
4 December 2010 Last updated at 23:40 GMT
Senior Chinese figures were behind the hacking of Google earlier this year which forced the search engine to quit the country, leaked US cables suggest.
One cable, released by whistle-blowing site Wikileaks, cites a "well-placed" contact as saying the action against Google was "100% political".
A politburo member is said to have been angered after Googling his name and finding critical comments online.
The cable says it is unclear whether China's top leaders were involved.
Other cables show Beijing has been "extremely concerned" about the use of high-resolution satellite imagery on Google's mapping software, Google Earth.
In January, Google said it had been subjected to a "sophisticated cyber attack originating from China" - it said the e-mail accounts of human rights activists were among those hacked.more here
Senior Chinese figures were behind the hacking of Google earlier this year which forced the search engine to quit the country, leaked US cables suggest.
One cable, released by whistle-blowing site Wikileaks, cites a "well-placed" contact as saying the action against Google was "100% political".
A politburo member is said to have been angered after Googling his name and finding critical comments online.
The cable says it is unclear whether China's top leaders were involved.
Other cables show Beijing has been "extremely concerned" about the use of high-resolution satellite imagery on Google's mapping software, Google Earth.
In January, Google said it had been subjected to a "sophisticated cyber attack originating from China" - it said the e-mail accounts of human rights activists were among those hacked.more here
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Russian man pleads not guilty to global spam scheme
4 December 2010
A Russian man accused of operating an e-mail spam business that at times accounted for one third of global spam has pleaded not guilty in a federal court in the US state of Wisconsin.
Oleg Nikolaenko is charged with running a global network of more than 500,000 virus-infected personal computers, in violation of a US anti-spam law.
Mr Nikolaenko asked to be allowed a form of house arrest, pending a trial.
But the judge ordered him held without bail, ruling he was a flight risk.more here
A Russian man accused of operating an e-mail spam business that at times accounted for one third of global spam has pleaded not guilty in a federal court in the US state of Wisconsin.
Oleg Nikolaenko is charged with running a global network of more than 500,000 virus-infected personal computers, in violation of a US anti-spam law.
Mr Nikolaenko asked to be allowed a form of house arrest, pending a trial.
But the judge ordered him held without bail, ruling he was a flight risk.more here
Friday, December 3, 2010
News:Bhopal: India wants compensation doubled
India is seeking to more than double to $1.1bn (£700m) the compensation paid by a US chemical company for the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster.
The attorney general's office has filed a case at the Supreme Court to increase the $470m settlement reached in 1989.
The petition coincides with the 26th anniversary of the disaster.
Thousands of people died after the leak from Union Carbide's plant in the Madhya Pradesh state capital.
In June, an Indian court finally convicted seven former managers at the plant, handing down minor fines and brief prison sentences.
But many victims and campaigners have felt justice has still not been served against Union Carbide.
Dow Chemicals, which bought Union Carbide in 1999, has said in the past that the $470m settlement was fair and final.
more here
The attorney general's office has filed a case at the Supreme Court to increase the $470m settlement reached in 1989.
The petition coincides with the 26th anniversary of the disaster.
Thousands of people died after the leak from Union Carbide's plant in the Madhya Pradesh state capital.
In June, an Indian court finally convicted seven former managers at the plant, handing down minor fines and brief prison sentences.
But many victims and campaigners have felt justice has still not been served against Union Carbide.
Dow Chemicals, which bought Union Carbide in 1999, has said in the past that the $470m settlement was fair and final.
more here
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
News:'Trillions' of Earths orbit red stars in older galaxies
1 December 2010 Last updated at 18:48 GMT
By Pallab Ghosh Science correspondent, BBC News
Astronomers say the Universe may contain three times the number of stars as is currently thought.
Their assessment is based on new observations showing other galaxies may have very different structures to our Milky Way galaxy.
The researchers tell the journal Nature that more stars probably means many more planets as well - perhaps "trillions" of Earth-like worlds.
The Yale University-led study used the Keck telescope in Hawaii.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
There are possibly trillions of Earths orbiting these stars”
End Quote Professor Pieter Van Dokkum Yale University
It found that galaxies older than ours contain 20 times more red dwarf stars than more recent ones.
Red dwarfs are smaller and dimmer than our own Sun; it is only recently that telescopes have been powerful enough to detect them.
According to Yale's Professor Pieter van Dokkum, who led the research, the discovery also increases the estimate for the number of planets in the Universe and therefore greatly increases the likelihood of life existing elsewhere in the cosmos.
"There are possibly trillions of Earths orbiting these stars," he said. "Red dwarfs are typically more than 10 billion years old and so have been around long enough for complex life to evolve on planets around them. It's one reason why people are interested in this type of star."
Spiral Galaxy and Elliptical Galaxy Two-thirds of the observable Universe consists of spiral galaxies (L) like our own Milky Way. The remainder is made up of older elliptical galaxies (R)
The findings also help to account for what astronomers describe as the "missing mass" in the Universe. more here
By Pallab Ghosh Science correspondent, BBC News
Astronomers say the Universe may contain three times the number of stars as is currently thought.
Their assessment is based on new observations showing other galaxies may have very different structures to our Milky Way galaxy.
The researchers tell the journal Nature that more stars probably means many more planets as well - perhaps "trillions" of Earth-like worlds.
The Yale University-led study used the Keck telescope in Hawaii.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
There are possibly trillions of Earths orbiting these stars”
End Quote Professor Pieter Van Dokkum Yale University
It found that galaxies older than ours contain 20 times more red dwarf stars than more recent ones.
Red dwarfs are smaller and dimmer than our own Sun; it is only recently that telescopes have been powerful enough to detect them.
According to Yale's Professor Pieter van Dokkum, who led the research, the discovery also increases the estimate for the number of planets in the Universe and therefore greatly increases the likelihood of life existing elsewhere in the cosmos.
"There are possibly trillions of Earths orbiting these stars," he said. "Red dwarfs are typically more than 10 billion years old and so have been around long enough for complex life to evolve on planets around them. It's one reason why people are interested in this type of star."
Spiral Galaxy and Elliptical Galaxy Two-thirds of the observable Universe consists of spiral galaxies (L) like our own Milky Way. The remainder is made up of older elliptical galaxies (R)
The findings also help to account for what astronomers describe as the "missing mass" in the Universe. more here
News:US soldier faces court martial over Afghan killings
1 December 2010 Last updated at 15:52 GMT
The first of 12 US soldiers accused of being part of a group that killed Afghan civilians for sport faces court martial on Wednesday.
Charges against Staff Sgt Robert Stevens include conspiracy to commit assault and battery, dereliction of duty and aggravated assault.
These relate to an incident in March where he is said to have shot at three Afghan men near an Army base.
Eleven others are charged in the affair, including five with murder.
Sgt Stevens faces up to 27 years in prison if convicted by the military hearing in Washington state, the Army said.more here
The first of 12 US soldiers accused of being part of a group that killed Afghan civilians for sport faces court martial on Wednesday.
Charges against Staff Sgt Robert Stevens include conspiracy to commit assault and battery, dereliction of duty and aggravated assault.
These relate to an incident in March where he is said to have shot at three Afghan men near an Army base.
Eleven others are charged in the affair, including five with murder.
Sgt Stevens faces up to 27 years in prison if convicted by the military hearing in Washington state, the Army said.more here
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
News:EU launches antitrust probe into alleged Google abuses
The European Commission has launched an investigation into Google after other search engines complained that the firm had abused its dominant position.
The body said it would look into whether the world's largest search engine lowered the ranking of competing services in its results.
The probe follows complaints by firms including price comparison site Foundem and legal search engine ejustice.fr.
Google said it would work with the Commission to "address any concerns".more here
The body said it would look into whether the world's largest search engine lowered the ranking of competing services in its results.
The probe follows complaints by firms including price comparison site Foundem and legal search engine ejustice.fr.
Google said it would work with the Commission to "address any concerns".more here
Monday, November 29, 2010
News:Mapping ancient Rome with Google Street View
Google's Street View programme, which takes photographs of public roads and puts them online as a navigation tool, has an ambitious new project - to capture the archaeological sites of Rome.
A team has already photographed the Colosseum with its hi-tech camera system and is now working on the Roman Forum.
The Street View scheme has been banned by some countries because of fears about privacy, but Google says it has put in new safeguards.
From Rome, Duncan Kennedy reports.
source here
A team has already photographed the Colosseum with its hi-tech camera system and is now working on the Roman Forum.
The Street View scheme has been banned by some countries because of fears about privacy, but Google says it has put in new safeguards.
From Rome, Duncan Kennedy reports.
source here
How would you like to deal with this person?
Tenant from hell' leaves landlords scared
Published: 9:42PM Monday November 29, 2010 Source: ONE News
A Rotorua tenant is being dubbed "the tenant from hell" by her landlords, who cop abuse any time they try to get her to pay outstanding rent.
TV ONE's Close Up programme met four property-owners who have had rough dealings with Ruth Wheeler, which have left them frustrated and fearful.more here
Question: Which is worse? To be saddled with a tenant who cannot be reasoned with, or feel forced to move to get away from her?
Published: 9:42PM Monday November 29, 2010 Source: ONE News
A Rotorua tenant is being dubbed "the tenant from hell" by her landlords, who cop abuse any time they try to get her to pay outstanding rent.
TV ONE's Close Up programme met four property-owners who have had rough dealings with Ruth Wheeler, which have left them frustrated and fearful.more here
Question: Which is worse? To be saddled with a tenant who cannot be reasoned with, or feel forced to move to get away from her?
Sunday, November 28, 2010
News:Wikileaks 'hacked ahead of secret US document release'
28 November 2010
Whistle-blowing website Wikileaks says it is under attack from a computer-hacking operation, ahead of a release of secret US documents.
"We are currently under a mass distributed denial of service attack," it says on its Twitter feed.
It adds that several newspapers will go ahead and publish the documents released to them by Wikileaks even if the site goes down.
The US state department has said the release will put many lives at risk.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has said the US authorities are afraid of being held to account.
more here
Whistle-blowing website Wikileaks says it is under attack from a computer-hacking operation, ahead of a release of secret US documents.
"We are currently under a mass distributed denial of service attack," it says on its Twitter feed.
It adds that several newspapers will go ahead and publish the documents released to them by Wikileaks even if the site goes down.
