Miscommunication in webdevelopment
by Brian TurnerI do a lot of hands-on webdevelopment work for my own websites. I know my goals, aims, and technical feasibility of implementing different options. It’s a good arrangement. I’ve done a few webdevelopment projects for clients, including for multi-million pound SME’s. Although more challenging, both myself and the client were usually very clear on objectives [...]
Google changes cause concern
by Brian TurnerChanges that occured in Google results over the Christmas period have raised concerns, particularly for independent adult sites. Google engineer Matt Cutts indicated that no changes had been made to the Google algorithm – the key feature that ranks webpages for relevance. However, he did state that Google was refreshing it’s database which would most [...]
December 28, 2006
Microsoft bodges Vista promo to bloggers
by Brian TurnerMicrosoft sent bloggers a laptop installed with Vista for Christmas – now these bloggers are outraged to find they are being asked to get rid of them. The ruckus was caused by a marketing promotion partnered by Microsoft and AMD, and managed by PR firm Edelman, which saw prominent bloggers provided with free Acer Ferrari [...]
December 27, 2006
Earthquake disrupts Asian communications
by Brian TurnerAn earthquake off the coast of Taiwan on Boxing Day caused serious disruption to Asian telco networks. The earthquake, which measured 7.1 on the Richter Scale, resulted in few injuries or fatalities. However, Asian telecommunications companies are reporting extensive damage to undersea cables. Internet connections, phone links, and dedicated business lines have all been affected. [...]
Google fails to find own software
by Brian TurnerGoogle is showing ads on its homepage for people to download the Google Toolbar – even if they have already installed it. The ads are being shown to users surfing with Internet Explorer, which is the only major internet browser compatible with Google’s toolbar. However, Google is failing to run simple checks on users to [...]
December 26, 2006
Xmas action plan for business
by Brian TurnerWork schedules can be busy at the best of times, but the Christmas period absolutely underlines it. I’ve been caught out unprepared for the past two years, precisely because my work routine is normally so involved. So for next Christmas I’m creating an action plan for business: 1. Local Marketing I’ve always seen the local [...]
December 20, 2006
Mortgage approvals and house prices up
by Brian TurnerMortgage approval rates reached another record increase – at the same time as a report declares strong housing inflation for 2007. Mortgage approval rates increased by £6.5 billion in November – a record monthly record score – according to the British Bankers’ Association. And Lombard Street Research – which posted one of the most on-target [...]
Google Search convicts hacker
by Brian TurnerA disgruntled ex-employee of a wireless communications company has been convicted – after Google Search records showed that he used the search engine to find information on disrupting the company’s systems. Matthew Schuster had provided technical support at Alpha Computer Service in the USA, for their home wireless network product CWWIS. However, after being fired [...]
Debian developers delay over funding
by Brian TurnerThe latest Debian release has reportedly been delayed because volunteer developers are being snubbed over funding. Debian versions 4 – named Etch – was due to be launched on December 4th. Although already delayed, the Debian files are apparently ready for release – but with no set launch date. According to Debian release manager, Andreas [...]
December 19, 2006
HMRC new target in phishing scams
by Brian TurnerThe HMRC – Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs – has become the latest target in internet phishing scams. Phishing scams involve sending emails to random users, usually claiming to be from a bank, asking them to log in via a link. However, the link is to a fake website, which aims to capture confidential information [...]
DMOZ back online
by Brian TurnerDMOZ – the Open Directory Project – has recovered it’s editor server. It comes after almost 2 months of DMOZ editors being unable to log in due to serious technical problems. Issues still remain – for example, site suggestion, update listing, editor application, and abuse reporting, are not currently working. The recovery comes only a [...]
HD DVD arrives in UK
by Brian TurnerThe first HD DVD player has arrived in the UK. It sets the the stage for a direct battle for the heart of the next generation DVD format. At present, two rival technologies – HD DVD and Blu-ray – are looking to succeed the humble DVD, both of which offer significantly improved storage capabilities. However, [...]
iPhone: Cisco beats Apple to name
by Brian TurnerCisco have formally announced the launch of the iPhone – and it’s not from Apple. Linksys, a division of Cisco, launched two VoIP handset devices on Monday with the “i” prefix iconic to Apple products. While Apple fans may accuse Linksys of trying to cause consumer confusion over the name, Cisco revealed it already holds [...]
December 16, 2006
EC to enable wireless devices to work Europe-wide
by Brian TurnerThe European Commission is harmonising radio frequency bands across the European Union in order to promote the use of wireless devices such as wireless computer keyboards, headphones and garage door openers. It is hoped that the initiative will enable anyone in Europe to use the same short-range wireless product anywhere in the EU. This would [...]
December 14, 2006
Norway tests Minority Report ads
by Brian TurnerThe future of the internet is moving closer to scenes in Minority report, as Norway tests contextual advertising for mobile TV. The trial involves at least two TV channels, and will serve ads according to what viewers watch. The move is being labelled as “proof of concept” on an advertising ideal, that envisages a future [...]
Phishing scams up 8000% – FSA
by Brian TurnerA report by the FSA to the government states phishing scams have increased over 8000%. The figures relate to phishing scams recorded between January and June for 2005 and 2006 – which were tallied as 312 and 5,059. However, while the banking trade body Apacs has tried to put the increase down the increased detection, [...]
Forrester in damage limitation over Apple iTunes report
by Brian TurnerForrester has begun a damage limitation exercise, to distance itself from media reports about the fall in iTunes sales. A Forrester Research report on a sample of credit card transactions had stated “that iTunes sales had dropped in the first six months of this year”. Journalists used the information in concert with Nielsen data to [...]
December 13, 2006
Microsoft forces BIOS changes
by Brian TurnerMicrosoft has secured an agreement with PC manufacturers to add a change at the BIOS level to improve security in Windows Vista. Microsoft’s Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) feature could make automated, large-scale attacks significantly more difficult. ASLR relies on Data Execution Prevention (DEP), another new Vista security feature, in order to function fully. DEP [...]
MIME encoding could exploit anti-virus
by Brian TurnerSecurity researcher, Hendrik Weimer, has reported that anti-virus software could be bypassed by exploiting MIME encoding. MIME – Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions – is used to code mail so that it can be read by SMTP – Simple Mail Transport Protocol. According to Hendrik, malware could exploit the way MIME is encoded in such a [...]
iTunes fall raises controversy
by Brian TurnerMedia coverage of a reported fall in iTunes sales has raised controversy, with Apple claiming no such fall exists. The controversy followed the publications of details from a confidential study conducted by Josh Bernoff, for the Forrester Group, which tracked a sample number of online transactions at the iTunes store. The conclusion was that iTunes [...]