July 31, 2009
12:26 pm
Of iPhones and Hype
One of the big news-of-the-moment stories this week was the SMS vulnerability identified in the iPhone. If you watched the news, listened to tech pundits, or read tech blogs you'd likely think that this was a huge security flaw in an Apple product, a brand generally not tarnished by viruses and the like.
The truth is, this vulnerability exists in pretty much all phones using the GSM system. I think the main difference is the severity of the vulnerability in various phone operating systems — by all accounts, exploiting the vulnerability in some phones will simply cause a malfunction, but in the iPhone it could lead to worse consequences.
Apple released an update today that fixes this vulnerability. One wonders what took them so long since it seems they were made aware of it a month ago; but one also wonders why other manufacturers are not being taken to task in an equally vociferous way. For instance, Windows Mobile phones are also vulnerable and Microsoft hasn't released a fix. But there was nary a mention of this in the breathless news reports.
Apple means eyeballs.
For instance: Greenpeace, an organization that seems more interested in gaining publicity about saving the environment than actually doing it, issues regular press releases in which they lambast Apple for not making laptops out of compost and organic switchgrass. Yet one never sees such campaigns against other laptop manufacturers, whose products are dirtier than Apple's. That's because no one is interested in a headline about the environmental credentials of Dell.
Same goes for the iPhone. An SMS exploit in some Nokia phone is not going to interest local news, but the worldwide best-selling iPhone? Now, THAT'S news.
One last thing that people seem to take for granted these days: I've had lots and lots of phones over the years, from simple to smartphones, and the iPhone is the first one that was regularly updated — in fact, in my experience it's the only phone that gets updated at all. Even when I had a Blackberry and a Trio, they were not updated without reading about an update on a forum and performing some technical jiggerypokery to reflash the firmware.
The iPhone just updates when you plug it in to sync. Simple.
What better way to keep it secure? How are you gonna update your Nokia to close this latest security hole? Take it to the AT&T store?
One of the big news-of-the-moment stories this week was the SMS vulnerability identified in the iPhone. If you watched the news, listened to tech pundits, or read tech blogs you'd likely think that this was a huge security flaw in an Apple product, a brand generally not tarnished by viruses and the like.
The truth is, this vulnerability exists in pretty much all phones using the GSM system. I think the main difference is the severity of the vulnerability in various phone operating systems — by all accounts, exploiting the vulnerability in some phones will simply cause a malfunction, but in the iPhone it could lead to worse consequences.
Apple released an update today that fixes this vulnerability. One wonders what took them so long since it seems they were made aware of it a month ago; but one also wonders why other manufacturers are not being taken to task in an equally vociferous way. For instance, Windows Mobile phones are also vulnerable and Microsoft hasn't released a fix. But there was nary a mention of this in the breathless news reports.
Apple means eyeballs.
For instance: Greenpeace, an organization that seems more interested in gaining publicity about saving the environment than actually doing it, issues regular press releases in which they lambast Apple for not making laptops out of compost and organic switchgrass. Yet one never sees such campaigns against other laptop manufacturers, whose products are dirtier than Apple's. That's because no one is interested in a headline about the environmental credentials of Dell.
Same goes for the iPhone. An SMS exploit in some Nokia phone is not going to interest local news, but the worldwide best-selling iPhone? Now, THAT'S news.
One last thing that people seem to take for granted these days: I've had lots and lots of phones over the years, from simple to smartphones, and the iPhone is the first one that was regularly updated — in fact, in my experience it's the only phone that gets updated at all. Even when I had a Blackberry and a Trio, they were not updated without reading about an update on a forum and performing some technical jiggerypokery to reflash the firmware.
The iPhone just updates when you plug it in to sync. Simple.
What better way to keep it secure? How are you gonna update your Nokia to close this latest security hole? Take it to the AT&T store?
July 24, 2009
08:57 am
You know what sucks?
Coming to the realization that someone you talked to, oh, once a month or every couple of weeks or so... is gone and you will never, ever be able to speak to that person ever again in your entire life.
It happens all the time, of course, and there are plenty of instances of this in my life. And yet, every time one comes to this realization it is unceasingly weird.
Sadly, it's time to remove yet another contact from my mobile phone, the modern equivalent of crossing out someone in the old address book beside the phone. One of those steps in moving on.
Coming to the realization that someone you talked to, oh, once a month or every couple of weeks or so... is gone and you will never, ever be able to speak to that person ever again in your entire life.
It happens all the time, of course, and there are plenty of instances of this in my life. And yet, every time one comes to this realization it is unceasingly weird.
