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Submission Summary: 0 pending, 20 declined, 2 accepted (22 total, 9.09% accepted)

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Cloud

Submission + - Siri... can you hear me now? (pcworld.com) 2

Submitted by
AlienIntelligence
AlienIntelligence writes: "

Siri... can you hear me now?

Strangely absent from the Slashdot posts is anything about Siri being out on Thursday and Friday, from PC World:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/243246/siri_outages_indicate_apple_still_doesnt_get_the_cloud.html

<em>“For the moment, at least, Apple’s new Siri feature is back online and cheerfully responding to instructions, but it’s hard to say how long that’s going to last. I had trouble getting Siri to respond to my requests from 10am to 2pm Pacific time on Friday and that’s in addition to the long block of downtime the service experienced on Thursday.”</em>


http://www.pcworld.com/article/243175/siri_goes_down_for_a_day_apple_says_network_outages_are_possible.html
<em>iPhone 4S users across the country discovered that Siri was no longer able to connect to the network--even though they had 3G or Wi-Fi connections--starting around 11 a.m. PDT Wednesday. According toVenture Beat, contacting Apple customer service resulted in the typical, "Have you tried restarting your device?"

When restarting devices did not fix the problem, Apple suggested that it was "entirely possible" that there was a network outage. Note that Apple, as usual, was careful to avoid admitting there was a problem.</em>


It was entirely possible there was a network outage.

Look guys, I don’t want to stir anything, but honestly... the way Apple handles its’ customers with customer service, really makes you think that they don’t respect your intelligence. You know darn well that when people were calling in, first people to know were Tech Support. [If they didn’t, they really aren’t tech support, they are just another off-shore phone answering company,] so let’s say they knew about the outage. Is it REALLY necessary to make someone reboot a phone? Can’t just say, “We noticed some server issues, please try it again in 30 minutes, or an hour.] Is that too hard? Or is denying anything EVER goes wrong with Apple products... one of the primary defences of the Reality Distortion Field.


{Don’t worry, I don’t expect this one to make it to the front page either}

"
Social Networks

Submission + - Are you ready for a neighborhood social site? (nextdoor.com)

Submitted by
AlienIntelligence
AlienIntelligence writes: "Are you ready for a neighborhood level social site?

San Francisco area start-up, NextDoor.com thinks you are.

At the height of the housing boom here in the U.S., I was very active in my community of over 2400 homes. As an upscale neighborhood, we of course were enjoying watching the “free money meter” that was our home’s [value] tick upward daily.

But being such a large community, there was no homogeneity. I wanted to do something about that. Due to an illness, the block watch captain had to step down for our neighborhood and I took over. I was hoping to bring a life to it and get everyone connected, email, text, have a community center where people could trade stuff or sell their junk. At that point I had been working with computers for nearly 30 years. I had an email address at the beginning of the 90’s and was buying domains before people had heard of the Internet. So, this concept was natch for me. Get the Town Hall, back at the center of the town, easily accessible to anyone. I built it... but would they come?

Not in droves, because there was just one problem. Facebook wasn’t really on the radar... and it sure wasn’t a verb or adverb. MySpace was reaching it’s golden age of life, looking for a place to curl up and die. Only smart people had SmartPhones, everyone else was like... “a SmartWut?” and believe it or not, even in my prominent community that had doctors, lawyers, business owners... educated business folk, barely 10% had ‘active’ email addresses.

My last push, was on Halloween. I sat out, gave out candy to the kids, and a small goodie bag of truffles to the parents, with a note about our town hall and the blockwatch. It was as much a success as I could have hoped. I broke well over the 10% line but still short of at least a quarter of the homes as I had hoped, in order to derive influence.

I carried the project on as long as I lived there... it worked great for the size of our online population, we still had good influence and we created a tighter community but it never catalyzed into the vision I had dreamt.

Most of what held my work back has changed now. Plus my fellow techies on here are older and more influential as well, I think NextDoor has a GREAT chance to succeed.

The idea is simple, a closed network for social interaction at the neighborhood level. You have to prove you live there to be a member. First person to sign up to each community, becomes an elder of sorts. The first dozen or so to join after that, get to be aldermen of the online community, granted with powers of removing junk posts/bad posts, even up to removing ‘homes’ from the site for abuse.

