Gizmodo: it

David Pogue Parodies Britney Spears With "Apps!...I Did It Again"

Rosa Golijan — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:22:11 EST

Memories of mornings spent singing into a hairbrush flooded back as I listened to this Apple-themed rendition of Britney Spears' Oops...I did it again being performed by David Pogue. He could have a heck of a pop star career.

For comparison, or if you just happen to be unfamiliar with the original pop culture horror, you can have a listen to it here. [Brainstorm Tech]

8-Year-Old Macedonian Boy Becomes Youngest Microsoft-Certified IT Professional

John Mahoney — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:40:00 EST

Need your remote access to the accounts receivable server restored? Marko Calasan will get right on that, after he wakes up from nappy time and finishes his afternoon sippy cup of juice.

Marko has dethroned little M Lavinashree of India, who at 9 years old (ANCIENT!) was the previous MS certification for tykes record holder. Marko is now being called the "Mozart of Computers" and received a 15-machine computer lab from Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to toy around with.

When he's not sysadmining it up, Marko practices Thai boxing and is also an avid astronomy and physics enthusiast. The night before the Large Hadron Collider was to be fired up, he couldn't sleep from the excitement. I love this kid. [Times Online via GIGAZINE]

Proxim Orinoco AP-8000 Doubles Wi-Fi Throughput With Two 802.11n Radios

John Mahoney — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:30:00 EST

This one's more for the IT dudes, but is interesting as an indication of how we may see more speed squeezed out of the 802.11n wi-fi spec: a new enterprise access point from Proxim uses two 802.11n radios simultaneously, effectively doubling throughput to 320 Mbps (a single wireless N radio maxes out at around 170 Mbps). But it can't just be that simple, right?

No. The bottleneck in a setup like this is the centralized wireless controller chipset architecture that routes all of the data coming in and out. Proxim's solution, instead, uses a new distributed wireless architecture for which enables it to smartly share the burden over the two radios. It uses two standard Atheros 802.11n radio chips and a controller processor from Freescale. This is also different from the many dual-band routers out there that use two radios, but only for each band individually—not combined into a single bandwidth pipe.

Of course, your computer only has one radio, so you won't see double the speeds on your local machine. This just helps cram more data onto a huge enterprise network without bringing it down, but an interesting strategy that could, theoretically, find its way into more consumer-type gear. The dual-radio AP-8000 costs $1,099, and also looks like a Dungeness crab after I've eaten four delicious legs already. Sold! [Product Page via GigaOM]

US Navy Sysadmin Fills House With $1.6 Million Worth of Pilfered Office Supplies

John Mahoney — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:00:00 EDT

If you're working at Dunder-Mifflin and you're lifting a highlighter or two every now and then, Michael may feign disapproval, but that's about it. On the other side of the coin is Victor Papagno, a sysadmin for the US Naval Research Laboratory, who was recently busted for jacking over 20,000 pieces of gear worth $1.6 million—from ink cartridges to hard drives to software—over the course of 10 years.

Apparently Papagno was stealing in such volume he had to stash lots of it in the homes of his neighbors, because his own house was quickly stuffed full. The game was up when, after a domestic violence arrest (surprise!), Mrs. Papagno called up Victor's employer, saying she wanted all of his work gear out of the house. "Um, what work gear?" was the response. The rest is history.

Our recommendation is to avoid attempting such a large-scale heist if your employer is the US Navy—apparently no secrets or strategically sensitive information was ever taken, or else Victor would be facing a lot more jail time than the two years proposed currently. [WTOP via Network World via /.]

NLighten IT7202 72-inch Touchscreen HDTVs Put Google Earth At Your Fingertips

John Mahoney — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 14:20:50 EDT

Rear-projection may be deader than dead as far as the biggies are concerned, but the folks at nLighten are intent to squeeze a bit more life out of these 72-inch 1080p DLP sets by sticking an infrared camera inside next to the light source that detects cursor points from an IR-tipped pen, allowing for a simple (no multitouch) touchscreen interface. It can act as a standard Windows mouse allowing for 1080p touchscreen Google Earth, or any other app.