Sadly, it's time to remove yet another contact from my mobile phone, the modern equivalent of crossing out someone in the old address book beside the phone. One of those steps in moving on.
July 22, 2009
02:01 pm
Under the bridge
Remember the days when you could read, say, the newspaper without puerile commentary from some jerk? Those days are long over. Newspaper websites are gleefully opening every story to anonymous idiots. As I begin reading a thread, it's only a matter of time until someone inserts some stupid, obscene, or obnoxious comment and ruins the potential for discussion. What do we call this, the moment when a troll appears and ruins everything? We need a term, like jumping the shark. Here's my suggestion:
Going under the bridge.
Some examples:
In an SF Chronicle story about a Muni crash, we went under the bridge with this comment:
In a story about a Chinese worker committing suicide after losing an iPhone prototype, we slipped under the bridge at comment #15:
And in a story about the right-wing delusion that Obama was not born in the US, it was this one... well, all of them, actually.
Once a thread has gone under the bridge, there's no use in reading further. Just close the page and move on.
Remember the days when you could read, say, the newspaper without puerile commentary from some jerk? Those days are long over. Newspaper websites are gleefully opening every story to anonymous idiots. As I begin reading a thread, it's only a matter of time until someone inserts some stupid, obscene, or obnoxious comment and ruins the potential for discussion. What do we call this, the moment when a troll appears and ruins everything? We need a term, like jumping the shark. Here's my suggestion:
Going under the bridge.
Some examples:
In an SF Chronicle story about a Muni crash, we went under the bridge with this comment:
what you dont see is all the losers jumping ON the train after it happened them calling out "my neck my neck" and being carried off by stretcher so they can collect from muni!
In a story about a Chinese worker committing suicide after losing an iPhone prototype, we slipped under the bridge at comment #15:
He didn't jump. Steve Jobs flew to China direct to personally throw him out the window.
And in a story about the right-wing delusion that Obama was not born in the US, it was this one... well, all of them, actually.
Once a thread has gone under the bridge, there's no use in reading further. Just close the page and move on.
July 16, 2009
10:14 am
July 13, 2009
09:34 am
You’ve gotta be kidding
I don't know who is in charge of classifying stories at the San Jose Mercury News, but they're in need of a little common sense and sensitivity.
Their new "You've Gotta Be Kidding" section of weird news contains these stories today:
Okay, some of these are a little wacky. But here's the problem: they also include these stories as worthy of a chuckle:
I don't know about you, but I don't really think murder and sexual abuse are subjects to laugh about.
I don't know who is in charge of classifying stories at the San Jose Mercury News, but they're in need of a little common sense and sensitivity.
Their new "You've Gotta Be Kidding" section of weird news contains these stories today:
Toy-gun robber foiled by bat-wielding store worker in Alabama
BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Authorities in south Alabama say a gas station employee used a cricket bat to chase away a would-be robber who brandished a toy gun.
- Cops say bank robber flagged down undercover officer to escape
- West Virginia woman wins 9th lottery prize; five with instant tickets
- Researchers looking for 3-foot, spitting worm under Northwest fields
- Lust leads to drug bust
- Prankster uses gas leak ruse to get couple to trash their hotel room
- Southern California woman accused of biting off teen's finger
- Orchestra plays live 'Lone Ranger' theme song at English horse race
- 2-year-old Pennsylvania toddler hides so well, police called to seek her
- Connecticut cops: Man went naked to dental appointment
Okay, some of these are a little wacky. But here's the problem: they also include these stories as worthy of a chuckle:
- Los Angeles man shot dead the day before 20th anniversary of dad's murder
- Body of high-rise cleaning woman found bound and gagged with gold crucifix taped to mouth
- Cops: Cleaning woman who vanished from high-rise office may be in the trash
- Fundraiser says university officials tried to make her a sexual 'plaything' for big donors
- Idaho woman accused of having sex with 14-year-old she was hired to watch
- Cops: For years man confined stepson to bedroom for sex
- Man dies after falling into vat of chocolate in New Jersey
I don't know about you, but I don't really think murder and sexual abuse are subjects to laugh about.
July 07, 2009
05:17 pm
Bravo Bugs Me
Dear Bravo:
You suck.
Love,
Gene
Dear Bravo:
You suck.
Love,
Gene
02:05 pm
That’s Entertainment
Am I the only one who finds the Entertainment category here a little disturbing?
Am I the only one who finds the Entertainment category here a little disturbing?
July 06, 2009
03:51 pm
All About Marcia
My friend Marcia is sassy... takes no prisoners... tells it like it is — but with wit... is stylish and fastidious... is beautiful inside and out... loves a good laugh and a good margarita...
and is hands down the most courageous, strong, and stubborn person I know.