Sharing is the key to this site...
“Hey I lost my dog, anyone seen a fluffy white 3lb knucklehead running around? Answers to the smell of food. Anyone seen him?”
“Garage sale, this Saturday... awesome things, clothes, electronics, car parts! Starts at 10am!”
“Need a sitter for tonight, mine is sick... any recommendations? Any of your teens need $20?”
“Is my Immanuel at someone’s house? Can u send him home for dinner?”

I think my fellow friends on here can see, we... probably should be the first to sign up in our communities to make sure the technological aspect of it, doesn’t get lost on those less savvy.

Let’s make this site a success... I have talked in depth with the people that answer their emails... they seem bright and enthused, this is supposedly launch week, so that’s good. But it also seems to be an open ecosphere so far and responses have all been positive and motivating as opposed to the closed-off wall that some places put up to interacting with users.

And best yet... their business model currently does not include shoving ads in your face. Yep, flashy ad free! Get it while it's hot!"
Google

Submission + - The + operator has been replaced? WTF?!?! (google.com)

Submitted by AlienIntelligence
AlienIntelligence writes: OH MY GOD... Google has gotten rid of the + to do searches? SERIOUSLY? Is someone off their meds??

You now have to put double quotes around SINGLE WORDS to guarantee that they show as-is in the search.
ftws: The + operator has been replaced. To search for an exact word or phrase, use double quotation marks.

Ok, for people that rarely search for stuff on Google, or just aren't Google savvy, this is a complete, "Who cares?".
But for someone that puts in dozens sometimes hundreds of searches a day... they are actually decreasing my productivity by:

1) Making me think of the new way every damn time I search. 10ms

I've been 'deeply programmed' since before Google times, just like everyone else, that + is boolean, "leave it in there".

2) "Going back" >1s

That, right there... takes at the minimum, an extra second to hop to the beginning. Worse if you are on different keyboards all the time.

3) I didn't have to hit the shift key before, now I gotta, TWICE! >25ms

Times, 50 searches (easily) per day [that require the boolean]

More than ONE EXTRA MINUTE PER DAY! Just because they didn't want my search query to interfere with their "purification" [1.35s] of GOOGLE PLUS in their system.
Oh yeah... I know WHY they did it... how the fuck are stupid people going to search for Google+ ? lol

I SUGGEST MASSIVE PROTEST! Or an opt out (oh where, oh where is Google Labs when you need them?)

Talk amongst yourselves

{For the editors, this is half snark / half serious... I think we should fight this, I hope you publish this, I would like to hear ./ commentary. If you don't get the Chris rock reference, 2:53}

Submission + - The reward for pointing out a security flaw? Cops (techdirt.com)

Submitted by AlienIntelligence
AlienIntelligence writes: Ahh for the ye olde days of white hat hacking... I'm sure many of you, in a time very far in the past, beyond statute of limitations — have accidentally come across a security vulnerability at a site you visited. And because you don't have a criminal bone in your body and wanted to do a good deed, decided to contact the company who had the security vulnerability and give them a heads up... help them out... serve your fellow man.

Problem is, sometimes, like in "To Serve Man", the intent of the other party might not be clear.

That is what customer of Pillar's First State Superannuation Fund and security researcher, Patrick Webster found out the hard way. Apparently via a sql injection (from the article), merely changing one character in the URL, allowed access to subsequent accounts and personal information.

Whilst you have indicated that your actions were motivated by an attempt to show that it is possible for a wrongdoer to obtain unauthorised access to Pillar's systems, you actions may themselves be considered a breach of section 308H of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) and section 478.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). You should be aware that due to the serious nature of your actions, this matter has been
reported to the NSW Police.

Further, as a member of the Fund, your online access is subject to the terms and conditions of use which are outlined on the Fund's website. Your unauthorised access also constitutes a breach of those terms and has caused the Trustee to expend member funds in dealing with this matter. Please note the Trustee has the right to seek recovery from you for the costs incurred in accordance with those terms.


And... they continued with, Patrick must allow their IT staff access to his computer(s) to "verify all data has been deleted" {or to give them access to plant evidence}. Wow, I don't know what the laws are in Australia but here in the we shall bear arms country... that attempt would potentially be met with 'resistance'.

Bullshit like this makes the much derided campaigns by notorious hacking groups seem so much more necessary.


-AI
Google

Submission + - HTC Buys Patents from Google, Sues Apple with Them (bloomberg.com)

Submitted by AlienIntelligence
AlienIntelligence writes: Apparently to stay viable in the IP wars, HTC secured some patents from Google (who purchased them originally from Palm Inc., Motorola Inc. and Openwave Systems Inc.) on the 1st of September.

