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User: DeeEff

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Comments · 127

  1. Re:Tinfoil hat! Get yer tinfoil hat on! on Ask Slashdot: Are Smart Meters Safe? · · Score: 1

    So you're telling me that they're just as harmful as cellphones, and are just as much of a privacy invasion as cellphones?

    Why don't we just strap a cellphone to the sides of our houses? Sounds like the general public would be more impressed if there was an android app that measured power usage.

  2. This drone on GPS Spoofing Attack Hacks Drones · · Score: 1

    I'm pretty positive this drone wasn't using very many advanced algorithms. I mean, in the base case, you could easily spoof the unencrypted signal and try to force the drone to change directions. Unfortunately, this really only works when you're using Pseudorange measurements, as opposed to Carrier Phase. Moreover, if there was an INS on the drone as well, this interference problem would become rather trivial.

    When using a GPS, if you notice large gaps where your data suddenly "jumps" from one location to another, it tends to be due to poor satellite geometry, i.e.: you have a cycle slip and you need to reconnect to the satellite and estimate the carrier ambiguity again before you can continue to use that satellite's measurements. Of course, this sort of thing is only detectable if you use Carrier Phase measurements, because Pseudorange can have an expected error of +/-10 metres. Now, suppose you're using Carrier Phase to detect cycle slips, and somebody manages to still spoof the signal. With an INS on board, you can still detect the direction of travel, as well as the acceleration at which you are traveling. If your INS does not agree with your GPS, then it would be assumed that the GPS is erroneous, and thus to ignore it until it starts agreeing again. There should be next to no excuse for somebody to take over a drone other than a mechanical malfunction or shoddy software.

    Lastly, the idea that the military channel (aka P-code / encrypted channel) could easily be spoofed is ridiculous. GPS gives updates for satellite position approximately every 2 hours, if I remember correctly. That means you could effectively update the keys for the encryption every 2 hours, if you were so inclined. On top of that, the bandwidth of the P-code is much higher, and when interference/multipath/noise/spoofed signals try to mess with that, they end up having a far smaller effect on the signal than is given to consumer / civilian channels. Overall, the P-code is really hard to break, since encryption roll over can update very frequently, and noise and other interference can be mitigated quite well. It should also be noted that military based systems use very expensive receivers, often ones that don't track weak signals (that are more easily spoofed) and ones that can track multiple frequencies (L1, L2, L5, L1C, L2C, P-code) as well as multiple systems (GLONASS, GPS, Beidou/Compass, and more). Quite frankly, it's too expensive and too difficult to spoof that many signals and systems, since GLONASS runs on completely different frequencies, and doesn't even use the same type of signals (Amplitude Modulated GPS vs Frequency Modulated GLONASS). Overall, this article is FUD, and shows that the writer doesn't know jack lanterns about GPS.

  3. Re:What the eff .... on Berkeley Law Releases Its First Web Privacy Census · · Score: 1

    Let me try to explain:

    If Microsoft implements Do-Not-Track as default in IE, then the majority of users will never notice the setting and then leave it on. This means, most ad companies will start losing revenue, and fast. This is a problem for most ad companies. So, since Do-Not-Track is just a flag that says "I don't want you to track me," it can't actually prevent companies from tracking you online (since it doesn't have any technical blocking or filtering) if they decide they want to.

    If ad companies start finding out that Do-Not-Track is default, and that everyone is using it, they're just going to ignore the feature for everyone, which makes it worthless. Therefore, it is better that Do-Not-Track is opt-in, since this will legitimately show that users don't want to be tracked, as opposed to users who were just too lazy or ignorant to change the settings.

    In the long run, companies will be more likely to follow the Do-Not-Track standard if they aren't losing significant market share to it. Since the people opting in should effectively be just the tinfoil hats, they won't care about that revenue, since these people use adblock and don't make them money anyways.

    All in all, it's a touchy issue. I don't think anybody here agrees that tracking is good. In fact, most of us think it's deplorable the amount a company tracks us on the web just in the name of a couple ad clicks. However, Do-Not-Track is completely useless unless it is opt-in. Otherwise, companies would just ignore it anyways, since it's not mandated by governments or any powerful institution. Hope that helps clear things up.

