project: one off

Tmobile formally launched the HTC G1 today; the world’s first phone based on Google’s Android open-ish OS. It looks pretty cool, however I am concerned about it’s ability to appeal to the main-stream. Android seems like one of those OSes that will cater to the tech savvy, which may hinder penetration into traditional user markets.

On another note, Apple has taken some interesting steps to lock things down! From rejecting apps for competing with them to including NDA disclosures on rejection emails. What they faily to understand is that by allowing innovation from independant developers, they are going to open the device up to a larger market. If there was a wide variety of applications available, even those that do what Apple’s do better than Apple, I would much more heavily consider buying an iPod Touch.

Thanks Gizmodo and Macrumors

Although this technology is nothing new (neither is the article…), I’ve recently discovered as a good way to securely surf using questionable networks. Gina Trapani, editor at Lifehacker and author of Geek to Live, has produced a series of articles explaining how to utilize SSH in a Windows environment. It’s very straight forward, and she does a superb job of simplifying everything. Linked below are the relevant articles.

Introduction to Cygwin – This explains how to install and use the SSH program.
Using SSH as a proxy – Explains how to utilize SSH with Firefox for secure browsing. Also provides a link to set up your own SSH sever if you don’t have a hosted solution

I encourage anyone that uses their personal device on others networks to get this set up. Once it’s all running, it’s easy and seamless. You can also do cool stuff like access iTunes over the net, and even access your home network!

Gamerscore Blog has added a video by Major Nelson showing the Avatar creation process in the 360’s Fall Dashboard update. Am I the only one who finds this type of interface expasperating? I understand the marketing aspect of linking ones persona with virtual activities, but I feel that it’s just a hinderance to more efficient and productive interfaces.

As reported by Gizmodo, Comcast has spilled the beans on it’s network management practices. It appears they were throttling P2P protocalls buch as BitTorrent and Gnutella.

Will the technique target P2P or other applications, or make decisions about the content of my traffic?

No. The new technique is “protocol-agnostic,” which means that the system does not manage congestion based on the applications being used by customers. It is content neutral, so it does not depend on the type of content that is generating traffic congestion. Said another way, customer traffic is congestion-managed not based on their applications, but based on current network conditions and recent bytes transferred by users.

I suppose I’ll just have to only download the newest linux ISO build every other day rather than nightly =/

If you see someone using the name “thepriceisright” or “tpir”, it’s me. It has to do with my job, and unfortunatly it’s an inside joke that only I get.

With each twist more surprising than the last, the stream of news about the financial state in the US is sounding more like a nightmarish soap opera that only CNN Money and C-SPAN could think up.