Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Huge problems with Windows Genuine Advantage

Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage is a software purpose of which is to check the proper licence on copy of Microsoft Windows operating system.

Since Friday's evening (24 aug 2007) Windows Genuine Advantage service was unable to react to user's requests. Many owners of Windows XP and Windows Vista couldn't check the authenticity of their operating systems and, as a result, to receive updates, also some functions in Windows Vista have been disabled.

Microsoft have confirmed the existence of this problem and explained it as problems with WGA servers. Microsoft needed 24 hours to dispose this problem (it was announced before that this error won't be disposed before Tuesday). Microsoft is advising to re-check operating system if users couldn't do it before.

Alex Kokis, the manager of Microsoft have commented such errors in the WGA in his blog.

According to Kokis, the first failures in the Windows Genuine Advantage service have been noticed in the daytime on Friday, but Microsoft experts have identified problem only at the evening. At the saturday's lunch-time all problems were disposed. Kokis wrote that this problem have touched at least 12000 users. Unfortunately, Kokis haven't written about the causes of problems with WGA. But Microsoft's manager pointed that corporation will try to avoid such situations in the future.

AllOfMP3.Com is going on its work

Famous mp3 music online store AllOfMP3.com is going to continue its work. It's announced in the formal blog of the store, posted from 31 august 2007.

I would like to remind that AllOfMP3.com has been closed in July, 2007 because of foreign possessors of the rights and USA authorities. This web-site (like majority of Russian music web sites and stores) offered music using licences of societies of collective management of composer rights in spite of real licences of possessors of rights.

The general director of the "MediaServices" company and owner of the AllOfMP3.com web-site Denis Kvasov has been justified by the court because of absence of crime.

In the formal blog it is not said if the store is going to change the principle of its business.

All in all, such business is legal according to the Russian legislation, but closing of AllOfMP3.com was one of the most important obstacles in the way to WTO for Russia because it's symbolizing the dynamic of Russian market. There are loads of actions against Russian music providers and online stores. It seems to me that AllOfMP3.com is going to continue its work in the beginning of september. Let's see the response from the foreign countries.

Monday, August 27, 2007

iPhone software is hacked

Two groups of enthusiasts have declared a final victory over protection of iPhone which did not allow owners of this communicator from Apple to use operators of cellular communication, except AT&T. The first who have learnt iPhone to work with SIM-cards of all possible mobile operators is the command iPhoneSimFree.com, after them UniquePhones crew have won the protection of iPhone communicator.

The decisions developed by both crews are the first program methods of full unblocking iPhone. In spite of the fact that earlier experts already managed to force iPhone to work in mobile networks of other operators, operation of communicator unblocking has been connected with updating the device hardware or reprogramming SIM-card. Obviously, both operations couldn't be done by ordinary users. Internet-edition Engadget has already confirmed, that offered by the first command, iPhoneSimFree.com, method of iPhone unblocking really works! By means of the program developed by hackers journalists managed to force iPhone to work in mobile network T-Mobile. For activation of phone the program iActivator was used, and work of service YouTube has been adjusted by means of this instruction. Thus communicator regularly called, transferred text messages and worked in the Internet.

Now on a site of a crew iPhoneSimFree.com it is informed on readiness for publication of way to unblock iPhone for everybody. As to the second crew, UniquePhones temporarily postponed release of program for unblocking iPhone. On preliminary data, UF were going to sell the program at the price of from 25 up to 50 dollars for a copy, however release of it is postponed.

According to the same Engadget, it can be connected with AT&T threats to hackers, the provider who has concluded the exclusive contract with Apple.

Microsoft has updated campaign against Linux "Get the Facts"

Corporation Microsoft has cleaned the Internet from the advertising campaign " Get the Facts ", directed against Linux, having replaced it on Web-pages entitled "Compare". On pages of section "Compare" on Microsoft site, as well as in " Get the Facts ", resulted compared data about various advantages of OS of corporation Microsoft (Windows Server) above alternative decisions.

If earlier Microsoft advertising company was organised against Linux-systems (in this case it is considered particularly Red Hat Enterprise Linux), now it is organised against IBM mainframes under control of OS UNIX. Many concrete items/conclusions are accompanied by references to researches and other documents. In comparison of server decisions Microsoft and Red Hat such aspects as cumulative cost (TCO), reliability, safety, opportunities of a choice, administration, interoperability are allocated.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

No Freedom in Russia

There are loads of discussions in the Internet and press about this topic. Being in Russia for a long time I exactly can say that we have freedom only on the paper, only in the theory, in the law. But in the reality all world have seen our "freedom". Do you remember the latest "disagreeing march"? Such actions of Russian citizens are well-known all around the world: different countries such as Germany, USA and others have criticized our authorities and police because there were loads of people beaten by police.

