Well I know that nothing’s signed off yet, and the only Yahoo! service I really use is Flickr. I’m not looking forward to Microsoft owning that because I think it will all go to Hell. By the way, did you know that Flickr’s servers are Linux? Not for long!
Here’s what I think might happen in the long run…
The lovely Microsoft “Red Ring of Death” consuming Yahoo…
Here at work I use my PowerBook (still waiting on my replacement MacBook!) and on my left is a crappy ASUS Laptop on which I run Windows, so that I can use our internal phone software properly. It doesn’t run very well on Java.
But anyway, I just noticed my Timezone was wrong. This is because Daylight Savings was extended for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. I clicked on the trusty WindowsUpdate link and clicked the Express button.
CHECKING [ XXXXXXXXXX ]
High-priority updates
No high-priority updates for your computer are available. To check for optional updates, return to our home page and click Custom.
Are you joking? The change in my timezone for Adelaide isn’t high priority? What kind of show are they running here.
I’d just like to say that my Mac was updated and works beautifully. Unfortunately for me, I now have to go back through a horrifying menu interface just to update my timezone data.
So I go back and click the Custom button, and once again, it tells me that there are no High-priority updates. It does tell me I can “use the options on the left” but the options on the left are extremely camoflaged with the rest of the pane. It looks really ugly and I think it’s crap.
Software, Optional.
Update for Windows XP
Update for Windows XP
Windows Media Player 10
Update for Windows XP
Update for Windows XP
So I have to click on all of them to try and find which one is the Timezone update patch. Oh joy!
I clicked on the first one and it says “This update includes minor changes to how Internet Explorer handles some web pages that use Microsoft ActiveX controls.” It goes on. Shouldn’t that be “Update for Internet Explorer”? I’m confused ! I thought the web browser was not supposed to be bundled with the operating system! Oh well. I’ll press on.
Oh dear. NONE of the updates suggested seem to be in relation to my local timezone! I’ll have a look in “Hardware, Optional” just to be sure.
No! As I suspected they’re all printer drivers and something else for my motherboard. What a surprise! No updates seem to be for my computer’s timezone problem! I’ll install them all. Maybe that will fix it.
81Mb.
OK! My computer is restarting. Will it update my timezone? FINGERS CROSSED!!!!!!!!!!
NO!! I’m not surprised. So how do I update my computer’s timezone now? I know. Microsoft.com -> Downloads -> Microsoft Update
Oh, it told me to use Internet Explorer 5. OK!
Microsoft.com -> Downloads -> Knowledge base -> “Adelaide Time Zone” -> …
Great! The first response was for Windows NT. In 2003. I found it, but it was way down in the list. This search engine sucks! Wow, there’s so much crap on that page I don’t know how Joe Homeuser would be able to update his machine.
OH MY GODDDDD I need a Windows Genuine Advantage Plug-In for Firefox! You’ve *GOT* to be kidding me! I’m trying it in Internet Explorer, and Internet Explorer lets me do it. What the fuck? I’ve never installed a Genuine Advantage plugin for Internet Explorer, either. I did notice, however, that when I clicked the link a small browser window came up. Maybe it did it then? It *IS* Internet Explorer, you know. Doing things behind your back is its way.
The update has been installed. My timezone has not changed. Maybe I’ll reboot. Again. Can you feel my anger? Gahh!!!
IT’S STILL WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I give up. I’m leaving it how it is.
I’ve been reading about the Xbox 360 being hacked. It appears that people are getting closer and closer to “modding” the 360, and I’d be interested to see it get to the same level as the Xbox Mark-I!
Apparently, the Xbox was modded by TheSpecialist, and he was able to run a duplicated copy of an Xbox 360 game.
Xbox 360 executables (XEX files) are digitally signed by Microsoft. Each XEX file has a flag named mediaflag which tells the Xbox 360 from which media type the XEX is allowed to boot (ie CD-R, CD+R, HDD, dvdxbox360, etc). The Xbox discs (dvdxbox360) are specific DVDs which have certain bad sectors and info in the disc lead-in and lead-out made to them which you can’t do on burnt DVDs. To fool the Xbox-360 into accepting a DVD+R or DVD-R or whatever format, some changes were made to the firmware of the DVD drive which tells the Xbox-360 that it’s reading from media type dvdxbox360. If this flag were changed in the XEX file itself, this would break the signature in the file and it would fail to run.
He hasn’t released the firmware to the public, but I’m guessing that since it can be done it won’t be long before it’s out.
There’s a video of the proof, too.
Microsoft have responded to the hack, stating this:
The core security system has not been broken. However, it is reported that the authentication protocol between the optical disc drive and the console may be attacked, which if accurate could allow people to play illegally copied games. Our security team is aware of this and we are investigating potential solutions to this issue. The Xbox 360 platform was designed to be updated, and we are prepared to respond appropriately should any unauthorized activity be identified.
Everyone should keep in mind that Microsoft invests a great deal of time and effort to ensure that Xbox gamers enjoy the most powerful and exhilarating game experience available today. Genuine and unmodified Microsoft Xbox products provide gamers with the reliability, security, support and dynamic gaming experience that they expect. Microsoft works with a large group of legitimate business partners to sell and service genuine Microsoft Xbox products. Microsoft does not authorize or support any products or companies that modify or change the Xbox console in any way.
Some of the places talking about the Xbox 360 hack are xbox-scene.com, and the original thread
It’s still unknown how long it will be before the Xbox 360 is hacked to the max, because full chipping isn’t available at this stage. But I will wait and see.
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