...D33D!!!!.....

....Yahoo appears to have been the victim of a security breach that yielded more than 400,000 login credentials stored in plain text.
The hacked data, posted to hacker site D33D Company, contained more than 453,000 login credentials and appears to have originated from the Web pioneer's network. The hackers, who said they used a union-based SQL injection technique to penetrate the Yahoo subdomain, intended the data dump to be a "wake-up call."
"We hope that the parties responsible for managing the security of this subdomain will take this as a wake-up call, and not as a threat," the hackers said in a comment at the bottom of the data. "There have been many security holes exploited in webservers belonging to Yahoo! Inc. that have caused far greater damage than our disclosure. Please do not take them lightly. The subdomain and vulnerable parameters have not been posted to avoid further damage."
The hacked subdomain appears to belong to Yahoo Voices, according to a TrustedSec report. Hackers apparently neglected to remove the host name from the data. That host name -- dbb1.ac.bf1.yahoo.com -- appears to be associated with the Yahoo Voices platform, which was formerly known as Associated Content.
CNET has contacted Yahoo for comment and will update this report when we learn more.
Because the data is quite sensitive and displayed in plain text, CNET has elected not to link to the page, although it is not hard to find. However, the page size is very large and takes a while to load.
The disclosure comes at a time of heightened awareness over password security. Recent high-profile password thefts at LinkedIn, eHarmony, and Last.fm contributed to approximately 8 million passwords posted in two separate lists to hacker sites in early June. Yesterday, Formspring announced it had disabled the passwords of its entire user base after discovering about 420,000 hashed passwords that appeared to come from the question-and-answer site were posted to a security forum.

....not so green apple#sad...

...Apple design direction is no longer in keeping with the requirements of a major program devoted to the fostering of environmentally responsible electronics, according to a report.


Apple has decided to stop participating in a major program devoted to the production of environmentally friendly products, reportedly saying that its design direction is no longer in line with the program's requirements.
Late last month, Apple told the nonprofit EPEAT group that the company would no longer submit its products for green certification from EPEAT and that it was pulling its currently certified products from the group's registry.
(Credit: Apple graphics)
According to The Wall Street Journal's CIO Journal site, 39 of Apple's products had received EPEAT's green stamp of approval, including laptops such as the MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air.
EPEAT, or the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, receives funding from the Environmental Protection Agency and calls itself "the leading global environmental rating system for electronic products, connecting purchasers to environmentally preferable choices and benefiting producers who demonstrate environmental responsibility and innovation."
The U.S. government requires that 95 percent of its electronics bear the EPEAT seal of approval; large companies such as Ford and Kaiser Permanente require their CIOs to buy from EPEAT-certified firms; and many of the largest universities in the U.S. prefer to buy EPEAT-friendly gear, CIO Journal reports.
Apple "said their design direction was no longer consistent with the EPEAT requirements," CIO Journal quotes EPEAT CEO Robert Frisbee as saying. "They were important supporters and we are disappointed that they don't want their products measured by this standard anymore."
Among other things, the EPEAT requirements hold that electronics must be easy to disassemble, so their components can be recycled. The iPhone, the iPad, and the new MacBook Pro with Retina display don't pass muster because of things like batteries and glass displays that are glued to casings and backings. Apple may soon introduce an alternate green standard to apply to its products, CIO Journal reports.
We've contacted Apple for comment and will update this post if and when we hear back. CIO Journal said Apple had declined to comment but had referred the site to the Environment section of Apple's Web site.
The Verge points out that Apple had touted an EPEAT Gold rating for its iMac computer (see screenshot of the relevant page on Apple's site below).

(Credit: Screenshot by Edward Moyer/CNET:blogpost by Samwel Kariuki/APPLESAM)

...code execution!Great!!!!...

....Microsoft has announced what vulnerabilities it plans to patch on Tuesday.
According to the company, its Tuesday update will include fixes for nine issues. Three of those issues are "Critical" vulnerabilities, meaning that they can allow code execution without any user interaction. The remaining vulnerabilities are labeled as "Important."
Although all three of of the Critical vulnerabilities center on Windows, one of them also includes Internet Explorer 9. Interestingly, the flaw does not extend to previous versions of the browser, so it appears it's something new. Beyond that, the nine patches address flaws in everything from Windows XP Service Pack 3 to Windows Server 2008.
As with previous security bulletins, Microsoft is urging users update their affected software as soon as possible. The company will be holding a Webcast on July 11 to address customer questions....

