Technology

So many cyberspying hackers about… and most of you are garbage

By
1 November 2013
54 second read
Leave a comment
In Technology
811 views

Cyber-espionage groups are too numerous to count and are often far less skilled than their reputation suggests, according to threat-trackers.

Costin Raiu, director of global research at Kaspersky Lab, estimated that anything between 100 to 200 hacking crews operate in China alone.

Despite the hype abut zero-day attacks, many successful assaults relied on rudimentary attacks that successfully took advantage of poor patching practices and other rudimentary security mistakes, Raiu said during a panel session at the RSA Europe Conference — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Technology

Ditch Microsoft Office or take a pay cut: Which would you choose?

By
1 November 2013
1 min read
Leave a comment
In Technology
877 views

The strongest driver for free software adoption in a public administration? Fear of layoffs.

If you don’t believe it, ask the autonomous province of South Tyrol, in Northern Italy. The local government has just begun implementing a plan that will have most public sector organisations in the region using LibreOffice by 2016. Really.

And why did they do it? Because the austerity measures passed by the national government meant the region was left facing a €16m cut to its personnel budget. In order to avoid cutting employees (or, more likely, their pay), management and unions had to find a creative solution. Which they did: a mass migration from Microsoft Office to an open source equivalent.

The savings are mandatory, so it was either us or the proprietary software, said Erwin Pfeifer, not entirely joking. Pfeifer is a member of the autonomous province’s IT department and one of the people managing the project — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Wildlife

Carnival Tide Tee / Mod Cloth

By
31 October 2013
38 second read
Leave a comment
In Wildlife
975 views

Step right up and see the most fantastical unisex tee around! Featuring a bright-red print of an octopus overtaking a classic carnival, this heathered, charcoal-black top is both adorable and full of amusement. Pair it with comfy denim, classic wayfarers, and a colourful backpack, and set out to make a splash with your fair style — via Mod Cloth

Health, Science

Setting the record straight: Debunking all the flu vaccine myths

By
30 October 2013
1 min read
Leave a comment
In Health, Science
1924 views

I could be wrong, but I’d venture to guess there is more nonsense and misinformation about the flu vaccine than any other vaccine out there. Perhaps it’s because it’s a once-a-year vaccine, so that cyclical nature brings out new myths each year. Or maybe it’s because it’s for an illness that many people have had, even more than once, and survived, so they mistakenly assume a vaccine is unnecessary. Whatever the reasons, I’ve decided a comprehensive post addressing every myth I’ve been able to find is long overdue. I plan to update this post as necessary, and I’ll likely republish it each year as a reference — via Red Wine & Apple Sauce

Politics, Technology

FTTP NBN ‘wacko’, claims Mad Monk PM

By
30 October 2013
3 min read
Leave a comment
In Politics, Technology
1161 views

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has described the previous Labor Federal Government’s attempt to extend fibre broadband to most Australian homes and businesses as wacko, despite the fact that Labor’s Fibre to the Premises model is seen as the long-term future of most fixed telecommunications networks globally.

Under Labor’s NBN policy, some 93 percent of Australian premises were to have received fibre directly to the premise, delivering maximum download speeds of up to 1Gbps and maximum upload speeds of 400Mbps. The remainder of the population was to have been served by a combination of satellite and wireless broadband, delivering speeds of up to 25Mbps.

Originally, the Coalition’s policy was to have seen fibre to the premises deployed to a significantly lesser proportion of the population — 22 percent — with 71 percent covered by fibre to the node technology, where fibre is extended to neighbourhood nodes and the remainder of the distance to premises covered by Telstra’s existing copper network. The Coalition’s policy was also continue to use the HFC cable network operated by Telstra and will also target the remaining 7 percent of premises with satellite and wireless.

However, the possibility of a different style of rollout has been raised by Turnbull in the several weeks since the Liberal MP became Communications Minister. In late September, Turnbull appeared to have drastically modified the Coalition’s policy stance on the NBN just weeks after the Federal Election, declaring the Coalition was not wedded to its fibre to the node model and was thoroughly open-minded about the technology to be used in the network. NBN Co is currently conducting a strategic review into its operations and model that will inform Turnbull’s decisions regarding the project’s future.

