Git Rid of Java!

A friend of mine, David, recently sent me a link with this question:

Is this something to do or worry about?

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/01/12/us-government-advises-computer-users-to-disable-java-software/?test=latestnews

The answer is yes. Java is problematic, especially in the browser, and is the number one vector of disease for computers. If you don't actively use Java, you should get rid of it from your browser.

My recommendation is to use Firefox as your main browser for all general web-surfing, and disable Java from Firefox. Then IF you have a site that requires Java, and you trust that site, run that site only in MSIE and all your other browsing (Facebook, Google searches, etc) in your security hardened Firefox.

To disable Java in Firefox (for Windows PCs): open Firefox and click Tools menu --> Addons. Click the Plugins tab, locate each of the Java plugins, and click the Disable button for each. Restart Firefox and you're all good!


Mon 20130114 Updates:

• http://www.scmagazine.com/java-zero-day-infections-pick-up-steam/article/275818/?DCMP=EMC-SCUS_Newswire
• https://www.securelist.com/en/blog/208194070/Java_0day_Mass_Exploit_Distribution

NON-sugarless Gum

A while back a friend asked me about finding a non-sugar-free gum.
I finally had time to do the research on this.
Apparently the only good way to find a real sugared gum is to go with vintage gums.
Three options are:


Clove Gum

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002268MA/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=intellections-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0002268MA



Clark's Teaberry Gum

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007IR288/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=intellections-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0007IR288



Black Jack Chewing Gum

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EEK4OO/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&tag=intellections-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000EEK4OO


Happy chewing!
=J

Karma

"Karma is simply Justice, misattributed."
-Jay Harrison, 20130107

Fracuum (flash game)

Fracuum is an 'old school' style flash based maze game, with an interesting infinite zoom playing field. Worth a look!

http://cache.armorgames.com/files/games/fracuum-13222.swf

Christmas 2012

It's all about the Cross.

Adobe Releases New OpenSource Font for Coders:

Read the article here:
http://blogs.adobe.com/typblography/2012/09/source-code-pro.html
=J

Floppy Music

Now this is just cool...

Gmail needs better keyboard shortcuts support.

Google needs to work on their Gmail keyboard shortcuts. Yes, they've created the 'Custom Shortcuts' Lab, but it's still too simplified. I'll give two examples:

[1] How do I set the "Trash a message" key to the [DELETE] key? The default keyboard shortcut, [#] (i.e. [Shift]+[3]) is retarded. At least I can change this with a Lab to the [T] key to Trash an item. But why can't I have the option to use the [DELETE] key? Seems so intuitive...

[2] Why is there no keyboard shortcut for "Indent more" and "Indent less"? These don't exist, as far as I can tell, and are not customizable, even in the extended Lab.
(UPDATE 20170620: Use [Ctrl]+[[] and [Ctrl]+[]] -- nice!)

Google - please work on this!

The Belkin Conserve Socket

The Belkin Conserve Socket F7C009q Energy-Saving Outlet is a neat little switch that allows a device (or group of devices) to be manually activated, and then auto-time-out after an interval of 30min, 3hrs, or 6hrs (as set by the switch on the side). This is handy for desk lights, work spaces, etc. Being able to handle 1800 watts, it's also good for space heaters or other high-demand equipment. Or, if for example, you worry about forgetting to turn off the coffee pot (or any other appliance), this is the solution. For under ten bucks, it's a convenient upgrade to any device that you don't want or need to be left on. And upgrade that is movable and not tied to that single device. So it very well may outlive your original appliance.

Also great for reducing phantom loads of transformers or other leaching power sources. The switch consumes only a tiny 0.18watts while activated, and ZERO (no phantom load) when not activated (including ZERO power consumption for all down-stream devices).

Check it out, here:

P.S. this can plug into the top outlet, and not block the bottom one!

The Best BioLock I've Used

Another recommendation - this time for a bio-lock: The Keyless Biometric Fingerprint Door Lock Trinity 788. I own three of these, and have had several people ask me about them recently. Actually, the first one I owned was branded by Barska, but they're all exactly the same unit/model. I was delighted when I found this one by Adel. These work great, and can store up to 98 fingerprints - 3 of which are Admin fingerprints. These are for indoor installations only (or at least under cover / well out of outside weather). Some of the "key" features I liked about this unit are all the levels of back-up/redundancy it has:
#1 It has a non-volatile memory, that does not need to stay powered to remember settings and fingerprints (it doesn't store your actual fingerprint, rather a cryptographic hash of it).
#2 Should you not have your fingerprint handy (say, you're talking to someone over the phone, that you want to have access, and you're not on-site) there is a 6-digit passcode function too (stored as fingerprint #99).
#3 Should the batteries go dead, you can hold a 9-volt battery up to the bottom of the unit, to power it via built-in 'hidden' contacts.
#4 Should the electronics go bad - EMP? ;-) - you can remove the handle (with included allen-wrench) to expose a 100% mechanical keyed lock (2 keys also included).

Click on the image below see them on Amazon.com:

UPDATE:

Or this one:

Chrome Soon to be #1

Google Chrome is about to take FIRST PLACE in the browser wars later this year (see chart). A feat that has not been accomplished by anyone browser the Netscape vs Microsoft war of the mid 1990's. Chrome already surpassed Firefox in market share late last year (2011), to become the second-most popular browser after MSIE.

( Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usage_share_of_web_browsers , 20120417 )

Cobra 900 Jumper Pack

I highly recommend that everyone have one of these in every vehicle they own.

Get it at the link above for less that $100 !

This has:

• 12v 900amp Start/Jump cables/clamps
• 400watt AC inverter
• LED lights
• USB 5v DC power port.
• 12v DC power port
• Built-in 260 PSI tire Air Compressor

And has saved my bacon on many occasions!

One call to Triple-A (AAA) could cost more than this. And it's super handy to have mobile power (12v DC and 110v AC) available.

Quote

"If more than one person is responsible, then no one is accountable." - Jay Harrison (Thu 20120202 10:24A)


Update (Tue 20150317 10:58p) - I discovered a use of this "quote" that predates my (independent) own formulation of it. That is in the book Let Go to Grow: Why Some Businesses Thrive and Others Fail by Doug and Polly White (source) ©2011.

Open Letter to Adobe

Dear Adobe,

     Every time you update, is it really necessary to add yet another shortcut to the user's desktop? Even though we DELETE this every time it comes up? Most programs politely ask if they can create a desktop shortcut, but not you. Please change your ways...

Thank you,
Jay Harrison

What is an HP Q3093-80004 Adapter, and What Does It Do?

The HP Q3093-80004 Adapter is a very simple, non-proprietary part. It has no internal resistors, nor does it swap polarity, as some have suggested. The Q3093-80004 is often erroneously referred to as a "Two to four wire phone cord adaptor" (do a Google search on it). It is not a two-to-four adapter, rather a 4-to-2 wire adapter (or in other words, a 2-line to 1-line adapter). It simply strips out the the second line (and third, if present) outside pair(s) on an RJ11 phone wire. This can be easily done yourself with a few common parts. I've seen these adapters selling online for around $15-$25, and have even seen some places priced at $50-$100+ for this adapter.

Here's how to assemble one yourself, for about a buck:
Get 1 RJ11 coupler (~50¢), and one 2-wire (single line) phone cord (~50¢). Plug your multi-line cord into the RJ11 coupler, then your 1-line (2-wire only) cord into the other side. Plug the end of your single-line cord into the device that requires the additional lines stripped out - HP fax machine, or whatever - and you will have stripped out the other line(s). Now you have your very own HP Q3093-80004 Adapter.

Final notes: I don't believe that the Q3093-80004 was created by HP just to sell adapters (as a few individuals have accused). I believe it was an afterthought work-around to poor initial engineering. This could have been easily fixed in the hardware in the first place, to ignore any second (or third) lines on the other pins.

Have a fanTECHtic day!
-J

The real way to get rid of "Windows Protection Servant":

The real way to get rid of "Windows Protection Servant" is to use the Kaspersky Rescue Disk 10 (link).
This is put out by a real AV company, who's on the ball.

Be sure to run an update after you're safely booted into it.

Also, you'll need an Image burner to burn the ISO file (link).

Be wary of many sites that honestly admit that Windows Protection Servant is a FakeAV, then deceitfully point you to download a "patch" that itself is more bogus malware.

Gmail keyboard shortcuts...

Does anyone know of a way to make the [Delete] key the default keyboard shortcut to Trash an email in the Gmail interface? I've installed the lab feature that allows you to customize the shortcuts, so I've made [T] the short-cut for now (which is far better than [Shift]+[3] - the default). But I'd love the [Delete] key to work, like it does for Outlook and Thunderbird. Let me know if you know! ;)

You can never have too many monitors...

How to Extract a Google Doc file as a PDF

I know this is a simple process for many, but several people have asked me how to easily (and freely) make a PDF of a file. One of the simplest ways is to load the document into Google Docs, and then download a PDF of it, like this:

Rambling around the Galaxy

Is it just me, or does the new Boost Mobile Rambler look a lot like a throw back to the old Star Trek communicator? ;)

-J

Feds caught storing checkpoint body scan images:
http://ping.fm/zs1lY

Enjoying the rain...

Record high temperature of 101° was set at Jacksonville, FL this afternoon. This breaks the old record of 100 set in 1941.

What Americans have gotten, in return for the billions of tax dollars spent on security, is a surveillance state that reads our e-mails, wiretaps us without warrants, and strip searches grandmothers at airports.
Full Text: click here.

The US Congress spent $604,000 of your money on Bottled Water for themselves in the last 9 months.
http://ping.fm/AwHV8

Do you have wireless internet? Ditch your dish, and get a Roku! One-time cost of $80, an no monthly fees!
http://www.roku.com/

"Regime uncertainty is the opposite of the rule of law. It is the rule of the whims of the people in charge and what mood they are in on any particular day. It is usually associated with third world dictatorships and plays a major role in why some countries remain poor. When a business cannot predict whether a government will issue a permit, confiscate or nationalize their capital investments, tax them into bankruptcy, or arbitrarily stall their operations, they tend to do business elsewhere. This type of government hostility is not conducive to wealth creation and it is tragic to see it chasing away businesses here when we need the jobs and productivity more than ever." -Ron Paul
http://ping.fm/FhX7e

Did you know that Walmart sells caskets??
http://ping.fm/SLrrD

Check out this new website:
http:www.LiveOakHealth.com

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