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The Geekcast #109 Show Notes: Contact info: | Feed: feeds.feedburner.com/geekcast | TheGeekcast.com | geekcast@gmail.com | Skype & Gizmo: Geekcast | 206-98-geek-1 | Show notes: send blank e-mail to geekcastpodcast-subscribe@yahoogroups.com | Frappr Map: Frappr.com/thegeekcast ************** Items of Note: With the fall being a busy time for me and slow in the tech realm, this will be the first Geekcast Short editions until more time is free and more is going on in the tech world. This updated format will allow me to put out episodes as frequent as I want, without spending many hours just searching for content. Listener feedback: Alistair e-mailed me with the following message: Just a thought on the Gmail HTTPS hack on Geekcast 107 and how this is not actually going to increase security unless you are using it in basic HTML mode, that most people will not. The standard Gmail system appears to be implemented the an Ajax implementation where the actual email data is passed in the background using Javascript. The address and protocol used is defined in the Javascript and is not going to change when you change the transfer protocol is changed in the address bar. Although I have not had time to completely disassemble the Gmail front end, it would not surprise me if the email was already encrypted even thought the HTML from end is not. ************** Tech news: Google to buy YouTube for $1.65 billion. Google announced Monday that it is buying YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock. YouTube, which was founded in February 2005, more than 100 million videos online. Martin Pyykkonen, an analyst with Global Crown Capital, said that Google's purchase of YouTube could be viewed as a preemptive strike against Yahoo, which has been rumored to be in talks to purchase social networking site Facebook. In a statement, Google said YouTube will operate as an independent unit of Google once the deal closes and will retain the YouTube brand name. The companies added that no YouTube workers will lose their jobs as a result of the acquisition and that Google will maintain its own online video business. Steve Jobs To Keynote Macworld San Francisco 2007. Coming as little surprise to veteran Apple watchers, IDG World Expo announced that Apple CEO Steve Jobs would deliver the opening keynote address at Macworld Expo San Francisco. The expo will be held at San Francisco's Moscone Convention Center from January 8-12, 2007, with the keynote on Tuesday January 9th at 9 am Pacific at Moscone West. Last year's keynote brought software updates including iLife and iWork 06 and Mac OS X 10.4.4. Also, the first Intel Macs were announced 6 months early in the form of the iMac and MacBook Pro. Microsoft to lock pirates out of Vista PCs. Windows Vista will have new antipiracy technology that locks people out their PCs if the operating system isn't activated within 30 days after installation. If Vista is not activated with a legitimate product registration key in time, the system will run in "reduced functionality mode" until it is activated, said Thomas Lindeman, a senior product manager at Microsoft. In this mode, people will be able to use a Web browser for up to an hour, after which time the system will log them out, he said. The new technology is part of Microsoft's new "Software Protection Platform". It will be part of future versions of all Microsoft products, but debuts in Windows Vista and Windows Server "Longhorn". Those who install Vista themselves, for example on existing PCs, will have a 30-day period to activate the operating system and validate with Microsoft that they have a legitimate license. "During those 30 days, you get warning messages, it counts down. During the last three days they get very frequent," Lindeman said. If ignored, after 30 days Vista will display four options. The first will allow the user to activate online, the second is to run in reduced functionality mode, the third is to enter a product key and the fourth displays instructions to activate by phone, Lindeman said. Microsoft will continue to check if Vista was legitimately acquired, even after activation. This happens, for example, when downloading additional Microsoft programs. Should a license key be deemed illegitimate, the user will be given another 30-day grace period to acquire a legitimate license key, Microsoft said. During this grace period warnings will be displayed and Vista will block access to the Windows Defender antispyware tool, ReadyBoost memory expansion feature and Aero advanced graphics option, Microsoft said. Also, a persistent text will display in the lower right hand of the screen: "This copy of Windows is not genuine." If Vista is not validated after the 30 days, the user will again be locked out. Commodore 64 Games Coming to Wii's Virtual Console. The catalog of retro games available on the Virtual Console continues to grow as Epyx announced that Commodore 64 games will be playable on Nintendo’s new console. The first Commodore 64 games available on the Wii will be: -Impossible Mission 1 & 2 -Winter Games -Summer Games 1 & 2 -Pitstop -Jumpman Junior Apple previews next version of .Mac webmail. Apple is showcasing the next version of the .Mac webmail service. .Mac's webmail has been stuck in 2002 for about 4 years now, so an update will be very nice. The overall UI has been refined, and it looks like Apple is going for a more 'application' like feel using the latest web technology. Drag and drop, message preview, and keyboard shortcuts will be supported. Apple hasn't said when this will see the light of day but it is 'Coming Soon.' Skype lands deal for Wi-Fi access in Europe. Skype's calling service will soon be accessible at The Cloud's Wi-Fi hot spots across Europe, the two companies announced on Tuesday. Although normal online access to Skype's service is free to those connecting via PC, access to The Cloud's Wi-Fi network will require the use of a Skype-enabled phone from SMC Networks and payment of a 6.99-pound monthly service fee (about $13). "We are delighted to partner with SMC Networks and extend the service we provide today with Skype to Wi-Fi-enabled handsets," Niall Murphy, The Cloud's chief technology officer, said on Tuesday. The service will launch in the U.K. in October and spread to other European countries by the end of the year. The Cloud operates more than 8,500 hot spots around Europe. ************** Test a geek: This segment will return on a future episode of The Geekcast. ************** How To: Scroll horizontally on a mac. If you don't have a might mouse, there is a slick scrolling trick built into Mac OS X that allows you to scroll horizontally with any mouse. With a standard scrolling mouse, you can hold the shift key in most applications to scroll horizontally. This has been known to work in Photoshop and Illustrator, NetNewsWire, Firefox, Safari and iTunes as well. Go ahead and try it out! ************** Ask A Geek: YJ Asks: Do you know who is a supplier of goodman usb hubs in the united states? i was looking to buy their new rubik's cube usb hub. Answer: YJ, it seems that the product was announced but no one is selling it yet. Keep an eye on Goodman's website, http://www.gm-tek.com , and call their customer service number if you have other questions for them. ************** Hack: This segment will return on a future episode of The Geekcast. ************** The geek's view: This segment will return on a future episode of The Geekcast. **************Licensing: 2005 - 2006
