Why We Lie by Judge Kozinski

Saints may always tell the truth, but for mortals living means lying. We lie to protect our privacy ("No, I don't live around here"); to avoid hurt feelings ("Friday is my study night"); to make others feel better ("Gee you've gotten skinny"); to avoid recriminations ("I only lost $10 at poker"); to prevent grief ("The doc says you're getting better"); to maintain domestic tranquility ("She’s just a friend"); to avoid social stigma ("I just haven't met the right woman"); for career advancement ("I'm sooo lucky to have a smart boss like you"); to avoid being lonely ("I love opera"); to eliminate a rival ("He has a boyfriend"); to achieve an objective ("But I love you so much"); to defeat an objective ("I'm allergic to latex")

Read More at Why We Lie

What Is The Value of a Hacked Email Account ?

One of the most-viewed stories on this site is a blog post and graphic that I put together last year to illustrate the ways that bad guys can monetize hacked computers. But just as folks who don’t bank online or store sensitive data on their PCs often have trouble understanding why someone would want to hack into their systems, many people do not fully realize how much they have invested in their email accounts until those accounts are in the hands of cyber thieves.

This post aims to raise awareness about the street value of a hacked email account, as well as all of the people, personal data, and resources that are put at risk when users neglect to properly safeguard their inbox's.

Read more here @ http://krebsonsecurity.com/2013/06/the-value-of-a-hacked-email-account/

  

DEFCON 19: The Dark Side of Crime-fighting, Security, and Professional Intelligence, Richard Thieme

Nothing is harder to see than things we believe so deeply we don't even see them. This is certainly true in the "security space," in which our narratives are self-referential, bounded by mutual self-interest, and characterized by a heavy dose of group-think. That narrative serves as insulation to filter out the most critical truths we know about our work.

An analysis of deeper political and economic structures reveals the usual statements made in the "security space" in a new context, one which illuminates our mixed motivations and the interpenetration of over worlds and underworlds in our global society. Crime and legitimacy, that is, are the yin/yang of society, security, and our lives. You can't have one without the other. And nobody should know this better than hackers.

What's your take on it ?

Sony HDR CX230 Review

It's been a while since I last updated my blogs due to my starting a new job and I've not had much time as of late.

So I'll be getting and reviewing the Sony HDR CX230 Handycam Camcorder (Soon) and I'll be using it as a in car dash cam while driving to and from work so should anything of interest happens I might record it for later viewing on YouTube.

One such video sold me on the CX230 below.

 
It's mainly what I'll be doing with mine once I get everything set up and ready to go.

also some action shots of some guys 40 gallon aquarium.

Will update as soon as I get more time.


OK. I got the camcorder about a week ago and shot a quick video. (unsecured to my dash in the car)

So it was a mess up on my part and not the camcorder.

My video below.

it's best to change playback quality to 720p or 1080p on YouTube.

Thank You for viewing.

Kingston SSDNow V300 Series SV300S3D7/60G 2.5" 60GB SATA III Internal Solid State Drive Review

Here is my opinion and performance review below.

Form Factor: 2.5''

Capacity: 60 GB

Interface: Sata 3

Width: 69.85mm

 

Depth: 100mm

 

Height: 7mm

Weight: 86g

Max Sequential Read: Up to 450 MB/s

 

Max Sequential Write: Up to 450 MB/s

 

4KB Random Read: Up to 85,000 IOPS

 

4KB Random Write: Up to 60,000 IOPS

 

MTBF: 1,000,000 Hours

Features

Fast - 10x faster than a 7200RPM hard drive.

High Quality - features an LSI SandForce controller customized for Kingston.

Reliable - with no moving parts, solid-state drives are less likely to fail than standard hard drives.

Economical design optimized to make migrating to an SSD more affordable.

Convenient - all-in-one kits with all the components for easy installation.

Multiple capacities - to fit your workload.

With Installation Kit for desktops.

 

Power

 

Power Consumption (Idle): 0.640W

 

Power Consumption (Active): 1.423 W Read / 2.052 W Write

 

 

 

My results after testing.

My system is a Dell inspiron 530 manufactured in November 2007 (5 years old at the time of this posting)

 

Before SSD install using a 5 year old 250GB Seagate HDD

 

5 year old 250 GB Seagate HDD

 

 

 

Pretty decent for a 5 year old drive.

After SDD install

This is a Sata III SSD running on a Sata II Motherboard, So I know I would not see the marked 450 MB/s Read / Write on my system.

Very nice speed compared to the HDD.

 

December 26 2012 Update: 

The SSD is still working just fine, I've very satisfied with it's performance. I would most certainly  recommend this drive for improved OS speeds.

 

Lenovo B570 15.6 inch Laptop Frozen Issue.

It never cease's to amaze me how PC manufactures apply thermal compound too their CPU's.

My nearly 1 year old laptop was running around 50 degrees Celsius at idle and 70 degrees Celsius while watching 1080P video's and last night it froze up on me. I take the laptop apart and look at the heat sink and fan everything looks fine no dust, I take the heat sink off and what do I see ???