However, in a new interview with the Washington Post published this week, Abbott directly stated that Labor’s FTTP model was irrational — via redwolf.newsvine.com

History, Wildlife

Future of the monarchy rocked as fox kills Tower of London’s guardian ravens

By
29 October 2013
1 min read
Leave a comment
In History, Wildlife
1100 views

It was a week in which the future of the monarchy looked even more secure, thanks to the Royal christening.

But unbeknownst to members of the Royal family cooing over Prince George, another event has shaken the foundations of the British monarchy to their very core.

An urban fox attacked and killed two ravens in the Tower of London where, according to superstition, there must be six of the birds or else the monarchy, the kingdom and the Tower itself will fall.

The unfortunate ravens, Jubilee and Grip, were snatched and eaten just before they were due to be locked up in their cages overnight — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Politics, Science

Nebraska approves climate-denying study; scientists refuse to conduct it

By
29 October 2013
1 min read
Leave a comment
In Politics, Science
943 views

A study on the impact of climate change on Nebraska, recently approved by the state, may not be carried out — because its own scientists are refusing to be a part of it.

The problem, according to members of the governor-appointed Climate Assessment and Response Committee, is that the bill behind the study specifically calls for the researchers to look at cyclical climate change. In so doing, it completely leaves out human contributions to global warming.

At a discussion yesterday, the Omaha World-Herald Bureau reports, Barbara Mayes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, pointed out that cyclical isn’t even a scientific term.

And it’s not just a misuse of language: State Senator Beau McCoy, who added the word to the bill, is a known climate denier. I don’t subscribe to global warming, McCoy said during an earlier debate about the legislation. I think there are normal, cyclical changes.

At the meeting, a number of scientists stood up to declare that they refused to take part in the study — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Wildlife

South American Bush Dogs / Twycross Zoo

By
29 October 2013
52 second read
Leave a comment
In Wildlife
1190 views

On 21 October Twycross Zoo in the UK welcomed three South American Bush Dogs, the first litter of Bush Dog pups to be born at the zoo in almost a decade!

First time parents Japura and Aztec are doing a superb job caring for their new offspring. The pups have so far remained in their nest, but are now beginning to venture into their outdoor viewing area a few times a day as they explore their new surroundings — via ZooBorns

Craft, Entertainment, Wildlife

Baby Cthulhu / Cassia Harries

By
29 October 2013
29 second read
Leave a comment
In Craft, Entertainment, Wildlife
1305 views

Baby Cthulhu doesn’t wait dreaming. He’s bright-eyed, curly-tentacled, and ready for your squeeing worship.

Cassia Harries of Monster Mind Sculpts made this little guy. She cast the original sculpture and will soon have an army of Cutethulhus available for sale — via io9

Politics, Rights, Technology

Surprise! Coalition re-kindles anti-piracy talks

By
28 October 2013
1 min read
Leave a comment
In Politics, Rights, Technology
1003 views

The new Coalition Federal Government has reportedly signalled plans to restart long-running talks between the telecommunications and content industries to deal with the issue of Internet piracy, despite the fact that a previous round of talks between the two sides under the previous Labor administration proved pointless.

The Australian newspaper reported this morning that the Attorney-General’s Department has sent letters to the nation’s top telcos and content creators seeking their participation in a series of industry roundtables to resolve the online piracy issue as a matter of urgency.

It is not yet clear precisely what new Attorney-General George Brandis or the Attorney-General’s Department is seeking from the talks. as neither has issued a statement on the issue. Delimiter has filed a Freedom of Information request this morning with the department seeking the text of any letters sent by Brandis or the Department to telcos on the issue since Brandis took office. In addition, comment is being sought from Brandis on the issue — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Entertainment

Obituary: Marcia Wallace

By
28 October 2013
1 min read
Leave a comment
In Entertainment
905 views

Marcia Wallace, best known as the voice of Edna Krabappel on The Simpsons has died from complications of pneumonia, aged 70.