The US state department has said the release will put many lives at risk.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has said the US authorities are afraid of being held to account.
more here
Saturday, November 27, 2010
News:Pirate-hunting warship receives praise from the Queen
A pirate-hunting British frigate has been praised by the Queen during her state visit to the Gulf.
HMS Cornwall is on a six-month deployment to the region to protect shipping in the area.
The ship's captain, Commander David Wilkinson, met the Queen at the official residence of Britain's ambassador to Oman.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's five-day visit to the Gulf has also included the United Arab Emirates.
The royal couple were joined by Foreign Secretary William Hague and his wife Ffion in the grounds of ambassador Dr Noel Guckian's home in the capital Muscat, overlooking the waters of the Gulf of Oman.
more here
HMS Cornwall is on a six-month deployment to the region to protect shipping in the area.
The ship's captain, Commander David Wilkinson, met the Queen at the official residence of Britain's ambassador to Oman.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's five-day visit to the Gulf has also included the United Arab Emirates.
The royal couple were joined by Foreign Secretary William Hague and his wife Ffion in the grounds of ambassador Dr Noel Guckian's home in the capital Muscat, overlooking the waters of the Gulf of Oman.
more here
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
News:New Zealand PM pledges Greymouth mine investigation
25 November 2010 Last updated at 00:07 GMT
New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key has promised an investigation into the deaths of 29 miners at the Pike River mine on South Island.
Warning that it could take months to recover the bodies, Mr Key - who will visit Greymouth on Thursday - said the nation "needs answers".
The men were declared dead on Wednesday after a second explosion ripped through the shaft where they were trapped.
more here
New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key has promised an investigation into the deaths of 29 miners at the Pike River mine on South Island.
Warning that it could take months to recover the bodies, Mr Key - who will visit Greymouth on Thursday - said the nation "needs answers".
The men were declared dead on Wednesday after a second explosion ripped through the shaft where they were trapped.
more here
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
News:North Korea attack on island causes international alarm
The BBC's John Sudworth explains how the cross-border clash developed
Continue reading the main story
North Korea: A Secretive State
* Hard choices for South Korea
* Q&A: Inter-Korean crisis
* North Korea firing: Why now?
* As it happened: Artillery clash
North Korea's shelling of an island in South Korea near a disputed sea border has drawn international condemnation.
US President Barack Obama said he was "outraged" by the attack on Yeonpyeong island. It was also denounced by Russia, Japan and European countries.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon called it "one of the gravest incidents since the Korean War" and urged restraint on both sides.
South Korea returned fire and threatened missile strikes if there were "further provocations".
South Korea's military had been carrying out an exercise nearby, but it denies opening hostilities by firing towards the North.
more here
Continue reading the main story
North Korea: A Secretive State
* Hard choices for South Korea
* Q&A: Inter-Korean crisis
* North Korea firing: Why now?
* As it happened: Artillery clash
North Korea's shelling of an island in South Korea near a disputed sea border has drawn international condemnation.
US President Barack Obama said he was "outraged" by the attack on Yeonpyeong island. It was also denounced by Russia, Japan and European countries.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon called it "one of the gravest incidents since the Korean War" and urged restraint on both sides.
South Korea returned fire and threatened missile strikes if there were "further provocations".
South Korea's military had been carrying out an exercise nearby, but it denies opening hostilities by firing towards the North.
more here
Sunday, November 21, 2010
News:Mine rescue becoming 'longer shot', chairman says
Published: 5:42AM Monday November 22, 2010 Source: ONE News/NZPA
The chairman of Pike River Coal says the company remains hopeful of finding the 29 miners alive but concedes that as the days go by it is becoming a "longer shot".
John Dow's comments this morning came after the families of the trapped miners spent an agonising third night waiting for a rescue attempt to start.
Engineers have been working throughout the night on a bore hole, which will collect air samples from near where the miners are thought to be.more here
The chairman of Pike River Coal says the company remains hopeful of finding the 29 miners alive but concedes that as the days go by it is becoming a "longer shot".
John Dow's comments this morning came after the families of the trapped miners spent an agonising third night waiting for a rescue attempt to start.
Engineers have been working throughout the night on a bore hole, which will collect air samples from near where the miners are thought to be.more here
Thursday, November 18, 2010
News:'Alien' planet detected circling dying star
18 November 2010 Last updated at 19:03 GMT
By Neil Bowdler Science reporter, BBC News
Astronomers claim to have discovered the first planet originating from outside our galaxy.
The Jupiter-like planet, they say, is part of a solar system which once belonged to a dwarf galaxy.
This dwarf galaxy was in turn devoured by our own galaxy, the Milky Way, according to a team writing in the academic journal Science.
The star, called HIP 13044, is nearing the end of its life and is 2000 light years from Earth.
The discovery was made using a telescope in Chile.more here
By Neil Bowdler Science reporter, BBC News
Astronomers claim to have discovered the first planet originating from outside our galaxy.
The Jupiter-like planet, they say, is part of a solar system which once belonged to a dwarf galaxy.
This dwarf galaxy was in turn devoured by our own galaxy, the Milky Way, according to a team writing in the academic journal Science.
The star, called HIP 13044, is nearing the end of its life and is 2000 light years from Earth.
The discovery was made using a telescope in Chile.more here
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
News:US web traffic rerouted via China Telecom
17 November 2010 Last updated at 13:53 GMT
The traffic to some highly sensitive US websites was briefly rerouted via China, the US government has said.
The incident, which happened for 18 minutes last April, is published in a report by the US-China Economic and Security review commission.
It found that China Telecom sent incorrect routing information, but it is not clear whether it was intentional.
It comes amid continuing discussions in the US and the UK about cyber-security.
Among traffic rerouted via China was that destined for the websites of the US Senate, the Office of the Secretary of Defence, Nasa and the Commerce Department, the report said.
"Evidence related to this incident does not clearly indicate whether it was perpetrated intentionally and, if so, to what ends," according to the report.
"However, computer security researchers have noted that the capability could enable severe malicious activities," it added.
more here
The traffic to some highly sensitive US websites was briefly rerouted via China, the US government has said.
The incident, which happened for 18 minutes last April, is published in a report by the US-China Economic and Security review commission.
It found that China Telecom sent incorrect routing information, but it is not clear whether it was intentional.
It comes amid continuing discussions in the US and the UK about cyber-security.
Among traffic rerouted via China was that destined for the websites of the US Senate, the Office of the Secretary of Defence, Nasa and the Commerce Department, the report said.
"Evidence related to this incident does not clearly indicate whether it was perpetrated intentionally and, if so, to what ends," according to the report.
"However, computer security researchers have noted that the capability could enable severe malicious activities," it added.
more here
News:Antimatter atom trapped for first time, say scientists
17 November 2010
By Jason Palmer Science and technology reporter, BBC News
Antimatter atoms have been trapped for the first time, scientists say.
Researchers at Cern, home of the LHC, have held 38 antihydrogen atoms in place, each for a fraction of a second.
While antihydrogen has been produced before, it is instantly destroyed in a flash of light when it encounters normal matter.
The team, reporting in Nature, says the ability to study such antimatter atoms will allow previously impossible tests of fundamental tenets of physics. more here
By Jason Palmer Science and technology reporter, BBC News
Antimatter atoms have been trapped for the first time, scientists say.
Researchers at Cern, home of the LHC, have held 38 antihydrogen atoms in place, each for a fraction of a second.
While antihydrogen has been produced before, it is instantly destroyed in a flash of light when it encounters normal matter.
The team, reporting in Nature, says the ability to study such antimatter atoms will allow previously impossible tests of fundamental tenets of physics. more here
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
News:India mobile licence sale lost billions, auditors say
16 November 2010 Last updated at 13:22 GMT
India's former telecommunications minister Andimuthu Raja undersold mobile phone licences worth billions of dollars, federal auditors say.
Their report to parliament says rules were flouted in the 2008 sale of second-generation (2G) spectrum.
Licences in the lucrative market had been sold at "unbelievably low prices" - the loss to the government could be as high as $39bn, the report said.
Mr Raja resigned over the weekend, denying any wrongdoing.
The former communications and information technology minister said he wanted "to avoid embarrassment to the government" and allow parliament - which has been in uproar - to function normally.
He is accused of issuing the licences on a "first-come, first-served" basis instead of auctioning them. An auction of 3G bandwidth in May ended up reaping $15bn, twice the sum expected.
Mr Raja was quoted by the Indian media on Tuesday as saying that the government's position on the matter had been filed in an affidavit before the Supreme Court - and that he could not comment any further as the case was sub judice.
more here
India's former telecommunications minister Andimuthu Raja undersold mobile phone licences worth billions of dollars, federal auditors say.
Their report to parliament says rules were flouted in the 2008 sale of second-generation (2G) spectrum.
Licences in the lucrative market had been sold at "unbelievably low prices" - the loss to the government could be as high as $39bn, the report said.
Mr Raja resigned over the weekend, denying any wrongdoing.
The former communications and information technology minister said he wanted "to avoid embarrassment to the government" and allow parliament - which has been in uproar - to function normally.
He is accused of issuing the licences on a "first-come, first-served" basis instead of auctioning them. An auction of 3G bandwidth in May ended up reaping $15bn, twice the sum expected.
Mr Raja was quoted by the Indian media on Tuesday as saying that the government's position on the matter had been filed in an affidavit before the Supreme Court - and that he could not comment any further as the case was sub judice.
more here
News:Pc 'gave information to suspect'
16 November 2010 Last updated at 15:56 GMT
A police officer passed on confidential information to a drugs suspect whose car was being watched by detectives, a court has heard.
Pc Margaret Low, from Tayside Police, is accused of perverting the course of justice, along with her newspaper executive partner Scott Barlass.
Perth Sheriff Court was told Pc Low was working at a police CCTV centre when she tipped off suspect Callum Menzies.
Both Pc Low and Mr Barlass deny the charges.
Jurors at the trial heard that detectives who suspected skip hire company owner Mr Menzies may be involved in the drugs trade spotted a car belonging to him in Perth.
more here
A police officer passed on confidential information to a drugs suspect whose car was being watched by detectives, a court has heard.
Pc Margaret Low, from Tayside Police, is accused of perverting the course of justice, along with her newspaper executive partner Scott Barlass.
Perth Sheriff Court was told Pc Low was working at a police CCTV centre when she tipped off suspect Callum Menzies.
Both Pc Low and Mr Barlass deny the charges.
