Apple firmware update 1.1.1 causes a stir online

Not so long ago, Steve Jobs wanted to change the world. Customer first. Profits second. Now a market leader in online music and stepping into the cellular realm, Steve Jobs has decided, along with Apple engineers, to dominate the world instead of changing it. This is what happened to the iPhone and its 'upgrade' which killed all development of third-party applications for the iPhone. It is one thing to stop phones from being unlocked, it is another to stop creativity and development of software applications. That's harsh.

Am I the only one seeing that Apple is becoming a monopolizing figure, signing exclusive deals, forcing customers to accept their way or the highway?

Apparently not...

PC World, "Apple is becoming the new Microsoft, at least in the monopoly way!"
Sunday, September 30, 2007 by MattMik

New York Times, "Joel Robison, a systems network engineer near Seattle, said his phone stopped working immediately after he installed the upgrade. He said that when he took it to an Apple store, he was accused of having unlocked the phone (he didn't)...“Their accusation was very damaging to my opinion of Apple’s service,” Mr. Robison said.
Saturday, September 29, 2007 by Katie Hafner

Salon, "If you care about your rights, don't buy an iPhone"
Friday, September 28, 2007

ZDNet, Apple’s growth, an unwinnable iPhone war and a reputation at risk...
Friday, September 28 2007 by Larry Dignan

Yahoo News!, This is the equivalent of Roger Ebert slamming a Scorsese movie, or Lester Bangs trashing the Beatles. Tired of being pushed around by Apple's greed and ham-fisted approach to locking down its hardware, gadget giant Gizmodo has brought down the hammer by giving the Apple iPhone a (rare) "don't buy" rating. Ouch, that smarts.
Saturday, September 29 2007 by Christopher Null

As you can see, these aren't off the beaten paths news updates. New York Times, ZDNet, Yahoo!, and other outlets all portray a negative image of Apple's "kill everyone's creativity" iPhone update.

The 'new' Apple is here. The think different, promote creativity company is now in the gutter.

Scientists report alcohol (from any drink) increases cancer risk

Proverbs 23:31-32: "Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper."

I don't drink and nobody in my family does for biblical reasons. Apparently God is smarter than us and scientists just figured it out today.

Science Daily — One of the largest individual studies of the effects of alcohol on the risk of breast cancer shows that it makes no difference whether a woman drinks wine, beer or spirits (liquor). It is the alcohol itself (ethyl alcohol) and the quantity consumed that increases breast cancer risk. In fact, the increased breast cancer risk from drinking three or more alcoholic drinks a day is similar to the increased breast cancer risk from smoking a packet of cigarettes or more a day, according to Kaiser Permanente researchers Yan Li, MD, PhD and Arthur Klatsky, MD.

References:
1. Science Daily
2. Associated Press

Final notes:
Yes, a small amount of red wine is good for the heart. But let's complete the sentence: "Good for the heart, hurts the liver, kills the brain, increases cancer risk." Nice.

eBay hacked? Reality check.

Today, someone publicly posted usernames and credit card information on eBay's message boards. To some that witnessed this one and half hour series of posts, it was concerning. At face value, it looked like someone hacked eBay and they were posting the information out on the Internet. But a second look at the information creates some doubts. Here's my points:

Reality Check
1. The userids were correct but they are already public in the first place.

2. eBay reports other pertinent information did not match their files (ie: names, CVV, credit cards).

3. There are several credit card and name generators on the Internet that you can play as a game for free. Just because someone goes through this and matches it with an eBay user id, that doesn't mean eBay is hacked.

4. eBay's statement, which California laws among others require them to tell the truth are as follows:

"Very early this morning, a malicious fraudster posted on the Trust & Safety forum on eBay.com posing as approximately 1,200 eBay users. The fraudster made these posts in a way that was intended to appear as though he logged in with their accounts. The posts contained name and contact information, which appears to be valid, and could have been secured as part of an account take over.

