Blog - foXnoMad

The Potential Power of Computer Code

by Anil Polat | Dec 18, 2006 | Green, Tech | 0

I’m not sure how businesses would react to such a move. Besides Microsoft is preoccupied with keeping everyone happy (as any successful large business should). I wonder if anyone with some standing over there in Redmond could make this a reality?

Microsoft could save 45 million tons of CO2 emissions with a few lines of computer code.

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Redmond should issue a software upgrade to every computer running Microsoft Windows worldwide to adjust each machine’s energy-saving settings for maximum efficiency.

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The author figures that the upgrade would affect 100 million computers and that the power cost savings could hit $7 billion per year. CO2 emissions would be cut by 45 million tons. But what about the impact on computing?

What do you guys think? Are your machines sitting at home turned on and doing nothing?

British RFID Passports Cracked, and US Ones Will be Too

by Anil Polat | Dec 18, 2006 | Advice, Security | 0

Another good reason to renew your passport soon, get an RFID wallet, or pop your passport in the microwave for a few seconds.

British newspaper The Guardian reports that it was able to access the data stored on RFID cards in Britain?s newly launched smart passports in as little as 48 hours. On the other hand, the New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) says there isn?t enough information contained within New Zealand’s passports? chips to create counterfeit travel documents.

DIA passport manager David Philp confirms that it is possible to access the information stored on the RFID chips and use it to make a clone. However, the RFID chip in the e-passports currently issued in New Zealand is just one security feature out of more than 50 contained in the passport.

We Did It!

by Anil Polat | Dec 18, 2006 | Site News | 0

Congratulations to everyone of you L’avant Posters who helped us to reach our goal of raising $,1000 for UNICEF during 2006. We reached our goal last Friday on December 15th! Currently we’ve raised $1,000.13 (just over the hump) but the year is not over.

376 million kids around the world have to walk more than 15 minutes to get a drink of clean water.
121 million kids don’t go to school.
1 out of every 6 kids doesn’t get the food needed to be healthy.

You can see our contributions and make a donation by clicking here.

More importantly think about how many children both in the US and around the world you’ve been able to help.

7 cents can buy crayons for a class.
$1 can immunize a child against polio.
$10 can buy 1 month of biscuits for 3 children.
$150 can buy clean water for a village.

I hope that you will all continue to contribute during 2006 and beyond. And don’t forget, the offer for Chores for Charity still stands!

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by Anil Polat | Dec 18, 2006 | Culture | 6

The number of points Gilbert Arenas just scored in a 147-141 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in LA, in overtime. That sets a Wizards franchise record (beating Michael Jordan) and NBA record for most points scored this season.

That’s just how we do in DC.

Wur yat Kobe? With your chump ass 45?

Yeah, I thought so. We’ll see you up in the Chocolate City February 3rd.

Chacarron

by Anil Polat | Dec 17, 2006 | Pictures and Video | 3

Created by El Chumbo, two of the (quite possibly) most addictive Internet videos you’ve seen in a while.

…to add insult to injury,

Most Downloaded Songs and Albums of 2006

by Anil Polat | Dec 16, 2006 | Travel | 2

I said I’d never have a “top” list for the end of the year, yet look at what happened!

The Most Downloaded iTunes Songs in 2006

1. Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
2. I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ – Scissor Sisters
3. Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
4. No Tomorrow – Orson
5. Maneater – Nelly Furtado
6. Hips Don’t Lie – Shakira
7. Sexy Back – Justin Timberlake
8. Nive – The Kooks
9. America – Razorlight
10. Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae

The Most Downloaded Albums from iTunes in 2006

1. Eyes Open – Snow Patrol
2. Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not – Arctic Monkeys
3. Inside In Inside Out – The Kooks
4. Undiscovered – James Morrison
5. Razorlight – Razorlight
6. In Between Dreams – Jack Johnson
7. Sam’s Town – The Killers
8. Ta-Dah – Scissor Sisters
9. Corinne Bailey Rae – Corinne Bailey Rae
10. Twelve Stops and Home – The Feeling

My personal top 2 recommendations?

Download The Kooks and Arctic Monkeys.

The Potential Power of Computer Code

British RFID Passports Cracked, and US Ones Will be Too

We Did It!

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Chacarron

Most Downloaded Songs and Albums of 2006

About Anil Polat