Love the Drake

Hi-def

I've seen the future of TV and it is HDTV.

I watched the Superbowl both on DirecTV and HDTV via over-the-air (OTA) signals. All I can say is: Wow.

Here's my setup:

• Dell Dimension 733MHz PIII


• 256MB RAM


• Windows XP - SP1


• MyHD tuner card


• 21" Monitor


• Radio Shack bow-tie antenna

Click below to check out the screenshots.

I'll let the pictures speak for themeslves:

Splash Splash

If it's cold outside and snow on the ground, then it's time for that swimsuit issue.

It took 100 years, but National Geographic is coming out with a swimsuit issue. The magazine will show the history of swimsuits.

New Security Hole -- in Locks

Matt Blaze of AT&T Labs-Research found a security hole in locks that use a master key. He was able to unlock a lock using a small number of attempts rather than the thousands of brute force attempts normally needed.

All that is needed, Mr. Blaze wrote, is access to a key and to the lock that it opens, as well as a small number of uncut key blanks and a tool to cut them to the proper shape. No special skills or tools are required; key-cutting machines costing hundreds of dollars apiece make the task easier, but the same results can be achieved with a simple metal file.

After testing the technique repeatedly against the hardware from major lock companies, Mr. Blaze wrote, "it required only a few minutes to carry out, even when using a file to cut the keys."

The article goes on to explain that locksmiths have known this for years and that the threat is nothing new. Unfortunately, the threat is now well documented for both good and bad to use.

The ethics of full disclosure of security threats have taken a new twist. I'm all for full disclosure of security threats. By not disclosing it, it is the same as sweeping it under the rug and hoping no none figures it out. This security by obscurity is no security at all. This type of threat should have been fixed when the locksmiths became aware of it.

What liability do lock manufacturers face with this threat?

Patently Offensive

The Museum Tour website has received a patent infringement notice from SBC, stating there website navigation is infringing on an SBC patent.

This is simply ridiculous. The claims in the letter are so vague that just about any site navigation could fall under this patent.

After reading the entire 27-page patent, the claims in the letter are taken out of context. It's important to realize, that the patent in many places point out that the document is organized using one predefined document structure (See claim 1 in the patent). The only structure these pages are in are HTML, but the patent refers to well-formed SGML, and HTML documents "wherein the embedded codes that identify parts of the document". These parts of the document are used only for the navigation. But, the Museum's website do not use the embedded codes to identify parts of the document, only for markup and display purposes.

I'm no lawyer, but this should not be considered infrigement of this patent.

Balloon 1.0

This is a very cool story about an unemployed geek who decided to build a helium balloon loaded with a computer, digital camera, GPS, ham radio and more.

This is the story of how I designed, built, launched, and recovered a high-altitude weather balloon. Actually, the term "weather balloon" might be a bit of a misnomer, because aside from the physical latex balloon, and the payload's ability to measure temperature, this project bears little resemblance to a traditional weather balloon. The design and engineering process encompassed more disciplines than anything I'd ever undertaken before -- system engineering, software design, hardware design, basic electrical concepts, radio and RF engineering, and even some plumbing.

He gets the balloon to go over 79,000 feet and land safely. At least check out the picture gallery which includes in-flight photos as well as launch and recovery photos.

The mouse is not free

Eldred vs. U.S. was defeated today. The Supreme Court ruled today that the 20 year extension of copyrights enacted by Congress in 1998 (Sonny Bono Act) has been upheld.

This is good news for Disney and Mickey Mouse whose copyright on the cartoon "Steambot Willie" from 1928 was about to expire.

That's bad news for just about everybody else. The problem is, in less than 20 years, another extension will occur. This is not how it's supposed to work, copyrights were intended to be in effect for a limited time.

Larry Lessig championed this effort. Larry, keep up the good work and keep your head up.

Flying High

Great news today from the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas today for High Definiton Television enthusiasts.

First, DirectTV announced they're expanding there HDTV lineup by adding a PPV channel as well as committing to showing high definition NFL football on NFL Sunday Ticket. Unfortunately, there was no mention of ESPN-HD being added to DirectTV's lineup.

The major news was from TiVo and DirectTV: TiVowill be selling a high definition PVR by years end. It will include all TiVo features (pause live TV, record TV shows, etc.) but it will also record high definition programming from satellite and over the air (OTA) inputs. I just hope they release it by the end of the year, I can't wait.

Pulling Rank

Eprairie.com has stooped to a new low. They sent out an email today to their daily news subscribers with the subject “*Google, AOL, Yahoo! Rank ePrairie No. 1 in Midwest*”. Now reading this subject as well as the gibberish inside the email, you would think that Google, AOL, and Yahoo! actually thought that epriarie.com was #1.

But, that’s not the case, they only rank #1 in search engine results for phrases like “Chicago technology news” or “Midwest technology news” in different search engines.

They actually think that this is important:

It is with great honor that the staff of ePrairie announces what many in the Midwest technology community have known for some time: ePrairie.com is now definitively ranked as the Midwest’s No. 1 technology business publication.

For Midwest technology news, ePrairie is the undisputed champion (not the diminished Chicago Tribune technology section, not the editorial-heavy Sun-Times and not the daily Crain's ChicagoBusiness.com).

