Saturday, January 28, 2012

Right to control the private data..



Apple's 7 most stubborn decisions

Apple's legendary strong will has led to some puzzling product designs and choices -- some of which ultimately became trends, and others that decidedly didn't.

Right-click
Right-click
Apple's obsession with a one-button mouse dates all the way back to the 1983 release of the Lisa, the company's first PC to ship with a mouse.
According to Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs, the late Apple co-founder insisted on a one-button mouse for simplicity's sake. The three-button mouse Apple saw Xerox demonstrate was too busy and confusing, Jobs argued.
Jobs was so insistent that people use the mouse, that he designed the Macintosh without arrow keys. But as with the arrow keys, Apple eventually relented on right clicking.
With the proliferation of Microsoft Windows, which embraced the right click, Apple eventually enabled users to CTRL-click to simulate a right click. It then began to support right-click mice with Mac OS 8, which debuted in 1997. And with the 2005 introduction of the "Mighty Mouse," Apple finally made a mouse with a programmable button that could be used for right clicking.
Still, Apple hasn't fully embraced the right-click. Its new "magic mouse" is capable of right clicking, though users have to program the mouse to do so. The company even jokes that that the feature is available "if you're coming from a right-click world."




http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/27/technology/sopa_pipa_lobby/index.htm



Millions in SOPA lobbying bucks gone to waste

 @CNNMoneyTech January 27, 2012: 10:58 AM ET
Google blacked out its logo last week in opposition of the Stop Online Privacy Act and the Protect IP Act.
Google blacked out its logo last week in opposition of the Stop Online Privacy Act and the Protect IP Act.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The controversial anti-piracy bills that attracted tens of millions of dollars of lobbying for and against the proposed laws ironically were killed by free publicity.
"Old" media companies spent huge sums of money in support of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA). Those opposed -- Internet and "new media" companies -- lobbied hard and spent gobs too, though far less than their more organized rivals.
But Silicon Valley had a trick up its sleeve that trumped the millions of dollars more in lobbying muscle and the more established Washington presence of the old media guard: They reached out directly to their users for free.
Google, Wikipedia and others altered their homepages and websites in opposition of the bills last week, making the issue a topic of popular discussion across the country.
"The Internet really flexed their muscles during this fight, and their infrastructure helped them advocate their positions that others don't have at their disposal," said Michael Beckel, money-in-politics analyst at the Center for Responsive Politics.
It helped that the two bills were an issue that the public cared about. The opposition movement was trending on Twitter, and thousands of protesters joined in New York and San Francisco on Jan. 20 in opposition of the bills.
"When you have an issue that is salient, and the public cares about it, the money matters less," said Lee Drutman, data fellow at the Sunlight Foundation, a nonpartisan research organization. "Money matters more when it's a behind-closed-doors issue that hasn't faced much public scrutiny."
Lobbying analysts also note that it's really hard to change the status quo and pass legislation. Silicon Valley had the advantage of playing defense, which is a much better position to be in, experts said. There are so many hurdles to jump before a bill becomes law, so being on the opposition is always a good start.


Hackers could hijack mobile phones

Published: 27 Dec 11 10:49 CET
A tech expert has figured out a way that hackers could take control of mobile phones and make calls or send out unlimited numbers of text messages.
Karsten Nohl, who runs Security Research Labs in Germany, told the Reuters news agency that while hackers have been able to stage such attacks on a small scale, he believes multiple phones powered by GSM technology could be compromised at the same time.

“We can do it to hundreds of thousands of phones in a short time frame,” he told Reuters.

Roughly 80 percent of world mobile phone users, including practically everyone in Germany, use GSM networks. Mass attacks against phones in the networks could be particularly insidious because users wouldn't realize their phones had been compromised until they received their monthly bill.

Nohl is set to present his findings at a Chaos Computer Club conference on Tuesday, although he will not be providing technological details.

He told Reuters that not all wireless providers are equally secure. Germany’s T-Mobile offers decent protection against hacking attacks, but other providers are much weaker, he said.

In any event, no wireless provider provides 100 percent protection against hackers, although many could improve their security simply by updating their software, he said.

“None of the networks protects users very well,” Nohl told Reuters.

