general

Ok boys and girls, just to give everyone a heads up, you should give Microsoft Update a quick run as they released patches for a decent amount of security vulnerabilities and all. Here’s a brief overview of the fixes as posted on Neowin.net:

MS05-044: Moderate: Vulnerability in the Windows FTP Client Could Allow File Transfer Location Tampering (905495)
MS05-045: Moderate: Vulnerability in Network Connection Manager Could Allow Denial of Service (905414)
MS05-046: Important: Vulnerability in the Client Service for NetWare Could Allow Remote Code Execution (899589)
MS05-047: Important: Vulnerability in Plug and Play Could Allow Remote Code Execution and Local Elevation of Privilege (905749)
MS05-048: Important: Vulnerability in the Microsoft Collaboration Data Objects Could Allow Remote Code Execution (907245)
MS05-049: Important: Vulnerabilities in Windows Shell Could Allow Remote Code Execution (900725)
MS05-050: Critical: Vulnerability in DirectShow Could Allow Remote Code Execution (904706)
MS05-051: Critical: Vulnerabilities in MSDTC and COM+ Could Allow Remote Code Execution (902400)
MS05-052: Critical: Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer (896688)

Check this video out. It’s a digital paint brush. Basically, there’s a camera in the brush that photgraphs/records what you hover it overm then the screen traces the movements across itself and allows you to “paint” with the pattern or image you just photographed. You simply have to see this to understand what I’m saying. It’s useless, but I know I’d still love to play around with it.

http://web.media.mit.edu/~kimiko/iobrush/iobrush_quicktime_small.mov

You need Quicktime installed to view it

I just got the package and hooked the system up. My first impression? “God damn this sub is huge” and it really is. The packaged weighed 42lbs and most of that is, obviously, the sub. The wires on the rear speakers are actually about 10 – 12ft long so I didn’t need the extensions I brought.

Aesthetically, the system is very nice to look at, though I do have some small issues with the build. First of all, my 4 satellites are at a very slight angle because they are rotateable though they don’t reset straight up fully. Pet peeve more than anything. I also don’t care for the remote. On my old Inspires, there was a simple plastic wheel with numbers on it so I can see my exact volume position. On this, it’s just a few green lights that don’t go up or down with every click so it’s a little guess work. I’ll deal.

Sound wise, these speakers are definitely better than my old Inspires. The bass is definitely too strong but that can be counter balanced using the remote. The bass is a little muddy, though. I guess after hearing Klipsch subs at work, I got a little spoiled. The speakers are definitely nicer than my old setup. The frequency range is a tad bit wider so I can hear the crispness of snare drums and the like better.

Overall, I’m pretty pleased with the system. I’m not ecstatic about it since I did have my eyes on the Klipsch Promedia 5.1′s, but, for the price, it’s going to be hard to find better.

This is my first post in my new category. I figure a nerd, like me, should have a tech area on his site

It’s funny how, in recent years, public relations has become almost as important as the actual code when it comes to computer software. A few weeks ago, Google released GTalk, an IM application that uses the Jabber protocol. Using Jabber leaves a lot of room for interoperability and, for now, allows users to use any Jabber client of their choosing to connect to the network. However, the application, itself, was clearly rushed out early in hopes of creating hype. It lacks MANY features of standard IM apps and doesn’t have much in terms of customization (I couldn’t even choose where I wanted it to be installed to). It’s an early BETA, what’s the big deal? The problem lies in the fact that people love it. If AOL had put out the exact same client, it would have been universally deemed trash. Why? Public relations, my friend.

In the world of computers and the World Wide Web, everyone is fighting to be the most friendly. Why? Because the average computer user is very uneasy online and, when someone is able to calm them down a little and allow them to simply enjoy the web, they take to it. Google is the king of this. Don’t get me wrong, I like Google too, but many people are completely incapable of finding any flaw in anything Google does. GTalk didn’t earn any of the praise it received, but the Google name did.

AOL is slowly working on their next big version of AOL Instant Messenger, dubbed “Triton”. Even in early testing, the UI is good looking and the program functions pretty well. With the inclusion of built in tabbed IM’s (called Grouped IM’s) and a plugin API, AOL is going to be the first client to introduce, out of the box, what users have been paying for, in add-ons and 3rd party clients, for years. It’s a huge step and, yet, few have taken notice simply because it’s AOL. Did I mention public relations?

I actually fear all of this, to a degree. Is marketing going to become more important than the code itself? Maybe that’s already the case if you take a look at the video game market. It’s scary, actually. Computers are getting faster, people are getting more tech savvy, and it seems that one’s PR guy is more important than the quality and skill of their programmers.