They then follow this up with a list of advertisers to ePrarie.com, and then the almighty disclosure in really small font:

Disclosure: Google(tm), Yahoo!(tm) and AOL(tm) are respective trademarks of Google Corporation; Yahoo!, Inc.; and AOL Time Warner, Inc. The search rankings stated do not imply any endorsement of ePrairie by Google, Yahoo! or AOL.

Do they think they’re fooling anyone? They must think their readers are idiots.

Following their lead, I found a few other things eprairie.com is #1 at:

Midwest Technology Bullshit

Midwest Technology rag

Chicago technology business that blows

Way to go eprairie.com, you’re #1!

Know your neighbors

Geourl.org is very cool. Once you submit your site, you can see other sites that are physically near yours. Here are my neighbors. You can click on the maps to find sites anywhere on the planet.

$1,000 Joe

Looks like Joe Millionaire did some modeling of mens underwear a few years ago the Smoking Gun reports, he made $1,000 for the shoot. They got the pictures which leave very little to the imagination.

Before Fox Television turned him into "Joe Millionaire," the eligible bachelor supposedly worth $50 million, Evan Marriott earned spare change modeling skimpy briefs for a California firm specializing in revealing swimwear, thongs, and leatherette underwear.

Dumb idea or great idea?

I have a bad feeling about this new product called RACHAL (Reduce Annoying Computer Heat And Loudness). It's supposed to cool your room by sending the exhaust from your PC and send it directly into your wall.

But, the exhaust just goes into a wall so I would think this would eventually cause some ventilation problems for the computer with hot air buildup. In fact, their FAQ addresses it:

How long was the product tested for?

The product was tested with about 20 different computer chassis configurations running for 3 months. The only difference we saw between the systems was the temperature. Since the ventilation system restricts airflow somewhat, we noticed some systems had increased chassis temperatures due to poor design.

Is that poor design of the chassis or RACHAL?

Garbage In, Garbage Out

If you're being investigated by the police, they just might start "stealing" your trash. If you think it's illegal, well, that depends on where you live.

A Portland police officer under investigation had her trash stolen from her while she was under investigation. She sued just about everyone possible. It turns out the Portland police have been doing it for years, and the mayor, and police chief think that it's an okay practice.

That is, until it's done to them. Reporters for Willamette Week take a look at the Mayors, Police Chief, and District Attorney's garbage. Let's just say all of them excepct the DA didn't think it was a good idea when the tables were turned on them. It's a long read, but well worth it.

See what normal garbage they found, especially all the personal information left in the trash.

Panoramic New Years

This is an unbelievably cool view of New Years Eve at Times Square in New York. Make sure you click and drag the mouse to view all around. You can click shift and control to zoom in and out.

My News Year Eve

After six years of staying home for New Years, Katie and I decided to go out for the evening. We were invited to a New Years party hosted by Katie’s cousin’s boyfriend in Wrigleyville. We decided to make an evening of it. Fortunately for us, my parents were able to watch the kids so I secured dinner reservations at Ditka’s near Michigan Avenue.

After dropping off the kids, we raced from the suburbs to downtown Chicago in record time for an early dinner. Dinner was excellent as always, we both ordered the filet, which was cooked perfectly. Katie and I discussed the different memories of our crazy year, which included a breakup of my previous company, the start of a new company, the birth of our son, and other great memories. We talked about potential travel plans and home renovations for the New Year.

After dinner, we had some time to kill before the party, so we decided to walk to the Ritz-Carlton hotel for a drink. They have a bar in the lobby called The Greenhouse that has very comfortable couches and chairs that has a great ambience. We stumbled upon this place a few years ago when we stayed downtown for our anniversary and it has become a favorite destination. Unfortunately, they were setting up that area for their New Years Party, so we found a smaller bar down the hall. We got a good seat and did some major people watching as the early crowd waited for the celebration to start.

After a drink and chitchat, we set out for the party. A short drive down Lake Shore Drive and we arrived to the party. As anyone who has driven around Chicago knows, parking can be regarded as a sport. It involves part skill (parallel parking in a small spot) and strategy (know where the spots are). Lacking any skill, I opted for the parking garage in the condominium across the street. Luckily for me, I was able to secure a non-reserved spot.

We were one of the first to arrive, and after a tour of the apartment we settled down with some hors devours and cocktails. After mingling and more food and drinks, midnight was upon us. The host of the party is a lawyer so the crowd consisted mainly of family and lawyer friends. However, I did discover that there were a disproportionate number of veterinarians at the party. With a maximum number of about sixty people, at the party, there were five vets in the house. Let’s just say poodle pictures where exchanged and diagnosis’ offered to concerned pet owners.

After midnight, the crowd thinned a bit and I was witness to a new party game called “butt darts.” The object of the game is drop quarters into a glass on the floor. Unfortunately for the quarters, they must reside in the crack of your ass and fall into the glass without the use of your hands -- only after you walk across the room with them in place.

At this point, I thought I was hallucinating. I didn’t think anyone would actually play this game. Boy, was I wrong. An unnamed relative came to the rescue and declared himself an expert at this game. He said he used to play this game years ago and with his experience, he was able to successfully drop $1.75 worth of quarters into the glass. I chose to sit this game out and take some compromising pictures of the contestants instead.

After more cocktails and chatting, we decided we had our fun for the night and we were off for the drive home. We made it home safely at 4am after a very fun and memorable start to the New Year.