IIS 7.0: Explore The Web Server For Windows Vista And Beyond
IIS 7.0 takes the speed, reliability, and security of IIS 6.0 and turns it into a highly extensible and manageable Web server to run Web apps of the future.
Plaintiffs Want Claims Against Other Manufacturer Severed From Settlement
SAN DIEGO - A claimant in the Metabolife bankruptcy proceedings is opposing confirmation of the proposed joint plan of liquidation, arguing that he was taking both Metabolife ephedra products and another manufacturer's products and that the settlement would unfairly eliminate his right to a separate recovery against the other company (In Re: MII Liquidation, Inc., No. 05-06040, S.D. Calif. Bkcy.). Full story on lexis.com
[Bruce D'Arcus:QOTD] When Design By Committee Gets In The Way Of The Design
darcusblog � Blog Archive � OOo: Quality Through Obsolescence? Michael notes a lot of progress on the OOo organizational front of late, such as the move to more frequent releases. But clearly the deeper organizational dynfucntions are really, seriously, weighing...
NASCAR plays let's make a business deal - SportingNews.com
 Auto Racing Daily | NASCAR plays let's make a business deal SportingNews.com - One of the true old-school racers in the NASCAR garage finally bit the bullet and made a deal. Now Robert Yates has help. Robert Yates Racing, meet Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, a seven-time Champ Car championship team. 100 Crewmen To Be Fired After Ginn - DEI Merger Speed Mail: With merger, No. 8 can go to HMS |
“Do you understand where you are?”
The song “Strange Fruit” used to frighten me as a child. What did it mean to my parents, who had to live with its reality? This story first came to me via a posting on regular reader Wally Whateley's blog over a month ago, which led me to a stunning main post at Pandagon. Since that time, it hasn't faded. In fact, it's grown... ... (Read on Source)
Professional Audio - Now Spftware Driven
To achieve professional quality audio recording is not an easy proposition. The proliforation of many new advanced technologies flooding the market has complicated the issue. Where once the craft was ...
Bees to make elephants 'buzz off'
African elephants' fear of bees could help keep them out of valuable crop fields, researchers suggest.
SEO Chat Forums - Does google still gives importance to Reciprocal links
Date: October 17th, 2007 01:27 PM - mhnlv - Untitled Post: Couldn't have said it any better. It's amazing how many people do not use the search feature and yet I've found a ton of answers without having to post much....
First Glance: The Nokia N810 Linux Internet Tablet Doesn't Make Sense
InformationWeek: "I had an opportunity to play with the new Nokia N810 Internet Tablet for about five minutes last night, and came away confused..."
Yahoo supporting wind power in India, hydropower in Brazil
Company's investments aimed at offsetting its 2006 greenhouse gases.
Kevin Durant bumped into invisible wall
And he's the "Future?" (Read on Source)
Mac Journalism, or When Emotion Clogs the Brain
Glenn Fleishman and I wrote a review of Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard that appeared in the Seattle Times last week (we both write a bi-weekly column called Practical Mac). Depending on the topic, we get a little email here and there from readers and the occasional request for advice that has nothing to do with the topic. And every once in a while we receive letters from people who are writing based more on their gut assumptions or feelings and very little to do with what was published. This week has seen several of these, and I'm a bit perplexed.
By far the biggest response has come from a section talking about the security improvements in Leopard, which are significant. I'm posting the entire section below as reference:
Beefed-up security. Microsoft received a lot of due credit for some significant changes in Vista's underlying structure that prevent entire categories of viruses and worms.
The Mac has proved more resistant to attacks, partly through a lack of attention by crackers until recently, but the threat is still a possibility. Apple has taken a page from Microsoft's book and added new security features that should improve the odds of deflecting future attacks.
Leopard will now record information about any program you download over the Internet and provide those details to you the first time you run it. This should prevent attacks that rely on ignorance or a program launch that carries out malicious intent before you know what hit you.
Apple also added digital signatures as an option, where encryption is used to verify a program is unchanged since it was produced by its developer.
Apparently, even mentioning Microsoft means we're anti-Mac (as one person wrote). The latest email (which is titled "Do you work for M$?" which is a pretty clear sign that it's not going to be friendly) starts, "After reading your article, 'Apple's latest cool cat,' I was not sure. Your article was very biased towards MS/Windows."
Let me point out that the section quoted above is about one-sixth of the article, which gives our mostly-positive impressions about the major new features in Leopard. If you read through this block, we're essentially saying that Microsoft has had to deal with attacks; Apple has been immune so far but we know that won't always be the case; and Apple has implemented a few technologies that appeared in Vista first.
Going back to the letter, where the author reveals his colors at the end: "The plain truth of the matter is, Apple has made the finest desktop Operating System for over a decade. What they have not been doing is ripping their customers of with predatory pricing, and SW licensing fees."
