Posts by Ted 3

Official: America auto-scanned visitors' social media profiles. Also: It didn't work properly

Re: What if you don't buy into the whole social media thing?

See, that's the thing. Combine Zanto's comment and Orv's comment and that is what I am concerned about. As a privacy-preferring person, I am not active on social media. And this very disengagement with what is the new normal could be construed as so unusual that it obviously means I have something to hide. And that could mean "extreme vetting" time, whatever that mean.

Perhaps I should start working on that Facebook profile full of cat videos and duck-face selfies. That's what a "normal person" does, right?

What if you don't buy into the whole social media thing?

I still don't have a Facebook account (under my real name), LinkedIn, Twitter, Snapchat or instagram account. I have a Google+, but only cos I have a Gmail address. The profile is entirely empty. I wonder if that flags me as a miscreant, cos it appears I have something to hide?

NBN Co to trial faster fixed wireless services

Luxury!

"4 Mbps peak"

I struggle to get 2Mbps on my ADSL2 line in the middle of Sydney, 1km or so from the nearest exchange. Lower on very rainy days (like the last 2 horrendous days).

Mozilla mulls Superfish torpedo

Antivirus collusion?

"Vulture South has counted 10 (mainly small) antivirus platforms that brand the adware as either a potentially unwanted program or an outright trojan, a figure that as of the time of writing now totals 24 with bigger names joining the fray."

Is it possible that the larger antivirus platforms could be colluding with the likes of Superfish to ignore their activities? And that only now, when the odd "isolated" complaint has become a deafening roar that cannot be ignored, they are doing something about it? Is there another explanation of why the smaller firms flag Superfish, but the big boys do not?

I ask these as genuine questions (not being snarky or sarcastic), as I have no idea about the inner workings of the antivirus industry.

Sony's super-frumpy SmartEyeglass goggles are $840 Google Glasses

The start of a whole new device ecosystem

"The Sony unit will be equipped with a wearable controller the user carries".

This can only mean one thing: the Sony Smart Wig!

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/11/22/sony_smart_wig_patent/

US Navy's LASER CANNON WARSHIP: USS Ponce sent to Gulf

I believe that in the current vernacular, I am supposed to respond that the sound track is Sandstorm by Darude.

But seriously, why did they choose a soundtrack that made it seem like the video was put together by a 16 year old boy showing off his latest kill on Call of Battlefront Duty 3?

Yes, yes, Steve Jobs. Look what I'VE done for you lately – Tim Cook

Re: That should probably be "führer"

Darryl: "'gay Nazi'? It's German for 'Leader' or 'Guide'"

Note: I am not agreeing with Frankee. But I will point out that words do take on a different connotation across time and translation.

For example, 'douche' simply means 'shower' in French, but it has taken on a rather different connotation now in English.

Thus, 'fuhrer' does make people think of a certain time in German history, regardless of the literal meaning in German.

NBN Co adds 'burbs to copper map, claims 'speed up' rollout

Safe seats

"Inner West Sydney must be one of those areas that holds absolutely no political value".

That it because it is a rusted on Labor/Green seat. And thus, it is of absolutely no political advantage of either side to target...the seat won't really change sides, regardless of policy. I share your pain, the difference being I would like NBN to replace my laughable ADSL2+ which runs at 2kbps, as long as it is not raining.

Australian spookhaus busted for warrantless tap of own phones

A taste of their own medicine

They have always told us: "if your are doing nothing wrong, then you have nothing to fear".

Batman in the frame to take on Steve Jobs

Isn't this already a sequel...to the 2013 film "Jobs"?

As Fry would say: "not sure if original poster did not know or is being sarcastic".

No, really, I'm not sure!

Scientists skeptical of Lockheed Martin's truck-sized fusion reactor breakthrough boast

Naive is certainly an appropriate name for you

"For over 150 years all the life changing major innovations came from America, it is magic how this nation keeps improving the world and makes the rest of the world look incapable and backwards."

You *can't* be serious.

I mean from dynamite to electrocardiograms to relativity to penicillin to quantum mechanics to insulin to x-rays to helicobacter to the discovery of DNA...all major life changing innovations of the 150 years NOT from America.

I could come up with many other examples but I have real work to do.

Joan Rivers promotes iPhone 6 from BEYOND THE GRAVE

Seems legit!

Even if Ms Rivers was alive and well, the wording of the post stinks of the work of a low level copy writer trying hard to sound "badass" (in their words) while still hitting all the pre-specified marketing points of this astroturf campaign.

The fact that she is no longer with us just makes this ruse blatantly obvious beyond denial.