Source:Samwel Kariuki

....kudos samsung...

Samsung Galaxy S III LTE with quad-core Exynos comes to three Korean carriers July 9th
By Samwel Kariuki
Jul 5, 2012 8:17AM
While in the US our LTE-equipped Galaxy S IIIs are packing dual-core Snapdragon S4 processors, the (so far) Korean-only Galaxy S III LTE that combines the quad-core Exynos processor of the international model with high speed data finally has a release date -- July 9th. Samsung's post indicates three carriers (SK Telecom, KT and LG U+) are lined up for the launch and confirms that the battery will remain at 2,100 mAH along with 2GB of RAM and DMB TV tuning. Having everything will likely come at a price of battery life since the quad-core CPUs are not as well integrated with LTE so far, but those willing to compromise for more cores (despite the dual-core Krait's not-at-all shabby performance) will likely look on with envy.



Source: Samsung Tomorrow

....ZTE 3G!...

Mysterious, ZTE-made T-Mobile Aspect swings by the FCC
By Samwel Kariuki
Jul 5, 2012 2:50AM
Sometimes FCC filings are rife with details. T-Mobile and ZTE aren't playing that game right now: a device has shown up at the US agency bearing only the T-Mobile Aspect name and a ZTE F555 model number. That already tells us that it's likely to have 1,700MHz 3G inside, but the rest is left to our imaginings. It could be anything from a humdrum basic feature phone to a hotspot or future smartphone. We're hoping it's something as sleek as the upcoming Athena, but it could be an adaptation of mid-tier devices like the Mimosa X or a Windows Phone like the Orbit. With most details under wraps, we'll have to sit tight until either an official launch or until more details slip. The only certainty is that ZTE isn't finished with the US just yet.



Source:FCC

....set top boxes in uk;kenya is nxt!...

Youview TV platform and set-top box coming to UK stores this month (update: priced at £299)
By Sharif Sakr
Jul 4, 2012 11:42AM


The BBC's iPlayer has become too successful. It either needs to calm down or be put on a more level playing field with on demand services from the other big UK broadcasters -- and it's going to be the latter. Youview -- which has nothing whatsoever in common with YouTube except its name and the fact that it also does video -- is a PVR set-top box that uses both an aerial and a web connection to allow catch-up viewing, and we've just heard it'll arrive in UK stores towards the end of this month. It'll bring together programs from the BBC (which also contributed £10 million of license fee cash), ITV, Channel 4, Five, and Sky, using infrastructure from BT, TalkTalk and Arqiva, and it'll target millions of British viewers who want a "seamless" mix of live and archived telly without being tied to a subscription -- and who don't yet depend on a Smart TV, games console or other converged device.

Update: Youview front man Lord Alan Sugar told us that the box is Humax-built and will cost £299. He also added that there'll be adverts within commercial programs, but not plastered over the EPG or interface itself.


....for more info follow www.samwelkariuki.blogspot.com
@samwelkariuki-twitter
Samwel Kariuki-facebook

....cloud router#amazing....

...We'll admit: one of the biggest appeals for us in D-Link's new Cloud Router 1200 and 2000 is that tube shape, which is a nice break from the amorphous blobs we're used to as our WiFi routers. Not to say that there aren't convincing technical reasons to like them. Both will let you remotely administrate the 802.11n router's devices from an Android or iOS app, and they both carry four gigabit Ethernet jacks as well as a USB port for some network media storage. The differences lay exclusively in the wireless support, where the single-band 1200 caters to the frugal set at 300Mbps and the simultaneous dual-band 2000 hums along at 600Mbps. Thankfully, the prices of the just-shipping access points are both about right for what you get: the Cloud Router 1200 is a cheap and cheerful $60, and the 2000 won't strain the wallet much more at $100. You can catch the full details of our new cylindrical overlords friends after the break.



Show full PR text
D-Link's Latest Cloud Routers Offer Powerful Wi-Fi, Remote Control and Robust Media Sharing Features

Cloud Router 1200 and Cloud Router 2000 Feature Powered Amplifiers, Remote Management and USB SharePort App for Sharing Media with all Devices on the Home Network

D-Link today introduced the latest additions to its line of Cloud Routers with the Cloud Router 1200 (DIR-636L) and Cloud Router 2000 (DIR-826L), supporting speeds of up to 300 Mbps and 600 Mbps, respectively. Both routers include mydlink[TM] Cloud Services for easy management and configuration from anywhere via free smart phone apps. Additionally, these routers include a USB port that works with the free SharePort[TM] mobile app to enable users to share and enjoy photos, music, and movie files from a range of connected devices.