The posts ALSO appeared to contain credit card information -- however, these credit cards are not associated with financial information on file for these users at eBay or PayPal. We're in the process of reaching out by phone to these members to, so that if the information is valid somehow -- regardless how this fraudster acquired the information -- these members can take the steps they need to take to protect themselves."

5. I'm not a defender of eBay. In fact, if you type in the words 'ebay monopoly' on Google, you will find I have criticized them over their moves to restrict Google Checkout, their competition in the payments processing industry. But I can definitely say today's hysteria by some eBay users (you know who you are) and the media is annoying at best. Stop the panic and let the facts come out.

The usernames that were listed on the forums are listed below. I got this from http://shenemanfamily.com/comp.html. There's tons of screenshots and even a YouTube video of this (already pulled off).

48871
1778696
40018
1165julie
123olbrich
151jpeterson
1755tom
1954siel
1957dudad
197bro
1alejandrita
1deadrock
1shack57
2005bim
2005branstetter
2006paulaandrea
21mercedes
3-dhunter
3015philip
30pete30
3371andrew
351stech
3bayaccount1
420sel1
49erdolphin
4ashtree
4ever80s
672roberts
754joshua
ab562
accrdcivic
adarisse
aeleafe
ags61
ahug
alabamian100
alastair1109
alcanat71
aldaros749
aldnjones
alec816
alex816
alexander_k1977
alobato06
alrivcamp
anazingjt
anyenc
aoheaney
apeanuttoys
apsjr
asne40
atlooncall
atschirner
babyface15432
badbaby1972
bagged85
bakesman
bankbuddy
barnesk8
baseballcards5009
beathab
beep_beep_
beeson4
besthag
betterbidfast
bettrnbuck
bigant4542
biged2229
biged7779
bigmike0125
bigquess
bigskybill7
billsfossilcarsandparts
black*gts) 15
blancayyotambien
blodgett777
blue_eyed_redhead
bluebassethound
blunose2772
bluv5
bmer1828
bmf1833
boat74alfa
boatbabe36
bobbellford
bohyunseok
bri686
brianw87
brown2411
brynno1
bshophubby
bsmachinepump
bubjay21777
buck_robbb?
buck-rehhh
budel
budmuf
bumskibum1987
calihoney02
candiaikens45011
carlinglight
carolinemaryshea
carymcc76
cassiem1210
catbic
caveman069
cds7814
cg_woodworking
chicodesma cl0ne786 classyladypainting cleary50
clem54140 codgson
coleiro9540
const_man78
copcl
cornflakeosu cox2000muse
cpa331
ctoudic
curve82
curve93
cworn
cyclecog
dakotacobalt1
dalt57
debshood
deertrail98
dennis491 dfd1
dfmengert
dishmie1411
distinctivejourneys
djdom111
dlanelangford
dlk953
dlparta
dmlindner
docdinky
dodgeguy2
donjtoto
donn9547
dookie892
dopey94970102
doudymac dowgint
downtoearthdental
dragonswar84
driverrobthedark
dsmitty123
dts2649
dubdlee20
dueete
dukesnyder9 duncangodfrey
dunewaters
dung_smith
dvdsrcy e.w.pruvis007
eaglesilos
easybizman
ebee347
eddavilla
edjoan4
edsamaro
egwdoug
emak79
embrdyldy
emeraldsong
entertainyourself
equipmentjunky
ericm1980
erknight
ernieg2004
escalator66
evinrude1963
faysfinest
fishhead2842
fkada
flamingo9
flattopcody
floridaphil73
flynnut69
fordy64
foxierockwell
francescaelisa02
frankg32
franktiano
freewilly1956
frenchfreesia23
frodobaggins4
frogsbud
fsteil
fthdfrd
fttadm
funnycide
fuzylops
gamala54
garyjktrains
gasche9079
gattica777
geewhizbeav
gemz2rad
geo8rge44
george_p77
georgia2470
gg9416
gil148
gio911
giraffe59
gj3newell
glare282
glckidz
glen3295
glenoglen
glmoparman
glotfepr
gmg817
golfantick
gollipg
gollipg
goodies-online
googler69
gpb1705
greatfes
greenapples91
greensfarms
greg3ibg
grocky_fr
grp1983
gsipes1
gumptruck
gusstaff
gwitlock2308
gwmillerco
ha9362
hainesvette
happysweep
harasim2007
harat555
