Slashdot Mirror

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/07/a-pound-of-flesh-how-ciscos-unmitigated-gall-derailed-one-mans-life.ars

Why, back in my day passing the bar was an effectively unfettered license to intimidate and extort practically anybody who couldn't afford the services of my colleagues.

You laugh, but from the wife of Charles Carreon, the guy suing The Oatmeal:

"What kind of connections does someone have in the world to be this arrogant towards a lawyer?" she asked. "Think about it. Inman is WELL-CONNECTED! To me, that just means one thing: mafia."

Can you believe the nerve of a peasant not to kowtow to a lawyer? Unthinkable!

Perhaps Samsung should sell the German version, the Galaxy Tab 10.1N which passed the 'think different' test in German courts.

Why not both? Or if one wants to go with a Roku-like? box.

Well, pathological cases should be a real concern if the user has some control over the input and the server or other clients are doing the hashing. As for big-O analysis for various cases, that is technically true in the mathematical sense, but it's almost always understood (unless explicitly stated) in computer science terms (and I really have to presume, that's the sense the Google interviewer meant) to be a worse case scenario, precisely because there's a general interest in using a stated algorithm in all sorts of locations, including possible hostile ones.

And, yes, sure, there's plenty of reason to want to know the average case in a specific application where you're sanitizing the input or the harm is self-inflictable only while the benefits can be substantial. Nor do I think using hashes are a bad idea as a general point in a lot of applications. But if the issue were raised about hashed tables not being O(1) in most operations, I would recognize the inherent truth to it and instead likely argue more the point that, as you said, while it might not be technically O(1), for the specific application I don't see there being a need to be concerned about the pathological case, while then further trying to avoid using the hash table since it's obviously not what they were after. :)

One of the Google interviews disagreed with me that a Java HashSet was not Big O(1) for the contains() method when I wrote out my sample code. I pointed out (very kindly) that I believe HashSet is backed by HashMap in Java, which is constant time. He said he didn't think that was true

HashSet/HashMap (and hash tables in general) is O(1) in the average case, but O(n) worst case. Sometimes these things matter, especially when you're dealing with data that crosses the security boundary - if your program stuffs user input into a hash table, an attacker can DoS it by feeding it carefully crafted input such that all keys end up in the same bucket.

This hasnt been proven beyond reasonable doubt.

It's been quite proven,
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/06/confirmed-us-israel-created-stuxnet-lost-control-of-it/

If anyone's want to know exactly what went down at the press conference without being fed a heavy dose of cynicism, you could always check out ArsTechnica's liveblog and post-event coverage: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/06/liveblog-from-la-microsofts-major-announcement-rumored-tablet-unveil/

Slashdot's reaction to the Surface has been a mixture of amusing and frustrating. The reaction was immediately: "Surface is complete garbage. Horrible fail. After all, Microsoft never makes anything good." A few days later after some of the announced features of Surface disseminated the reaction changed to: "Utter vaporware. Never coming out. After all, Microsoft could never make something like that. They must be lying." Never in my life have I seen a piece of unreleased hardware declared vaporware in mere days of it's announcement. Never. Microsoft must've really touched a nerve with some people.

Slashdots response has been discussion...as always. As for Ars Techinca I believe they have closed their open source section :). I fail to see what is wrong with being surprised that Microsoft is making its first computer ever!? They have always made money from the software and not from the hardware, and have had Fall guys to test the water "Play for Sure - partners" or "Nokia"...and even then not computers, nothing to challenge its bread and butter of OS+Office, and No the Xbox doesn't count....but your wrong this is still vaporware; Where can I buy this product? Lets face it even journalist are not even allowed to use it.

Personally I believe many who advocate open source Os's are feeling a little like Winston Churchill when Pearl Harbour was attacked "So we have won after all!"