The 72-inch IR-pen screen is priced at $3,000, and a similar version that uses camera triangulation from cameras mounted on the top of the bezel for actual finger touch control will set you back $4,000. As you can see in the video, the finger-touch seems to be a bit finicky, but the IR pen control is smooth as silk. [CEDIA 2008]

nLighten Technologies introduces three 60 inch & 72 inch Touch Screen DLP
Rear Projection Displays
Superior Pictures & Easy Intuitive Display through Superior Technologies

Denver/CEDIA EXPO 2008 – (September 3, 2008) – nLighten Technologies Inc. an innovative
products provider, as well as manufacturer of specialty displays and residential displays,
today introduced its 72 inch ﬁnger touch screen, DT7200. This new product adds to its
core line ups of 60 inch and 72 inch pen touch DLP Rear Projection Displays, IT6002 and
IT7202. The product is ideal for conference room, point of information display, or
classroom. nLighten is committed to fulﬁll the fast growth for high-deﬁnition super large
display with touch screen capability.

Keeping pace with market trends, the nLighten DT7200 oﬀers high deﬁnition resolution
(1920 x 1080: 1080P) which enables users to take advantage of the latest high deﬁnition
video or PC content and enjoy true HD video playback without compensating clarity of
pictures. In addition, the superior technology of Texas Instrument’s DLP-engine provides
greater contrast and deep black levels for richer detail in dark scenes on 72 inch large screen
DT7200 incorporates high sensitivity camera sensors for faster response, a much superior
product as it compare to other technologies that use ﬁlms or coatings over the screen,
eliminating ghosting, and trailing images.

nLighten’s IT6002 and IT7202 have pen touch feature which turn your conference room,
classroom or media room in your residence into an interactive room. IT6002 and IT7202’s
large touch-sensitive displays invite your audiences to focus on the presentation materials
and retain information easier.
h&72inch TouchScreenDLP
riorTechnologies
Collaborating large screen high deﬁnition displays and touch function, nLighten’s new
DT7200, 72 inch Finger Touch screen DLP Display, and IT6002 and IT7202, 60 inch and 72
inch Pen Touch screen DLP Displays, oﬀer fast and precise response to the movement and
can be enhanced by featuring nLighten’s software solution for interactive eboard
application.
“Touch screens are an eﬃcient and intuitive way to access and interact with on-display
information, and appeal to a wide variety of users and applications”, said nLighten President
Jack Kuo. “The technology of ﬁnger touch compliments nLighten’s standard display line
ups.” “We recognize the increase demand for touch screen capability with large screen size
displays from our channel partners. “
nLighten is showing all three True High Deﬁnition Touch Screen DLP Rear Projection Displays
at CEDIA EXPO 2008 booth #826, September 4 ~7, 2008, Denver, CO.

About nLighten
nLighten Technologies Inc. is a research and development of large screen size HD DLP
Display. With oﬃce located in Fremont, CA, and its manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China,
nLighten is becoming a global leader of specialty display technology providing large screen
high deﬁnition monitors and ATSC TVs for most demanding environments such as
conference room, classroom, and home theater. Home theater Enthusiasts depend on
nLighten to provide superior performance when image quality is the highest expectation.
For more information, visit www.nlighten.com.
Phihong USA Corporation, a subsidiary of Phihong Technology Co., Ltd. , Taiwan, is the
exclusive distributor to market the full line of nLighten products and does the technical
supports for North American market.

