IT Admin Locks up San Francisco’s Computer Network

A network administrator has locked up a multimillion dollar computer system for San Francisco that handles sensitive data and is refusing to give police the password, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday.

 

The employee, 43-year-old Terry Childs, was arrested Sunday. He gave some passwords to police, which did not work, and refused to reveal the real code, the paper reported.

 

The new FiberWAN (Wide Area Network) handles city payroll files, jail bookings, law enforcement documents and official e-mail for San Francisco. The network is functioning but administrators have little or no access.

 

Childs, who remains in custody, is accused of improperly tampering with computer systems and causing a denial of service, said Kamala Harris, San Francisco’s district attorney, on Monday afternoon.

 

“The bail has been set at $5 million, and the exposure in this case if he were convicted on all counts would be seven years in prison,” Harris said.

 

Harris said it’s unknown why Childs tampered with the system. The Chronicle, however, reported that Childs was disciplined recently for poor performance. Childs worked in the Department of Technology for San Francisco, making close to US$150,000 a year, the paper reported.

 

City officials told the paper that Childs may have caused millions in damage while also rigging the network so that other third parties could monitor traffic, posing a huge data security risk. He is also alleged to have installed a tracing system to monitor communications related to his personnel case.

 

(Robert McMillan in San Francisco contributed to this report.)

Talwar to file defamation case against UP Police

After spending 50 days in jail for allegedly murdering daughter Aarushi Talwar as claimed by the UP Police, Dr Rajesh Talwar has decided to file a defamation case against the force. He took this decision after being released from the jail on Saturday. The CBI has failed to find any evidence against him.

Pravin Rai, counsel of Talwar, who was in the city on Saturday, said: “We will move the competent authority to ensure stern action against the erring officers of the UP Police. But, it will be done only after Talwar gets a clean chit from the court.”

He also accused the UP Police of harassing his client. “It’s not a small thing that one can forego. His reputation has taken a beating after the police booked him alongwith other innocent persons without any evidence,” Rai told The Indian Express.

“Had the case not been handed over to the CBI, the UP Police would have proved my clients (Talwar and his wife Nupur) and others guilty for Aarushi’s murder,” he said.

The state government has not taken any punitive action against the officers involved in misleading the government and the people over the case, he added.

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Earth Magnetic Field Reversal

Possible energy ramifications of diminishing magnetic field.  How long will it linger at zero before reversing?

by Mary-Sue Haliburton
Pure Energy Systems News

Seeing the powerful earthquakes such as the December 26th, 2004 event that triggered the tsunami disaster, people are looking for possible causes for the apparent instability of earth’s crust. “End-times” alarmists and backyard researchers believe that the predicted imminent reversal of the earth’s magnetic field may be a significant clue to these eschatological-scale events.

Scientists have been observing changes in the direction of earth’s magnetic field which took place recently as well as in the distant past. NASA’s website features a map showing the gradual northward migration of the north magnetic pole in the past century and a half. Since more than double the time interval has elapsed since the last reversal, compared to the time lapse between the previous two pole reversals, some believe we may be overdue for the next north-south flip. (1,2) However, though the interval between reversals of the Earth’s magnetic field can be as short as 5,000 years, it can also be as long as 50 million years. There does not seem to be any logic or rule governing the planet’s behavior.

It is not only the direction but also the strength of this magnetic field that is a concern. In the time of dinosaurs, at an estimated 2.5 gauss, it was eighty percent stronger than it is now. This may have been one of the reasons such gigantic life forms thrived. It is now accepted that a catastrophic event ended the reign of giant reptiles. However, they did not re-evolve to equivalent dimensions. And the disappearance of mammalian “mega-fauna” in more recent times is still considered to be a mystery. The mastodons and mammoths would have towered over modern elephants. Why are there so few large terrestrial animals today?

