Skeletal Scaner security ID

Published by calhoun on September 1st, 2010 - in News, Technology

X Ray Scanner X-Ray scanners at airports could soon be a thing of the past. The new system would look at the skeleton and be able to accurately identify people based on that. At as much as 50 meters away from the scanner also. In an ideal world, this  could make getting through airport security much quicker. As you enter the building, you would be cleared for access through the security gates.

There is some problems with this approach however. Data Security, our government has certainly shown it cannot be trusted with personal information so can we really trust them with a database of people’s skeletons? It could even be said that this would be an invasion of privacy. The system would identify in depth bone issues such as broken bones and fractures, thickness of the bone.

The other issue that is likely to prevent this  kind of system replacing XRay at airport is the fact that the information must already be on record in order to establish if a person is trustworthy of airport access. Conducting a worldwide database of full body scans will be near on impossible. It would be like the DNA Database kept by the police which has aroused many concerns in the past.

Well, I am going to go and buy some shares in the Tin Foil industry.

References
The Register

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Blair: It was Gordon Browns Fault

Published by calhoun on September 1st, 2010 - in Politics

Tony Blair ImageWith a slight hint of blame, former prime minister Tony Blair has pointed at Gordon Brown as the reason Labour was defeated in the General Election. I cant say i disagree however, Gordon Browns leadership was perhaps the worst time as prime minister in the history of UK politics.

Particularly blaming Gordon Brown’s failure to stand by New Labour policies in an attempt to take Labour back to the old days before they won their landslide election. His criticism of this also could be seen to infer a support of David Miliband as the future party leader. He does not however go so far as to officially support either candidates.

Keeping Gordon Brown under control as he was unable to make him disappear Tony Blair found himself turning into an alcoholic with Whisky, Gin and Tonic for pre dinner followed by several wines for dinner.

He says getting rid of Mr Brown would have been impossible but agrees that it should have been done. I am sure that many would agree with that assessment. At least however he got the job because no one else actually wanted it a fact that Gordon Brown will undoubtedly be reminded of by his critiques at any opportunity.

References
The Scotsman
FT.com

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AutoDesk FREE on iPad and iPhone.

Published by calhoun on August 31st, 2010 - in Technology

autodesk cadAutoDesk has made a decision to return to supporting multiple platforms. In 1994 they dropped support for non Windows machines leaving many designers unable to get a hold of the industry leading software. However that has changed. The company has plans to release new versions for Apple based equipment.

Apple Desktop and Laptop users will benefit from AutoDesk they will however need to fork up a huge sum for it – the license fee will be the same as for Windows Users. This might make migration over to it on the slow side.To rectify that the company is prepared to allow transference of license between platforms.

Apple iPhone and iPad users however will finally see the benefit of their hugely expensive machines on hugely expensive contracts. AutoDesk will be available on both of these platforms for Free. Moreover the software is backwards compatible with older software’s saved files. I think it is a necessary  step to get users to use either package as with 15 years behind there’s going to be a lot of firms looking to conversion making the software work out the box with existing projects is essential to this process.

The strangest one is that it should also be compatible with iPod Touch machines. With a screen that small I doubt that it will be of much use to anyone.

References
ZDNet

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Lenders never learn

Published by calhoun on August 31st, 2010 - in News

MortgagesUndoubtedly you’ve all heard it, we’re as good as in a second recession already. The USA announced that they could face more financial troubles within the housing market. Now banks are reducing mortgage lending. The figures from the bank of England are now the 4th lowest since the banks records started.

So what does that mean?

Well it means potential home owners will be turned down, reducing anywhere from 30K-200K in money changing hands. So the owner of the home cant buy his new home for buy to let, so that’s another 200K down the drain, and his tenants cant move in. So he’s several hundred a month out of pocket.

In preparations for their purchase the wanna be home owners will start saving instead. Recessions start by people not spending. They end when people start spending. So banks as normal are taking the wrong approach they need to start lending instead of saving for bad times cause that’s what causes the bad times.

So lets cut them off before they can do damage: Go on a Spending Spree!

References
The Telegraph

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The Stig to be Unveiled

Published by calhoun on August 31st, 2010 - in News

The StigTop Gear Driver, The Stig has became the center of a legal battle to begin between the BBC and Harper Colins an autobiography by the publisher is due to be released soon which would see the identity of the Stig Unveiled. So if you want to know who the Stig really is, have a look at what Autobiographies are due to hit the courts in the near future.

It is unclear if however the autobiography is of whomever is behind the masked driver or someone who knows him and it has inadvertently been leaked as part of the process of writing the autobiography.The secrecy surrounding the identity of The Stig has been one of the BBCs best guarded secrets. The previous driver in the guise of the Stig was uncovered. He consequently was dropped from the show and replaced with the new Mr Stig.

