Good article about how history repeats itself.
Archive for category Computers
Apple Researching Methods for Pushing User Interfaces to Accessories from Media Devices – Mac Rumors.
So imagine your multi function remote has a touch screen, like everything else does these days. Instead of the logitech approach where the remote has to figure out how to communicate with the device and translate all the functions to the 120 buttons on the remote. the device your controlling send the information it needs. So your new universal remote will act and feel just like the remote that came with your media device. Or as in the cast of an iPod or iPhone and a GUI that matches the original device.
The Broadcom combination Wi-Fi/Bluetooth chips used in the iPhone and iPod touch have long also had the technical capacity for FM radio reception, with the chip found in the latest iPod touch theoretically also capable of FM radio transmission, although Apple has not as yet taken advantage of these capabilities.
via Apple Developing FM Radio Application for iPhone and iPod Touch? – Mac Rumors.
So we got a robo-call from our bank saying that there were suspicious charges on our Debit Card. Boy were they right. The one that tripped the alert was a web site in South Africa. I had the card canceled, but not before a bunch of other charges had gone through. There were a bunch of $1.13 from “ME.COM”. Now being an iTunes and a mobile me user I still found this odd. Even though I had purchased Music last night, the description text on the statement always says “APPL iTunes” .
I confirmed with Apple that yes indeed, someone is using the ME.COM description as a front for fraudulent Charges. Hoping that if you did visit the site that you would say “Oh, look it’s just apple, those must be the songs I bought…”. Don’t fall for it. Your card number has been compromised. Call your bank.
So don’t let this fool you. If you see a ME.COM that looks like you’ve been buying music .. don’t skip over it. It’s a fraudulent charge.
Now I just hope that with my banks help we have nipped this in the bud before they drain my account.
I have been wanting to switch over to the PayPal Secure Card method for online transactions. Guess it’s time to do that. Their plug-in does not support OS X though. The Secure Card method generates a Visa Debit Card number that you can use one time. So in a sense it’s a throwaway Debit Card number.
Note: It could have been a lot worse, because the bank called our home phone. If Robin had not been there to get the call, we would have been doing this tonight and who knows how many charges later. I’m going to give the bank my google voice number. That way if it happens again, the news will not be sitting on an answering machine all day.
Take Over the World!
Sep 8
Are you a fan of the game Monopoly? Do you like the variants of you favorite city or collage? Well hang on because Google just did it “their way”. This game opens to the public tomorrow. Using Google Maps you’ll be able to play Monopoly on a global scale! Each player starts with $3,000,000 dollars to begin their global domination.
I hope this story has a happy ending.
This morning, he saw someone applying for a job online using the stolen laptop, and Jim now has the Social Security number, address and phone number used on the job application. Jim speculates it is possible the machine has been sold to someone and that is who was applying for the job. Or it could still be with the crooks.
reSTART, a new Internet addiction recovery center 25 miles outside of Seattle, features a 45-day tech-detox that includes group counseling, individual therapy, 12-step meetings, wilderness adventures, fitness programs, and even vocational coaching and academic tutoring. Located in a residential-styled home, the center sits on five acres of Pacific Northwest forest land, home to deer, raccoons, and goats.
According to the Justice Department, the suspects used a sophisticated hacking technique called an “SQL injection attack,” which “seeks to exploit computer networks by finding a way around the network’s firewall to steal credit card and debit information.”
OK, those of you that know this stuff… SQL Injection? WTF? One of the oldest methods of getting into a Database over the web. I wonder just “how sophisticated” these attacks really were. Sigh.
Please tell me none of you fell for this one.
iPod nano for just $49 plus your Social Security Number : Macenstein.
Over a year ago Roger Ebert lost his voice in the battle for his health. I find this story interesting for a lot of reasons, not only because it’s a Mac friendly piece.
Then I upgraded to the Leopard Mac OX operating system, and found a new Mac voice named Alex. I am using it now. Amazingly Alex, is the first voice I have yet heard that understands and reflects question marks and exclamation points!?! This prevents every sentence from being spoken in a monotone.