But let's think about the freedom of press, there are so many books forbidden in Russia! Have you aver heard about it? One of bloggers have published a short list of books forbidden in Russia. He's commenting this situation in this way: "If the first three books are seemed to be extremist literature and I can understand why these books are arrested, destroyed and forbidden in our country, but it's impossible to understand being in this list book written by Stanislav Belkovskij "Business of Vladimir Putin". Because if there is a noise about a book this book exactly will be a bestseller!"

Exploring this theme in the Internet I've realised that there are loads and loads of books forbidden in Russia. The main label of site providing forbidden literature online is "You shouldn't allow somebody to decide what you can know and what you can't". I can only consent with this label. Of course, a lot of books should be forbidden for our children, but adult people should decide on their own what they should read.
The biggest collection of forbidden books and films I have seen on this web site. But I do not think that it will be able for a long time to book these books online, on this web site.

The foreign newspapers are writing that we do not have a democracy in Russia and it's really true! How can we have a democracy if all decisions are made by our authorities? It's impossible. The opposition is very appreciated in a lot of civilized countries, also the freedom of press and discussions are the base of the democracy. Now we have only one way to know real news: the Internet. But even there authorities are trying to make a censorship.

The computer pirate is forced to change his OS to Windows

Very curious case has occured in the USA. The former manager of torrent-tracker EliteTorrents having a nickname sk0t (Scott Makkozlend) has been sentenced to five months of prison and five months of house arrest because skot has put on distribution an episode of " Star wars ". He has already been in the prison, time for the second part of punishment now has come. Guy has put on a radiobracelet on a wrist, and authorities decided to install on his personal computer program for shadowing to check all actions of the former pirate through the Internet.

But they have faced a very big problem. It has appeared, that the program for shadowing works only under Windows operating system, but condemned on the personal computer has established Ubuntu Linux. Without thinking twice, authorities have put Scott the ultimatum: or you format disk and establish Windows, or absolutely refuse using a computer.

Such punishment skot did not expect. Being in the prison he has still gone through, but daily use Windows has appeared above his forces. " I have communicated with the lawyer, - speaks Scott, - and we shall struggle with it. I am done not disturbed with the fact, that I will be watched, the matter is that to me will have completely to reconstruct the life (other OS, other programs)... It is simply ridiculous. Why I should be arranged under their software, in fact should be on the contrary? ".

Things you should do in the elevator

Do not forget to do one of these things when you will be in the elevator for the next time:

  • When there's only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder and then pretend it wasn't you.
  • Push the buttons and pretend they give you a shock. Smile, and go back for more.
  • Ask if you can push the button for other people, but push the wrong ones.
  • Call the Psychic Hotline from your cell phone and ask if they know what floor you're on.
  • Hold the doors open and say you're waiting for your friend. After a while, let the doors close and say, "Hi Greg. How's your day been?"
  • Drop a pen and wait until someone reaches to help pick it up, then scream, "that's mine!"
  • Bring a camera and take pictures of everyone in the elevator
  • Move your desk in to the elevator and whenever someone gets on, ask if they have an appointment.
  • Lay down a Twister mat and ask people if they'd like to play.
  • Leave a box in the corner, and when someone gets on, ask them if they hear something ticking.
  • Pretend you are a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the passengers.
  • Ask, "Did you feel that?"
  • Stand really close to someone, sniffing them occasionally.
  • When the doors close, announce to the others, "It's okay. Don't panic, they open up again."
  • Swat at flies that don't exist.
  • Tell people that you can see their aura
  • Call out, "group hug!", then enforce it.
  • Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering, "Shut up, all of you, just shut up!"
  • Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while peering inside, ask, "Got enough air in there?"
  • Stand silently and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.
  • Stare at another passenger for a while, then announce in horror, "You're one of THEM!" and back away slowly.
  • Wear a puppet on your hand and use it to talk to the other passengers.
  • Listen to the elevator walls with your stethoscope.
  • Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.
  • Stare, grinning at another passenger for a while, and then announce, "I have new socks on."
  • Draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers, "This is my personal space!"
  • Fart loudly then exclaim "Was that you. There's no way I could do that one because unfortately mine don't come out loud."
  • Before the elevator door opens shout "DING" and then laugh and say "beat you again Mr Elevator."
  • Hire a labrador, wear sunglasses and repeatedly walk into the walls whilst pretending to not hear the other passenger's direction

Friday, August 24, 2007

63 ways to infuriate COP (Police Officer)

63 ways to infuriate COP (Police Officer):
(Be careful, it can be dangerous!!)

