• DEFCON-23Here are my DEF CON notes from the sessions that I attended and the presentation material that was shared:

    In addition my previous notes (all in PDF) are available for 22 (2014), 21 (2013), 20 (2012), 19 (2011), & 18 (2010).  I wish I started going to DEF CON sooner but it is what it is.

    Feel free to do what you want with the report – "I attend sessions so you don't have to." 😉

    I plan on attending DEF CON 24.  Follow along real-time on Twitter @technewsradio.

    UPDATE (8/3/2016): If you are a Chvrches fan and want to be interviewed in person at DEF CON 24 then message me on Twitter @chvrchespodcast.

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  • Acer-cromebook3picts
    Last summer (2014) I picked up a Asus C720-2802 Chromebook and posted a review on TechNewsRadio.com.

    I recently updated to a newer version (same form factor) — the Acer C720-3605.  I had originally ordered the Acer C720-3404  (which is the Canadian version), but ended up with the U.S. version: C720-3605.  They appear at least on the specification pages on Acer to be exactly the same other than model number (PDF spec analysis). I might have missed something so if there is a difference then please let me know.

    The main reasons for upgrading:

    1. Improved Performance (faster processor with dual-core)
    2. Additional RAM (4-GB vs. 2-GBs)
    3. Better HDMI output (for hooking up to a large monitor @ my home desk).
    4. More Local Storage (32-GBs vs. 16-GBs — excellent for watching more digital content)
    5. Needed a another computer @home for my daughter to use

    Here are some stats using Octane 2.0 test:

    OctaneTestBetween2AcerModels

    While I wasn't having any real performance issues with the 2802-series, I've found that I can experience the difference in browsing and streaming media with the 3605-series.  The hardware updates are definitely an improvement in real world usage from my perspective.

    All-in-all I have been very happy with Chrome OS and these two Chromebooks (the old one is now my daughter's main system).  For me the key selling points: great battery (more than 8 hours); excellent small form factor; responsive & comfortable keyboard; integration with Google services; and the simple OS updates & patches.

    I look forward to using it again as my main note taking system for DEFCON 23.

     You can order your own via this Amazon Acer C720-3605 link or this Amazon Acer C720-3404 link.  Prices seem to be all over the board so make sure you are comfortable with ordering the right model number at the right price.

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  • IMG_20150529_104124-COLLAGE

    On Friday, May 29th Carson and I went on a day trip up to Valencia, CA to ride roller coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

    Here are the rides we went on and they are prioritize with our favorites (high to low):

    1. Scream: Smooth, fun, easy to see where you are going, 
    2. Batman: Smooth, fun, easy to see where you are going.
    3. Twisted Colossus (new!): Very fast, long, not as easy to see where you are going, intense
    4. Gold Rusher: very simple, classic easy style
    5. Ninja: a lot like Batman but not as intense
    6. Viper: Very fast, bumpy for Carson
    7. Orient Express: slow and clam
    8. Grand Carousel: great way to end the day [only horses though 😦 ]
    9. X2: Way to scary
    10. Full Throttle: huge loop; slow at top (feels like falling – yuck!), plus one "trick" that we won't tell you about but we did not like it
    11. Apocalypse: Very jerky, long wait

    Basically we both agreed that we like smooth and easy to see where we are going roller coasters.  We don't like: feeling like we are falling, bumpy, and going backwards.

    All in all we really liked the majority of rides and look forward to going back sometime in the future.

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  • I am not an expert in photography but here is a tip that has been useful for me.  

    When I get a picture that has some sort of issue like to much light or not completely in focus, I do a conversion to black and white (B&W) to see what I get.

    Here is a recent example (using Picasa 3 on Windows) that looks pretty good to me:

    Carson's Birthday Party

    Do you have any other suggestions for situations like this?

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  • Nexus7vsNexus6-for-gps-google-maps

    I think I've found a good reason to keep my Nexus 7 (2013) as my daily GPS unit in my car compared to my new Nexus 6.

