Flaw in OS X Could Allow Hackers to Retrieve Scrambled Data

Reuters: "LAS VEGAS, July 29 (Reuters) - A Mac security expert has uncovered a technique that hackers could use to take control of Apple Inc (AAPL.O) computers and steal data that is scrambled to protect it from identity thieves.

Prominent Mac researcher Dino Dai Zovi disclosed the software flaw at the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas, one of the world's top forums for exchanging information on Internet threats.

About 4,000 security professionals are in attendance, including some who are really hackers. While experts ferret out software flaws to fix them and protect users, hackers use the same information to devise pranks or commit crimes."

Is Apple Afraid of Google?:

"Everyone's afraid of Google (Nasdaq:GOOG).

Look at the iTunes App Store. Thanks to thumb-suckers at AT&T (NYSE: T) and Apple (Nasdaq:AAPL), iPhone owners won't be given access to Google Voice -- a worthless and apparently arbitrary gesture, sinceSkype for iPhone is still alive and well. (And one of my favorite and most-used applications.)

At least Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) and Yahoo! (Nasdaq:YHOO) have good reason to be afraid. For years, they've been lagging The Big G in search and search advertising. Now, they're teaming up."

Apple Issues iDisk App for iPhone:

"Apple has released its long-awaited MobileMe iDiskapplication for the iPhone and iPod touch. It's available for free download from the App Store."

Apple + Record Labels = 'Cocktail'

Apple is reportedly teaming up with record labels to offer iTunes users a greater incentive to buy whole albums as opposed to single tracks. The offering could include album artwork, liner notes, and music videos.

Record labels make most of there money off album sales, single track purchases do not offer the same margin the albums in their entirety.

Yahoo Financial Reports

Reuters Reports

Forbes Reports the Rest of the Story

Oscar Maryer Wienermobile crashes into Wisconsin Home.

original article here

"MOUNT PLEASANT, Wis. – One southern Wisconsin homeowner is probably not in love with the Oscar Mayer wiener. The famed hot dog'sWienermobile crashed Friday into the deck and garage of a home in Mount Pleasant, about 35 miles south of Milwaukee.

Police said the driver was trying to turn the Wienermobile around in the driveway and thought she was moving in reverse. But she instead went forward and hit the home. It sat in the driveway as if it were stuck in the garage Friday afternoon.

No one was home and no one was injured. No citations were immediately issued.

Both the home and vehicle suffered moderate damage, which Oscar Mayer spokeswoman Sydney Lindner says insurance will cover.

Police hadn't been able to speak to the homeowner as of early Friday evening."

Pres. Obama Checking Out the Ladies

President Obama likes to look, but he needs to remember not to touch. France's President Nicolas Sarkozy takes a gander too. We never claimed to elect perfect men.

Update:

The bum that President Obama was checking out belongs to a 17-year old Brazilian girl, New York Post Reports.

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July! Everyone should take moment today and remember those who fought for our independence and our way of life!

God Bless America!

Buddy Holly's Death More Significant Than Michael Jackson's

The first thing that I need to say is that Michael Jackson's death is significant. He was a great talent and pop icon. As a performer he will be missed. However, his personal life was not something to be desired and will most likely taint his legacy.

That being said, Buddy

Holly's death was more significant than Michael Jackson's. Buddy was born in 1936 and he died in 1959. He was only 24 years old when the plane that was carrying him, Richie Valenz, and the Big Bopper went down. The next day there was only a small note in the newspaper the following day. I would argue that Buddy's death is more significant for the following reasons:

1. Buddy was a true musician. He wrote, arranged, played, and recorded all of his own music.

2. He gave us a truly unique sound, no one previously had sounded quite like he did.

3. He was a pioneer. Buddy was the first artist to use orchestral arrangements in "rock n roll".

4. Buddy crossed racial boundaries before many other artists. One of Buddy's first major shows was at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, at which he received a hugh ovation.

5. Buddy died at the young age of 24, he did no

t have the chance to become more of an icon. He was robbed of time.

While Michael Jackson had several of these attributes, he did not

embody all of them to the extent that Holly did. Michael should be remembered as a great performer, but not a great musician.

I would also like to put out the idea that it would have been better for Michael's legacy had he died soon after the release of thriller. If this had been the case there never would have been the other side of Michael.

One last point, when Buddy Holly died celebrities did not capture the publics attention as much as today. Holly did not have the opportunity to become an icon because of the lack of exposure. I truly believe that people today are more attached to celebrities than in 1959.

Are Girls Evil?

I found a great set of math equations that tries to prove girls are evil. I'll let you be the judge.

Billy Mays Found Dead

Billy Mays, star of the show Pitchmen on the Discovery Channel, was found dead by his wife in his Florida home.

Police are reporting that there are no signs of forced entry or foul play at this time.

Billy's wife Deborah has stated, "Although Billy lived a public life, we don't anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days. Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times."

Billy was known for his in your face, rhythmic style. He stood behind his products and his family, actually having them help pitch a few of his products.

I personally enjoyed watching Billy, he always made me want to buy whatever he was selling. His show with Anthony Sullivan on the Discovery Channel was a weekly staple for me as well. One of the best reality shows on the market.