Seriously other than some really nasty anti-competitive tricks involving locking the OS to the hardware. I cannot see a downside, and that was already happening...its less likely to happen now. There is little to no threat to Linux based tablets[Google allegedly pricing their tablet at $200] where its best chance to win, is from bottom up. Microsoft have chosen to Directly take on Apple[their only option with x86] in the computer market for the first time in 20 years, rather than to continue to exist in a safe but shrinking duopoly, With a high end; High margin product; Using Brand Power[its like Mexican wrestling]. While giving a whole host of hardware manufactures including Nokia;"Barnes and Noble", Beige box manufactures waiting for windows 8 chance to re-evaluate their now weak strategy; being denied that a piece of that sweet early adopter high margin action after being stabbed in the back. Who here sympathises with these companies, hell these companies probably have a whole host of hardware IP ready to attack Microsoft with, most of them should have a "what will happen when Microsoft screw us over" package...or a button...or a bloke in a bowler hat. I suspect these hardware companies are suddenly going to an gain a healthy interest in software, and Open source is the best way to get to a working solution quickly. Personally I'd be installing libreoffice on all my current Windows 7 offerings, With dualboot into Company themed Debian based distro just for badness. They simply have no other choice, they need to adapt just like Microsoft have.

Personally I think computing is getting exciting again. Thanks to Microsoft being a backstabbing dick.

It would have been the perfect storm for MI6.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2012/06/the-seven-highly-productive-habits-of-alan-turing/
Would the 1933 letter "Anti-War Council. "Politically rather communist. Its programme is principally to organize strikes amongst munitions and chemical workers when government intends to go to war."" point to a group of UK gov interest?
Years later after ww2 would members be of interest again?
A man packed with the real history of ww2 travelling around Europe chatting with new friends ....
His skill where no longer vital but what he could pass on would have been of some interest to Russia.

If anyone's want to know exactly what went down at the press conference without being fed a heavy dose of cynicism, you could always check out ArsTechnica's liveblog and post-event coverage: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/06/liveblog-from-la-microsofts-major-announcement-rumored-tablet-unveil/

Slashdot's reaction to the Surface has been a mixture of amusing and frustrating. The reaction was immediately: "Surface is complete garbage. Horrible fail. After all, Microsoft never makes anything good." A few days later after some of the announced features of Surface disseminated the reaction changed to: "Utter vaporware. Never coming out. After all, Microsoft could never make something like that. They must be lying." Never in my life have I seen a piece of unreleased hardware declared vaporware in mere days of it's announcement. Never. Microsoft must've really touched a nerve with some people.

> Wow, you're basically the only Non-AC guy who mentions Zune.
Thanks. Not sure why people seem to leave out important details like that. I'm not a fanboy of either Microsoft or Apple so I try to understand the success AND mistakes of BOTH companies to better understand them.

> Apple crushed the phone market with the iPhone
But why did it take Apple to show the world that phones don't have to suck? ;-)

Bringing this back on topic to the tablet for a minute:

There is a reason why a pencil + pad is the number one creative tool in the world. Simplicity + nothing to get in the way!

Looks like Microsoft had a chance to bring about a digital version but since they care only about one thing: profit, aka no cannibalization, it had to be killed. Customer demand and Innovation be damned if it cuts into their existing products. Apple on the other hand sees devices _augmenting_ their revenue, products, and platforms.

Their tablet 'Courier' was killed because it had no email (?!?!) "Gates' response by explaining that Microsoft makes billions from Exchange, and so a product with no e-mail is a problemâ"a machine that doesn't do e-mail isn't going to help shift Exchange licenses."

Now granted a tablet without email probably would of died anyways, but why was this even considered in the first place. "Hey guys! Let's ship a tablet -- but it won't let people to be able to communicate with others." WTF?

See: http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2011/11/killing-courier-the-right-decision-maybe-not-the-right-reasons/

> This feels like a Bet the Farm move.
Yup, I would agree with that assessment.

