Saturday, July 31, 2010

Dropbox app for Blackberry goes beta

Filed under: Internet, Utilities, News, Productivity, web 2.0

Dropbox has quickly become a favorite tool for people on the go, but Blackberry users haven't been feeling much app-love. Yesterday, Dropbox announced on their forums that they had begun Dropbox for Blackberry Beta -- but only for the first 500 users to hit the site and request ...

Thank a

Ranger Day

Alison Brick pauses to thank the people behind our National Parks.

It's the heart of summer, and you can almost hear the pounding of tent stakes into the ground and the blowing of embers to start campfires as people make their way outdoors. National and state parks across the country are being appreciated this time of year for their natural beauty, but what about the people who run ...

Microsoft To Issue Emergency Fix For Windows -

Microsoft To Issue Emergency Fix For Windows

Trailrunner7 writes "Microsoft will issue an out-of-band patch on Monday for a critical vulnerability in all of the current versions of Windows. The company didn't identify which flaw it will be patching, but the description of the vulnerability is a close match to the LNK flaw that attackers have been exploiting for several weeks now, most notably with the Stuxnet malware. The advance notification from Microsoft on Friday said that the company is patching a critical vulnerability that is being actively exploited in the wild and affects all supported Windows platforms. The LNK flaw in the Windows shell was first identified earlier this month when researchers discovered the Stuxnet worm spreading from infected USB drives to PCs. Stuxnet has turned out to be a rather interesting piece of malware as it not only uses the LNK zero day vulnerability to spread, but it had components that were signed using a legitimate digital certificate belonging to Realtek, a Taiwanese hardware ...

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iPad Development Paying Off for Friendly App Creator

On Saturday, I highlighted the recent release of Friendly, an iPad-optimized application for Facebook that enhances the world's most popular social network to take advantage of the iPad's screen and touch interface. One of the co-founders on Friendly and Twazzup, its sister product, Cyril Moutran (@mocy), met with me for lunch today and discussed how developing for the iPad presents new opportunities to make a splash in a less-crowded field, and gain real revenue. He also said he believes the launch of more touch-centric interfaces could be as revolutionary as the mouse and hyperlink did with the first generation of the Web. ...

A new approach to iPhone panoramas -

A new approach to iPhone panoramas

Filed under: iPhone

There are plenty of iPhone apps that shoot panorama photos. You take a picture. Move to the left or right, and after you have 3 or 4 images the panorama software stitches the images ...

OpenAppMkt:

The iPhone Gets a Web App Store

Plenty of websites and services use slick web apps in lieu of, or in addition to, native software for the iPhone App Store, but they had no storefront of their own until now.

OpenAppMkt is an HTML app store that launched today, with everything I'd expect to see in a mobile app market. It has a clean interface for searching or browsing by category, along with a website that's equally polished. iPhone users can "install" OpenAppMkt by adding the website to their home screen, and individual apps are installed in the same way, creating icons on the home page as if they were native ...

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The American Museum of Natural History's Explorer app

for the iPhone and iPod touch

Filed under: App Review

The American Museum of Natural History on New York City's Upper West Side has released AMNH Explorer (free) for the iPhone and iPod touch. This app, funded by Bloomberg, is a tour guide and personal navigation system that allows you to easily traverse the museum's huge collection. You can search for an exhibit by popularity, exhibit hall, or an alphabetical listing, and the app will use the museum's free Wi-Fi to give you step-by-step directions to your intended destination (using either the stairs or elevators). You can also get directions to the closest restroom or exit as well as information about restaurants and gift ...

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Thursday, July 29, 2010

FacePlant brings FaceTime chat status and visual voicemail to the iPhone 4

Filed under: Utilities, VoIP, iPhone

So, you've got a new iPhone 4, and you love FaceTime, but you're finding it's just not that useful. It's hard to know when friends are actually going to be on Wi-Fi and available to take a FaceTime call, so you've stopped using it after those first giddy test calls. It sounds like you need ...

