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March 25, 2008
security hole
Byron Ng found a way to access other people's photos on Facebook, without their permission. I have also been dragged in (kicking and screaming) into this network. And, I was concerned about my photos but the basic security concept seemed okay, friends only view friends. This particular security hole is within the network system. Somebody got to see stuff that they shouldn't have seen. It's funny that this guy decided to look at Google.
Posted by azileretsis at 05:35 PM | Comments (0)
March 23, 2008
dreaming
I picture Google as simple a huge database with a business logic interface. I do marvel that their user interface is so much smaller than the business logic component that I can imagine. This is a sign of good design for their business.
I see how this simple idea could be used in so many different places. What I don't understand is why we don't see many more examples of this idea in the marketplace. Are we crushed by the amount of data that exists? Or, is the technology advances gone too fast that we are just trying to catch up? Or, the business owners' hesitance slowing progress? Any great idea gets transformed many times and I have always believe that Google wasn't the first and won't be the last to use this idea.
Ok, enough Google slobbering.
Posted by azileretsis at 06:57 PM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2008
lost in translation
I love online translators like Babel Fish. They are quick and easy and usually, it's all you need to get the information you need. However, they have alot of drawbacks for any major use. For example, here is a translation of text:
Each potato: In order to provides a better service to everybody, we are moving the extension potato central engine room. On March 14 before dawn 0:00 ~ at night 24:00, our service suspends for 24 hours. On March 15 before dawn 0:00 new engine room moved has completed, the potato could punctually go home.
Hilarious.
Speaking of language, I've realized that some of my favorite modern writers are TV show writers. People like Aaron Sorkin or Jerome Bixby. If Shakespeare or Ernest Hemingway was alive, would they be TV show writers? William Faulkner was a screenwriter. Isn't it a scary thought that our generation's best writers could be drawn to produce banalities?
Posted by azileretsis at 10:11 PM | Comments (0)
March 04, 2008
money can't save
Citigroup is an interesting story to watch. First, it's a public company so it's messiness is out there for everyone to see. Second, what happened to the company is happening to many other companies. For example, Fremont. Third, the event, subprime write-down, that is causing its troubles was a surprise.
Lessons: A cursory or even a good look at financial statements will never tell you the whole story. Capitalization is really important. People who don't pay their bills can pull down entire companies and significantly affect the economy.
I hope they do pull through but I don't think Citigroup is at their bottom yet.
Facebook and Google duke it out over people. If this Wiki article is true, Facebook would be the largest instance of MySQL use that I've ever seen. More realistically, it would be several database platforms being used but who knows? Facebook Engineer blog. I was wondering about the subdomain.
Blast from the past info, several US firms unsuccessfully tried to build MySQL support companies. MySQL AB seemed to have won that battle.
What would the world be like if public companies also had to disclose their technology platforms?
Posted by azileretsis at 02:51 PM | Comments (0)
March 02, 2008
missing out
Every time I check the Euro rate, I'm always surprised. I had not realized that it had hit $1.51. I should have gone to work in Europe!
I used to travel periodically to Europe and kept up with the exchanges there. I still remember one trip during the winter, in the paper, different analysts were predicting the Euro rate. Everyone was predicting a rate under $1 but one analyst had predicted it going above $1. I remember admiring that analyst for going against the grain. That year was the year the Euro started its rise. That analyst probably has alot more admirers now.
Also, who's going to be #2? This has been on my mind since the Iowa caucus. Who will they pick? McCain has some interesting choices. The most interesting is Colin Powell. Powell already has experience in a job where he affects little (Har, Har). He is McCain's most promising choice since Powell is studied by many as a dynamic leader. And, I feel he has shown significant achievements in his life regardless of his race or sex.
On another front, several things I've learned from working on Microsoft products for many years. New initiatives from Microsoft is often bought like Medstory. Another, it'll take a couple years for Microsoft to figure it how it all fits. I don't think I commented on Google Health. Somebody over there may have the same train of thought that is in the recesses of my mind.
Posted by azileretsis at 10:10 PM | Comments (0)