- Chuckles - mailman3.cels.anl.gov

ATT hole leads to iPad user exposure.
by rackow＠mcs.anl.gov 12 Jun '10

12 Jun '10

There has been a ton of comments based around the new security risks that come from this story. >> Apple's worst security breach, or a great big hyperbole? >> http://www.sophos.com/blogs/duck/g/2010/06/10/apples-worst-security-breach/ Basicly hackers could now have the email address of all the iPad users. Many of these early purchases, etc have been to fairly high profile people. In some/many cases one has to wonder how much these people may be thinking about the security of a new device and if they would click on a well forged malware email message. As the debate rages on on how serious of a problem this really might be, I got a chuckle out of this summary of the real threat caused by this exposure... >> I think the bigger issue is the embarrassment caused by being >> outed as someone who actually purchased an iPad :-) --Gene

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Amazing new technology announcement.
by rackow＠mcs.anl.gov 21 Apr '10

21 Apr '10

Amazing New Technology Introducing the new Bio-Optic Organized Knowledge device, trade-named BOOK. BOOK is a revolutionary breakthrough in technology: no wires, no electric circuits, no batteries, nothing to be connected or switched on. It's so easy to use, even a child can operate it. Compact and portable, it can be used anywhere -- even sitting in an armchair by the fire -- yet it is powerful enough to hold as much information as a CD-ROM disc. Here's how it works: BOOK is constructed of sequentially numbered sheets of paper (recyclable), each capable of holding thousands of bits of information. The pages are locked together with a custom-fit device called a binder which keeps the sheets in their correct sequence. Opaque Paper Technology (OPT) allows manufacturers to use both sides of the sheet, doubling the information density and cutting costs. Each sheet is scanned optically, registering information directly into your brain. A flick of the finger takes you to the next sheet. BOOK never crashes or requires rebooting, though, like other devices, it can become damaged if coffee is spilled on it. The "browse" feature allows you to move instantly to any sheet, and move forward or backward as you wish. Many come with an "index" feature, which pin-points the exact location of any selected information for instant retrieval. An optional "BOOKmark" accessory allows you to open BOOK to the exact place you left it in a previous session -- even if the BOOK has been closed. BOOKmarks fit universal design standards; thus, a single BOOKmark can be used in BOOKs by various manufacturers. (Take that, Steve Jobs!) Portable, durable, and affordable, BOOK is being hailed as a precursor of a new entertainment wave. BOOK's appeal seems so certain that thousands of content creators have committed to the platform and investors are reportedly flocking to invest. Look for a flood of new titles soon. --- It appears to be making the rounds.. --Gene

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What if Everybody in Canada flushed at once?
by Ray Loy 14 Mar '10

14 Mar '10

An interesting graph of Edmonton water consumption vs time for the day of the Olympic gold medal hockey match: http://www.patspapers.com/blog/item/what_if_everybody_flushed_at_once_Edmon…

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Teacher arrested at JFK
by Stuart Martin 23 Jan '10

23 Jan '10

Enjoy :-) A public school teacher was arrested today at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he attempted to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a compass, a slide-rule and a calculator. At a morning press conference, the Attorney General said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al-Gebra movement. He did not identify the man, who has been charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction. "Al-Gebra is a problem for us", the Attorney General said. "They derive solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in search of absolute values." They use secret code names like "X" and "Y" and refer to themselves as "unknowns", but we have determined that they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country. As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, "There are 3 sides to every triangle". When asked to comment on the arrest, former President Bush said, "If God had wanted us to have better weapons of math instruction, he would have given us more fingers and toes." Washington insiders told reporters they could not recall a more intelligent or profound statement by the previous President. It is believed that the Nobel Prize for Physics will follow

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TSA may have problems with honeybees.
by rackow＠mcs.anl.gov 06 Jan '10

06 Jan '10

OK, maybe not all that funny considering the recent panty bomber, but this just struck me as very odd results.. A California airport was shut down for a few hours while security dealt with 5 gatorade bottles that were being reused to transport honey. For some reason the bottles tested positive for TNT. Could it bee the next mad bombers will be honeybees? http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/01/california-… --Gene

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Fwd: The Greatest Christmas Decoration Ever!!!!
by Rusty Lusk 09 Dec '09

09 Dec '09

I have now gotten this from two sources, so you might have already seen it. Cute. Begin forwarded message: > > Subject: The Greatest Christmas Decoration Ever!!!! > > > Make sure to read story at bottom… > > > Fantastic. Greg sends along this DIY FYI: > > "Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my > Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down > after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than > ever.Great stories. But two things made me take it down. > > First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as > they almost wrecked when they drove by. > > Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed > herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake > until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she > was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't > take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people > literally drove up my yard." > > > > > Windows Live Hotmail gives you a free,exclusive gift. Click here to > download. >

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yet another historical point in time.
by rackow＠mcs.anl.gov 07 Jul '09

07 Jul '09

On another mailing list, comes this jewel for Weds. - ---clip-- A little after half past noon on July the 8th the date and time will be 12:34:56 7/8/9. This will only happen once in history! (Or twice, if you list the day first, and go with August 7th.) (Or any of a number of other times that you can artificially get a sequence of number together.) (However!) 1) Given the significance of this, it is possible that the world will end at that time. (The ancient pyramidic scrolls do not mention whether this will be GMT or Pacific time.) 2) It is also possible that *NOTHING WHATEVER WILL HAPPEN!* (Experts consider that this would be the most suspicious possible outcome.) 3) It is also possible that Twitter will crash. http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/redeye/2009/07/twitter-trend-fun-123456789.… (Some people consider that this, and option 1, are the same.) - ---clip-- If yammer crashed, would anyone notice? - --Gene

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Fwd: [radix] Hard drive weight factor!
by lusk＠mcs.anl.gov 06 Jul '09

06 Jul '09

Priceless! Sent from my iPhone. Begin forwarded message: > From: Pavan Balaji <balaji(a)mcs.anl.gov> > Date: July 6, 2009 7:25:55 PM GMT+01:00 > To: radix(a)mcs.anl.gov > Subject: [radix] Hard drive weight factor! > > > http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/vistahardware/thread/72010… > > -- > Pavan Balaji > http://www.mcs.anl.gov/~balaji

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pirate software
by rackow＠mcs.anl.gov 30 May '09

30 May '09

A computer program walks into a bar; the bartender shouts: "Hey! Get out! Your kind ain't welcome in here!" The program looks a bit startled and asks "what do you mean by my kind"? "You know," the bartender says, "PIRATE software." "But I'm not pirate software!" protests the program. "Yeah? Well then, what's that thing you've got covering your eye?" asks the bartender. "That's just my latest patch!" says the program. "Well, okay then, what about that peg leg thing you've got going on?" "Obviously I'm a crippled version," sighs the program. "You can't fool me," says the bartender, "what about that bird sitting on your shoulder?" "SQUAAAWK! Powers of eight!" shrieks the bird. "Oh don't worry about that," says the program, "that's just my parrotty bit ." --Gene

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out of season joke
by rackow＠mcs.anl.gov 02 May '09

02 May '09

Why do geeks get Christmas and Halloween confused? Because 25 Dec and 31 Oct are the same.

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