    Here is a Screen Shot #1 comparison (click on image for bigger resolution):

    Google Maps

    And here is Screen Shot #2 comparison (click on image for bigger resolution):

    Google Maps1

    It appears that since the Nexus 7 (left images) is a tablet and has more screen real estate then the smartphone Nexus 6 (right images) you get the alternative route time notifications as you are driving your selected route in Google Maps.

    These notifications are actually a great feature, and I use it all the time for making real time route changes.

    If anyone knows if there is actually a way to enable this on the Nexus 6 then please let me know.  

    NOTE: I did load up Waze on the Nexus 6 to see if that application had the route time notifications but from what I could tell it doesn't.

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  • Keyboard

    I recently picked up a Logitech Wireless Combo Mk520 With Keyboard and Mouse to use full time with my Acer Chromebook when I'm using it in desktop computer mode.  

    When I am in this mode I usually use the setup with a SAMSUNG T24C550 monitor as the primary monitor and the Acer's laptop monitor as my 2nd monitor off to the right-hand side.

    I like this setup because it enables wireless access to both the keyboard and the mouse using one USB port.  Previously I had a dedicated wireless mouse and then a bluetooth keyboard. However the bluetooth keyboard wasn't completely full-size, would periodically drop off connectivity, and was better suited to short-term typing like like periodic emails responses on my Nexus 7.

    The only draw back with the Mk520 is that the Function (F) keys are not ideally setup to match the icons on them.

    The keyboard uses the basic standard keyboard layout on most Chromebooks. So ESC is ESC (Escape) and:

    • F1: Go to the previous page in your browser history
    • F2: Go to the next page in your browser history
    • F3: Reload your current page.
    • F4: Open your page in full-screen mode
    • F5: Switch to your next window
    • F6: Decrease screen brightness
    • F7: Increase screen brightness
    • F8: Mute
    • F9: Decrease system volume
    • F10: Increase system volume

    At the very top of the keyboard is a media control area (3 keys): back, play/stop, forward. Those don't seem to work with videos.  But the sound control area (3 keys): mute, decrease sound, and increase sound do work.  And the WINDOWS button is a dedicated SEARCH button; the STAR button brings up the BOOKMARKS page list; and the CALCULATOR button goes into FULL SCREEN MODE.

    Over all the keyboard feel when typing is very good, and I like the pressure the keys have. In addition, I like the ability to tilt up the keyboard and to have it stand-up at 90-degrees for using your desk area for writing if needed.  I would recommend the keyboard if someone is looking for the same feature set.

     

     

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  • PCI-guidance

    The PCI Security Standards Council has released guidance (PDF) to businesses to show them how to use penetration testing to identify network vulnerabilities that could be exploited for malicious activity. [tbusinessnet.combankinfosecurity.com, news.google.com]

    There is also a discussion thread over on SANS.org Forums.

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  • Security-info-graphic

    The CISSP Domains (Effective April 15, 2015) will be changing:

    1. Security and Risk Management (Security, Risk, Compliance, Law, Regulations, Business Continuity)
    2. Asset Security (Protecting Security of Assets)
    3. Security Engineering (Engineering and Management of Security)
    4. Communications and Network Security (Designing and Protecting Network Security)
    5. Identity and Access Management (Controlling Access and Managing Identity)
    6. Security Assessment and Testing (Designing, Performing, and Analyzing Security Testing)
    7. Security Operations (Foundational Concepts, Investigations, Incident Management, Disaster Recovery)
    8. Software Development Security (Understanding, Applying, and Enforcing Software Security) 
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  • Here are my beer rankings by style. Nearly all of these are based on multiple tastings and from bottled or canned servings.  I personally find that beers on tap are better and can be harder to quantify. Maybe those should end up on a separate list.  I’ve also only included more mainstream offers vice one of a kind beers except in situations where I was blown away.

