* Posts by Mark 85

12880 publicly visible posts • joined 22 Nov 2012

Default admin password, weak Wi-Fi, open USB ports ... no wonder these electronic voting boxes are now BANNED

Mark 85

Re: The position of the constitutional court of Germany is worthy of note

That's the way it used to be.. three election officials: 1 "neutral" and 1 from each party plus county/state employees. It was rife with fraud. The average person couldn't check for fraud by themselves as the counts were done usually in a back room.

The current method involves checking the counters before the voting starts. Checking the counters periodically during the day to make sure the total votes equal the number of voters through the door, and then again after the polls close.

Is it a good system? I'm not sure any system is "good". Other manufacturers of voting systems have lost their shirts when the equipment was tossed out. Diebold comes to mind. They may be still in it but they have had a ton of problems. Equipment not being secure, reboot buttons open to abuse, multiple votes being able to be cast by one voter.

But, still using XP boxes, pporly managed devices and methods are just plain stupid.

Mark 85

It may very well be a feature as ballot box stuffing is a time-honored tradition in many places in the States. Some have a large graveyard vote. Others, votes get changed. Votes get bought. In many ways, the computer age makes it easier.

APT group hacks cyber-spy gang in spy-on-spy pwnage

Mark 85

Spot on.. but I'd like to amend that to "according to any of the 5-eyes".

Mark 85
Devil

This might be a good thing....

Maybe they'll be so busy attacking each other that the rest of us will get left alone.

Nokia to take $6bn bath on Navteq following AlcaLuc purchase

Mark 85

Re: @Mark ... Most confusing

I might be wrong.. but I got what the article said: It also begs the question as to where Nokia's priorities lie with its telematics business, as it announced last May that it was re-entering the automotive telematics arena,

Would not mapping fall into that arena? The blackboxes for things like speed, mileage, where you were at the time of a crash... etc.?

To answer your question about which group, other than what the article said, I have no idea.

Mark 85

Most confusing

They're getting back into automotive telemetrics and also ditching the mapping. I would have thought the two go hand in hand?

Jawbone Up4 tapcash wristjob: Get BONKING with the latest sweaty hipster toy

Mark 85
Coat

That would require some surgery and a chip implant... not for the faint of heart. And there's the problem of bonking the machine at checkout. Might get you arrested in some parts of the world.

Yahoo! chief! Marissa! Mayer! stings! Bing! in! ad! bling! fling! win!

Mark 85

I can remember when...

Yahoo was search engine. And not a bad one either. Then they wandered off... bought egroups, did the member environment that was much like Orkut, MySpace, Facebook. I think they've lost their way.... A pity.

Yelp can protect critics in rough reviews row: Virginia yanks rug from under furious carpet biz

Mark 85

Re: Ever heard of "word of mouth"?

True. But a simple response from the business such as: "You are mistaken. We've never offered steaks as we're a vegetarian restaurant" would usually clear that up. Then again, Amazon books is loaded with fake reviews, reviews from friends/relatives of authors, etc. Reviews are purely one or more person(s) views on a given item. Since they're free, they're generally worth what you've paid for them.

We've all seen this... hardware/software reviews that go from damnation to high praise for the same product. The truth is usually in the middle and the discriminating buyer will understand this.

What's that THUD sound? It's your Lumia's best feature after unflashing Windows 10

Mark 85

I've seen this before..

It's the one where they never test in house but let the customers do the testing... much sadness usually follows. It's a stupid idea and it's brought companies who have done to bankruptcy. This crap should have been found in-house before letting Joe Tester find his phone is bricked.

LA schools want multi-million Apple refund after kids hack iPads

Mark 85

Re: once again

You probably know this, but we that are not in California have to remember that California is in the middle of a drought emergency for last couple of years and yet are draining down their reservoirs to the tune of trillions of gallons of water for..... wait for it..... ensuring the survival of a minnow that lives in the rivers and streams that's NOT on the endangered list.

I can see why there's large chunks of that state that want to secede and either for another state or join a bordering state. Some things go beyond the "not making any sense".

Mark 85

Re: So the kids have learned more than ...

So the kids have learned more than ... The suppliers

The suppliers (Apple, et al) made a profit!!!! Surely that counts.... The administrators probably didn't learn a thing.

Mark 85

What did they expect?

Seriously. Hand 100 kids a mechanical alarm clock and certain amount of the clocks will be lost. Another certain amount will be broken. Then there's the few that kids will take apart to see how it works and some of those will actually be put back together. I swear, those running education in this country are morons.