The patents were used to fire a new salvo of shots across Apple's bow today, September 7th.

HTC filed infringement claims against Apple in federal court in Delaware, suing based on four of those patents that originally were issued to Motorola. Additional complaints were filed with the US ITC based on the other patents.
Ubuntu

Submission + - College dropout cites Ubuntu install as reason (geek.com) 1

Submitted by AlienIntelligence
AlienIntelligence writes: A woman by the name of Abbie Schubert enrolled in the Madison Area Technical College (MATC). Her intention was to take a number of classes online and therefore she needed a laptop on which to view the course material and do her course work.

When it arrived Abbie expected to boot the machine up and see the Microsoft Windows logo, but to her surprise instead she saw the Ubuntu logo.

Abbie decided to stick with Ubuntu, but then started running into problems.

Totally frustrated she contacted Dell again, but this time she was told swapping to Windows was no longer an option. After that the only option in her eyes was to then drop out of her courses as she could not access the content or produce the work as they required it.

Submission + - World's first Content Addressable Memory (CAM) (techspot.com)

Submitted by AlienIntelligence
AlienIntelligence writes: NEC announces new memory type and with it we hopefully move closer to "instant-on" devices that will have memory state saved or suspended without the drain on battery life.

FTA, so you don't have to be bothered to clicky clicky:
http://www.techspot.com/news/44250-nec-develops-memory-that-stores-data-without-using-power.html

NEC touts two key features of the new technology: the CAM is nonvolatile while maintaining a high speed, and it uses approximately half the circuit area in comparison to existing technologies. The new CAM is a part of spintronics logic integrated circuit technologies that utilize the negative properties of electrons together with the spin magnetic moment. It leverages the vertical magnetization of vertical domain wall elements in reaction to magnetic substances in order to enable data that is processing within the CAM to be stored on a circuit without using power.

If that jargon really messed with your head, here's what you have to remember: data can be saved on circuits even when power is cut from the CAM.
Cloud

Submission + - Apple Orders 12 PetaBytes plans Internet Backup? (appleinsider.com) 1

Submitted by
AlienIntelligence
AlienIntelligence writes: "Apple Insider has a story that Apple has ordered as much as 12 Petabytes of storage, destination unknown. Potential uses? Cloud storage to play catchup with Amazon? Or maybe plans to expand iTunes?

I wish I could find my old Computer Shoppers from a little over a decade ago, that had the 1, 2, and 5 Terabyte "Solutions", starting at $12,000. And now Petabyte rolls off the tongue like no big deal."
Cellphones

Submission + - 3G iPhone cases "spontaneously" cracking!

Submitted by
AlienIntelligence
AlienIntelligence writes: "it seems Apple's 3G iPhone is cracking under the pressure...

Engadget has a short but compelling article about
how the new Apple iPhone 3G is developing cracks
most noticeably in the white cases. Owners of said
cracked phones are swearing under oath (not really
under oath) that they haven't dropped, stepped on,
sat on, played hockey with, used as fido toy, etc
their cracked phones.

Initial attempts by early crackees to have a genius
replace their no-longer-new-looking phones were
claimed to have been met with dubious glares and
accusations.

It seems as tho the dubious glares are subsiding
and are now transformed into brilliant smiles of
"Hi, sorry you are having troubles, take this new
phone instead."

Posts on MacRumors number many, many pages
of iPhone 3G owners posting images of their new
phones riddled with cracks.

Theories abound about the construction of the
newest phones cases.

Such as this mention of ceramics in an Apple patent :
[ http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=20060268528.PGNR.&OS=DN/20060268528RS=DN/20060268528 ]

[0072] In another embodiment, the main body 54 with or without the internal rails 80 is formed from an extruded ceramic tube. In one implementation, the ceramic material is alumina. In another implementation, the ceramic material is zirconia. Some of the reasons for using ceramics over other materials is that it is structurally strong, stiff and radio transparent. This is especially important for wireless hand held devices that include antennas internal to the enclosure. Radio transparency allows the wireless signals to pass through the enclosure and in some cases enhances these transmissions. Other reasons for using ceramics is that they are highly scratch resistant, have color embedded in it (no paint or coatings), can be made into a wide variety of colors, and provides a variety of surface finishes including smooth and rough. Furthermore, the density of ceramics is typically higher than other materials therefore their weight is higher for the same sized part. This additional weight makes the handheld device feel more robust and it makes the device exude greater quality.