ClearCam goes legit, will increase image resolution at a price

Filed under: iPhone

ClearCam has been around for a while, and I first took a look at it more than a year ago. It was a clever app that had two modes. One mode took a series of four pictures in rapid succession, and then it saved the best and sharpest one in your photo library; the other mode took six images together and stacked them in order to increase resolution and reduce noise. In practice, it meant that the old 3G 2MP camera became the rough equivalent of a 4MP ...

Prizmo provides optical character recognition on the iPhone

Filed under: iPhone

Prizmo is a popular OCR (optical character recognition) app for the Mac that allows you to scan documents and things like business cards easily and quickly, avoiding the step of typing them in by hand. Now, Creaceed has announced that it's bringing the app to the iPhone, so you'll be able to make use of the really powerful OCR software, all on the go using the iPhone's HD camera as a ...

Barracuda Labs analyzed more than 25 million Twitter accounts, both legitimate and malicious. The purpose of this part of the study was to measure and analyze account behavior on Twitter in order to model normal user behavior and identify features that are strong indicators of illegitimate account use. The study reviews several key areas including True Twitter Users, Twitter Crime Rate, and Tweet Number.

Key highlights from the Twitter research include:

In general, activity is increasing on Twitter: more users are coming online; True Twitter Users are tweeting more often, and even casual users are becoming more active. As users become more active, the malicious activity also increases.

Only 28.87 percent of Twitter users are actual True Twitter Users.

Half of Twitter users tweet less than once a day, yet one in 10 users tweet five or more times a day and 30 percent of Twitter accounts have never tweeted.

One in every eight Twitter users has at least 10 times more followers than they are following.

Only one in 10 users is following more than 100 users, and almost half are following less than five.

The Twitter Crime Rate for the first half of 2010 was 1.67 percent.

http://www.net-security.org/secworld.php?id=9654

How 100 million Facebook users ended up in a list on BitTorrent

News that details of 100 million Facebook users was understandably met with some panic - particularly because the data was then dumped on file-sharing service BitTorrent alongside pirated music, bulk credit card details and the odd bit of legal content.

The real story was a little more curious. It was Canadian security researcher Ron Bowes who downloaded the data - 2.8Gb of it - by creating a crawler script to pluck information from Facebook's open access directory

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/pda/2010/jul/29/facebook-bittorrent-data

Dark Reading |

Internet Infrastructure Reaches Long-Awaited Security Milestone

Posted by Kelly Jackson Higgins on Wednesday Jul 28th at 9:44pm

BLACK HAT USA -- Las Vegas -- Two years after a major flaw was exposed in the Internet's Domain Name System (DNS), a major upgrade to the infrastructure protocol that fixes that weakness is now up and running in all of the Internet root servers.

DNSSEC, which has been in the works for nearly two decades, was fully deployed in the root this month, the final level of deployment needed to finally get the deployment of the security protocol officially off the ground. DNSSEC is considered the key to preventing attacks exploiting the now-infamous cache-poisoning vulnerability revealed at Black Hat USA in 2008.

http://mobile.darkreading.com/9287/show/03cfa23ac45fd9c72d5728ea12926347/

Just How (In)secure are Smartphones?

Last week a clever, duplicitous fifteen-year-old got Apple to approve an iPhone flashlight app which contained a secret tethering utility. A few days later, Citi told users of its iPhone mobile banking app that it was storing personal information in a manner which might have left it vulnerable to misuse by other apps or ...

33 Fresh and Cool Fonts for Designers

- The Qub font looks extremely cool. -

33 Fresh and Cool Fonts for Designers

Finding the appropriate font for your design purpose is important. Simple designs can become extraordinary with the correct font choice. Though a wide variety of fonts are available to download online, there is always a demand for fresh varieties to express text or copy in a brand new ...

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The updated IPhone photos App

now has Places. Sweet.