In the past(mostly from where i come from),routers have often been a „set it and forget it? kind of device.Today consumers want to access and share their content from multiple devices such as smartphones and tablets. And now more than ever, it is vital to know who is connecting to your wireless network and what they are viewing. D-Link?s newest Cloud Routers enable consumers to easily share media as well as monitor what?s going on with the home network.

Users can connect a USB drive or external hard drive to the USB port on the new Cloud Routers and with the free D-Link SharePort Mobile app they can conveniently and simultaneously share a range of content to multiple mobile devices without taking up valuable device memory. In addition, check which websites are being visited, block unwanted devices, and receive automatic e-mail alerts notifying you of unauthorized connections that are attempted all from an iPhone(R), iPad(R) or Android[TM] device using the SharePort Mobile app for peace of mind.Trust me it's a dope wicked app.

Take Control with mydlink Cloud Services

D-Link Cloud Routers allow people to monitor and control their home network from virtually anywhere using the industry-leading mydlink Cloud Services platform. Routers can be accessed via an iPhone(R), iPad(R), or Android[TM] device with the free mydlink Lite app(again another nifty app) available exclusively to D-Link customers. Using the mydlink Lite cloud application, users can check if a computer, mobile device, gaming console, media player or other device is on their home network - a valuable app for 'morally upright tech-yuppies". Mobile e-mail alert notifications warn users in the event that intrusion attempts are detected, allowing them to sign into the mydlink Cloud application and block unwanted devices. Additionally, mobile e-mail alerts are sent whenever important security updates are available ensuring the most up-to-date security features.

Access Multimedia with SharePort Mobile[TM]

When a USB drive is connected to the router, the SharePort Mobile app for iPhone(R), iPad(R), or Android[TM] devices offers effortless access to stored personal files and multimedia. Music, video, and photos can be streamed or transferred from the connected USB drive to multiple mobile devices from an intuitive touchscreen interface. It?s also a great way to enjoy media without using valuable memory on your device - think of it as adding memory to your iPhone, iPad or Android#sweeet!!.

Configure a Network Instantly with Quick Router Setup (QRS) Mobile

D-Link Cloud Routers can optionally be configured for the first time from the comfort of a couch, using the QRS (Quick Router Setup) Mobile app for iPhone or iPad. Owners with these devices simply plug in the router, open the app, and follow a few easy steps to establish a wireless network throughout the home without needing to touch a computer. Once a network is established, new devices can be added at the touch of a button using Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). WPA/WPA2 encryption and a built-in dual-active firewall (SPI and NAT) ensure that data sent wirelessly is secure.

Enjoy High-Speed Wireless N Connectivity

The Cloud Router 1200 and Cloud Router 2000 establish a fast and reliable wireless network for delivering broadband Internet to devices throughout the home. Wireless N technology extends coverage and reduces dead spots and preserves compatibility with earlier wireless networking standards. The router?s high-powered amplifier boosts signal strength, while integrated intelligent antenna technology transmits multiple streams of data by bouncing wireless signals off of walls and sending a wireless connection to the farthest corners of a home or office. As a dual-band wireless router, the Cloud Router 2000 uses the 5GHz frequency band to avoid interference with other nearby wireless devices like cordless phones, microwave ovens and other routers. The 5GHz band is used in tandem with the 2.4GHz band delivering up to double the bandwidth of single-band wireless solutions.

The Cloud Router 1200 and Cloud Router 2000 incorporate 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports and feature an attractive cylindrical housing with a minimal footprint suitable for installation on shelves, desks, and tabletops for maximum range and flexibility. Both feature an intelligent Quality of Service (QoS) engine that optimizes network traffic on the fly for time-sensitive applications like Skype calls and gaming.

Folks,I'm placing my $59.99 on this gazebo.It's worth.....

....elated....

.....as I come close to winding up my masters in computer engineering,I was more than elated after a much awaited forum @ neff hall to be awarded a certificate of admission to join classes for mechatronics & instrumentation engineering.God bless my cronies for seeing me via,family and the astute dons for the knowledge they've sacrificed relentlessly to nourish our minds.God bless you all....

....T-mobile @ it's worst....