Jurors at the trial heard that detectives who suspected skip hire company owner Mr Menzies may be involved in the drugs trade spotted a car belonging to him in Perth.
more here
Monday, November 15, 2010
News:Huge antenna launched into space
15 November 2010 Last updated at 14:19 GMT
By Jonathan Amos Science correspondent, BBC News
Skyterra1 (Boeing) Once deployed, the antenna reflector will measure 22m (72ft) across
A US satellite carrying the biggest commercial antenna reflector ever put in space has been launched successfully from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.
The mesh structure on the Skyterra-1 spacecraft is 22m (72ft) across.
It will relay signals for a new 4G-LTE mobile phone and data system for North America run by Lightsquared.
Callers whose networks are tied into the system will be automatically switched to a satellite if they are out of range of a terrestrial mast.
Lightsquared is the latest effort to try to establish a hybrid satellite-terrestrial system in the US.
Two previous ventures ran into financial problems. Both Terrestar and DBSD North America had to seek legal protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy rules while they sought to restructure enormous debts built up as they rolled out their systems.
Skyterra-1 (Boeing) The satellite has been built by Boeing
LightSquared has promised a different approach. It says its business will be wholesale only. It will be selling capacity to carriers who wish to offer go-anywhere connectivity to their consumers, be they phone or data users.
more here
By Jonathan Amos Science correspondent, BBC News
Skyterra1 (Boeing) Once deployed, the antenna reflector will measure 22m (72ft) across
A US satellite carrying the biggest commercial antenna reflector ever put in space has been launched successfully from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.
The mesh structure on the Skyterra-1 spacecraft is 22m (72ft) across.
It will relay signals for a new 4G-LTE mobile phone and data system for North America run by Lightsquared.
Callers whose networks are tied into the system will be automatically switched to a satellite if they are out of range of a terrestrial mast.
Lightsquared is the latest effort to try to establish a hybrid satellite-terrestrial system in the US.
Two previous ventures ran into financial problems. Both Terrestar and DBSD North America had to seek legal protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy rules while they sought to restructure enormous debts built up as they rolled out their systems.
Skyterra-1 (Boeing) The satellite has been built by Boeing
LightSquared has promised a different approach. It says its business will be wholesale only. It will be selling capacity to carriers who wish to offer go-anywhere connectivity to their consumers, be they phone or data users.
more here
Sunday, November 14, 2010
New paper in town
On November 5, 2010 a new weekly paper appeared in our letter box. Before it arrived, the city of Upper Hutt (where I live) had only "The Leader" as its weekly newspaper.
The paper has its own web site at Upper Hutt Star.
Its purpose is to "report positive news about the city we live in".
The paper has its own web site at Upper Hutt Star.
Its purpose is to "report positive news about the city we live in".
From the blog master (USE THE BLOG)
As time passes an increasing array of issues and articles have appeared on this blog. This is the second one today (15 November 2010).Much of the content consists of news articles, but it also contains hints, answers to your questions, topical material and other entries suited to the interests of members and visitors.
It would be even better with the addition of your comments or the insightful things you have gleaned along your way. You are welcome to add material, comments and articles you have found of value. Indeed, it is important for you to do so. Without you, I might be talking to myself! That would not do at all. (John Durham 15 November 2010)
It would be even better with the addition of your comments or the insightful things you have gleaned along your way. You are welcome to add material, comments and articles you have found of value. Indeed, it is important for you to do so. Without you, I might be talking to myself! That would not do at all. (John Durham 15 November 2010)
News:Earth's pull 'shaped Moon's surface'
12 November 2010 Last updated at 15:45 GMT
By Neil Bowdler
Science reporter, BBC News
The Earth may have played a major role in shaping the lunar surface, according to a new research study by US researchers.
The team members say our planet's gravitational pull distorted the shape of the Moon in ancient times.
This led to "bulging" at the equator and could explain why the far side is more elevated than the near side of the Moon even today.
Details of the study are published in the journal Science.
The far side of the Moon remains a mystery in many ways. Densely cratered, it has few of the volcanic plains that characterise the near side with which we are all familiar, and it is much higher - several kilometres higher in places.
Now the authors of a new study think they know why it might have become so high and are blaming the Earth.
more here
By Neil Bowdler
Science reporter, BBC News
The Earth may have played a major role in shaping the lunar surface, according to a new research study by US researchers.
The team members say our planet's gravitational pull distorted the shape of the Moon in ancient times.
This led to "bulging" at the equator and could explain why the far side is more elevated than the near side of the Moon even today.
Details of the study are published in the journal Science.
The far side of the Moon remains a mystery in many ways. Densely cratered, it has few of the volcanic plains that characterise the near side with which we are all familiar, and it is much higher - several kilometres higher in places.
Now the authors of a new study think they know why it might have become so high and are blaming the Earth.
more here
Thursday, November 11, 2010
News:Internet pioneer Vint Cerf warns over address changes
The internet could face years of instability as it moves to a new addressing system, one of the network's original architects has warned.
Vint Cerf, one of the fathers of the internet, spoke as the UK was urged to begin using the new addressing system.
With current addresses due to run out in 2012, nations and businesses must get on with switching, said Mr Cerf.
During the switch internet links could become unreliable, making sites and services hard to reach, Mr Cerf said.
"This has to happen or the internet will stop growing or will not be growable," he said of the move to the addressing system.
The net has grown to its current size using version 4 of its addressing scheme (IPv4), which allows for about 4.3 billion addresses.
Estimates suggest that this pool of addresses will be exhausted by the end of January 2012.
more here
Vint Cerf, one of the fathers of the internet, spoke as the UK was urged to begin using the new addressing system.
With current addresses due to run out in 2012, nations and businesses must get on with switching, said Mr Cerf.
During the switch internet links could become unreliable, making sites and services hard to reach, Mr Cerf said.
"This has to happen or the internet will stop growing or will not be growable," he said of the move to the addressing system.
The net has grown to its current size using version 4 of its addressing scheme (IPv4), which allows for about 4.3 billion addresses.
Estimates suggest that this pool of addresses will be exhausted by the end of January 2012.
more here
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
News:Yemen mail bomb 'could have detonated over eastern US'
Tests on a failed parcel bomb sent on a US-bound cargo flight last month show it could have been designed to detonate over the eastern US, say police.
The bomb was found in a printer cartridge on a plane in a UK airport, after being posted from Yemen. "If the device had activated it would have been at 1030hrs BST (0930 GMT) on Friday 29 October 2010," said British police. A second mail bomb, also sent from Yemen, was intercepted in Dubai.
The UK bomb, intercepted at East Midlands airport, was discovered early on 29 October, following a tip-off from Saudi intelligence. It was removed and "disrupted" by explosives officers about three hours before it was timed to detonate, police said in a statement.
"If the device had not been removed from the aircraft the activation could have occurred over the eastern seaboard of the US," they said.
More here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11729720
Note: In my little corner of the Pacific, these kinds of incidents seem frightening. Oh, we have our problems, but very few incidents here can be compared with the things happening overseas. Folk sympathize with the ones affected, but often feel powerless to improve the lot of those affected by people who target the innocent for some perceived advantage. The world is changing around us as we watch. Will it still be a fit place to bring up our children?
The bomb was found in a printer cartridge on a plane in a UK airport, after being posted from Yemen. "If the device had activated it would have been at 1030hrs BST (0930 GMT) on Friday 29 October 2010," said British police. A second mail bomb, also sent from Yemen, was intercepted in Dubai.
The UK bomb, intercepted at East Midlands airport, was discovered early on 29 October, following a tip-off from Saudi intelligence. It was removed and "disrupted" by explosives officers about three hours before it was timed to detonate, police said in a statement.
"If the device had not been removed from the aircraft the activation could have occurred over the eastern seaboard of the US," they said.
More here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11729720
Note: In my little corner of the Pacific, these kinds of incidents seem frightening. Oh, we have our problems, but very few incidents here can be compared with the things happening overseas. Folk sympathize with the ones affected, but often feel powerless to improve the lot of those affected by people who target the innocent for some perceived advantage. The world is changing around us as we watch. Will it still be a fit place to bring up our children?
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
10 Strange Things About The Universe
by Jeff Johnson
The universe can be a very strange place. While groundbreaking ideas such as quantum theory, relativity and even the Earth going around the Sun might be commonly accepted now, science still continues to show that the universe contains things you might find it difficult to believe, and even more difficult to get your head around.
More here
Comment by blog master: This article takes some reading. It discusses in some detail the deeply strange things that happen in the universe including black holes, time travel, the origin of things and much more.
It begins as follows: The universe can be a very strange place. While groundbreaking ideas such as quantum theory, relativity and even the Earth going around the Sun might be commonly accepted now, science still continues to show that the universe contains things you might find it difficult to believe, and even more difficult to get your head around.
I read this for about 30 minutes before coming to the conclusion that space, time and matter relate to each-other in ways we may find hard to imagine. It is well worth a look.
The universe can be a very strange place. While groundbreaking ideas such as quantum theory, relativity and even the Earth going around the Sun might be commonly accepted now, science still continues to show that the universe contains things you might find it difficult to believe, and even more difficult to get your head around.
More here
Comment by blog master: This article takes some reading. It discusses in some detail the deeply strange things that happen in the universe including black holes, time travel, the origin of things and much more.
It begins as follows: The universe can be a very strange place. While groundbreaking ideas such as quantum theory, relativity and even the Earth going around the Sun might be commonly accepted now, science still continues to show that the universe contains things you might find it difficult to believe, and even more difficult to get your head around.
I read this for about 30 minutes before coming to the conclusion that space, time and matter relate to each-other in ways we may find hard to imagine. It is well worth a look.
News:New Zealand's youngest offender 3, oldest 98
Published: 7:22AM Wednesday November 10, 2010 Source: NZPA
There was a 95-year age gap between the youngest person dealt with by police and the oldest in the past year.
A three-year-old toddler apprehended for wilful damage was the youngest New Zealander, while a 98-year-old shoplifter was the oldest, records obtained by The Press under the Official Information Act show.
Two four year olds were also apprehended by police in 2009-2010, one for arson and the other for threatening to kill.
more here
Comment: Who would have thought that one so young would act like this with apparent impunity?
There was a 95-year age gap between the youngest person dealt with by police and the oldest in the past year.
A three-year-old toddler apprehended for wilful damage was the youngest New Zealander, while a 98-year-old shoplifter was the oldest, records obtained by The Press under the Official Information Act show.