BBC insist that the knowledge coming to light would ruin the viewer’s enjoyment of the show, or more realistically, the identity of the Stig would lead to a drop in sales of The Stig’s memorabilia. Either way, the BBC is ready to put our cash where its mouth is as they spend likely millions in a legal battle. Surely, given that there has been a loss of The Stig’s secrecy previously it would be easier to let the information come out, and drop him from the show again?

References
SMH

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Children’s Data in Public Realm

Published by calhoun on August 30th, 2010 - in News

Dilbert Data SecurityNow we are slightly more than half way through 2010. In this year UK mostly government departments have lost significant quantities of data. The security levels of the UK seems to be at atrocious levels. The liberal democrats have initiated a Freedom of Information Request over the data that has gone missing. To the shock of the general public the findings was significant.

Around 200 electronic devices have went missing in just 6 months. Works out as about 0.91 items every single day are lost by Government bodies. This level of loss cannot be accepted. The largest breach of security, perhaps not to anyone’s surprise came from the NHS. Specifically, Yorkhill Children’s Hospital which lost 20 PCs with confidential patient data. Surely with the loss of children’s personal information associated with that, the government needs to consider the issue of data security.

I would recommend that a high level review of all government agencies take place as a matter of urgency. Find out why so much data can go missing in such a short period of time and plug the problem before it gets worse.

I think now is time for the Parliament to realise the danger of the importance of data loss. People of the UK, stand forth and speak to your MP make parliament listen.

References

ITProPortal

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Leadership with no followers?

Published by calhoun on August 30th, 2010 - in Politics

Miliband and MandelsonIt has been some time since the General Election and the subsequent resignation of former prime minister Gordon Brown. The labour party however is once again preparing a leadership campaign where the people have no input on whom should be the leader and a potential future prime minister.

Lord Mandelson has critisized the young Miliband stating that he is likely to take Labour back to the dark ages. I am unsure if that’s a complement or insult coming from him. Ed Miliband however has made a comment which I can completely agree with: Mandelson should retire.

Leaderships should have the confidence of the people they purport to represent. If we have no control over our political leaders and worse prime minister then how can we presume to have a government worthy of our faith? Labour will with hope fall into the darkness, and at the next General Election with any hope, the Liberal Democrats will come out victorious.

References
Sky News

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Dictionary may not be printed

Published by calhoun on August 30th, 2010 - in News, Technology

Oxford University Press, the publisher behind the Oxford English Dictionary has stated that no decisions have been made about the format of the 3rd Edition of the Dictionary, which has been worked on since 1989.Oxford English Dictionary

However comments by the CEO unveil that there is doubts that the latest revision of the dictionary will never be printed. Reference books for many look impressive in shelves. So how can that effect be achieved when every book known becomes a mere 2MB file in the Downloads folder of a user account?

Despite facing a rising challange as a bookpublisher from the likes of the iPad and Amazon’s Kindle the standard version of the dictionary that comes in a single volume edition is likely to stay on the book shop shelves for another 30 years. Oxford has already taken advantage of the Internet stream where the dictionary is available online for a fixed annual fee.

References
The Gaurdian
The Telegraph

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Top 5 Things to not Microwave

Published by calhoun on August 30th, 2010 - in Technology

Telsa Coil Style Bulb

The tesla coil is designed to produce high voltage, high current, high frequency ac electricity. It doesn’t sound like something that is a good idea to microwave.

Giant Electra Bulbs

Next up on the list is the Giant Electra Bulb as the video shows, it makes an impressive amount of noise and looks really cool.

Giant Mercury Light Bulbs

Another style of light bulb, equipped with some impressive colours.

Soap

Should be kept for cleaning instead.

Classics – CDs

The classics, microwaving CDs relatively sure way of erasing data.

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Commodore 64 back on shelfs

Published by calhoun on August 29th, 2010 - in Technology

Commedore 64The Commodore 64 which became the best selling computer ever built in the world is due to make a remarkable return to the shelves. The all in one enclosed computer system is being retrofitted by Commodore USA.

  • Intel Atom 525 CPU
  • 4GB DDR3 Memory
  • 1TB Hard Drive
  • Optional BluRay Drive

The new PC64 as it has been re branded will come with the Commodore 64 case with everything built into a keyboard shaped computer system. However with the specs detailed above, it will weigh in with a lot more punch than the original. The new one will be around about 1,800 times more powerful than the C-64.

It has been suggested that they should include an emulator for the original C64 software and a license to use them entirely legaly. Given that the original owner has filed for bankruptcy many years ago it is a possibility that  this is feasible. However given the current corporate climate of suing everyone it is unlikely that will be the case to the disappointment of many no doubt.

References
ZDNet

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