AT&T in effect told the nation "I told you so" on Monday, following T-Mobile USA's announcement last week that it would be closing several call centers, including one in Lenexa, and eliminating 1,900 jobs nationwide. The Kansas City Business Journal reports that when AT&T unsuccessfully tried to acquire T-Mobile, it warned that if the acquisition fell through, T-Mobile would be forced to reduce staff. AT&T says the Federal Communications Commission feared job losses if the merger went through, but...,let's just wait and see folks.

....Renovation.....

.....HTC Sense users set to lose data as cloud storage service closes for "renovation".....

....new project comes out of engineering students#WSU rocks

......"Moving from higher education into the traditional workplace is the dream of most college students."

Wichita State engineering students Joe Christman, Alex Esparza, A.J. Whitaker and Thuan Nguyen may have thrust themselves into the career lane with their invention of the Xi Sport-Cyclist Training Device.

The Xi Sport-Cyclist Training Device is similar to how a stationary bike with pre-programmed workouts operates. Slightly bigger than a cell phone, the device can be put on a regular bicycle. The user can program desired workouts into it, and it will visually display current output.

"(It is) kind of like the exercise bikes at a gym; there you can select whatever kind of workout you want," Christman said. "We're taking that idea and making it portable. It's similar to having a coach telling you what you should do and what rate you should be doing it."

The device is a big step in the right direction for this group, "because business is constantly demanding that graduates are work ready," said John Harrison, the group's adviser. "These students have withheld the testing, but they are burning, itching to build in the workforce."

Preparing the device for the masses
The students are in the process of designing the cyclist training instrument, easily transported for bicyclists and health admirers alike. The team's intention is to develop and create a product that is sensible, practical and can be used by consumers at any time.

Like the demo project the team has created, the students continue to explore and reach new levels of creativity. Along with an advanced lesson in collaboration, these local inventors continue to propel themselves closer toward their goal of a finished product and professional employment.

"The students have been following what a class structure is about," Harrison said. "This is what they will have to do in the industry, a way they can do that, while still under supervision and guidance from the university. It really is the perfect transition."

Coming a long way
The Electrical Engineering Senior Design class is designed for engineering seniors in their last year at WSU. During this path of study, students in teams of four create a result or improve upon an existing one.

The Xi Sport-Cyclist Training Device was one of seven that was developed through problem-solving with WSU's Center for Entrepreneurship students and then evolved through two mock-ups last semester.

Team captain Christman, an avid cyclist, said his father came up with the idea. Esparza said they have come a long way for first semester students in the two-semester course.

"Everybody has been real eager to work on this; we've been able to achieve our objectives at the time that we've scheduled them," Esparza said. "Our group's endeavors surpassed normal Senior Design class requirements, attributable to our dedication for the project."

Dedication has pushed this group of engineering seniors to long nights of frustration and semi-cold fast food hamburger meals. They have dealt with everything from rewriting SPI codes, to a non-functioning LCD screen.

"I just want to stress that everyone here has been pulling their weight." Esparza said. "We have worked really long hours, even past midnight up here at the lab."

Nothing stands in the way as the team perseveres toward the close of the course.

"This assignment has to be done before the end of the fall semester," Christman said. "I don't think we can leave this project unfinished personally. It would be one of those missed key chances in life to do something really great. I don't think anyone could have dreamed of all the good things that have come from this project. It reinforces it that much more, that we have a really good idea."......

Under sea cables

....it's now official from un Luddite cronies kenya's Internet connection has now resumed;@ a cost of ~half a billion Kenyan shillings.This is a sagacious move by the ministry of communication showing a +ve signs on major investments pertaining technology and information.#kudos....

...my 2012 ire....

..."when I look back on my life nowadays,which I do,what strikes me the most forcibly about it is that what seemed @ the time most significant and seductive,seems now most futile and absurd.For instance,the success in all of its various guises,being known and praised,ostensible pleasures lyk acquiring money or seducing women,travelling,going to & fro in the world and up n downs in it lyk Satan,explaining and experiencing whatever vanity fair had to offer.In retrospect,all these exercises in self-gratification seem pure fantasy,what Pascal called,"licking the earth".......

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....my 2012 ire.....

..."when I look back on my life nowadays,which I do,what strikes me the most forcibly about it is that what seemed @ the time most significant and seductive,seems now most futile and absurd.For instance,the success in all of its various guises,being known and praised,ostensible pleasures lyk acquiring money or seducing women,travelling,going to & fro in the world and up n downs in it lyk Satan,explaining and experiencing whatever vanity fair had to offer.In retrospect,all these exercises in self-gratification seem pure fantasy,what Pascal called,"licking the earth".......

...loop....

Message from Uloop

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