hardseteelandiron
harn8222
haroldehittyhat
harry200_1
hartonehtis
hartopehtis
haybale98
healthyshoes128
heathmyster
helen6835
henburg21
henryettaknight
hesamess
heyjoe1702
high-diesel
hillsrusdog
hkatzen
hobbiesbdg
hoeycomadina
holacolombya
holierthanthou06
hop21t
hoprv
horseshoebuy
hrpete304
husspup
hyazdanparast
iabdulg
iamsore
ians4102
iblaine
idaboy1
iec33
iglidetours
ikelada
ilikeeverything2
ilive4cars7
ilivesparkysparky
imgman_200013aq
innstudio
iqman104
itchynfat
itchyrash
ivycamille
j_ferrara
j.ing
jackandruff
james-halpin
james10448
jandj9202003
jarrett518
jaspergixerboy
jaswebconsultant
jay_nuttz
jbscottdudley
jckhwr
jd260599
jdwcrna
jeffchief
jerusha85
jess_camb
jessalee83
jetek26
jillpallotta
jim8ujg
jimnlouise
jimpriest
jjsmudger
jk0055
jlobster
jmfoxislan (partial name)
jmoster96
jmt1011
jnmconnections
joannakitte (partial name)
joe01655
joey0115
joey1320
joface109
jonathanlocke84
jonchristoper75
jones48194
jordancoreyburt
josh_anderson185
joshuadam
josti
jpennstar
jptrupiano
jrbailey7hpu
jrtsgackerman
jrw1bulbeck
jsapp36
jseryak
jsmhjabarber
jstein03
jtg976jtg
jtstrick5
judyanita
jugene23
jules2120
julesooles
juz2709
jwadleigh
jwstaton78
jxbuter
k3_plus_m
kalandr
kapenbrutzler
kappenbrutzler
karamjit2004
karena6253
kareng9217
karenrig
karensky1000
karensmith786
karunafinancial
katedae
katonycross
kayla3320
kbfis
kbobkaran
kcprog
keecreek
keiner01
keith_s
keithatprem
keithmacd
keldroed
keli_chik
ken1966thistle
ken1986thistle
kenn2120
kentlau13
keving82
kevinmag
kevinrcon
kevinselink
kfo-design
kilzbugz
kit124
kkeastbay
klingon_master
kromes0621
kynimo619
ladydemonsia
laser246
lazyln
ldmerriam
lee_vintagecoolstuff
libertybeads
light4less
live*life
logarithym
loriwebb777
louderthanlove3
lovemjh
lucienschallehn
lucy3182
m168yeh
madaboutyou1408
marcia9622
marcilea123
mardill2168
markaellis
markmadman11
masram3
matt81657
matto72
mavisaltin
maxlaptops
mediaman1961
metalcrafter
meuyarrow
mgshaft69
mickieboy65
mikesyz
miniemoe
misprint604
mj4900
mjhks
mmmmcn2
mobi_bristol
moheine
moht321
monica950
moseisely
moviemaster51
mrlittlemanlane
mrsacwright
msears1
musicmilligan
myron37
myttb
mytyoz
neuroticrn
nicholasbishop
nijxk99
nita50
nokarma4630
nps007jr
oakrderfn
only1jellybeanz
ornball
paalienman
padi2618
pajs60
pam3821
partidaguy77
peachjr
pepsiman241
phyllis421
pikey408
pinkkey
pinkypunch
pizzants
pkchevyracer2
plug17
pman0516
pmi1495
poodlecracker
porchenaples
porkchop6756
postie246
powerpak
prem-recycle
proudpapa2006
prpldivr
punjabiochard
purpleronnie1969
pwarren54
pyromaniacs
qqu41p
quentin 790
raffaello5
ralphied
raptor597
ratautobody
rav_industries
ravenmaid3
raysel
rebos2
redflashsteve
rednismo350z
rev-angel
rh781218
rizrx7
rjbaumgartner
robin37a
robrey718
rodgarza
rodgndak
rodimusprimus
rogerscott
ron.dena
ronr888
roofdesignr
ropoon
ros3215
royerclan
royonoco
rrazor
rrralston
rubylite
rudy230177
rugby-league11
runwaycollections
rustman33
ryanmartin1988
sabako61
salvarobles
sanibel1600
sffdsaprky
shaf7886
sheldonfezzik
shirlali
sidlip
simplemindss
smalto29
smokeygrouse
socialbutterfly28601
spaceychacha
spawn203
spratff
spudgunn39
starcraft98
stewb814
sticman68
sucker4sales
sweetlime3
texaswranch
thebody55
themicks56
theperfectpick
they_call_me_*ice*nuts*
timberlandstreet
tintoyalley
tintoyc
titantelus
toddolie
tonnsracing
tracyfreeman
trocito1997
tzede619
uncledon07
virginia8232
vytotv
waitesanderson
warr2350
whatsurflavor
wilmingtonud
wonz11
wsn71
x_oarsist
x-alien
xeniphon
xrho
xtramp
y3kjon
yajitha
yarandy63
yardworks_inc
yeseron
youngest_of_4
yvonne8447
ztbhhb

