In a previous post, I have described the ending scene if my life’s going to be made as a movie. Well, here’s the closing theme.
Here’s an alternative theme, though the scene must be changed.
Monthly Archives: August 2007
14
Aug
Apple’s laziness can lead to problems
Two related security issues for Apple products Mac OS X (Leopard) and iPhone were raised recently.
In this year’s Black Hat Briefings conference, a security researcher claims that Mac OS X is easy to hack. The researcher highlighted three options in hacking into OS X:
1. Elevation of user privilege using suid: OS X has more than 50 suid root applications. That means 50-plus vectors of attack.
2. Safari: When opened, the browser also opens several programs, and any flaw in any of the said apps can be exploited over the Web.
3. Open source components: it seems that OS X 10.4.10 contains open source components that are out of date, and as such, are candidates for bug exploitation.
And iPhone being a Mac machine in the micro level, vectors number two and three mentioned earlier are also present on the iPhone. Apple had released patch 1.0.1 for the iPhone July 31, and a vulnerability was included in the said patch, courtesy of an outdated open source component (PCRE).
Security experts always tell users to patch systems and apps when patches are released. I guess it is time they tell Apple to do the same.
13
Aug
Who is he?
I wonder who is this senator that Newsbreak is alluding to. I guess the key in this item is a phrase written in a dialect.
My three candidates: Alan Cayetano, Chiz Escudero, and Migz Zubiri. I think Cayetano is Tagalog, so that leaves us with Escudero and Zubiri.
The key: Warang nadangog.
12
Aug
Is this scary or what?
Is this the Human Security Act in action?
It is time that the UP students to take legal action against this. This will probably be the first test case for the HSA.
12
Aug
Mutual understanding?
I must admit I am befuddled about the concept of MU (short for mutual understanding). As far as I understand it, it is a sort of a limbo or a purgatory, a midpoint from being friends to being lovers. Two people who knows they love each other, but hasn’t arrived at an agreement, to be explicitly exclusive to each other, that they are committed to each other. They just know that they are in love.
I always wonder why can’t they just admit it to each other and come to an agreement. There are so many ambiguities involved in an MU situation. Like: is any of the two entitled to get jealous? Is any of the two allowed to flirt? What if someone courts the other? Are these ambiguities even worth the effort of being in an MU situation?
Or maybe people are enamored to the “flexible” arrangement of MU. Afterall, in an MU situation, there is no commitment. That means any of the party can bail out without the necessary mess. Any of the party can go seek out what’s there. They get to keep their options open. In short, getting the benefits of being in a relationship but without the responsibilities.
My advice to those under MU: go talk to each other, solidify your status, and commit. Being in MU is just like fooling with each other with no strings attached.
11
Aug
There should be a Kiss-My-Ass Club here
Our politician sure are suave in screwing the people (that’s us) up.
The victory celebration for the opposition win in the Senate of the Republic was premature. We saw the term turncoat being redefined as political savvy. In this, Manny Villar and Loren Legarda are the same.
To keep his post as President of the Senate, Villar, who ran under the opposition banner, sought the support of the Siths, er, administration and fence-straddlers when the opposition nominated Aquilino Pimentel Jr. for president of the chamber. The opposition, who should be the majority, became a minority, all because they are composed of ambitious, anti-people politicians who would rather screw up their mandates than sacrifice their hideous ambitions. Now we have a mongrel of a majority in the Senate.
(This is to be expected from Villar. Remember 2000?)
And now, this.
Gloria, Loren kiss, laugh and make up
We’ll see what happens after this. Note that Legarda is as suave as Villar when it comes to crossing fences.
So that’s two presidentiables stricken off on my list. If Panfilo Lacson is not careful, he will be next.
11
Aug
Another weird dream, 3
Actually, it was two dreams in one night, but the other one was fuzzy. So I will relate one that is clearer.
In that dream last night, I was a member of a counter-terrorist organization, and I was in complete battle gear. I was carrying what appears to be M16 on first inspection, but is actually heavily modified. In a certain mission, there were three of us, and we were to infiltrate a room. The two will barge in while I provide cover.
They forced the door open, and several people emerged, I’m not sure if they are armed or not. Then I shoot all of them, and to my horror I saw minors among the dead. Apparently there was another minor who was still inside. I feel guilty, and to atone for the crime, I took the child and raised him.
Well, the next dream was fuzzy, but what I can remember is that I was trying to take a picture of the Araneta Coliseum, only that it has changed its name, can’t remember what it is. The rest I cannot remember at all.
10
Aug
Bugaw as paradox
This is a reflection of the word “bugaw” as a paradox.
That word can be used in two diferent contexts.
“Oi, bugawin mo nga mga langaw!” (Translation: Drive the flies off!)
“Tigilan mo na ang pambubugaw!” (Translation: Stop pimping girls!)
As you can see from the examples above, the word “bugaw” has two different, opposite meanings. See? One word, different meaning. One means to drive away; the other to pimp, to act as bridge between a client and a whore. The paradox: in life, sometimes, the more you drive someone away, the more he clings to you. Whatever.
10
Aug
Introducing…
The first game under AWB Gaming, Inc:
Brought to you by AWB Gaming, Inc, a division of AWB Systems, Inc., an AWBHoldings.com company.
(Wanna make one? Head on here.)
10
Aug
Veoh sues Universal Music – David v. Goliath
Well, it’s about time someone shows them that they don’t have monopoly on the law.
We are used to movie and/or music companies suing audio and video content sharing sites. Google’s having headaches with YouTube, for example. But one of them is fighting back.
Video startup Veoh sues Universal Music, according to this TechCrunch report. Universal has threatened Veoh with lawsuits, and Veoh took the first shot by filing suit, citing the safe harbor provision of the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA).
From the press release:
In the face of unreasonable threats by Universal Music Group (UMG), Veoh has filed an action in Federal court to reinforce its rights as a copyright compliant company under the safe harbor provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).
Veoh is making use of widely available Internet technology to enable viewers and content holders to come together in a new market for the consumption of online video. In this market, Veoh is actively taking steps to create a copyright friendly environment.
“It is unfortunate that UMG prefers to take actions that are designed to stifle innovation, shut down new markets and maintain the status quo instead of working to change and evolve models for today and the future” said Steve Mitgang, CEO of Veoh Networks.
Veoh’s court action seeks a declaration that it has not infringed UMG’s copyrights, and that because Veoh complies with the copyright laws, it is entitled to safe harbor under the DMCA from any claims brought by UMG. The action does not seek payment from UMG for damages.
Veoh is showing good faith by not seeking damages. I would have done the opposite; I’d milk them for millions.
I’m for Veoh on this one. Someone should teach these giants that their money-grubbing ways are over. It is time to end the music companies’ world domination.