1. When you get pulled over, say "What's wrong, officer, there's no blood in my alcohol?"
2. When he asks why you were speeding, tell him you wanted to race.
3. When he talks to you, pretend you are deaf.
4. If he asks if you knew how fast you were going, say no, my speedometer only goes to......
5. Ask if you can see his gun.
6. When he says you aren't allowed, tell him I just wanted to see if mine was bigger.
7. Touch him.
8. When he asks why you were speeding, tell him you had to buy a hat.
9. Ask him where he bought his cool hat.
10. Refer to him by his first name.
11. Pretend you are gay and ask him out.
12. When he says no, cry.
13. If he says yes, accuse him of sexual harassment.
14. If the cop is a woman, tell her how ugly she is, but in a nice way.
15. If he asks you to step out of the car, automatically throw yourself on the hood.
16. When he asks you to spread them, tell him you don't go that way.
17. When he puts the handcuffs on, say "Usually my dates buy me dinner first"
18. Ask to be fingerprinted with candy, cause you don't like ink on your fingers.
19. After you sign the ticket and give it to him, say "Oops! That's the wrong name."
20. Bribe him with donuts, and when he agrees, tell him sorry, I just ate the last one.
21. When he comes up to the car, say "License and registration, please" right when he says it.
22. When he goes to read you your rights, sing "La La La, I can't hear you!"
23. Trip and fall into him.
24. Accuse him of police brutality when he pushes you away.
25. Before you sign the ticket, pick your nose. You have to sign with his pen.
26. Chew on the pen, nervously.
27. Clean your ear with the pen.
28. If it's a click pen, take it apart and play with the spring.
29. Ask if he has a daughter. If he says yes, say I thought the name sounded familiar.....
30. Ask him if he ever worked in a prison. If he says yes, ask him how the plumbing was.
31. Act like you are retarded.
32. When he's telling you what you did wrong, start repeating him, quietly.
33. Mumble to yourself.
34. When he tells you to stop, say what are you talkin about, DUDE?
35. Drive to Dunkin Donuts and say hmmm....only 5 of you here tonight.......
36. Ask if they know how to make the donuts.
37. When he comes to the car, say I have a badge just like yours!
38. Ask if he watches Cops.
39. Ask if ever watched Cop Rock.
40. Giggle if he did.
41. Talk to your hand.
42. Ask if he knows somone named Rosy Palm and her Five Favorite Friends.
43. Accuse him of Sexual Harassment if he does.
44. When he frisks you, say You missed a spot, and grin.
45. When he asks to inspect your car, say there is no alcohol in my car, sir, the last cop got it.
46. Try to sell him your car.
47. Ask if you can buy his car.
48. If he takes you to the station, Ask to sit in front.
49. Play with the siren.
50. If you know him, say you had his wife for dinner.
51. If you don't know him, ask if you can have his wife for dinner. Oops...I meant OVER for inner
52. Ask if he ever had pu-tang er.
53. If he asks what it is, point at him and giggle.
54. If there is someone else in the car, talk to each other in tongues.
55. When he acts confused, keep talking, look at him and laugh.
56. When you are in the back, touch his neck through the fencing.
57. Turn your head and whistle.
58. When he pulls out his night stick, say what you gonna do with that.
59. If you are female, say I don't do that on the first date.
60. If he sticks you in the back of the car, cower in the corner, suck your thumb, and whine.
61. Stare at his lights and say "Look at the pretty colors!"
62. Tell him you like men in uniform.
63. Ask if you can borrow his uniform for a Halloween party

