Firefox 1.5

Firefox 1.5 is has been released.

This release includes:

• Automated update
• Faster browser navigation
• Ability to reorder broswer tabs
• Improved popup blocking
• Improved to product usbility
• Improved accessibility
• Improved security

Free File Hosting

gHacks has a large list of file hosts. File hosts allows an upload and storage of filetypes. A file host is a great way of sharing files with friends and family. You can also use a file host to make a cheap backup of critical files.

List Of Google Maps

Cool Google Maps is a new blog that is listing various Google Maps.

The list includes the following maps:

• Ski / Snowboard Resort Map
• Site Visitors Map
• New York City Live Cam Map
• US Hot Springs Map
• HotOrNot Map
• Movie and Showtime Map
• Weekly Earthquakes Map
• Dig To The Other Side Map
• MySpace User Map
• Sex Offenders Map
• World Time Map
• Urinal Locations Map
• Vegas Strip Hotel Map
• Fast Food Location Map
• XBOX 360 Locator
• Apple Retail Stores Map
• Hotel Finder Map
• Demographic Report Map
• D.C. Traffic Camera Map
• Google News Headlines Map
• Road Construction Map
• Local Gas Price Map
• Craigslist Housing Map
• Weather Forecast Mashup

Mozilla Browser Comes To The Pocket PC

Mozilla has release Minimo (Mini Mozilla) for the Windows Mobile devices, this includes Windows CE, Pocket PC 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2003SE. You can think of this as Firefox for the Pocket PC.

Podcasting Equipment For Less Than $200

Update 2005.11.27
M-Audio has put together a podcasting solution call 'Podcast Factory.' The 'Podcast Factory' includes; professional 24-bit/48kHz audio interface with preamp, dynamic broadcast microphone, microphone input channel with gain control and signal LEDs, switchable instrument/line input, stereo headphone output, stereo output jacks, level control for headphones and main outputs, USB bus-powered for mobile operation, and includes software for recording and editing, adding music and sound effects.

The MRSP for 'Podcast Factory' is $179.95 US.

I have not idea about the quality of the mic or the software but for less $200 you can get started.

Original 2005.07.11
Check out 'Upgrade Your Podcast for Under $200' over at the blog Jake Ludington's MediaBlab. Jake explains three specific hardware components for recording the voice. What I like about this article Jake explains what the equipment is, why you need it and a how not to drain your pocket book.

Google's Plan For The Dark Fiber

Robert X. Cringely has an interest article 'Google-Mart
Sam Walton Taught Google More About How to Dominate the Internet Than Microsoft Ever Did.' Cringely has an interesting idea what Google may be doing with all the dark fiber they have purchased. If Cringely is on the right track then Google stands to get the advantage of redundancy, fault tolerance, reduced latency, improved datacenter communication and load-balacing.

A dual-screen hack

I stumbled across an interesting tool for emulating a dual monitor configuration. You can get x2vnc from Hubbe's Corner. I think I need to take this program out for a spin in the near futre.

Ruby on Rails Tutorials

Digital Media Minute has a posting 'Top 12 Ruby on Rails Tutorials.' Jim Rutherford has done a nice job of putting together a list of useful resources.

Wikipedia

Here are a couple of interesting resources for Wikipedia.

With Wapedia gives you access to the wikipedia from your pda or mobile phone, from your mobile phone type http://en.wapedia.org in your WAP Browser, from your PDA type http://pda.en.wapedia.org in your browser.

You can download the Wikipedia as XML with wikimedia dumps.

Run Commands For Windows XP

Over FixMyXP.com there is a list of commands you can use from the run command.

O3 Magazine

O3 magazine is a free magazine. The focus is on the use of Free and Open Source (FOSS) software in Enterprise Data Networking environments.

Free Text Books

Textbook Revolution gives you access to alot of free text books. You just got to love the price.

Unit Testing

I have found a few websites and blog posting on Unit Testing that I would like to share.


Unit Test Patterns - Shows examples of unit testing patterns

Unit Testing in .NET Projects - A quick article covering unit testing with VS 2005, NUnit, MBUnit and Visual Studio Team System.

Scuba Diving Podcasts

Here is quick list of podcasts on scuba diving.

Bottom Time Radio
Scuba Radio
Blue Beyond
Pod Diver Radio

Am I missing any?