For some real fun, look at how many people are in the Microsoft Store vs the Apple Store. It is "cool/hipster" and fun to be in an Apple store. I don't see too many people "bragging" to their friends that they went to the MS store. One almost feels sad for MS. They try so hard and yet fail so bad.

Microsoft doesn't just understand "sexy marketing", sorry, branding, the way Apple doe, mainly because, aside from the XBox 360, their products are perceived as being BORING.

About the only thing Microsoft invented was MS Bob and Windows NT Almost every other software product they originally bought off a 3rd company and slapped their name on it.
Internet Explorer .. Spyglass Mosaic
Direct3D .. RenderMorphics

Microsoft is always late to the party. They are just another "me too" company.
i.e.
http://www.dwheeler.com/innovation/microsoft.html

> Remind me to look up the news 4 years from now when the fake urgency wears off.
Yup, will be interesting in a few years that's for sure! Especially the upcoming ARM & Intel fight, and Intel vs nVdia & ATI/AMD !

Will MS be able to re-invent itself? IBM was sort of forced too at one point. MS is exactly in the same position as IBM was.

One thing MS could do to reverse their negative image would be to stop fucking consumers over by gouging them $100+ for their OS and charge a reasonable $20 - $40. OK, so OSX isn't that cheap but you get the point.

Sorry, didn't mean to go on for so long but damn, you raised a nice point and got me thinking. ;-)

Read between the lines people...

Iran says that it has detected a "plan"

Based on obtained information, America and the Zionist regime (Israel) along with the MI6 planned an operation to launch a massive cyber attack against Iran's facilities... They still seek to carry out the plan, but we have taken necessary measures.

Doesn't that sound just like a story justifying a TSA? We have detected a terrorist threat, but we have taken the necessary measures... Meanwhile, iran has been jacking up the filtering of the internet, coincidence? I'm thinking they are taking full advantage of this situation as much as they are the vicitm.

On the other hand, even if they haven't detected a threat, they have a strong incentive to say that they have. It isn't a secret that someone is trying to do something to them and if they can't figure out how to stop it, they might as well bluff and hope the enemy changes tactics...
 

It actually gives hackers a way to blackmail people they don't like by *planting* child porn on their computer.

Oh wait, that already happened.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2010/08/disgruntled-brit-plants-child-porn-on-bosss-computer-calls-cops/

No, it's here. That's just a "first impressions" kind of article. But using Ars as a reference for Android reviews is nuts, try Anandtech for example.

A post for some anti-Microsoft tinfoil hat? Must be a slow news day.

Well there is news that is more eye opening or at least entertaining (see below). Maybe combine the stories, list this one as an example of what locked-down keeps out? Or twist it into something more fun, a feature for beta software where the dev breaks in and comments on a feature you're using and offers an improvement or asks you if you'd like source to do it yourself?

http://arstechnica.com/security/2012/06/hacker-uses-malware-built-in-chat-to-toy-with-researchers/

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2012/05/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-hands-on-fast-thin-and-a-little-bit-cheap-feeling/

I could be wrong, but everything I'm seeing online seems to agree.

Only for Win32 software. Metro apps are inside a walled garden and much like iOS, local "side loading" is only allowed for developers. No distribution of software to others is possible outside the store (unless you wanna ensure your software is only ever used by developers.)

Windows RT is restricted by Win32 being completely unavailable to anyone but Microsoft.

True... and Apple is becoming famous for making us pay for what we already have, and as a consequence, stifling any growth that would come from existing technology. They are an embarrasment to tech, even if they do put out a shiny well crafted piece.

WTF are you talking about? Are you really serious?

Let's break your unsubstantiated remarks one phrase at a time:

Apple is becoming famous for making us pay for what we already have

What are you talking about? iTunes? Seriously? And how is Apple different in that regard from, say Amazon? You don't have to repurchase your 30 year old copy of Sgt. Peppers, you could have sucked it right up into iTunes (or whatever player you wanted) from your barely-playable vinyl copy (if your turntable still worked...).

