Nata's Corner

This could be the scariest thing you've read in years.

And here, I just thought the Other Half was the only one with the problem. I already know he's not the only one with the problem of there being only 48 days (as of February 19) before Windows XP turns into a pumpkin. If you're finally thinking of upgrading to Windows 7, you'll find that it comes with Microsoft's Easy Transfer software, but you'll need to download it to your old computer. And yes, I plan on reminding you about this every issue until then.

Doesn't this happen to everyone? Your cell phone dies when you're in the middle of nowhere with only some friut, some tie wires and a couple of nails? And you have to charge it right now? Don't worry; I've found a solution for you.

Computers in the United States still send out more spam than anyone, which makes sense when you figure they have more computers than anyone. You would think that if the cable and telephone companies are so worried about how their Intertubes are getting clogged with all those videos of cute cats that they'd figure out a way to shut it down -- especially since they're keeping track of all that data for the NSA to ask for anyway.

Speaking of being watched, it seems pretty reasonable to me that if some company is using an app on my cell phone to track where I'm going, then I should be able to find out which apps are doing it -- especially if it's one of those friendly Facebook-type things that says "Oh, here... you can go into this store that's only half a block away and buy something so they'll keep giving us advertising money."

Can someone explain to me why people would continue to use software made by a company that doesn't protect its users and then ignores a flaw that can be used to spam millions of those same users? One thing I'll give them: they showed Comcast the way to deal with a breach: ignore it.

Finally, here's why that 20-something you know can't get a job.

In Brief

Ooops. Also, Kickstarter and Forbes are the lasted websites to be hacked for user data, as were Comcast's servers.

I'll alert the media (who will share it, of course): Apparently, trolls can't help themselves.

Why we don't have to worry very much about US government spying: Because as citizens, we can always retaliate. Ain't democracy wonderful?

It was only a matter of time: If you're really into duping $850... er... $750... er... $638.37 into something for which you get nothing back, try playing lots of Donkey Kong.

Time to bone up on your skills: The rules are out for the Pwn2Own contests that include prizes of up to $150,000 for a half hour's worth of coding.

It's always been a short step from "arresting vandals" to "repression": The British government used DDOS attacks to slow down Anonymous.

No honor among thieves: One of the reasons Bitcoins are so popular is because they can be used to purchase just about anything -- and we mean anything, legal or not. Another is that they can be stolen from almost anywhere.

Dumbfounded: One of the most annoying things we can find out about is when an employee gets blamed because his bosses weren't smart enough to think of things they gave him permission to do -- like use a spider to crawl through their files using readily available software.

Maybe we should set up a pool: Does anyone want to take a guess which company's database got "borrowed" and used to hack Yahoo Mail?

Super Boring: Unless you're addicted to [American] football, an insane fan of either Denver or Seattle, or just watched for the commercials, you know the game was over after the first play from scrimmage. Now we know what you did while not watching the game. Our favorite: Kia.

But it doesn't say "Paul is dead": A movie that works both backward and forward.

Another Obvious Loser: Add this to the list of rules CEOs should never break. Never blame babies when cutting your company's benefits, especially when Mom has a computer, and you've had your best year in a decade. Besides health benefits, the boss wants to cut retirement benefits, too.

Sochi isn't so much different from Kingston: The Jamaican bobsleigh team crowd-funded its trip to the Olympics.

In requiem: Flappy Bird. For now, unless you look hard enough (just don't go catching the Android Avian flu). Also, former Ambassador Shirley T. Black. She also made a few movies.

Maybe it's not that smart after all: You might want to find an alternative to staying at a Holiday Inn Express; a hotel management company reported a data breach a couple of weeks ago. In a related item, here's a primer on how Point of Sale breaches work... and to think it all started with a small HVAC contractor.

But... but... but... we're GOOGLE! Unfortunately for the Search folks, they don't make the rules in San Francisco bay.

Sign of the Apocalypse: Windows XP powers 95 per cent of ATMS ... worldwide. Apropos of which, Microsoft's "Patch Tuesday" update last week did not have any updates specific to Windows XP. A decidedly low tech problem.

Milestones

New Genius: gowflow is the thirtieth member of Experts Exchange to earn a Genius certificate in the Excel topic area.

Milestones:

• angelIII has earned 3,000,000 points in six different topic areas, most recently in PHP; no other member has earned 3,000,000 points in more than four topic areas.
• Ray_Paseur has become the first member of Experts Exchange to earn 16,000,000 points in PHP.
• We neglected to note, in our last issue, that TheLearnedOne has earned over 7,000,000 points in the .NET topic area.
• CodeCruiser has earned 13,000,000 points since joining EE.
• slightwv has reached the 9,000,000 point level.
• Qlemo has earned 6,000,000 points since joining EE.
• Sembee2 has earned 4,000,000 points in the Exchange Server topic area.