The Local/mdm


http://www.thelocal.de/sci-tech/20120119-40191.html

Looking at food 'prompts appetite hormone'

Published: 19 Jan 12 07:15 CET
The feelings of hunger that suddenly appear when looking at pictures of food are not all in the head – German researchers have shown they are in the blood too.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry in Munich showed that levels of a hormone which controls appetite increase when a person sees images of food.

They have suggested that people trying to lose weight should avoid seeing pictures of delicious food as far as they can.

The researchers led by Axel Steiger took eight healthy young men for the study, and measured the levels of ghrelin in their blood. The hormone not only controls appetite but also plays a role in digestion.

They recorded a rise in ghrelin levels when the men had been showed photos of pizza, schnitzel, ice cream or chocolate cake – despite the fact that they could not be physically hungry, having recently eaten breakfast, Die Welt newspaper said.

Other hormones associated with the metabolism such as leptin and insulin were not affected by the pictures – and levels of ghrelin did not change when the men were shown non-food pictures. 


http://www.thelocal.de/sci-tech/20120118-40189.html


Germans join internet blackout protest

Published: 18 Jan 12 16:03 CET
German political and tech groups blacked out their websites on Wednesday, in support of protests against proposed American laws critics say could hamper the free exchange of information online. 
The symbolic protests by operations as diverse as the Green Party, the Chaos Computer Club and the popular German blog Spreeblick, mirrored the self-blockage of the English-language Wikipedia site.

It has been leading the charge against the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA), currently winding their way through Congress.

Though major entertainment industry groups in the United States including the Motion Picture Association of America and large television and book publishers support the legislation, tech-focused companies including Google and Yahoo have come out strongly against it. 