Two four year olds were also apprehended by police in 2009-2010, one for arson and the other for threatening to kill.
more here
Comment: Who would have thought that one so young would act like this with apparent impunity?
Thursday, November 4, 2010
News:Electric current to the brain 'boosts maths ability'
4 November 2010 Last updated at 16:01 GMT
Electric current to the brain 'boosts maths ability'
The BBC's Fergus Walsh applies an electric current to his brain
Applying a tiny electrical current to the brain could make you better at learning maths, according to Oxford University scientists.
They found that targeting a part of the brain called the parietal lobe improved the ability of volunteers to solve numerical problems.
They hope the discovery, reported in the journal Current Biology, could help people with dyscalculia, who may struggle with numbers.
Another expert said effects on other brain functions would have to be checked.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
We are not advising people to go around giving themselves electric shocks”
End Quote Dr Cohen Kadosh
Some studies have suggested that up to one in five people have trouble with maths, affecting not just their ability to complete problems but also to manage everyday activities such as telling the time and managing money.
Neuroscientists believe that activity within the parietal lobe plays a crucial role in this ability, or the lack of it.
When magnetic fields were used in earlier research to disrupt electrical activity in this part of the brain, previously numerate volunteers temporarily developed discalculia, finding it much harder to solve maths problems.
more here
Electric current to the brain 'boosts maths ability'
The BBC's Fergus Walsh applies an electric current to his brain
Applying a tiny electrical current to the brain could make you better at learning maths, according to Oxford University scientists.
They found that targeting a part of the brain called the parietal lobe improved the ability of volunteers to solve numerical problems.
They hope the discovery, reported in the journal Current Biology, could help people with dyscalculia, who may struggle with numbers.
Another expert said effects on other brain functions would have to be checked.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
We are not advising people to go around giving themselves electric shocks”
End Quote Dr Cohen Kadosh
Some studies have suggested that up to one in five people have trouble with maths, affecting not just their ability to complete problems but also to manage everyday activities such as telling the time and managing money.
Neuroscientists believe that activity within the parietal lobe plays a crucial role in this ability, or the lack of it.
When magnetic fields were used in earlier research to disrupt electrical activity in this part of the brain, previously numerate volunteers temporarily developed discalculia, finding it much harder to solve maths problems.
more here
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
News:Google in 'significant breach' of UK data laws
There was a "significant breach" of the Data Protection Act when Google collected personal data via its Street View cars, the UK's Information Commissioner has ruled.
But Google will not face a fine or any punishment, Christopher Graham added.
Instead, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) will audit Google's data protection practices.
The move marks a U-turn for the ICO which originally ruled that no data breach had occurred.
more here
But Google will not face a fine or any punishment, Christopher Graham added.
Instead, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) will audit Google's data protection practices.
The move marks a U-turn for the ICO which originally ruled that no data breach had occurred.
more here
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
News:BBC News Cornwall: Water staff told 'keep quiet' over Camelford poisoning
Staff from a company involved in the UK's worst mass water poisoning were told to keep quiet about what had happened, an inquest has been told.
Twenty tonnes of aluminium sulphate were accidentally added to the water supply in Camelford, Cornwall, in 1988.
A former manager at the South West Water Authority (SWWA) said senior managers did not want the public knowing what had gone wrong that July.
John Lewis was giving evidence at the inquest of a former Camelford resident.
The hearing in Taunton, Somerset, is looking into the death of Carole Cross, who died in 1994.
About 20,000 homes were affected when a relief delivery driver from Bristol mistakenly added aluminium sulphate to the wrong tank at the Lowermoor treatment plant.
After the water poisoning, those who drank or bathed in it reported suffering from stomach cramps, skin rashes, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers and aching joints.
Mr Lewis was the manager for the Fowey district, which included Lowermoor.
He said the company had realised within 48 hours that aluminium sulphate was the likely cause of the contamination.
More here
Twenty tonnes of aluminium sulphate were accidentally added to the water supply in Camelford, Cornwall, in 1988.
A former manager at the South West Water Authority (SWWA) said senior managers did not want the public knowing what had gone wrong that July.
John Lewis was giving evidence at the inquest of a former Camelford resident.
The hearing in Taunton, Somerset, is looking into the death of Carole Cross, who died in 1994.
About 20,000 homes were affected when a relief delivery driver from Bristol mistakenly added aluminium sulphate to the wrong tank at the Lowermoor treatment plant.
After the water poisoning, those who drank or bathed in it reported suffering from stomach cramps, skin rashes, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers and aching joints.
Mr Lewis was the manager for the Fowey district, which included Lowermoor.
He said the company had realised within 48 hours that aluminium sulphate was the likely cause of the contamination.
More here
Monday, November 1, 2010
Thirty days of geek
The local wellylug (Wellington Linux User Group)
http://www.jethrocarr.com/2010/10/17/30-days-of-geek/
* Day 01 – Why do you consider yourself a geek?
* Day 02 – Preferred programming language?
* Day 03 – What does your day job involve?
* Day 04 – Greatest application written to date.
* Day 05 – Quick nifty hacks you’re proud of
* Day 06 – Primary geek fuel (snacks/drinks)
* Day 07 – Preferred smartphone platform. And which do you use?
* Day 08 – Preferred method of communication with humans
* Day 09 – What OS/distribution do you run?
* Day 10 – Picture, screenshot and specifications of your primary computer.
* Day 11 – Favourite hacking environment – music, light, seating, etc
* Day 12 – What area do you want to expand your skills into?
* Day 13 – How did you become such a geek? Career? Personal interest?
* Day 14 – Favourite computer conference?
* Day 15 – Earliest geek experience
* Day 16 – First computer you’ve ever owned & your favourite ever.
* Day 17 – Post a useful HOWTO to solve a challenge you’ve come across recently.
* Day 18 – Most cringe-worthy geek moment
* Day 19 – Most hated computing environment.
* Day 20 – Where do you stand on Internet Censorship?
* Day 21 – Favourite thing & worst things about working in IT?
* Day 22 – Release some software under an open source license that you haven’t released before.
* Day 23 – Post a review of an application that you use.
* Day 24 – How do you feel about Open Source vs Proprietary software?
* Day 25 – Microsoft – friend, foe or other?
* Day 26 – Apple – friend, foe or other?
* Day 27 – Fix a bug in some open source software and commit the patch
* Day 28 – How many computers lying about the house?
* Day 29 – Looking back (at geek life), would you have done anything differently?
* Day 30 – Where do you see technology advancing in the next 20 years – and where will you fit in?
http://www.jethrocarr.com/2010/10/17/30-days-of-geek/
* Day 01 – Why do you consider yourself a geek?
* Day 02 – Preferred programming language?
* Day 03 – What does your day job involve?
* Day 04 – Greatest application written to date.
* Day 05 – Quick nifty hacks you’re proud of
* Day 06 – Primary geek fuel (snacks/drinks)
* Day 07 – Preferred smartphone platform. And which do you use?
* Day 08 – Preferred method of communication with humans
* Day 09 – What OS/distribution do you run?
* Day 10 – Picture, screenshot and specifications of your primary computer.
* Day 11 – Favourite hacking environment – music, light, seating, etc
* Day 12 – What area do you want to expand your skills into?
* Day 13 – How did you become such a geek? Career? Personal interest?
* Day 14 – Favourite computer conference?
* Day 15 – Earliest geek experience
* Day 16 – First computer you’ve ever owned & your favourite ever.
* Day 17 – Post a useful HOWTO to solve a challenge you’ve come across recently.
* Day 18 – Most cringe-worthy geek moment
* Day 19 – Most hated computing environment.
* Day 20 – Where do you stand on Internet Censorship?
* Day 21 – Favourite thing & worst things about working in IT?
* Day 22 – Release some software under an open source license that you haven’t released before.
* Day 23 – Post a review of an application that you use.
* Day 24 – How do you feel about Open Source vs Proprietary software?
* Day 25 – Microsoft – friend, foe or other?
* Day 26 – Apple – friend, foe or other?
* Day 27 – Fix a bug in some open source software and commit the patch
* Day 28 – How many computers lying about the house?
* Day 29 – Looking back (at geek life), would you have done anything differently?
* Day 30 – Where do you see technology advancing in the next 20 years – and where will you fit in?
Sunday, October 31, 2010
News:New CCTV technology senses aggression from sound
By Dave Lee BBC World Service
On CCTV, no-one can hear you scream.
But technology from a UK company now means cameras can tell if you're being aggressive or calling for help - and will alert security guards straight away.
Cambridge firm Audio Analytic has produced software which it said can analyse the pitch, tone and intonation of noises and work out if they pose a threat.
"A lot of incidents just can't be picked up by video only systems," said Chris Mitchell, Audio Analytic's boss, on BBC World Service's Digital Planet.
"For example in a hospital where somebody, or a nurse, is being threatened early hours in the morning - that's a very difficult thing for CCTV guards who monitor hundreds of channels worth of video signals on 20 screens or so to pick up."
More here
On CCTV, no-one can hear you scream.
But technology from a UK company now means cameras can tell if you're being aggressive or calling for help - and will alert security guards straight away.
Cambridge firm Audio Analytic has produced software which it said can analyse the pitch, tone and intonation of noises and work out if they pose a threat.
"A lot of incidents just can't be picked up by video only systems," said Chris Mitchell, Audio Analytic's boss, on BBC World Service's Digital Planet.
"For example in a hospital where somebody, or a nurse, is being threatened early hours in the morning - that's a very difficult thing for CCTV guards who monitor hundreds of channels worth of video signals on 20 screens or so to pick up."
More here
Friday, October 29, 2010
Melamine found again in milk
Readiness is important, I grant you, but people who have grown up with food that has always been safe and healthy are not expecting it to be contaminated deliberately by anyone!
Our family looks forward to fresh milk every morning, as do millions of others. If someone contaminated it here, it would be headline news! The source would be found, the problem put right, and the bad product dealt with properly.
Thankfully most of us have not had to deal with such bad things done for what purpose?
What benefit is there in poisoning people with toxic chemicals? What is worse, the practice seems to be still going on!
What is it going to take to correct this?
What is melamine?
Our family looks forward to fresh milk every morning, as do millions of others. If someone contaminated it here, it would be headline news! The source would be found, the problem put right, and the bad product dealt with properly.
