Internet now restored in Asia, but connection still poor

Posted by multippt

A few days ago, two earthquakes, one of magnitude 7.1 caused massive internet unavailability. Of course, by then, the internet accessibility has been almost been restored. However, the connection is still slower than normal, since the traffic is just merely redirected to alternative routes, such as via satellites. The cables are still not fully patched up yet. Although there are incidents where the cables damage can come from ship anchors or fishing nets, the damage caused by the earthquake is much harder to repair. This is because it is possible that the earthquake can cause undersea landslides that can bury the damaged cables. Several countries are sending ships over to the affected cables (6 damaged out of a total of seven cables).
The problem may continue for several more days.

Nevertheless, we should also bare in mind the victims of the earthquake who happens to be less fortunate than us.

Via CNET

“New Year’s” Email worm on the loose

Posted by multippt

When you check your email inbox, be sure to check whether if the “new year”’s greeting in the form of an attachment is harmless. This worm is on the loose at the moment and still remains undetected as of the 28th of December, 2006 (this means that your anti-virus software can’t help you at the moment).

The worm comes in the form as an email attachment with the extension *.exe or *.zip (the file is usually called “postcard.exe” or “postcard.zip”). This worm is then installed when one opens the attachment, and the worm would then use the computer to spam other potential victims.

Via CNET

Gmail glitch causes mass email deletion

Posted by multippt

Google comfirmed on Friday that there were some users of Gmail (Google Mail) who had their email accounts cleaned out (in that all or some Email messages received before the 18th of December were deleted) by a glitch. It is likely that the wipeout is done deliberately. However, it is also possible that the email deletion may have been caused by an accident.

Fortunately, this problem affected a small percentage of Gmail users (0.0003%). In addition, Google is known for its security and reliability in its technologies (like Google search and Google Mail). Google has not released any other information behind the incident.

PSP users now can emulate firmware 3.03

Posted by multippt

Yay, booster (the creator of Devhook, the PSP firmware emulation application for the PSP) has released the latest version of his marvelous application. This new version (at version 0.52) is able to emulate firmware 3.03. The benefit is that the emulated firmware will allow us to play any 3.03-only PSP games (which aren’t out yet). However, the emulated firmware 3.03 has some limitations such as some PlayStation 1 emulator issues from prior firmwares.

To install the firmware (3.03) for emulation on the PSP, you would need a special PSAR dumper from team C+D.

This application isn’t an official product of Sony (in that it is homebrew software).

Via QJ.net

Widespread internet inavailability in East Asia

Posted by multippt

It looks like the earthquake (a massive 7.1 on the Richter scale) which occurred in Taiwan on the 26th of December, 2006, at 8.26pm seems to have triggered some disturbance in some underground cables. While the earthquake fortunately trigger a tsunami (Thank goodness, we wouldn’t want history to repeat itself again too soon. Its already bad enough that a massive tsunami took place on this day two years ago.), it did some how manage to disrupt the normal bandwidth that the people in East Asia get. During such a moment, the download speeds plummet such that it is a hassle to view a web page.

This situation happens to be the worst technology-related disaster in Asia. The scale of the damage is so large that it damaged six undersea cables, leaving only one to carry the internet flow. Internet accessibility to sites from countries such as the United States is poor, since the cables to the country is severely damaged. The damage also showed the region’s dependence on the telecommunication services for businesses. Fortunately, this incident occurred during the period where business is relatively less active (due to public holidays such as Christmas) compared to the other times of the year.
The undersea cables should be fixed in 2 weeks time (probably by 2007). During this time however, this site would be effected, since the administrators are in the affected area (Singapore, East Asia). So there may not be much content being posted here until the problem eases.

PSP custom firmware 3.02 OE-B released

Posted by multippt

Dark Alex recently released his custom firmware for the PSP, 3.02 OE-B. This custom firmware can only be upgraded from 3.02 OE-A, an earlier custom firmware made by him.

The change from 3.02 OE-A is as followed:
-Ability to play one’s own PlayStation 1 titles*

*Without the need for a PS3, waiting for a particular game to come out in the PLAYSTATION Store (accessed from the PS3), nor re-paying for the games you own. The emulator is still at the moment unable to play some games (and the problem can only be fixed by Sony).

Note that the PlayStation 1 game needs to be converted to a suitable format/file (from *.iso/*.img to POPS format) before it can be played on the PSP. Note that the resulting file tend to be alot larger than the ones from the PLAYSTATION Store (from the PS3).

Via QJ.net

Microsoft starts explaining its RSS feed reader patent

Posted by multippt

A few days ago, Microsoft attempted to patent RSS (really simple syndication) feed readers. RSS feeds are used as a means by news publishers and bloggers to notify subscribers of the RSS feed of new content. Readers are needed to display the feeds.

Dave Winer, the co-inventor of the RSS feed system, commented on the patent, stating that it is likely that Microsoft would attempt to make money out of RSS if the patent were approved. Several bloggers criticised the patent applications by Microsoft as being unoriginal. Although Microsoft’s patent claim is questionable, some feel that there is no need to go against Microsoft, since its possible that Microsoft has good intentions to do such action.

Microsoft’s RSS team responded to responses of Microsoft’s patent on RSS. The team claimed that the patent is used to describe ways to improve the RSS end-user and developer experience. The patent does not mean that Microsoft is claiming that they invented the RSS feed system. The patent is also intended for the benefit of (RSS) feed publishers, developers and users, and that it is proof of Microsoft’s commitment and contributions to the RSS community.  In addition, the team stated that other companies such as Apple and Google have patented in a fashion similar to what Microsoft is doing.

Via Microsoft Team RSS blog