Enough blue thermal paste for 3 CPU's all over the place and dried out, I think they were applying it like cake icing. 

I clean up the mess with 91% rubbing alcohol and apply a little Arctic silver 5 thermal grease, put it all back together and turn the laptop back on. 

 

luckily the laptop still works. 

 

Now my max temps never get's beyond 60 degrees Celsius while watching 1080P video's and my idle temp is around 40 degrees Celsius.

I know I should have taken photo's but I was kinda upset I had to disassemble a new barely used laptop and replace the thermal compound so soon.

Netgear N300 (WNR2000) Wireless Router Review

This is a really nice indepth review on one of the wireless N routers I'm deciding on getting.

YouTube video uploaded by:

Wanderer001

Thank You

Update 1

After a few weeks of using this router I'm thinking to myself "why didn't I buy the sooner" my old wired router would just barely do 13 mbps download. The Netgear N300 (WNR2000) Wireless Router go's up to my max download speed of 25 mbps so over all I'm very much satisfied by it's performance and it doesn't get very warm at all.

My home is around 2080 square feet and made of brick and mortar, I get pretty good coverage in every room. I've yet to do an outdoor test and see just how far I can really go before I lose signal.

Update 1.5

It's been a few weeks since my last update but due to the remains of Sandy I've not had a chance to do the outdoor range test (a laptop isn't waterproof). But so far the router is going strong and there has been no problems (knocks on wood).

Update 2

It's been a while since I last updated (October 2012) and the wireless and wired is still performing great (Knocks on wood).

I'll update more later if I have any issues that come up and how I fixed them.

Thank You

(^_^)

Belkin N600 Wireless Router Cooling Mod

Part 2

I seen this while looking up reviews and cooling ideas.

YouTube Videos Uploaded by

Makaio2011

Thank You.

1991 RCA 25 Inch Cabinet TV Review & Possibile Mod Idea

This TV was manufactured in 1991 and still works to this day with no problems (knocks on wood). This must Have been when RCA made their products to last by using quality parts.

I use Comcast Digital Cable via an RCA Component video cable (seems to give best picture) because the coax cable seems to blur the image slightly for unknown reasons. 

The back (The 2 wires go to 2 satellite speakers that I find give better sound then the stock speakers built in the TV)

Back sticker shows model and manufacture year.

The component video/audio ports and an S-video port to the Left. 

The back with cover removed (cough cough very dusty in here) as you can see there is a lot of room here that gave me the idea I had.

Circuit diagram for any future repairs.

The high voltage transformer.

Now on to my possible mod to make a retro High Def TV/PC setup.

as you can see in the photo with the back off there is all kinds of room, So I was thinking that when the TV gives up the ghost someday I was thinking of gutting the inside and tossing everything like the picture tube and all the circuits and have nothing but the cabinet left even toss the black trim around the screen.

I done some measuring and I believe a 37 Inch LCD/LED High Def TV would fit nicely in the cabinet (might have to do something to cover any possible gaps) and with all of the room still available add a high performance gaming PC in the cabinet as well. 

It's only an Idea for the advanced DIYer out there and shouldn't be done if you have know idea what your doing. With everything in place add the back panel with some mounted fans to help move out hot air (4 x 80 mm case fans).

this idea might have been already done but I like to think of the possibility's for older tech that still works and seems part of the family.

Lenovo B570 Hardware Maintenance Manual

The PDF can be viewed at link below.

Lenovo B570 Hardware Maintenance Manual.PDF

Lenovo B570 Laptop Update

when the time comes I will try and post photo's of the tear-down and cleaning of the heat sink and fan the the reassembly.

The RCA DHG535 EMTA Cable Modem Review

After using this modem for a few years I've found it to be one of the better ones that I've used by my cable company. There is only one problem that I find quite cheap about it from the manufacture. That problem is that it tend to run very hot and has very few vent holes or any heat sink/fan to speak of.

From Left : Power, 2 Telephone Jacks, 1 Ethernet jack, 1 USB port, Cable In.

In the photo's above you can see there are hardly any vent holes to let out the oven like temperatures that quickly builds up inside.

Too my surprise with the high temperatures, this modem didn't have any connection drops or random reboots you would expect from an overheating condition.

But as you can tell you can’t have a high temperature inside any electronic device without some signs of stress as you can see in the photos below.

Front with cover removed.

Close up of the Broadcom chip and circuit board.

Power supply board with signs of heat stress.

In the photo's above you get a better idea of how cramped and tight it is inside and with very few places for heat to get out the modem has been slowly cooking it's self over the years and signs of a capacitor failure is showing.

these 3 capacitors are bulging and the one in the back left has started to leak on top.

 

Surprisingly the modem still works with no problems though I'm sure it's on borrowed time with the 3 caps looking like this.

When they fail it may just go out in a puff of smoke or a bang they are kind of unpredictable when they are in an unstable state. So in my attempt to get more life out of the modem I've removed the cover and left it off so the heat can escape. My internet speed has improved slightly and voice calls are more clear and understandable. 