Thankfully most of us have not had to deal with such bad things done for what purpose?
What benefit is there in poisoning people with toxic chemicals? What is worse, the practice seems to be still going on!
What is it going to take to correct this?
What is melamine?
What is melamine?
What is melamine?
Melamine is an organic base chemical most commonly found in the form of white crystals rich in nitrogen
What is melamine generally used for?
Melamine is widely used in plastics, adhesives, countertops, dishware, whiteboards.
Why was melamine added into milk and powdered infant formula
In China, where adulteration has occurred, water has been added to raw milk to increase its volume. As a result of this dilution the milk has a lower protein concentration. Companies using the milk for further production (e.g. of powdered infant formula) normally check the protein level through a test measuring nitrogen content. The addition of melamine increases the nitrogen content of the milk and therefore its apparent protein content.
Addition of melamine into food is not approved by the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius (food standard commission), or by any national authorities.
Has melamine been found in other food products?
In 2007, melamine was found in wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate exported from China and used in the manufacture of pet food in the United States. This caused the death of a large number of dogs and cats due to kidney failure.
In the present event, melamine contamination has been found in a number of different brands of powdered infant formula, in one brand of a frozen yogurt dessert and in one brand of canned coffee drink. All these products were most probably manufactured using ingredients made from melamine-contaminated milk. What is melamine?
Melamine is an organic base chemical most commonly found in the form of white crystals rich in nitrogen
Melamine is an organic base chemical most commonly found in the form of white crystals rich in nitrogen
What is melamine generally used for?
Melamine is widely used in plastics, adhesives, countertops, dishware, whiteboards.
Why was melamine added into milk and powdered infant formula
In China, where adulteration has occurred, water has been added to raw milk to increase its volume. As a result of this dilution the milk has a lower protein concentration. Companies using the milk for further production (e.g. of powdered infant formula) normally check the protein level through a test measuring nitrogen content. The addition of melamine increases the nitrogen content of the milk and therefore its apparent protein content.
Addition of melamine into food is not approved by the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius (food standard commission), or by any national authorities.
Has melamine been found in other food products?
In 2007, melamine was found in wheat gluten and rice protein concentrate exported from China and used in the manufacture of pet food in the United States. This caused the death of a large number of dogs and cats due to kidney failure.
In the present event, melamine contamination has been found in a number of different brands of powdered infant formula, in one brand of a frozen yogurt dessert and in one brand of canned coffee drink. All these products were most probably manufactured using ingredients made from melamine-contaminated milk. What is melamine?
Melamine is an organic base chemical most commonly found in the form of white crystals rich in nitrogen
Thursday, October 28, 2010
News:BP oil disaster: Pre-spill tests 'showed cement flaw'
28 October 2010 Last updated at 20:45 GMT
The firms drilling a BP Gulf of Mexico oil well had tests showing cement used to seal it before it blew out was unstable, US investigators have found.
The findings conflict with statements by US oil contractor Halliburton, which supplied the cement and has said tests showed it was stable.
But a presidential panel on the disaster found that three tests prior to the blowout showed the opposite.
The 20 April rig explosion killed 11 workers and caused a massive oil leak.
more here
The firms drilling a BP Gulf of Mexico oil well had tests showing cement used to seal it before it blew out was unstable, US investigators have found.
The findings conflict with statements by US oil contractor Halliburton, which supplied the cement and has said tests showed it was stable.
But a presidential panel on the disaster found that three tests prior to the blowout showed the opposite.
The 20 April rig explosion killed 11 workers and caused a massive oil leak.
more here
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Fake email from Inland revenue
Have you received an email or letter similar to this?
Dear Sir/Madam
You qualify for a tax refund of $250 (or similar sum).
I took the precaution of contacting the real New Zealand tax department using their web site.
This is their response:
Thank you for your email received on 27 October 2010
I advise that this is a scam and that you should not follow the link or enter any personal information onto the site.
Inland Revenue is warning people not to respond to a hoax email claiming to offer a tax refund and has advised if someone has given their details to the people behind any sort of hoax, they should contact us on 0800 227 774.
So don't be tempted by the offer!
Dear Sir/Madam
You qualify for a tax refund of $250 (or similar sum).
I took the precaution of contacting the real New Zealand tax department using their web site.
This is their response:
Thank you for your email received on 27 October 2010
I advise that this is a scam and that you should not follow the link or enter any personal information onto the site.
Inland Revenue is warning people not to respond to a hoax email claiming to offer a tax refund and has advised if someone has given their details to the people behind any sort of hoax, they should contact us on 0800 227 774.
So don't be tempted by the offer!
Do you have comments to make or interesting stories?
Some interesting articles have been posted recently to give you more choice of material and a chance to take part by responding to what you read. Please feel free to read and comment on anything you would like to respond to.
In addition, see if you can track down useful informative information to help readers see things in better perspective. Your comments could raise thought for others, giving them reason to speak up.
This is your blog, your forum. Tell us your thoughts. Ask questions. Reply to what you find here. It may help us get a clearer view of things.
In addition, see if you can track down useful informative information to help readers see things in better perspective. Your comments could raise thought for others, giving them reason to speak up.
This is your blog, your forum. Tell us your thoughts. Ask questions. Reply to what you find here. It may help us get a clearer view of things.
News:Hobbit law change to be rushed through
Published: 5:18AM Thursday October 28, 2010 Source: NZPA
The government will put a bill through parliament under urgency today to seal the deal that has secured the $670 million Hobbit movies for New Zealand.
Prime Minister John Key announced the agreement with Warner Brothers last night after two days of negotiations with studio executives who had been worried about industrial disputes and wanted a bigger tax break than the standard 15% for big movies.
They got what they wanted with legislation that will clear up confusion about the legal status of contractors and employees, but the $20 million tax break was far short of what they argued for.
Key said that in financial terms there was no doubt Warner Brothers could have got a better deal from other countries, but the studio wanted to make the movies in New Zealand and so did director Sir Peter Jackson.
"They wanted a lot more, they argued for a lot more," he said.
"I made it clear we were at our limit, this is a better deal than we have had with other big movies made here in the past."
And the government has scored through an agreement that New Zealand will be promoted through all the marketing DVDs and other material that will be used to publicise the two Hobbit movies, as well as hosting one of the world premieres.
To get that it will offset $US10 million of Warner Brothers marketing costs.
Advertisement
"The strategic marketing opportunities for New Zealand from the movies will be worth tens of millions of dollars," Key said.
"In the financial sense, this is a good deal."
He said the labour law change was the most important issue for Warner Brothers, because the legal definitions of a contractor and an employee could have caused disputes and court cases that would have held up production and cost the studio many millions.
The change will cover only the movie industry.
"We're not taking rights away from workers," Key said.More here
The government will put a bill through parliament under urgency today to seal the deal that has secured the $670 million Hobbit movies for New Zealand.
Prime Minister John Key announced the agreement with Warner Brothers last night after two days of negotiations with studio executives who had been worried about industrial disputes and wanted a bigger tax break than the standard 15% for big movies.
They got what they wanted with legislation that will clear up confusion about the legal status of contractors and employees, but the $20 million tax break was far short of what they argued for.
Key said that in financial terms there was no doubt Warner Brothers could have got a better deal from other countries, but the studio wanted to make the movies in New Zealand and so did director Sir Peter Jackson.
"They wanted a lot more, they argued for a lot more," he said.
"I made it clear we were at our limit, this is a better deal than we have had with other big movies made here in the past."
And the government has scored through an agreement that New Zealand will be promoted through all the marketing DVDs and other material that will be used to publicise the two Hobbit movies, as well as hosting one of the world premieres.
To get that it will offset $US10 million of Warner Brothers marketing costs.
Advertisement
"The strategic marketing opportunities for New Zealand from the movies will be worth tens of millions of dollars," Key said.
"In the financial sense, this is a good deal."
He said the labour law change was the most important issue for Warner Brothers, because the legal definitions of a contractor and an employee could have caused disputes and court cases that would have held up production and cost the studio many millions.
The change will cover only the movie industry.
"We're not taking rights away from workers," Key said.More here
News:Dream recording device 'possible' researcher claims
27 October 2010 Last updated at 17:01 GMT
By Pallab Ghosh Science correspondent, BBC News
A US researcher says he plans to electronically record and interpret dreams.
Writing in the journal Nature, scientists say they have developed a system capable of recording higher level brain activity.
"We would like to read people's dreams," says the lead scientist Dr Moran Cerf.
The aim is not to interlope, but to extend our understanding of how and why people dream.
For centuries, people have been fascinated by dreams and what they might mean. In Ancient Egypt they were thought to be messages from God.
More recently, dream analysis has been used by psychologists as a tool to understand the unconscious mind. But the only way to interpret dreams is to ask people about the subject of their dreams after they had woken up.
more here
Comment:Does this make you wonder if anything is going to remain private following such developments?
By Pallab Ghosh Science correspondent, BBC News
A US researcher says he plans to electronically record and interpret dreams.
Writing in the journal Nature, scientists say they have developed a system capable of recording higher level brain activity.
"We would like to read people's dreams," says the lead scientist Dr Moran Cerf.
The aim is not to interlope, but to extend our understanding of how and why people dream.
For centuries, people have been fascinated by dreams and what they might mean. In Ancient Egypt they were thought to be messages from God.
More recently, dream analysis has been used by psychologists as a tool to understand the unconscious mind. But the only way to interpret dreams is to ask people about the subject of their dreams after they had woken up.
more here
Comment:Does this make you wonder if anything is going to remain private following such developments?
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
News:UN warns on Vietnam birth ratio
By Ha Mi BBC Vietnamese
File image of Vietnamese girls in Hanoi on 1 October 2010 Traditional preferences for sons means fewer daughters are being born
Sex ratios at birth are becoming increasingly imbalanced in Vietnam, with far more boys being born than girls, the UN Population Fund says.
For every 100 females, 110.6 males were born - compared to a norm of 105.
The situation was particularly worrying because of the rapid increase in the proportion of boys being born in the last five years, it said.
The UNFPA warned that the imbalance could lead to a number of social problems in the coming years.
In May 2009, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan warned that the gender imbalance in Vietnam could lead to about 3 million men having difficulty in finding wives by 2030. more here
File image of Vietnamese girls in Hanoi on 1 October 2010 Traditional preferences for sons means fewer daughters are being born
Sex ratios at birth are becoming increasingly imbalanced in Vietnam, with far more boys being born than girls, the UN Population Fund says.