Miscreants rummage in lawyers' silky drawers at will, despite warnings

Mark 85

The mindset is atrocious.

It's not just lawyers. It also applies to doctors, accountants, and even law enforcement. There's just some professions that have either "I'm just a small business, why would they have an interest in me" or "They wouldn't dare try to look at my stuff" attitudes. These days, everyone is a target. Not just from the 5-eyes but from miscreats in every country.

Those of us in IT know that trust on the Internet has not just been damaged, it's badly broken. Yet there's way too many people who just stick their heads in the sand and ignore it. If you want to simplify it for them, discuss Facebook and privacy/security. Or even living in a bad neighborhood. Most of these groups of people have better physical security for their property then they do for their IT and that includes banking, data, even the IoT that they might own.

Ukraine conflict spilling over into cyber-crime, warns former spy boss

Mark 85

Is this really wise?

At some point, things may settle down and then the miscreants will go looking for new targets. Might it not be the very hand that is feeding it now? One should be careful when playing with rattlesnakes.

DRONE ALONE: US Navy secretary gives up on manned fighters

Mark 85

Re: All will be well then...

The new carriers are the "Ford" class.... even bigger.

Mark 85

All will be well then...

The F-35 “should be, and almost certainly will be, the last manned strike fighter aircraft the Department of the Navy will ever buy or fly.” Will it ever be operational? If not, there's the 'out' for the Navy. Now we just have to figure out what to do with 10 new carriers that have been ordered.

Stateside security screeners sacked for squeezing 'sexy' sacks

Mark 85

Re: hang on

Indeed. As I recall there were questions about this very thing in front of Congress who was told that the screeners were as above reproach as the Congress Critters are. Which means this couldn't have happened.. oh wait.

Comet 67P found to be COMPLETELY UNATTRACTIVE

Mark 85

Re: Bounce or no bounce

I quite agree. Plus the lander already performed the science they were hoping for. If it comes back alive, any science it can do will be a bonus.

I'm still irritated by the common media calling this a "failure" much like SpaceX's landing efforts. Even a "failure" is valuable but to call it a lesson or a learning experience doesn't sell papers.

Target settles with MasterCard for US$19 million

Mark 85
Thumb Down

It's a sad statement...

They will give twice as much money to MasterCard for “alternative recovery offers …" to the card issuers (banks) than to the folks affected by this breach.

Oh.. they will probably spend a whole lot more money than what they offered on lawyers fighting claims from the banks (card issuers) and probably (former) customers.

I wonder how much they've spent on improving their security?

Revealed: The AMAZING technology behind Apple's $1299 Retina MacBooks – a lot of glue

Mark 85

Re: Well duh!

I see your point, but battery life and replacement is an issue, for one. In my experience, companies are running to the extreme due to costs. Not just hardware but the labor involved. Instead of a 3 or 4 year replacement cycle, they're stretching it out. Individuals I know are keeping their equipment also. For example, I knew several dozen who are still running XP boxes (I know, not Apple) that have been upgraded and repaired. But they may be in the minority.

To address your last paragraph.... are you suggesting that this machine will never need repair or even a battery in it's lifetime?

Mark 85

Well duh!

the hard-to-access models discourage users from upgrading their systems and help contribute to waste by forcing old or damaged kit to be thrown out.

Planned obsolescence at it's best then? Which equals more sales and more profit. It also flies in the face of the concept of "green" in that when something breaks, dustbin instead of repair it.

NASA probe sent to faraway planet finds DWARF world instead: Pics

Mark 85

Re: Clyde Tombaugh

True, but a bit of ashes are on board. I salute him on his journey.

Oracle grunts, grimaces, pushes out 98-flaw security patch batch

Mark 85

Re: More bloatware...

Oh yeah... it's there. Almost well-hidden too. This was on a customer machine that I'm not supposed to change settings per the IT department. A little contracting opens ones eyes to some lax practices.

Mark 85

More bloatware...

Just ran the Java Update and once again they tried to foist Ask.com toolbox and default search. I really wish these things were banned. If I wanted Ask.com's toolbar and search, I would go look for it. Then there's the non-IT types. Worked on PC recently that had every damn toolbar known to man... and 3 different AV's. All came from "updates". Not just Java, but Flash and couple of others that the user couldn't remember. <sigh>

Cram my freebies into Android phones and get a royalty discount, says Microsoft (allegedly)

Mark 85
Unhappy

Same old MS, different platform.