The smaller average size of modern animals may be due to the gradual decline of Earth’s “steady state” (as opposed to “pulsed”) magnetism. Thousands of years ago the Chinese, with their astute discovery of bio-electrical energy flows known as “meridians”, learned that magnetism promotes vigor in biological life. They used magnetic rocks in medical treatment. In the past century there has been a further decline of earth’s magnetic field by another five percent down to only 0.5 gauss. This has led Dr. Dean Bonlie to identify a “magnetic deficiency syndrome” resulting from the biological stress caused by the weakening of this “energy base” for life. (3)

The weakening of earth’s magnetism is one of the factors believed to be predictive of a pole reversal. That magnetic field reversals have occurred in the past is confirmed in the geological record. What is unclear is how precisely the transition occurs, and what happens to life forms extant at the time of this pole flip.

Does the magnetic field drop to zero gauss? Dire predictions follow upon the heels of this theory. Electronic devices would all be at risk: there may be damage to, or complete loss of, all near-earth-orbiting satellites and possibly the space station itself. Effects on life forms could range from migrating birds losing their sense of direction to immune system decline and even widespread die-off from radiation-induced cancers.

Losing its protective magnetic envelope, the atmosphere would expand and become thinner, possibly leading to altitude sickness near sea level. No longer filtered out, deadly cosmic rays would kill most if, not all, living creatures on the surface. Only those living in deep caves would be safe. This scenario has prompted some to build underground bunkers in hopes of surviving.

Countering this frightening vision, NASA predicts that, rather than declining to zero gauss, the magnetic field would become disordered. Thus we might for short time have more than one north and south pole on the planet. This official scientific stance says that the magnetosphere which shields us from cosmic radiation would not entirely disappear either. Thus, while communications would be erratic and perhaps at times completely inactivated, humans would find ways to survive. However, there are dissenters in the ranks, pointing to the vast South Atlantic magnetic anomaly and radiation damage to satellites over that region attributed to weakening of the protective magnetosphere. (4)

The disorderly-flip theory is supported by evidence from geology that in past reversals the decline was not total. Lava flows that solidified at Steen’s Mountain during a lengthy reversal process show that the magnetic poles wandered across the equator three times. Though strength of the field was reduced to about 20% of maximum, there is no record that it fell to zero gauss during that transitional period. (5)

The theory that activity in the turbulent molten outer iron core of the planet generates its magnetic field currently dominates scientific thinking. Stormy activity deep in the earth’s outer core, believed to be filled with roiling convection flows of molten iron, is understood to generate the planet’s magnetic field. Such violent seething could affect the mantle as well, possibly disturbing the earth’s crust and causing the quakes.

However, there is an alternate theory of how the magnetic field is generated. In his article, “Origin of the Earth’s Magnetic Field”, Ernest McFarlane outlines gaps in the molten-iron convection theory. He proposes a system of electronic cells in a crystalline metal core with hot spots of heavy metals releasing alpha and beta particles. Due to the high heat the alpha particles are unable to combine with the free electrons. “Consequently an electron current flow is produced and conditions are set up for the generation of current loops throughout the inner and outer core. … magnetic fields are produced as a consequence, in accordance with the right hand rule of electromagnetic theory.” (5)

Which theory is right? We may find out from experience sooner than we can come to amicable agreement, given the conflicting theories and computer models. The actual dynamics may include aspects of both, or new insights not yet fully developed.

The sun reverses its magnetic field like clockwork every eleven years at the peak of the sunspot cycle. The next solar flip is due in 2012. South-pointing magnetic flux moves from sunspots, which are intense magnetic loops near the equator of the sun, along “meridional flows” to the north magnetic pole, and vice versa. As the oppositely-directed charge accumulates at the poles the field declines, until eventually the reverse charge predominates.

