Posts by Blank-Reg

There's an epidemic of idiots who can't find power switches

Re: In the British Army,

Agreed, but I'd actually want this, tape reel and all:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtXtIivRRKQ

North Wales Police outsourcing deal results in massive overspend

Re: Motorists stay clear of North Wales

Way to miss the point chap. Again, hidden cameras will not stop dickheads from racing down roads. They'll get caught and clobbered (how they are clobbered is mute - fine, ban, points, whatever). But, as is quite evident, there's an endless stream of idiots all too happy to follow them. So, my point: how do hidden cameras help deter dangerous driving and/or speeding? They don't. They're crap, immoral and echo the model of policing that was used before a certain Mr Peeler came along.

By following the "convictions (or arrests) = success" model, you aren't reducing or eliminating speeding, just convicting and fining.

Speed cameras and their positioning are rightly criticised in the UK. And for good reason. They are hardly ever used as an obvious, visible deterrent but instead hidden behind signs, inside innocuous objects and generally used as traps to punish the foolish, the confused and the inattentive who didn't spot the single sign indicating the speed change and all round generally generate plenty of revenue.

Re: Motorists stay clear of North Wales

First I'll say that I'm not condoning speeding. However, I will ask some of those sanctimonious posters above whether this or this is actually in the spirit of police principles? How are those acting to prevent speeding? What do they do to reduce idiots blasting through a posted 30mph village at 50? Sure, you may catch the idiot, clobber him with a fine and points (good for the coffers and stats) but he'll still have speeded. Or do North Wales police think that convictions are a more successful measure of their policing instead of a reduction in the amount of speeders?

Canadian live route map highlights vulnerabilities to NSA spying efforts

When they've got the Canadian bits sorted, any chance you could hand it round some other research institutions around the world to implement locally? Won't stop your data being stuck on a database in your own country, but will reduce the likely hood of another country keeping a copy.

Gimp mask, well, because that's how it'll feels to have your data harvested and put on the UK's new big brother database.

Big Brother is born. And we find out 15 years too late to stop him

As that old saying goes: Slowly slowly catchy monkey

In this case scum have managed to build a true big brother database (I suggest the term database be used in any talk on this bill and is said loudly and often) and are slowly revealing little bits to clueless MP's until its too late:

"And this bit here holds the phone call records. To, err, see if Terrorists (Terrorists! yes that's brilliant) make phonecalls"

...a year later...

"And this bit keeps the travel records, so we can see where the terrorists are flying from and to"

Ad nauseam

National Crime Agency: Your kid could be a nasty interwebs hacker

Arsewipes.

Definitely channeling Inspector Grim there:

"Why don't we change it round? Presume everybody in the country is guilty of something and lock em up. And anyone who can, to the satisfaction of a senior judge, prove themselves to be wholly and fundamentally innocent will be released"

Sneaky Microsoft renamed its data slurper before sticking it back in Windows 10

To paraphrase the Baby Eating Bishop of Bath and Wells:

"Bend over you products, ITS POKER TIME!"

Uber wants UK gov intervention over TfL’s '5-minute wait' rule

Allow me to paint a picture: Imagine if you would that when the complaint went to politician x, it was delivered over dinner in a very fine restaurant and, when said politician visited the bogs, he found quite a large over-stuffed brown envelope.

At least, that's how I pictured it, but I am brutally cynical about politicians in general...

Why Microsoft yanked its latest Windows 10 update download: It hijacked privacy settings

Incompetence? Perhaps. Deliberate test? Maybe. "Oops, we're sorry" statement? Meaningless corporate PR.

Whatever the reason, the fact that the Snoopware exists at all is galling. It shouldn't even exist in the first place to be enabled and for that Microsoft should be continually clobbered in the only way they understand - the wallet.

And, before anyone responds with the ridiculous "But so-and-so tracks you via x" or a variation of, they're scum as well and that statement shouldn't distract from the bile and clobbering that MS rightly gets for this.

Short weekend break: Skegness or exoplanet HD 189733b?

Brilliant.

Definitely true about the Glass Rain. Though the skeggy glass rain includes some kind of Ethanol mix.

Ofcom asks: Do kids believe anything they read on the internet?

When my little person gets a little older, I'll be implementing some sort of block and time control. It is inevitable that they'll want to go online. However, the block will be one chosen and controlled by me, not some government apparatchik. They'll also be educated and supervised from as soon as I can get them to listen. My personal view is that the wider Internet is akin to the pub - an adults playground and Children should be accompanied and supervised at all times.

'Hacked by China? Hack them back!' rages US Congress report

"The report additionally alleged that the People's Republic discriminates against foreign investors, and has "abusive legal or administrative processes" that particularly favour "indigenous companies over US firms" while "refusing to protect the intellectual property of US companies from piracy and counterfeiting". It encouraged Congress to have a nosey into whether such practices chime with the nation's World Trade Organisation commitments."

