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Comment Re:That guy doesn't understand what irony means (Score 0, Flamebait) 528

You're right - it's not irony, it's hypocrisy.

Google is publicly berating Microsoft for their supposedly-inadequate security, yet their own products face similar complaints.

Of course you can't blame them for wanting to be as secure as possible, and they chose the route of ditching Microsoft rather than helping fix the problems that they seem to care so much about. If they think they can do better, then why don't they help fix them?

Comment Re:OS versus Browser (Score 2, Informative) 114

The way IE integrates with the OS varies between releases. In XP and earlier, items such as Windows Update and Windows help are running on IE. Since Vista, these have been control panel applets instead, giving malicious code exectued in IE no power over it.

Users using another browser wouldn't be able to execute code that affects these components, but if some malicious code successfully attacks an IE user, it could potentially attack other parts of the system where IE is integrated (and to which IE has some form of access), and then execute code to potentially gain 'control' of a system.

This "remote code execution" usually isn't a hack that a script kiddie could run to gain access to your files, but often it's enough for hackers just to be able to redirect your browser (to fake online banking sites) or even just cause your PC to visit a site. Thousands of compromised PCs visiting a website a thousand times a second each is your basic DDoS attack.

Comment Over the hedge (Score 1) 562

that's assuming that natural gas prices don't increase since it is still burning gas as fuel.

As natural gas prices go up, the price of natural gas-fired electric power will go up, so Bloom Box users save on the mark-up.

Other than saving space, how is this better than solar panels which typically have a 15-20 year payoff period?

Photovoltaic and photothermal power sources have problems at night, on cloudy days, and far from the equator.

But even if the price was cut in half, the ROI would only be 7.2 percent

For one thing, Bloom is looking at cutting the price further than half. For another, the return on investment from a Bloom Box isn't purely monetary; it's also a hedge against relative prices of different forms of power.

Comment Re:Ageism (Score 1) 507

Insurance companies (at least auto/property) are regulated by their respective states. They are considered financial institutions, sort of like banks and yet not like them at all.

There are basically 3 ways they can change their rates, depending on the state board of insurance where they do business.

1)Change your rates, whenever you want, we don't care, just file them with us so we know what they are.
2)File your rates with us, and if we don't smack you down within X days, feel free to implement them.
3)File your requested changes with us, and we will let you know whether they are acceptable or not. You must continue to charge existing rates until you hear back from us.

Most states are either #2 or #3. They are already under the thumb of the state to a degree and operating as the state has explicitly given them permission to operate, so no need for bribery.

Now, I suppose it could still happen for law changes, but again, the "government" has to approve everything they do anyway.
Internet Explorer

Details Emerge On EU-Only "Browser Choice" Screen For Windows 220

Simmeh writes "Microsoft have posted screenshots and details on their upcoming 'web browser choice screen.' Requirements include being in Europe, and having Internet Explorer set as your default browser. It comes with a few surprises, as the software automatically unpins Internet Explorer from your taskbar, and offers 11 alternative browsers."
Image

Officers Lose 243 Homeland Security Guns 125

In a screw up so big it could only be brought to you by the government or a famous athlete, 243 guns were lost by Homeland Security agencies between 2006 and 2008. 179 guns, were lost "because officers did not properly secure them," an inspector general report said. One of the worst examples of carelessness cites a customs officer who left a firearm in an idling vehicle in the parking lot of a convenience store. The vehicle was stolen while the officer was inside. "A local law enforcement officer later recovered the firearm from a suspected gang member and drug smuggler," the report said.

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