  4. Re:google not in the tables? on Berkeley Law Releases Its First Web Privacy Census · · Score: 1

    This is because Google owns doubleclick, which happens to be one of the worst offenders, if you RTFA.

    Though honestly, its not just them. They do happen to be one of the highest tracking companies, but that's not really news in itself. The interesting part of the article are the other players.

    Invading privacy through third party scripts and services seems to be the norm, I'm afraid.

  5. Re:I'm afraid I can't do that... on Eben Moglen: Time To Apply Asimov's First Law of Robotics To Smartphones · · Score: 1

    Siri is only the beginning.

    Soon... One day... Soon.

  6. Re:Why no speed-dial on new windows? on Firefox 13 Released, Debuts Brand New Tab Page and Homepage · · Score: 1

    Set your home page to "about:newtab".

    There. Everything solved.

  7. Re:Bigoted language on South Korea Surrenders To Creationist Demands On Evolution Textbooks · · Score: 3, Funny

    Do scientists "believe in" gravity? Do scientists "believe in" relativity?

    Gravity? That would imply that the Earth is not flat and satan isn't trying to pull us down to hell, which is why we stick to the Earth.

    Brush up on your bible son, if you don't want to look like an idiot.

  8. Valve Time on Steam For Linux Will Launch In 2012 · · Score: 1

    By the end of 2012? Knowing Gabe, this likely means we won't see it until Christmas 2013, at which point he'll release Half-Life 3 alongside it and the world will end.

    If Duke Nukem was the rapture, then Steam on Linux is the Armageddon. And when it comes to timeliness, I never trust Valve. Quality, sure, but meeting or setting deadlines? Not a chance in frozen hell.

  9. Nightclubs on Researchers Find Methods For Bypassing Google's Bouncer Android Security · · Score: 3, Interesting

    And here I thought researchers were looking for a way to break into the secret google night clubs. Everyone knows that's where all the cool nerds are.

    Keeping this analogy, it does seem about as effective as an actual bouncer. While most drunken retards are being thrown out on the streets, the dangerous, more vile types get to stay inside and ultimately take drunk chicks home. I suppose it's nice to have less people throwing up on you, but getting stabbed at a nightclub is still getting stabbed at a nightclub. I suppose you could draw the argument that there's a pat-down and weapons check at the door, but let's be real, if you were going to bring a weapon to hurt someone in the first place, you'd be smart enough to hide it and get in.

    If that didn't make sense to you (lack of cars, etc...), basically this means bouncer will only affect poor malware writers and the big-boys will just skirt around the security anyways. Which really means little, because I'd rather get rid of the big players and be stuck with a bunch of obvious annoyances than to remove the annoyances and have a false sense of security about my apps. I should give google credit though, at least it's a start. Hopefully by this time next year they'll have managed to match common sense 2014 in terms of malware protection.

  10. Re:Oh Japan... on Radiation Detecting Android Phone Coming To Japan · · Score: 1

    No one is really looking for the Hulk here.

    Well, that's dreadfully disappointing. Here I thought I'd at least get to SEE a superhero before I die. Now I only get to dream about it as gamma ray cancer eats my brain to death.

  11. Oh Japan... on Radiation Detecting Android Phone Coming To Japan · · Score: 1

    I would think the first course of action if you're worried about radiation poisoning is to move to a place where this app would be useless (ie: low or no radiation from human sources).

    Although, knowing our wonderful eastern friends, they're probably trying to make nuclear superheroes and this chip/app/phone is just a means to sniff out the Hulk from the general population. I'm assuming it can detect gamma radiation as well, so obviously we should put it to it's best use.

  12. Moot problem? on All Researchers To Be Allocated Unique IDs · · Score: 3, Funny

    Overall, I thought having multiple researchers with the same name was a good thing.

    Then we could each take credit for one another's work, and we'd all collectively be the biggest badass in science. It'd sure make research funding easier, in any case.

  13. Astroturf write our stories now? on Grilling For Geeks · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Really guys? Slow news day would be one thing, but this is ridiculous.

    At least show some honesty for what this is.
    P.S. in case you don't know what this is, I'll remind you that I check off the disable ads button, and use ad block. Still I read this and get upset. Wtf slash dot?