[0073] It should be noted that ceramics have been used in a wide variety of products including electronic devices such as watches, phones, and medical instruments. In all of these cases, however, the ceramic material have not been used as structural components. In most of these cases they have been used as cosmetic accoutrements. It is believed up till now ceramic materials have never been used as a structural element including structural frames, walls or main body of a consumer electronic device, and more particularly an enclosure of a portable electronic device such as a media player or cell phone.


Very, Interesting...


Enjoy.

-AI"
AMD

Submission + - Really?

Submitted by AlienIntelligence
AlienIntelligence writes: Really...

So you're going to reject SIX of my
submissions... about:

* Largest hi def flat screen / Times Square
* New FF extension for mobile browsing
* FCC and Comcast
* Carbon Nanotubes have Mesothelioma
* Torrentspy ruling
* And news about a new media player...

And put thru the fucking "Laptop Drive of Shame?"

http://entertainment.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/07/14/1211215&from=rss

Really?

One of my damn submissions was on
the same fucking day as that lame
ass article. Jesus christ.

And you're wrong... grousing did help a little.
Displays

Submission + - Toshiba goes large!

Submitted by AlienIntelligence
AlienIntelligence writes: Toshiba outshines its' competition

Engadget has a short story about my new monitor!

I wish.

So, Toshiba has installed a whoppin HUGE LED monitor in Times Square.


51.2-foot by 52.5-foot consisting of 1280 x 1248 LEDs
The LEDs are purportedly able to reproduce over one billion colors.

If you want to compare that to your TV, it is a 73.3 ft./880-inch diagonal screen

Can't wait to see this display hacked with some really
neat visualization plug-in. Like Geiss or Milkdrop =)



-AI
IBM

Submission + - Extension trims the fat for phones

Submitted by AlienIntelligence
AlienIntelligence writes: IBM Software claims to make cell phone surfing smoother

PC World has a story about how IBM has developed
software that will allow you to strip the unnecessary
stuff from a website to allow you to surf quicker on
your cell phones.

Called Highlight, the software is an extension to the Firefox browser
and was built by researchers at IBM's Almaden Research Center.



It sounds like a proxy/server/scripting solution?

Scripts and extension are here.

Video of usage here

I know I'm intrigued enough to try it out.

-AI
Communications

Submission + - Head of FCC recommends Comcast be punished

Submitted by AlienIntelligence
AlienIntelligence writes: Down with Comcast!

There is an AP story (via Yahoo) that
has the head of the FCC weighing in on
his opinion about Comcast blocking,
throttling and otherwise denying users
unfettered access to the internet. He
recommends punishment for their very
sneaky ways.

An excerpted quote:
"The commission has adopted a set of principles that protects consumers access to the Internet," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin told The Associated Press late Thursday. "We found that Comcast's actions in this instance violated our principles."

Martin said Comcast has "arbitrarily" blocked Internet access, regardless of the level of traffic, and failed to disclose to consumers that it was doing so."


Comcast isn't being quiet on the subject
and Sena Fitzmaurice a company tool I mean
spokesperson denied Thursday that Comcast
blocks Internet content or services and that the
"carefully limited measures that Comcast takes
to manage traffic on its broadband network
are a reasonable part" of the company's strategy
to ensure all customers receive quality service.

Uh... so do you or don't you block spokestool?

Martin is one of 5 members of the commission
who only need a majority vote to start throwing
the thumbscrews to anyone including Comcast
that will try to decide what and how we use the
internet. Supposedly he has a couple pals that
have his back.



-AI
Biotech

Submission + - Carbon Nanotubes have Mesothelioma potential

Submitted by
AlienIntelligence
AlienIntelligence writes: "Nature has an article
detailing research with mice and nanotubes that
shows long, straight, multi-walled carbon nanotubes
will cause damage similar to asbestos, producing
granulomas and potentially the cancer mesothelioma.

They have not determined if this will have the same
effect on humans.

It was indicated that if the structures were short or curly
their effect could be negated or lessened. Other remediation
paths may be embedding the particles in a substrate or glue.


Here are a couple of images from Nature of the potential killer
straight, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and it's older cousin,
asbestos.


This just in, Nano is no longer a popular prefix. "

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