Hate Facebook? Hate it enough to spend $9k fleeing it? Web 'country club' built for the rich

Not conspicuous enough! --> fail

Agree with your sentiments, Mark 85.

Ol' Touchi-Peters has made a logical error here in thinking that a social network is analagous to a country club and thus can charge the same for exclusivity. However, the situation is not the same, and not just for the reason that the article states (the physical facilities and well stocked bar).

The one overriding difference is that spending up big on country club membership/mega yacht/private jet/supercar is that people can see that you have indeed spent up big. Put it another way, spending $9000 on a social media membership that the hoi polloi cannot see is just not visible, it is not conspicuous consumption. And in these cases, conspicuous consumption is the whole point, with the emphasis on 'conspicuous'.

So its a fail...and to paraphrase F. Groucho Fitzgerrald, I won't belong to a club that would have me as a member...

YES, iPhones ARE getting slower with each new release of iOS

Nail's head hit by AC 101.

But therein lies one of the fundamental problems in the study of economics. Most (not all) economic analysis is built on the assumption that humans behave rationally and will maximise income/happiness/utility etc. The taxi example is a great one to show that most people (not just taxi drivers) usually can't be arsed to maximise anything or behave rationally and efficiently. And it is not just individuals. Businesses and governments rarely make the most efficient or rational decisions due to political, ideological or practical considerations, or worse still, due to the whims of the leaders.

Behavioural economics does try to take study this and take some of this into account, but is regarded as a bit woolier by its very nature. Nonetheless, I find it a fascinating area which accords better with the real-world.

BEST BATTERY EVER: All lithium, all the time, plus a dash of carbon nano-stuff

"Lithium is relatively cheap. Lots of it around..."

Analogies can sometimes be tricky, but your comment is a lot like saying "Carbon is relatively cheap. Lots of it around...so diamonds are cheap too" or perhaps more pertinent to the flavour of this article "Silica is relatively cheap. Lots of it around...so aerogel would be cheap to make too."

The trick to this new anode is in the construction of the lithium within the carbon nanoshperes. I suspect the final cost will probably relate more to the expense and complexity of the manufacturing process, rather than the cost of the base lithium itself.

Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 claimed lives of HIV/AIDS cure scientists

Re: No one ever heard of risk analysis?

The medical conferences I go to have up to 20,000 delegates. 7 as reported (or even 100 as you say) is a small proportion. With so many delegates, a large number do have to share flights. It is just a logistical realty.

Lavabit loses contempt of court appeal over protecting Snowden, customers

The result was entirely predictable, but depressing none-the-less.

Not posted as Anon, as any governmental body that might be interest enough would have seen though that fig-leaf anyway.

Report mash-up: Apple to sell 65 million $269 iWatches in first year

Re: Where do I get an analyst job?

The jobs you are looking for are usually listed under the category "Artists", sub-section "Bullshit".

You were probably searching under the category "Analyst", sub-section "Technology".

Don't worry, most people make this mistake.

RSA booked TV's Stephen Colbert to give the final speech. This is what happened next

Re: Good for him

I am sure they have much juicier things in his file (esp if he indulged in any "private" Yahoo video chat).

But yes, good on him. Sounds like it was a very funny piece he did.

Tizen devices are HERE.... Hello, Samsung Gear 2 smartwatches

But what will the new Gear ad be?

Surely, the discussion should be less about Tizen vs Android or specs and much, much more about the advertising campaign for Gear 2.

Are we going to see a reprise of Creepy-Gear-Wanker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8nJKWJTsUg#t=0) and Easily-Impressed-Bimbo, not to mention What-A-Loser-He-Has-A-Phone-Man? Will it be set in a nudist colony or a swingers' club, to make it even more awkward? We must know!!

Forget ski-jumping – Russians setting records in Sochi visitor hacking

Re: Advise (sic) for traveling (sic) in the US.

If the "cyber warfare capabilities of China and Russia rival those of the US" as you say, then that implies that one must be even more careful when in the US.

Sony denies Vaio-to-Lenovo rumour

How about this?

"It's hard to see how a alliance would be of any value to Lenovo."

Just off the top of my head how about this suggestion: the ThinkPads are marketed as the pinnacle of business reliability for portable PCs, and the VAIO range marketed towards the fashion/lifestyle end of things. That would be of some value, at least to the marketing bods, cos you got both markets covered.

Disclosure: I've owned both and have been happy with both.

Cryptocurrencies now being pooped out by cartoon cat

Re: I don't get it

"So why make some joke currency that is likely to disappear?"