QZoom

One thing about Apple Mac OSX is the ability to zoom in on things that are really small like thumbnail photo's or really small text. Sadly windows doesn't have a similar feature that is as easy to use.

one program I like for Windows based PC's is called QZoom 

Screen Shot Version 1.5e

QZoom is full screen zoom and operation tool like Mac OS X in Windows XP and Vista.

The animation such as YouTube expands, too and it is possible to see.

QZoom can use for application demonstrations and presentations, Sight assistance, NetBook.

Use the Windows Key is used instead of Apple command key.

Zoom In  : Win + Alt + ^
Zoom Out : Win + Alt + -
Cancel   : Esc
(customizable!)

Mouse Scroll Wheel Zoom In And Out.

Zoom In  : Control Key + Wheel Up
Zoom Out : Control Key + Wheel Down
(It is possible to select and combine it
from Ctrl,Alt,Shift and Win Key.)

you can Download it here :

 CNET.com 

 

Build the Enterprise Now

If your a Star Trek Fan (Like Me) you'll probably already know about this.

An anonymous guy by the name of BTE Dan has a website Build the Enterprise
that he says we have the technical knowledge now to build a fully functional ship that can "Travel to the Moon in 3 day's and to Mars in 90 day's".

If this guy's project can get off the ground, it will give humanity a shot at space and the stars again.

Me personally I would love to see this work

(^_^)  "Live Long and Prosper" - Dr. Spock

A Small Rant (off topic from tech) Earthquake in America

Over the years I've seen all the Earthquake's hit in various parts of the world and I've been thinking why has America been spared (so far) from the major devastating quakes ?

Answer: I don't know

But it seems that the quakes have been getting stronger and more intense in there happenings. I can only think that it's a matter of time before a major destructive earthquake like the one that hit Japan almost a year ago (3/11/2011) will hit American shores or soil soon.

The thought that every day the big quake waits to happen the stronger it will be in magnitude seems to stick with me almost constantly. I'm not making predictions I'm only stating my opinion.

One major concern for me is the New Madrid Seismic Zone since I live relatively close to the fault I figure it's best to be prepared as much as possible just in case anyway.

Back when the 5.9 earthquake hit Virginia and feeling it rattle nearly the entire eastern have of the US got me thinking what would happen if it was larger, like around 9.0 magnitude or larger earthquake?

How much would be left to recover?

How long would it take rescue workers to get to the areas? (There would be a lot)

What kind of shape would the Government be in and how would it affect aid?    

So for me all it's done is leave me with questions of which I have no answer other than to take care of myself and others where I can.

edited to add 

Have a supply of basic needed supplies in-case a disaster of some kind hits like extra non perishable foods. like freeze dried items that can last up to 25 years if stored properly and plenty of water at lest 1 gallon per freeze dried can of food and a gallon of water per person per day for ever how long you think you need.

A first aid kit in a grab and go bag with essential items that is ready at all times in case you need to get out of town quickly. May ad more later but this is just a start to being a prepared as you can for you and your families survival.

 

Decided To Take A Break and Have Lunch.

Got this from my local Taco Bell.  Yum Taco Salad.

Witch reminds me, when your eating food around your PC or laptop try and keep the food away from your keyboard and mice. It make my job easier, quicker and keeps my sanity intact when working on a problems.

If a clients PC or laptop looks like it had food served on it from a garbage can, then I may not work on it or if i do I'll add the cleaning bill to the repair cost and a sticky note with a smiley face saying a clean PC is a Happy PC. 

It's just common sense to keep your stuff clean and make them last as long as they will.

Thank You

Always Back-up your Important Data!!!

Always Back-up your Important Data!!!

Making a habit of backing up all of your important data is a good habit to have. Since you never know when your PC, Hard Drive(s) will suddenly meet there death.

I can happen suddenly without warning or it can give you signs that a failure is eminent.

Here are a few sounds to listen for in the case of Hard Drive failure at this website http://datacent.com/hard_drive_sounds.php

If your HDD is making strange noises when it's been fairly quiet in days past then you should stop what you’re doing and Back up Important files quickly. But keeping a regular back up plan is the best solution in preventing lost data.

I personally back up at least 2-3 times a week so that I'm not left frustrated at the fact I lost a lot of work when it could have been prevented if I took about 30 minutes and back up to either a USB flash drive or a DVD-R. 

Added a Poll

I've added a poll to the blog to help better understand what you want to see the most here.

Please feel free to vote and leave comments in the comment sections and I will answer any questions as soon as I can.

Thank You

Future Thinking

I wonder how long till you can download physical objects from the net :/

Hello new _____________ <----insert object name here and hit search. lol

Disclaimer: Physical object download time(s) may very depending on the size of object desired.

Example: A new car would range in file sizes from 4 Tera Bytes-14 Tera Bytes (depending on engine size) and may take a few days to complete. 

STOP SOPA / PIPA

 

 

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END SOPA/PIPA NOW

 

Don't let them take our freedom.