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ไทรไข่มุก สาริกาลิ้นทอง สาลิกาลิ้นทอง [Main : หน้ารวมเกษตร พรรณไม้] ไทร ไข่มุก สาริกาลิ้นทอง สาลิกาลิ้นทอง เป็นตัวเดียวกัน แล้วแต่จะเรียกครับ เป็น ไม้มงคล เกี่ยวกับการเจรจา ค้าขาย การขยายพันธุ์ ขยาย พันธุ์ โดยการ ปักชำ จุ่มยาเร่งรากชนิดเข้มข้น แล้วผสมยากันเชื้อราด้วยก็ดี หรือตัดมาแช่ในน้ำ รากก็จะงอกออกมา ตอน หรือ ทาบกิ่ง จะยุ่งยากไป เป็นไม้กลางแจ้ง แดดแรง ๆ ใบจะงอกงามและมีตุ่มแดง ถ้าแดดจัดตุ่มจะออกเขียวอมขาว ยิ่งตัดกิ่งยิ่งแตกออก http://www.bloggang.com/viewdiary.php?id=all4u&month=02-2007&date=03&group=11&gblog=8 http://gotoknow.org/file/kanda-da/list?page=35 Hedera helix. English Ivy. Origin: Europe. High light plant with some direct Hedera canariensis Algerian Ivy Origin: Canary Islands, North Africa High light plant; 8" pot size; comes very full with trailers to 18" or more; leaf size over double that of English Ivy; large bright-green maple-leaf shaped glossy foliage; low maintenance; can be trained to a trellis; makes a wonderful cascade in a hanging planter; 22.00 Hedera helix English Ivy Origin: Europe High light plant with some direct sun; variegated; 8" pot size; 12 - 15" height with some trailers; plant will revert to green in lower lighting; many cultivars available; tiny, star-like leaves in chains along stems; 20.00 http://www.landscapeproductsdepot.com/trailing_plants.htm http://blogs.chron.com/diggingin/2008/12/ http://blog.scs.sk.ca/greenemailsignatureinitiative/2010/01/english_ivy.html http://blog.scs.sk.ca/greenemailsignatureinitiative/2010/01/english_ivy.html Hedera helix 'Goldheart'. http://lifeamongtheleaves.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-heart-belongs-to-hedera.html http://www.keith-allen.co.uk/garden/photo.htm http://www.gcnursery.co.uk/pics/top5.html http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/newsletters/hortupdate/jan01/hujan01.html English Ivy (Hedera helix) ________________________________________ Since they are vines, English ivy lends itself quite well to training into topiaries of various shapes. They are also useful simply as pots containing several individual plants as shown in the photograph. Occasional pruning keeps the plants compact and attractive. Mid-winter is an excellent time to take and root cuttings of English ivies. The plant in the photograph is a result of five individual cuttings stuck directly into the pot and placed in a shady area of the garden for about a month. Take four to six inch tip cuttings and remove the leaves from the lower third of the cutting. Using a pencil or similar dibble stick form holes in the media before inserting the cuttings and firming the media around each one. The application of rooting hormones will increase success with the cuttings but is not necessary. Water every two or three days as needed to keep the media uniformly moist during the rooting period. English ivies prefer shaded areas and can become scorched in hot, sunny exposures. A real advantage to having some pots of these plants is that they are quite cold hardy and do not need to be taken indoors during winter. They also thrive in brightly lit areas inside the home. http://www.fassadengruen.de/eng/uw/climbing_plants/uw/english_ivy/english_ivy.htm English Ivy Hedera helix // colchica (Persian Ivy) Home (German) Home (English) Climbing Plants - Summary http://www.beautifulbotany.com/Stock%20G-I.htm Hedera helix 'Variegata' – Variegated English Ivy – vine http://www.cryleaf.com/fs/hangers.html http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/groundcovers/hgic1105.html Ivy Prepared by Marjan Kluepfel HGIC Information Specialist, and Bob Polomski. Extension consumer Horticulturist, Clemson University. (New 05/99. Images added 03/07.) HGIC 1105 Printer Friendly Version (PDF) Ivy plants include English ivy (Hedera helix), Algerian ivy (Hedera canariensis), and Persian ivy (Hedera colchina). Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata) is an unrelated climbing plant used in similar ways. For information on poison ivy (Rhus radicans) see HGIC 2307, Poison Ivy. English, Algerian, & Persian Ivy Mature Height/Spread: English ivy is an evergreen creeping vine forming a dense mat of dark green foliage. It spreads horizontally over the ground, 6 to 8 inches high, or climbs on walls, fences and trellises up to 50 feet high. The plant has woody stems and climbs by aerial rootlets that cling easily to brick or masonry, but less so to wood. The vine has rich, shiny, dark green, lobed leaves that hold their color if protected from winter sun and wind. Mature plants bear round clusters of small greenish flowers, followed by ¼-inch blue-black berries. 'Glacier English ivy in winter. Karen Russ, ©2007 HGIC, Clemson Extension Hedera helix 'Arborescens' is plain green; 'Glacier' has leaves variegated gray and green, with pink and white margins. 'Baltica,' 'Bulgaria' and 'Hebron' are very hardy forms with small leaves. Very small-leafed forms are 'Conglomerata,' a slow-growing dwarf; 'Hahn's Self-Branching,' with light green leaves and dense branching; and 'Minima' with leaves ½ to 1 inch across. Many cutleaf and variegated cultivars exist. Algerian ivy (Hedera canariensis) has shiny, green leaves 5 to 8 inches wide, with three to five shallow lobes, more widely spaced along the stems than on English ivy. 'Variegata' or variegated Algerian ivy has leaves edged with yellowish white. Persian ivy (Hedera colchica) has oval to heart-shaped leaves, 3 to 7 inches wide and to 10 inches long (largest leaves of all ivies). Persian ivy is more cold hardy. 'Dentata' is faintly toothed. ' Dentata Variegata' is marbled with deep green, gray green, and creamy white. 