I keep reaching deeper into the pile. This is helping me out...

There are times when we reach deep onto our past and try to do things we haven't done in a long, long time.

It's healthy to try and relearn some of these things, even if it is a challenge.

Today this site helped me out.

http://www.bows-n-ties.com/how-to-tie-a-necktie.php

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

The world's worst zoos

Some places you don't want to bring the kids.

By News Desk — GlobalPost Editors
Published: July 23, 2010 10:25 ET in Africa

BOSTON — Unfortunately, when it comes to the worst zoos in the world, the stories are pretty much all the same: small cages and living spaces, unnatural surroundings of concrete and iron, under-feeding and under-watering and well, cruelty in general.

However, some zoos go above and beyond expectations of horrible.

Ever hear of a zoo misplacing a few animals? How about one that slowly turns into a taxidermy museum? Animals being shipped two-by-two on a "Noah's Ark" to a different country?

The zoos listed here are places you don't want to bring the kids. Or yourself for that matter.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/global/100629/worst-world-zoos

TUAW review and giveaway: OtterBox Defender case for iPhone 4

Filed under: iPhone

Judging from the number of entries for our recent giveaway of two OtterBox iPad cases, most of you are familiar with the excellent products made by the Colorado company. Shortly after the end of the iPad case giveaway, I was surprised to find another box at my door from OtterBox containing one of the "bullet-proof" Defender cases for the iPhone ...

Support Details Makes Troubleshooting Remotely a Bit Easier [Webapps]

Visit web site Support Details and it'll quickly round up your system information, including operating system, browser, IP address, and more. Sure, you know that info by heart, but the site comes in particularly handy when you're helping someone else ...

=?cp932?Q?Why_didn=81ft_Apple_Use_Rechargeable_Batteries_in_the_?= =?cp932?Q?First_Place=3F?=

OMFG.

Author complains that Apple didn't "Go Green" for us?!? Don't consumers have some responsibility too?

Why didn't Apple Use Rechargeable Batteries in the First Place?

Kudos to Apple for developing a more energy efficient charger for reusable AA batteries, and introducing it today along with the new Magic Trackpad. I'd glad that the company is advancing its environmental record by making less toxic products, but at the risk of sounding overzealous– it's about time. Apple's stylish wireless keyboard and mice are needlessly sending heaps of batteries to the ...

Is That Reason in Your Pocket?

Is That Reason in Your Pocket?

Always happy to see Reason? Now you take it with you wherever you go, thanks to our brand-spanking-new iPhone app.

The Reason iPhone App keeps you up to date with the latest news and views from the Reason staff wherever you are. Compatible with the iPhone, iPhone 3GS, and iPod Touch, the Reason App downloads and syncs Reason's content to your device in real time. And best of all, it's ...

How to Make a DIY Macro iPhone Lens [Macro]

#macro As great as the iPhone 4 camera is, it's not exactly ideal for macro situations. Luckily, you can build your own iPhone macro lens—with wire, glue and a disposable camera—so that it can be. More » ...

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Apple's new battery charger is deceptively cool

Filed under: Hardware

Rounding out the list of hardware updates from Apple this morning is a battery charger. Before you dismiss it (as I initially did) as just a battery charger, consider the following. ...

Rumor: TiVo stock climbs on talk of deal with Apple for new Apple TV

Filed under: Rumors, Apple TV

A small post in Barron's noted today that TiVo shares have jumped up about 5% today on rumors that the company's DVR technology may be included in the next iteration of the Apple TV. ...

Software Update: Magic Trackpad and Multi-Touch Trackpad Update 1.0

Filed under: Software Update

Apple released the Magic Trackpad this morning, but the OS update to make it work with your Mac is out now, available via Software Update on your Mac (drop down the Apple menu on the left if you've never done this before). Here's the link for a download of the ...

Will jailbreaking your iPhone void your warranty?

