My LinkedIn profile is HERE.  Our company, Morn Enterprises is a registered New Mexico LLC, and I've been in technical writing and consulting since…well, forever.  (Okay, mid 1980s.)

We're both aces on networking technology, and if you want to see if I know how to handle XML, take a look at my main website.  Stephanie is a former programmer and systems architect, has written technical documentation for Cisco, Photuris, and Extreme Networks, and has a PhD in theoretical physics.  Me, well, I'm a total technogeek and have been in technical writing and editing for over 25 years now.  We're available in the general Albuquerque NM region, as well as for remote projects.

Not desperate — just looking to expand our business opportunities here, and I did pay for this here soapbox.

On a positive note, I found a nice black tourmaline cluster, embedded in a feldspar / quartz matrix.

The last few weeks, I've been dutifully charging and discharging as the battery manual suggested, letting the phone run down until it demanded the charger (<15%).  As of this post, it's been over five days since my last charge, with all functions left turned on (GPS, WiFi, 3G, data synchronization, automatic display brightness), and I still have 30%.

On update: With light use only, the phone lasted another day and a half on that same charge.  I put it on the charger last night just before I went to bed (2am) at which point it was at 17%.  Probably could've made it to morning if I'd left it — which means I'm getting up to a week on each charge.  Very, very happy with this battery.

Right now, if you visit a web page and load a simple PDF file, you may give total control of your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad to a hacker. The security bug affects all iOS4 devices and the iPad.

via Security breach gives complete access to iPhone – Technology & science – Wireless – msnbc.com.

For years, it's been my contention that one of the main reasons Macs and Apple computers of various flavors have not been actively exploited by malware and viruses has been the fact there was a much larger target available: PCs and Windows.  The latter situation was not helped by the oblivious Microsoft leaving so many doors open in their OS, the lack of built-in virus scanning software, initially no firewall at all, and so on.

Apple and many Apple computer owners (including iPhones, for these new smartphones actually are computers) insisted they didn't have a problem with viruses, trojans or malware because their systems were essentially bulletproof.  Others insisted it was impossible to infect Mac OS, and as a consequence there were no viruses, trojans, or Mac-affecting malware out there.

The reality (in my opinion) is they simply were not targeted because they weren't worth the bother, not as compared to the relative ease and numbers of the PC market.

A story I heard from someone in the computer security industry: There was a convention, and at one booth they had a table set up with a Mac on it, and a posted challenge to hack into it.  The computer sat there untouched for days…until the organizers put a new sign on it: "Hack this and win $10,000."  It was hacked within hours.

Now there are millions of iPhones out there, millions of iPads and iPods, and millions of owners are under the mistaken illusion their devices are invulnerable.  Devices crammed full of personal information, including the means to rip off credit cards, steal identities, stalk the unwary, and even turn the devices into zombies on botnets.  This, even though it's been known for years now that the iPhone could be infected.  There was even an iPhone-specific virus that spread through SMS messages a couple years ago.

Now there are enough Mac OSX-derived devices out there and enough non-savvy owners (along with the self-advertisement simply by carrying the latest Apple device, saying in essence, "Hey, I have disposable income!"), they have raised their visibility and vulnerability to the point where they've finally drawn the attention of the hyena predators.  It's like, "Forget these rabbits — sure they're prolific and a lot of 'em are pretty dumb, but they're getting smarter, faster and harder to catch.  Look at that huge flock of flightless birds — they can run, but they don't even know to be afraid of us."

Let me put it this way: Unless you never browse the web, never download any data, never connect your computer, touchpad or smartphone to another device — in other words, unless you never receive a single byte, your device — whether Mac, PC, Droid or any other OS –  is vulnerable, period.  No operating system on the planet is 100% secure.  Mac OSX and Safari may have been built to be tougher to crack than Windows and IE (not a very high bar to reach, really), and part of the strength is because OSX was architected on top of a decades-old robust UNIX-based operating system (which knows the number one rule of computing is "Trust No One.")  Nevertheless, part was because PCs were a more attractive target, being far more numerous and perceived as easier to hack (which, to Microsoft's detriment, they have been…although they've made considerable improvements in Win 7).  Most PC users now know about viruses and malware (even if they don't understand them), and despite those Mac vs PC commercials from a few years back, ignorance of these potential attacks shouldn't be a point of pride.