Rip. Mix. Burn. Remember who's ad campaign that was?

stifling any growth that would come from existing technology.

You're serious, right? You do realize, of course, that you're talking about the same company who won a Grammy Award in 2002 for "outstanding technical contributions to the music industry and recording field. This is the first Technical GRAMMY ever awarded to a PC company."

How is that stifling growth that would come from existing technology? The technology existed; Apple just made it accessible to many, many more people. How is that "stifling" anything?

They are an embarrasment to tech

Again; you simply cannot be serious!

Not only is this yet another wholly unsubstantiated statement; but, it is belied by even your own very next statement, and I quote: "even if they do put out a shiny well crafted piece." (emphasis mine).

Do I really have to say anything more? The first and second clauses of your sentence cannot both be true. And considering the several tech industry awards they have received, I would venture that your statement about them being an "embarrassment" to anything is quite laughable, and in fact is an embarrassment... To you!

Yep, something like that would never happen in a more tightly controlled appstore... Oh, wait.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2011/02/black-ops-how-hbgary-wrote-backdoors-and-rootkits-for-the-government/

Isn't "Surface" the name of their SDK for both devices and Windows 7 computers that's been available since 2009?

Also, is this just like the Courier or will we one day actually see these devices like the Zune?

Pronounce it "SURF-ASS" then, from the sounds of it you could use it as a surfboard anyway.

Late to the party and with a half-cocked solution of Windows on TWO plaftorms (ARM & x86) this is sure to sow confusion .. but that's the Microsoft way, right? Honestly, they got this whole thing WRONG years ago with tablets running XP (I have one, slow only begins to describe it, quirky and hard to work with) So why put a desktop/laptop OS on a tablet AGAIN? Ah, so when it conks out you can still use it as a boogie board.

Isn't "Surface" the name of their SDK for both devices and Windows 7 computers that's been available since 2009?

Also, is this just like the Courier or will we one day actually see these devices like the Zune?

FYI, vapid whining about limited title space aside, here's a competent example of how it's done (for the exact same news quoting the same sources).

This is not at all true. There were numerous stories about how Google worked with CDNs to ensure compatibility with OpenDNS. Here's one example from last year:
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2011/08/opendns-and-google-working-with-cdns-on-dns-speedup/

As for SSL False Start, the problem was a handful of SSL terminators that violated the spec. Unfortunately, most of the manufacturers of those devices showed no interest in making a trivial fix to their implementations, and the few that did make the fix didn't bother to deploy it to existing customers. So, everyone had to suffer because 0.5% of SSL servers were broken:
http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/04/google-abandons-noble-experiment-to-make-ssl-less-painful/

This is not at all true. There were numerous stories about how Google worked with CDNs to ensure compatibility with OpenDNS. Here's one example from last year:
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2011/08/opendns-and-google-working-with-cdns-on-dns-speedup/

As for SSL False Start, the problem was a handful of SSL terminators that violated the spec. Unfortunately, most of the manufacturers of those devices showed no interest in making a trivial fix to their implementations, and the few that did make the fix didn't bother to deploy it to existing customers. So, everyone had to suffer because 0.5% of SSL servers were broken:
http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/04/google-abandons-noble-experiment-to-make-ssl-less-painful/

MS does have these enterprise tools handy and available.

Just like Apple's and Blackberry's tools.

To use them just log into your Windows 8 device with your corporate email address and Exchange 2012 will take care of the rest as evident above. It will
1. Load your enterprise apps
2. Your corporate Policies
3. Even your desktop settings at work

When you are done you log off and into your regular Hotmail username and the policy and restrictions go away. I love that option as my opinion of Active Directory and whole infrastructure of locking things doesn't scale down to mobile users (including laptops) that well. For example if the executive or sales person on the road needs to hook up the hotel printer to print his flight iternery he is screwed if you have an AD policy with a lock on userData in his profile. AD is designed static with the idea that the PC will be on a physical LAN in an office never moved. This solution locks it only when he logs in and he or she can log out and then install the printer driver or app you want and they are more isolated and wont mess with each other because of the walled garden.