(Incidentally, most of the letters followed a similar pattern: Start with a concern that we've gotten something wrong, maybe with a backhanded "you did make some good points, though" thrown in; make a case that's only tangentially related to what was originally written; and end with a screed that finally gets to the person's longstanding grudge, whether that happens to be "Microsoft is evil" or "Gaming on the Mac sucks because I can't play my favorite game from 1997 on it". I think this is the Mac reader equivalent to "monologuing" from The Incredibles.)
Look, I don't like some of Microsoft's business practices (they did engage in monopolistic behavior after all), but that doesn't make them evil. Microsoft made a huge strategic mistake in not addressing security early or thoroughly enough, and they're paying for it. Apple knows that Mac OS X isn't going to be immune forever (currently hackers are exploiting a security hole in the version of Mac OS X that runs on the iPhone in order to unlock the phone), and frankly, anyone that thinks the Mac is infinitely rock solid is delusional. What keeps the Mac secure is not a BSD Unix foundation; it's Apple being diligent and staying on top of exploits that are discovered.
Another recent example of how emotion clogs the brain was a short news piece we ran at TidBITS a couple of weeks ago. It involved an Apple board member whose high-profile usage of Macintosh technology aided in a huge amount of media coverage. Of course, I'm talking about the awarding of the Nobel Prize for Peace to a number of researchers including Al Gore. Mark Anbinder wrote the piece, I edited it, and we both actively focused on what was news: Apple board member receives international recognition.
Here's the entire two-paragraph article:
Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, whose documentary film "An Inconvenient Truth" won an Academy Award (or "Oscar") and who himself won an Emmy Award for his Current TV channel, last week added the ultimate award to his resume. The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize would be shared between Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Such announcements are normally outside what we cover in TidBITS, but both Gore and his film are deeply connected to Apple and the Mac industry.
In fact, while we were hoping for other news from Apple's PR machine (see "Leopard Slated for October 26th?," 2007-10-04), they instead spent the day touting Gore's achievement, customizing Apple's home page and linking to multiple news reports on the Hot News page. The one-time politician, named to Apple's board of directors in early 2003, has frequently been linked to the company's products. He has for years been an avid user of Apple's Final Cut Pro software, and he used Keynote to assemble the material presented in "An Inconvenient Truth."
We specifically noted that this isn't the type of thing we cover in TidBITS, but the connection between Apple and Gore are significant in the Mac industry. (We even correctly wrote that the film An Inconvenient Truth earned the Academy Award; Gore himself did not receive the award, as he was not one of the filmmakers, only the film's subject.)
And yet, we were treated to several vitriolic emails and TidBITS Talk posts about how terrible Al Gore is. The words "Al" and "Gore" seem to make some people froth at the mouth no matter what context. A sample: "Come now. A 'one-time politician'? Gore hasn't stopped being a politician for 50 years, and can't stop. If Apple wants to use its time PRing a politician/board member, let them do it. But TidBits [sic] time is too valuable to use even mentioning a politician (any politician) in its pages. Please save that for the news channels."
I know that people have strong views, and I want to encourage freedom of expression. But ranting for the sake of ranting is just a waste of our (your and my) time. I understand why mainstream journalists who don't cover the Mac get defensive and start throwing out words like "Mac zealots" and "cultists" when they cover Apple; they no doubt get much, much more volume of this type of email and don't know how to handle it.
To try to encourage better communication here are a few suggestions for people who feel compelled to write:
- Ask yourself, "Am I writing to correct a factual error or to provide constructive information?" If so, send it along! If not, then assume you're ranting.
- If you're ranting, ask yourself, "Does my rant directly deal with what was written, or am I just pissed?" If you're just pissed and writing a response helps get that out of your system, do it but don't send it. (Or, look at it tomorrow after you've slept on it and then decide whether to send it.)
- Threatening or insulting the person you're writing to doesn't help your case. In fact, it's a sure bet that I'll just toss it out. If you're compelled to make a statement about how well portions of my anatomy are (or are incapable of) operating, I won't pay any attention to whatever else you might say, even if it's legitimate. As Glenn wrote to one person, "You can't start nasty and expect a dialog."
- If you're writing because you think I'm somehow in bed with Microsoft or anti-Apple (or fervently pro-Apple) or that I'm getting some back-room kickback, know that I'm not. Glenn and I are freelance writers expressing our opinions. No one is pressuring us, no one is paying us (aside from the publication for whom we're writing for), no one has set up some cushy retirement fund that we get to tap into if we write X or Y.
- And if you legitimately have a concern with something we've written, and you can express it in a civil way, let us know and we can talk about it. (However, if you're just looking for random tech support, we don't have time to troubleshoot everyone's issues; Google search is your friend.)
Emotion doesn't have to clog the brain, and the best part is that even when it does (and I know it does), it's not a permanent affliction. A little bit of consideration will ensure that your time and mine aren't wasted.
Copyright © 2007 Jeff Carlson. TidBITS is copyright © 2007 TidBITS Publishing Inc. If you're reading this article on a Web site other than TidBITS.com, please let us know, because if it was republished without attribution, by a commercial site, or in modified form, it violates our Creative Commons License.