Gmail is forbidden in Germany

According to the decision of court, Google cannot use name Gmail in Germany as it breaks trade mark G-mail belonging businessman Daniel Girsh. As specify in Google, the judicial verdict will not prevent to give service of Web-mail in the country which will be offered by the company under name Google Mail. Under the same name Gmail operates in the Great Britain where also was a corresponding brand. Google has put service of Web-mail into operation in 2004, and for today owns trade mark Gmail more than in 60 countries. According to representatives of the company, after promulgation by court of its reasons in favour of decision-making against Gmail in Google still can try to appeal against an interdiction in the Supreme court of Germany. As Girsh informed, he has registered trade mark G-mail in 2000, but Google conducts judicial struggle last three years. Under brand G-mail, as he said, he offers "hybrid" service which unites usual post and e-mail.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Popular Monster.com hack was carried out from Ukraine

Breaking of the world's largest recruiting site Monster.com, fixed in the end of the last week, has been carried out from a computer located in territory of Ukraine. To such conclusion have come experts from Symantec company which is responsible for the security of web site Monster.com.

Malefactors have stolen about 1,6 million records from Monster database. Though not each of them contained personal information of users of this site, in hands of hackers there were particularies on hundreds thousand person. Administration of Monster has promised "to arrange", however in what they will consist, is not specified yet. Access to databases of site on which placed more than 70 million resume, has been carried out by means of Trojan program Infostealer. Monstres. Users left the following information on: addresses, phones and e-mail; any data of numbers of credit cards and bank accounts was not on the Monster web site.

Malefactors have begun dispatches of letters ostensibly on behalf of Monster with the offer to establish a certain additional module for work with a site. Under a kind of the module hackers try to compel to establish users on the machines espionage programs.

To my mind, each protection system can be hacked, but security companies have to protect user's data. It is simply work of security companies, in this case such company is Symantec. In our real world I can't trust internet my confidential data like number of credit card or something like this because I know that it can be stolen. But when will we be protected completely? Let's wait for the evolution of internet...

Funny signs from around the world

Signs from around the world :D :D :D
From Zhensovet Forum

Cocktail lounge, Norway:
"LADIES ARE REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN IN THE BAR."

At a Budapest zoo:
"PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUITABLE FOOD, GIVE IT
TO THE GUARD ON DUTY."

Doctors office, Rome:
"SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES."

Dry cleaners, Bangkok:
"DROP YOUR TROUSERS HERE FOR THE BEST RESULTS."

In a Nairobi restaurant:
"CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE OUGHT TO SEE THE MANAGER."

On an Athi River highway:
"TAKE NOTICE: WHEN THIS SIGN IS UNDER WATER, THIS ROAD IS IMPASSABLE."

On a poster at Kencom:
"ARE YOU AN ADULT THAT CANNOT READ? IF SO, WE CAN HELP."

In a Bangkok temple:
"IT IS FORBIDDEN TO ENTER A WOMAN, EVEN A FOREIGNER, IF DRESSED AS A
MAN."

In a City restaurant:
"OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND WEEKENDS."

A sign seen on an automatic restroom hand dryer:
"DO NOT ACTIVATE WITH WET HANDS."

In a cemetery:
"PERSONS ARE PROHIBITED FROM PICKING FLOWERS FROM ANY BUT THEIR OWN
GRAVES."

Tokyo hotel's rules and regulations:
"GUESTS ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SMOKE OR DO OTHER DISGUSTING BEHAVIOURS
IN BED."

On the menu of a Swiss restaurant:
"OUR WINES LEAVE YOU NOTHING TO HOPE FOR."

In a Tokyo bar:
"SPECIAL COCKTAILS FOR THE LADIES WITH NUTS."

Hotel, Yugoslavia:
"THE FLATTENING OF UNDERWEAR WITH PLEASURE IS THE JOB OF THE CHAMBERMAID."

Hotel, Japan:
"YOU ARE INVITED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CHAMBERMAID."

In the lobby of a Moscow hotel across from a Russian Orthodox monastery-cemetery:
"YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CEMETERY WHERE FAMOUS RUSSIAN AND SOVIET
COMPOSERS, ARTISTS, AND WRITERS ARE BURIED DAILY EXCEPT THURSDAY."

A sign posted in Germany's Black Forest:
"IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN ON OUR BLACK FOREST CAMPING SITE THAT PEOPLE
OF DIFFERENT SEX, FOR INSTANCE, MEN AND WOMEN, LIVE TOGETHER IN ONE TENT
UNLESS THEY ARE MARRIED WITH EACH OTHER FOR THIS PURPOSE."

Hotel, Zurich:
"BECAUSE OF THE IMPROPRIETY OF ENTERTAINING GUESTS OF THE OPPOSITE SEX
IN THE BEDROOM, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE LOBBY BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE."

