Google + Yahoo?

As I was about to sign out of my gmail account, I noticed something a little odd: Yahoo's name was embedded into Google's gmail. It looks like Google is utilizing Yahoo's news service to serve, well, news to its users. I wonder how that works, how these competitors are working together. Or... is it simply a google AdSense and Yahoo! actually signed up for their competitor's AdSense?

Firefox, IE and security issues

I haven't written here in about forever and a half; a couple of projects for a client who wants them yesterday have certainly taken their toll, but hopefully I'll have a bit more time in the near future.

I've been using Firefox as my internet browser of choice for a while now. It really didn't take much to convince me, I was fed up with IE and the security holes - and tabbed browsing surely is very helpful since I tend to have, uhm, "several" windows open at the same time! But promised security was perhaps the most attractive one.

Is Firefox really 100% bullet proof though? I have no interest whatsoever to break into it, but I'm sure sooner or later someone will do that. I am a little suspicious and I have a hard time believing that:

1. Firefox programmers are better than those employed at Microsoft
2. Microsoft did intentionally leave open security vulnerabilities

I am not trying to defend MS by any means. Because of their strategy, their products are still more dangerous. But the reasons why they're more dangerous for the average user, as I see it, are:

1. Internet Explorer, unlike other browsers, is tightly integrated with Windows Operating System. Which means that if one finds a hole in that browser, one can easily take control of the whole machine. One such pitfall would be the infamous MS proprietary ActiveX controls, which can be used to plant unauthorized scripts and open back doors in an unexpecting user's machine.
2. IE is still the most widely used browser in the world. Hence, if one is planning to spend some time and efforts writing code which will get them into as many machines as possible so they can get a good return on their "investment."
   
3. There are far more attacks against MS products (IE, Windows, etc.) than against other ones (e.g. FireFox, Apache, etc.) simply because a lot "programmers" are furious against Microsoft's monopolitistic policies and actions.

In conclusion, I don't think there's any browser which is really bullet-proof. Sooner or later, as Firefox gets more popular, attackers will find exploits in it as well. The best defense strategy is to always be cautious, apply levels of defense (firewall, etc.) and keep browsers up to date with patches released by vendors.

When the burglar sues

As I was doing my usual online "surfing" reading/glancing through numerous tech e-newsletters and articles, there was this article on ZDNet with a shocking title "Microsoft seeks protection from spyware firms."

There are two parts in that title which made my jaw drop:

1. Mighty Microsoft is seeking protection! If the elephant feels he's not strong enough to squash little bugs, what's left for us, the very little birds that, we like it or not, ride on its back? Is there even a chance of survival for us?
2. The pesty spyware firms which suffocate computers, draining all their processing resources and slowing them to a halting screech (one of their "side" effects), hated by all and threatened even by Congressional bills, are counterattacking by suing those who remove them or provide tools to do so!

Correct me if I'm wrong but this is just like those cases when the burglar sues the owner of the house she's burglarizing after he trips and falls! What have we become? Why does the legal system have so many holes to allow such idiotic opportunities?

I admit it Mr. Spyware writer, I'm guilty, I've spent a few hours killing your filthy leaches mercilessly from clients' computers! Yes, it was a tough battle as your rogue programming was, and still is, quite good and just wouldn't die. But in the end, I managed to win, armed with a few tools by good people you're trying to sue now. You do have good programming skills, but I'm not sure why you use them to do such harm to unsuspecting computer users, tracking all their activity, stealing their username/password and personal info, covering their screens with a gazillion pop-ups, etc. To me, you're nothing but scum!

I assume by now you are guessing what my Hollywood-borrowed reply to your threats: So sue me! I'll still continue to fight you!

Link to that article I mentioned.

McTech

OK, I just read an article about McDonald's restaurants going all high-tech and couldn't help scratch my head in confusion. No, it doesn't say they're installing any new high-tech grills or friars, nor any non-human drive-thru window associate. Nor does it promise that when you order a burger with no mayo, you'll actually get one without it.

What it does say though is that McDonald's, the American icon of fast food, is trying to get customers to stay longer (as well as increase repeat visits) at their restaurants so they could, well, increase their BMI (Body Mass Index) at a quicker pace. A while ago, taking a clue from yuppie establishments like Starbucks and Panera Bread, McDonald's started to experiment offering Wi-Fi access. Mind you, I haven't been to a McDonald's in quite a while, so I'd be curious to see people having lunch as grease drips in slow-mo over their laptop keyboards.

As Wi-Fi wasn't enough, now, according to this article, people can buy music, ringtones or even print photos as their fries get cold. Ah, yes, I can imagine the romantic conversations over freshly printed photos... "Honey, you look great in this pic stuffing your mouth with that double-extra HugeMac and fries and that Diet Coke!"

Being a business owner myself, I applaud creative but effective ways that companies apply to increase store traffic and sales. But this one sure caught me by surprise. I always thought McDonald's success was based on "cheap food - fast." Don't just take my word for it, here's what this iconic company proclaims: Is one of the world's most well-known and valuable brands and holds a leading share in the globally branded quick service restaurant segment of the informal eating-out market in virtually every country in which we do business. So, highly-paid execs, how does this new high-tech expense support your 60+ years global image?

For many years, McDonald's tried to bring in more kids into their restaurants and try to make them stay longer (read: eat more grease) by building playgrounds inside their establishments. Now that kids have already become obese, why not do the same with those few adults who have escaped the obesity attack?

Link to the article I mention above.

iPod culture

I consider myself to be a technofile but, for some reasons, I just haven't jumped into iPods as enthusiastically as some others have. I do have to admit though, they are (or better yet, were) very technologically advanced when they first came out. And its slim, minimalistic design is really nice. Yes, their ads do please my creative side as well. But, with other products out now who may even be better (and cheaper, that's for sure), why would I want an iPod? Just so I can belong to the iPod cult? Should I start wearing black as I dance against a colorful background?

However, what is really interesting is how some smart people found a way to broadcast to these iPods, creating a whole new secondary technology called Podcasting. Enthusiasts are Podcasting left and right. Heck, even TV Guide is doing it! So, something that was developed by individuals who wanted to "stick it to the man" and become instant broadcasters without having to apply/wait for an FCC license, now is being used, well, commercially. I find that ironic.

I'm curious to know what will be the future of it, is it just a fad that will fade away soon or will grow and become the next radio.

Magazines I'm reading

• ComputerWorld
• Information Week