Study: 88% of IT Pros Would Steal Passwords or Data if Fired

John Mahoney — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EDT

If you needed another reason to keep your sysadmins happy: Out of 300 IT pros polled by security company Cyber Ark, 88% said they would steal sensitive data or futz with master login passwords if they happened to be fired. Granted, this is a study publicized by a company that offers services to protect networks against internal rogue operators, but the more data like this that comes out, the nicer our brave IT managers are likely to be treated. Or, the more ridiculous security barriers will be put in place to keep the good ones from easily doing their jobs—one or the other. So perhaps we should have our own informal comment survey—IT dudes: Would you go 21st century postal on your employers if you were let go? [Ars Technica, Image: shearforce]

A Look Inside Defcon's Network Ops Room, The Most Secure Conference Wi-Fi You'll Ever See

John Mahoney — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EDT

Network access at conferences sucks, pretty much without exception. That is, unless it's built by the badge-wearing network ops volunteers of the Defcon hacker convention, who are affectionately referred to as the "Goons" (read: IT badasses). Wired's Threat Level got a chance to look behind the scenes and snap some great photos of the network gear (and chain link fences, and padlocks, and German Shepherds) that make the Defcon network the fortress that it needs to be to keep a network full of hackers from tearing each other apart.

A Cisco fiber switch (top) handles all of the traffic on the 20 megabit internet link, and the whole thing runs behind an OpenBSD firewall. Around 40 Aruba AP-70 access points distribute the network, which are basically only radios hooked to AC power; they receive all configuration info from the main network system to prevent WAP takeovers:

The whole thing sits behind this padlocked chain fence, which is manned by a 24/7 armed security guard.

Hit up Threat Level for the full set, including a portrait of Tomoe the German Shepherd, the Goons' last line of defense. [Threat Level photos by Dave Bullock via /.]

San Francisco's Disgruntled IT Worker Shared the Secret Password With Mayor Newsom

Matt Hickey — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:30:00 EDT

After having seen The Dark Knight three times over the last weekend I can't help but think this would be a great scene for the next film (which had better not be called Caped Crusader): A city municipal worker in the IT department changed some very important passwords and refused to give them up, even after jailed. Strangely, from his cell, he divulged the code to just one man, the city mayor, in a secret meeting that even the DA and police didn't know about. The IT tech, Terry Childs, wasn't up to any nefarious deeds, or so he says, he just didn't want his co-workers to mess up his huge system, and can anyone who's ever worked in IT blame him? [SFGate]

Question of the Day: Do You Trust Your IT Department?

Mark Wilson — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:30:00 EDT

A recent UK survey revealed that nearly half of IT workers have admitted to exploiting their position to snoop in confidential files at work. Put that in the global perspective, and IT departments collectively know more about the state of our affairs than any industry analyst or investment firm. But still, such is a major breech of conduct. So today's question of the day is simple and to the point:

And of course, hit the comments for all of your best IT anecdotes. (Oh, and IT, feel free to fire back...as soon as you get the hell out of my computer.)

Kama Sutra For IT People, Computer Fetishists

Jason Chen — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT

We're not sure where this came from originally, but we found this on Digg under "Kama Sutra For IT People." Hit the jump for a bigger pic. [Digg]

Girl Geeks on the Rise, Says Report

Jack Loftus — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EDT

A new report from Solutions Research Group hints that the male-dominated era of technology and gadgets may be coming to an end. Some activities, such as using a DVR to record a TV show, or streaming movies or games, are more popular amongst women than men. Gents, has this happened to you? Take the poll, and see just how our favorite British girl geek handles tech stuff in the video after the jump.

Fave British girl geek after Addy, of course. [Solutions Research Group PDF, via I4U

Plug It Phone Charm Contains Cunningly Disguised Data Cable

Haroon Malik — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 07:05:00 EDT

If you thought the phrase "useful phone charm" was inherently oxymoronic, please meet Plug It's phone charm offering. It looks like a hunk of plastic junk, until you split it open to reveal a complete data cable.