'Sulpher Heart' has central gold variegation. Large-leafed Algerian ivy growing along a walk Millie Davenport, ©2007 HGIC, Clemson Extension Landscape Use: All are wonderful evergreens for shady locations. They are most useful on north- and east-facing banks, under trees where grass will not grow or as an underplanting between shrubs. The plant roots hold the soil, discouraging erosion and slippage on slopes. Roots grow deep and fill soil densely. Ivy climbs almost any vertical surface with aerial rootlets (small roots along the stem). Many small- and miniature-leafed forms of English ivy are useful for small-area ground covers, hanging baskets, and training to form intricate patterns on walls and in pots. Some are grown as houseplants, but if planted in protected sites, most are hardy. Cultivation: Plants perform best in rich, moist soil, well-supplied with organic material. They prefer shade, especially where summers are hot, or leaves may scorch. Plants are easy to grow from cuttings, many of which already have aerial roots. Plant in the spring and space the plants 1 foot apart for quick coverage within one year. Otherwise, it is more economical to space plants 18 to 24 inches apart. Most ivy groundcovers need trimming around the edges two or three times a year. When the ground cover builds up higher than you want, cut it back with hedge shears. Do this in spring so that new growth quickly covers bald look. Ivy can be a haven for slugs and snails, and rodents also, especially when it is never cut back. Problems: Fungal diseases, which may occur, are leaf spot, gray mold and root rot. Bacterial spot and canker can also be a serious problem. Nematodes, which are microscopic worms that live in the soil and feed on plant roots, may cause stunting of the plants. Spider mites may be a problem in hot, dry locations. Boston Ivy Mature Height/Spread: Boston ivy is a deciduous broadleaf plant, which will grow to a height of 50 to 60 feet when supported. The reddish-bronze new growth turns glossy, dark green in summer and changes to orange-red in fall. This vine bears clusters of blue-black berries. Cultivars include 'Beverly Brooks' with large leaves and bright red fall color; 'Lowii' with small leaves, creating a finer texture; and 'Purpurea' with reddish-purple summer foliage. Landscape Use: This plant is mainly used as a climbing vine. It is one of the best vines for covering structures or supports quickly. It has the potential to damage masonry walls and buildings due to its adhesive disks that cling to structures. The plant will cover windows and doors when given free rein. Cultivation: This plant prefers moist soils and partial shade to full sun. It tolerates a wide range of soil types and it also tolerates city conditions, but is less tolerant of drought, heat and sun than Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). Plant two-year old plants. Prune annually to keep the plant in bounds. Problems: Boston ivy does not suffer from serious pests. Spider mites may be a problem in hot, dry locations. Boston ivy is sometimes confused with poison ivy, because it also has three leaflets. Boston ivy is not poisonous, but the best policy is to avoid plants that look like poison ivy. Page maintained by: Home & Garden Information Center This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. Cultivation and uses Hedera helix in Szczecin-Zdroje, Poland Mixed green and yellow leaves of the cultivar 'Buttercup' It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. Within its native range, the species is greatly valued for attracting wildlife. The flowers are visited by over 70 species of nectar-feeding insects, and the berries eaten by at least 16 species of birds. The foliage provides dense evergreen shelter, and is also browsed by deer.[5][10] Over 30 cultivars have been selected for such traits as yellow, white, variegated (e.g. 'Glacier'), and/or deeply lobed leaves (e.g. 'Sagittifolia'), purple stems, and slow, dwarfed growth.[11] [edit] Ethnomedical uses In the past, the leaves and berries were taken orally as an expectorant to treat cough and bronchitis.[12] In 1597, the British herbalist John Gerard recommended water infused with ivy leaves as a wash for sore or watering eyes.[13] Because of toxins also contained in the plant, it should only be used under the consultation of a qualified practitioner.[14] The leaves can cause severe contact dermatitis in some people.[15][16] [edit] Ecological damage Hedera helix is considered an invasive species in a number of areas to which it has been introduced, such as Australia[17] and parts of the United States.[18] Like other invasive vines, such as kudzu, it can grow to choke out other plants and create "ivy deserts". State and county sponsored efforts are encouraging the destruction of ivy in forests of the Pacific Northwest and the Southern United States.[19][20] Its sale or import is banned in Oregon.[21] It is considered a noxious weed across southern, particularly south-eastern, Australia and local councils provide free information and limited services for removal. In some councils it is illegal to sell the plant. Ivy can easily escape from cultivated gardens and invade nearby parks, forests and other natural areas. Ivy can climb into the canopy of trees in such density that the trees fall over from the weight,[20] a problem which does not normally occur in its native range.[5] In its mature form, dense ivy can destroy habitat for native wildlife and creates large sections of solid ivy where no other plants can develop.