Scientists point out that the heliosphere does not wink out of existence during this reversal. The sunspots are intense magnetic knots, much stronger than the star’s main field, which continue to spiral outward even when the main dipole field vanishes briefly. Though the solar magnetic reversal is not completely understood, the Ulysses space probe has sent back detailed data which has supplied answers to many questions. (6)

The mechanism that controls earth’s field reversals may not be based on similar principles. For one thing, a planet does not seem to have any equivalent to the powerful sunspots. McFarlane refers to there being more than one north-south pole system and about 10% of the total field being involved in smaller extra fields. If these subordinate minor magnetic fields take up more of the magnetic activity during the main field’s decline, they might become active enough to sustain a minimal protective layer shielding the biosphere, even if the main dipole field declines to zero gauss. This could be important for our survival, as the Steen’s mountain lava flows indicate that the reversal took 4,500 years to be completed! (5)

IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMANITY’S ENERGY NEEDS

Whether the magnetic field is primarily molten-metal flow dynamics or electron current loops, or a combination of those and other factors, a magnetic pole reversal may be of significance to the search for clean energy generation and transportation. If earth magnetic anomalies become more frequent or are concentrated in certain areas, we could see disruption of existing electrical grids, even without the dramatic atmosphere expansion and radiation damaging to life and computers.

PES Network Inc. wants to encourage people in all geographical regions to participate in magnetic-pole data collection and reporting. A community-editable directory page at PESWiki.com has been created for this purpose. It is recommended that you first establish a “base line” by determining the accurate magnetic north reading for your location, and report the number of degrees and direction of any deviation from this norm. If you are able to access equipment to determine field strength as well, this additional data would be of interest too.

This data may be useful in helping inventors and researchers test the tolerance of Zero-point technologies, magnetic motors and other new generation systems in adverse situations. As we may have to live through ongoing magnetic disturbance for a long time, we will need to know whether the new systems will be robust under conditions of planetary pole reversal.

Ordinary citizens do not usually have access to instrumentation that would allow them to examine the deeper layers of the planet, nor the high atmosphere, nor the magnetospheres in space. However, if many people collect observations on magnetic field direction from different locations across the continent of North America, and indeed around the world, this data may become relevant in more ways than feeding “end-time” theorizing.

The subject is complex, and whichever scenario may be about to occur, some individuals have been taking note of unusually large fluctuations in the apparent position of the magnetic north pole. Using a large, stationary, home-built compass, one individual in western Canada noticed a ten-degree variation within a few days. This was so unusual that, concerned about a sudden pole shift, he described and published his observations, and asked for input.

No one else was seeing this rapid “pole shift”.

On borrowing a very sensitive water-filled portable compass and quartering the area, he discovered that this was indeed a highly localized anomaly in which his domicile happened to be situated dead center. See his recorded readings at the link below. (8) He is now theorizing that the phenomenon may be a vortex related to the nearby extinct volcano Mount Ida. (9) Vortices have been known to occur in volcanic mountain areas, and in the past some have become tourist attractions.

Individual observations are of value, but need to be balanced by additional data from a much wider geographical area. Thus alarms about sudden general “pole shift” may be put to rest, and anomalies studied for what they are.

Ted Twietmeyer is one of those calling for volunteers to join in a non-profit effort (10) to track the magnetic pole shift — or apparent pole shift. Summaries and links to this data would be appropriate for the above-mentioned PESWiki directory.

Apple’s iPhone Not as Safe as Mac OS

The iPhone and the Mac OS are not too far apart; both are Apple products and both use the same operating system, just that the iPhone’s is more basic. In terms of security updates and patches, the iPhone is seriously deficitary – the latest update is four months old, it is from February! The device is set up to update regularly and it does so every time you access iTunes, just that there are no updates to download.

Here is Charlie Miller’s explanation, as cited by the Washington Post: “Apple should either update their software like they do with the core operating system, or otherwise don’t advertise the fact that the iPhone checks for updates every week. Right now, an iPhone user is going to think they’re up-to-date because there’s no patch available, but the reality is that users are only as secure as they were back in February”.

The software version used by Apple’s iPhones is 1.1.4, which indeed is the latest. But a vulnerability has been discovered in the Safari web browser which the device uses, way back in March, and a fix was issued in April, but for the Mac OS, not for the iPhone.

Because the iPhone software has not been updated or patched since February, it is vulnerable to attacks. Charlie Miller has already come up with a way of hacking into the iPhone and stealing the data within, data such as contacts info, call records, messages. His hack also allows him to send SMS messages or make phone calls without the iPhone user even noticing it. What does the user have to do in order to be hacked? It is as simple as clicking on a link!