Filed under: Jailbreak/pwnage

According to the manufacturer, maybe. Intrepid Apple blognaut Leander Kahney rang up Apple, asked the question above, and got a response. This was more than we got when several of us asked Apple multiple variations of the same question. Apple's statement, as seen on Cult of Mac: ...

37signals Buys Campfire iPhone App Ember

Collaboration software developer 37signals has bought Ember, an iPhone app for Campfire, according to a blog post. on the company's site. 37signals develops Campfire, which is a popular real-time group chat tool used by developers and businesses. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. ...

A Huge Collection of Free Twitter Icons

Your Twitter account may be a powerful medium to interact with your audience, but you're missing out if your site visitors keep ignoring your Twitter icon! Make sure you're getting all the followers you should by getting a Twitter icon that's creative, original, and delightful. You're spoiled for choice in this Huge Collection of Free Twitter Icons, so get your favorite and win new followers through the impact of your new icon's ...

Citibank says iPhone app has security flaw

Filed under: iPhone

The wire services and the Wall Street Journal are reporting that the Citi Mobile app that Citibank offered to customers has a security flaw, and that it saved personal account information in a hidden file on users' iPhones. Our own Mike Rose reports that he got one of Citi's letters to customers warning them about the security ...

Free reception fix for iPhone 4 offered by Fotolum

So you've probably heard about the iPhone 4 reception problems? Well, Fotolum, the makers of the After-Lite Glow Strips and After-Light Lightbulb Fitting, are offering free glow-in-the-dark strips to help fix the iPhone 4 reception problems. ...

Cloud Computing, 10 Web Operating Systems | Admix Web

http://www.admixweb.com/2010/07/23/cloud-computing-10-web-operating-systems/

9 power bash functions -

9 power bash functions

July 26, 2010 @ 8:25 pm › davidrobertlewis
↓ Leave a comment

Over the weekend I got into some bash functions.

Paste these into your .bashrc file
Enjoy

1. Command line wiki query

http://indlovu.wordpress.com/2010/07/26/useful-bash-functions/

Monday, July 26, 2010

Outbrain - Get a Free Related Links Widget -

I need to look at this

http://www.outbrain.com/getwidget?utm_source=google&utm_medium=sem&utm_term=outbrain%2Brating%20widget&utm_campaign=sem&gclid=CKKQidOaiaMCFRgbswodYi16bw

Sunday, July 25, 2010

sslh - ssl/ssh multiplexer via @mubix

What is it?

sslh lets one accept both HTTPS and SSH connections on the same port. It makes it possible to connect to an SSH server on port 443 (e.g. from inside a corporate firewall) while still serving HTTPS on that port.

http://www.rutschle.net/tech/sslh.shtml

Using the Congress API With Spreadsheets - Open Blog - NYTimes.com

http://open.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/27/using-the-congress-api-with-spreadsheets/

With NSF support, a team of computer scientists is using a novel, two-pronged approach to protect websites from hackers

Illustration depicting cybersecurity in the United States.

Computer scientists are fighting back against hackers with the company StopTheHacker.com.
Credit and Larger Version

July 23, 2010

Hackers are capitalizing on new chinks in Internet security as the public gains greater access to sophisticated web operations, according to cybersecurity experts.

"Websites are the next battleground in the war for computer security," said computer scientist Michalis Faloutsos, who, with collaborator and fellow computer scientist Anirban Banerjee, cofounded the company StopTheHacker.com to counter the threat.

StopTheHacker.com specifically addresses the security of websites, an issue that is often overlooked in favor of personal-computer safeguards. According to the researchers, the same concerns that users had for personal computer security 10 years ago are applicable to website safety today. "We are in the early stages of this war, and any website is vulnerable," Faloutsos added.

http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=117354&WT.mc_id=USNSF_1

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Mila's Daydreams

http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/

North Korea vows nuclear response to U.S.-Seoul drills -

updated 5:57 a.m. ET, Sat., Jul. 24, 2010

North Korea vows nuclear response to drills

The U.S. Navy's Aegis destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), arrives for joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises at Donghae Harbor, South Korea, on Saturday.

