Tropical PC Solutions
All about computers. Monetizing, blogging, programming, security and more...
Articles
Speed camera foe buys Tenn. city's police website
2010-06-09 09:40:00
BLUFF CITY, Tenn. — After a Tennessee police department let its website expire, the site was snatched up by a new owner — a man who uses it to gripe about traffic cameras that issue speeding tickets.Computer network designer Brian McCrary says he discovered the Bluff City Police Department site was up for grabs, so he paid domain provider Go Daddy for the rights to http://www.bluffcitypd.com.I think this is pretty funny and a clever way to "get even". They MIGHT have an issue with the usage of the name "bluffcitypd" but he could simple say "pd" means something elsee.g. Bluff City Public DissidenceRead the entire article:http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gLzn1--Nxa6Y5Bn6yjSpKCHs-RngD9G6GTV80If for some reason the site goes down or the Police Department regains ownership, a screen capture is available here.
2010-06-09 09:40:00
BLUFF CITY, Tenn. — After a Tennessee police department let its website expire, the site was snatched up by a new owner — a man who uses it to gripe about traffic cameras that issue speeding tickets.Computer network designer Brian McCrary says he discovered the Bluff City Police Department site was up for grabs, so he paid domain provider Go Daddy for the rights to http://www.bluffcitypd.com.I think this is pretty funny and a clever way to "get even". They MIGHT have an issue with the usage of the name "bluffcitypd" but he could simple say "pd" means something elsee.g. Bluff City Public DissidenceRead the entire article:http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gLzn1--Nxa6Y5Bn6yjSpKCHs-RngD9G6GTV80If for some reason the site goes down or the Police Department regains ownership, a screen capture is available here.
(USGS) U.S. Geological Survey widget - Earthquake watch gadget
2010-06-08 23:29:00
We have just released a new USGS Earthquake watch widget. This widget help you keep up to date with the latest info from the USGS.To get the widget embed codes or add it to your iGoogle page the click the below link:http://widgets.tropicalpcsolutions.com/widgets-2010/usgs.html
2010-06-08 23:29:00
We have just released a new USGS Earthquake watch widget. This widget help you keep up to date with the latest info from the USGS.To get the widget embed codes or add it to your iGoogle page the click the below link:http://widgets.tropicalpcsolutions.com/widgets-2010/usgs.html
New! Lottery Number Gadget
2010-05-21 18:10:00
We have released a new gadget that will help you pick winning lottery numbers!Our latest gadget will help you pick random lotto numbers. Whether you play 4,5,6 or more numbers this gadget will pick your winning numbers.To get this gadget use the below links. There are two versions available, a standard gadget and a slimmer version for blog sidebars.Taller/slim versionShort/Wide versionIf you would like to get embed codes for your website or blog then I would recommend visiting Widgipedia. You can find direct links to the Widgipedia embed codes here.
2010-05-21 18:10:00
We have released a new gadget that will help you pick winning lottery numbers!Our latest gadget will help you pick random lotto numbers. Whether you play 4,5,6 or more numbers this gadget will pick your winning numbers.To get this gadget use the below links. There are two versions available, a standard gadget and a slimmer version for blog sidebars.Taller/slim versionShort/Wide versionIf you would like to get embed codes for your website or blog then I would recommend visiting Widgipedia. You can find direct links to the Widgipedia embed codes here.
