Webroot Social Media Sobriety Test

Some of us may have regrets of posting a message on one or more social media websites after having had a big night on the grog. Whilst I don’t drink (and as a result don’t have this particular issue) I can possibly see some merit in a sobriety test for social media sites for those …

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Incoming Gadget: Nintendo 3DS

Recently, I posted a first impression of the Nintendo 3DS after having had a play with it during my trip to Japan with my wife just under a week ago. I was lucky enough to get out to Yodobashi Camera (???????) in Osaka on the morning of Friday 11/03/2011 before the 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck in …

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Specify a Particular Version of Java for Self-Hosted Applets

Yesterday, I looked at how you can run an older version of Java in parallel with an existing installation and then explicitly use the older version for all Java applications. Whilst this is an easy solution to implement it does create potential security risks for computers that are using older versions of Java containing known …

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Run Parallel Installations of Older Versions of Java

Java Control Panel

Sometimes when you update software to the latest revision it can sometimes break stuff or cause unexpected behaviour to surface. One such example is a particular Java applet I use from time to time and Java 6 Update 24 that was recently released which completely breaks the copy and paste functionality due to enhanced security …

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Nintendo 3DS: First Impressions (Japanese Model)

Promotional video for the 3DS

Last Thursday, I traveled to Osaka in Japan with my wife to go on a brief holiday and I planned to do a few things including getting a ride on a bullet train and checking out the Nintendo 3DS. Unfortunately, due to the earthquakes and ongoing aftershocks, I wasn’t too keen on trying the bullet train especially …

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Japanese Toilets: Honoured to Accept Your Waste

Western people are growing accustomed to an increasing number of electric or automatic gadgets. Things like rubbish bins with automatically opening lids, garage doors and automatic reverse packing in cars are just a few examples. However, even for us western people, the concept of an electric or automatic toilet can be a bit of a …

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Nuclear Power: A Polarising Technology

Just a quick one for tonight. For decades there has been debate over the benefits and drawbacks of nuclear power including aspects such as emissions generated during power generation as well as control and containment when the core needs to be shutdown in an emergency. Personally, I didn’t know where I stood on the concept …

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Japan Quakes of March 2011

Most people would have seen or heard the news about the quakes in Japan over the last couple of days and my wife and I were certainly not expecting to be experiencing it first hand on the 35th floor of The Ritz-Carlton in Osaka. There is nothing like the sensation of a building swaying from …

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Disable Keyless Entry Before Going on Holiday

Most cars still utilise traditional turn key locks in rider to restrict access and usage but a growing number of vehicles employ the use of keyless entry mechanisms such as the Toyota Prius and certain Lexus and BMW vehicles amongst others. Such systems usually include push button locking and the ability to start the vehicle …

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Save Cash by Booking Online

Another quick tip for today. A lot of companies these days have an online presence and, in the interest or keeping down staff costs, often refer people to interact online for things such as bookings, general information, transactions or support requests. Most of the time, whilst consumer can benefit from the convenience of using a …

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