There is one possible explanation to Apple’s apathetic response to the problem: it is channeling all its energy into launching iPhone 2.0 which will hit the market on the 11th of July.

7 problems with the new Apple iPhone

The new iPhone hasn’t even landed in stores yet, but already pundits are grumbling about the revised iPhone, based on demos and published specs, about what the new model has failed to fix since the first-gen device.

Yes, we get 3G and GPS, a way to connect to Exchange, and the new app store, but what about everything else? Forbes’ Brian Caulfield outlines seven (actually eight) iPhone disappointments, and most of these observations are spot on. Some highlights (get his full list here).

The cost – I’ve written about the value proposition of iPhone 3G already, and sure enough it’ll cost you an extra $160 or so over the next two years vs. the original iPhone. Worth it? It’s debatable, but I can’t blame people for not being happy about the service price hike.

The camera – Forbes notes that there’s still no flash and no video recording on the device. I’ll add the camera resolution: We’re going to see 8 megapixel cell phone cameras in the U.S. this year, and the iPhone is still stuck with a puny 2MP model? Many early rumors also had expected the iPhone 3G to include a forward-facing camera for videoconferencing use. Naturally that didn’t happen either.

The battery – Not replaceable. Again. On the other hand, this shouldn’t be a surprise considering that Apple is now actually making laptops without replaceable batteries, too.

No MMS – Again, the lack thereof. It just makes no sense. Apple is basically right that you don’t need MMS to send pictures on a device that has a full email client, but the problem comes when users of other phones send you a photo via MMS: You simply can’t view it on the iPhone. It’s a ludicrous limitation on what should be the most advanced phone on the planet.

I’ll add a few of my own complaints to Caulfield’s list:

No live TV – That YouTube feature was fun last year, but now it’s grown tiresome and old. Live TV is coming to all manner of handsets now as part of the standard data plan, but one gets the impression that Apple keeps it off the iPhone just so it can sell you TV episodes at $1.99 a pop instead.

No 32GB option – 8GB feels pathetically small in 2008. 16GB is really barely passable now. 32GB USB thumbdrives have been on the market since 2006, as cheaply as $140. I’m sure Apple will launch a 32GB model in the near future (another $100, please!), probably around Christmas, in the hopes that you’ll buy a third phone.

What a difference 20 years makes

Recently, Dr. James Hansen of NASA GISS gave his 20 year anniversary speech before congress, in which he was restating the urgency of the global warming crisis we now face. Warnings of tipping points,  and a call for putting “energy executives on trial for crimes against humanity and nature” were parts of that speech.

Here are the just published global temperature data sets for UAH (University of Alabama) and RSS (Remote Sensing Systems) and the 20 year time-line. Dr. Hansen if you are reading can you kindly point out where in the time-line the crimes occurred and tipping points are?

 

 

I would have thought the CO2 enhanced warming would have been further along by now. Maybe the graphs are inverted?

World’s first pregnant man delivers girl

The world’s first pregnant man has given birth to a baby girl.

Bearded Thomas Beatie, who began life as Tracy before having sex change surgery, delivered his daughter nine months after his wife impregnated him with donor sperm.

He was reportedly being kept away from other expectant mothers in hospital in Bend, Oregan.

Mr Beatie, a former Miss Teen Hawaii finalist, had hormone treatment and his breasts removed ten years ago before legally changing his sex to male.

But he kept his reproductive organs claiming he had ‘a right to have a biological child’.

The 34-year-old said earlier this year: ‘I feel it’s not a male or female desire to have a child. It’s a human need.’

One in five Aussie women indulge in cyber-sex

Melbourne, June 30 (ANI): Sex is not just limited to bedroom anymore, for women have found their sex haven in the virtual world as well, what with one in five Aussie women admitting to having a sexual encounter in an internet chatroom, reveals a new survey.

Conducted by author Joan Sauers for her new book ‘Sex Lives of Australian Women’, the survey questioned nearly 2000 women from around the country.

