SDS

Diablo III a lesson in system requirements. . .

be3n — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:42:39 +0000

When I preordered Diablo III, I knew it required an internet connection. I figured this was for additional online content, updates, etc. What i was not prepared for was the harsh reality that if battle.net is down, i cannot play. This is not a MMORPG, this is a single player game and the entire game is stored on my laptop. Years ago, i remember playing Diablo II on my laptop at school, airport terminals, and even in airplanes. (these were the days before in flight wifi) It is unfortunate that Blizzard’s fear of piracy has lead them down a path of poor user experience for their paying customers (in this case prepaying). Better still is the fact that it is very doubtful that this will even stop piracy of the game. Already users of bootlegged versions of this game are able to play without purchase, authorization, or even network connectivity.

The truth is that today is launch day, and there are undoubtably piles of problems to be resolved with the game. Hordes of users log on to play, the servers can get overwhelmed. I just feel that users should be able to enjoy most of the game without connecting to battle.net. Game makers need to understand that sometimes people want to play offline. My favorite example, what can you play when the internet is down? The list is getting shorter every year. Wake up Blizzard. If you cannot provide an excellent user experience with copy protections, you may want to rethink your priorities. Is it more important to continually infuriate customers or temporarily frustrate pirates?

For the love of Duck!

be3n — Thu, 03 May 2012 04:34:12 +0000

With little more then google search results, my girl whipped up an unbelievably tasty meal. Roasted Duck! Though it may have been our first duck either of us had prepared, it was one of the tastiest I have ever enjoyed. This picture is what the bird looked like just before the glaze went on. My girl is the best!

No Dropbox yet?

be3n — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 07:18:47 +0000

Here is a link to get an extra 25% GB. (I get a bonus too) http://db.tt/RBSMYlTr I am trying to max out their referal program.

Update Java. Seriously, do it right now.

be3n — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:10:00 +0000

Another Java privilege escalation exploit spotted in the wild. Trojans and web based java classes are already installing remote access tunnels into Macs across the globe. Apple finally updated their java binaries and you should too! Protect yourself! Just run Software Update from the Apple menu.

Apple Info:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5228

More info (including a AppleScript test for infection):
http://mashable.com/2012/04/05/mac-flashback-trojan-check/

Maybe a launch day surprise?

be3n — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 05:50:21 +0000

I might have lucked out. Apple’s original estimate was the 23rd. Now UPS says it might come tomorrow. sweet deal, but I’m not holding my breath. wish me luck.

My New iPad has left China!

be3n — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:02:06 +0000

It might even get here on launch day! Despite my late order, How cool is that. I love tracking boxes as they circle the globe.

Oh no, not again! Apple firewire exploit published!

be3n — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:40:42 +0000

This is Deja Vu of an attack from years ago where RAM was accessed from the firewire buss. This study published back in Sept 2011 (that i am late to discover) revisits this attack on Lion. Security researchers from frameloss published the specifics on an attack and how to avoid it. Learn how your password could be extracted from your computer’s memory via your firewire port. Even when you thought it was locked! Even with FileVault!

Mostly you must turn off fast user switching, and activate a feature that dumps the password for added security. read all about it here. . .

http://www.frameloss.org/2011/09/18/firewire-attacks-against-mac-os-lion-filevault-2-encryption/#more-540

Absinthe makes my iPhone 4s go down smooth!

be3n — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:49:06 +0000

The long wait is finally over. Due to the diligent efforts of EVERYBODY in the scene, (@pod2g, @planetbeing, @saurik, @pimskeks, @p0sixninja, @MuscleNerd, and @xvolks) we can finally jailbreak our A5 devices. iPhone 4s and iPad 2 are now jailbroken and untethered with the latest and most complex jailbreak to date. Works with iOS 5 or iOS 5.0.1. Representing hundreds if not thousands of man hours (it even takes forever to run). Enjoy! i included a donate link at the bottom if you wish to buy them a beer.

Download Absinthe from Chronic:
http://greenpois0n.com

or Dev-Team Tools here: (currently CLI only)
http://blog.iphone-dev.org/

Donate to the combined effort. (despite paypal)

free your mind! free our internet! Stop SOPA PIPA!

be3n — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:32:13 +0000

If you can’t stop piracy with the hundreds of laws already on the books, i guess it cannot be done.

I stand in solidarity with Google, Wikipedia, Reddit, and all the others who are blacking out their websites to raise awareness of these terrible terrible bills.

Hilarious Kristen Bell Funny or Die Video!

be3n — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:50:46 +0000

Her favorite tattoo is my favorite joke. EVER!

Kristen Bell’s Body of Lies from Kristen Bell