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User: guisar

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  1. Self serving, corrupt ass (he and his ex) on Kaspersky Says Cyber Weapons "Cleaner" Than Traditional Weapons But "Much Worse" · · Score: 1

    Surprising eh- such a quote from someone who hangs with the FSB and is busy drumming up business for he and his ex? He's also argued this as the motivation behind his call for a complete lack of transparency and privacy for average citizens including the need for government provided authentication as a "protection". He's a self-serving corrupt ass using his money and influence to impose his and his friends will on anyone he can. He (along with the internet braintrust represented by Russia, the UAE, China, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Sudan, and Egypt), wants the ITU to "take over" management of DNS. Don't buy his products he is, as much as anyone of influence in this circles, evil.

  2. Re:Power steering isn't a safety feature. on $3,000 Tata Nano Car Coming To US · · Score: 1

    "Thin" tires have ZERO impact on your stopping ability. The weight of a car, the type of brakes (disc vice drum) and the conditions of the road are the only significant determinents of stopping distance if you are only stopping once. This car is so light the braking distance should be fantastic. Wider tires offer no more traction in virtually very circumstance- they are a marketing feature without real benefit other than decreased mileage and shittier performance in the wet and snow. Same with those large diameter, low aspect ratio tires, etc. ABS is a control factor in bad weather but "fender benders" are caused by tailgating and inattention- not technical factors. US drivers will continue to have issues because our minds are everywhere but the road.

  3. Re:This is just taste of what's to come on US Suspects Iran Was Behind a Wave of Cyberattacks · · Score: 2

    Do you REALLY believe the modern, current government of the us or any country is the right, proper, and most capable place for "securing" anything? Do you believe a centralized, procedurized and standardized approach to security is the most effective one?

    I would argue the breaches, not the protections are mainly due to government action and inaction. The government should protect public sytems- eg those owned by the federal and state governments and critical to its operation. The private concerns should do the same for theres. Like other aspects of modern warfare, a decentralized method of planning, offense and defense is the best strategy (IMHO).

  4. Re:But that's not the real problem. on To Encourage Biking, Lose the Helmets · · Score: 1

    I've been hit by cars on bikes several times- yes I do wear a helmet and no it was never scratched once in all the times I've been hit. My collar bone, pelvis and legs have not been so lucky... The real problem is (IMHO) that drives in the US are not paying attention to the road. Because driving is so central and there are so few alternatives, our roads also have shitty shoulders, shitty pavement and are too oriented towards highways. In cities there are few if any actual bike lanes and this all discourages an effective mass of cyclists- once cyclists reach a certain level I've found traffic adjusts to accomodate them. Also, the cops need to actually ticket and/or arrest people who slam into them. While the situation is OK here in New England I lived down south for a long while and the cops down there think a cyclist getting run over is a joke.

  5. Re:Not quite as bad as the Summary seems on Hackers Steal Keyless BMW In Under 3 Minutes · · Score: 1

    I don't know about Minis but the "good" news about BMWs (IMHO) is that it's pretty likely the door solenoid is broken and the door won't open even if it's unlocked. Once you get past that, it's pretty likely there will be some other electrical or mechanical fault which prevents the thief from taking off. Long gone are the days when German "engineering" implied reliability- I've owned BMW or Mercedes since 1978 but every model I've owned which was built since 1997 has been COMPLETE shit- very, very unreliable primarily because of electrical issues. I'd say German cars are the British cars of the new decade.

  6. Re:Too late, but hey, thanks for trying Microsoft on Skype 4.0 For Linux Now Available · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Well under Linux many solutions such as Ekiga can accomplish this either entirely under SIP or with a bridge to other systems like XMPP. If you'd like a less technical solution, you just open an account with a provider (I use sipgate and voipcheap but there are thousands of others: http://www.moreofit.com/similar-to/www.sipgate.co.uk/Top_10_Sites_Like_Sipgate/?&page=2), configure your client (I use the one built into Android and Yate) and go! Obviously you can't call a phonenumber with video call but SIP has an email like "address" or you can directly call international and national phone lines for voice com. I regularly talk to mobile users in Ghana from the US for around 7 - 15cents/ minute. In the US and to many european countries the calls to landlines are free and to mobiles are virtually free. All SIP to SIP calls are free with my providers.

  7. Re:Waaay past the original projection on Sixty Years On, B-52s Are Still Going Strong · · Score: 1

    Really, the limitations of the day have resulted in the long life of the B-52- because there's tons of room, power and payload upgrades are not an issue. Trying to put something into the b2 or fighters which are already jammed with shit just causes CG, power and heat issues making the mods tons more expensive. There's a reason the B52 is the first to roll out major mods (FLIR, synthetic fuel, SATCOM, GPS, smart bombs and so on.

