Category: Technology

Update: JAKIM is Hosting PayPal Phishing Site?!

Today I received an email from JAKIM (baheis/JAKIM [at] JAKIM.islam.gov.my) that redirected me to this site:

Aduan Jakim

Well done. Despite of what happened I am quite pleased and proud of their immediate action (3 days is immediate for government bodies, give them a break). First time I’ve ever seen an email address with slash (/) though. Hey they incorrectly spelled my name! 😐

Er.. why do we have to use IE to view the page? Direct translation to the highlighted item: This form must be viewed with IE 😉 It looks fine on my Firefox, though.

Aduan Jakim 2

Pikom reports dip in PC sales nationwide

Hey hey hey… PC sales has dropped? From The Star Online TechCentral:

PETALING JAYA: Despite the recent tax relief offered by the Government to help spur PC ownership in the country, PC sales have dropped by about 20% in September, compared to August.

The Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia (Pikom) said its members had reported the dip in sales, but it declined to provide details.

The intriguing paragraph:

Pikom, however, does not know the cause of the decrease. (But) “it is clearly evident that PC sales have dropped,” Pikom treasurer Low Wai Sun told In.Tech.

One thing that immediately popped up my mind is fuel price.

For people like me who is really nuts about PC and technology, nothing would stop me of course. But for others, would they buy more PC stuff if a big part of their income have to be allocated for a more important purpose – transportation.

I think I am not the only one who is feeling some effect on the fuel price increase. As we have to go places everyday fuel is nowadays very very very important indeed. No no I am not saying that anything is wrong or whatever, the point here is that we all feel something from the fuel price increase unless we are earning 5 digit income monthly.

What do you think?

Hey while I was at The Star Online I noticed that they also have a ‘Digg This’ button. 😉

The Star Digg This

Read more about the story here: http://star-techcentral.com/tech/…

As usual, click on the link below in case the original story link is no longer valid.

Continue reading Pikom reports dip in PC sales nationwide

Google Calendar With Holidays

Anyone else uses Google calendar? It’s my favorite web calendar, and I will like it more if it can sync with Outlook 2000 that my workplace still uses. One great feature that have been added a while ago is an option to add your country’s holidays in your calendar:

Google Holiday Calendars

Of course, I immediately added Malaysia Holidays to my calendar but I found an incorrect entry. Awal Ramadhan (Ramadhan Begins) is shown as 15 October 2006 instead of 24 September 2006. However, this date is shown correctly on the Islamic Calendar:

Google Calendar

It’s not really a big deal, but I just wish I can correct the almost perfect calendaring system. I’ve tried to look for the person to notify but can’t find any 🙁

Anyway, that’s just one wrongly entered date. I don’t really check the other dates. However the birthdays of YDP Melaka and Sultan Pahang, and Deepavali is correctly set. It’s just that Sultan Pahang is now also a YDP 😉

Well done, Google.

Google ‘in talks to buy YouTube’

According to this news in BBC News, Google is reported to be in talks to buy popular video-sharing website YouTube for $1.6bn (~856m).

For me, it would mean less choice for video bloggers and sharers for them to upload their videos. From the business point of view, Google is once again acquiring one of its ‘competitors’. In Alexa, at the time I am writing this google.com is ranked 3 with video.google.com having 3% of the traffic while YouTube is ranked at number 10.

It’s not like Google needs to do it, but they can. Especially if combining both of the techologies (Google Video + YouTube) could possibly increase the reliability and features of the service.

The same goes for Yahoo! acquiring blo.gs (http://trainedmonkey.com/…) and FeedBurner acquiring Blogbeat (http://www.feedburner.com/fb/…).

Nothing personal, it’s business. As a Google fan I might be a little bit biased. Anyone having comments are welcomed to do so.

JAKIM is Hosting PayPal Phishing Site?!

I visited some other blog today and read a fresh post about JAKIM site hosting a Paypal Phishing site.

Try yourself and go to http://www.islam.gov.my/online/cgi/. You’ll see this:

paypaljakim.PNG

And if you get to http://www.islam.gov.my/online/cgi/webscr_cmd=_login-run/primapagina.htm (I suggest you only go there if you know what you are doing) you’ll see this: http://www.phishtank.com/… which really looks like the main page of PayPal. Careless users or users who does not really care about what the address bar displays might log in to the site, effectively giving their username and password to someone else.

