Random Thoughts and Bugs

Perhaps you've heard of developer Bob's mis-adventures? A fun re-interpretation...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/9811275/You-never-catch-me-outsource-work-to-China.html

The things spies will do...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/9022827/Russian-spy-rock-was-genuine-former-chief-of-staff-admits.html
http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/report-israel-s-syria-spy-cameras-tracked-russian-navy-1.512798
http://io9.com/the-cias-secret-experiments-to-turn-cats-into-spies-453478752

In spite of the trouble he created you have to admire his sense of humour, creativity, zeal, and skill.
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-02/12/japanese-cat-hacker-caught
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/02/11/japan_online_threat_arrest/
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-01/07/japan-cat-collar-hacker-clue
http://www.news.com.au/technology/clue-found-on-cat-collar-in-unsolved-japanese-hacking-case/story-e6frfro0-1226549207641

Warned about this previously in the context of intelligence/law enforcement systems previously on this blog. Interesting to see how much information can be 'extracted' (both explicity and implicitly) just by using social media platforms.
http://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/home-it/59021-facebook-likes-can-profile-your-personality

Covered this in 'Convergence' report. Basically, new/popular platforms are most likely to be targeted and easiest to find bugs in.
http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/security/malware-writers-prefer-android/240150256

Have to admire his tenacity...
http://www.smh.com.au/world/not-worth-it--russian-oil-pipeline-thief-20130328-2gvi2.html

Even dictatorships need hard cash! Opening a chain of restaurants is something I'd never thought they'd do though.
http://thediplomat.com/2010/09/06/kim-jong-il%E2%80%99s-slush-fund-woe/
http://freekorea.us/category/sanctions/money-laundering/
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/01/09/dont_engage_kim_jong_un_bankrupt_him

Thought about this in 'Convergence' report. Can have notion of 'Super-Portals' but must be customisable. Suspect that it will be based client side if it does actually work.
http://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/mobility/59023-android-is-so-in-in-asia

If you like your Easter eggs 'hot' here's an early Christmas present.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-21981063

The HP Mini 210 is nice looking machine but it isn't without it's problems. Overheating seems to be one of them. Not playing games seems to be a suggestion for avoiding it?
http://supportforhp.iyogi.com/mini-210/overheating-2.html
Pity it seems to still have the keyboard/trackpad bug that I found out about on the DM1 though.
http://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/HP_Mini_210-2070NR_Troubleshooting
Like the DM1 great/neat internal setup and easy access though.
http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/review/back_to_school/hp/mini_210_nb-210-1017tu_01/338723
Hilarious system specific bug...
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/Document.jsp?objectID=c02784074&jumpid=em_alerts_us-us_Apr11_xbu_all_all_1221350_78559_laptops/tablets/netbooks_critical_006_0http://www.laptopmag.com/review/laptop/hp-mini-210.aspx

Repairing laptop cords.
http://www.fonerbooks.com/laptop_7.htm
Solder heatshrink looks very interesting if you've ever had to repair any wiring before.
http://www.calcentron.com/Pages/fusion_solder_heat_shrink/fusion_solder_heat_shrink.html

Some interesting gun control and NRA background articles
http://www.salon.com/2013/01/14/the_nra_once_supported_gun_control/
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-14/why-gun-makers-fear-the-nra#r=rss
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/17/us/politics/obama-to-ask-congress-to-toughen-gun-laws.html
http://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2013/01/16/what-obamas-gun-control-laws-mean-for-32b-firearm-industry/
http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/16/a-right-of-insurrection/
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323968304578245720749827656.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/in-aftermath-of-swiss-shooting-echoes-of-us-gun-control-debate/2013/02/07/38457624-6e1d-11e2-ac36-3d8d9dcaa2e2_story.html
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/01/16/does_the_nra_want_to_turn_america_into_afghanistan
http://theweek.com/bullpen/column/238719/washingtons-gun-debate-whats-next
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/17/obama-gun-control-miss-target
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/biden-takes-gun-control-message-to-nra-country/article7887824/
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/wall-street-journal/barack-obamas-rocky-path-on-gun-control-starts-with-his-own-politicians/story-fnay3ubk-1226556149128
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20130117_Local_pro-_and_anti-_gun_control_advocates_echo_the_national_debate.html

In case I/you need to reset a USB port every once in a while.
http://askubuntu.com/questions/645/how-do-you-reset-a-usb-device-from-the-command-line

Bugs of the Week

Un-named Technology Retailer Website (company/more details undisclosed for reasons of reputation and security)

Recently a local technology retailer had a competition. Basically, they would have pictures of iTunes vouchers randomly distributed throughout their website. This sounds likes a neat way of gaining extra marketing. Pity they allowed for directory listing through various image directories though. Combine this with a download manager which can download the contents of entire directories without user intervention and thumbnail previews (image filenames were helpful as well!) in many file managers now and you basically have enough iTunes credit to last a while.

- as usual thanks to all of the individuals and groups who purchase and use my goods and services
http://sites.google.com/site/dtbnguyen/
http://dtbnguyen.blogspot.com.au/