BlackBerry says no to Pakistani backdoor demand

BlackBerry Passport smartphone
Credit: Selfridges

Governments around the world want unfettered access to your data. In Pakistan, the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority made such a demand on BlackBerry Enterprise Services, with a deadline of 30 November. To their credit, Blackberry said, “No,” & are closing up shop in Pakistan, despite an extension to 30 December.
http://arstechnica.com/security/2015/11/blackberry-says-no-to-pakistani-backdoor-gambit/

Other companies with the same responsibilities to their customers have been making moves in this direction too:
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/search?q=Apple+tells+judge

It remains to be seen if any of these companies would have the same attachment to their convictions if the market had a bigger impact on their bottom line – say European Union or USA. / government ordered shutdown enterprise service BlackBerry total access response demand backdoor access enterprise messaging products BlackBerry completely pulling out Pakistan market announcement ban providing BlackBerry Enterprise Services over mobile networks Pakistan due take effect today Pakistan Telecommunications Authority ban BlackBerry Enterprise Services BES issued become 30 November security reasons ban Privacy International report warned Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence ISI agency gain network surveillance capabilities USA NSA National Security Agency government order 30 December 30 BlackBerry COO Marty Beard exit Pakistani market completely meet government demands unfettered access message traffic regret leaving important market valued customers Pakistan forfeiting commitment protect our users’ privacy compromise Pakistani government demanded monitor all BlackBerry Enterprise Service traffic BES e-mail and BES BBM message prompting ban we do not support back doors granting open access to our customers’ information completely shutter operations in Pakistan /

Genie Hourglass – isn't this just a corset?

Credit: PopSugar

Oops! – Sorry, this is the Genie Hourglass:


“Credit” hardly seems right, but here goes – Credit: Genie Hourglass/Amazon

Didn’t we do this already? Your great-grandmother may have thought this was a good idea, but corsets fell out of favour some time ago, due to a range of health risks & other problems, including:

•  breathing difficulties

•  fainting

•  lung infections

•  slowed metabolism

•  gastric reflux

•  heartburn

•  ineffective digestion

•  stomach cramps

•  constipation

•  diarrhoea

•  damage to internal organs including liver, spleen & kidneys

•  won’t help you lose weight – in fact, slowed metabolism is likely to lead to weight gain

•  reshaping only continues while the a corset is being worn

•  muscles of the abdomen rest against the corset, leading to loss of strength, sag, & a bigger tummy & waist when the corset is removed

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/201426270849?limghlpsr=true&hlpht=true&ul_noapp=true&hlpv=2&chn=ps&lpid=107&ops=true&viphx=1

http://www.highya.com/genie-hour-glass-reviews

http://www.highya.com/articles-guides/are-waist-trainers-an-effective-shortcut-to-an-hourglass-figure / Genie Hour Glass polypropylene waist trainer claimed help instantly look 2 sizes slimmer hourglass shape Genie Hour Glass claimed continue shaping waist more you use it, even when not being worn according to the manufacturer Genie Hour Glass works by reducing shaping your waistline defining curves smoothing rolls bulges added benefits Genie Hourglass support your back help you feel toned Genie Hour Glass double compression waist training technology fasten compression shaper around torso adjust training bands your preference buy Genie Hourglass most pressing questions what is waist training effective waist training waist maintain a certain shape provide slimming effect modern day corsets Jessica Alba used corset train waist after giving birth claim trained waist corsets belts Genie Hourglass extreme measures to maintain the shape effect is temporary only lasts as long as you’re wearing the garment Genie Hour Glass manufacturer claim slimming effect when it’s not being worn models commercial the more I wear it the better I look take off your Genie Hour Glass belt waist will return to its normal size waist training trend trends fads manufacturers bandwagon make a quick buck no clinical proof that waist training works waist trainers Tummy Tuck Belt V-Shape Trainer Belt Hot Belt Xtreme Power Belt none proven to work Genie Hourglass waist training damage your body waist training popularity won’t help you lose weight negative side effects waist trainers Genie Hourglass medical professionals modern versions of corsets area between hips and ribcage smaller greater hip-to-waist ratio restriction restriction temporary temporarily provide slimming effect prevent breathing properly fainting lung infections decreased metabolism tight enough waist trainers damage your ribs prevent bowels functioning properly reflux heartburn less effective digestion affect bowel movements lungs bowels too-tight waist trainers damage other organs liver spleen kidneys your skin health /

Connected cars gather too much data about drivers, say motorists associations

It may be time to add your car to the list of devices that are invading your privacy.