Halo 3 release and Corporeal theme song

Microsoft's Halo 3 is launching right now as I type up this blog post. If you don't know what Halo 3 is and you haven't played the Halo game series, then you either have been sitting under a rock or your hair color is gray. Halo 3 is called the biggest video game release in video game history, the final episode of the Halo trilogy.

To celebrate this release, I have posted Corporeal's take on the Halo theme song during the E3 game conference. Corporeal's main star, I would say, is the up and coming Christian violinist, Hanah Stuart.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy Is The New Blair

Last year, I said former Prime Minister Tony Blair was one of the best political leaders in the world. Why? Because he stood by his principles and did what was best for Britain despite everyone else thinking he was in the wrong.

We know that Blair's new replacement, Gordon, is not following his shoes. At the start of his term, he has already somewhat shifted some of Britain's pro-American stances. Nope...we won't find any too many similarities between Gordon and Blair.

But surprisingly, we are seeing it in newly elected French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Unlike his predecessor, Chirac, he is openly engaging in friendly talks with America. He is moving away from the socialistic, anti-American ways of the old guard in France and moving into a capitalistic, pro-business ways of America. On the foreign policy side, he is also moving to increase French support in Afghanistan and to ally France with U.S. interests (ie: against Iran).

Will Sarkozy be the next Blair, befriending America? Seems likely and we as Americans certainly hope so. We would like to call the French as our friends again.

I guess the true question is, is the next president of America going to be like Bush? :)

Spammer Trying to Trick eBay Sellers

PowerSellers started receiving this spoof e-mail. This is not from eBay and should be ignored at all costs. Also if you are bored, someone try to trace who owns this fax number: 1-323-446-7072 (it is a California number).

Dear eBay Member,

Your account will be suspended under the "Abusing eBay" section of the eBay User Agreement. This section states that eBay may suspend a user's account if we think that the user is creating problems (legal or
otherwise) or acting inconsistently with the letter or spirit of our policies.

To have your account considered for reinstatement, please fax us both of the following:

- Copy of your driver's license or other government issued ID with your name and address clearly visible
- Copy of a recent credit card statement (copy of the actual credit card is not acceptable)
- Copy of a recent bank statement
- Copy of a recent utility bill

***Important***
All contact information listed on the documents that you submit with your appeal must be consistent with the contact information listed on your registered eBay account. If any differences exist, you must provide an explanation for these discrepancies, as well as documentation that confirms your explanation.

If your eBay contact information is your work address, please send official documentation to validate this.


***Important***
If your fax doesn't contain this information, we won't be able to process it.

Please fax all documentation to:

eBay
Attention: Abusing eBay Appeals

U.S. Fax Number: 1-323-446-7072

Please allow 48 to 72 hours for your request for appeal to be processed. Sending us an email before that time may delay your request.

