Archive for February, 2009

It amazes me that people still click on every link they get in email, irregardless of where it originated.

Just in time for the weekend, social networks Facebook and MySpace were dealing with several new security issues on Friday that could expose personal information and communications from friends.

Facebook said it had removed a new rogue application that was spamming users and exposing their information. Before it was halted, the application sent messages claiming that a friend had reported the recipient for violating Facebook’s terms of service and offered a link to click to find out more information.

At least Facebook was on top of things with this one.

In a complete about face, it seems Facebook has decided to let the people run the show. Well, they want them to think so anyway.

Facebook is trying its hand at democracy.

The fast-growing online hangout, whose more than 175 million worldwide users could form the world’s sixth-largest country behind Brazil, said Thursday that those users will play a “meaningful role” in deciding the site’s policies and voting on changes.

Facebook is trying to recover from last week’s policy-change blunder, which prompted tens of thousands to join online protests. At issue was who controls the information, like photos, posts and messages, that people share with their friends on the site.

Now if they could just come over and help me with a LCD mount, then I would be completely sold on this power to the people type Facebook.

It sure is a different story when the shoe is on the other foot, isn’t it?

Microsoft on Wednesday said it is steering Netherlands-based vehicle navigation systems firm TomTom to court for infringing on the software giant’s patented technology.

Microsoft filed complaints against TomTom in US district court and with the International Trade Commission, according to Horacio Gutierrez, deputy general counsel of intellectual property and licensing at Microsoft.

…

Patents involved in the case relate to vehicle navigation technology and computer software that Microsoft has licensed to other firms, according to Gutierrez.

If Microsoft made furniture, we’d all have wobbly tables and couches with springs popping everyday.

Adobe Acrobat (and Reader) users beware!!!

Bad news for anyone that utilizes Adobe’s Acrobat software, or Adobe reader to view PDF files. A critical vulnerability has been identified that can cause the applications to crash and allow an attacker to control the affected system. All versions from 7 forward on all operating systems are suspected to be at risk.

According to the announcement from Adobe, this isn’t just a possibility, it’s actually happening. Reports have already been made of the buffer overflow exploit being used in this type of attack. Adobe is also working with antivirus vendors to patch the holes, and patches to update the vulnerable apps are in the works. The bad news: patches aren’t likely to be ready until March 11th, 2009.

After several bloggers (including yours truly) reported on a news item from Softpedia about Windows 7 build 7048 1) being an actual build and 2) being labeled a release candidate, Microsoft’s own Steven Sinofsky has set the record straight.

First, the current build is actually 7046 as stated in an email conversation between Sinofsky and Geeksmack. Second, as noted by one of our commenters, every build now is technically an RC since they are post-beta – since the Release Candidate is the next milestone.

Second, a date has apparently been chosen for the actual deployment of Windows 7 RC1. As long as development continues to progress the way it has, we’ll see its release on April 10, 2009.

I will be shocked if they release it by April 10th, then again, I will be even more shocked if they release it and it works by April 10th.

Another “roll out”? They’re kidding right?

Yahoo Inc Chief Executive Carol Bartz could announce a major management reorganization as early as next week, most likely on Wednesday, according to the blog AllThingsD.

The Wall Street Journal-affiliated blog, citing several sources inside and outside the Internet company, said the shift could be pushed out a week or two or rolled out in pieces.

So what do they do at Yahoo!? Constantly re-work their stuff? What happens if you remake yourself too much? Is it like plastic surgery, does your face slide off?

I was thrilled when I read this article.

Macgamestore.com and Ludia have announced the release of The Price is Right and Hell’s Kitchen for the Mac, two new casual games for the Mac based on television shows. Both are priced at $19.95.

The Price Is Right is based on the popular game show, in which players try to guess the right price and succeed at different pricing game challenges like Plinko, Cliff Hangers and Punch-a-Bunch, then spin the Big Wheel for a chance at big prizes and a big payoff.

No I wasn’t thrilled for any of these games. Being a Mac newb I was thrilled to find a site where I could find some decent games for my MacBook.

Facebook has removed more than 5,500 convicted sex offenders from its social networking Web site since May, Connecticut’s attorney general said Thursday.

Richard Blumenthal said the world’s largest social networking site, which claims to have more than 175 million active members, reported to his office that 5,585 convicted sex offenders were found on the Web site and removed between May 1, 2008, and Jan. 31, 2009.

If they were able to locate 5,500 of these creeps in 9 months, it scares me to think of the numbers they don’t know about.

I don’t know too many people who are currently in the market for Apple’s latest and greatest but I do know one thing. If I was working, I would be in the market. Yeah the older ones might do for some people, but I want the latest and greatest, and I want it now. Ha!

Reports indicate Apple is shipping its newly redesigned 17-inch MacBook Pro, the last of its laptops to get a “unibody” aluminum design. The new laptop was introduced at Macworld Expo in San Francisco in January.

The new 17-inch MacBook Pro features a thinner and lighter design than before. Apple billed it as the world’s thinnest and lightest 17-inch laptop when it debuted the new machine last month; it weighs 6.6 pounds and measures less than one inch high with the lid closed. Its price remains the same as before, starting at $2,799.

Microsoft has announced that they will be opening brick and mortar retail stores around the United States and confirmed the appointment of David Porter as vice president of Retail Stores.

Porter, a former VP at Wal-Mart, will need to determine “the timing, locations and specific details of the stores.”

The new move will help the software giant to compete with Apple, which has 251 retail stores that brought in $1.74 billion USD revenue for 2008.

I’m sorry, but given the choice of walking into an Apple store or a Microsoft store, I would definitely walk into the Apple store. You have no idea what viruses you could catch in a Microsoft store that could lead to you turning blue and dropping dead.