I am not saying I love METRO or think this is a great idea, but I see the logical MS is using after hearing angry sales guys on the road who have to drive to an office to plug their laptops in to get AV updates. Ridiculous!

Thomas was using Kazaa which, at the time, had sharing turned on by default. She may not have even known she was sharing.

Having shown that she was sharing, the burden of proof falls on her to then prove that she had no knowledge of it.

Also her hard drive crashed and was replaced before she was ever notified by the RIAA that she was accused of anything,

On the contrary, it was two weeks after she was notified. And while she told her own attorney and expert that the drive had been replaced in 2004, it had a manufacturing sticker from 2005. And she also admitted on the stand that she lied under oath and provided a replacement hard drive to the RIAA. So, no.

so there's no actual proof that she even had copies of any of the music in question.

On the contrary, Media Sentry downloaded copies from her. Therefore she had the copies to upload, no? The burden of proof falls on her to show how she could have uploaded a copy to Media Sentry that she never had.

There's also no proof that anyone other than the RIAA ever downloaded a copy and they may not have actually downloaded one either, but just saw it listed on Kazaa.

Nope, Media Sentry downloaded an actual copy, not just the directory TOC.

The RIAA has never proven anything.

All of your factual assertions are provably incorrect. The RIAA proved infringement to be more likely than not, and the jury agreed. Thomas never proved that she didn't infringe, and in fact, this appeal is solely about damages, not liability.

According to Ars Technica, you can switch between 32-bit and 64-bit with the same key. The re-install is an issue, of course, but it can be done.

Looks like knee-jerk anti-Microsoftism to me.

No kidding.

Office 2013 RT includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, and will ship as an integral part of Windows RT. ARM-powered Windows RT to run "Office 2013 RT"

MS Office never exits the top ten bestseller lists in OSX and Windows software sales.

prior to Windows 7 their desktop operating systems were terrible

The MSDOS and Windows OS runs well on hardware that is midline at the time of release and entry level a year or so later.

The Ford Model T wasn't the most technologically sophisticated car on the road. But its design and engineering made perfect sense given the existing infrastructure ---- or lack of it --- and the potential for mass market sales.

Switzerland Network Testing Tool

"Is your ISP interfering with your BitTorrent connections? Cutting off your VOIP calls? Undermining the principles of network neutrality? In order to answer those questions, concerned Internet users need tools to test their Internet connections and gather evidence about ISP interference practices. After all, if it weren't for the testing efforts of Rob Topolski, the Associated Press, and EFF, Comcast would still be stone-walling about their now-infamous BitTorrent blocking efforts.

Developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Switzerland is an open source software tool for testing the integrity of data communications over networks, ISPs and firewalls. It will spot IP packets which are forged or modified between clients, inform you, and give you copies of the modified packets."

- https://www.eff.org/pages/switzerland-network-testing-tool

EFF "Switzerland" packet monitor tool looks for ISP meddling

- http://arstechnica.com/uncategorized/2008/08/eff-switzerland-packet-monitor-tool-looks-for-isp-meddling/

Skype replaces P2P supernodes with Linux boxes hosted by Microsoft (updated)
http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/05/skype-replaces-p2p-supernodes-with-linux-boxes-hosted-by-microsoft/

"Too late, but hey, thanks for trying Microsoft"[3]
"Years and years waiting for a decent version of skype for linux drove me to other solutions.
I no longer use skype for anything.

Still I'm utterly astounded that it took Microsoft ownership [1] to finally pry a halfway decent and up to date version from the developers. I presume all the wiretap hooks are now in place, now that all the calls are routed thru Microsoft's [2] servers, and the CLEA people are happy?"