Warning- Dangerous Hole Found in 35 Major Antivirus Programs
2010-05-21 06:45:00
A dangerous loophole has been discovered in the majority of common Windows security software, as discussed in a shocking report released by Matousec.com. Today's malware writers and hackers are skilled enough to penetrate even the most up-to-date and expensive antivirus/antispyware software, as shown in this technological discovery. The latest invasion technique is known as the argument-switch attack or KHOBE attack, which allows malicious commands to bypass the protection of security software. Unfortunately, the technique has been proven to successfully bypass the level of protection offered by 35 of the most popular antivirus software programs, as shown in the list below: * 3DEQSecure Professional Edition 4.2 * avast! Internet Security 5.0.462 * AVG Internet Security 9.0.791 * Avira Premium Security Suite 10.0.0.536 * BitDefender Total Security 2010 13.0.20.347 * Blink Professional 4.6.1 * CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2010 6.0.0.272 * Comodo Internet Se
2010-05-21 06:45:00
A dangerous loophole has been discovered in the majority of common Windows security software, as discussed in a shocking report released by Matousec.com. Today's malware writers and hackers are skilled enough to penetrate even the most up-to-date and expensive antivirus/antispyware software, as shown in this technological discovery. The latest invasion technique is known as the argument-switch attack or KHOBE attack, which allows malicious commands to bypass the protection of security software. Unfortunately, the technique has been proven to successfully bypass the level of protection offered by 35 of the most popular antivirus software programs, as shown in the list below: * 3DEQSecure Professional Edition 4.2 * avast! Internet Security 5.0.462 * AVG Internet Security 9.0.791 * Avira Premium Security Suite 10.0.0.536 * BitDefender Total Security 2010 13.0.20.347 * Blink Professional 4.6.1 * CA Internet Security Suite Plus 2010 6.0.0.272 * Comodo Internet Se
Google reconsiders introducing facial recognition technology
2010-05-21 06:38:00
Recently Google announced their work in the field of facial recognition. This is an interesting field of research and the implications are amazing, but the privacy issues are concerning users world wide.The company is reviewing its products and the merit of introducing the controversial technology in light of recent complaints.It is under investigation in several countries after admitting that its Street View mapping cars had inadvertently collected browsing information sent over wireless networks, although it says that none of this data can be traced to individuals. Read the entire article:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/7744031/Google-reconsiders-introducing-facial-recognition-technology.htmlMore face recognition info: http://face.com/
2010-05-21 06:38:00
Recently Google announced their work in the field of facial recognition. This is an interesting field of research and the implications are amazing, but the privacy issues are concerning users world wide.The company is reviewing its products and the merit of introducing the controversial technology in light of recent complaints.It is under investigation in several countries after admitting that its Street View mapping cars had inadvertently collected browsing information sent over wireless networks, although it says that none of this data can be traced to individuals. Read the entire article:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/7744031/Google-reconsiders-introducing-facial-recognition-technology.htmlMore face recognition info: http://face.com/
How to block those ad-blocker programs - Some example code
2010-05-08 18:31:00
These days many folks are using ad blocker programs/plug-ins. I even often use one when editing my own content etc...so, there are good uses for them. None the less sometimes they might cause a problem so here is some code to help you detect the ad-blockers (and notify the end user).There is no doubt, some ads are just bad for your computer - I have had ads crash my laptop and try to install spyware etc... So really, ad blockers are a necessary evil. Why do I call them an 'evil'?I call ad-blocker programs 'evil' because the seriously impact the webmasters of the sites you visit. many of us provide free services and spend much time helping folks out each day. We obtain no paycheck or salary except what we can obtain via advertising. When you stop our ads from being displayed you are helping to put us out of business.In all fairness, most people have no idea just how bad these programs are to the sites they visit, so you cant really hold it against the folks. I have found that a simple
2010-05-08 18:31:00
These days many folks are using ad blocker programs/plug-ins. I even often use one when editing my own content etc...so, there are good uses for them. None the less sometimes they might cause a problem so here is some code to help you detect the ad-blockers (and notify the end user).There is no doubt, some ads are just bad for your computer - I have had ads crash my laptop and try to install spyware etc... So really, ad blockers are a necessary evil. Why do I call them an 'evil'?I call ad-blocker programs 'evil' because the seriously impact the webmasters of the sites you visit. many of us provide free services and spend much time helping folks out each day. We obtain no paycheck or salary except what we can obtain via advertising. When you stop our ads from being displayed you are helping to put us out of business.In all fairness, most people have no idea just how bad these programs are to the sites they visit, so you cant really hold it against the folks. I have found that a simple
Tawkon Measures The Radiation Spewing From Your iPhone. No Wonder Apple Doesn’t Approve It.