During this testing I also found out that my Firefox is able to identify and warn me that the site is a phishing site:

Firefox Phishing Detection. Bravo!

I am trying to inform the JAKIM about this so that necessary actions can be taken. I’ve also contacted NISER. This is indeed an embarassing incident 🙁

Update 09 Oct 2006:

It seems that they have removed the phishing pages. Very good and quick action.

jakim-update.jpg

I’ve received no respond from them or NISER, though.

HP Jobs Marched Offshore

Another news of big corporations juggling people around. I don’t think that anyone can do anything about it, but nevertheless it’s kind of a sad thing especially for the employees. Being laid off is not as simple as it sounds, even though if you have been kept in the loop.

It’s people lives we are talking about here.

HEWLETT-PACKARD will axe 200 jobs and move the work to Kuala Lumpur as part of a cost-cutting exercise at its computer support division.

Fifty workers left HP’s managed services business – which provides telephone computer support for big companies like Norwich Union and Pacific Brands – last week, and a further 80 staff will be laid off in November. Seventy contractors will be kept on until March.

The cuts affect offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Read more about it here: http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/…

Hey, this news above should be good for me as I am in Malaysia, but I am seeing it from the point of view of an employee.

Google Apps for Your Domain

Google has released the beta version of Google Apps for Your Domain, a service where your organization or website will be able to use Google’s services personalized with a unique domain. This means that your users at yourdomain.com will be able to log in into Google’s services using yourdomain.com.

Simply put, you will not even have to host emails at your server. Just point mail exchanger entry for yourdomain.com to Google and you users will have 2GB of email storage each, with Gmail interface! In addition to that other functions offered in the current beta version are Talk, Calendar, and Page Creator. Pointing your mail exchanger (MX) to Google effectively routes all your emails to Google.

If you have a huge fan base and would like to offer these services to your visitors/users, try and sign up! According to Google:

Organizations accepted by Google during the Google Apps for Your Domain beta period are eligible for free service for their approved beta users even beyond the end of the beta period, as described in the Terms of Service.

This translates to: if you use the service now, when the service is finalized and Google charges for it, you’ll still be able to use it for free.

One thing to note is that not everyone will be approved for their application. Google will review your application before letting you use this service:

We’ll review the information you submit and contact you if we select your domain for this beta test. If selected, we’ll ask you to log in with the same Google Account to complete the registration process.

The service is interesting, and I am not surprised it comes from Google. To read more about it go to: https://www.google.com/a/. You’ll need an account before applying. Too bad I have no well known domain. Good luck!

Traffic Shaping on TMNET Streamyx?

Everywhere I see people complaining that their Internet access speed via TMNET Streamyx is slow, and there are accusations that TMNET is using traffic shaping technology to limit bandwidth for certain applications. I don’t know how true are these, and have never bothered to check.

However lately I have been experiencing very slow Bittorrent traffic, as you can see from the table below. October traffic is much worse. I don’t really care too much as long as web browsing and POP traffic is fine. So far everything else seems fine but connections to GMail via POP3S / HTTP sometimes chokes.

While I know it is not valid (legally and morally) for me to complaint about slow P2P or bittorrent traffic, this is just an example of how slow things are becoming.
August
September
Day
Outgoing MB
Incoming MB
Totals
Outgoing MB
Incoming MB
Totals
1
3397.6
2111.7
5509.3
2115.7
1321.8
3437.5
2
3136
1350.8
4486.8
2249.1
222.6
2471.7
3
3941.8
3239.6
7181.4
2570.1
1472.4
4042.4
4
3990.9
2352.5
6343.4
2447.6
3151
5598.5
5
3745.7
384.9
4130.6
2218.6
692.2
2910.8
6
3944.5
553.7
4498.2
1951.5
1666.9
3618.3
7
3969.4
836.9
4806.3
2485.3
1615
4100.2
8
3690.5
331.3
4021.9
2594.9
483.2
3078.1
9
3494.3
1153.2
4647.5
2754.2
911.8
3666
10
3332.9
680.5
4013.5
1979.2
1764.2
3743.4
11
3569.7
1801.5
5371.2
1752
777.2
2529.3
12
3693.2
5103.8
8797
988
255.2
1243.2
13
1476.2
3140.6
4616.8
1406.5
784.9
2191.4
14
3727
3272.3
6999.4
1459.8
211.8
1671.5
15
3740
3970.2
7710.2
1393.3
449.6
1842.9
16
3125.8
2780
5905.8
1443.7
397.3
1840.9
17
3151.6
1864
5015.6
1238.8
1774.7
3013.5
18
2158.1
6072.7
8230.9
1327.8
2465.5
3793.3
19
2077
6462.9
8539.9
1654.6
422.9
2077.5
20
1840.2
5045
6885.2
1628.3
741.9
2370.2
21
2014.2
5440.4
7454.6
1001.7
1339
2340.7
22
2151.6
2312
4463.6
874.3
908.2
1782.5
23
1864.6
2069.8
3934.4
1474.1
1133.6
2607.7
24
1843.1
1472.5
3315.6
954.8
735.6
1690.4
25
2235.3
1022.7
3258
887.9
563.4
1451.3
26
2241.9
2720.2
4962
705.6
459.2
1164.8
27
1899.7
259.3
2159
345.7
245.9
591.6
28
2173.6
1051.7
3225.3
567.4
197.3
764.7
29
2110.8
2146.8
4257.6
398.5
138.8
537.3
30
2597.5
2089.1
4686.6
475.2
833.1
1308.2
31
2308.3
524.3
2832.5
88643.2
73616.8
162260.1 MB
(158.5 GB)
45343.9
28136
73479.9 MB
(71.8 GB)