[20] [edit] References Well maintained / pruned ivy in late winter. It is essential to cut back the areas towards the roof regularly to prevent building damages. Ivy on a townhouse, the neighbouring houses kept free of ivy. Ivy can grow to 20m height and more, and without pruning can lift roof shingles and block downpipes. Ivy “tree” at the entrance to the Museum Bergen at Ruegen / Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Such a form can only be achieved with regular trimming or / and by using the mature form “Arborescens”. Ancient ivy on the corner of a house, mature form “Arborescens” Ivy is very suitable for greening fences, meshes etc Ivy on a stainless steel mesh, side wall of a bus shelter Evergreen ivy as a symbol of eternal life is an integral part of churches and cemeteries. Unfortunately, due to this “graveyard” character, many people don't like ivy. In our latitudes ivy is definitely evergreen and frost resistant (to approx. 500 m above sea level) Ivy is a popular climber because it is evergreen and is excellent for covering extensive wall areas. Requirements Sunny (full sun) to semi-shaded Position. Soils rich in nutrients and humus with good water provision. Growth and Leaves A self-clinging climber, or "sticker." Of particular interest for façade greening are the wild ie non-hybridised species and juvenile forms, which are generally good climbers with adventitious stem roots and, in moderate climates (Zone 6a and up), are reliably evergreen. The native form Hedera helix is a particularly reliable climber, while Hedera colchica is only reliable in optimal positions. The Irish Ivy Hedera helix “Hibernica” is particularly vigorous, but also less reliable in developing adventitious roots. Hedera helix “Woerner” is known to be especially frost resistant. Once an ivy can no longer grow further upwards, it will stop climbing with stem roots and convert to the senescent form “Arborescens”, which develops simple oval, acuminate leaves instead of lobed ones, grows as shrub only and is sold as a different species altogether. Flower and Fruit Flowers in September, a fragrant feasting meadow for bees! Fruit during or after winter. Bird food. Growth Support Systems For heights to 10m and more, it is recommended to install cables to assist climbing / attaching and also to prevent the plant from collapsing, because during a storm and especially if wall plaster is brittle, entire leaf mats may separate and collapse. For suitable rope systems refer below. Light and Medium, if necessary also Heavy Duty Support Systems. In addition, weaving the plant into fences, wire nets, trellises etc is very decorative. Pruning Possible at any time and often necessary to restrict growth as illustrated and described in photos. General Comments Ivy grows in a strongly light-shunning manner and can cause considerable building damages, especially when brickwork and render have cracks into which the ivy can grow and blast them apart with increasing stem girths. We are often asked how to treat the remainders of the adventitious roots after ripping down the plant from a façade during its renovation. The only way is to burn off / torching the plant traces and repaint the wall. Alternatively, to prevent such damages one can use horizontal climbing barriers such as projecting window sills (Photo) or if necessary, install metal sheets at a certain height to prevent the ivy from climbing any further, at least temporarily until the next pruning ... Poisonous fruit! Cultivation and uses Hedera helix in Szczecin-Zdroje, Poland Mixed green and yellow leaves of the cultivar 'Buttercup' It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. Within its native range, the species is greatly valued for attracting wildlife. The flowers are visited by over 70 species of nectar-feeding insects, and the berries eaten by at least 16 species of birds. The foliage provides dense evergreen shelter, and is also browsed by deer.[5][10] Over 30 cultivars have been selected for such traits as yellow, white, variegated (e.g. 'Glacier'), and/or deeply lobed leaves (e.g. 'Sagittifolia'), purple stems, and slow, dwarfed growth.[11] [edit] Ethnomedical uses In the past, the leaves and berries were taken orally as an expectorant to treat cough and bronchitis.[12] In 1597, the British herbalist John Gerard recommended water infused with ivy leaves as a wash for sore or watering eyes.[13] Because of toxins also contained in the plant, it should only be used under the consultation of a qualified practitioner.[14] The leaves can cause severe contact dermatitis in some people.[15][16] [edit] Ecological damage Hedera helix is considered an invasive species in a number of areas to which it has been introduced, such as Australia[17] and parts of the United States.[18] Like other invasive vines, such as kudzu, it can grow to choke out other plants and create "ivy deserts". State and county sponsored efforts are encouraging the destruction of ivy in forests of the Pacific Northwest and the Southern United States.[19][20] Its sale or import is banned in Oregon.[21] It is considered a noxious weed across southern, particularly south-eastern, Australia and local councils provide free information and limited services for removal. In some councils it is illegal to sell the plant. Ivy can easily escape from cultivated gardens and invade nearby parks, forests and other natural areas. Ivy can climb into the canopy of trees in such density that the trees fall over from the weight,[20] a problem which does not normally occur in its native range.[5] In its mature form, dense ivy can destroy habitat for native wildlife and creates large sections of solid ivy where no other plants can develop.[20] [edit] References http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedera_helix