Wallace, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1985, died at home in Los Angeles on Friday night surrounded by friends and family.

Prior to The Simpsons, she was best known as Bob Newhart’s wisecracking receptionist Carol Kester on the 70s sitcom The Bob Newhart Show. She also guest starred in such series as Full House, Taxi and Murphy Brown.

Simpsons executive producer Al Jean said Saturday that the character of Mrs Krabappel, who married Ned Flanders in later seasons, will be retired from the show — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Entertainment

Obituary: Lou Reed

By
28 October 2013
1 min read
Leave a comment
In Entertainment
964 views

US singer and former Velvet Underground frontman Lou Reed has died at the age of 71.

Known for tracks including Perfect Day and Walk on the Wild Side, Reed was considered one of the most influential singers and songwriters in rock.

The Velvet Underground became renowned for their fusion of art and music and for collaborating with Andy Warhol.

According to the Associated Press news agency, Reed’s literary agent said he died of a liver-related ailment.

Andrew Wylie said the musician died at his home in Long Island, New York, on Sunday morning and had not been well for a few months.

Reed’s former Velvet Underground bandmate John Cale wrote on his website: The world has lost a fine songwriter and poet… I’ve lost my school-yard buddy.

Other stars paying tribute included The Who, who tweeted: RIP Lou Reed. Walk on the peaceful side. Iggy Pop said it was devastating news — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Rights, Science, Technology

A Case Study in Closed Access

By
28 October 2013
3 min read
Leave a comment
In Rights, Science, Technology
1046 views

One of the core messages of Open Access Week is that the inability to readily access the important research we help fund is an issue that affects us all—and is one with outrageous practical consequences. Limits on researchers’ ability to read and share their works slow scientific progress and innovation. Escalating subscription prices for journals that publish cutting-edge research cripple university budgets, harming students, educators, and those of us who support and rely on their work.

But the problems don’t stop there. In the digital age, it is absurd that ordinary members of the public, such as healthcare professional and their patients, cannot access and compare the latest research quickly and cheaply in order to take better care of themselves and others.

Take the case of Cortney Grove, a speech-language pathologist based in Chicago, who posted this on Facebook:

In my field we are charged with using scientific evidence to make clinical decisions. Unfortunately, the most pertinent evidence is locked up in the world of academic publishing and I cannot access it without paying upwards of $40 an article. My current research project is not centred around one article, but rather a body of work on a given topic. Accessing all the articles I would like to read will cost me nearly a thousand dollars. So, the sad state of affairs is that I may have to wait 7-10 years for someone to read the information, integrate it with their clinical opinions (biases, agendas, and financial motivations) and publish it in a format I can buy on Amazon. By then, how will my clinical knowledge and skills have changed? How will my clients be served in the meantime? What would I do with the first-hand information that I will not be able to do with the processed, commercialised product that emerges from it in a decade? — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Craft

Amigurumi Rocketship / NeedleNoodles

By
28 October 2013
36 second read
Leave a comment
In Craft
869 views

Explore the stars with your wicked-cool rocketship! Hand crocheted and designed by me using a cotton/acrylic blend yarn and filled with polyester fibrefill. Measures about 4.5” across at its widest point, and 8” long from tip to the end of the flame. Can be hand or machine washed in cool water, and air dried — via Etsy

Business, Technology

Experian Sold Consumer Data to ID Theft Service

By
27 October 2013
1 min read
Leave a comment
In Business, Technology
950 views

An identity theft service that sold Social Security and drivers license numbers — as well as bank account and credit card data on millions of Americans — purchased much of its data from Experian, one of the three major credit bureaus, according to a lengthy investigation by KrebsOnSecurity.

In November 2011, this publication ran a story about an underground service called Superget.info, a fraudster-friendly site that marketed the ability to look up full Social Security numbers, birthdays, drivers license records and financial information on millions of Americans. Registration was free, and accounts were funded via WebMoney and other virtual currencies that are popular in the cybercriminal underground — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Previous 187 188 189190 191 Next