Microsoft issues critical patches

If you are like me, you will have noticed the little yellow security center shield when you logged onto your Windows PC today and perhaps that there were a lot of updates from Microsoft. The updates affect different versions of Windows, Server and Office software, including Windows XP and Windows Vista, which Microsoft has tauted as the most secure operating system ever. There were patches aimed at gadgets, Windows Media Player, and Excel, among the nine security related fixes. The Globe and Mail has more.

Free Office alternative

Infoworld.com has detected the addition of StarOffice to the Google Pack page, a site that Google uses to bunch together a collection of free software. StarOffice is an office productivity package developed by Sun Microsystems and is still being offered for sale at $69.95 on Sun's site, but is apparently free in the Google Pack. According to Sun the product offers "Powerful and integrated word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, drawing, and database capabilities". The product does not support Word 2007 file formats but for the price it might be worth looking at, particularly when you compare against the competition. If you are budget minded and don't trust the online options such as Google Docs and Spreadsheets, perhaps StarOffice is your answer. Be sure to check out the Infoworld.com article.

Nokia Battery Issue

Nokia, the worlds number one cellphone maker has issued a notice regarding 46 million batteries that could overheat. The company is offering to replace the "BL-5C" batteries made by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (manufacturer of such brands as Panasonic, National, and Technics) between December 2005 and November 2006. Nokia said in a statement "Nokia has identified that in very rare cases the affected batteries could potentially experience over heating initiated by a short circuit while charging, causing the battery to dislodge."

footnote: not a recall as previously reported. post edited.

Do you accept people you don't know as a "friend" on social networking sites?

In an experiment conducted by IT security firm Sophos, 41% of Facebook users approached, accepted a fake user as their friend. Many of those who did fall for the trap also provided personally identifying information such as e-mail addresses and remarkably telephone numbers! Are we that desperate to find friends that we would let our guards down to complete strangers or is it simply the bragging rights we are seeking? Don't you watch Dateline people? c|net has the story.

Half or your online time spent viewing entertainment or news?

According to a study released by the Online Publishers Association and conducted by Neilsen/NetRatings, Internet users spend nearly half of their time viewing news or entertainment content. The results of the survey taken over a 4 year period showed a 37% increase in these activities. The increase is attributed to an abundance of content, faster high speed connectivity, and a proliferation of social networking sites. See the Globe and Mail article here.

How ironic... CBC memo regarding employee blogging leaked to blog

The Globe and Mail is running a story of an internal CBC memo to employees regarding their blogging policy that has been leaked through, what else, a blog. The corporation claims the document is only a draft but employees are getting a bit fired up over it. A little common sense goes a long way folks!

Endeavor inspection shows gouge penetrates tiles completely

A laser inspection of the damaged area of the space shuttle Endeavor shows that the affected tiles are compromised through to the felt material sandwiched between the tiles and the shuttle's aluminum frame. NASA scientists are preparing a test with similarly damaged tiles back here on earth, in an attempt to determine whether or not the damaged area will withstand re-entry. John Shannon, chairman of the mission management team said "We have really prepared for exactly this case, since Columbia," and "We have spent a lot of money in the program and a lot of time and a lot of people's efforts to be ready to handle exactly this case." A decision is expected to be made today or tomorrow, regarding the necessity of a space walk to repair the damage. CBC Story Here. For a video explaining the Thermal Protection System - How Thing Work, Click Here (Real Media).

UN website hacked

The BBC is reporting that a group of hackers has defaced the United Nations (UN) website in what is being called a "cyberprotest". The group placed slogans on the site in a place reserved for statements from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. The slogans accused Israel and the United States of killing children and urged that they make peace not war. The site was taken down for repair.

And on the lighter side of space travel, Mexico confirms UFO's exist

This is quite something... not sure what to make of it! Mexican Air Force video that shows up to 11 (if my Spanish is correct) unidentified flying objects. You be the judge!

In keeping with the space theme... more on Endeavor

I'm finding NASA TV to be very interesting and time consuming. The dialog that happens between the folks on the ground and the shuttle crew is, as you would expect, technical but you can really hear the personalities shine through. They are busy, and every step is carefully planned out to the smallest of detail.

Today is a big day, the shuttle crew will be using the Canadarm 2 to maneuver a boom equipped with laser sensors to the underbelly. The sensors will allow NASA to determine the extent of the damage sustained during liftoff and will provide them with the necessary information to decide whether a repair is warranted. Since the shuttle disaster of 2003, every mission now carries a repair kit for these circumstances. The chairman of the mission management team, John Shannon is reported to have said "In the past, we didn't even know we had damage and we flew back home. So what I would tell you is we're going to do all the work required to understand it. ... I would not even venture to guess what the probability is that we would have to go repair this." CNN Story here.