In the mind of Izzmo

The night of my highschool graduation ended up being a classic example of what goes on in stories and tales. Although, this wasn't late at night, but an hour or so right after the graduation ceremony. My family and I decided to go out to dinner to celebrate my graduation. So we got in our cars and left. My family in one, me in the other. I had plans after dinner, so that's why I took my own. Looking back, I would have been better off going with them. But on our way to the pizzeria, I had to get on the highway to get there. Right as I got on, a doe ran right in front of my car, do the classic example: stopped and looked straight into my headlights. I was going decently fast, maybe 50-60 on a 70 MPH speed limit. I panicked, this has never happened to me before. So I swerved right to stay out of traffic and into the grass. Somehow, I managed to get my car back on the highway, but as I did, I must of jerked the steering wheel too hard as I flipped my car. So what did I do? I held on tight and wished for the best. If I remember right, my car flipped about 3 times before it stayed up high and then fell back down right side up. When I got out the car, it amazed me that I didn't have a single scratch on me.

I keep asking myself, "What could I have done to keep my car from getting totaled?" There are a few things that pass, but in the end, I think I made the right decision.

Unfortunately, I couldn't take any pictures of the wreck as the police lights were strobing. And how come they always tell your car insurance company that you wrecked, although the wreck did not involve anyone else but you, and your rates will increase because of it? I never did like that shady area. Seems like it is just a pull for the insurance companies to get more money. Greedy insurance companies.

I bought a new car, a 1997 Ford Taurus SHO, about a month ago and I have been having a problem with the gas pedal sticking on a cold start or when I'm going down a hill and do not need to have the accelerator pressed down.

I have done a couple of searches on the internet and found that the culprit is usually carbon build-up in the throttle body.

I was reading an article today on PopSci.com (Popular Science) and they showed their Innovation of the Year to be a solar panel. It's not what you think though!

"Imagine a solar panel without the panel. Just a coating, thin as a layer of paint, that takes light and converts it to electricity. From there, you can picture roof shingles with solar cells built inside and window coatings that seem to suck power from the air. Consider solar-powered buildings stretching not just across sunny Southern California, but through China and India and Kenya as well, because even in those countries, going solar will be cheaper than burning coal. That’s the promise of thin-film solar cells: solar power that’s ubiquitous because it’s cheap. The basic technology has been around for decades, but this year, Silicon Valley–based Nanosolar created the manufacturing technology that could make that promise a reality." -PopSci.com

I have not heard of this until today. When I clicked on the link that said 'Innovation of the Year', I thought it was just going to be another article about the Apple iPhone. But low and behold, it was something actually worth reading.

This solar film seems promising and hopefully will catch onto the public so we can back off on our dependence on coal and oil for energy and go to a cheaper alternative, well free actually, solar engergy. What I thought was most interesting in the article is when they said you could put it on your roof, in your windows, and just about anywhere else that can see the sun, with it being practically invisible! This is what will catch the public's eye, when they know they can put this in or on their homes without letting everyone know it.

Once I get my very first home, I will make sure I make it mostly green.

I was browsing the internet at work today and found an article about how soda pop affects your body. At first I was seeing if drinking diet products rather than the regular had a difference. Well, it looks like I was correct when I found that CastleHealth.com said that when a health organization took a survey of 10,000 people that "were free of metabolic syndrome," meaning they had no excessive fat on their body, high blood pressure, etc.

The Results:
After 1 year, the results were in and the organization said there was no correlation between the people who drank regular pop and those who drank diet.

The Bottom Line:
Don't drink soda! If there was one thing I could shove into your brain so you would never forget it is to not drink pop! You could say I'm a hyprocrite in saying this, but I'm trying my hardest to stop drinking it, and so should you.