Perhaps veering towards hyperbole a little, but this smacks of rank hypocrisy!

They don't like it up 'em!

BlackBerry Priv: After two weeks on test, looks like this is a keeper

Re: Bog test.

Would like your coat, sir? Here let me help you with that...

BOFH: We're miracle workers. But you want us to fix THAT in 10 minutes?

I bow before your masterful PHB handling skills. I am unworthy at your castigation of useless middle managers. Tell us your secrets, oh great one!

Shadow state? Scotland's IT independence creeps forth

Re: Last rant here, promise

Just like all other politicians. They'll say what needs to be said to get themselves elected and those promises get fucked out the window when they get voted in. Independent or part of the Union, it doesn't matter. You're fucked either way (as are the rest of us)

"Wassat? The BASTARDS down south are doing what? Then we must do better! We cannae be outdone lads..."

GCHQ director blasts free market, says UK must be 'sovereign cryptographic nation'

Re: What?@KANE

SHUT UP!

Re: What?

"Rasputin, bring hither the skindiving suit with the bottom cut out and unleash the rampant Wildebeest"!

Identifying terrorists: Let's find a value for needle in haystack

No matter which way you look at it, this gets us to 80-90% government surveillance. The government will be able to search databases and know of your phones location, who your friends and acquaintances are, who you talk to and message on a regular basis (and in some cases the contents of those messages), what you've bought/sold, where you work, your salary, holiday destination, motor vehicle trips, elements of public transport journeys, communications you've made and your personal interests.

The only reason they can't do 100% (yet) is there's no widespread facial recognition being used, bank notes aren't tracked and nor are bicycles displaying ID's. Oh, and covering your face from CCTV isn't an offence. Yet.

:'(

Ex-GCHQ chief: Bulk access to internet comms not same as mass surveillance

Re: And when the weblog access is finally saleable

Indeed as well as the large database with every user and every web address along with searchable visits by time and date. Weblogs to be added later.

No wonder they don't want to use the word Database. Newspeak indeed...

Brussels flings out Safe Harbour guidelines, demands 'safer' new framework ASAP

Re: Some just want to watch the world burn.

I should be outraged at the nihilistic attitude.

But...

I've got a can of petrol here. Need a hand?

Condi Rice, ICANN, and millions paid to lobby the US govt for total internet control

What a colossal mess. The Internet Community should hang its head in shame. Congratulations chaps, you've not only sunk your own attempt to reform ICANN, that had tacit support from nearly all quarters, but you did it while metaphorically blowing your own feet off at the same time. Only after both feet had gone did you realise that you needed them to walk...

RIPE rebrand whiffs slightly of joss-sticks

Something's definitely ripe about that logo, for sure.

PM wheels out snoop overseer minutes before latest snoops' charter bid lands

Dunno that one, but there's that other. Can't remember how it goes, but isn't it something like "Guilty until proven innocent"? At least, that's how it sounds these days.

Licence to snoop: Ipso facto, crypto embargo? Draft Investigatory Powers bill lands

Here we go again. One would hope that some MP's see this for what it is, and put Country before career. However, I fear not.

If it does pass, how long before some clever social engineering exposes MP's full browsing history. The squirming and fallout will be delightful to watch

Hi, um, hello, US tech giants. Mind, um, mind adding backdoors to that crypto? – UK govt

Really? Mine's 1 2 3 4 5

Erm, anyway. Mines the one with a letter from President Skroob in the pocket.

Anti-adblocker firm PageFair's users hit by fake Flash update

True, it wasn't used as the main vector of infection, more used as a social engineering trick I suppose. Still, the point stands in that Flash is a crock and again its name or software used in the distribution of malware.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAAA

... deep breath ....

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA

Textbook example of everything that's hated with web ads:

- Attempt to force me to whitelist? Yep

- Flash used as attack vector? Yep

- Malware? Yep.

Plonkers all round.

Get 'em out for the... readers: The Sun scraps its online paywall

Agreed. "Reached out to" sounds like it should form part of a complaint against a pervert whilst reporting them to the police.

As has been often commented on this esteemed organ, unless your content is either:

a) Original

b) Compelling

c) Humourous

then readers aren't going to fork out for a subscription. Especially to the Sun which is, essentially, little more than a comic and is none of the above.

Open data not a replacement for FOI - Shadow digital minister

Cretins. A certain Chris Grayling's recent speech should give you enough information:

“The Freedom of Information Act is something this government is committed to but we want to make sure it works well and fairly. It cannot be abused. It cannot be misused. It is on occasions misused by those who use it effectively as a research tool to generate stories for the media. That isn’t acceptable.”

Err, that's the whole point of the act you incompetent fool - to help keep the government to account. Me thinks that someone wants to keep their expenses secret. Roll on the next leak of MP's troughing. It shouldn't be too long now until the next cash for x sting or leaked info on MP's claiming £15 for their poppy expenses.