Probably cos geeks have always liked an inside/practical joke based around techy-type stuff. LOLCODE, the programming language based on lolspeak, is but one pertinent example.

Besides, throw enough (rainbow coloured) poo at the wall and some will stick. Who knows? Maybe Nyancoin will be the one *-coin to rule them all. I doubt it, though...

XBOX ONE and PS4, you'll make us RUN OUT of INTERNET

Re: I wonder if they ever heard the story

Ahhh, but this is the great thing about the doomsday prediction business. Do it often enough, and one day you will be right.

From that day on, you will always be quoted as "the guy/company who/which successfully predicted the {insert crisis-de-jour} 1 month before it happened."

Sony patents LASER-FIRING Wi-Fi SMARTWIG with sideburn buttons

Sony have to think more laterally (or at least further down)

Every day we hear that Apple is not innovating enough. This patent proves that Sony is not either. On the surface, they seem to have a very groundbreaking product, but I say they have not thought laterally enough.

Thus, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you (drumroll please):

The Sony Xperia eMerkin (4G edition)!

Sony says: "the user can control the presentation slides simply by natural behavior like touching side burns".

What rubbish! That would just look stupid. My Xperia eMerkin's controls would merely require you to activate the interface 'down there' with a subtle caress or firm jab, whatever takes your fancy.

[Note 1: The manufacturer is not liable for legal issues that arise from publicly interacting with the Xperia eMerkin due to specific laws in your jurisdiction].

Sony says: "signals would come from actuators or the vibration motors used in mobile phones placed close to the skin".

Again, I think the Xperia eMerkin has it all over the so-called 'Smart Wig'. The positioning of the eMerkin makes it ideal for haptic feedback to the user.

Sony says: "additionally, the wearable computing device may comprise a laser pointer that is arranged in or on the wig".

And once more, the Xperia eMerkin takes the 'Smart Wig' concept and amps it up 11 notches. Imagine your next PowerPoint presentation, enlivened with a laser pointer that is guided by the expert thrusts of your hips. And imagine the surprise on your lover's face as they unzip your pantaloons and find that perhaps, yes, the sun really does shine out of your nether regions.

[Note 2: The manufacturer is not liable for blindness caused to either the user of their intimate partner(s)...oh who are we kidding, eMerkin owners would be highly unlikely to have intimate partner(s)! But legal asked us to put this in anyways].

You see Sony, this is what happens when you think outside the box.

New wonder slab slurps Wi-Fi, converts it into juice for gadgets, boast boffins

Is the definition of "metamaterial" a bit wonky?

The article defined a "metamaterial" as "an artificially assembled material not found in nature and built for specific purpose".

Is this precise enough to be correct? I mean, simple nylon is artificially assembled (via a chemical reaction), is a material not found in nature (is a "synthetic" fibre) and is built for a specific purpose (if not stockings, then as a strong tensile bearing material). By the El Reg definition, nylon would be a metamaterial. The same could be said for kevlar or carbon fibre. I am sure the metamaterial boffins would like to think they are working on is a bit more "special" than just plain old nylon.

I suppose my question (out of ignorance) is when does a material stop being a simple synthetic material and start becoming a super-sexy thing worthy of the designation "metamaterial"?

You like iPads, you like things called 'Air'. You will LOVE this puppy

Nah, not just Asians. I know one (very Anglo) Apple fan who insists on using his iPad to take pictures rather than his iPhone. I pointed out that not only did this look silly, but that the camera on the iPhone would yield better pictures. He tried to argue that the cameras were exactly the same, and I could not be bothered to direct him to the tech specs.

I think it has something to do with the bigger screen. People equate the immediate viewing experience of "iPad photo is bigger on that big screen, thus is better" (actual megapixels and f-stop ratings be damned).

Man who pulled gun during chess game surrenders to robot cop

I blame his guest

He should have known that this is what happens when you bring a knight to a gun fight.

Tea, Earl Grey, hot! NASA blows $125k on Star Trek 3D FOOD PRINTER

@Thorne

"You can't call Cat highly evolved..."

I accept your criticism, but will respond by retrospectively correcting my original statement. I meant to say "highly evolved dress sense". There, happy?

BTW, I forgot to add the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkjbMoj0JY4

You got the wrong model!

You gotta get the food printer with different flavours in different cartridges! The 4 flavours in the same cargridge is for noobs.

Anyway, your analogy is apt. The flavour and micronutrients cartridges are also more than likely cost a lot more than even current injet cartridges. And as we all know, the ink contained wihin those have been calculated to cost more than gold (by weight).