Per CastleHealth.com, the best alternatives are:

1. Water (Well, of course we knew that!)
2. Fruit Juice
3. Low Fat (1%) or Skim-Milk

What's considered a soda:

• Regular pop
• Diet pop
• Commercial canned Ginger Ale
• Commercial bottled or canned Iced Tea (including the Diet version)
• Commercial bottled or canned Green Tea (including the Diet version)
• Commercial bottled White Tea (including the Diet version)

As I got my new motherboard, processor, and RAM I've ran into multiple problems. First was a bad motherboard with capacitator problems, then onto this. So, after 2 weeks, I've finally came to a sure-thing solution.

My Situation:
I have 2 hard-drives:

• Disk 0: Windows XP: SP2
• Disk 1: Windows Vista x64

Now, this originally worked. But as I reformatted my XP to 'gaming only', meaning I want only bare necessities for the best gaming from it, it started to give me either:
Disk Read Error
or
Disk Boot Fail

I got either of these messages from the order I booted my HD's. Before the format, it was XP, then Vista. From what I've read, if you install Vista on a Hard Disk that isn't your Master/1st Priority and is not Vista, then it will rely on the BOOT.INI from the 1st HD.

So, this was my first mistake. What I did to try to fix it was boot from the Vista Installation CD and go to the Recovery Menu and Fix Startup problems. This actually worked a few times, but when I restarted Vista, I got the same set of errors again. Only this time, my Vista install was not appearing on the OS Recovery list.

Solution:

• If, or if not, your OS is showing up on the Recovery Menu, click Next
• Open up a Command Window
• Type in: diskpart
• Once loaded, type: list partition
• Find the partition you want to select as your primary one, and then type: select partition x
• If the partition was successfully set as active, type exit to leave the diskpart program.
• Type: bootrec.exe /FixMbr
• Type: bootrec.exe /RebuildBcd
• Restart your computer, load the Vista Installation CD.
• In the Recovery menu, repair your boot, then restart. (If you're OS did not show up before, it should now)
• Your OS should boot now if everything goes well.

This is an unusual situation with very few responses, hence why it took me so long to find a solution. But I hope this helps the people in need with this error!

From day 1, I've been told security is a username and password. This, although true, is not true security. Having a user put in a username and password is only one form of authentication among many. If a true cracker wanted to get your username and/or password, it would be relatively easy.

Now, what can you do to make your security bullet proof? Establish Multi-Factor Authentication.

Multi-Factor Authentication is, like the name presents, authentication based on 2 or more factors. In True Security practices, there are only 3 types of authentication. These 3 types are: What I know, What I am, and What I have. So, in a demostration of how these are put into use, I will give an example:

Say you are a Top-Level Security Administrator for a well-known Bank based in New York. On your floor, you work in the area where all the network housing and servers are located, thus security is tight allowing no intrusions through the building. Your job is to monitor network activity and make sure nothing "phishy" is going on. In order to access your working quarters, you need to go through several steps, or processes. The first process you have to go through is using your key-card to access the floor-level in which your office is. On swiping it, you are allowed to go to your floor. This type of authentication is 'What I have'. As you step out of the elevator on your floor, you then have to scan your key card again to open the main door. Through this door is a small hallway to the next door. This room is monitored by an armed security guard. In this room, you have to scan your key card once again to access a number panel to enter your key code. This key code was given to you electronically and is a 8 digit alphanumeric string. Even though it is a number pad, the keys have numbers as well as alphabet characters on them, much like a phone. This type of authentication is 'What I know'. So, now we have covered 2 types of authentication as we proceed to the next and final room: 'What I have' and 'What I know'. The last room has a retnal scan and biometrics. Here you will put your face into a projection screen that scans your eyes for a signature. Once that is complete, you slide your finger, across a finger scanner get your finger print. Once these are complete, it will search for both scans of positive matches. If it does not find one or the other, it will go into a lock-out mode, in which a security guard will come and assist you. If that fails, you will be escorted out by the police. Security is no laughing matter at the top bank in New York. This last type of authentication is 'What I am'. If you are able to get past all of these types of authentication, then you are allowed into your work quarters. This is True Security.