Billy was known for the following products:

OxiClean,
Orange Glo,
Kaboom,
Engrave It,
Handy Switch,
iCan,
Mighty Mendit,
Mighty Putty (regular) &
Mighty Putty Wood,
Hercules Hook,
AwesomeAuger,
Steam Buddy,
Zorbeez,
Big City Slider Station,
The Ding King,
ESPN 360,
Energize,
Impact Gel Insoles,
Omni DualSaw,
Jupiter Jack,
What Odor?,
Soap-A-Dub-Slop Stopper,
Tool Bandit,
SIMONIZ Instant Shine,
SIMONIZ fix it! (regular) &
fix it! PRO,
Gopher,
Samurai Shark,
Grater Plater,
Ragazzi's Pizza, and
Green Now!

Our thoughts and prayers got out to the Mays family.

Twitter

Twitter - The Evils of Communication

Questions abound about Twitter:

1. What is twitter exactly?

2. Why use twitter?

3. What is the marginal utility of twitter?

4. Why only 140 characters?

5. Do people actually read tweets?

6. How does twitter make money?

7. What makes you tweet?

This is just the beginning of a laundry list of questions that can be asked about twitter. It is my goal to answer these 8 questions so you don't have to.

1. What is twitter exactly?

According to twitter's website: Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?

Now that you know the formal definition of twitter, I'll tell you what it truly is. Twitter is evil. Plain and simple. It is one more way for people to know what I am doing. I'm not looking for 500 stalkers (twitter calls these people: followers). Sad to say I do have a twitter (you might call me a hypocrite at this point).

2. Why use twitter?

You shouldn't. I remember a day when no one had cell phones. I remember a day when I didn't know what my friends were doing all of the time. I remember a time when I had to call a landline and ask them. Technology has taken true communication out of the equation. We are now limited to 140 characters (more on this later). Technology is making life easier, but it is also dumbing down our society.

3. What is the marginal utility of twitter?

The marginal utility of twitter is diminishing. There is a point when twitter, because of it's lack of true purpose, will no longer be a useful form of communication. This follows the law of diminishing marginal utility. Simply stated the more of something you get the less you actually want. If you try to eat 100 oreos within a 20 minute period of time, the 100th oreo will taste like poo. For twitter to maintain its popularity it will have to remain innovative. I know that twitter has a team of highly educated college dropouts locked in a room brainstorming on ways to remain innovative.

4. Why only 140 characters?

Why are we limited? I thought technology was suppose to inspire creativity. There is a chance that limiting people to 140 characters will actually increase creativity, but I'm afraid this will only be for a few individuals. My best response is to ask another question: What if I need more than 140 characters to communicate my message?

5. Do people actually read tweets?

Yes and No. People glance at tweets, they don't "read" them. People read books, newspapers, blogs, and websites. tweets are too short to read.

6. How does twitter make money?

Investors. As of yet twitter does not make money off you. The biggest question for twitter and investors is: How will twitter make money in the future? Facebook and Myspace make money off the ads placed on your page.

7. What makes you tweet?

I don't know. That is something you will have to answer for yourself. I think people tweet because twitter is the latest and greatest for the time being.

Jack Dorsey, the creator of twitter, is a smarter man than me. There is no denying this truth, he has taken a simple idea and sold it. His idea has made him richer than most will ever be. I might not like twitter, but it has caught the attention and imagination of our country and the world.

Michael Jackson & Farrah Fawcett Both Dead

This morning at 9:30 Farrah Fawcett lost her battle with cancer. She stared on the hit television show 'Charlie's Angels' and was a 70s icon.

This afternoon Michael Jackson died of cardiac arrest. He was 50. Michael was known as the "King of Pop" and had 13 number one singles during his solo career. He was also inducted twice into the Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame.

SC Gov Admits to Affair

South Carolina Republican Governor Mark Sanford has admitted to an affair with an Argentinean women. He has spent the last few days down in Argentina "crying".

I honestly did not read everything about this affair, nor do I know much about Gov. Mark Sanford. But, I do know that this is not acceptable for any politician, I don't care if you are a Mayor, Governor or President (Clinton).

The Republican Party should not allow this man to remain in any position of authority within the party. He should not be allowed to run for President in 2012. The people of South Carolina should not re-elect him. Top Conservatives and Republicans should denounce his actions.

Health Care Part 1

I found a great website which weighs a few of the pros and cons of Universal (government sponsored) Health Care.

You should know that Pres. Obama and Congress are currently debating what Universal Health Care should look like. Unfortunately with a Democrat controlled Congress it does not look as though they will actually debate the merits of Universal Health Care.

More to come...

News....I'm Back

President Obama stiffened his foreign policy towards Iran....for now. Mr. Obama has finally condemned the violence that has been taking place in Tehran and other parts of Iran since the Presidential Election on June 12th 2009.

Why is Nancy Pelosi so concerned with the environment when there are plenty of other problems facing our country? The House is set to vote on an environmental bill on Friday.

AT&T has released a new App. AT&T Navigator (app store, free). But watch out, AT&T will charge you a monthly for this turn by turn gem. $10 bucks a month. The app weighs in at 2.3MB, better than some other apps coming in at over 1GB.

That's all for now, check back for more.