Reminds of the similar stunts they pulled on the early PC builders. Different stunts, true. But still ends up with MS stuff on everything that will run it.

Cisco boss Chambers: It's our fault H-1B visa shakeup is struggling

Mark 85

Eventually, someone at the top will get it.

1) Tossing bodies at a project will not mean the project will be done a) right and b) on time.

2) Short term profits over long term goals is a stupid thing.

3) Temporary people have no vested interest in the company. They're there to do something even it's not right. Only a long term employee who has the vested interest will do it right.

4) Cheap in... cheap out. Your customers will know the difference even if you don't.

'Arkansas cops tried to hack me with malware-ridden hard drive'

Mark 85

Probably "first time it's been reported" I would imagine. Seems whistleblowers are not treated well anywhere in the States even though there are protection laws.

I've nothing to back that up other than what I've read over the last 30 years or so in the news.

SPB brews up fetching beer + bacon t-shirt design

Mark 85

Re: And people wonder why males drop dead before their females

Alcohol usually leads to "Hey everyone! Watch this!!!" Followed by an ambulance. Bacon leads to yumminess. Little correlation between bacon and cirrhosis except anecdotal that I can see with a quick Google.

Segway bought by former patent spat adversary Ninebot

Mark 85

Re: The segway always was a solution looking for a problem

They also work well if you have a mobility disability and are in a place with a lot of walking, such as an amusement park. Less bulky than wheelchair and the rider is standing up so they can see what others see. My wife is a candidate and a fan (we don't own one) since she has an artificial leg and it got her about a park last year. She had a ball without the inconvenience of sitting below everyone else in a wheelchair.

I can see the cops and security types.... but not much else. Though there are places that rent them and have "Segway Tours" which are like a walking tour but using Segways. Works well for older folks with hip and knee problems.

Mark 85
Coat

Re: I must be missing something

dancer, Fred Astaire."

I think you'll find it was just Rhyming Slangas used in the UK rather than a metaphor. Upstairs -> Fred Astaire (Like Curry -> Ruby Murray).

Nope.. not Ryming Slang at all. Just a play on words. Fred Astaire --> Fred Upstairs. Ginger because Ginger Rogers was his favored dancing partner in the movies. Which goes to the old joke: Who was the better dancer.. Ginger or Fred? Why Ginger of course. She did everything Fred did but did it backwards.

I'll get me coat....

Health apps and wearables make you nervous, not fit, say boffins

Mark 85

Meh...time to wax philosophical.

We live. We die. No one gets out of this life alive. <clichés but true ones> We know that sooner or later we will die. I, for one, don't want the stress of constant monitoring. I'll enjoy every day and hopefully will be enjoying the last one also. It just seems that that there's too much worry over "am I well?", "something could kill me"... etc. including disease, terrorism, accidents, cancer,.. you name it. Enjoy today. Tomorrow is anyone's guess.

Yes, I'm being simplistic but I've earned it. Spent my time in combat and facing death or serious injury gives you a whole new perspective on life and priorities.

NASA to put the stars in your hands with coming-soon-now API portal

Mark 85
Meh

At least the API won't find itself in trouble with the law for doing stupid things.... nor will it have swarms of teeny-boppers and teeny-bopper-wannabees swarming and screaming. What a world we live in.

Easy ... easy ... Aw CRAP! SpaceX rocket ALMOST lands on ocean hoverbase

Mark 85

Re: Meh

You seem to be pushing for the Pogo landing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convair_XFY_Pogo) or similar. While not a bad idea, this has a lot of issues unto itself. One of the things that would add to complexity of the landing is the support structure and even the cabling itself. As I recall, one of the bigger problems with the concept was getting the hover time to effect such a landing. Hovering is a fuel sucker.

Mark 85

A very well done

A successful launch and an almost successful landing. Appears to be some minor bugs in the landing.... lateral speed in this case, but rocketry isn't easy. The important thing is the resupply mission is going well.

I'm tad bit disgusted by some the trolls on Musk's Twitter feed and even the news media reporting the landing as a "failiure". No failure at all in my opinion. Crashing is part of testing. The mere fact they can even hit the barge is success. I'm hoping they can get a couple of landings on the barge in an upright position. It won't matter if the wind and waves knock it over after that but maybe NASA and the FAA will let them go for land instead of the barge then.

I won't even go into the whining idiots who were pissed (American "pissed" not British "pissed") that there was no HD live video of the landing. Sheeesh...