This example is based on a real life situation is does come into use with some high-security companies such as banks and data-warehouses across the United States.

This type of authentication can also be used in web applications. If you have the resources to deploy such measures, you would have achieved True Security for your platform.

Some misconceptions of Multi-Factor Authentication are common on Online Banking Programs and some more secure websites. These include the use of not only making the user supply a username and password, but making them answer questions as well. But, if you've noted the 3 types of authentication, these are only using 'What I know', which is username & password, and answers to questions you've provided.

Unfortunately, most websites do not have the money, resources, or power to deply a multi-factor authentication system, but they can try to secure their data better by beefing up the mono-factor support. Some great examples of this are using picto-grams, which make users select a couple pictures out of a long set of pictures. Another way is a web key-pad, in use by CoderProfile.com, which allows the user to use the mouse to click in a number-sequence, eliminating key-loggers.

There is one way to achieve Dual-Factor Authentication for websites, in which it was brought to my attention by the Developer of CoderProfile.com. They have deployed a security function which allows the locking of your account. Your account can get locked if your IP Address changes from a authenticated one previously registered to your account. If this happens, the system will send you a PIN Number via E-mail which will allow you to unlock and start using your account. A brilliant idea and fix to the mono-authentication most websites use. This uses Dual-Authentication because it uses E-mail in order to allow you to access your account. E-mail accounts are something 'You have'.

Security has came a long way on the web, but True Security has not been achieved for most websites.

I was browsing through the news articles at CNet.com today and noticed an article about a lawsuit against BitTorrent. At first, I was thinking, "Just another useless article about BitTorrent." So, as I was reading it, I found out that a Federal Court Judge in Los Angeles decided he wanted to make it legal to use a person's RAM to criminalize someone. If you are at least somewhat technical, you already know that RAM, Random Access Memory, is not a "permanent memory" system, but instead, used as a temporary storage for faster access to data. After time, a shutdown/logout, or clear, the data that was stored is cleared from memory and something new is inputted. So, clearly the judge has a misconception and lacking technical experience.

Now, onto the part about torrents. This judge also ruled that the popular Torrent Tracker Torrent Spy will have to record all users IP's. If approved, this 'rule' will help the MPAA, Motion Picture Association of America, find copyright infringmenters, and be able to prosecute them in the Civil Court system.

So, the Tip of the Day is: Stop using TorrentSpy.com, that is, if you use a torrent program to download things.

Permalink: http://news.com.com/TorrentSpy+ruling+a+weapon+of+mass+discovery/2100-10...

I have been using Google Reader lately and have found it quite useful. It is really simple to add, update, and delete your RSS feeds, and the best thing about this tool, is that it gets all the XML data for you and puts it into a readable form, all from their site. After you read a news item, you can also email, star it, share it, and many other things to get it out.

Here is what I have been reading:

Apple, Inc. unveiled their new iPhone today. The iPhone, as far as can say, is unbelievable! If you watch the video at BBC, you can see a demonstration of how powerful this little device is. The iPhone will be able to connect to the internet, act as a MP3 device, very much like the iPod, play videos, and take phone calls of course. On a side note, the iPhone will not have any stylus at all, it will all be controlled by your finger. It is also thinner than any other smart phone ranging in at 11.3 mm.

Even though it is small, it has a huge screen covering mostly the whole base. The only buttons on this phone are the one at the bottom, below the screen, acting as a home button, and the ones one each of its side allowing for various abilities.

"It works like magic... It's far more accurate than any touch display ever shipped. It ignores unintended touches. It's super-smart."

No details have been released on how much the phone will cost, but speculation says that it will be anywhere from $399-499 (£257+).