  14. I feel like... on MPAA Agent Poses As Homebuyer To Catch Pirates · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is getting too wacky and out of hand. I mean, piracy is one thing, but playing police?

    Next thing you know laws will be privatized for the highest bidder in a location. I think we need to step back and ask ourselves, is piracy really worth letting this crap slip by?

    I think we should start by reducing the amount of legislation and bureaucracy and let the police do their job. Then we write the minimum amount of laws required to protect start up industries, and then we hang all the lawyers anyways because they're ridiculous and will ruin everything (as always).

  15. Re:try $30 no tax cash on MS Will Remove OEM 'Crapware' For $99 · · Score: 1

    Gen-Ki Karate and Kung Fu Club?

    They do computer repairs now?

  16. Didn't we do this before? on HP Shows Off Power Over Ethernet Thin Client · · Score: 1

    Mind you back them we called them Ethernet killers, and boy was the light show good.

  17. Down to SIX Satellites? on U.S. In Danger of Losing Earth-Observing Satellite Capability · · Score: 1

    Sure sounds like GLONASS in the 90's to me.

    I swear though, if I lose GPS and have to rely on COMPASS, I'm gonna march down there myself and beat Republicans until I've painted the White House Red.

  18. Problem is... on Newspapers Pollute Less On E-Readers and Tablets · · Score: 2

    Most people I know that would read the newspaper, wouldn't buy (or use) a tablet.
    And most people I know that have a tablet, wouldn't read the newspaper.

    Quite the paradox....

  19. Re:So.... on If You Resell Your Used Games, the Terrorists Win · · Score: 1

    Get it right! I'm an atheist gay who wants to take god out of our constitution and country. I'm a soulless fascist with the determination and power to take down all god-fearing citizens (despite being a working class). For Allah!

    Just read my description, I am the 1%. And if you buy used games, I'll be winning (like Charlie Sheen). Can't touch this.

  20. Re:Are you sure it's the marketing? on Why Linux Can't 'Sell' On the Desktop · · Score: 1

    "Why should you reinstall every 6 months"

    You're right. You shouldn't. Try a rolling release next time.

  21. Re:The Difference between OSS and F/LOSS is ...... on How Big US Firms Use Open Source Software · · Score: 1

    Google much?

    OSS - Open Source Software
    F(L)OSS - Free (Libre) Open Source Software

    Businesses don't care much about software freedom in the sense of the FSF, but they do enjoy using open source projects or languages, provided that they increase workflow and make things more productive.

    The difference can be found at fsf.org, in te "words to avoid" section, I believe.

    Basically don't worry about it too much, since most businesses still have a stigma against OSS and FOSS products, even if they are unfounded.

  22. What a waste on iPad 3 Confirmed To Have 2048x1536 Screen Resolution · · Score: 1

    Considering pretty much every tablet/mobile app takes the full screen. I mean, videos will look nice, but there aren't any large collections of videos in that resolution (that I know of), so wouldn't the upscaling actually make it look worse?

  23. Re:A rather interesting approach on Canadians #TellVicEverything In Response To Bill C-30 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    In Canada this is how we remind parliament who's in charge.

  24. Re:programming is not what programmers thing it is on Are Brain Teasers Good Hiring Criteria? · · Score: 1

    Anyone who can clearly explain a topic in English probably won't write readable code either.

    Somehow I don't think fluency in English should be a precursor to the idea that somebody's code is unreadable.

  25. Web as a Platform on Google and Mozilla: Partners, Not Competitors · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The entire business model of Google is "Web as a Platform."

    Of course they're trying to increase the web and make it better, faster. They're trying to make the web compete with full-fledged Operating Systems. Google doesn't care what browser you use, as long as you're using one that lets them develop their own infrastructure and deploy their own products.

    Google has no reason to try and "crush" Firefox. Firefox is irrelevant to them. What they're really after is killing Microsoft, Internet Explorer, and getting their services such as Google Docs, GMail and more into businesses. They don't care about the browser as much as they want to compete in an area where they know they will win. Such an area would be web apps and web infrastructure.

    Don't think about this as a browser war as much as a platform war. Microsoft's platform is Windows, Google's is the Web. Google just realizes that if the web was better and more fluent, they'd have a larger market and a bigger piece of that cookie.

    That's my 2 cents, at least.