Everything uses Widgets nowadays.  My phone, my PC desktop, and even websites.  This particular crafty one takes my location from my phone and updates the website I post it on.  Useful if you don’t mind the loss of privacy.  ;-]

https://www.google.com/latitude/apps/badge

TomTom decided the License agreement was just a formality and printed a book on a receipt sized slip of paper.

Hmm, its 50 degrees outside and fairly damp, I should start learning to run outdoors today.

That was the plan.  I have been running indoors on a treadmill for just about a year now, and now that I have just returned from my first nonstop outdoor 5K run here are a few lessons I learned.

• You will forget your iPod at work on the first nice day you decide to run
• The steep hill just after leaving my house winded me pretty good and come to find out is steeper than I thought.
• Apparently you can see stars if you push yourself too hard up said hill.
• If Google says there that guys yard is a road, its pretty much fair game to cross it.
• If its not warm out, apparently you don’t sweat, your nose runs and mouth gum’s up with very unattractive fluids.
• You will probably get house envy if you look around anytime during your trip.
• Running uphill on a treadmill does not build up your anterior tibialis (shins), and your body will lovingly tell you this.
• I can run a 5k of varying uneven surfaces and inclines in under 30 minutes!

Now, I plan out my next run…

Today’s Windows Defender scan prompted me to clean my MSDN ISO for Windows XP today. Something tells me the recommended action of “Clean” could be a bad thing.

Update, there seems to be additional reports of Windows Hosts files being false positives. This time a copy of Hosts in the WinSXS directory.

HD Tune: WDC WD5000AAKS-00A7B Benchmark

Transfer Rate Minimum : 59.2 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Maximum : 116.1 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Average : 92.9 MB/sec
Access Time           : 12.4 ms
Burst Rate            : 93.7 MB/sec
CPU Usage             : 4.1%

HD Tune: WDC WD5000AAKS-00A7B Information

Firmware version : 01.03B01
Serial number    :      WD-WCASZ0037***
Capacity         : 465.8 GB (~500.1 GB)
Buffer size      : 16384 KB
Standard         : ATA/ATAPI-8 – SATA II
Supported mode   : UDMA Mode 6 (Ultra ATA/133)
Current mode     : UDMA Mode 5 (Ultra ATA/100)

S.M.A.R.T                    : yes
48-bit Address               : yes
Read Look-Ahead              : yes
Write Cache                  : yes
Host Protected Area          : yes
Device Configuration Overlay : yes
Automatic Acoustic Management: yes
Power Management             : yes
Advanced Power Management    : no
Power-up in Standby          : yes
Security Mode                : yes
Firmware Upgradable          : yes

Matrox specializes in multi-monitor hardware. Specifically the type that makes desktops wider. This is probably why they never noticed their website has an apparent nipple on taller desktops.

moar funny pictures

The housing market is supposed to be a buyers market, but I am not drinking that kool-aid.  Houses still feel overpriced to me.  Its probably because I am from New Hampshire, and Mass. home prices have always been higher, but still…

Here is a Raised Ranch for sale in my area and in my price range.  I love this style of home.  Dual over sized garage bay’s, spacious open concept above.

The Description is pretty sketchy and downright intimidating.

Are you looking for a diamond in the rough? Do people call you “Joe-HandiMan”? You can’t be affraid to get dirty with this property! With the right approach and desire, you can make this property come to life. The interior of this property had been abused and needs some patching up. Has good “bones” and a lot of possibilities. If you’re eager to take on a challange and make it your own, grab your agent and come to see what’s in store for you here!

Continue reading for the horrors found inside.
(more…)

I have wanted to do a hidden memory mod for some time now. At work I am exposed to information about all the sneaky places to hide contraband. And combined with my Computer Forensic training, I have been dieing to do a Proof of Concept that anything could contain data, and Computer Forensic Analysts should never focus just on the HDD.

There are 4 requirements:

1. The device must remain fully functional.
2. The device must show no signs of modification to the naked eye.
3. The memory mod must use off the shelf items to prove anyone can complete it. (No custom circuit boards, or expensive gadgets.)
4. The device item must be a common item to a PC and easily overlooked. (no gutted UPS’s with connected serial cables for example) “The best place to hide something is in plain sight”.

My first attempt was a failure. I tried to hide memory into a Microsoft mouse. To keep a long story short, I was not able to slip a USB hub (the size of 2 AA batteries) into the mouse casing, no matter how much I carved out of it. 2 days and 3 mice later I put the project on indefinite hold.

…Until this beauty arrived in my office. With a on board 2-port USB hub, it was almost too easy.

The USB Keyboard Memory Mod.

Supplies:
1 USB keyboard with built in HUB
1 Female USB cable
Phillips Screw Driver
Soldering Gun & fine solder
Multimeter
Flash Memory Drive (any size)

Time: ~2 hours

Your average run of the mill USB keyboard, plenty of internal cavity to work with.

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