Microsoft's MacBU: Supporting Mac users with Office 2004. Supporting the Mac community through tech support newsgroups,
user group appearances, our new team blog, and more!
Check out our team blog at <http://blogs.msdn.com/macmojo/>
...
Associated Press launches iPhone site
The Associated Press has launched a new iPhone version of its online portal, according to an announcement. The newswire service notes that the site should now be visible by visiting apnews.com, and that it contains not just AP news but material from over 100 media outlets, covering topics such as breaking events, business and entertainment. Publi...
Speaking on WAA Webcast Series - Understanding Customers Through Data: Web Analytics, Audience and A
Know More: Web Analytics Association Advertising, Business, Internet marketing, Log Analysis, Marketing and Advertising, Online advertising, Site Management, World Wide Web (Read on Source)
Adobe-Sponsored Photoshop World Conference & Expo Opens Registration with $100 Advance Registration
Photoshop World – the largest Photoshop® educational event in the world – is bringing the most informative and inspiring digital imaging training to the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Convention Center on Sept. 4-6. (PRWeb Jul 10, 2008)
Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/photoshop/world/prweb1094014.htm
Pollination Habits Of Endangered Texas Rice Revealed To Help Preservation
A type of wild rice that only grows in a small stretch of the San Marcos River is likely so rare because it plays the sexual reproduction game poorly.
Drinking In Excess Associated With Increased Risk For Metabolic Syndrome
Those who drink in excess of the US Dietary Guidelines (i.e., men who usually drink more than two drinks per day or women who usually drink more than one drink per day) or those who binge drink are at increased risk for the metabolic syndrome, according to a new study accepted for publication in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
AMD`s �Shanghai` Processor Looks to Counter Intel`s Nehalem
On the eve of the 2008 Intel Developer Forum, AMD executives said that the companys 45-nanomter �Shanghai� processor will enter in the market by the fourth quarter of 2008. The AMD processor looks to compete against the Intel Nehalem processor, especially when in the volume two-socket server market.
- Advanced Micro Devices is making it clear that its upcoming 45-nanometer processor for servers � �Shanghai� � will compete against what Intel brings to market with its new line of processors based on the upcoming Nehalem microarchitecture. On the eve of the 2008 Intel Developer Forum, AMD Senio...
Currencies: Dollar extends losses against most major rivals
The dollar extends losses against most major counterparts, getting a further kick from rising crude-oil futures prices after downbeat U.S. housing figures, hot inflation data and weakness on Wall Street.
Inquisitor for Safari
Inquisitor, a search add-on for Safari Pandia (Aug 24) Inquisitor is a plugin from Yahoo to make searching easier for users of the Safari browser for the Mac.... (Read on Source)
Sex Hormones Link To Heart Risk
Men are more prone to ? and likely to die of - heart disease compared with women of a similar age ? and sex hormones are to blame, according to a new study. The findings suggest that this "male disadvantage" may be related to the sex-specific effects of naturally occurring sex hormones.
Abu Dhabi puts more cash on the line in Hollywood
Abu Dhabi Media, created last year by the government of Abu Dhabi, is starting a new subsidiary that will spend about $1 billion over the next five years making feature-length films in partnership with three American producers.
Yahoo Opens Mobile Platform, Launches iPhone oneConnect (PC Magazine)
PC Magazine - Yahoo on Wednesday announced that it would open up its Blueprint mobile platform for Java, Windows Mobile and Symbian devices, as well as mobile Web sites. It also announced the launch of oneConnect, a mobile social service and messaging client, for the iPhone.
Waste From Gut Bacteria Helps Host Control Weight, Researchers Report
A single molecule in the intestinal wall, activated by the waste products from gut bacteria, plays a large role in controlling whether the host animals are lean or fatty, a research team has found in a mouse study.
Shuttleworth sticks with Ubuntu
... 1999 by selling Thawte, the Cape-based digital security company he founded. Canonical develops the Ubuntu operating system using open-source technology, allowing anyone to modify it or translate it into ...
ShortTerm SPY and QQQQ
Thisll be quick. The SPY is presently after hours trading at the oval drawn...
Hackers and Spending Sprees
The disclosures are among many revealed in "How He Did It, 2008," the latest installment in NEWSWEEK's Special Election Project, which was first published in 1984. As in the previous editions, "How He Did It, 2008" is an inside, behind-the-scenes account of the presidential election produced by a special team of reporters working for more than ... (Read on Source)
Orioles change wardrobe
The Orioles bird that appears on team hats and helmets will get a new look for the 2009 season. (November 11, 2008) One long wait ends tomorrow for Orioles fans, who will no longer be able to gripe about the absence of the city's name from the team's road uniforms. (Read on Source)
Noninvasive Trauma Monitors
A portable sensor spots circulatory shock to save lives.
NASA Satellites Capture Images Of Southern California Wildfires
Images from NASA satellites give a wider perspective of the full extent and devastation of the wildfires raging in Southern California.
name: MAGPIE