For every 100 females, 110.6 males were born - compared to a norm of 105.
The situation was particularly worrying because of the rapid increase in the proportion of boys being born in the last five years, it said.
The UNFPA warned that the imbalance could lead to a number of social problems in the coming years.
In May 2009, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan warned that the gender imbalance in Vietnam could lead to about 3 million men having difficulty in finding wives by 2030. more here
Monday, October 25, 2010
News:Nigeria fraud blacklist issued by police
Senior politicians and businessmen are among more than 100 people listed by Nigerian anti-fraud police as being unsuitable to run for political office.
The EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) said those on the list were all being prosecuted for corruption.
The commission urged political parties not to endorse them as candidates in next year's elections.
One of those named, Orji Kalu, is running for president but has been arraigned on 107 counts of fraud.
Continue reading the main story
Nigeria - Troubled Giant
* 'Sham' democracy
* Emirs: Power behind the throne
* 'I burnt my friend's house down'
* Armed robber?
He is accused of involvement in a fraud worth 5bn naira (£21m; $33m).
Politicians make up at least 40 people on the list, which the EFCC has published on its website.
Thirteen are former state governors, five are former ministers, three are serving MPs, and two are serving senators.
more here
The EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) said those on the list were all being prosecuted for corruption.
The commission urged political parties not to endorse them as candidates in next year's elections.
One of those named, Orji Kalu, is running for president but has been arraigned on 107 counts of fraud.
Continue reading the main story
Nigeria - Troubled Giant
* 'Sham' democracy
* Emirs: Power behind the throne
* 'I burnt my friend's house down'
* Armed robber?
He is accused of involvement in a fraud worth 5bn naira (£21m; $33m).
Politicians make up at least 40 people on the list, which the EFCC has published on its website.
Thirteen are former state governors, five are former ministers, three are serving MPs, and two are serving senators.
more here
News:New polio vaccine more effective in reducing disease
By Ania Lichtarowicz Health reporter, BBC News
A new vaccine against the polio virus has helped reduce the number of cases by more than 90%.
Research published online in the journal The Lancet, shows that the new vaccine is significantly better at protecting children against polio than the current popular vaccine.
It has already been used in Afghanistan, India and Nigeria.
The scientists behind the work believe this new vaccine could help to finally eradicate the disease.
More here
A new vaccine against the polio virus has helped reduce the number of cases by more than 90%.
Research published online in the journal The Lancet, shows that the new vaccine is significantly better at protecting children against polio than the current popular vaccine.
It has already been used in Afghanistan, India and Nigeria.
The scientists behind the work believe this new vaccine could help to finally eradicate the disease.
More here
Sunday, October 24, 2010
News:In hiding for exposing Tanzania witchdoctors
By Vicky Ntetema
BBC News
I am living in hiding after I received threats because of my undercover work exposing the threat from witchdoctors to albinos living in Tanzania.
I do not regret it, even if I am very scared.
Mine is just one life, compared to the several thousand people living with albinism in the country.
If nothing is done about this network, they could kill every albino in the country - estimates vary between 4,000 and 173,000.
This year, at least 25 people with albinism have been killed, mostly in the Lake Victoria Zone, especially the Mwanza, Shinyanga and Mara areas.
more here
BBC News
I am living in hiding after I received threats because of my undercover work exposing the threat from witchdoctors to albinos living in Tanzania.
I do not regret it, even if I am very scared.
Mine is just one life, compared to the several thousand people living with albinism in the country.
If nothing is done about this network, they could kill every albino in the country - estimates vary between 4,000 and 173,000.
This year, at least 25 people with albinism have been killed, mostly in the Lake Victoria Zone, especially the Mwanza, Shinyanga and Mara areas.
more here
News:Burundi albino boy 'dismembered'
The dismembered body of a young albino boy has been found in a river on the Burundi-Tanzania border, reports say.
The boy, aged nine, was taken from Makamba province in Burundi by a gang that crossed the border, the head of Burundi's albino association said.
Kassim Kazungu told AFP the remains had been recovered from the Malagarazi river and given a formal burial.
Albino body parts are prized in parts of Africa, with witch-doctors claiming they have special powers. more here
The boy, aged nine, was taken from Makamba province in Burundi by a gang that crossed the border, the head of Burundi's albino association said.
Kassim Kazungu told AFP the remains had been recovered from the Malagarazi river and given a formal burial.
Albino body parts are prized in parts of Africa, with witch-doctors claiming they have special powers. more here
Friday, October 22, 2010
re:Typing with only 2 fingers
That may be right, but it takes many people time to get used to the layout, typing with both hands (still only seventy percent there). In a way though, it does put the most used keys in the forefront. It encourages users to become more efficient (even if only with 2 fingers).
Thursday, October 21, 2010
News:East Sussex sex abuse fear vicars allowed to work
Two vicars were allowed to work at churches in East Sussex following serious sex abuse allegations, a BBC South East investigation has revealed.
Roy Cotton, who died in 2006, worked as a parish priest in Brede near Rye in the 1990s despite being convicted of a sexual offence against a boy in 1954.Collin Pritchard served as the vicar of St Barnabas, Bexhill, until 2007 after being arrested over sex abuse claims.
The Diocese of Chichester has appointed a judge to carry out an investigation.
In 2008 Pritchard pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two boys in the 1970s and 1980s and was jailed for five years.
more here
Comment: After reading about these two vicars predatory activities, what is to stop them repeating their bad behavior?
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
News:India and Brazil head move to 'green' economic future
By Richard Black Environment correspondent, BBC News, Nagoya
Pavan Sukhdev, a Deutsche Bank capital markets expert who leads Teeb on secondment to the UN Environment Programme (Unep), said that if society did not properly account for services that nature provides, they would be lost.
In an earlier analysis, Teeb calculated that the economic value of services being lost - including water purification, pollination of crops and climate regulation - amounts to $2-5 trillion dollars per year, with the poor hardest hit.More here
Governments are increasingly taking the economic value of nature into account in policy-making, with growing interest in results from a UN-backed analysis.
The Brazilian and Indian governments are among those keen to use findings from The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (Teeb) project.Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
You cannot manage what you do not measure”
“End Quote"
Pavan Sukhdev Deutsche BankFinal results from the three-year study were unveiled here at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity meeting.
Nature's services must be counted if they are to be valued, its leader said.Pavan Sukhdev, a Deutsche Bank capital markets expert who leads Teeb on secondment to the UN Environment Programme (Unep), said that if society did not properly account for services that nature provides, they would be lost.
In an earlier analysis, Teeb calculated that the economic value of services being lost - including water purification, pollination of crops and climate regulation - amounts to $2-5 trillion dollars per year, with the poor hardest hit.More here
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
News:Mount Etna mapped by radar satellites
Two German radar satellites flying in tight formation above the Earth have returned their first combined images.
TanDEM-X and TerraSAR-X are circling the globe just 350m apart as they get set to make the most detailed 3D map of the Earth's surface ever acquired.Their close proximity allows them to view the same patch of ground simultaneously but from slightly different angles.More here
Thursday, October 14, 2010
My modecideas.com site is making gains
Here is one site that has picked up mine and is starting to make advances in the search engine listings.
www.bontey.net/partner/modecideas.com/ I can't be sure at this stage how many other sites have noticed it, but it looks like a good beginning. It still remains to find out what they like about it, but that will be clear soon.
www.bontey.net/partner/modecideas.com/ I can't be sure at this stage how many other sites have noticed it, but it looks like a good beginning. It still remains to find out what they like about it, but that will be clear soon.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Someone grafitied my followers
In the last 2 days somebody replaced all my blog followers with spurious links. I deleted them moments ago, but the original followers are gone. They had to be sacrificed to remove the junk left behind by some reprehensible person who remains anonymous. Following this an effort will be made to inform the friends of this badness.
Monday, October 4, 2010
News:BT seeks moratorium on internet piracy cases
BT is seeking a moratorium on legal applications to obtain details of its customers who are alleged to have illegally shared files online.
The firm outlined its stance following a high-profile data breach at London law firm ACS:Law last week.
The leak saw thousands of customers' details from various ISPs - including BT-owned PlusNet - published online.
BT said that it wanted a temporary halt on all new and existing applications until a "test case" could be heard.
more here
Comment: As you know, file sharing is common on line. This may have effects from innocent users sharing what they created, to unscrupulous people who attempt to obtain copyright material and sell it for profit. We are not concerned with people sharing family photos or a child's kindergarten pictures here. Those cases involving original or copyrighted work involving great effort and those that are unique and of a high standard are individual works difficult or impossible to replace.
Friday, October 1, 2010
News:Change to 'Bios' will make for PCs that boot in seconds
1 October 2010 Last updated at 09:11 GMT
Change to 'Bios' will make for PCs that boot in seconds
Change to 'Bios' will make for PCs that boot in seconds
New PCs could start in just seconds, thanks to an update to one of the oldest parts of desktop computers.
The upgrade will spell the end for the 25-year-old PC start-up software known as Bios that initialises a machine so its operating system can get going.
The code was not intended to live nearly this long, and adapting it to modern PCs is one reason they take as long as they do to warm up.
Bios' replacement, known as UEFI, will predominate in new PCs by 2011.
The acronym stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface and is designed to be more flexible than its venerable predecessor.
"Conventional Bios is up there with some of the physical pieces of the chip set that have been kicking around the PC since 1979," said Mark Doran, head of the UEFI Forum, which is overseeing development of the technology.
more here
Thursday, September 30, 2010
End of the Road for Xmarks
September 27, 2010
4:04 pm
Posted by: Todd
Categories:
Xmarks
As I write this, it’s a typical Sunday here at Xmarks. The synchronization service continues operating quietly, the servers chugging along syncing browser data for our 2 million users across their 5 million desktops. The day isn’t over yet, but we’re on track to add just under 3000 new accounts today.
Tomorrow, however, will hardly be anything but typical, for tomorrow one of our engineers will start a script that will email each of our users to notify them that we’ll be ceasing operations in around 90 days.
This post attempts to summarize the Xmarks story: how we got to be the most heavily used browser synchronization service in the world and yet still find ourselves pulling the plug.
More here
4:04 pm
Posted by: Todd
Categories:
Xmarks
As I write this, it’s a typical Sunday here at Xmarks. The synchronization service continues operating quietly, the servers chugging along syncing browser data for our 2 million users across their 5 million desktops. The day isn’t over yet, but we’re on track to add just under 3000 new accounts today.