Sony And DRM

Update: 2005.11.27
Texas is now filing a civil lawsuit against Sony BMG.

Sony is seeing a drop in CD sales. Music artists are also upset with Sony over the rootkit. See the full story 'Sony's Escalating "Spyware" Fiasco' By Lorraine Woellert at BusinessWeekOnline.

The RIAA is also jumping into the act. I guess they feel the need to make stupid statements. The RIAA feels that Sony hyas done nothing wrong and the technology is at fault. I just love it when a company shoots themself in the foot. More information can be found at Slashdot in the posting 'President of RIAA Says Sony-BMG Did Nothing Wrong.'

Update: 2005.11.18
Schneier on Security has a nice post entitled 'Sony's DRM Rootkit: The Real Story.' This posting is a nice summary of the whole issue.

Update: 2005.11.15
There is some good news and some bad news.

First the bad news. Sony has released an unistaller for the rootkit that leaves a security hole.

Sony’s Web-Based Uninstaller Opens a Big Security Hole; Sony to Recall Discs

Now for the good news. Sony said that they will pull the CD's from the stores and Sony is offering an exchange for those who already bought a CD.

Sony to pull controversial CDs, offer swap

Update: 2005.11.14
Microsoft's AnitSpyware application called 'Windows Defender' will detect and remove the rootkit.

Microsoft to Zap Sony DRM 'Rootkit'
Microsoft: Sony Anti-Piracy Software Is Spyware

Sony goofed big time again. The rootkit contains pieces of code that are identical to another peice of licensed code in another program. I just love it. Sony claims it is trying to protect its property with the rootkit and violates that rights of another license holder do it.

Spyware Sony seems to breach copyright

I thought the rootkit was bad. You should check out this article 'Now the Legalese Rootkit: Sony-BMG's EULA' Sony wants to change what you can do with a CD you buy.


Update: 2005.11.11
The Register has a nice summary what is going on. The summary is entitled 'Sony BMG faces digital-rights seige.'

Both Slashdot and Gizmodo have posts about the Sony Rootkit for the Mac.

It appears that Sony is finally reaction to all the pressure and critisim. Sony halts production of music CDs with copy-protection scheme.

Update: 2005.11.10
More lawsuits for Sony. California has filed a lawsuit agains Sony.

http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/11/10/0024259&from=rss

Virus writes are now taken advantage of the Sony rootkit. From the reports I have seen the virus has been found in the wild.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11/10/sony_drm_trojan/

Update: 2005.11.08
Sony is now being sued over the rootkit.

http://reviews.cnet.com/4531-10921_7-6378758.html?tag=blog

Thomas Hesse the President of Sony BMG's global digital business division has something to say about the rootkit issuse.

"Most people, I think, don't even know what a rootkit is, so why should they care about it?" he huffed.

WHAT?!? What kind of response is this! Mr. Hesse's comment is totally unacceptable. Mr. Hesse please turn in your resignation.


http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11/09/sony_drm_who_cares/

Original Post: 2005.11.07
Wow. Sony has really got a PR nightmare on its hands. I would like to make is known that I like Sony hardware but after reading the following links I am going to have to reconsider buying anything from Sony.

Sony in an over zealous act has added a rootkit to many of the audio CD's that was released in the last eight months or so. A rootkit is a term used to describe as set of programs that attempt to hide their presence from spyware blockers and antivirus programs. Rootkits are typically associated with malware, including viruses, spyware, and trojans. Sony is using the rootkit to add extra copy protection to their audio CDs. This is bad. In an effort to protect its intellectual property rights Sony has felt justified in installing additional software on my computer without clearly explaining what the software does and without my explicit approval. There is an argument that the EULA contains language that grants permission to Sony to install software. If we have learned anything about software is that there is individuals who will try to exploit any weakness found in the software. I have not found any reported cases of the Sony rootkit being exported but the possibility exists. The rootkit is difficult to remove without completely wiping out and rebuilding the computer in question.

Instead of taking the high road by releasing an uninstall for the rootkit Sony released an update to the rootkit that makes is visible. There are three main problems with this. The first is they did not remove the rootkit. Secondly the update can crash windows. Lastly the update contains additional software. It appears that the rootkit now calls back to Sony with information.

