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Library of Congress to Archive Twitter

jess — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:07:46 +0000

Library of Congress Archives Twitter History, While Google Searches It | Wired.com.

Really, of all things – Twitter??

Be careful out there with your 140 characters.

“A Time for Choosing”

jess — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:03:04 +0000

“A Time for Choosing” by Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan on Socialized Medicine

jess — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 02:17:11 +0000

‘The Longest Day of My Life’ – D-Day Survivor Recalls Tragic Day

jess — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:28:40 +0000

Memorial Day 2009

jess — Mon, 25 May 2009 15:18:51 +0000

My Country ‘Tis of Thee – The …

Chinese Ghostnet

jess — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:09:30 +0000

Everyone in normal IT is focused on Conficker right now, but the news on a Chinese Ghostnet is pretty fascinating:

…is controlled by computers almost exclusively located in China and has infected 1295 computer in 103 countries in the last two years…

They report that, not only can the espionage software monitor email and documents on infected computers, it can also control a PC remotely, switching on any cameras or microphones attached to it, to carry out surveillance of its surroundings.

Creepy.

Quote

jess — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:27:11 +0000

“… you cannot carry on squeezing the productive bit of the economy, in order to fund an unprecedented engorgement of the unproductive bit.”

The devalued Prime Minister of a devalued Government (worth watching) – Daniel Hannan MEP

What does one TRILLION dollars look like?

jess — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:06:04 +0000

Would you have guessed this much?

35 Counties Account for 50% of Foreclosures in 2008

jess — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 02:52:13 +0000

Only 35 counties accounted for 50% of foreclosures in the country last year. See a map.

h/t: Venture Chronicles

Watch out for increased Internet crime

jess — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:08:08 +0000

I caught an interesting quote from the bottom of a Symantec news article:

Explaining why Symantec continues to invest heavily despite the recession, Bregman said that during economic downturns Internet crime rises, creating opportunities for security companies.

Probably time to re-think through how you are securing your company and personal data, and watching out for cons.

The Common Sense Fix

jess — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:07:22 +0000

Politics of Envy

jess — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 02:41:00 +0000

In the past, my wife and I have had our eyes opened by Dave Ramsey on how we could manage our money much better, and not only get out of debt, but stay out of debt. We’ve been on the plan for several years now, and we could not be more pleased with the outcome. We now know very much what it means to get out of a position of financial weakness to be purposefully going down a path of strength, and have seen many rewards. If you feel like your money situation is in need of an overhaul, I highly recommend checking out Dave’s podcast to see what he has to say. It costs you nothing to check out the first hour every day, and you’ll got a ton in return. Who knows, you may end up reading the same book we did.

With the glowing endorsement out of the way, this post is really about a recent ‘rant’ Dave made in regards to socialism vs capitalism. I couldn’t agree more. In the last couple of years I’ve felt the encroachment of envy in various areas of our lives. Having someone else try to guilt you into ‘donating’ your precious time, energy, relationships and money to their pet interests is a real peeve of mine now. Check out his couple minute monologue on the topic here:

Bass Fishing and Butt Scratching – or read the transcript (but voice is better)

He later responds to negative feedback in the following clip that’s just as worth the time to listen to:

Butt scratching backlash

So be careful of the “change” you ask for. Not all ideas are created equal!

Apple pushes insecure web browser on computers

jess — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:12:29 +0000

Apple pushes Safari on Windows via iTunes updater (posted 3/21)

Apple has started offering Windows users its Safari 3.1 Web browser through the same online updater it utilizes for iTunes and the QuickTime video player.

Not just offering, but pushing. As in you must manually un-check the install or ignore it, or Safari will be installed the next time you run the updater to bring your iTunes up to the next release.

MacBook Air hacked in security contest (posted 3/27)

A team of security researchers has won $10,000 for hacking a MacBook Air in two minutes using an undisclosed Safari vulnerability.

Bad decision, Apple. I don’t want that accidentally pushed out on my machines, or any of the family members I help support.

If you want to prevent this from happening on your machine when you run the Apple updater, make sure the Safari option is checked, and then in the top menu, select “Tools > Ignore selected updates”.

Honda demos ‘linked’ humaniod robots

jess — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 17:28:19 +0000

Incredible! Seems like the basics are mostly worked out. I wonder what the models in 5 years will be like.

Ex-Syrian Woman Debates the Qualities of Islam on Al Jazeera

jess — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 04:02:57 +0000

Somehow I missed this very interesting exchange on Al Jazeera back in 2006:

I know people currently serving in the military. The negative aspects she describes are among the reasons these people volunteered to serve in the current war on terror, to protect us here and to help our global neighbors obtain freedom from oppression. I’m very thankful to be born in the land of the free, and thankful for those who sacrifice to protect it!