***Privacy Note***
Any documents submitted to us will be destroyed after the information has been reviewed and verified. However, your full name and addressmust be legible for us to process your request.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Chance
eBay Customer Support

Remembering Frank D'Alessandro

DIED: September 13, 2007
WHY:
(1) Accidental drowning in New Jersey while kayaking at night
(2) He was in New Jersey to visit his ailing mother

Frank D'Allesandro is a name that many will not forget in Southwest Florida. For 28 years, he has sold, bought, and developed commercial properties in the area. You can see his ubiquitous signs everywhere. He was very successful in marketing his name to the area, writing columns for News-Press and having his own television show on Comcast.

While he didn't have time to get married and have kids, he was fond of kids in the community and funded several public service projects across Southwest Florida. While I never met the man, those that know him personally have always characterized him as a professional business man who had a soft spot for the community.

I'm not sure whether he was a Christian or not, we can only hope to see him in heaven some day, but until then, let's remember him as the man that put Southwest Florida's commercial real estate on the map.

Help needed to find potential Cape Coral pedophile!

The Cape Coral police has alerted residents of Lee County of a possible pedophile. He has been seen attempting to lure kids into this truck twice. Thankfully kids were smart enough to say no and tell their parents. See his details below.

The man has been described as someone in his 30-40s, shoulder length blonde hair, and a camouflage hat. He was seen driving a newer, silver Dodge Ram with oversized chrome rims.

Anyone with information on this Stranger Danger Alert is asked to contact the Cape Coral Police Department at (239) 574-3223.

If you live in Lee County, please share this bulletin with someone so they know.

Lehigh Acres crime increasing, businesses closing, and self-defense for Christians

According to NBC-2, there has been over 700 business-related robberies and crimes in Lehigh Acres this year. Some businesses are thinking of closing down due to this violence. As I mentioned on a previous post, residents have been seeing this as a disturbing trend. Lee County commissioners need to add more funds to add more deputies and patrols in the area.

Businesses need to take advantage of the "castle doctrine" in the state of Florida. This means if you are being robbed or someone physically attacks you, you can defend. You don't have to retreat.

When someone pulls a gun, it will take you maybe half a minute to think and dial 911. It will take the deputies to make it there in 3-5 minutes. Depending on the amount of drugs and criminal intent the robber has, you are probably dead or hurt in 1 minute.

How do you avoid this? Equalize the playing field. Have a protective measure in your business. That could be a dog, a gun, a taser, bullet proof glass, armor, a bat, alarm system, etc. I do not advocate an "eye for an eye" or "living by the sword", but I do advocate preservation of life and self-defense.

Understanding Self-Defense and Christianity
To my fellow Christian readers out there...

Most Christians know the verse to "turn the other cheek". (Matt 5:39) But we have to balance Jesus' statement of Matt 5:39 with His statement in Luke 22:36, "He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." Jesus told His disciples to buy swords. Why? He knew, during this period they would be persecuted and hunted down. Jesus wanted to make sure they preserved their life, especially as they move about spreading the good news. A few verses later we see Peter using his sword offensively to attack a soldier and Jesus rebukes this act.

Why? The disciples were already told about the sacrifice and what was suppose to happen. The act of salvation was not supposed to be stopped. So Peter's offensive attack wasn't merited. It wasn't self-defense but rather an act of anger and pride.

In short our response to violence, robberies, and thefts should also be controlled and wise not an angry act of pride. Don't shoot someone because you see them picking up one of your products. Having that type of pride could land you in jail. If you see someone pulling a knife from a distance, you have the opportunity to call for the police. But when it comes down to someone pointing a gun to your head or to your wife's or to your children's head...that's different. In those scenarios, which verse will you remember? Turn the other cheek or buy a sword?

Apply biblical common sense and you'll know the answer.

Product Review (2007): Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter

Someone at a local game store said this wouldn't be ideal if your router is over 20+ feet away, suggesting its performance is below your average wireless card.