Moreover, tougher is not impossible, and with iPhones (and their kin) becoming more popular, I predict one day both Apple and Apple product owners will come to regret their "We don't need no stinkin' antivirus or firewall" attitude.  Their very culture works against the adoption of reasonable precautions.  (I can't begin to tell you folks how many times I've met with outright hostility when I expressed the opinion that Mac OS was less than utterly invulnerable.  The attitude problem only begins at smug complacency.)

In other words, once it becomes commonly known there's a huge neighborhood of affluent fools who think that because there haven't been any burglaries since the houses were built a couple years ago, there's no need to lock the doors and certainly no need to install an alarm system — the bad guys will come and rob them blind.  It's only a matter of time.

For what it's worth, to give fair's fair, if you don't jailbreak your iPhone/iPod/iPad and go nowhere but Apple's iTunes and App Store, you're probably safe.  But again, that's assuming you never fire up the web browser and go anyplace else.  And provided you also turn off rich media texting and instant messaging.  Heck, the only things that are safe are playing Apple-approved games, listening to Apple-approved music, watching Apple-approved video (no, not YouTube!), and making phone calls.

I'm not saying "Don't buy a Mac or iPhone or iPad" — that's not it at all.  What I'm pushing back against is the unwise and, in my opinion, unwarranted opinion that if it's from Apple, it's invulnerable.  The last several years, as they've had immense product success, but there's also been an increasing sloppiness as they rush the latest iterations to market.  Mac OSX is way, way more secure than any version of Windows, even 7 — but again, it depends.  Pirated software, infected USB sticks, phishing, malware, infected websites — all of these can be a vector to compromise any computer.  With millions of people walking around with these iPhones which are computers with additional means of communications — including WiFi (and a compromised hotspot is another potential vector, btw) — not taking simple precautions is just asking for trouble.  It's the equivalent of leaving a key under a pot outside your front door; someday it'll be found.

Even Apple recommends running antivirus software, and there's one free on the .Mac network (with subscription).  The problem is they're fighting against a culture of unwarranted complacency they themselves helped create.

Me, I'd rather load up a good antivirus / firewall program on my Windows machine and be beholden to no one.  Oh, and my new Droid phone?  I have antivirus on that, too.  Because I trust no one — not even the manufacturer of my computers, smartphones, operating systems, or software.

That is all.

(On edit: I have included a helpful diagram of the hardware architecture operating the 'Terrible Thing' and its resident rabid Brain Hamster.)

hat-tip to Digby

Breitbart: This woman is a racist!  See!  I have a heavily doctored video!  She used her position as a fed in the USDA to discriminate against white people!

Wingnut Noise Machine:  ALERT!  ALERT!  UPPITY BLACK PERSON ADMITS TO HATING WHITEY!

The Media:  Ooooh!  Quick, let's panic like a pack of four year olds upon seeing their first really big spider.  She is!  She is!  She weally is a wacist!  Fire her ass.

The Administration:  Aaaaaaaaaah!  Fire her!  Fire her now!  Quickly!  She's toxic and Glenn Beck is gonna do a story on her.  Panic!

Responsible people: Like hell.  Look at the rest of the video.  First of all, this was like 30 years ago; secondly, she was working for a non-profit organization, not the government, and thirdly, Sherrod's anecdote was all about her realizing she had the wrong attitude, that she should stand for ALL poor people, regardless of their color or origin.

The Media:  Er, um…  No way we were snookered that badly.  Must be something wrong with her.

The Administration:  Uh oh.  Activate ostrich mode!

Wingnut Noise Machine:  ALERT!  Those white people she helped — they're fakes!  They don't exist!

Responsible people:  Afraid she's not a racist, and those farmers are totally legit.  Oh, and by the way — her father was murdered by racist bigots during the civil rights era.

The Media and the Administration:  Oh crap.  We gotta make this right.