Motorists’ organizations are pushing for transparency & driver choice.

http://www.computerworld.com/article/3009253/data-privacy/connected-cars-gather-too-much-data-about-drivers-say-motorists-associations.html / Car drivers greater privacy public transport users modern connected cars European motoring organizations organisations warned warning help identify faults plan maintenance manufacturers gather performance data connected cars total distance travelled length number of trips made drivers unaware how much other information cars allow manufacturers gather about them study conducted German motorists organization ADAC European lobby group FIA Region 1 addition trip distance data recent model reported maximum engine revolutions engine speed rpm status vehicle lights BMW 320d recorded length of time driver used different driving modes recorded when seatbelt tightened due to sudden braking more sinister sinisterly transmitted latest destinations car's navigation system personal information contacts synchronized synchronised mobile phones ADAC examined one car extend the study how other brands behave FIA car manufacturers come clean themselves unmasked publish easily understandable list each model all data collected processed stored transmitted externally risk data intercepted car hacked data stolen taken FIA carmakers secure data drivers block processing transmission non-essential data impossible car buyers purchase non-connected vehicles Europe from April 2018 all new vehicles must include support eCall system accident automatically communicates exact location emergency services time of incident direction of travel important motorways continuously monitoring position mobile data connection report back in case of incident automotive manufacturers installing hardware link in potentially revenue-generating services music streaming traffic information location-based recommendations FIA give car owners opportunity switch providers services lowest prices most innovative products motorists' organizations launched campaign promote motorists privacy rights freedom to choose service providers /

Rubik’s cube record broken twice in one day – 5 second mark passed

Before Saturday 21 November, the world record for solving the Rubik’s cube had stood at 5.25 seconds for 8 months. On that day, the record was lowered twice to 4.90 seconds.

1st world record of the day – Keaton Ellis – 5.09 seconds



Later the same day 14-year old Lucas Etter lowered the record again to 4.90



https://medium.com/@jblake17/a-historic-day-for-the-world-of-competitive-rubik-s-cube-solving-33a92a5f3d1c#.woy27tgml / Rubik’s Cube puzzle abandoned few minutes of frustration first released 1980s revival younger generations learn how to solve cube video tutorials YouTube online forums emergence community Rubik’s Cube solving enthusiasts speedcubers cubers advanced solving methods buy specially designed speedcubes underground Chinese suppliers adjust tensions lubrication cubes match turning styles discussion amongst cubers online World Cube Association WCA competitions real action happens WCA official body oversees governs organises speedcubing competitions website more competitions more people more fun fair and equal conditions official records set only in competition WCA new Rubik’s Cube world records rare held for over two years maps progression WCA world records past decade world record stood 5.25 seconds set by Collin Burns competition Clarksville Maryland 21 November 21 2015 Keaton Ellis timer 5.09 seconds competition 14-year old Lucas Etter two world records single competition prompted former world record holder long-time champion Feliks Zemdegs Australia craziest ever day in cubing history cubing world Lucas Etter first person break 5 second barrier in competition 4.90 seconds mind-bogglingly fast Rubik’s Cube enthusiast record new chapter for speedcubing unceasing efforts cubers around the globe push boundaries competitive Rubik’s Cube solving speedcubing WCA website speedsolving speed solving speed cubing forums /

Enfield electric car from 1974 – updated – at the drag strip

Enfield 8000 aka E8000 ECC aka Electric City Car
Credit: Wikepedia

Enfield Automotive¹, was encouraged by the oil crises of the 1970s, to produce an electric car, & the Enfield 8000, aka E8000 ECC, aka Electric City Car² was born. Top speed has variously been reported as 40 mph (64 kph), to 80 mph (129 km/h). Since the electric motor produced 8 bhp (6 kW)^1,2, the lower figure seems more likely. Range was around 40 miles (64 km)². Only 120 were produced.

More recently, Jonny Smith, one of the presenters for Fifth Gear³, located one, restored the body, & updated the battery & motor.

Robert Llewellyn takes a look:



At the drag strip – 12.62 @ 101.65!