[1] http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/2011/10/14/its-official-microsoft-now-owns-skype/
[2] http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/05/skype-replaces-p2p-supernodes-with-linux-boxes-hosted-by-microsoft/
[3] http://linux.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2916797&cid=40329507

Skype replaces P2P supernodes with Linux boxes hosted by Microsoft (updated)
http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/05/skype-replaces-p2p-supernodes-with-linux-boxes-hosted-by-microsoft/

"Too late, but hey, thanks for trying Microsoft"[3]
"Years and years waiting for a decent version of skype for linux drove me to other solutions.
I no longer use skype for anything.

Still I'm utterly astounded that it took Microsoft ownership [1] to finally pry a halfway decent and up to date version from the developers. I presume all the wiretap hooks are now in place, now that all the calls are routed thru Microsoft's [2] servers, and the CLEA people are happy?"

[1] http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/2011/10/14/its-official-microsoft-now-owns-skype/
[2] http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/05/skype-replaces-p2p-supernodes-with-linux-boxes-hosted-by-microsoft/
[3] http://linux.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=2916797&cid=40329507

Years and years waiting for a decent version of skype for linux drove me to other solutions.
I no longer use skype for anything.

Still I'm utterly astounded that it took Microsoft ownership to finally pry a halfway decent and up to date version from the developers. I presume all the wiretap hooks are now in place, now that all the calls are routed thru Microsoft's servers, and the CLEA people are happy?

Contrary to the ridiculously high opinion you have of yourself, Microsoft does not give a fuck about you Skyping with grandparents in Florida.

Years and years waiting for a decent version of skype for linux drove me to other solutions.
I no longer use skype for anything.

Still I'm utterly astounded that it took Microsoft ownership to finally pry a halfway decent and up to date version from the developers. I presume all the wiretap hooks are now in place, now that all the calls are routed thru Microsoft's servers, and the CLEA people are happy?

I read about this yesterday on Ars. In the second-to-last paragraph, they talk about how Bonobos are well within the standard deviation for chimps, so genetically speaking, they should be the same species. I believe they were even once considered to be the same species, but were separated due to the size and behavior differences. In light of this new evidence, I believe it may cause them to be considered a "sub-species", much like dogs are to wolves.

Physics? Biology? Note, the biology link is not about clinical science, it's about basic petrie dish and rat cell biology, biochemistry and genetics. Note also that clinical trials have been very good at failing drugs based on incorrect or non-transferrable basic biology findings.

Every branch of science has screwups. In every branch of science you can do your stats, design your experiments, correctly, or incorrectly. When there's a failure in clinical research you tend to hear about it because it affects a lot of people. Not so much when someone in a physics lab misplaces a decimal point.

That would make sense IF they came OOTB with AD and GPO support but they do not so its pointless and NO advantage over iPad. It would be like saying "Hey we gave it Outlook! No Exchange support though" so there goes the only damned advantage you had for those that actually like Outlook.

Not sure what you mean by no Exchange support, it definitely has. And though not AD (AD does not belong on my BYOD!) Microsoft has said that RT will have administration, through System Center, Intune. As for no advantages over iPad in business, heard of Office?

It's actually not.

While Apple uses the latest SATA protocol, the connector is physically incompatible with either Mini PCIe or mSATA.

can anyone join this, or is it only for patent holders who "throw their patents into the pool"?

Of course, even Microsoft can join with just one patent.

And then, they can give the rest of their patents to a proxy shell corporation, like they have done in the past, and continue to sue everybody that way.

Ignorance = idiocy

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2010/05/apples-stock-rise-could-have-meant-5-billion-for-microsoft/

The customers also don't lose money: "Both Palatinus and Tong have said they'll cover the loss for their customers.". At least if you choose a good broker. How to evaluate good brokers is left as an exercise to the reader./quote>

Hack them all, order by descending difficulty, and pick the top one that covers its customers' losses?