I love her, I miss her, and the world will be a less colorful place when she leaves it. And I have been crying all day, because it may be very soon.
Marcia passed away the night of July 12, 2009 with friends around her. From 3,000 miles away, I wish I could have been there with her.
Knowing Marcia was a hoot and a privilege. I first knew her as a good-natured co-worker; after years of her struggle I knew her as perhaps the strongest, most incredible person I have ever met.
My friend Marcia is sassy... takes no prisoners... tells it like it is — but with wit... is stylish and fastidious... is beautiful inside and out... loves a good laugh and a good margarita...
and is hands down the most courageous, strong, and stubborn person I know.
I love her, I miss her, and the world will be a less colorful place when she leaves it. And I have been crying all day, because it may be very soon.
Marcia passed away the night of July 12, 2009 with friends around her. From 3,000 miles away, I wish I could have been there with her.
Knowing Marcia was a hoot and a privilege. I first knew her as a good-natured co-worker; after years of her struggle I knew her as perhaps the strongest, most incredible person I have ever met.
June 30, 2009
11:15 am
If only God were on Facebook
June 28, 2009
10:02 am
Stages of grief, step three: profit
Billboard Magazine reports that yet another faction of the Michael Jackson hangers-on is advocating for a burial at Neverland, Jackson's Disneyland-knockoff ranch. The thought is that it could become another Graceland, a shrine.
Michael Jackson was a talented young man who was exploited shamelessly by an industry and a family who sought fame and fortune. The sad truth is that the man became a freak show. Spurred on by the lack of a normal childhood he retreated into a bizarre parody of childhood, acting as any 12 year old would with unlimited funds to spend. And as long as he brought in the cash, he was manipulated by those around him.
Now that he is dead, these same people are contemplating the opportunity his death provided - to exploit him in perpetuity without the messiness of the actual man and what further oddities he might have presented.
I truly believe that the people around Michael Jackson exploited him, squeezed him dry, and ruined his life. Now they want to ruin his death.
Just for once, leave him in peace.
Billboard Magazine reports that yet another faction of the Michael Jackson hangers-on is advocating for a burial at Neverland, Jackson's Disneyland-knockoff ranch. The thought is that it could become another Graceland, a shrine.
Michael Jackson was a talented young man who was exploited shamelessly by an industry and a family who sought fame and fortune. The sad truth is that the man became a freak show. Spurred on by the lack of a normal childhood he retreated into a bizarre parody of childhood, acting as any 12 year old would with unlimited funds to spend. And as long as he brought in the cash, he was manipulated by those around him.
Now that he is dead, these same people are contemplating the opportunity his death provided - to exploit him in perpetuity without the messiness of the actual man and what further oddities he might have presented.
I truly believe that the people around Michael Jackson exploited him, squeezed him dry, and ruined his life. Now they want to ruin his death.
Just for once, leave him in peace.
June 26, 2009
12:48 pm
The Carpal Tunnel Tax
The next time some PC apologist claims that there's an "Apple Tax", you can point out that purchasing a Mac means you don't have outrageous surgery bills resulting from the design of your laptop. Case in point: take a look at my MacBook Pro's wrist rest:
... and that of a Sony Vaio.
The only way this could have been made less inviting and more annoying is if the entire case were covered with quills.
The next time some PC apologist claims that there's an "Apple Tax", you can point out that purchasing a Mac means you don't have outrageous surgery bills resulting from the design of your laptop. Case in point: take a look at my MacBook Pro's wrist rest:
... and that of a Sony Vaio.
The only way this could have been made less inviting and more annoying is if the entire case were covered with quills.
June 25, 2009
07:39 pm
June 06, 2009
10:17 am
Mash-up Mania
Two more mash-ups that I did when I should have been working.
Two more mash-ups that I did when I should have been working.
June 04, 2009
07:45 am
You know what Big Hands mean
Here's the new Palm Prē, the next iPhone killer.
1: I can't understand why hardware companies can't wrap their mind around design. This phone looks like it came in off the 1993 bus. The internet is filled with amateur artists creating very cool and modern phone concepts, why can't corporations take a spin around the web then maybe hire a decent industrial designer? The iPhone came out two years ago and still looks 10 years ahead of this.
2: Before the iPhone hit stores, pundits claimed that a phone without a physical keyboard was ridiculous, that it would never work, that no one would accept it. Now the iPhone is a smash hit and you don't hear anyone complaining about the screen-based keyboard. So, with a couple years of insight, what did Palm's Apple-veteran engineers do? You know, the engineers they hired away from Apple who claim that they are uniquely positioned to compete with Apple 'cos they worked with Steve Jobs? Well, surprise, surprise: they created yet another slide-out, plastic keyboard.
