Read this before you open that .jpg file!

Microsoft has announced another flaw in its software that could allow badguys to infect bad guys to infect your computer with lots of nasty stuff.

This time the flaw involves a "buffer overrun" problem in certain versions of Microsoft operating systems, and other microsoft software including IE 6.0. It allows sneaky code to run when the user clicks on a jpg picture file. In other words, you think you are opening a safe picture file attached to an e-mail, and the next thing you know your compter is infected with God-knows-what. They say that no viruses based on this flaw have been reported, but they are expected. The link below explains the problem further and gives links to updates etc.

Here's my thought - Microsoft, you've been having problems getting your buffers straight for years. You've got the $ to hire the most and most expensive programmers in the world. Will you ever get it right?


Geek.com Geek News - Critical flaw in Windows JPEG handling

Judge Penalizes Discover Card for Piling On.

Finally the there's a sign that the courts are starting to find credit card add-on fees abusive and unconscionable. See the article linked below.

nbc4i.com - News - Judge Wipes Out Woman's Credit Card Debt

NALP's Public Sector and Public Interest Salary Survey

UAW-LSP salaries are competitive, and above average when it comes to entry-level positions. At the high end things fall off, but I have a hunch that when benefits are considered, they are still competitive.

NALP - 2004 Public Interest Attorney Salaries

GM spending $7.8 Million on Oprah Giveaway - Smart or not?

My first instinct was to say that it was crazy to give away 276 Pontiacs to Oprah audience members. But the more I learned about it, it appears to be crazy like a fox. First, more than half the show on Oprah's heavily promoted season-opening episode was basically a commercial for the new Pontiac G6. Second, the media buzz surrounding the give-away has generated a lot of publicity. Most of the people hearing about it are probably thinking: 'What's a G6?' So it leads to more inquiry.

Ok, GM Marketers, you win this one.


GM, 'Oprah' team up to give away cars

Oprah Gives away 276 new cars

Not just any new cars, Pontiac G6 models that you can't even buy right now. Onstar, XM Radio yada yada yada $28k. Memo to self: Figure out some way to become best buds with Oprah.

Oprah Winfrey gives all 276 audience members a car - Sep. 13, 2004

Return of The Googleteer(tm)

The Googleteer(tm) is back after a long absence with a search that really says it all re Disney CEO Michael Eisner's recent announcement that he will step aside in September 2006. You have got to believe that Mikey was thinking 'If I promise to get out, how long can I hang around before they kick me out anyway?'

Google Search: Michael Eisner door hit ass way out

Digital Camcorder review: Canon ZR-85
Small in Size and in Performance.

This spring I purchased a Canon ZR-85 mini-DV camcorder. I must say that I am thoroughly disappointed with its performance. The machine is small and sturdy, but the quality of the video is disappointing. It has two key failings. It is awful in low-light situations (which includes most home video environments), and it does not have an S-Video out jack. The latter is inexcusable, in my opinion for a $450.00 camcorder. Through the regular composite out jack, the video is no better than a standard VHS tape. What good is it to have 525 lines of resolution on your DV tape, if when you play it back it looks like a first generation Betamax?


Instead of the Canon ZR-85, I recommend the JVC GRDX77. For a similar price, (but right now 9/10/04 there is a 100 rebate, so Amazon.com is offering it for $319.94 after rebate) the JVC gives you a built-in LED video light, digital noise reduction for low light shots (and it really works), and S-Video in and out as well as a microphone in jack.

















Ken Jennings Jeopardy! Update:

This week marked the return of new episodes of Jeopardy after a 7 week summer hiatus. Through Thursday's show uber-player Ken Jennings has continued to win, with his total wins now at 42 and winnings around $1,400,000. He has not shown the same consistency though, trailing at times and missing all four Final Jeopardy answers this week. Still, at times he has been brilliant, and he has controlled the game going into Final Jeopardy.

Rumors have spread through the media that Ken has lost but the show hasn't been aired yet. The best story that I've seen is linked below.

I won't go into details to avoid spoiling it. (That's assuming the story is true, and it may not be.)

When Is Ken's Final Final Jeopardy? Rumor Has It That . . . (washingtonpost.com)

Fit to Serve as Commander-in-Chief: a side-by side comparison of George W.'s and Kerry's military records.

Here is a site with a side-by-side comparison of the military records of George W. Bush and John Kerry.



Service Records of John F. Kerry and George W Bush - Links to all public documents - AWOLBush.com

I have never heard of a pilot that didn't treat his pilot's logbook like it was gold. Well, actually, I have, George W. Buch. I have read an account of a pilot in World War II who went back into a sinking plane that had ditched in the ocean to retrieve the precious logbook. George Bush's logbook is as missing as all other records of a legitimate National Guard Service.

Also, for a guy who's lifelong dream was to be a pilot; why was he a no-show for his (free) flight physical.

Conspiracy of the Week: Did George W. kill JFK Jr.?

I'm no George W. fan, but come on folks, this one is a stretch.


Bush Killed JFKjr

Obana - Keyes: Catfight, Wrrewww, hiss hiss


CBS News | Here's What Jesus Wouldn't Do | September 8, 2004?09:48:11