Tomorrow, however, will hardly be anything but typical, for tomorrow one of our engineers will start a script that will email each of our users to notify them that we’ll be ceasing operations in around 90 days.
This post attempts to summarize the Xmarks story: how we got to be the most heavily used browser synchronization service in the world and yet still find ourselves pulling the plug.
More here
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
News:Tech Know: Hacking the everyday
By Mark Ward Technology correspondent, BBC News
29 September 2010 Last updated at 08:22 GMT
Ellie Gibson meets hip-gyrating and chain-smoking robots when she visits technology artists.
In our regular series talking to makers and hackers, Tech Know takes time to get to know artists who hack everyday objects in their work.
When the history of maker culture is written, the Mutoid Waste Company (MWC) will have a volume all to itself.
Back in the 1980s, this group of artists toured the country and when they hit a town, found the scrapyard, built a huge sculpture from what they could salvage and then moved on.
Continue reading the main story
TECH KNOW: HACKING AT HOME
* A journey into sound
* BBC Micro gets a new lease of life
* The amateur rocketeers
* Going to robot class
It started many of its members on a lifetime of tinkering, hacking and making.
more here
Note from the blog master: Posts on this subject are provided to inform. This web master does not support or condone the activities of illegal hackers.
29 September 2010 Last updated at 08:22 GMT
Ellie Gibson meets hip-gyrating and chain-smoking robots when she visits technology artists.
In our regular series talking to makers and hackers, Tech Know takes time to get to know artists who hack everyday objects in their work.
When the history of maker culture is written, the Mutoid Waste Company (MWC) will have a volume all to itself.
Back in the 1980s, this group of artists toured the country and when they hit a town, found the scrapyard, built a huge sculpture from what they could salvage and then moved on.
Continue reading the main story
TECH KNOW: HACKING AT HOME
* A journey into sound
* BBC Micro gets a new lease of life
* The amateur rocketeers
* Going to robot class
It started many of its members on a lifetime of tinkering, hacking and making.
more here
Note from the blog master: Posts on this subject are provided to inform. This web master does not support or condone the activities of illegal hackers.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Secretive customers
At this time of year a number of businesses adjust and update web sites and services to keep things up to date. It's a time to improve things and let people know you are around.
In this case, one such promotional business is behaving secretively. They don't want to reveal their contact details for some reason.
Can you see how hard it might be to benefit from their services when one hides behind an IP number? One such business (not to be named) is asking me to pay their bill for services. That's normal in most cases, but in this one, they have not given me a physical address to send payments to.
Does this seem to be self defeating?
I can't find them, but they will go to court to get money if I don't pay up!
The only option at this point is to wait until they do something about it.
When they send documents, they may well contain the necessary information. Can you imagine running a business this way?
In this case, one such promotional business is behaving secretively. They don't want to reveal their contact details for some reason.
Can you see how hard it might be to benefit from their services when one hides behind an IP number? One such business (not to be named) is asking me to pay their bill for services. That's normal in most cases, but in this one, they have not given me a physical address to send payments to.
Does this seem to be self defeating?
I can't find them, but they will go to court to get money if I don't pay up!
The only option at this point is to wait until they do something about it.
When they send documents, they may well contain the necessary information. Can you imagine running a business this way?
Monday, September 20, 2010
News:Space-age mapping of the world's forests
By Peter Bowes BBC News, Los Angeles
Peter Bowes takes a crane ride high above the forest canopy
Using satellites and lasers, scientists have produced a unique map that details the heights of the world's forests.
For the first time, using a uniform method, the map spans the entire globe. Scientists from Colorado State University and Nasa say it will help them build an inventory of how much carbon the world's forests store and how much is recycled back into the atmosphere.
more here
Peter Bowes takes a crane ride high above the forest canopy
Using satellites and lasers, scientists have produced a unique map that details the heights of the world's forests.
For the first time, using a uniform method, the map spans the entire globe. Scientists from Colorado State University and Nasa say it will help them build an inventory of how much carbon the world's forests store and how much is recycled back into the atmosphere.
more here
Friday, August 27, 2010
News:Aussie couple hold man for six months
Published: 10:02PM Friday August 27, 2010
Source: AAP
A 26-year-old Australian man allegedly was held against his will for six months by a couple who beat him and forced him to do household chores.
Police allege the couple locked the man in a child's cubby house, starved him and beat him up.
They say the man lost almost half his body weight - falling from 70kg to 40kg - during his ordeal after he moved into the couple's home near Bathurst as a lodger in February this year.
Doctors who examined him on August 10 found he had suffered spinal, jaw and rib fractures as well as a punctured lung, police said.
He allegedly had been made to perform all the cleaning duties around the home after having his mobile phone confiscated.
Police arrested a 41-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman in Fish Parade, Gormans Hill.
More here
Source: AAP
A 26-year-old Australian man allegedly was held against his will for six months by a couple who beat him and forced him to do household chores.
Police allege the couple locked the man in a child's cubby house, starved him and beat him up.
They say the man lost almost half his body weight - falling from 70kg to 40kg - during his ordeal after he moved into the couple's home near Bathurst as a lodger in February this year.
Doctors who examined him on August 10 found he had suffered spinal, jaw and rib fractures as well as a punctured lung, police said.
He allegedly had been made to perform all the cleaning duties around the home after having his mobile phone confiscated.
Police arrested a 41-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman in Fish Parade, Gormans Hill.
More here
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Back home from convention
After a full on weekend in Palmerston North, things are closer to normal again. It was a long trip but well worth it. There were many fine talks and presentations. The drama was excellent (I won't spoil it for you). If you haven't been yet, go there when it reaches your area!
News:Computer blow to Europe's Goce gravity satellite
By Jonathan Amos Science correspondent, BBC News
Goce artist's impression (Esa) Goce flies lower than any other scientific satellite
A flagship European Earth observation satellite has been struck by a second computer glitch and cannot send its science data down to the ground.
The Goce spacecraft is on a mission to make the most precise maps yet of how gravity varies across the globe.
In February, a processor fault forced operators to switch the satellite over to its back-up computer system.
This too has now developed a problem and engineers are toiling to make the spacecraft fully functional again.
more here
Goce artist's impression (Esa) Goce flies lower than any other scientific satellite
A flagship European Earth observation satellite has been struck by a second computer glitch and cannot send its science data down to the ground.
The Goce spacecraft is on a mission to make the most precise maps yet of how gravity varies across the globe.
In February, a processor fault forced operators to switch the satellite over to its back-up computer system.
This too has now developed a problem and engineers are toiling to make the spacecraft fully functional again.
more here
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Will be away at convention for a few days
From tomorrow morning, I will be traveling to a convention at the Te Raupraha Stadium in Palmerston North. The event lasts until Sunday. The venue is about 100km from home. One of the roads has been closed, so an alternate route must be used. Wishing you all well until I return safe to you again on what will be Sunday evening here.
Man battered ex-wife over Facebook taunts
17 August 2010
A man has been convicted of murdering his ex-wife after she taunted him on Facebook about paying child support.
Adam Mann used a hammer to batter Lisa Beverley, 30, before slashing her neck with a knife, the Old Bailey was told.
Jurors heard she had been online at her home in Plumstead, south London, on 15 September but the session came to an abrupt end at 2200 BST.
Mann, 29, of Springfield Road, Welling, Kent, was found guilty of murder and is due to be sentenced on 4 October.
more here
A man has been convicted of murdering his ex-wife after she taunted him on Facebook about paying child support.
Adam Mann used a hammer to batter Lisa Beverley, 30, before slashing her neck with a knife, the Old Bailey was told.
Jurors heard she had been online at her home in Plumstead, south London, on 15 September but the session came to an abrupt end at 2200 BST.
Mann, 29, of Springfield Road, Welling, Kent, was found guilty of murder and is due to be sentenced on 4 October.
more here
Monday, August 16, 2010
Facebook 'dislike' scam warning
Facebook users are being targeted in a scam that offers them a chance to install a "dislike" button.
The scam tricks users into allowing a rogue application to access their profile page, which then posts spam messages.
It also attempts to lure people into completing an online survey, for which the scammers are paid money.
The social network already offers a "like" button that allows people to rate other user's comments and posts.
Graham Cluley of security firm Sophos said it was the latest in a series of "survey scams" that included links to a video purporting to show an anaconda vomiting up a hippo.
"One thing we commonly see is that the message starts 'OMG, shocking video'," he said.
"And they appear to come from your Facebook friend, giving it a ringing endorsement."
Sunday, August 15, 2010
News:Killer exposes loophole in jury system
Published: 6:06PM Sunday August 15, 2010
Justice Minister Simon Power will be briefed today on how one of the country's most notorious killers was able to contact a juror during one of his recent trials, as revealed on ONE News last night.
The Ministry of Justice will meet under urgency after a juror's safety was compromised by the contact.
Baker, already in prison for the killing of teenager Liam Ashley in a prison van, was found guilty this month of kidnap, threatening to kill and assault with a weapon during a hostage siege at Paremoremo.
At his kidnap trial he represented himself and played a part in selecting the jury, which gave him access to their full names, home addresses and occupations.
It's alleged Baker contacted a woman juror after getting her details from jurors' list, exposing a loophole in the system.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
News:New police anti-fraud bureau makes first arrests
The new National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has made its first arrests.
The three men and one woman are suspected of running a fraudulent music and sporting ticket sales website, Gigsport.com. Many customers said they never received their tickets.
Once the bureau - part of City of London Police - had intelligence of 250 alleged victims, it launched Operation Cyborg, which led to the arrests.
Police believe hundreds of people may have been deceived by the online scam.
A man and a woman were arrested at their home near Waltham Abbey, Essex just before 0700 BST on Thursday.
Another man was arrested in an office on the edge of the City of London, where police officers seized paperwork and computers. A third man was also arrested in London.
Gigsport.com was still available on the internet on Thursday, advertising tickets for Cliff Richard and the Six Nations rugby tournament, among other events.
David Gray, from Meopham in Kent, paid more than £1,000 for Wimbledon tickets in June but never received them.
"What I was surprised at was the actual make-up of the actual website, which was very professional and very tempting indeed," he said.
Tammy Foster, from Birmingham, spent £185 on two Pink concert tickets that never arrived.
