Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Countdown to Barcelona!
So, I am officially going to BARCELONA with CIEE next semester!
I am so excited I can't even say. I've picked my courses and am working out some last minute stuff, but everything else is all set. I got my Visa application in yesterday (oy-vey, that was horrible) and now I just have to wait for it to come. On the left is a picture I took in Parc Guell last time I was in Barcelona. It was built by the architect / mosaic artist Gaudi, who I love!
I am so excited I can't even say. I've picked my courses and am working out some last minute stuff, but everything else is all set. I got my Visa application in yesterday (oy-vey, that was horrible) and now I just have to wait for it to come. On the left is a picture I took in Parc Guell last time I was in Barcelona. It was built by the architect / mosaic artist Gaudi, who I love!
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Story of the year: Sony BMG Recalls Copy-Protected CDs
"Music publisher Sony BMG, yielding to consumer concern, said on Wednesday it was recalling music CDs containing copy-protection software that acts like virus software and hides deep inside a computer."
This XCP software that is intended to prevent piracy installs a rootkit deep in the computer that makes it easy for viruses to sneak in and hide in the rootkit. There are already a bunch of viruses that exploit this security hole. The worst part is this--rootkits ARE VIRUSES TOO. Really nasty viruses, actually. Even though this XCP software does not actually do any direct harm to your computer, it is still technically a virus. Already 500,000 networks in the US have at least one machine on them using XCP.
I am simply amazed at the lengths to which the music industry is willing to go in order to prevent piracy. What they have done, in essence, is put a virus on their CDs that installs itself on your computer when you play or rip the CD!
Read more
In personal news, here is my story of the year: I've been accepted to both IES and CIEE's Barcelona Programs for next semester! Now I just have to decide which one I want to do.
This XCP software that is intended to prevent piracy installs a rootkit deep in the computer that makes it easy for viruses to sneak in and hide in the rootkit. There are already a bunch of viruses that exploit this security hole. The worst part is this--rootkits ARE VIRUSES TOO. Really nasty viruses, actually. Even though this XCP software does not actually do any direct harm to your computer, it is still technically a virus. Already 500,000 networks in the US have at least one machine on them using XCP.
I am simply amazed at the lengths to which the music industry is willing to go in order to prevent piracy. What they have done, in essence, is put a virus on their CDs that installs itself on your computer when you play or rip the CD!
Read more
In personal news, here is my story of the year: I've been accepted to both IES and CIEE's Barcelona Programs for next semester! Now I just have to decide which one I want to do.
Labels: the world
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Facebook = the devil
Yet another reason why I am not on Facebook:
Student gets expelled over comments on The Facebook
Student gets expelled over comments on The Facebook
Labels: the web
