A post a day...ish

Toshiba Introduces Android Tablet -- InformationWeek

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:47:36 -0400

Toshiba Introduces Android Tablet -- InformationWeek:

My mother needs a new computer. But aside from e-mail, flash games, and Skype she doesn’t need much. Wondering if an Android tablet could do it. iPad is out, for the moment, as there is no camera.

Bits Pics: Kodak's 1975 Model Digital Camera - NYTimes.com

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:06:04 -0400

Bits Pics: Kodak's 1975 Model Digital Camera - NYTimes.com:

It’s a shame they didn’t push this earlier. Maybe we’d have billion pixel cameras by now, although my 7MP camera does well enough for most things.

Radio, RIAA: mandatory FM radio in cell phones is the future

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:34:07 -0400

Radio, RIAA: mandatory FM radio in cell phones is the future:

This is unbelievable. In a way, I hope it passes. It would be one more reason to give up my US citizenship.

FOXNews.com - No Meeting Set on Mosque Despite Offer From New York Governor

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:46:39 -0400

FOXNews.com - No Meeting Set on Mosque Despite Offer From New York Governor:

I just want to say what a complete crock this whole thing is. It makes me like America a little bit less. Did Muslims not die in the twin towers as well? Would it not show those few extremists that do exist just how resolute America is in protecting what her people hold dear, including the freedom of religion? I suppose that would make too much sense.

The Web Is Dead. Long Live the Internet | Magazine

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:47:16 -0400

The Web Is Dead. Long Live the Internet | Magazine:

What we do on the intertubes.

Short passwords 'hopelessly inadequate', say boffins • The Register

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:51:40 -0400

Short passwords 'hopelessly inadequate', say boffins • The Register:

This is why you must use LastPass. Just remember though, you need a really good password for your LastPass password though. But remembering one secure password is better than having to remember many.

BBC News - Why do we all use Qwerty keyboards?

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 15:46:57 -0400

BBC News - Why do we all use Qwerty keyboards?:

I had read most of this in other places before, but it’s still interesting. I love typing, it sounds strange, but I do. I remember sitting next to my dad when I was 7 or 8 learning to type on my toy Buddy L typewriter. Thanks mom and dad! Anyway, there is a link at the bottom of the page to a Stephen Fry program on the QWERTY keyboard. I haven’t had a chance to listen yet, but I’m sure it’s excellent. You should be able to listen even if you don’t live in the UK (but don’t get any ideas about watching iPlayer content outside the UK, that is not allowed).

Hands on with Safari extensions | Browsers & Add-Ons | MacUser | Macworld

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:46:28 -0400

Hands on with Safari extensions | Browsers & Add-Ons | MacUser | Macworld:

I’m glad Safari is finally on the extensions bandwagon. Took them long enough. I might give it a go, but I’m generally a Chrome guy at home on my Mac. I’d use Chrome at work, but there is so much SharePoint rubbish, and the only browser that Microsoft lets play nice with SharePoint is IE.

How neutrality locks in the web's 'Hyper Giants' • The Register

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 16:18:45 -0400

How neutrality locks in the web's 'Hyper Giants' • The Register:

As always, the Reg gives us food for though.

Colo. gov. hopeful Maes says bike share threatens ‘personal freedoms’ - BostonHerald.com

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 14:44:05 -0400

Colo. gov. hopeful Maes says bike share threatens ‘personal freedoms’ - BostonHerald.com:

I’m all for resisting pressure from the UN or any government, but this guy is obviously insane. Now get on your bike. I do almost everyday to get to and from work and I love it.

Feds admit storing checkpoint body scan images | Privacy Inc. - CNET News

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 16:16:39 -0400

Feds admit storing checkpoint body scan images | Privacy Inc. - CNET News:

Anyone that believed government officials that said they weren’t storing scanned images needs their head checked. I feel more and more like I’m becoming some paranoid loon that thinks the government is out to get us all and infringe our privacy whenever they can. It’s always justified because it’s stopping terrorists or protecting our kids. I call BS on both, and it’s not paranoia if they’re really out to get you.

Family win school catchment spying case | Education | guardian.co.uk

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:36:44 -0400

Family win school catchment spying case | Education | guardian.co.uk:

This is typical of government. Power is granted, power is abused. The RIPA laws were meant for “serious” crime. This family was accused of lying about where they lived. How in God’s name is that a serious crime? It’s not. Unfortunately, this stuff isn’t limited to the UK.