The table above is combined from 2 tables produced by trafvol.pl script downloaded from the Internet sometime ago. Measurements are taken only on the eth1 interface of my torrent box, which is the external interface connected to the router. Traffic above includes web traffic as the box is also running squid serving 4 PCs in my home.

I think October results will be much lower, as can be seen below the daily traffic passing through is less than 1GB (compare this to August and September daily values).

Day Month Outgoing MB Incoming MB Totals
1 Oct 308.7 525.1 833.8
2 Oct 321.6 268.4 589.9
Month Oct 630.2 793.5 1423.7 MB (1.4 GB)
statistics last updated at 18:35:02 on 02. Oct 2006

I’m too tired to rant anymore, so from now on I’ll just see what happens, while praying that a miracle would happen and the Government will realize that if TM monopoly to the Internet goes on, their IT-vision for Malaysia is just a dream. Angan-angan Mat Jenin.

A Book or a Sony® Reader?

For those who likes to read like myself (if only I could find the time), there’s now an option for keeping multiple books in one digital device. According to Sony®, the device can store hundreds of book titles. Now I’ll say that will be great if you need to move; instead of carrying those heavy boxes and bookshelves now you only have to bring along the nifty device which is more or less the size of a normal paperback.

Traditionally, I’d prefer the old way but from the pics posted at their site the e Ink® technology is really something:

e-Ink

I’ve never seen the actual device anywhere, but from the image above you can see what I am talking about. The quality is really impressive. The cost? Well… for $349 you can buy about 50 normal sized paperbacks. It’s not really that expensive. So people, which do you prefer?

DVC SR

To read more about this product, go to: http://www.learningcenter.sony.us/…

No, I am not paid by Sony®. I don’t even think that this product is available in my country yet.

WordPress Posting Problem

I’ve seen some WordPress users complaining that after they post something, sometimes their browser gave them a blank page, or an error. Many blamed it on the plugins. I had the same problem, and deactivating or removing plugins didn’t help.

I found out the real problem: Update services (Options – Writing – Update Services)

Try to root out the problematic site; they are indeed just normal websites so some of them might be outdated or dead. Your pages timed out, that’s why.

I just removed the entire list, and maybe look for a reliable list later. Now, I am posting without any problems. See me smiling? 🙂

Downside of IT Certification

Interesting…

The Q1 2006 Hot Technical Skills and Certifications Pay Index, released April 25 by Foote Partners, a New Canaan, Conn., IT compensation and workforce management firm, found that pay premiums for non-certified IT skills grew three times faster than for certified ones in a six-month period spanning 2005-2006.

http://www.eweek.com/article2/…

The study suggests that there has been a change in employers’ acceptance of the value of non-certified tech skills versus certifications in maintaining competitive pay for their workers.

Click more for local copy of the full article (just in case the original is removed)
Continue reading Downside of IT Certification

Used SODIMM DDR to Let Go

I have just upgraded my notebook RAM to 1GB (2 x 512MB). That’s the max it can have.

So, now I have 2 pieces of 256MB modules and am deciding to let them go. Anyone interested in buying one or both of them please email me at [adyromantika at gmail dot com].