I thus had to laugh at the linked orginal proposal. Under the section marked 'POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS' (their shouting, not mine), they state "implementing technologies such as 3D printing, this may avoid food shortage, inflation, starvation, famine and even food wars". I think that is a slightly long bow to draw. I can't image this costing less than currently produced food.

Cat

I would make some sort of smart-ass comment, but all I can think of is a highly evolved, bipedal cat standing in front of this machine saying "Fish...fish...fish...fish...fish..."

AT&T drops Facebook phone to 99 cents

Before any says "Still $0.99 too much"

It occurs to me that some may jump to the conclusion that $0.99 is still $0.99 cents too much for a Facebook phone.

But is is probably $173.18 too much, on average.

Cos according to Syncapse's wild-stab-in-the-dark, I mean reasoned and entirely precise estimate, the average Facebook is worth $174.17 to Facebook as of April 2013 (http://www.syncapse.com/value-of-a-facebook-fan-2013/#.UYx630pFNlI).

A highly improbable $173 rebate would sure shift some units!

Movie review: Star Trek Into Darkness

Re: Pegged out...

"The whole concept of a 25th century Scottish accent is weird anyway."

Scots seem to keep their accents no matter where in the world they settle, and how long they have been there, It seems to be a very 'sticky' accent. Thus, I would not be surprised in the 25th century there is 'standard Earth accent' and ' Scottish accent' as the only 2 variations left!

@ Brewster

"And thus begins the age old battle between fans of ST:TMP and fans of the Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn. But I give notice that both sides will unite against anybody who suggest Star Trek VI or any of the TNG spin-offs are any good."

Actually, I will be the exception that proves the rule in to your comment.

I will come down on the side of ST2:TWoK as far, far superior to ST:TMP. I watched it (again) recently, and special effects aside, it stands up well over time.

I will then further add that I will not then suggest that the TNG was that bad, either the last few TV series or select movies. I will nominate First Contact as by far the best of the TNG movies and indeed one of the best of the Star Trek movies of any series.

US Air Force beats off competition in NSA hacking fight

"Forget volleyball, there are systems to crack"

I assume volleyball is a reference to the documentary "Top Gun" (1986), featuring a young Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer before he got fat.

Given that you are referencing primary sources, it pays to be accurate. Maverick flew F-14's for the Navy, not US Air Force. Indeed, the TOPGUN Academy (actual name) is run by the US Navy. The US Navy was said to have been integral in influencing the production of the recruitment video...I mean documentary.

So I can only assume the Air Force won cos their guys weren't playing volleyball, unlike their Navy counterparts.

Japanese boffins READ YOUR DREAMS with MRI

Re: Beats me how anyone can sleep in one of those things.

Not only noisy, but cramped and claustrophobia inducing. Couple this with the multiple, tentacle type leads placed all over one's cranium for an EEG, and this adds adds up to an unpleasant night's rest.

Perhaps people dreamed of being "in a train tunnel being attacked by an octopus" 60% of the time. Thus, by describing this dream, the researchers were right 60% of the time (as per the quoted research)!

Facebook replaces non-Facebook mail addresses on Timeline

Re: @ Calling all lawyers

"I imagine it's covered in the Ts and Cs"

Just because it is covered in the T&Cs does not mean that it is enforceable. The terms and conditions must be reasonable, or else they are invalid. For example, there is a clause buried in the T&C's that by signing up you are giving up your first born child and also your liver for a live liver transplant, this would be ruled as invalid due to being unreasonable or unfair. Should someone feel strongly enough about this issue, they could have it tested in court, even if it was in the T&Cs.

Sadly, in order to point out such a clause is unfair/unreasonable, you would need to call a lawyer, thereby enriching not just your lawyer, but the defending company's lawyer as well. Oh well, such is life.

US military gives NASA two better-than-Hubble telescopes

Those were my exact first reactions on reading the article!

You took the thoughts right out of my head...how did you get past my tinfoil hat?

Eight... HD camera smartphones

Gordon 10 is totally correct. You do not need iTunes (thank god) to transfer video or jpgs off an iPhone. However, Fuzz is correct in highlighting iTunes on Windows as a crappy piece of bloatware. That is why I always transfer photos off an iPhone on a computer specifically without an iTunes installation.

Apple: 4m iPhone 4S handsets sold, thank you very much

I see what you did there...

But you do realise that the article you link to is about 4 million *Brits*. This article you are commenting on is about 4 million iPhone purchase *worldwide*.

The UK is not the world.

