Category: Soapbox

Soapbox style rants

Culture, hardware, Security, Soapbox, technology

My first purchase from a KeyMe kiosk and I have notes!

| be3n

KeyMe Kiosk

I have used MinuteKEY in the past to easily bypass DO NOT COPY keys. Today’s errand was more about a quick solution then a security bypass. I was just copying normal keys today.  Here is what i learned.  With MinuteKEY, you could only make batch copies of the same key.  In fact, the MinuteKEY kiosk locked your key into the machine until all the copying is done.  There were zero protections against DO NOT COPY keys.  They do however print keys right there in a variety of styles and colors.

MinuteKey - DO NOT COPY close Continue reading “My first purchase from a KeyMe kiosk and I have notes!” →

Culture, Internet, Politics, Soapbox, television

Last days of the #dailyshowlibrary!

| be3n

tiny hands tweeting

This small exhibit includes audio/video recordings from the Daily Show cast as well as Trump Survivors.  Even a set with a golden toilet and props to pose with. (i had to grab a tie, but it wasn’t long enough for me).  We were given name tags upon our arrival complete with nickname (mine was “Buzzkill be3n”).  you can see the whole exhibit in under an hour.  well worth the visit!

Sunday June 17th is the last day in LA.  631 N Robertson Blvd. 12pm-10pm.


be3n Trump #dailyshowlibrary set with golden toilet
Continue reading “Last days of the #dailyshowlibrary!” →

Corporations, hardware, technology

It’s finally fixed!

| be3n

 

As you can see, it did turn out to be hardware, a GPU and CPU (ouch!).  The flash storage was not it, but I figured that out eventually. This has been an issue since October!  With many fixes attempted.  It was a bit of a blow to my pride eventually having to turn to Apple, but they stepped up and got it done with only mild frustration on my part.   Plus, they picked up the tab as my warranty is certainly expired.  There comes a time when you realize that a fix would require more parts then you had at hand.  I have been enjoying my functional desktop again, just in time for the new iMac Pro to make it obsolete.

Corporations, Internet, technology

AOL Instant Messenger Shutting Down!

| be3n

AOL’s Long running messaging service will end on December 15th. Though it’s true that i rarely use it these days and that I actually lost my original account years ago… I have fond memories of this communications protocol.  I continue to communicate with people though AIM. Apple had strong links to it at the launch of iChatAV. #nostalgia  Well, AOL broke the news with a tweet.  ironic?

AIM sunset tweet: All Good things come to an end. On Dec 15, we'll bid farewell to AIM. Thank you to all our users!

Internet, Politics, Soapbox, technology

Ken Calvert’s Town Hall, he phoned it in…

| be3n

I tried to participate in Ken Calvert’s telephone town hall tonight, even recorded some of it.  Unfortunately, they never took my question or even my promised recorded voicemail.

Many of my comments were addressed by others and most were deflected by Representative Calvert.  I am certainly no expert on this stuff, but here are the points i would have brought up.

  • CRA bill – Representative Calvert seems to have missed the distinction between internet service providers that offer services like Google, Facebook, or Snapchat and telecommunications providers that provide the very lines on witch those services depend.   This is a critical distinction.  Unlike service providers, it is not so easy to just find a telecommunications provider who’s policy you agree with.  In most of America, they are practically monopolies.
  • Russians!! – Lifting sanctions preventing Russian intelligence agency from purchasing surveillance technology?  Why now?  Representative Calvert talked about apposing foreign manipulation of our elections, but what about foreign money buying influence?  Citizens united says money is speech, but what about foreign money?
  • Obamacare Vs Trumpcare – Preexisting conditions? Failing program? It is certainly not perfect (don’t get me started), but my family would be destitute if it weren’t for the Affordable Care Act.  The current offering as a replacement looks terrible and doesn’t include amendments for preexisting conditions.  What will next year bring?