As you can generally charge your phone via your data cable, the Plug It phone charm is fantastically useful. Retailing at only €7.95 ($12), most of the major phone brands are supported, excluding Sony Ericsson, who will be getting some USB charm love in the coming months. The Plug It charms are available in various colors and designs, and whatever you do, avoid the awful company website like the plague. (Either that or be forced to listen to their theme tune; #Plug it in, plug it in, baby!# My ears feel abused.) [Product Page]

Bill Gates Reveals the Secret of his Success—and Where he Had His Zune Tattoo Inked

AddyDugdale — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 07:28:08 EST

Bill Gates has scribbled a piece for the BBC News website on what he reckons you need to succeed in today's world. As well as an ability to understand IT, surprise surprise, the Microsoftie talked about how a good knowledge of Math and Science was essential for people to get ahead in the 21st Century. Choice quotes, plus Bill's body art shocker, are below.

A solid working knowledge of productivity software and other IT tools has become a basic foundation for success in virtually any career. Beyond that, however, I don't think you can overemphasise the importance of having a good background in maths and science. If you look at the most interesting things that have emerged in the last decade - whether it is cool things like portable music devices and video games or more practical things like smart phones and medical technology - they all come from the realm of science and engineering.

A fair amount of plugging for the company he founded—Microsomething, is it?—went on, with Gates saying that software was the key to the future, be it its future development or implementing it in other organisations. As well as the ability to communicate, Gates placed a lot of importance on knowledge-gathering.

I also place a high value on having a passion for ongoing learning. When I was pretty young, I picked up the habit of reading lots of books. It's great to read widely about a broad range of subjects. Of course today, it's far easier to go online and find information about any topic that interests you. Having that kind of curiosity about the world helps anyone succeed, no matter what kind of work they decide to pursue.

As for the Zune tattoo, well, come on people, it's Friday morning and news is kinda slow. My money's on a transferrable tat of a unicorn on his wrist, put there by his daughter. [BBC News]

Size It: PlayStation 3 vs. Xbox 360 vs. Wii vs. Nintendo NES

Jason Chen — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 19:15:39 EDT

Just how much living-room cabinet space are you going to have to sacrifice when you purchase a PlayStation 3 instead of a Nintendo Wii? Will your 1985 entertainment center fit your Xbox 360 in the same slot as a Nintendo NES? All your questions will be answered if you look at the picture.

More thoughts after the jump.– Jason Chen

After seeing the sizes, it's really apparent how small the Wii is. Taking out the next-gen DVD drive and using less-sophisticated hardware may make for a compact box, but in our minds won't affect the enjoyability of the Wii in the least.

And it's also surprising that it's even smaller than the NES, though that console needed a big slot to put the cart into.

SensaTronics EM 1

johnb — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 17:28:19 EDT

We saw this yesterday at the suck-tacular C3 Expo here in New York and were pretty impressed. I'm sure the IT geeks out there already know all about this thing, but the EM 1 is an environmental sensor with its own Ethernet interface. You plug it into your network and it sense humidity and temperature as well as water levels and magnet relays. You can monitor four locations with each $600 box.

The big news is that they're coming out with a rack-mounted version with temperature and humidity sensors and that fights right inside your server rack.

Product Page [Sensatronics]

FREE computer! Need I Say More?

tgrumet — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 10:15:44 EST

Forget the $100 laptop. The free iT does it one better. A stripped-down PC from Hong Kong-based website Asiatotal, the iT will be given away for free to small businesses and those of you in the lower income bracket. It comes with a keyboard, mouse, a 7-inch LCD monitor with speaker, smart card reader, mouse pad and all necessary cables and the entire thing is financed by sponsors. Why, you may ask? There are 14 "hotkeys" on the keyboard, and every time you press one, you'll be directed to a different sponsor's website. Of course, if you need a free PC, are you really going to buy anything from the sponsors? Chew on that, why dontcha'.

PC for free! Yes it's true [Techticker]

ItPlaysDoom.com Is Live

johnb — Thu, 11 Aug 2005 10:45:13 EDT

Intrepid reader James heard our call to create a website dedicated to all things that play Doom. The result is the amazing ItPlaysDoom.com. He's already posted Doom on the iPod, but I implore you all to add to his collection, thereby creating a virtual library of Doom and its assorted host organisms.

Thanks, James, for making my day.