UK ministers, not judges, to sign off on Brit spies' surveillance

1 - New report recommending judicial oversight

2 - GCHQ cretins lean on 'soft' Gov ministers to ignore recommendations for fear of Judiciary

3 - Gov ministers play into their hands (nice spending habits you have, shame if it became public)

4 - Report successfully ignored

5 - Immoral dataslurp and snooping continues!

Plus ça Change...

Cyber cop: Snoopers' Charter tag is offensive. Maybe we need a 'yes to snooping' tickbox?

"Gould argued that the volume of these attacks would be a reality check for the encryption debate and lead to a demand for better protection online."

I agree. The end goal should be making sure that all data stored is properly encrypted and secured and all devices are secured and hardened so they are able to resist malicious attacks. And by malicious attacks, I include both criminals and unwanted government intrusion. Want the information? Get evidence and a warrant. Don't fucking think it is acceptable to go fishing whenever you feel like it.

Snoopers charter is absolutely right. In this instance, government snooping without good cause or evidence.

Wheels come off parents' plan to dub sprog 'Mini Cooper'

In the case of the Prince William name, I reckon it was more the association with royalty than any worries on mockery. That's something that'd cost you your head (traditionally) in Le France...

Nippy, palaver and cockwomble: Greatest words in English?

Rumpus has been a favourite of mine. As in causing a rumpus, or scene.

I applaud this article and champion the full use of the English language lexicon. Too often, I am ridiculed for usage of fine, if little used, word even though the usage is correct. What is so wrong in using our beautiful language to its full extent.

Though, privately, I would love to see the return of the Aesc; æ. For use in words such as Dæmons, Archæology, Mediæval, fæces and so on.

No change in US law, no data transfer deals – German state DPA

I thought we were already in "Don't trust anybody" mode?

Now's a good time to be a Datacentre specialist in the EU. Me thinks there'll be a small, but significant increase in demand for new ones ...

... unless a certain USian court case goes a certain way, then the fireworks really will begin!

Anyway, anyone fancy some popcorn? This'll be a good one to watch

Android users left at risk... and it's not even THEIR FAULT this time!

Re: Updates

iOS has its own problems.

Android as naff as ever though

Five things that doomed the big and brilliant BlackBerry 10

Really don't want to be involved with Google any more than I have to. Also, I simply don't trust Android with my data in any shape or form.

I'll shed a tear and raise a pint to BB10. Love my Z10 and intent to keep it until it falls apart or becomes unusable. And then, I'll be looking for replacements. Such a lovely UI and its jarring to go back to iOS and the Android UI is an abomination. Finally, I refuse to go over to fucking Android.

So much for consumer choice "You can have all these models with same UI and the same data slurping software"...

AF-FIR-MAT-IVE: Second suspension for robot-voice helldesker

Re: Voice

Hahaha, reminds me of fonejacker

Caller: "One Bedroom garden flat"

Fonejacker "Three bedroom bisexual houseshare in Walthamstow, is this correct?"

Caller: "No"

Fonejacker "I'm sorry, this property has been rented. Do you wish to start again?"

Caller "Fuck off" -click-

It's the white heat of the tech revolution, again!

Re: The value of Google

Lycos! I remember them and their free SMS feature. Pretty much the only reason I had to use Lycos!

Web ad tried to make my iPhone spaff a premium-rate text, says snapper

Re: Advertising: mankind's most useless invention

Nice comment, though one slight tweak:

Adblockers and NoScript set to "stun kill", Cap'n.

BlackBerry's tactical capitulation to Google buys time – and possibly a future

Well, I can't really blame them for this and it makes sense as it'll help to make their survival more likely. But, I love my Z10 and I'm loath to go to touch Android.

My vanishing hope is that they strip out some of the spyware and make the OS UI a lot better than it currently is

World panics, children cry, workers sigh ... Facebook.com TITSUP

Re: Blood moon apocalypse

Hircine's making mischief again...

Attempted bank robber demands cash transfer ... to his own account

Fucking muppet

Hollywood takes a beating in Oscar cybersquatting battle

I drink AMPAS tears. The most delicious part of this is the realisation that seems to come across AMPAS: "But, we are really important, the centre of all, the special snowflake! We can't conceive of anything outside of our little sphere. How dare these upstarts exist and, and, they've successfully defied us!" Queue temper tantrums...

Earth wobbles on axis as Google rebrands

One suspects that the sale and supply of josticks and whalesong CD's around Google secret evil genius hideout HQ spiked during this, erm, exercise.

Canned laughter for Canadians selling cans of air at $15 a pop

12345

"Nonononono, not that"

"Yes! That!"

Legal eagles accuse Labour of data law breach over party purge

Re: Hmm

Harmen earlier today: "What?! They're coming back and voting for people we only approved to "broaden the debate" but didn't want to actually win? Quick, get 'em shifted lads persons!