Rough justice in America: Too many laws, too many prisoners | The Economist

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 08:51:04 -0400

Rough justice in America: Too many laws, too many prisoners | The Economist:

I listen to the Economist print edition every week. Unfortunately, it’s a paid service, so you’ll have to be happy with the web version (same content, just requires reading skills). Anyway, this article is brilliant. I’m a firm believer that America generally has gone way over the top in punishing people for things that shouldn’t even be crimes. This article points out the absurdity of it all.

Ofcom Faces Backlash For Broadband Criticism | eWEEK Europe UK

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:28:41 -0400

Ofcom Faces Backlash For Broadband Criticism | eWEEK Europe UK:

There is no way an ISP would do anything like what this article claims they might. ISPs are known for their honesty. Take for example, unlimited broadband, which could be as little as 10GB of usage a month. I’m shocked that in the UK ISP get away with the stuff they do. I expect it in America, but not in the UK.

HTC Wildfire Android smartphone • reghardware

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:29:48 -0400

HTC Wildfire Android smartphone • reghardware:

I’m a bit worried about my iPhone. I didn’t pay for it, and that’s the only reason I have one, and I love it. However, I’m looking at cheaper Android phones just for giggles really as I can’t even afford these cheaper smartphones (still over £200 to buy outright). I’m a pay and go man, so buying outright is a must (unlocked preferred). Anyway, just thought it was interesting to see what else is out there.

Apple launches 12-core Mac Pro | THINQ.co.uk

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:59:36 -0400

Apple launches 12-core Mac Pro | THINQ.co.uk:

Jesus, my 2007 MacBook still has enough performance for me.

EFF Wins New Legal Protections for Video Artists, Cell Phone Jailbreakers, and Unlockers | Electronic Frontier Foundation

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:00:13 -0400

EFF Wins New Legal Protections for Video Artists, Cell Phone Jailbreakers, and Unlockers | Electronic Frontier Foundation:

This is great news, kind of. I jailbreak because I inherited a US iPhone that was locked to AT&T, but I live in the UK. So, I’m no longer breaking the law. Of course, this doesn’t mean that Apple has to make it any easier to jailbreak or prevent them from making it harder, but I’m on iOS 3.1.2 and I don’t think I’ll be upgrading my hardware of software anytime soon.

I've rolled back my iPhone

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 09:43:00 -0400

I upgraded my jailbroken iPhone 3G to iOS4 about a month ago, but I was not impressed. Everything just felt a bit slower, and because I only had a 3G, there weren’t any wow! additions that made me think it was worth sticking around.

I did some research, and was incorrectly led to believe that I needed SHSH blobs (essentially, bits that allow iTunes to verify your iPhone to Apple), to roll back the installation to iOS3. However, yesterday I found out that it was not actually necessary to have these blobs for a 3G. They are required for the 3GS, but not the 3G.

So, after creating my custom IPSW file using PWNAGE Tool, I rolled back my iPhone. I got the expected error and used Firmware Umbrella to kick the phone out of recovery mode. Then, I used my custom IPSW to load iOS3 back on the iPhone using iTunes. It took a while, but went smoothly.

So, step-by-step this is how to roll back your jailbroken iPhone 3G from iOS4 to iOS3

1. Download the software file you want to roll back to from The iPhone Wiki.

2. Create the custom IPSW using PWNAGE Tool. I had to download PWNAGE tool 3.1.4 to work with the iOS 3.1.2 software.

3. Enter recovery mode on your iPhone.

4. Try and restore using your custom IPSW. You will receive an error message.

5. Use FW Umbrella to kick out of Recovery mode. (I then had to restart my iPhone)

6. Restore again in iTunes using your custom IPSW. NOTE! I lost my SMS messages as when iTunes tries to recover from your backup, the backup isn’t compatible. But, it was only SMS, apps and everything worked fine.

7. You’re Done.

NHL rejects Ilya Kovalchuk deal with New Jersey Devils

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:57:09 -0400

NHL rejects Ilya Kovalchuk deal with New Jersey Devils :

It’s a lot of money. Maybe we should spend some money on defensemen. Yeah, the Devils always need more defense.

1984's MacPaint source code hits web • The Register

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:32:56 -0400

1984's MacPaint source code hits web • The Register:

This brings back some memories. I’ve never been a talented artist, but I spent a lot of time using MacPaint when dad got our first computer back in 1986. I remember dad and my brother sitting next to the computer, listening to the audio tapes that came with the Mac to learn how to use it. Brilliant.