Latest Other Stuff Stories

Police on the hunt for Lost Memory Stick

Yet another USB flash drive has been lost, this one containing classified and unencrypted files on suspected terrorists. The flash drive is reported to be a 4GB device that was taken from the station by a police officer on September 11th.

The officer lost the drive from his pocket when called to the scene of a car accident. The actual contents of the drive haven’t been confirmed by police. The drive is reported to have details of terror cells under surveillance. Read more

Posted on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:07:03 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Large Hadron Collider Starts, World Goes On

Topic: Other Stuff

The Large Hadron Collider is both the world's largest machine and the largest atom smasher ever created. Many believed that the device would create microscopic black holes that would destroy the Earth.

The LHC was started yesterday, and has already produced its first images. As you can tell, the world hasn’t ended. The catch according to naysayers is that the LHC hasn’t started producing sub-atomic collisions yet, which are supposedly needed to create black holes. Read more

Posted on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:54:32 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Next-Gen Broadband Infrastructure to cost £28.8 billion

Topic: Other Stuff

According to a recent report, the cost of rolling out next-generation broadband Internet connectivity could run as high as £28.8 billion. According to the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG) the lowest cost option would run £5.1 billion.

The new fibre Internet connectivity would offer speeds of up to 100 MBPS. The cheaper option is called Fibre to the cabinet. The more costly solution would run fibre all the way to a user's home. Read more

Posted on Mon, 8 Sep 2008 14:20:35 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Over a Third of UK Home Have No Internet

Topic: Other Stuff

It's hard to imagine today that some homes have no Internet access. That is almost as bad as not having running water or electricity in some circles. The Office of National Statistics reports that over a third of UK homes lack Internet access.

On second thought, maybe it's not so surprising. I can’t imagine my grandmother getting online; the majority of the homes are probably the elderly. Read more

Posted on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:57:54 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Internet Explorer 8 Gets Porn mode

Topic: Other Stuff

Microsoft has created a new web browser that has a feature nicknamed "porn mode" according to the Telegraph. The mode allows users to access websites without leaving behind tracking information.

The browser lets users conceal the sites they visit and is officially called InPrivateBrowsing. I can think of a few uses for a mode like that other than porn. I could use it to keep traces of website admin panels from other computer users. Read more

Posted on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:50:13 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

ISS Computers Infected with Virus

Topic: Other Stuff

NASA has confirmed that a computer virus has been carried aboard the ISS in a laptop computer. The malicious virus steals computer passwords and is called W32.Gammima.AG and was hiding inside laptops brought to the station in July.

NASA says operations of the station have not been affected and describe the virus infection as nothing more than a nuisance. An investigation has been launched into how the stations security systems were breached. Read more

Posted on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:56:29 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Solar Powered Plane Stays Aloft 3 Days

Topic: Other Stuff

A spy plane built in Brittan has stayed in the sky for 82 hours and 37 minutes setting an unofficial record for the longest continuous flight for an unmanned aircraft. The plane was powered by solar panels and a rechargeable battery at night.

The flight was carried out to test the planes ability to send radio messages to the ground and was not officially recorded as a world record attempt. The test flight was conducted at the US Army proving grounds in Arizona. Read more

Posted on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:30:19 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Home Office Lost 43 Laptops in last 3 Years

Topic: Other Stuff

Home office has admitted that over the last three years it has lost 43 laptops and 94 mobile phones. Last week Home Office announced that data on 84,000 prisoners had been lost by a contractor.

The numbers break down to 15 laptops and 47 mobile phones lost in 2007, 14 laptops and 10 mobiles in 2006 and 14 laptops and 37 mobiles in 2005. While Home Office won’t admit to what was on the laptops, it only says that it doesn’t believe sensitive or classified information is at risk. Read more

Posted on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:17:41 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Home Office Suspends Consulting Firm for Data Loss

Topic: Other Stuff

The loss of sensitive data is never a good thing whether it’s the loss of your own personal data or the loss of data from a business. When the lost data contains information on thousands of people things get even worse.

Home Office has suspended the contract for PA Consulting after one of its employees lost a flash drive that contained sensitive data on 84,000 criminals. The consulting firm was contracted to track offenders through the justice system. Read more

Posted on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:11:20 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Teachers Union Gives Marks & Spencer Detention

Topic: Other Stuff

Marks & Spencer is in hot water with Britain's largest teaching union NASUWT over blazer in its 2008 back-to-school catalog. The reason the union is outraged is that the blazer has an internal pocket and controls for an iPod and has a special lapel design that helps hide the earphones cables.

The blazer is part of the shops 2008 back-to-school collection and is available for girls and boys. The hidden controls allow kids to rewind, fast-forward, play, and pause music tracks. Read more

Posted on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:45:56 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Details on Windows 7 Coming in October

Topic: Other Stuff

With so many reports that highlight the negatives of Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system, it's easy to see why Microsoft's marketing engine has already started stoking the hype for Windows 7. I use Windows Vista on a daily basis and since the early days when there were massive driver problems, I have had no problems with the operating system.

Despite the fact that many users couldn't tell the difference between Vista and Vista masquerading by a different name as Microsoft tests have proven, many still don't use the operating system. Microsoft has said they will announce more information about its next operating system on October 27th. Read more

Posted on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:36:02 GMT | by Shane McGlaun

Previous | Next | Other Stuff

Find Deals