Apple cofounder Steve Jobs is dead at 56

So sad

As an ex-Apple fan (the only product I have now is an iPhone 3GS), I have been viewing their direction with increasing dismay.

However, this news saddens me greatly. Steve Jobs may have been more showman than hardcore technologist. But his legacy in the tech world in general is undeniable. He is one of those rare people with that "X-factor" which is unquantifiable.

RIP. You are gone too soon.

Google+ is an identity service, Schmidt says

Bad for Google, good for the rest of humanity

I agree that having Schmidt spout off his innermost fantasies is bad for the Google brand.

However, I would argue that it serves a useful purpose to have the Schmidt-mind-leaks widely disseminated, for the good of rest of the world that is not Google. It gives us insight into some of the true intentions underlying some of Google's strategies. It also serves to remind us that, though more benign than most other corporations (either inside or outside IT), we cannot assume that everything Google does is entirely benevolent.

Yes, Google's motto is "Don't be evil", but I think that we as the public should be the judge of that, not the Google PR department. My view: let Schmidt speak as often as possible!

NSW buckles: R18+ game rating clear for take-off

Indeed, not before time

At last, some sanity!

However: "it’s almost certain that games depicting drug use...would still be refused classification, to keep them in line with how the classification system treats other content such as movies."

Like drug use is never depicted in the movies.

Pakistani IT admin leaks bin Laden raid on Twitter

@ Figgus

Let's think back to 1981. January 20 1981, to be precise.

2 things happened that day: 1) Ronald Reagan was sworn in as president. 2) *Minutes later*, the American Embassy hostages were released by the Iranians. Yet history, and I have no doubt you, would ascribe their successful release to Reagan, and their non-release to that point to the weakness of Carter. This is because they were released *minutes* after Reagan became president.

Yet now, 1 and a half years into his term, you say that Obama had *nothing* to do with this? Note: I am not saying that GWB did not make a contribution, of course he did. But your position that Obama *after all this time as president* had no contribution at all is disingenuous, at best. Remember that as chief executive, Obama could have called off the search for Osama, whether implicitly or explicitly.

I do not think Obama is the Messiah. He has been so far a disappointment. However, I think you need to spin the reality to your own perceptions a bit harder here.

Acronis: We're snatching Symantec market share

OK product, very average support

Agree with most of the posters.

I use Acronis for my personal computers as well as those for my small business. Initial setup (and the occasional tweak when needed) is a bit arcane. And yes, support is minimal. One time I had a fairly terminal issue, and their belated response was install the latest version. It worked, mind you, but the speed and comprehensiveness of response did not inspire confidence.

Have never had to recover yet (touch wood) so cannot vouch for whole of cycle integrity. But in the end, *anything* is better than Norton/Symantec.

Apple to lead fanbois 'Back to the Mac'

Loved OS X Cheezburger

...made me laugh out loud, it did.

Anyways, my suggestion is OS X Cougar, for those who appreciate a more "mature" operating system?

Ten unlikely iPhone insurance claims

Not sure I would want to use it again

I am glad to hear that you got your phone working again after dropping it in a public toilet.

However, I am not sure that I would want to hold that phone close to my ear/face/mouth ever again!

Air steward resigns via emergency chute

Yes, and...

Yes, and people running with scissors should also be prosecuted.

This flight attendant is is a hero to those in the service industries (and fellow passengers!) who have had to put up with rude and selfish people as part of their daily routine. Give him a medal, I say!

Aussie parties trade blows over fast broadband

About Murdoch...

"Rupert Murdoch for instance - who also controls much of Australian TV"

I am as suspicious of Murdoch's influence as the next person (can't stand his newspapers), but please get your facts straight. There are 5 major free to air television station in Australia, which is the vast majority of the market. Murdoch owns exactly 0% of any of these. There is also Foxtel, the pay TV network, that only a minority of Australian's subscribe to. Even then, he only owns 25% of Foxtel.

More indiredctly, he owns a major film studio (20th C Fox in the US), but this is not a TV station. So yes, he would no doubt benefit, but he sure does not "control Australian TV", as you put it.

Ballmer's 'lost generation' note finds resonance

Oh really, Doug?

Let's see. The company I work for employs a few thousand people and has an annual budget in the several hundred million dollars. We are not in an artsy-fartsy industry and I can guarantee that there are no silk screens to be found. Funny how I've just been allowed to get a MacBookPro and an HP WinXP tower (Win 7 not supported here yet!). And my admin assistant has just got a MacBook to complement her ACER Windows box. I would say people here opt for Mac 50% and Win 50%, but the proportion of Macs does seem to be growing steadily over time.