  8. Re:Extend the lifespan of B-52 beyond 2040? on Sixty Years On, B-52s Are Still Going Strong · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Not precisely- most certainly it would have at most four turbofans (much more fuel efficient), a full - flying (split, indepedendent) elevator and rudder (avoiding the wacko landing gear configuration or at least allowing greater adjustment and manuverability), more extensive ECCM and SEAD capabilities. It would also probably be cancelled as the USAF would fill it with composite materials which drive up production costs, new instead of proven commercial engines and so on. Also, without an asshole like Lemay in charge, it's tough for anything to make it through the system these days. Something as reliable and straightforward as the B52 wouldn't have a chance- just a a replacement for the A-10 doesn't have a chance.

  9. Re:What about modded cars? on Mercedes Can Now Update Car Software Remotely · · Score: 1

    All the more reason to go open source ECU. I used to own Mercedes- for twenty years in fact but no more- they have become unreliable POS. I now drive a Subaru which in fact has a fully-flashed open source ECU. Both the car and the tools are under the communities control- not MBs or Subarus.

  10. Yeah, and he's so qualified to judge this.. on FBI's Top Cyber-cop Says We're Losing the War Against Hackers · · Score: 1

    Mr. Henry has earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Hofstra University in New York, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. He's a "bureau"crat saying what he's saying for political reasons and/or personal gain rather than any insight or competency. Not that academic credentials are the be all and end all but there's no indication either in his experience or training that would give me any confidence in his independent judgement or understanding of what others are telling him- other than that he's a politician....

    http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/shawn-henry-named-executive-assistant-director-of-the-criminal-cyber-response-and-services-branch

  11. Either way.... on Feds Prep For E-Gov Shutdown · · Score: 1

    Whether or not it shuts down I'm sure the Active Duty military and civilian employees will be paid. As I recall that's the way it worked the last time.

  12. Re:You gotta compete on the global marketplace! on GE Closes Last US Light Bulb Factory · · Score: 1

    Spend some time poking around the appliance stores on the web in the UK and Holland (most web sites are in English) and you'll see what he's referring to. There are tons of appliances with conveniences and performance you just can't find in the US for anything less than ridiculous prices. I have the same oven I had in Germany (Bosch); it cost 600 euro in Hamburg and almost 2K here in the US; same model feature for feature. There are some odd things as well like efficient dishwashers and radiators (with efficient room by room thermostats) which you just can't find here at all but are commonplace elsewhere. Or take the Ford Escort diesel I had, can't be found here in the US but awesomely reliable and got way better mileage than anything in the US (including the Prius). The US just has no tolerance for quality.

  13. Re:they all suck on Why Google Isn't Pushing Android For Tablets · · Score: 0

    17,000,000 Commodore 64s sold. That's 17M. IPad has already sold +50M

  14. Re:ChromeOS competes with Android? on Why Google Isn't Pushing Android For Tablets · · Score: 1

    My idea is that Chrome as a brand name needs to be phased in later- once there is a larger market for Android devices. Chrome could be used to define internet interoperability- that two devices which feature "chrome" are compatible in the way you'd intuitively expect and behind the scenes they use whatever amazing technology they've discovered with ChromeOS development. Chrome apps would be available exclusively over the internet and you could purchase any app in the family and it would know how to interoperate with all the other chrome apps- in a visually oriented toolkit. It would control other, unrelated devices in an intuitive way. Nobody can define the real feature set, without spending the R&D Google has. Deliver the technology but market it as a feature without seeming to cause a conflict with Android.

  15. Re:Jettison ChromeOS on Why Google Isn't Pushing Android For Tablets · · Score: 1

    I would assume they will use Android to govern the "application" market for things which the user perceives as private, usable when there's no network at all, or rely on a lot of computer power and little network needs. ChromeOS, the technology if not the brand name, would be used to define a new level of compatibility and seamlessness with the internet. Chrome the name (rather than the OS) could be used to market this technology. Chrome capable devices could be given a physically distinquishing factor so if they had this feature you'd know they'd work together.

  16. Re:Already #1 in the US market on Android Outsells iPhone In Last 6 Months · · Score: 1

    I have a Nokia- in face my last three phones have been Nokias. My wife has an Android (G1) and frankly, I don't understand why it's as popular with the non-geek crowd was it is. My Nokia, as a smart phone has two outstanding features which no Android seems to support- Skype over wifi and 3G and SIP. There is of course the Verizon bullshit version of Skype (lmao) and a couple of weird add-ons for SIP but seems like nobody's taking advantage of the platform for super cheap voice and talking in places there there's no GSM signal. The last especially since 3G and even cell coverage so just so spotty in much of the US. I'm clearly some sort of weird minority user but without either of these options an Android or any smartphone just seems like an overpriced, small screened laptop.