The survey also revealed more than 50 percent women in Australia had sent or received a sexual text message and one in five have starred in their own sex tape.

“As a society, we increasingly rely on technology to get the job done, whatever the job is. Have Australian women joined the cyber-sexual revolution?” News.com.au quoted Joan Sauers, as writing in the book.

The results indicated that the most avid participants in are women in their 20s (26 per cent) followed by those in their 50s (21 per cent).

In fact, a large number of women said that they found net sex “liberating”, “exciting”, “guilt-free”, empowering and safe, ensuring that there was no chance of STDS or pregnancy. However, there were others who described the experience as “empty”, “unfulfilling”, “demeaning”, “tacky” and “pretty lame”.

But, Sauers said that the number of women who had good experiences with chat room sex was twice more than those who had bad experiences.

One of the aspects of cyber sex is the use of webcam, for many women use it either with their partner or with strangers.

The survey also showed that young women are increasingly getting hooked on text sex using their mobile phones. While 70 per cent of women in their twenties had engaged in sexual SMS exchanges, the figure was 44 per cent for those in their forties and 34 per cent for women in their fifties.

In the mean time, 22 per cent of women in their twenties and 20 per cent of women in their thirties had been filmed or taped having sex. While some enjoyed the experience, not many were thrilled on seeing the results in the cold, hard light of day. In fact, a lot of them said they didn’t like seeing themselves on film because they looked “fat”.

“It was fine, but to tell you the truth … watching it again was hilarious … not erotic … my arse was NOT ever meant to be on a tape,” responded a 33-year-old mother from Western Australia. (ANI)

Servant of Talwar’s family friend remanded to CBI custody

Ghaziabad, June 28 (PTI) A court here today remanded Raj Kumar, domestic help of Talwar’s family friend, to 14-day CBI custody to enable it to carry out a detailed interrogation of the accused in connection with the Arushi murder case. The CBI produced Raj Kumar, arrested by the agency yesterday, in the designated court of Sapna Mishra and requested for his 14 days custody.

Lesbian and proud of it

It was 1995 when I first acknowledged to myself that I was attracted to a woman. It was a silent confession in the confines of my dorm room in college.

The thought of telling anyone would have meant admitting that I belonged to a category labelled ‘homosexuals’. How could I be one of THOSE people? I too, you see, was homophobic.

I was certain that I would not tell a soul about my feelings. After all, what would people think? That I was some psycho, some abnormal person, and god forbid a “lezbo”.

I felt ashamed of who I was and how I felt. I had after all grown up in a society where we believe that heterosexual people are “normal”.

I grew up in Delhi where the only gay people I had even heard of were, a hair-stylist and a clothing designer, both men. My coming out experience was extremely isolating.

It was 1997 and I felt the need to create a community for myself and for other women like me and so I founded an online group called “desidykes”. The group has now hundreds of us connected via email, sharing stories from coming out to parents, to dealing with the pressures of marriage.

I’ve received many emails from women thanking me for creating the desidykes cyber-community, not realising that they are indeed what make it what it is today – a great source of strength for those who too feel. Coming out has been an ongoing process for me, and may well be for the rest of my life.

I might proclaim I’m a lesbian on a talk show, and I might even write a column for HT City but as long as heteronormativity exists, I will always be asked whether I’m married (to a man), or if I have a boyfriend. There is no denying that I have come a long way from the time when I could not even dream of revealing my big secret.

Today, almost 13 years later, I find myself in a room with 16 others and here we are painting placards, preparing to go out on the streets this Sunday, claiming our identities, showing our visibility in numbers, and being proud of who we are. This Sunday, June 29, we come together to mark this historic event to proclaim our existence.

We want to challenge the oppressive regime of heteropatriarchy and want to climb out of its margins with pride. We want this country to know that we’re not as independent as we proclaimed on August 15 1947.

How can we call ourselves independent if we are still holding on to archaic British laws? Last but not least, we want everyone (gay or straight) in the city to come support us and acknowledge our presence as equals. The writer is an Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Photography and amp; Film.

She will be screening her films on sexuality at the India Habitat Centre on Sunday, July 6.