Breitbart:  No no — it wasn't about HER.  I was pointing out the racism of the entire NAACP.  See, they were hooting and hollering at her anecdote like a bunch of… well, you know.

Wingnut Noise Machine:  ALERT!  NAACP — are they total racists?  Also, did they collude with the Obama Administration to destroy this woman's career?  It would be irresponsible not to speculate…for hours and hours.

Responsible people:  Give Sherrod her damned job back.  Better still, make it a promotion.  And we want to hear some apologies.  After this ridiculous lynching, there better be a POTUS call, too.

The Media and the Administration (scuffing the dirt):  All right…  Sorry.

Sherrod is interviewed.  She's kinda p.o'd at having been railroaded like she was and for no good reason than the perfidy of the bigots and the cowardice of her supposed employers and friends.  She rightly calls Breitbart on his shit, correctly identifies him as a racist and as someone who'd probably like to see African Americans reduced to slavery again.

Wingnut Noise Machine:  ALERT!  Sherrod must apologize abjectly to Breitbart!  She's evil again!  Black woman disrespecting white guy who nearly got away with ruining her career!  Release the hounds!

The strongest and most expensive beer ever created sold out within hours Friday, a Scottish brewery said, as they courted controversy by packaging the bottles inside the bodies of stuffed animals.

BrewDog, the self-described maverick brewery, presented the beer — which contains a record 55 percent alcohol — inside the bodies of dead squirrels and stoats.

via AFP: Strongest ever beer served up in dead squirrels.

Okay… no comment I can make would top this.

110 proof beer… sold in dead squirrels and stoats.

Ingredients for one:

• One large portobello mushroom cap
• Vinegarette salad dressing
• One roma tomato, small to medium
• 1/4 tsp crushed garlic (about one clove)
• 1/4 tsp toasted sesame oil
• A little bit of olive oil
• Pinch of rosemary
• Salt and fresh ground black pepper
• 1/8 cup shredded or crumbled cheese, approx.
• One hamburger bun (any type, amazing on sourdough)

Clean the mushroom cap gently, taking care not to break it.  Remove the stem and use a spoon to carefully scrape away the gills, and discard.  With a barbecue brush, brush both sides of the mushroom generously with the vinegarette dressing; put it in a bowl and let sit in the fridge for about an hour.  (You can use plain store-bought Italian dressing, but it will tend to be more greasy.)

Meanwhile, begin heating the grill (treated with non-stick spray) or well-seasoned cast-iron grill skillet to medium-high.  (I used a grill-bottom skillet.)

Chop the roma tomato, throwing away any of the more liquid/slimy bits and the seeds.   In a small bowl, combine the chopped tomato, garlic, rosemary, sesame oil, and cheese.  I used cheddar/jack because that's what we had on hand, but feel free to substitute mozzarella, parmesan, colby, swiss, blue cheese, goat cheese — whatever you like.  Season with a little fresh ground pepper and salt.  Mix thoroughly.  Set aside.

Apply a very small amount of olive oil to the mushroom cap, mainly on the top-side; an easy way is to dip two fingers in the oil and rub it on gently.  This helps keep it from sticking.  Put the portobello on the grill or in the skillet gill-side down to start with.  Go ahead and use a grill press if you have one and are inclined to do so; it can squeeze out some of the excess moisture and applies the nice grill char marks.  After five minutes, flip the mushroom, put the press back on.  Begin toasting the hamburger bun around now; a dab of butter or olive oil on the facing sides is optional.

Five minutes after that, remove the press and carefully spoon the tomato & cheese mixture onto the mushroom.  Even if you've used a press, it should still retain a little of its concave shape.  Cover and let it cook for about two minutes more or until the cheese is obviously melting.

Serve on the toasted bun, lightly dressed — that is, go ahead and use the condiments of your choice — ketchup, mustard, or mayo — but go easy on them because this portobello burger will be juicy and flavorful without them.  I went with a touch of mayonnaise.  Feel free to add lettuce, sliced onion, pickles, whatever you like.

Serves 1.  Multiply the mixture as needed for additional mushroom caps.