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Category: computers

Computers, the Internet, and stuff…

Android Phone Recorder Problem

Android Phone Recorder Problem

Note:  I don’t have time to complete this posting right now, so it’s in a draft format.  I just wanted to briefly document my findings before I forget.  Back to studying for the Patent Bar… I finally pony up the Benjamins and got myself an Android handset, wait for it – the Sprint HTC EVO 4G! You may not share my enthusiasm, but finally ditching my HTC Mogul (running WinMo 6.1) and moving into an even more open platform opens…

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Android 2.2 (Froyo) To Come with Tethering and Wifi Hotspot

Android 2.2 (Froyo) To Come with Tethering and Wifi Hotspot

I have been USB-tethering with my Sprint HTC Mogul for more than two years, connecting my Ubuntu 8.04~10.04 and Win XP~7 laptops/netbook to Sprint’s usually-speedy-enough 3G data network. While my Mogul still works fine as a phone, email client, light browsing, an GPS navigation with Tomtom 7 and Google Map, I am really getting tired of Windows Mobile 6.1. I am a fan of building custom Linux kernels for the x84 architecture and having root access to an OS, so…

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Microsoft urges laws to boost trust in the cloud

Microsoft urges laws to boost trust in the cloud

From CNET: In a speech Wednesday, Microsoft general counsel and senior vice president Brad Smith called on government and business to shore up confidence in cloud computing by tackling issues of privacy and security–two major concerns that have been voiced about the cloud. Full article.

Waiting For A Nexus One Worldphone

Waiting For A Nexus One Worldphone

So Google finally announced its 3G phone for HSPDA back on Jan 5, 2010. Unfortunately, for those of us in the US, the GSM camp does not have a wide enough of 3G data coverage that folks over in Asia and Europe enjoy. I was pretty excited when Google said they would release a version of Nexus One that works on the Verizon network in the Spring of 2010. After all, my contract with Sprint doesn’t expire until May. Since…

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A5/1 Cipher Cracked

A5/1 Cipher Cracked

German researcher Karsten Nohl has cracked the encryption used for GSM.  His team has made information and tools needed to replicate the attack with a somewhat modest set up.    The A5/1’s 64-bit encryption key used in GSM is simply too short for the kind of computing power widely available today.  Considering that the technology is over 20 years old, however, it’s robustness is still remarkable. Here’s the A5/1 Cracking Project’s website.

Iraqi insurgents hack US drones with $26 software

Iraqi insurgents hack US drones with $26 software

A report from The Register said that hours of unencrypted surveillance video feeds were intercepted by the Iraqi insurgents.  A laptop containing the video feeds were discovered late 2008, but it’s not clear from the report when those feeds were intercepted. Why were those video feeds unencrypted?  Granted even the strongest encryption scheme to date isn’t unbreakable, given enough technical know-how, processing power, and time.  My guess is that the contractor or subcontractor supplying the camera or the transceiver forgot…

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Google Code booted JSMin-PHP Because It’s Not Allowed to “Do Evil”

Google Code booted JSMin-PHP Because It’s Not Allowed to “Do Evil”

An interesting report by CNET News.  How do you define evil?  I suppose one way to not do evil is to write the code so that it consumes less resources, either in terms of CPU cycles or memory (or both if you can!), thus reducing the power dissipated in millions or billions of CMOS Flip-Flops.  Just think about the implications of wasted charges/discharges and unnecessarily-spent batteries.  Wait, maybe I’m getting off topic…

Free Linux Server Backup Using Dropbox

Free Linux Server Backup Using Dropbox

I don’t need to tell you how important data backups are.  These days, several online backup services based on cloud computing are available for either free with some limited storage to a affordable monthly fee for unlimited storage.  Carbonite, Mozy, Blackblaze, and Dropbox are a few excellent examples.  There are advantages and disadvantages of these various services.  I use 3 out of the 4 mentioned, depending on the type of data, frequency of changes, , and how often I need…

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