Lastly, if that wasn't enough for you, this little thing is going to be running the latest Apple operating system as well, the OS X 10, and also come in 4GB and 8GB models. Apple has also chose to go with Cingular as it's provider.

iPod Features: The iPhone is a widescreen iPod that features touch screen controls that allow you to enjoy all your content, including audiobooks, music, TV shows, and movies. It features an amazing 3.5-inch widescreen display, and allows you to sync content from your iTunes library on your PC or Mac, making that content also accessible with just the touch of a finger. iPhone users will be able to scroll through songs, artists, albums, and playlists with just a flick of a finger. One cool new feature of this function is the display of album artwork - you can now use Cover Flow to browse your music library by album artwork for the first time on an iPod.

Phone Features: Using the phone function of the Apple iPhone, you can calls by simply pointing your finger at a name or number in your address book, a favorites list, or a call log. All your contacts from a PC, Mac, or Internet device are also automatically synched, you can select and listen to voicemail messages in whatever order you want — just like email. Calls can easily be merged together with just the touch of a button to create a conference call. Conference calling has never been easier!

SMS Text Messaging: Using the iPhone, you can send text messages withan SMS application with a predictive QWERTY soft keyboard that prevents and corrects mistakes. This makes it easier and more efficient to use than the small plastic keyboards found on many smartphones.

Camera Function: The iPhone also features an amazing 2-megapixel camera, as well as a photo management application unlike anything available on a phone today. Users can sync photos from a PC or Mac, browse or email them with just a touch of the screen.

Internet Device: The iPhone features a rich HTML email client as well as the Safari browser, which automatically syncs bookmarks from a PC or Mac. The Safari browser has built-in Google and Yahoo! search. You can also multi-task by reading a web page while simultaneously downloading your email in the background via WiFi or EDGE. Safari also includes built-in Google and Yahoo! search. You can even display Google Maps as they were meant to be seen, and zoom in to view specific points.

E-mail: The iPhone is great for multi-tasking, so you can read a web page while downloading your email in the background over Wi-Fi or EDGE. Its e-mail client fetches your email in the background from most POP3 or IMAP mail services, and then displays photos and graphics along with the text. Widgets: Extend your iPhone with widgets, small applications that give you helpful information like stock reports, weather reports, and more in real time.

Touchscreen: The iPhone features an amazing 3.5-inch widescreen display, and has one of the most revolutionary user interfaces since the mouse. The interface is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced on a phone, with a large multi-touch display and innovate new software that allows you to control everything with the touch of a finger.

Intelligent Keyboard: The iPhone features a full QWERTY keyboard that allows you to send and receive SMS messages, email, etc. It is predicitive, and therefore prevents and corrects mistakes.

Built-in Sensors: The iPhone incorporates an accelerometer, which detects when a user switches from holding the phone in landscape to portrait mode, and automatically updates the image on screen to fit the mode. The sensors also detect when you put the iPhone near your phone, and automatically shuts off the display screen until you move it away to save on battery power. An ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the screen’s brightness to the appropriate level for the current ambient light, which enhances user experience and also saves on battery power.

Accessories: As of now, Apple has announced a Bluetooth headset that will work with the iPhone, as well as new headphones that incorporate a small white box in the middle of the cord. This box has a built-in microphone and a switch to answer and hang up phone calls.

To sum all that up, the iPod is one super-cool device that will revolutionize the way you entertain yourself. It’s a phone, mp3 player, video player, and internet device all rolled into one cool device. It is expected to launch in June 2007 in the United States, Q4 in Europe, and 2008 in Asia. In the U.S., it will be available exclusively through Cingular Wireless in two models: a 4GB model and an 8GB model. The 4GB model will go for $499 with a two-year contract, and the 8GB model will go for $599 with a two year contract. Apple also announced a bluetooth headset that will work with the phone, and unveiled new iPod headphones that will work with the phone to play music and handle phone calls.

It's simply amazing. I know what I'm getting for a new phone!

Source: College v2

I did a quick Google Search for reference posters and got some good results from I Love Jack Daniels. They have created some awesome posters, free, for anyone who wants them. I found a CSS, ASP, and PHP posters.

CSS

PHP

ASP