Hectic Eclectic

Like browsing? Thought you were annonymous?... Think again.

Really interesting article by Robert McMillan on just how private your private online sessions happen to be.  Well actually if you are paraniod it isn't perhaps even as bad as you might have thought but it isn't good.  Without stealing Robert's thunder it would be fair to say that on average it is 94% bad (i.e., they can ID your browser - through some combo of browser, fonts, time zones, plug-ins etc... ) which would mean there is room for improvement...

I certainly would start applying some randomness to all those variables if I were some naughty Serbian or other sort about to embark on the cyber-naughtiness (I'm alluding to fraud rather than filth here).  Move, counter, counter to the counter and so the game goes on: Cops and robbers... cops and robbers!

Anyway - check out Robert's article here. 

Don't be evil...?? Cyber attack on Google hit password system, says insider - 20/04/2010 - Computer Weekly

Cyber attack on Google hit password system, says insider - 20/04/2010 - Computer Weekly.

Bummer - looks like the old gmail account needs a password refresh!  And not 3 months too soon...

Don't be evil ... might that include full and open disclosure on information breech?  Thank goodness failure to disclose will most likely carry a fine in the UK from April 2011... but what if the server isn't UK hosted (like most of google tax avoiding UK business) will they be subject to the legislature...

#verymessycloudness

Storage Rant in E Minor

Via Twitter came across @StuieSav 's blog on storage, info et al.  Good geek postings and links on there but def this article stood out and struck a chord.  Trying to get people to align IT with Business objectives is frustrating but so so so so so key to getting anything done.   Why not check out Stu's coherent and succinct rant lyrical on the purchasing end of IT's perspective on this dielectric element of many IT conversations.

Yes, this is where to go for the Rant in E-Minor

Marvellous Meades Maketh My Mirth & Merriment

Possible polymath and one man tour de force Jonathan Meades has rasied the improbably low bar in TV again with his latest Off Kilter look at Scotchlandshireville.  Against all the odds and also trends of the day the viewer is inculcated with facts, figures and all manner of fings wot you would be expecting from an Autodidact such as he.  This latest peach really is as good an hour of TV as I can recall.  I'll be picking this up as part of my xmas bounty if SWMBO is listening.  Incidentally, the reviewer on IMDB put it best I think with this...

The most entertaining and erudite TV polemicist ... ever?

Our reviewer has my vote and I know I've watched far to much television to not justifiably have a fair shot at an opinion.  If you haven't checked out JM's stuff before you really should try.  There is so much in every two minutes to tickle even the fickle part of your brain.  

And aren't those specs just the bustiest of ball busters.  Rose coloured glasses and still acerbic; delicious.

Ryanair, raising the bar on contempt for clients

New charges as Ryanair scraps check-in desks

Ryanair is set to become the first airline to abolish traditional check-in desks and will now charge passengers £5 to print off boarding passes at home instead.  At present, travelers carrying only hand luggage can check-in online and create their own boarding pass at not extra cost.  Those who prefer to follow more traditional route to the check in desk can still do so at a charge of £10.  Under the new rules, which will apply to all new flights booked from May 20, there will be no option to check in at the airport.  Those who do not have their home printed boarding pass will be charged £40 to get on their no frills flight.  From May 20, instead of passengers handing any hold baggage to a check in assistant, they will instead queue at a “bag drop” area where their cases will be tagged by a member of staff. 

Can they get any worse?  When old Vera loses her boarding card - or your printer jams... 40 quid please!

Shocking.