  17. Re:Why? on Open Access To Exercise Data? · · Score: 1

    For me the problem is that it's, in general, a PITA to record the data. I'd like to keep a record of my exercise mainly because it's to your body as a diary is for your mind and feelings. However, beyond a little black book and stubby pencil all these electronic gadgets seem to be both troublesome and unreliable to use as well as forever becoming more difficult to exchange data among. It should be that you strap the damn thing on perhaps with an HRM round your chest and GPS/recording device/display on your handlebars or wrist and that's it (something similar to the Nokia Sports Tracker)- it gets uploaded to something I use everyday like Google calendar. Instead, there are a bunch of dumbass cables that need to be hooked up to your computer and uploaded to some weird windows only device driver and then to some website that's liable to go out of business or be dropped soon. Then, there are two or three different devices which provide incompatible data not only among the various devices but even across different generations of the same device. I'm not talking tough comparisons like whatever but simple stuff, like how many miles have I ridden this month.

    I tried all this stuff and I'm back to the stubby pencil and google calendar. Sad.

  18. Re:PASCO on Open Access To Exercise Data? · · Score: 1

    I don't get it- what does this expensive PASCO do that a normal HRM or something like the much cheaper Oregon Scientific recorder doesn't do?

  19. Re:Marketing trumps Quality on Why the Google Android Phone Isn't Taking Off · · Score: 1

    I'll tell you who does own these things- every ticket counter, very restaurant every place I went in Georgia and Alabama where there were African Americans the G1 seemed to have 75% market share. My wife has one but I'd never seen another in New England then I come down south and WAM! they are everywhere. Anyone else noticed the same?

  20. Re:Hope this crashes Skype for good on Google Voice Apps Arrive For Android and Blackberry · · Score: 1

    Skype has officially sucked ass for about a year now- the Linux client only half works on Pulse and is way behind the MS window version in features. The S60 "lite" version is useless as it still uses airtime. Come on- Fring enables (in a sort of functional way) the skype functionality so why can't Skype get it's act together.

    I'm a Skypeout and Skype number paying customer but I'm searching for something more responsive to my needs and I'll gladly say to hell with them when I find it.

    Google voice I'm sure everyone isn't really a skype replacement- it's not a phone just a way (so far as I can see) to integrate your different numbers. That said I have it and I really like it.

  21. Re:It is not about the top speed... on Bugatti's Latest Veyron, Most Ridiculous Car on the Planet? · · Score: 1

    I think that's about the average level of knowledge/interest exhibited by the average Porsche, BMW, MB owner these days. Long gone are the mechanics working on their own cars and marveling at the engineering prowess of their vehicle which they could expect to last twenty years or so. These cars now days are largely owned by posers and snobs; the manufacturers don't produce or allow others to produce decent work manuals and the goal of the newer designs seems to be to make every part as proprietary as possible. I won't even start on the electronic gremlins; about the only advantage of today's engineering marvels are the levels of emissions and safety. They just don't make them like they used too.

  22. Re:Play on player on Bugatti's Latest Veyron, Most Ridiculous Car on the Planet? · · Score: 1

    I think the rich SHOULD blow their money on this type of insanity; much better than writing off that 2.1 million dollars (being picked up by you and the rest of this land's taxpayers in the form of offsetting their deduction) and being all sanctimonious about their donation to charity or building another "Microsoft wing" at MIT. Yeah, if I were that rich I'd get a Tesla but the point is this sort of excess and the fun which goes along with it is the only real useful point to being rich that I can see. Being a bitch, serving their own interests and bossing people around seems to be their normal mode of operation; I'd rather seem them out on the road enjoying themselves and leaving the rest of us to enjoy ourselves a bit more.

  23. Re:Guilty conscience? on Bugatti's Latest Veyron, Most Ridiculous Car on the Planet? · · Score: 1

    OK- how about this- http://www.caterham.co.uk/. A caterham weighs less than a ton, out accelerates and out handles with the BASE engine about everything on the road and costs less than just about any sports car, much less supercar. It's reliable and perfect if you live in an area without a lot of snow or cold weather.

  24. Re:The German's are doing it. on Hitler's Stealth Fighter · · Score: 1

    It's not as if the P51 or any aircraft was especially protected from 20mm cannon shells. If a plane were lightly loaded, rigid and thus maneuverable enough to avoid the unguided weapons of the time the material was irrelevant.

  25. SInce the 80s..... (aka Blame it on Reagan) on Why Isn't the US Government Funding Research? · · Score: 1

    Along with the notion that Government was bad came the notion that Government was unfit for all intellectual activities and except for small (and growing smaller) enclaves at the national labs, NIST and the CDC, they got rid of really anyone with an advanced degree and engineering or scientific experience. Even the labs (like Sandia) are outsourced to companies with really few people within the Government or more precisely without a commercial interest in the activity, who understand what's going on. Understand me, people with an advanced technical background were forced out and are not welcome in the Government. The notion instead is that somewhere, out there in the big wide world, someone is somehow doing on their own and already has the answers- it only takes some tax dollars for this whatever it is to magically appear ready for use without even having to understand how it works.

    There are still SBIRs and other small research activities but it's not big bucks and most of what's left is either driven by emergency (think CDC) or special operations (think UAVs, etc).