    Pale Ale

    1. Sierra Nevada’s “Pale Ale”
    2. Ska Brewing’s “Euphoria Pale Ale”
    3. Green Flash “30th Street Pale Ale”
    4. Twisted Manzanita’s “Prospect Pale Ale”

    India Pale Ale (IPA)

    1. Stone’s “IPA”
    2. Saint Archer’s “IPA”
    3. Bear Republic’s “Racer 5 IPA”
    4. Ale Smith’s “IPA”
    5. Pizza Port’s “Swamis IPA”
    6. Red Hook’s “Long Hammer IPA”
    7. Mother Earth’s “Kismet IPA”
    8. Sam Adam’s “Rebel IPA”
    9. Pizza Port’s “Mongo IPA”
    10. Hanger 24 “Columbus IPA”
    11. Mammoth Brewing Company’s “IPA 395”
    12. Lumberyard Flagstaff “IPA”
    13. Hop Knot “IPA”
    14. Big Island Brewhaus “Overboard IPA”

    Non-Standard IPA:

    1. Saranac’s “White IPA”
    2. Pizza Port “Sessionable IPA”
    3. Deschutes Brewery’s “Chainbreaker White IPA”
    4. Sierra Neveda’s “Blindfold Black IPA”

    Double IPA

    1. Ballast Point’s “Dorado”
    2. Green Flash “West Coast Double IPA”
    3. Karl Strauss’ “Big Barrel Double IPA”
    4. Rough Draft Brewing Company’s “Hop Therapy Double IPA”

    Ale (Standard)

    1. Widmer Brother’s “Alchemy Ale”

    Ale (Strong)

    1. Stone’s “Arrogant Bastard in Bourbon Barrel-Aged”
    2. Stone’s “Arrogant Bastard”
    3. Stone’s “Lucky Bastard”

    Holiday

    1. Sierra Nevada’s “Celebration Fresh Hop IPA”
    2. Anchor Brewing’s “Our Special Ale”
    3. Widmer Brother’s “Brrr Seasonal Ale”

    Wheat

    1. New Belgium’s “Snapshot”

    Lager / Golden Ale

    1. New Belgium’s “Summer Helles Lager”
    2. Kona Brewing’s “Big Wave Golden Ale”
    3.  Nui Brewing Kaua’i “Golden Ale”

    Belgium-Style (American)

    1. Green Flash’s “Le Freak Imperial IPA”

    Belgium

    • Brasserie Dubuisson Bush Ambree Triple

    Belgium Kriek

    • Cantillon Kriek 100% Lambic

    Oktoberfest

    • Sierra Nevada

     

     

     

     

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  • Over the last couple of years, slowly and surely there has been an air leak into our pool pumping system.  Everything seem to point to the old metal pipes underground with the line pulling water out of the pool to the pump more probable than line pumping the water back in the pool.

    This last month things got significantly worse and we'd need to do something.  There was just too much air in the line to pull water through the system to keep the pool clean.

    We got a couple of quotes to dig up the old pipes and replace them.  You know you are in trouble when both quotes came back in the same large ballpark called "Unaffordable."  

    I was curious of what type of portable pumping options there might be out there to keep things going until we could decide what to do.  So I started Googling. And then it hit me as I'm looking at these portable pumps — I had all the pieces they had.  I just needed  to run the pipping where the leak was over ground.  It couldn't be that easy could it? Well, it turn out to be significantly easier and less expensive that expected.

    Fixing-pump

    My friend Gary listened to my plan and agreed to help.  I got all the parts and pieces at Home Depot for under $40; and Gary was able to take my plan and make it work in just under 2 hours.  We capped off the old pipe, hooked up a new line from the pump into the pool, tested it for any leaks, and even created a DIY safety lid out of spare wood.

    The "re-mastered" system is working great, and I believe it will work long enough for us to figure out what we really want to do in the pool area and budget accordingly.  Thanks Gary!

     

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