3. People are all excited about the fact that this phone runs apps based on HTML, CSS and Javascript — you know, webapps. Funny, when the iPhone came out that's how it ran apps as well, and people were pissed off about it. Now that the iPhone runs both webapps and compiled apps, people give Palm'scrippled selection of apps a thumbs up. Weird. [John Gruber points out the difference here: Palm's "webapps" not only run on the phone without having to be web-based, they also take advantage of APIs into the WebOS that Apple's implementation doesn't allow. Whether this is a security nightmare about to be unleashed or not is left up to the reader to decide.]
4: Maybe Engadget has giants on their review staff. Maybe the camera is foreshortening. Or maybe Palm is so used to touch screens that require a tiny, easy-to-lose stylus that they forgot to measure typical fingers. Seriously, look at the size of that keyboard. Look at the size of that touchscreen. Can you imagine trying to target your big fat finger on this device?
Oh, and just a tip to the marketing team: naming the device using a diacritical — the Palm Prē — means that 99.9% of reviewers won't properly name your device. Who the hell knows where the ē is on a keyboard? Intercaps like iPhone can be typed on any keyboard without thinking. If you're gonna use a symbol or diacritical, stop right now. Don't bother. No one else will.
Here's the new Palm Prē, the next iPhone killer.
1: I can't understand why hardware companies can't wrap their mind around design. This phone looks like it came in off the 1993 bus. The internet is filled with amateur artists creating very cool and modern phone concepts, why can't corporations take a spin around the web then maybe hire a decent industrial designer? The iPhone came out two years ago and still looks 10 years ahead of this.
2: Before the iPhone hit stores, pundits claimed that a phone without a physical keyboard was ridiculous, that it would never work, that no one would accept it. Now the iPhone is a smash hit and you don't hear anyone complaining about the screen-based keyboard. So, with a couple years of insight, what did Palm's Apple-veteran engineers do? You know, the engineers they hired away from Apple who claim that they are uniquely positioned to compete with Apple 'cos they worked with Steve Jobs? Well, surprise, surprise: they created yet another slide-out, plastic keyboard.
3. People are all excited about the fact that this phone runs apps based on HTML, CSS and Javascript — you know, webapps. Funny, when the iPhone came out that's how it ran apps as well, and people were pissed off about it. Now that the iPhone runs both webapps and compiled apps, people give Palm's
4: Maybe Engadget has giants on their review staff. Maybe the camera is foreshortening. Or maybe Palm is so used to touch screens that require a tiny, easy-to-lose stylus that they forgot to measure typical fingers. Seriously, look at the size of that keyboard. Look at the size of that touchscreen. Can you imagine trying to target your big fat finger on this device?
Oh, and just a tip to the marketing team: naming the device using a diacritical — the Palm Prē — means that 99.9% of reviewers won't properly name your device. Who the hell knows where the ē is on a keyboard? Intercaps like iPhone can be typed on any keyboard without thinking. If you're gonna use a symbol or diacritical, stop right now. Don't bother. No one else will.
June 03, 2009
02:30 pm
Golly, why didn’t I think of that?
The New York Times sez:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but... isn't that just answering the "I don't have health insurance" problem with a cheeky "Well, go get some?"
This is like requiring people to have food and forcing them to have a home. Except, of course, for those who cannot afford it.
Brilliant! All we need is a sticky note that says "get health insurance today or else!"
This will solve everything.
And it's not punitive, oh no. If you can't afford coverage... or work for a small business... then, well, no one will force you to have any of that pesky health coverage.
In other words, just like right now.
Oh, and I suppose it just never occurred to Congress that requiring employers to offer health coverage is pretty ineffectual when it comes to the people who need it most: those who don't have an employer.
The New York Times sez:
President Obama said that he was receptive to Congressional proposals to require every American to have health insurance and would make employers offer it, but he said there should be exemptions for people who cannot afford coverage and for small businesses.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but... isn't that just answering the "I don't have health insurance" problem with a cheeky "Well, go get some?"
This is like requiring people to have food and forcing them to have a home. Except, of course, for those who cannot afford it.
Brilliant! All we need is a sticky note that says "get health insurance today or else!"
This will solve everything.
And it's not punitive, oh no. If you can't afford coverage... or work for a small business... then, well, no one will force you to have any of that pesky health coverage.
In other words, just like right now.
Oh, and I suppose it just never occurred to Congress that requiring employers to offer health coverage is pretty ineffectual when it comes to the people who need it most: those who don't have an employer.
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