Advertisement for donkey rides, Thailand:
"WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE ON YOUR OWN ASS?"

In the window on a Swedish furrier:
"FUR COATS MADE FOR LADIES FROM THEIR OWN SKIN."

The box of a clockwork toy made in Hong Kong:
"GUARANTEED TO WORK THROUGHOUT ITS USEFUL LIFE."

In a Swiss mountain inn:
"SPECIAL TODAY - NO ICE-CREAM."

Airline ticket office, Copenhagen:
"WE TAKE YOUR BAGS AND SEND THEM IN ALL DIRECTIONS."

A laundry in Rome:
"LADIES, LEAVE YOUR CLOTHES HERE AND SPEND THE AFTERNOON HAVING A GOOD TIME."

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

News from Apple: What it have chosen?



Apple has chosen T-Mobile, O2, and Orange as its European launch partners for the iPhone after wrangling a revenue-sharing agreement, according to the Financial Times.

The four companies are set to announce their partnership by the end of the month, the report said. The deals would require the carriers to share 10 percent of all revenue from voice and data services over the iPhone with Apple, according to the report. Apple has a revenue-sharing agreement in place with AT&T, the exclusive iPhone carrier in the U.S.

No new details surfaced in the report about the type of iPhone that would hit Europe, but most industry observers think Apple has a 3G model in mind for across the pond. T-Mobile provides mobile service to Germany, Orange operates in France, and O2 is based in the U.K.

Apple has said it wants to launch the iPhone in Europe by the end of this year. Tim Cook, the company's chief operating officer, mentioned that Apple wants to start in Europe with "a few major countries," and France, Germany, and the U.K. probably fall into that category.

Monitoring Kids

Parents already have a way to monitor kids' phone calls and text messages, and soon they might have the means to track children wearing school uniforms.

An English manufacturer of uniforms is considering adding satellite tracking devices to its line of school clothing so that parents can locate their child's whereabouts at all times, according to an article from the Daily Telegraph in Australia. The manufacturer, Lancashire-based Trutex, believes there is a demand for such clothing. In a recent survey of its own, the company found that 59 percent of 800 parents surveyed were interested in buying uniforms with embedded Global Positioning Systems.

Still, it seems unlikely that a teenager would willingly wear a GPS-laced outfit. According to the article, only half of kids 12 and under (who were surveyed) said that they wouldn't mind wearing the clothes.

Spamer is sentenced to 30-years imprisonment

The court has sentenced 20-years Christopher Smith, considered to one of the most malicious spamer. Smith has begun the illegal activity several years ago. The Young man dispatched millions electronic messages with advertising pornography and medical products which are released under recipes.

Belonging cyber-criminals the pharmaceutical firm Xpress Pharmacy, engaged illegal sales of medicines, made millions-strong profit. In total Smith realized preparations for the sum of 24 million US dollars. The young man went on expensive cars and lived in magnificent apartments. AOL, the Internet-division of mediagiant Time Warner, initiated the claim against Smith, having accused him in illegal dispatching of advertising.

For the period of trial the court has obliged young man to stop trade in medical products and has frozen bank accounts of spamer. However he, using the counterfeit passport, has left the United States, having tried to renew illegal business in Dominican republic. The court has passed the final decision on Christopher Smith's business, having sentenced the young man to 30 years of imprisonment.


from forum

Russian programmer has been arrested


In the USA Russian programmer Roman Voznjuk has been arrested, writes The Wall Street Journal. He was accused of plundering of initial codes of American company Alibre Inc. Having copied codes, the Roman has returned home where authorities of the USA could not get him. Roman visited USA in the beginning of August. Voznjuk has been arrested on August, 6th in New York where he has arrived from Canada. Right after arrest he has been forwarded to Dallas where 4 years ago source codes have been stolen.

Floor Grejson, the founder of company Alibre, has told, that Roman Voznjuk was software developer up to the end of 2003. Then because of recession of demand for production Alibre he has got under reduction. After that Roman has returned to Russia as could not find other work in the USA.

Grejson marks, what source codes were exactly on the Russian servers for the first time. The source codes of RaceCAD - programs for spatial modelling and creation of virtual prototypes of various objects and products. Grejson speaks, that after detection of source codes in the Network has contacted Voznjuk and has demanded from it to stop distribution of codes, however correspondence in what has not resulted. Then Alibre has decided to bring an action. The court will be today - the lawyer of Roman will achieve its clearing on the security.