Ouya Android Console!

Haven't posted anything in a long while. No idea why, because I was enjoying writing random stuff down. But that doesn't stop me from starting again!

One of the things a friend pointed out at me was the Ouya Kickstarter Project. As an aspiring programmer and an avid gamer, I am quite simply delighted at this prospect. It's basically a game console wihout all the lousy M$/Sony/Nintendo patents and liscneces slapped on that make it virtually impossible for an indie developer to publish anything on a console without either having oodles of money or being backed by one of the major businesses in the industry.

I just adore that sleek design.

And while my wallet isn't overflowing with ginormous amounts of cash, I've already pledged my support for this kickstarter project. And I'm certainly not the only one. The goal for this project was $950,000. As of this post, they have already garnered $5,489,691 in support of this console. Considering the current console market, I am really not surprised by this. We can definately look forward to it being released.

There has already even been an announcement for an Ouya-based exclusive game. Now that's what I call progress!

I'm definately keeping my eye on this!

Japan, it remains on everyone's mind.

Everyone, from my close friends to the customers I chat with in my store, it's the one topic that keeps coming back up. The web is also full of interesting articles about this (at times horrific) topic.

The radiation issue is something that worries me personally. Not because of the radiation per se, but about the future of 'clean' energy. Ofcourse, it's definately true that radiation leaks are nothing to scoff at, but in the end nuclear energy is a lot cleaner then fossil fuel-based energy generation. Not to mention the political impact of the ever scarcening fossil fuels.

There have already been fearmongers that perpetuate the 'nuclear = evil'-myth. And not your average village idiot either. No. Greenpeace is using Japan in their scare tactics as well. It disgusts me how uninformed these people are. For all the good intentions, they seem to have little knowledge about the facts in this and many other matters.

But before I bury myself into a depression, I also have some good news!

Photoshop - In need of opinions!

Hey again!

I've been fiddling around with Photoshop and I need some opinions! I've got some experience with photoshop and don't consider myself a total newbie, but I'm definately not an expert either. As such, I need a few opinions on a watercolor photoshop effect I've been working on.

First the original picture:

Japan, disaster and hope go hand in hand

Can you imagine being adrift at sea for 3 weeks straight? I know I can't. But after having been stranded for 3 weeks at sea on some floating debris, this dog has been rescued. I find this to be completely awesome and brings a smile on my face after having watched and followed all the horrible stuff that has been happening in Japan. It also makes me somewhat hopeful that more of the missing people might be found even after all this time.

I take a deep bow to the will to survive of this dog.

Watch the video here;

Fergie ft. Slash... I never knew...

Personally, I never really liked Black Eyes Peas. Sure some of their songs were catchy, but that genre has never been my cup of tea. But now, Fergie (singer from Black-Eyed Peas) has done something completely awesome. I never knew her voice would this great in a rock-themed music clip. I really wish she'd do more of this klind of stuff.

Did I mention the sheer hotness of the video itself? ^_^

Have a look for yourselves;

For some reason, the vids are region blocked. View the appropriate vid!

(EU/South America)

(US/Canada)

*APPLAUD*

*CHEER*

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P.S.: The poll for the Sunday theme is still up! Vote for the theme you wish to see here every sunday!

P.P.S.:  1000 views! Thank you guys! =D

What do YOU want?

I've decided that Sundays will have a theme on my Blog. It's up to you to decide what that theme will be!

Your choices;

Good music videos-day (good in my opinion anyway :P).
Hot babe day!
Noteworthy news day.
Humor day.

Note; Poll is on the left right! (d'oh!) 

 

I used to be a Samsung fan...

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I just thought I'd add this tidbit, as I found it quite disturbing. Did anyone there actually think putting a keylogger in netbooks was a good idea!?

Samsung responds to installation of keylogger on its laptop computers

Security Strategies Alert By M. E. Kabay and Mohamed Hassan Mohamed Hassan, Network World
March 30, 2011 11:15 AM ET

 

The long view of security strategies for your network.

In the first part of this two-part report, MSIA 2009 graduate Mohamed Hassan told of discovering a keylogger on two different models of Samsung portable computers. Today he continues the story. Everything that follows is Mr Hassan's own work with minor edits.

* * *
On March 1, 2011, I called and logged incident 2101163379 with Samsung Support (SS). First, as Sony BMG did six years ago, the SS personnel denied the presence of such software on its laptops. After having been informed of the two models where the software was found and the location, SS changed its story by referring the author to Microsoft since "all Samsung did was to manufacture the hardware." When told that did not make sense, SS personnel relented and escalated the incident to one of the support supervisors.
The supervisor who spoke with me was not sure how this software ended up in the new laptop thus put me on hold. He confirmed that yes, Samsung did knowingly put this software on the laptop to, as he put it, "monitor the performance of the machine and to find out how it is being used."

 

In other words, Samsung wanted to gather usage data without obtaining consent from laptop owners.
While in the Sony BMG security incident described in the first article in this pair one had to buy and install the CD on one's computer, Samsung has gone one step further by actually preinstalling the monitoring software on its brand laptops. This is a déjà vu security incident with far reaching potential consequences. In the words of the of former FTC chairman Deborah Platt Majoras, "Installations of secret software that create security risks are intrusive and unlawful." (FTC, 2007).
Samsung's conduct may be illegal; even if it is eventually ruled legal by the courts, the issue has legal, ethical, and privacy implications for both the businesses and individuals who may purchase and use Samsung laptops. Samsung could also be liable should the vast amount of information collected through StarLogger fall into the wrong hands. 

[Mich Kabay adds:]
We contacted three public relations officers for Samsung for comment about this issue and gave them a week to send us their comments. No one from the company replied.
Good luck, Samsung! We see a class-action lawsuit in your future….

 >CLICK FOR SOURCE<

 Have fun getting spied upon by Big Bro... eh... I mean Samsung!

*crosses Samsung off list to buy crap from*

Preinstalling spyware on brand new hardware. Go and die in a ditch please. I value my privacy (as much as you can get nowadays anyway). These kind of asspulls really piss me of in a royal manner. You pay them buckets of money for already overpriced merchandise and you still get taken out back and given the proverbial %#^%&$&. (Yes, that was censored for the good of everyone...).

In the first part of this two-part report, MSIA 2009 graduate Mohamed Hassan told of discovering a keylogger on two different models of Samsung portable computers. Today he continues the story. Everything that follows is Mr Hassan's own work with minor edits.
* * *
On March 1, 2011, I called and logged incident 2101163379 with Samsung Support (SS). First, as Sony BMG did six years ago, the SS personnel denied the presence of such software on its laptops. After having been informed of the two models where the software was found and the location, SS changed its story by referring the author to Microsoft since "all Samsung did was to manufacture the hardware." When told that did not make sense, SS personnel relented and escalated the incident to one of the support supervisors.

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