I took a chance anyway and I don't regret the decision. I'm getting good reception and download speeds from at least 40 feet away with walls/doors in the way of my router and my XBox. Downloading movies and hosting games is even better than my powerline ethernet connection.

9/11 anniversary and new video angle

This coming Tuesday, let's remember the folks that have died in the 9/11 disaster. This unprovoked attack is forever etched in our minds, a constant reminder that evil does exist in this world. And when there is evil, there is also hope, that God will deliver good.

And let's count our blessings...we have not been hit with any major terrorist attack. Thank you for those that work for the safety of our country, from the troops to the intelligence analysts to yes, even President Bush, who despite all the criticisms out there lobbied against him, he has brought the fight to the Middle East and not in our home turf.

To our troops: we owe you our freedoms, our appreciation, and our support. No matter what politicians say, no matter what the media thinks, what we know for sure, is that you have and still are, taking our bullets for us, trading your life so that ours can be comfortable here at home.

Feel free to share this bulletin.

~www.donsausa.com

Goats , Airplanes, and the Sky, What Do They Have In Common?

I can't make this stuff up.

There were electrical/technical problems with one of Nepal Airlines' Boeing 757 aircraft. It caused a delay in services over the past few weeks. To boost consumer confidence and fix any future problems, they sacrified a goat in front of the plane to satisfy their pagan sky god. Nice...remind me to never fly with Nepal Airlines.

I went ahead and called Northwest Airlines/Delta, my two favorite airlines and made sure they didn't sacrifice goats to pagan gods before they fly. They said no...only cows. ;)

For the full article, visit Reuters.

Stem cells help baby's vision

I don't believe we should be killing babies just to harvest stem cells. That's what some researchers want to do in America. Kill babies so adults can have life (not a good trade).

But there's also a way to get stem cells without hurting the embryo. Such was the case with this young baby who was born blind. Apparently, the mother saved the umbilical cord (they do offer this service at most hospitals). They were able to transfer the stem cells and infuse it directly into baby Cameron. His vision is now improving.

From Sun Herald

Stem-cell treatments already producing changes in Port Charlotte toddler, who is legally blind

Cameron Petersen can't sit still.

The 19-month-old Port Charlotte toddler crawls toward objects with a new sense of curiosity. His legal blindness seems to be fading with each day in China, as he explores the foreign surroundings of the room.

"My son says he's like a little monkey," said Cameron's grandmother, Carol Petersen, who has been communicating with the family by phone.

Earlier this month, Cameron traveled to China with his parents, Melissa VanGorp and Zachery Petersen, as part of a case study to treat his blindness with stem cells.

Cameron was diagnosed with optic nerve hypoplasia, a leading cause of blindness in children. The condition causes underdevelopment of the optic nerve and can lead to permanent blindness.

Doctors told Cameron's parents nothing could be done.

But the family never gave up hope.

They found Stem Cells China, a research facility which has successfully infused stem cells into patients suffering from numerous disabilities and diseases.

Family members raised about $20,000 this summer to help fund the trip to China and for the treatment.

The procedure, which isn't available in America, transplanted harvested umbilical cord stem cells into Cameron.

Stem cells can transform into specialized cells with specific functions, such as repair of Cameron's optic nerves.

Treatment consisted of four total stem-cell infusions to Cameron's arm and the lumbar region of his spine. It didn't take long to notice a change.

Carol Petersen said Cameron's energy level increased following his first treatment on Aug. 10. He also seemed healthier.

Petersen said Cameron used to have a high temperature every other day.

By the third treatment, Cameron was standing on his own and crawling toward objects -- something he couldn't do before. In the past, Cameron would feel objects such as his toys by putting them against his lips and face.

"He's exploring everything," Petersen said. "I am just so overjoyed."

Cameron is one of five children to undergo stem-cell treatment for optic nerve hypoplasia. Among those treated by Stem Cells China were a child from Missouri this summer, along with a girl from Romania. Both have shown incredible progress with vision.

Full article here: Sunherald