18 January 2008
Hacking notification
Two of my sites, both with a PHBB installations on them, have been hacked. We just got everything back in working order, but I thought I should spread the news: there's a pretty serious looking wave of attacks that depend of the PHPBB setup to disguise the PHP files necessary to do things like spoof a paypal site. If you have a website with a lot of PHP in it, please check for complete function and maybe change the passwords, just in case.
17 January 2008
As the guild spins....
So, I've been offered a seat on the code development council for the local fire guild.
I've turned it down.
And I think some folks will want to know why.
First, I feel that this is an ill conceived attempt to patch things up with NAFAA as suggested by the State Fire Marshall at the last meeting. I say 'ill conceived' because my presence on this council could be interpreted as an endorsement of the group's actions. And, let's face it, this guild was formed as a reaction to NAFAA actions and built in a specific attempt to contradict them. A NAFAA endorsement at this point would be confusing at best, damaging to both at worst.
Second, I have always made myself available to any questions anyone has had regarding NAFAA info, or local codes. When this guild was formed, I reiterated that offer and it was ignored. I'm thinking that this guild needs to begin the process of extending beyond itself, and tapping other resources, like state fire codes, local laws, etc before I can consider being a part of it.
Finally, I still maintain that my absence in the guild actions has, is and will continue to encourage average performers to take some more direct action in the process than looking my way. Once the nickname "safety nazi" began to fade a bit, people started relying on me a little to frequently and too heavily in their safety concerns. For several years, it seemed that anytime someone wanted a permit, my phone rang. And when anyone asked a fire safety question in my presence, all eyes turned to me. Hopefully, after that last guild meeting there's a few people reading the NAFAA wiki, and reviewing the performer safety guidelines to get answers of their own.
Keep in mind that all these decisions are personal. My decision to keep a distance from the guild should not deter other people from joining it. It is not an endorsement for, or against, the guild.
I've turned it down.
And I think some folks will want to know why.
First, I feel that this is an ill conceived attempt to patch things up with NAFAA as suggested by the State Fire Marshall at the last meeting. I say 'ill conceived' because my presence on this council could be interpreted as an endorsement of the group's actions. And, let's face it, this guild was formed as a reaction to NAFAA actions and built in a specific attempt to contradict them. A NAFAA endorsement at this point would be confusing at best, damaging to both at worst.
Second, I have always made myself available to any questions anyone has had regarding NAFAA info, or local codes. When this guild was formed, I reiterated that offer and it was ignored. I'm thinking that this guild needs to begin the process of extending beyond itself, and tapping other resources, like state fire codes, local laws, etc before I can consider being a part of it.
Finally, I still maintain that my absence in the guild actions has, is and will continue to encourage average performers to take some more direct action in the process than looking my way. Once the nickname "safety nazi" began to fade a bit, people started relying on me a little to frequently and too heavily in their safety concerns. For several years, it seemed that anytime someone wanted a permit, my phone rang. And when anyone asked a fire safety question in my presence, all eyes turned to me. Hopefully, after that last guild meeting there's a few people reading the NAFAA wiki, and reviewing the performer safety guidelines to get answers of their own.
Keep in mind that all these decisions are personal. My decision to keep a distance from the guild should not deter other people from joining it. It is not an endorsement for, or against, the guild.
05 January 2008
Digital TV
Okay folks. Sometimes it pays to watch PBS news. I have some interesting news about DTV.
Background
If you watch broadcast TV, not on a cable box, but actually with an antenna, your TV receiver (TV's, many VCRs, some DVD-Rs and Tivos) will no longer receive a signal as of February 2009. The current bandwidth will be converted into digital signals to free up space for emergency broadcasting. Digital transmission offers many advances including:
-more than 4x more efficient use of bandwidth
-increased reception clarity
-high def
-enhanced V-chip functionality (all digital programs can be forced to comply with v-chip standards)
If you have satellite or cable, you're done. They'll be converted over to DTV in a month or so. However, if you don't, you will need a digital receiver or converter box. Many new TVs and recorders are ATSC compliant (ie digital), but a lot of them out there bear that cute little waring that says it will no longer work after feb 17th, 09.
Fortunately, the Government actually thought ahead on this one. If you have recently purchased one of these labeled devices, or just have old equipment that you'd planned to keep running as long as physically possible, then you can get an approved convertor box at a discounted rate. Basically, you get a $40 coupon that you can apply to an approved converter box.
This is the current list of qualifying converter boxes:
* DigitalSTREAM D2A1D10
* DigitalSTREAM D2A1D20
* Zenith DTT900
* Magnavox TB100MW9
* Philco TB150HH9
* MicroGEM MG2000
* Sansonic FT300RT
* MaxMedia MMDTVB03
* Apex DT1001
* ECHOSTAR TR-40
* AMTC AT-2016
Average expected price for approved boxes is about $50-60. Meaning that you may only need to shell out $20 to get up to date.
So, you just go to this website
dtv2009.gov/
and apply for a coupon, or two. The site will handle everything, and let you know what's to come.
Background
If you watch broadcast TV, not on a cable box, but actually with an antenna, your TV receiver (TV's, many VCRs, some DVD-Rs and Tivos) will no longer receive a signal as of February 2009. The current bandwidth will be converted into digital signals to free up space for emergency broadcasting. Digital transmission offers many advances including:
-more than 4x more efficient use of bandwidth
-increased reception clarity
-high def
-enhanced V-chip functionality (all digital programs can be forced to comply with v-chip standards)
If you have satellite or cable, you're done. They'll be converted over to DTV in a month or so. However, if you don't, you will need a digital receiver or converter box. Many new TVs and recorders are ATSC compliant (ie digital), but a lot of them out there bear that cute little waring that says it will no longer work after feb 17th, 09.
Fortunately, the Government actually thought ahead on this one. If you have recently purchased one of these labeled devices, or just have old equipment that you'd planned to keep running as long as physically possible, then you can get an approved convertor box at a discounted rate. Basically, you get a $40 coupon that you can apply to an approved converter box.
This is the current list of qualifying converter boxes:
* DigitalSTREAM D2A1D10
* DigitalSTREAM D2A1D20
* Zenith DTT900
* Magnavox TB100MW9
* Philco TB150HH9
* MicroGEM MG2000
* Sansonic FT300RT
* MaxMedia MMDTVB03
* Apex DT1001
* ECHOSTAR TR-40
* AMTC AT-2016
Average expected price for approved boxes is about $50-60. Meaning that you may only need to shell out $20 to get up to date.
So, you just go to this website
dtv2009.gov/
and apply for a coupon, or two. The site will handle everything, and let you know what's to come.
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