I am not happy with the any of the actions that Sony has taken. I feel that I am left with only on choice. I will not be purchasing any Sony product. I encourage you to take the time to read the following links and post your thoughts here.

http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/2005/10/sony-rootkits-and-digital-rights.html
http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/11/03/HNsonypatch_1.html
http://wwwhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif.infoworld.com/article/05/11/04/HNsonydrm_1.html
http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/11/07/HNsonypatchcrasheswindows_1.html
http://tech.memeorandum.com/051103/p45#a051103p45
http://tech.memeorandum.com/051105/p4#a051105p4
http://techdirt.com/articles/20051104/180213_F.shtml
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4989260&ft=1&f=3
http://www.sqljunkies.com/WebLog/donkiely/archive/2005/10/31/17265.aspx
http://www.wired.com/news/rants/0,2350,69467,00.html
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11/01/sony_rootkit_drm/
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=27426
http://www.pcworld.com/resource/article/0,aid,123438,pg,1,RSS,RSS,00.asp
http://www.freedom-to-tinker.com/?p=921
http://news.com.com/2100-7355_3-5926657.html
http://blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/2005/11/sony_drm_and_tr.htm
http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/2005/11/more-on-sony-dangerous-decloaking.html

Office 12 XML Submitted To ECMA

Microsoft is submitting Office 12 XML to the ECMA standards body. Way to go Microsoft.

Brian Jones: Office XML Formats
Office Open XML

Math Refresher

I stumbled across 'Mathematical Backgroud' by John F. Sowa. The site covers: Sets, Bags, and Sequences, Functions, Lambda Calculus, Graphs, Relations, Representing Relations by Graphs, Lattices, Propositional Logic, Predicate Logic, Axioms and Proofs, Formal Grammars, Game Graphs, and Model Theory. After a quick scan of the site, I think I am going to need to spend some time with a math book or two.

Mono Status '05

Miguel de Icaza has posted "Mono Status '05." This is just a general status a more comprehensive document is coming.

SharePoint Resources

It is time to learn a little something about SharePoint. Here is what I have found so far. Does anyone have any additional resources to share?

SharePoint General Information Sources

• http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/odc_SP2003_ta/html/ODC_SPSCustomizingSharePointSites1.asp
• http://www.gotdotnet.com/team/sharepoint/archive.aspx
• http://portal.sharepointsolutions.com/default.aspx

Applications for Windows SharePoint Services

• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sppt/wssapps/default.mspx

Customizing SharePoint Sites

• http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/odc_sp2003_ta/html/ODC_SPSCustomizingSharePointSites1.asp
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/odc_SP2003_ta/html/ODC_SPSCustomizingSharePointSites2.asp
• http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/odc_SP2003_ta/html/ODC_SPSCustomizingSharePointSites3.asp

Writing Custom Web Services for SharePoint Products and Technologies

• http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/odc_SP2003_ta/html/ODC_WritingCustomWebServicesforSPPT.asp

Developing Web Parts for SharePoint Portal Server 2003 in .NET

• http://www.devx.com/dotnet/Article/17518/1954?pf=true

Book/Part of a Book
Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies Resource Kit

• http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sppt/reskit/default.mspx

SharePoint Portal Server Deployment Resources

• http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX011442341033.aspx

Blogs

• http://sharepointsolutions.blogspot.com/
• http://blogs.officezealot.com/legault/archive/2004/08/08/2238.aspx

Templates

• http://sharepoint.bilsimser.com/pages/templates.aspx

Themes

• http://www.infotechcanada.com/productivity_solutions/themepack.aspx

World's Largest Indoor Aquarium

I have just found a reason to make a trip to Atlanta, Georgia now. In a few days the 8 million gallon aquarium will open. It will support over 100,000 sea creatures. Lets look to the Shedd aquarium in Chicago for reference. Shedd is a 5 million gallon aquarium with around 20,000 sea creatures. The pictures I have seen so far are amazing. I am going to have to make a vist.

Source: CNN
Article: Big window to the sea

St. Louis 3rd Most Dangerous City

Great. Just great. This is just one more reason why I need to get my family out of here.

Morgan Quitno Press published its annual report "City Crime Rankings." The three most dangerous citites are:

• Camden, N.J.
• Detroit
• St. Louis

The three saftest cities are:

• Newton, Mass.
• Clarkstown, N.Y.
• Amherst, N.Y.