The customers also don't lose money: "Both Palatinus and Tong have said they'll cover the loss for their customers.". At least if you choose a good broker. How to evaluate good brokers is left as an exercise to the reader.

Why torrent an ISO when you can download official ISOs from Microsoft?
See:

http://arstechnica.com/features/2012/06/blowing-away-bloatware-a-guide-to-reinstalling-windows-on-a-new-pc/

Some alternate languages here:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/download-windows-7-iso-official-32-bit-and-64-bit-direct-download-links/

If the hardware was sold with an OEM license then the sticker taking notice of your license number is probably still on the hardware. So please look for it and take notice.
This article takes pains to elaborate on the Microsoft 'process' of owning a license and acrtually getting it to function on your current machine; perhaps via replaced media as required; too bad Microsoft isn't more helpful here but you always have choicesc (even it means a boycott) FYI. http://arstechnica.com/features/2012/06/blowing-away-bloatware-a-guide-to-reinstalling-windows-on-a-new-pc. But then Bill and his buddies didn't get rich by being completely straightforward or non-manipulative.

That articles only links to Microsoft Windows 7 media, but if you have the v7 license, (please refer to the sticker on your hardware for which it is licensed to), those Windows media links above, plus your most-vaild license will direct you to restoring your software to factory conditions, minus the bloatware that the dells and their ilk sold you, (to lower the cost of your original purchase).

Torrents of Windows disks should never ever be trusted, and if you disagree with me, then I think you are only shooting yourself in the foot when you 'drive your Windows', in terms of actual security.

I use ebuddy which works, I can't remember the other one I tried but uninstalled (I don't tend to chat much on the phone)

you could try googling.... http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2010/09/android-im-apps-which-one-should-you-use/

http://lifehacker.com/5803525/the-best-instant-messaging-application-for-android

On a more serious note, they were almost actually wanting to get rid of a large number of developers by locking out Visual Studio from doing certain things, if I remember correct. It was only developer backlash that got them to change their minds.

In Microsoft's defense (hell must have frozen over by now), this change (which they now backtracked from) was for the free version only. I don't see a big problem by releasing a free version of a software product to create interest in what Microsoft considers their future, Metro. And the paid for version was going to support "legacy" development in any case.

I'll stick with emacs and textmate on other platforms for other languages anyway.

Not only does Flame use a previously unknown MD5 chosen prefix attack, but now they are removing all traces of the software from machines under their control.

Now, since security researchers already have copies of the software this isn't going stop anyone further deconstructing and analysing it. The only possible reason for doing this is to avoid discovery of infection somewhere particularly sensitive. I wonder who the lucky person or nation-state is?

Thankfully, we will be able to realize considerable savings, since the scheme is so draconian that we can probably just purchase a Great Firewall implementation from the Chinese at everyday low prices...

You've got it backwards. Where do you think we've been beta-testing our cheap for-export version for the past six years?

Pay no attention to the fact that if you have cookies and Javashit disabled, Google no longer sends you to "the-url-you-wanted", but instead to "http://www.google.com/url?q=the-url-you-wanted&sa=(hmm)&ei=(thatsneat)&ved=(wonderwhatthathashesto)&usg=(nowaythatcouldbeunique)", it's just one of those coincidences.

I've had plastic screened phones in the past, no more. They get all scratched up and touch screen's sucked when new & just got worse over time.

Glass has properties that make it much better for touchscreens & is being improved all the time. The paper thin glass that Corning has just developped may make most glass even better: http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/06/new-willow-glass-is-rollable-and-paper-thin/

I don't see a fragile rubbery surface as an improvement...

cap? what cap?

http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/05/comcast-answers-data-cap-questions/

How has Comcast "killed" its caps? "Each of these pilot approaches will effectively offer unlimited usage of our services because customers will have the ability to buy as much data as they want."

Will Comcast raise prices? "We offer tiers of service starting at $9.95 a month and ranging up to higher price tiers. We're very comfortable with the pricing. We don't have any current intention to change our pricing."