2010-04-24 07:24:00
Here we go again . . . Apple App Store Fail No. 5102928. A few weeks ago stealth Israeli startup Tawkon gave me a sneak-peak developer build of what I believe is the most important app on my iPhone. What does it do? It analyzes the cellular radiation your iPhone emits at any given moment, at any given location, whether in standby mode, or within a call.Sounds like science fiction, right? Well, that’s where Israeli hardware and software engineering prowess come into play (more on that in a second). Sadly, Israeli military training may have met its match . . . the infamous iPhone App Store approval process.The purpose of Tawkon’s app is to provide the user with an indication—or “prediction” as they call it—of the radiation level being emitted by the iPhone. This level changes based on environmental conditions, distance from cell towers, and even the manner in which the device is held. To illustrate: the iPhone’s antenna is located at the bottom of the device. If the user
2010-04-24 07:24:00
Here we go again . . . Apple App Store Fail No. 5102928. A few weeks ago stealth Israeli startup Tawkon gave me a sneak-peak developer build of what I believe is the most important app on my iPhone. What does it do? It analyzes the cellular radiation your iPhone emits at any given moment, at any given location, whether in standby mode, or within a call.Sounds like science fiction, right? Well, that’s where Israeli hardware and software engineering prowess come into play (more on that in a second). Sadly, Israeli military training may have met its match . . . the infamous iPhone App Store approval process.The purpose of Tawkon’s app is to provide the user with an indication—or “prediction” as they call it—of the radiation level being emitted by the iPhone. This level changes based on environmental conditions, distance from cell towers, and even the manner in which the device is held. To illustrate: the iPhone’s antenna is located at the bottom of the device. If the user
Google Street View logs WiFi networks, Mac addresses
2010-04-24 07:19:00
Google's roving Street View spycam may blur your face, but it's got your number. The Street View service is under fire in Germany for scanning private WLAN networks, and recording users' unique Mac (Media Access Control) addresses, as the car trundles along.Germany's Federal Commissioner for Data Protection Peter Schaar says he's "horrified" by the discovery."I am appalled… I call upon Google to delete previously unlawfully collected personal data on the wireless network immediately and stop the rides for Street View," according to German broadcaster ARD.Spooks have long desired the ability to cross reference the Mac address of a user's connection with their real identity and virtual identity, such as their Gmail or Facebook account.Read the entire article:http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/04/22/google_streetview_logs_wlans/
2010-04-24 07:19:00
Google's roving Street View spycam may blur your face, but it's got your number. The Street View service is under fire in Germany for scanning private WLAN networks, and recording users' unique Mac (Media Access Control) addresses, as the car trundles along.Germany's Federal Commissioner for Data Protection Peter Schaar says he's "horrified" by the discovery."I am appalled… I call upon Google to delete previously unlawfully collected personal data on the wireless network immediately and stop the rides for Street View," according to German broadcaster ARD.Spooks have long desired the ability to cross reference the Mac address of a user's connection with their real identity and virtual identity, such as their Gmail or Facebook account.Read the entire article:http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/04/22/google_streetview_logs_wlans/
Google Changes its name to 'Topeka'?!?
2010-04-01 20:10:00
That's right...it's that time of year and Google is up to it again.Every April 1st Google comes up with something. SO there it is...April Fools day ;)Read The entire article:http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/different-kind-of-company-name.html
2010-04-01 20:10:00
That's right...it's that time of year and Google is up to it again.Every April 1st Google comes up with something. SO there it is...April Fools day ;)Read The entire article:http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/different-kind-of-company-name.html
Traces of the Past: Computer Algorithm Able to 'Read' Memories
2010-04-01 20:07:00
Computer programs have been able to predict which of three short films a person is thinking about, just by looking at their brain activity. The research, conducted by scientists at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging at UCL (University College London), provides further insight into how our memories are recorded.Professor Eleanor Maguire led this Wellcome Trust-funded study, an extension of work published last year which showed how spatial memories -- in that case, where a volunteer was standing in a virtual reality room -- are recorded in regular patterns of activity in the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for learning and memory."In our previous experiment, we were looking at basic memories, at someone's location in an environment," says Professor Maguire. "What is more interesting is to look at 'episodic' memories -- the complex, everyday memories that include much more information on where we are, what we are doing and how we feel." - ScienceDailyRead the entir
2010-04-01 20:07:00
Computer programs have been able to predict which of three short films a person is thinking about, just by looking at their brain activity. The research, conducted by scientists at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging at UCL (University College London), provides further insight into how our memories are recorded.Professor Eleanor Maguire led this Wellcome Trust-funded study, an extension of work published last year which showed how spatial memories -- in that case, where a volunteer was standing in a virtual reality room -- are recorded in regular patterns of activity in the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for learning and memory."In our previous experiment, we were looking at basic memories, at someone's location in an environment," says Professor Maguire. "What is more interesting is to look at 'episodic' memories -- the complex, everyday memories that include much more information on where we are, what we are doing and how we feel." - ScienceDailyRead the entir