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Article: St. Louis is 3rd most dangerous city, study says

Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

My wife and I went last night to see the movie 'Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire.' I read the book a few years ago. As I recall the book, I enjoyed it. I can sum my opinion of the movie in two words. It sucks. The book created a world that was rich in details and I was interested in what happened to the characters. I know that it is difficult to take a several thousand pages of text to reduce it to a two and half hour movie. I am also well aware the book is always better then the movie. I guess what I hated the most was the way the movie producers twisted the ending. The book left you wanting the next book. The movie left me disappointed and questioning if I want to see the next movie when it comes out.

Free e-book of God's Debris

Scott Adams is offering his ebook “God’s Debris” for free.

I have not read the book yet but I like Scott Adams and I like the price.

List of Google Services

TipMonkies has a posting entitled 'The Penultimate Guide to Google Services.' I am having a hard time keeping track of all the services Google offer. I am aware of about half of the items on the lists. I will have to look into the other half soon.

Stats On US Cities

Winter is quickly approaching and I am longer interested in cold tempatures, ice and snow. I want to move further south. I am not sure where I want to move to. My research have lead me to City-Data.com. City-data makes it easy to compare cities.

Music On A Stick

The music group Barenaked Ladies is releasing special content on a USB flash memory stick. The connect should go on sale Nov. 22, 2005 for $30.00. What a neat idea. I hope it works well.


Original story can be found at the Barenaked Ladies Website.

Cheat Sheets For Developers

As a developer I spend a lot of time learning new languages. I have a good handle on the theory but remembering all the little details gets harder and harder. Help in on the way. Check out 'Cheat Sheet Roundup - Over 30 Cheatsheets for developers.' I have checked out a couple the cheat sheets. They look helpful.

Change To Comments

Update: 2005.11.11
I have changed the comment rules again. I am now going to start moderating the comments. I have received what I beleive to be comment spam. I am hoping this will help.

Original 2005.05.30
I have changed the comment rules to be open to anyone. If I get too many spam emails I will change the comment rules again.

DIY Laptop

LaptopLogic has posted 'Do-It-Yourself Laptop.' The article takes you step by step through building your own laptop. When it time to buy a new laptop I am going to have to give this a lot of consideration.

Project Management with Trac

NewsForge has an interesting post entitled 'Project management with Trac.' The article has peeked my interest in Trac. It looks like I should look at little futher into Trac.

Tax Advice For Powerball Winners

I have not played Powerball for a number of years so that advice does not apply to me. I like the saying that the "lottery is a tax on people who can't do math." During a stats class in my college days we did the math. Every since that day I have bought a total of 5 tickets over 10 years. When every I do play I do it for entertainment purposes only. With all that said the Tax Prof blog has an interesting post "Powerball Winners Get Faulty Tax Advice."

Best Practices For Least Privileged Development

I found this article on the MSDN site in the Windows Vista Developer Center. The article is entitled 'Developer Best Practices and Guidelines for Applications in a Least Privileged Environment.'

This is a fairly large article. It covers why you should develop using a Least Privileged Environment, design considerations, deploying the application and much more. I have been toying with the idea trying to develop in a least privileged environment for a while now. It looks like I will have to expend alot of time an effort to setup the development environment. I am just not sure that the payoff will be worth it? If anyone has tried development in a least privileged environment I would like to hear from you.

Sony Mini Disk

Sony is releasing two new versions of the MD walkman. You can find more product information here.

Other postings about the new MD devices: I4UNews and Gizmodo.

Free EBooks

Over at Peter Watts' website Rifters.com you can down two free books in PDF format. I have not read the books but the price is good.

2005.11.02 Update: Microsoft has over 1500 books available for free in there eBook Catalog. All the books are in Microsoft Reader foramt. The books are from the public domain and various reference materials.

Book Review: The Elements of Style

This is a book that everyone should own and reference. The books covers grammar rules, principles of composition, form, commonly misused words and expressions finally concluding with developing your own style. This is the type of book where you get a lot out of it the first time you read it and it teaches you something every time to reference it. I now finally understand what some of my English teachers where trying to teach me.

Authors: William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White
Title: The Elements of Style
Publisher: Longman Publishers
ISBN: 020530902X

2005.11.02 Update: NPR is running a story about the "'Elements of Style' Goes Beyond Words." It appears that music and visuals are being added.

Google Video

Google Video allows you to search for material from archived TV programs, educational videos, personal productions and more.