North Korea warned Saturday that it will respond with "powerful nuclear deterrence" to joint U.S. and South Korean military exercises poised to begin this weekend, saying the drills amount to a provocation that cannot be ignored.

North Korea routinely threatens war when South Korea and the U.S. hold joint military drills, which Pyongyang sees as a rehearsal for an attack on the North. The latest threat comes amid increased tensions on the peninsula over the deadly sinking of a South Korean warship that Seoul and Washington blame on Pyongyang.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38375802/ns/world_news-asiapacific/

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

The Changing Entertainment Landscape: Tivo Adds Another Cable Partnership

http://entertain247.blogspot.com/2010/07/tivo-adds-another-cable-partnership.html

Now reopen Breitbart's ACORN fraud -- and get the story right

Sherrod's case parallels deceptions used in that other big smear -- and offers a chance to restore lost standards

Joe Conason

Former USDA official Shirley Sherrod, a dedicated public servant innocent of the prejudice and misconduct falsely imputed to her, deserves justice. As soon as the White House and Tom Vilsack restore her job, with an appropriate apology, they will begin to remove a stain of cowardice from their administration. But while that may be all the government can do, it isn't sufficient to close this case.

http://mobile.salon.com/news/opinion/joe_conason/2010/07/21/acorn/

Home | info.apps.gov

Welcome to Info.Apps.gov

Info.Apps.gov is a place where agencies can gather information about how Cloud Computing can help create sustainable, more cost-effective IT Services for the Federal Government.

http://info.apps.gov/

Nice cloud cube -

http://www.katescomment.com/definition-of-cloud-computing-nist-g-cloud/

SP800-125 Draft Guide to Security for Full Virtualization Technologies

http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/drafts/800-125/Draft-SP800-125.pdf

http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/PubsDrafts.html

Monday, July 19, 2010

Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA)

The Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is a revolutionary instrument in its scientific concept, its engineering design, and its organization as a global scientific endeavor...

http://www.almaobservatory.org/

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Inside Apple's 'black lab' wireless testing facilities - Engadget

http://i.engadget.com/2010/07/16/inside-apples-black-lab-wireless-testing-facilities/

Friday, July 16, 2010

=?cp932?Q?BitTorrent_Makes_Twitter=81fs_Server_Deployment_75x_Fa?= =?cp932?Q?ster_|_TorrentFreak?=

Awesome!

http://torrentfreak.com/bittorrent-makes-twitters-server-deployment-75-faster-100716/

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

365 Days of Apple: A week of iOS Development

- Nice piece by my friend Sam.

http://365daysofapple.blogspot.com/2010/07/week-of-ios-development.html

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Geocaching

Check out this application:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/geocaching/id292242503?mt=8

Monday, July 12, 2010

Federal Eye - Survey gives new numbers on teleworking

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/07/survey_gives_new_numbers_on_te.html

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Absolutely Incredible Art made with Old Cassette Tapes |

I've got 2 large boxes completely full of old cassette tapes (remember those?) in my closet. There are probably over 400 tapes sitting there, degrading, losing their magnetic information, slowly dissolving into silence, or perhaps more correctly, white noise.

Will I ever listen to any of these again? Probably not. Heck, I don't even own a tape player. Even if I did want to listen to any of them one day, I'm sure I'd be considerably dissapointed in the sound quality (if there was any music still on them at all), after having been spoiled with cd's for so long.

I have no idea why I still keep them. Perhaps it's one part nostalgia mixed with one part being a bit of a packrat and one part denial. Or maybe it's just the fond memories of seeing cassettes completely unravelled on the side of the road – their former owners apparantly hanging them out the window to see how far they would stretch behind the car.

http://www.noiseaddicts.com/2009/03/celebrity-art-made-with-cassette-tapes/