Windows Vista activation cracked

Posted by multippt

Recently, several hackers have found alternative ways of activating the corporate version of Windows Vista. A file has been distributed online that contains a VMware machine (a virtual machine) which consist of a KMS (Key Management Service) server.

A KMS server is needed to activate copies of Windows Vista (for businesses) to allow the operating system to be used. The official KMS server is usually given to companies that have 25 or more computers running Windows Vista. The copy will need to be reactivated every 6 months in order to continue to use the system.

Of course, please do not use the circulated file to illegally activate a copy of Windows Vista.

Via Yahoo! news

Wiimotes might get an upgrade soon

Posted by multippt

Now then, you have heard stories (and news reports) of the wiimote (the thing you use with the nintendo wii) breaking stuff here and there. Seriously, the wiimote (or the user) possesses a potential threat to the surroundings if the user of the wii becomes over enthusiastic and decided to go beyond the line. A flying wii (resulting from broken wii straps) can cause windows to be smashed, or worse, your TV (wow… you would need to pay more than just that broken strap)! Of course, the wiimote (strangely) does not sustain much damage (well done Nintendo!). These events might be linked to the pulling out of wii demostration units in walmarts over USA.

Now then, after all these rumbling about the wiimote doing some damage and something like that, I still haven’t said anything about the upgrade yet. Well, the truth is… wiimotes are going to have thicker straps (sorry if I made you read too much). Anyways, the thicker straps will lower the chances of your wiimote fling out of your frantically waving hands, meaning, less damage done by flying wiimotes!

Via Shacknews, Qj.net

Netnoob admits that burning PS3 was a hoax

Posted by multippt

A few days ago, netnoob claimed that his PS3 overheated and burned down half of his house. Of course, there were some who did not believe his tale, while many others began to question Sony of the likelihood of the PS3 becoming too overheated.

This controversal scenario led Sony to take action against him, since this meant bad publicity to Sony (they received 200 calls from worried consumers).

The fact is, Netnoob does not own a PS3 (and neither a house). He probably did this to gain as much publicity (and traffic) to his blog. However though, Netnoob was in the process of making it real, by buying a new PS3… and setting fire to it (wow, he must be rich…), and take photos of the PS3 burning away. He also intended to claim that Sony gave him a replacement, at the same time include pictures of the burning PS3 in his blog.

The scam/hoax did not go according to plan, and most likely his reputation on the net would go down with him and his white lies.

Via Netnoob

James Kim (CNET) family found, however…

Posted by multippt

Earlier, we have reported that James Kim and his family was missing after apparently caught in a severe storm. James Kim’s family have been found a few days ago, in a remote area of southern Oregon. However, James Kim was not with the main group. He left his wife and children in search for help but did not return back. James Kim was found later (several more days later actually) by rescuers. They used certain technologies ranging from thermal imaging down to traking via cellphone signal. However, by the time he was rescued, it was already too late.

The delay in rescue was due to the poor weather conditions, and the relative inaccessability of the area. His body was found within a mile of the family’s wagon which was stuck in the snow. The likely cause of Jamess Kim’s death was due to hypothermia.

James Kim’s body was found 11 days after the family was reported missing.

Via MSNBC

PS3 official firmware 1.30 released

Posted by multippt

Sony is dishing yet another update, this time for the PS3 (us only, if your PS3 comes from Japan, please update to version 1.11 instead), shortly after releasing an update for the PSP. With this update, the PS3 will be updated to firmware version 1.30. The update can be obtained through the network update feature on the PS3. 

The added features are outlined below:
-Support for several other usb devices
-Support for a bluetooth device (a remote control)
-DVD video output (for HDMI) is added as an option under DVD settings
-Backup utility is added as an feature under system settings
-Ability to select hard disk format in format utility and restore PS3 settings under system settings
-The method for selecting output resolution has been changed in videeo output settings

Expect more of these updates since its likely that they will come out on a monthly basis.

Via Kotaku

PSP official firmware 3.02 released

Posted by multippt

Sony has recently released firmware version 3.02 (Japan release). This is currently available on network update through the PSP, and the Japanese official site for the PSP (link above). Currently, there are no major features added with this firmware update except for an unspecified vulnerability being addressed.

Its been only a few weeks since the previous update, 3.01 was released.

This latest firmware can be emulated on a homebrew-enabled PSP using the application, Devhook (v0.51). Also note that with this update, your PSP would lose the capabilities to run homebrew applications.

Via Qj.net

What digg is to a website

Posted by multippt

Digg, which is a website that combines social bookmarking, blogging and syndication, is very useful to maintaining site growth. This is especially true when you have something which you want to share with the world.

Digg brings traffic

A little traffic does not hurt any website right? Digg is one way of bringing in some. Once a story reaches the front page (after receiving roughly 35 diggs), it will receive immense amounts of traffic. However though, digg can bring so much traffic that it can cause your site to go down with it (known as “digg effect”). Nevertheless, users are more willing to read your article since they visit the website on their on free will (well, most of them are). They are not forced to visit the site and thus, the visitors generated by digg are truly genuine.

A good way to start a site

Obviously, a new website does not have a lot of visitors (unless you cheated). Thus digg serves as a way to show your webpage to the world. In addition, digg allows other users to comment and rate the story in your site, and thus one can find out ways to improve on future stories.

Digg = business + money

Some companies utilise digg as a means of earning money. They try to promote a site provided the owner pays them well. Examples of such services are User/Submitter, Friendly vote and Spike the vote. They may do so by asking the owner of a site to pay for votes, while the company pays the users to vote for it (sort of like bribary), such as User/Submitter. However, this form of forced digging is regarded as cheating since the people that have more money to spare can monopolize the service.

Integration

Its easy to integrate code in your website to send stories to digg. It also allows users of the website to click on a direct link to the specific digg webpage to digg the story. It can be integrated with blogs and news articles. Digg even provides methods to allow users of a website to use digg even though they are not on the official site. Digg works with other services such as youtube.

Digg is quite big

Digg has over 500000 registered users and growing, and most of them frequent the site. Thus, there is a high possibility that 1 of those users might actually stumble across your website. Also, digg has a strong user base since there is always something new there each day and thus attract surfers who are bored.

Thus digg together with a website makes a very good couple.