New modules of size 256MB costs RM95.00 at Low Yat Plaza (1st week of March 2006).

Size: 256MB, Technology: DDR, Cas Latency: 2.5, Voltage: 2.5V, Spec: DDR-333 = PC2700 = 166Mhz

Here is the Samsung module (came original with HP notebook) front and back view:

Samsung 256 Back Samsung 256 Front

Here is the Kingmax module (bought at the same time of the purchase of notebook) front and back view:

Kingmax 256 Front Kingmax 256 back

Provide me an offer, and include the RM5.00 PosLaju charge. I will only use PosLaju (Malaysian only, please). Sorry, no warranty.

Oracle Buys Sleepycat Software

For those who have not realized it yet, yesterday Oracle bought Sleepycat Software, the makers of Berkeley DB. Read the press release here:

sleepyoracle

I wonder what going to happen to BerkeleyDB…

Previously, on 07 October 2005 Oracle bought InnoBase, the makers of InnoDB. Press release here: http://www.oracle.com/corporate/press/2005_oct/inno.html

InnoDB is a transactional database technology, also included as an option in MySQL as a database type.

As usual, thanks to my Slashdot crazed friend Azidin.

Microsoft releases revamped Internet Explorer

More news related to Microsoft. The software giant has released Internet Explorer 7 Beta.

The beta version of Internet Explorer (IE) 7 is now available for download from the company’s website, www.microsoft.com. However, users have been advised that the product should not yet be used in “mission-critical environments”.

Since when did I trust IE for my mission critical environments? LOL. Well I need IE to test my web apps as there are still so many people out there using it.

There has also been talk that Google, Micoroft’s arch-rival, which has links with Mozilla, the group behind Firefox, could also launch its own browsing software.

I heard Google bought/are buying Opera. However do not take my word for it as it’s a rumor I heard at the office. P.S. I didn’t make the typo above, it was copied from the original article. 😉

Hackers have also tended to target the Microsoft browser because it is still used by the majority of internet users and therefore gives access to the widest range of targets.

So… it’s hackers’ fault eh?

Microsoft said: “Internet Explorer 7 helps keep your information safe by alerting you to potential phishing sites – sites that look legitimate but actually are designed to capture your personal information.”

Hopefully this is true. I haven’t downloaded it yet as I am too lazy to boot up Windows… and the fact that I can’t find it on IE downloads. Is it available only in the US for now?

MSIE

Read the original story here: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,9075-2019982,00.html

** I don’t hate Microsoft. They built a good Operating System and software. It’s just that it is 99.9999% impossible to remove spyware from and infected IE without reformatting the PC. Or is there? It has been a while since I used IE 🙁

Microsoft revamps blogging policy

Remember what happened to Chinese blogger Zhao Jing? His blog was closed down by Microsoft. Following that decision, many parties were outraged. So Microsoft decided to revamp its blogging policy.

News Story by Jeremy Kirk
JANUARY 31, 2006 (IDG NEWS SERVICE) – LISBON — In the face of outrage from many of its own employees over its abrupt censoring of a Chinese blogger, Microsoft Corp. has formulated a new policy to deal with requests from a government that alleges that posted material violates its laws.

From what I understand, this policy will be enforced if the government of the country reports something to Microsoft.

Microsoft is readying technology that will allow the blocking of blogs just within a specific country, Smith said. “We will act when we have the legal duty to do so,” he said. “We will act when we are given the kind of notice that clearly makes that duty binding upon us.”

Also, Google is now involved:

Google Inc. this week was planning to launch a new search service in China that censors some results considered inappropriate by the government. The service, however, will tell users some results have been blocked because of their politically sensitive nature.

I have no direct opinion on this. I think there are advantages and disadvantages of this decision (to bloggers, of course). Anyway I think (and hope it stays that way) that Microsoft can only block MSN Spaces, while Google can only block their Blogger service.

Original news: http://computerworld.com/developmenttopics/development/webservices/story/…

Maybe what these companies are doing is the right thing after all. Maybe China needs closure and protection from the outside world. Some people might say that freedom is the best choice for China, but of course most people are talking out of their asses. Look what happened to Iraq? They removed the military leader and now the country is in chaos. Or again, maybe not. We shall see what’ll happen next. Ooopps.. political 😉

Related news: Outrageous Outrage, Boycott Google Now, Google to launch censored results in China