More about the car at Jonny's Flux Capacitor web site: http://www.flux-capacitor.co.uk/
__________

¹  Yes, a manifestation of the British motorcycle/ lawn mower/ firearm company.
Wikepedia: “Enfield Automotive”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enfield_Automotive

²  Wikepedia: “Enfield 8000”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enfield_8000

³  Wikepedia: “Fifth Gear”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Gear
Fifth Gear has recently reappeared on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/fifthgearuk

/ Enfield 8000 E8000 ECC Electric City Car 8 bhp 6 kW motor aluminium body 120 Enfield 8000s built Isle of Wight mid-1970s lead acid lead-acid battery Greek millionaire Giannis Goulandris production Greek isle Syros oil crisis of 1973 vehicles assembled Isle of Wight oil crises 1970s Enfield Automotive electric vehicle EV electric car Enfield 8000 E8000 ECC Electric City Car ECC Jonny Smith presenter Fifth Gear restored Robert Llewellyn Fully Charged LiIon Lithium ion /

Shoot now focus later

Photograph out of focus? Or the main feature is out of focus & the background, sharp? Panasonic & Olympus have solutions to these & other problems.





http://www.dpreview.com/articles/7952778512/panasonic-s-post-focus-feature-arrives-november-25

http://www.popphoto.com/olympus-announces-new-firmware-for-om-d-e-m1-and-e-m5-mark-ii

http://cameras.olympus.com/stack/en-au/

http://www.wired.com/2015/11/panasonic-cameras-get-a-shoot-now-and-focus-later-feature/ / Panasonic’s Lumix GX7 G8 FZ300 cameras free firmware update this morning update new mode Post Focus Lytro camera different implementation Post Focus mode capture 49 points of focus autofocus Post Focus mode camera records 4K video racking focus frame to frame sequence of differently focused images captured review sequence in camera photographer choosing the focus point Lytro’s living pictures player tapping swiping toggle through different focus points assist modes focus-peaking overlays Lumix cameras higher megapixel count Post Focus limited output resolution frame 4K video resolution of 8 megapixels resolution each frame-grab automated Post Focus completely in focus focus stacking light-gathering fast-shutter wide aperture deep depth of field narrow aperture everything-in-focus macro photography post-processing work stack all the images sequence third-party editing software Lytro Olympus Focus Stacking mode Focus Bracketing mode Olympus technical product manager Matthew Kandel focus stacking Panasonic’s Post Focus Olympus Focus Stacking several images different focus points Focus Stacking Post Focus Focus Stacking composites one image sharp from front to back Panasonic’s focus-after-the-fact feature similar Lytro end-to-end VR platform Post Focus mode Panasonic’s sensors image processors capture data light field Lytro Panasonic Post Focus retroactively pick point of focus selective focus mode larger sensors better overall image quality /

Sociologist suggests corporate disinformation at root of climate change polarization

Short version: study finds that vested interests have set out to confuse the public on climate change for their own commercial purposes.

Similar findings to those described in the book, “Merchants of Doubt”,¹ but worth noting a sociologist coming to the same conclusion as a science historian.

http://phys.org/news/2015-11-sociologist-corporate-disinformation-root-climate.html
__________

¹  Wikepedia: “Merchants of Doubt”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchants_of_Doubt

/ Justin Farrell sociologist School of Forestry & Environmental Studies Yale University conducted study polarity opinions Americans global warming climate change greenhouse effect gas CO2 carbon dioxide global environment change very strongly correlated correlation tied corporate disinformation campaigns paper published Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study publicly available few key players muddle debate minds voters science community Americans refusal to believe planet heating up man-made greenhouse gas emissions information Americans 20 years data identify 164 organizations actors oil companies something to lose alternatives oil use petroleum computational data methods extract information dataset two major findings organizations corporate funding messages meant intended polarize publicly funded corporate funding influenced content polarizing efforts led digression actual science messages meant to polarize generically amplify contrarian views causes readers question scientific evidence contrarian efforts some actors seeking mislead public caused confusion who listen believe research highlights needed information dissemination publicly funded sources counter backed corporations Koch brothers new study reveals funders climate change denial effort Justin Farrell corporate funding ideological polarization climate change Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences large-scale computational data methods research demonstrates polarization efforts influenced patterned network political financial actors /