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You have no doubt noticed your Windows operating system insisting that you install something called the Windows Genuine Advantage. Why, you ask?

Microsoft has begun verifying serial numbers before allowing folks to use Windows and Office Update. Yes, this does meet some people’s criteria for a spywrare label. According to Microsoft’s web page dedicated to the subject…

Software piracy is a worldwide problem that affects Microsoft and its customers and partners. Unlike a pirated or counterfeit copy, a genuine copy of Windows is supported by Microsoft or a trusted reseller partner, provides ongoing access to updates and enhancements, and helps protect against the risks of counterfeit software. With a genuine copy of Windows, you’ll get access to the latest technology and a rich computer experience.

In case your eyes glazed over, and you missed it, they just said that you will no longer be able to install MS updates unless you have installed Windows Genuine Advantage.

In addition to allowing you to update Windows XP and Vista operating systems and MS Office apps, only with Windows Genuine Advantage installed will you be able to download the following apps from MS:

• Microsoft Windows Defender
• Internet Explorer 7
• Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP
• Media Center Karaoke Plug-in
• Video Tutorials: Using Windows XP
• Microsoft Match-Up!

“No problem” you say? Well, not quite.

Sometimes Windows Genuine Advantage gives a false positive. You are then branded as a user of bootleg MS software. The consequence of that happening is that all the above good stuff doesn’t happen.

If you should be one of those who are so unfortunate as to receive a false positive from Windows Genuine Advantage (I love the Newspeak), it is recommended that you call Microsoft at 1.888.571.2048 and ask them to reset the registration database. If that fails, I suggest loading Linux.

BTW, Windows Genuine Advantage was cracked within 24 hours of its release.

Overheard at breakfast this morning at Grandma’s Recipes, one of our local family restaurants…

Just because you know someone who did it, don’t make it a good idea.

Bob Lefsetz, in an article in The Lefsetz Letter entitled Why CD Sales Are Tanking, has some of the clearest thoughts on the current abysmal state of the recording industry that I have read lately. I recommended that you read the complete article.

It costs essentially nothing to duplicate a file. Own that, don’t call it theft. To do so is to try to charge for a new Magic Slate every time somebody lifts the plastic to create a new picture.

Damn! Am I that old?

I can remember when computer “programs” were written in Assembly Language so as to be fast and small enough to run in 64k (not meg) of memory. Also, you would get flamed on a mail list for wasting bandwidth by having a signature that was more then six lines long.

Times have certainly changed in the last twenty years. Now we have streaming full motion video online chewing up bandwidth and the software industry has pretty well negated the advances made by the hardware folks. Programmers did it by producing immense apps that suck up all the new computer horsepower.

Billed as the “Most Outlandish Computer Comparison Ever!”, Hal Licino says that,

…it can be stated that for the majority of simple office uses, the massive advances in technology in the past two decades have brought zero advance in productivity.

This should stir things up. Bugmenot says,

…ever wonder why we don’t have an emulator to run Mac appz? Because there isn’t a Mac app worth a crap out there that we want.

Life is cheap. It’s the accessories that kill you.

While ego surfing tonight I ran across this video featuring “Boogie Bob Olson”. No, that isn’t me playing. This guy is waay better than I. Besides, he spells his last name in the Swedish manner. As opposed to the Danish spelling of Olsen.

(Please install Flash to use the web based player.)

This story from The Sun is a bit old, I just wanted to make sure that you didn’t miss it.

A JUDGE stunned a court yesterday by admitting he did not know what a WEBSITE was.

Judge Peter Openshaw brought a shuddering halt to the trial of three men accused of internet terror offences as a witness was being quizzed about an extremist web forum.

He told shocked prosecutors at Woolwich Crown Court, South East London: “The trouble is I don’t understand the language. I don’t really understand what a website is.”

Prosecutor Mark Ellison then tried to help the judge by explaining. But confused Judge Openshaw, 59, said: “I haven’t quite grasped the concepts.”

Later he said he hoped a computer expert would give “simple” evidence when called to the stand — because otherwise he would not understand it.

Judge Openshaw said: “Will you ask him to keep it simple? We’ve got to start from basics.”

The bizarre exchange came during the trial of Younes Tsouli, 23, Waseem Mughal, 24, and Tariq al-Daour, 21.

Each denies a string of charges under the Terrorism Act, including inciting another person to commit an act of terrorism “wholly or partly” outside Britain. Tsouli and Mughal also deny conspiracy to murder.

Al-Daour has pleaded not guilty to conspiring with others to defraud banks, credit card and charge card companies.

Prosecutors told the jury the men kept car bomb manuals and videos of how to wire suicide bomb vests. They are also accused of helping to promote global jihad. Trial continues.

Here is some information that I would call eyebrow raising in more ways than one. It arrived via the ACM Forum on Risks to the Public in Computers and Related Systems (comp.risks). It was contributed by Richard I. Cook, MD, whose italicized comments follow the article.

Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2007 13:01:43 -0400
From: CDER MEDWATCH LISTSERV
Subject: FDA - MedWatch- Alcon Refractive Horizons LADAR6000 Excimer Laser System Class I Recall Because The Algorithm For Myopia With and Without Astigmatism Caused Cornea Abnormalities

MedWatch - The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program

Alcon Refractive Horizons and FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients of a Class I Recall of the LADAR6000 Excimer Laser System for CustomCornea algorithm for myopia with astigmatism (M3) and myopia without astigmatism (A7). This system is used for LASIK and wave-front guided LASIK treatment for the reduction or elimination of mild to moderate nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia) with or without astigmatism or for mixed astigmatism in patients who are 21 years of age or older with documented stability of refraction for the prior 12 months. The product was recalled because use of the Alcon Refractive Horizons CustomCornea algorithm for myopia with and without astigmatism with the LADAR6000 Excimer Laser caused corneal abnormalities (“central islands”) and decreased visual sharpness (visual acuity) in patients with myopia with and without astigmatism. These “central islands” may not be correctable with lasers and the decrease in visual acuity may not be correctable with glasses or contact lenses. Patients with questions should call the company at 1-877-523-2784.

Read the complete 2007 Safety Summary, including a link to the FDA Recall Notice regarding this issue at:

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#LADAR6000

Recalling an algorithm is a relatively new phenomenon. Devices such as infusion pumps typically have firmware and software that is integral to the device. Complex devices such as LASIK systems allow the operator to select amongst multiple functions using different algorithms. In February of this year, Alcon told customers to stop using two algorithms (M3 and A7) and went on to ‘deactivate’ these algorithms in U.S. devices. A Class I recall is for “dangerous or defective products that predictably could cause serious health problems or death. Examples of products that could fall into this category are a food found to contain botulinal toxin, food with undeclared allergens, a label mix-up on a life saving drug, or a defective artificial heart valve.”

Richard I. Cook, MD, University of Chicago, Anesthesia and Critical Care, Chicago IL 60637 1-773-702-4890 http://www.ctlab.org/Cook.cfm

Peggy and I spent a peasant Sunday afternoon yesterday watching lake freighters pass close by on the river at Port Huron. We seem to have a strong need to see large bodies of water every so often. It recharges our spiritual batteries.

Peggy remembers watching the big boats from her grandparent’s dock on the Detroit River in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I grew up about four hundred feet inland from Lake Michigan at Ludington, Michigan. Therefore, it was natural that the boats have always been an important part of our lives.

The gift from Peggy of a high resolution digital camera with a zoom lens has made boat watching even more fun for me. One of my pictures is at the top of this post. If there is any interest I could put some more online in a gallery. Let me know what you think.