October 16 - 31, 2001

Sunday 21 October 2001

Well it looks like I have some time up my sleeve for the moment so here is a rather long update for the site. I will try to catch you up on the major happenings for the past week. Here goes!

So how do you stand out from the crowded novelist scene? You write with your clothes off! At least that is what one female writer has chosen to do. If you want to find out the reasons why this struggling author had to resort to this, or even if you just want to have a look at what all the fuss is about, then slip off to this site and read about it to discover the link to the Naked Author site! Thank to KiM for finding this one.

I don't know about you, but I like to have a clear, clean and organised desktop. I hate having to search through dozens of icons just to find the right one to launch. But then again, I also go through my Start menu and clean it up as well! Deleting all those useless shortcuts that you will never use and arranging all their others into sensible groups that are easy to find. Personally I despise having to help someone who's desktop and start menu are cluttered and disorganized. My parents are a bit like that! Oh how I long for some semblance of order! Now whit Windows XP I thought all my prayers had been answered! You could organize your desktop so that it only had minimal icons on it for the programs that you actually use! And, if the mood so took you, you could remove all icons except the Rubbish Bin! But alas, this seems to no longer be the case with third party developers set to flood the desktops of PC's with useless icons that get thrown away by all by the beginners! If you want to find out more, check out this article from Wired News.

And now we really see where the power of the recording industry lies! Apparently the RIAA has tried to insert and amendment into the new terrorist legislation allowing copyright holders the ability to break into your computer and delete any files that they feel breach copyright! Wow, that is even a huge leap for the record industry! What balls. They go, in one week, from being music suppliers to being morality Police! Now it really makes you wonder if they are qualified. Also, how could you be certain that the RIAA would not use any information for their own personal financial gain? After all, this whole business is about making themselves richer by controlling the music market! Anyway, check out this story from Wired News, and find out all about it! I am shocked and amazed! You could guarantee, that with the current US attitude that they are the great saviours of the free world and leaders in the moral crusades department, that being in a country other than the US would not prevent them from touching you!

Now here is a story that will warm the hearts of women everywhere, and will also justify their male bashing! It seems that a female scientist broke part of the famous Enigma code before World War 2! The sad part is that her theories were dismissed as being too simple! Now just imagine how many lives could have been saved during the war with the information obtained from that source? I hope that those responsible (yes, they were males) sleep poorly with the guilt they should be feeling! See, it just goes to show you that you don't necessarily have to be in a position of authority to solve problems. Anyone can do it! Check out the story here.

Here we go again! Will the cracks in Microsoft's software ever be filled? It really makes you wonder how secure Windows XP will be. Particularly considering we already know how many holes and problems there are with IIS! Anyway, it seems there are now some potentially dangerous vulnerabilities in Excel and Powerpoint. Check this article out for more information and then slip on over to the Office Update site for the patches or workarounds! Now watch for the plethora of security patches once Windows XP is officially released to the world on the 25th of October!

Now here is some realism in the Computer industry. John Dvorack roasts the bottom five consumer products of this year! Believe me he doesn't pull many punches, and while you may not actually have heard of many of these products, there is a reason! So slip on over here and read about the worst!

Are you hard on your computer parts? Do you bash your keyboard like you were typing on an old manual typewriter? Well if you do some of these products may be for you! Check them out here. And no, I don't use any of these products, I just thought that Disaster Resistant products might be interesting! Go, Read!

For those of you who have been living in a bubble for the past month or so, here is a list of articles on the new war against terrorism to bring you up to date! Be warned though, there is an incredible amount of US supremacy sentiment in there!

Now here is a turn up for the books! An Indian pharmaceutical company has offered to supply large quantities of the drug used as an Anthrax vaccine, but the US companies are crying foul because of possible patent issues. I can't believe it. People will be allowed to die a horrible death just because of moronic patent issues! Check out the story here!

Well it looks like the beginning of the end for software pirates in China! THe Chinese Government is beginning to crack down on people who use illegal copies of software in the business and Government sectors. It is estimated (more likely guessed!) by the BSA, that some 94% of computer users in China use pirated software! Wow, with 3 billion potential consumers that will either make things very cheap for everyone in the world (a dream!) or it will simply enable the software giants to become richer (the probable outcome!). Cost is the major obstacle for legitimate software in China. Even Doctors and Lawyers must spend several months salary on the purchase of a program like Microsoft Office! In equivalent terms, that would mean that the program would cost around $50,000 here in Australia! Go check out the extent of the problem here!

And another story sent in by that ruthless news hound KiM! It seems that if you are into on-line sex sites, you may have trouble getting out of the monthly charges when a site no longer titillates you! The giant sex money launderer, IBill has been having many problems recently and has removed access to account records and such by the web site owners so they can't remove you from their billing cycle! So, just like a marriage or a divorce, you just keep on paying even when you are no longer visiting! Check the full story out here!

Ever had a good waxing?? Well if you have had one, you will know how much it hurts! And if you have ever had a bikini wax or something similar then you will know just what the implications of this little fashion statement really are! Behold the newest in fashion trends for the bits that rarely see the light of day! The Tiffany Box! Tada! I can hear the screams from here! Check it out here. Thanks KiM!

Here is a real eye opener for those of you who believe unshakably in your trusted Doctors prescription and diagnosis! There is a sudden boom in anti-anxiety drugs in New York since the WTC disaster. No surprise there, but people are now just beginning to wonder if all these prescriptions are really necessary! Read the full article here then come back. Now our impartial (allegedly) Doctor friends have been taking bribes from Pharmaceutical Companies for years. These bribes may be a simple as free promotional literature on health issues, to trips away at exotic resorts, all expenses paid of course, for conferences on issues sponsored by the various drug companies. They also get bonuses for prescribing certain quantities of drugs to patients! So just remember that when your friendly local doctor tells you that the only way to stop feeling bad and to get better is to take "such and such" a pill, then they are probably just lining their own pockets instead of acting in your best interests! Just think about this - If every one was healthy, Doctors would be out of a job!

It seems that the Music industry is finally coming under the scrutiny of the courts in both the US and Europe for anti-trust actions! But could this mean the end of the on-line music business? Read all about it here.

There are two new patches for the landmark game Operation Flashpoint. These patches bring both the game and the stand-alone server up to version 1.27 and you can find a list of mirrors for the downloads here. The patches are BETA so beware, they could cause unexpected problems along with fixing things up!

Here is a little story on the rubbish that can makeup Art! Apparently some cleaners at an Art Gallery mistook pert of an artistic work for rubbish, and cleaned it all up! Check it out.

Now this guy shore knows how to talk. I must say I was impressed by the enormity of it and absolutely gob smacked at how you could possibly run up a phone bill for $800,000 AU! If you don't believe me that an individual could have a phone bill this high check out a pic of it here!

Well that just about does it for today. I hope that this has brought you up to date a bit for the past weeks news and events. Go out and enjoy the sunshine and I will update next when I can! Cheers!

Wednesday 17 October 2001

Well it has been nearly a week since my last update. I am sorry about that but I have had HUGE computer problems that have consumed my every waking moment (well except for when I was at work!). I have had tremendous trouble with the home network and have had to rebuild my system 4 times since Friday and also rebuild the computer that accesses the Internet. Major dramas, and I only hope that the problem(s) have been fixed. Now I have to devote all my efforts to writing my thesis. With only a week to go and little done I am really pushing it. So if you don't hear from me for a little while longer, you'll know where I am and what I am doing. Things should be back to normal in about 2 weeks, but I will try to at least give you some news before then. Thanks for your patience with me. I know I have let you down, but I will endeavour to correct that. Thanks. Odd.