Incomprehensible boffins bring quantum computers a step closer

Mark 85

Re: We are now one step closer

That will only work if you can turn the knob all the way to "11".....

European Parliament mulls law on use of blood metal in tech

Mark 85

Another round of law-making going around again.

I'm guessing election season is getting near all around the world... The old "let's pass a law and make everyone feel good about voting us back in" ploy. yeah... I'm repeating myself...

What would have stopped TV5Monde hack? Yup, MOAR LAWS

Mark 85

Been a lot of this lately...

I'm guessing election season is getting near all around the world... The old "let's pass a law and make everyone feel good about voting us back in" ploy.

Bloke hits armadillo AND mother-in-law with single 9mm round

Mark 85

Re: When the day is dawning

For a more better country song.. add something about pickup trucks, rain, and prison. Yeee-hah!!!1

Mark 85

Re: maths [was: Erm...]

Nope... it's like a camera phone, point and shoot... I don't recommend selfies with a 9mm though.

Aussie priest BLESSES an APP – and the sacred iPad it runs on

Mark 85

As long as there are stops marked for <cough> sacramental <cough> wine and/or beer, all will be well and maybe fun... I do wonder if the good vicar took the tour.

US hospital boffins demo cancer-busting smartphone kit

Mark 85

<cynic on>$1.80 per assay? So the doctor who takes the sample, takes his cut to pay for the smartphone and his overhead. Add $200. The lab will add on a tidy profit plus the cost of the IT equipment and personal... add another $200. The insurance company will be billed for 1.5 times that since they never pay full-price. $1.80 per assay you say? Yeah.. right. <cynic off>

On the less cynical side, this can be a good thing. Especially if the volume lets the price (to the consumer or insurance company) drop. Being "new", insurance companies will probably tag it as "experimental" and not cover any of it. But it becomes affordable even without the insurance company paying, it will be very beneficial for those who might go undiagnosed.

Verizon to world: STOP opening dodgy phishing emails, FOOLS

Mark 85

Re: BS

Ah... yeah. It's sure-fire crap from the PR department. It's never about the perp or the carrier who could stop the perp. It's all about the stupid schmuck who opens the emails, visits the dodgy websites... uh-huh... right. It's just not Verizon either. It seems to be all of them. It could be stopped if only the carriers would participate in stopping all this crap. Yeah.. that would cost some money to follow up and possibly banish a paying customer.

Welcome to the FUTURE: Maine cops pay Bitcoin ransom to end office hostage drama

Mark 85

Re: $300

By keeping the dollar value low, it doesn't keep them off the radar, it keeps them under the prosecution level. In most places $300 is barely a felony much less Grand Theft. To track down the perpetrators would involve money on the police side. Then to extradite would cost a small fortune. Unless the Feds get involved, there's no way a small town or even some bigger towns would have the expertise or the funding to go after these guys/gals.

Yeah.. it's a crock. The perps should be drug out of hiding and strung by their ankles from the highest yardarm, tree, or lamppost.

HOT HOVERSHIP-ON-HOVERSHIP ACTION: SpaceX ready for barge boing

Mark 85

When they first built it, it was also out in the middle of no where... swampland and beaches... just in case. Didn't take long to become a major employer and a vacation destination.

NSA: 'Back doors are a bad idea, give us a FRONT door key'

Mark 85

Re: A lot of truisms in this thread

Nice summation. Have an upvote. At some point, even us tired, cynical, old gits will just give up and toss our keys to whatever kingdom we have and say.. "it's yours. Have a ball." Then quietly pack our bag, turn off the lights and go fishing in a quiet stream.

Activist investor Jana Partners calls for Qualcomm break-up

Mark 85

I'm of the belief that "activist investors" have only one thing in mind: "profit for themselves and to hell with everyone and everything else". It really should be open season on these leeches... maybe give them a sporting chance and limit hunting gear to a 12-gauge....

Self preservation is AWS security's biggest worry, says gros fromage

Mark 85

Re: Groundhog Day

Or, also like in the movie, he's happily doing his job until the point where he finds one of his customers has opened a portal to hell in their [fridge/webapp].

Different movie.. you're thinking Ghostbusters for this.

National Grid's new designer pylon is 'too white and boring' – Pylon Appreciation Society

Mark 85

FFS...

It's a power pylon not a work of art. Those snatches of quotes from the article seem to be from those who profited (cash or prestige) from the design process.