Describing her emotions when she found out she had been ripped off, she said: "I wanted to kill someone. I was absolutely disgusted.
"It was made worse because my partner had bought the tickets for my birthday."
She added: "One time when I did phone up, they were verbally abusive to me, telling me to basically go to Trading Standards, and that nothing was going to get done about it and not to phone their office again."
'Deliberately targeted'The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau was launched on 16 June.
At the heart of the NFIB is a computer system which takes in data from banks, police forces, government departments, the NHS, Royal Mail, phone companies and Trading Standards departments among others.
The computer server is in Gloucestershire, but it is operated by City of London Police officers.
Continue reading the main story
Tips for avoiding scams
- Don't be rushed into any deal
- Ensure you have complete contact details of any trader you deal with
- Protect yourself online
- Use a credit card for extra protection on purchases over £100
Source: Consumer Direct
Specially-designed software allows officers and analysts to map fraud networks, and see how far their tentacles spread. This means the force can focus on the fraudsters doing the greatest damage, and nip growing networks in the bud.
City of London Police's head of economic crime, Det Ch Supt Steve Head, said: "The vast majority of our victims are the vulnerable. They are the elderly. They are, in actual fact, targeted - deliberately targeted - by serious organised criminal families and networks. They know what they are doing, and they will target these people repeatedly.
"They will drive them into the ground on occasions, leading to suicides, leading to financial ruin - we have seen all of that in this department. They will bleed these people dry so that they can lead a rock-and-roll lifestyle at their expense."
The NFIB was set up after the then Attorney-General Lord Goldsmith's Fraud Review, commissioned in 2006.
He found that "fraud may be second only to class A drug trafficking as a source of harm from crime; and there is evidence that fraud funds terrorism, drugs and people trafficking".
Source
News:Swede faces world-record $1m speeding penalty
A Swedish driver who was caught driving at 290km/h (180mph) in Switzerland could be given a world-record speeding fine of SFr1,080m ($1m; £656,000), prosecutors say.
The 37-year-old, who has not been named, was clocked driving his Mercedes sports car at 170km/h over the limit.
Under Swiss law, the level of fine is determined by the wealth of the driver and the speed recorded.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
BBC news:Why do we all use Qwerty keyboards?
11 August 2010 Last updated at 08:41 GMT
By Nick Baker Producer, BBC Radio 4
Look down from the screen on which you are reading this, and wonder. Q-W-E-R-T-Y. How on earth did this pattern of letters get so locked into our language?
It seems so random. Patchily alphabetic, and in places wantonly arbitrary.
Yet it is also the ultimate software - hard-wired into tens of millions of brains and hundreds of millions of fingers around the world.
It is the ultimate user-machine interface - replicated on the keyboards of computers, and some of the most sophisticated PDAs and mobile phones across the world.
Yet it is pretty much unchanged since it was standardised in the 1870s.
Why do we all use Qwerty keyboards?
By Nick Baker Producer, BBC Radio 4
Look down from the screen on which you are reading this, and wonder. Q-W-E-R-T-Y. How on earth did this pattern of letters get so locked into our language?
It seems so random. Patchily alphabetic, and in places wantonly arbitrary.
Yet it is also the ultimate software - hard-wired into tens of millions of brains and hundreds of millions of fingers around the world.
It is the ultimate user-machine interface - replicated on the keyboards of computers, and some of the most sophisticated PDAs and mobile phones across the world.
Yet it is pretty much unchanged since it was standardised in the 1870s.
Why do we all use Qwerty keyboards?
News:Coroner's criticism over photos of dying Dorset girl
A coroner has condemned the "shabby" actions of people who took mobile phone photographs of a teenage girl after she jumped from a multi-storey car park.
Robyn Nixon, 15, had suffered bullying by being excluded from a group of friends and had also broken up with her boyfriend, an inquest heard.
She died when she jumped from the car park in Weymouth, Dorset, on 11 April.
The coroner praised passers-by who tried to help her but said some took photographs as she lay dying.
More here
Robyn Nixon, 15, had suffered bullying by being excluded from a group of friends and had also broken up with her boyfriend, an inquest heard.
She died when she jumped from the car park in Weymouth, Dorset, on 11 April.
The coroner praised passers-by who tried to help her but said some took photographs as she lay dying.
More here
Sunday, August 8, 2010
BBC Spaceman
Boeing flags its intentions in commercial space
I entrust my life to the Boeing corporation every year; as do the many millions who board planes to fly around the globe. The Seattle-based company has been in business for almost 100 years. Safety is everything.So when I got to meet a group of its space executives this week at the Farnborough Air Show, I wanted to know how a company of its pedigree reacted when it heard US senators talk of commercial space as being too soon, and "too big a risk".
If it hadn't been for a Eurofighter screaming above the Boeing chalet at the time, you might have been able to hear a pin drop. These are delicate times politically, and no-one wants to speak too soon just in case anything they say comes out in a way that could be misinterpreted.
More here
Friday, August 6, 2010
The price of being single
Living alone costs singletons an extra £250,000 over a lifetime compared to couples, it is claimed. So what is the "singles tax", asks Tom de Castella.
The illusion of single life being one long party has been shattered, was the bold claim.
Carrying the full burden of a mortgage, holidays and bills all adds up and single people spend more than £250,000 over the course of their life because they are not part of a couple, a new study suggests.
Researchers compared the spending of people living alone with couples, says price comparison website uSwitch, who commissioned the study. According to the findings single people are paying a hefty penalty for going it alone - hence the non-stop party illusion being shattered. But is it really true?
The price of being single
The illusion of single life being one long party has been shattered, was the bold claim.
Carrying the full burden of a mortgage, holidays and bills all adds up and single people spend more than £250,000 over the course of their life because they are not part of a couple, a new study suggests.
Researchers compared the spending of people living alone with couples, says price comparison website uSwitch, who commissioned the study. According to the findings single people are paying a hefty penalty for going it alone - hence the non-stop party illusion being shattered. But is it really true?
The price of being single
Thursday, August 5, 2010
News:Poo-powered car
A "poo-powered" VW Beetle has taken to the streets of Bristol in an attempt to encourage sustainable motoring.
The Bio-Bug runs on processed methane gas generated as part of the raw sewage treatment process.
Engineers from Wessex Water estimate the waste from 70 homes would generate enough gas to run the car for 10,000 miles (16,100km).
Despite being powered by fuel created from sewage, the car does not smell unpleasant.
"It performs like a normal car - you wouldn't know it was powered by biogas," a company spokesman said.
More here
The Bio-Bug runs on processed methane gas generated as part of the raw sewage treatment process.
Engineers from Wessex Water estimate the waste from 70 homes would generate enough gas to run the car for 10,000 miles (16,100km).
Despite being powered by fuel created from sewage, the car does not smell unpleasant.
"It performs like a normal car - you wouldn't know it was powered by biogas," a company spokesman said.
More here
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
News:Europe breaking electronic waste export ban
4 August 2010
more here
Old televisions and computers containing hazardous substances are still being exported from Europe despite a ban aimed at stopping the trade, which poisons workers at makeshift recycling plants in Africa and Asia.
In Rotterdam a Dutch customs officer swings open a heavy metal door to reveal a pile of old televisions stacked tight within a shipping container.
Instead of proceeding to Ivory Coast, these goods will be impounded, checked and most likely sent back to Germany, from where they arrived.
This is the front line of the European effort to stop electronic and electrical equipment, consumed and discarded in ever greater quantities, from being dumped in the developing world.
A customs official at Rotterdam port opens a container filled with suspected e-waste
It is a daunting task.
Rotterdam is Europe's busiest port, a hub for regional shipping. More than nine million six-metre (20ft) containers or their equivalent pass through each year.
Just one-third of those carrying goods for export are from the Netherlands, with most coming from the EU's other 26 states, including the UK and southern Europe.
Customs officials select suspect shipments through risk profiling, sorting through a list of indicators including the container's sender and its destination.
more here
News:Chipmaker Intel settles FTC antitrust lawsuit
US chipmaker Intel has settled an antitrust lawsuit filed against it by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Charges that Intel had "illegally stifled competition" have been resolved, the FTC said.
Intel had been accused of "a systematic campaign to shut out rivals's competing microchips by cutting off their access to the marketplace".
Intel is the world's largest chipmaker, making 80% of the microprocessors for the world's personal computers.
There were no details on any money changing hands as a result of the settlement.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Note from the blog master
Please feel free to find and add new relevant material to the blog. Those who have chosen to follow things here are also encouraged to write comments, articles and suggest things for including here. I know you have ideas to offer along with insight on the matters of interest or concern to you. What else would you like to include?
News:Microsoft issues 'critical' patch for shortcut bug
Microsoft has issued a "critical" security update to fix a flaw in the way Windows handles shortcuts.
The bug allowed attackers to craft booby-trapped shortcuts that allow them to take over a target computer.
Many users set up shortcuts to get to programs and places in Windows that they use regularly.
Microsoft said it released the patch because it had seen an increase in the number of attacks on the vulnerability.
The fix will be sent out to those that automatically update their machines. It will also be available via the Windows Update site.
more here
Thursday, July 29, 2010
X Prize for oil spill solutions
The X Prize foundation, best known for launching the private spaceflight industry, has launched a $1.4 million oil clean-up challenge.
The foundation, which states that its core aim is "to bring about radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity" announced its latest prize at a press conference in Washington DC.
This is its sixth "major incentive competition".
Research teams can register for the competition until April 2011.
The challenge has been called the Wendy Schmidt Oil Cleanup X Challenge, after president of the Schmidt Family Foundation, who provided the funding for the prize.
The X Prize foundation said: "The goal of the... challenge is to inspire entrepreneurs, engineers, and scientists worldwide to develop innovative, rapidly deployable, and highly efficient methods of capturing crude oil from the ocean surface."
more here
The foundation, which states that its core aim is "to bring about radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity" announced its latest prize at a press conference in Washington DC.
This is its sixth "major incentive competition".
Research teams can register for the competition until April 2011.
The challenge has been called the Wendy Schmidt Oil Cleanup X Challenge, after president of the Schmidt Family Foundation, who provided the funding for the prize.
The X Prize foundation said: "The goal of the... challenge is to inspire entrepreneurs, engineers, and scientists worldwide to develop innovative, rapidly deployable, and highly efficient methods of capturing crude oil from the ocean surface."
more here
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