Mrs. Mecomber's Scrapbook

Talking technology, computers, and the Internet… for the average computer user

Archive for April, 2008

Leggo my Lego!

Apr 30

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in free programs, free stuff | Comments off

If you are as old as I am, you remember that old television commercial for Eggo waffles, where the kids scream at each other “Leggo my Eggo!” Eggo waffles were pretty good. I might even have screamed that at my brothers to get one.

Anyway… I’m quite off the topic, lol. There’s a new cute computer game for Lego lovers (I have two sons who have spent a small fortune on Legos). C|Net does a good review and has a download link. It sounds like a very cute game, and I’m sure my sons will love it. They are quite the Lego fans– they are members of the online Lego Club, too! So now, instead of buying tons of Legos, we can buy a ton of ram to run the new games!

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Hacked Grocery Store Beefs Up Security

Apr 30

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in security news | Comments off

I blogged about the grocery store, Hannaford’s, problem with security a few weeks ago. Hannaford’s is a huge grocery store chain here in the Northeast. I was affected by the data breach (as were most Northeasterners) and had to get new credit and bank cards. I am closely monitoring my statements, still.

To be more accurate, Hannaford’s security wasn’t the real issue; the finger of blame goes (once again) toward credit card companies. You can read more about it here.

But Hannaford’s is to be commended for their speedy response to this problem.

The supermarket chain Hannaford Bros. Co. has spent millions of dollars on additional security measures since last month’s revelation that hackers may have accessed up to 4.2 million credit and debit card numbers, it said yesterday.

The grocer, based in Scarborough, Maine, has stores in Massachusetts and several other states. It has started encrypting card numbers from the moment they are swiped at checkout counters. And it has tapped IBM to monitor security for its computer network around the clock.

But Hannaford’s top security executive said some other retailers are probably still vulnerable to similar attacks. “The latest threat wasn’t anticipated,” said chief information officer Bill Homa. “The bad guys are one step ahead.”

Hannaford told Massachusetts authorities it found unauthorized computer programs, called malware, on servers in more than 270 stores. When customers swiped their credit cards, the malware intercepted the data as it was transmitted from cash register to credit card processors.

The malware stored the data – card numbers and expiration dates – on store computers and later sent the information to offshore computers, where it could presumably be picked up by the thieves.

I am appalled– APPALLED– at the complete disregard bankers and companies, and the government, for that matter, have toward us and our data. It has gone too far and we really need to pressure these people to halt their data mining!

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Blogoria for Searching

Apr 28

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in blogs, networking | Comments off

Last I heard, there were over 7 million blogs. Holy cow, that’s a lot! I contribute to that batch– I’ve got 7+ going. Hee. Marketing all seven is SUCH a chore. I monetize most of them, so I am always keen for ways to connect with other bloggers, advertisers, and to increase my traffic. I use a variety of networks for these purposes; some work, some don’t. I also am looking for new blogs and bloggers to give me ideas for content, too. So a good, reliable Blogger Search website is crucial for my blogging business. I found another one and this one looks good. I see a few people I know already in the group. It’s Blogoria.com. Registration is easy and- get this!!!– using the website is a PIECE of CAKE! I hate having to hash through reams and reams of ads, profiles, and other junk just to find what I’m looking for. Blogoria is simple, sleek, and looks great! You can search by “channels” (topics), country, blog name, language, etc. And if you have blog(s), list them for more exposure. The more exposure, the better.

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Another Wordpress Update?

Apr 28

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in Wordpress | Comments off

I can’t believe it. A month after Wordpress releases their greatest, much-heralded new version (2.5), there’s another update to it already! I am flabbergasted. Updates are major events for many bloggers. I have five Wordpress blogs, so it’s a horrible hassle. Apparently, this new update plugs a few security holes and adds a few new features.

I wasn’t terribly impressed with the change from 2.3.1 to 2.5, honestly. There were some features I liked (the Dashboard organization is good), but some I loathed (not being able to switch widgets from sidebar to sidebar). I am very reluctant to move to 2.5.1… although I know I will very soon.

If you have Wordpress blogs and hate the hassle of updating them (*constantly*), check out a free plugin: Wordpress Automatic Upgrade. Remember: ALWAYS back up your MySQL files and backing up your Wordpress files with their handy exporter isn’t a bad idea, either (Dashboard >> Manage >> Export). And before using any automatic upgrader, it’s wise to deactivate all your plugins manually, even though the upgraders say they do it automatically.

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A Review of Renate’s Merilin Blog

Apr 24

Posted by Mrs. Mecomber in blog reviews | 2 Comments

Renate’s Merilin blog, titled Renate’s Merilinatomy, has got the be one of the funniest and most enjoyable blogs I’ve perused. I was absolutely tickled with the writing style. When I clicked the Renate link at the top, I was greeted with:

In Chinese, the sound ‘Renate’ means ‘bite the wax tadpole’.

LOL! OK, you’ve got my attention! What is a wax tadpole, though, ancient Chinese natural acne treatments?? I read on and was enjoying a high level of entertainment with this:

I’m Renate, and I Google everything. I was born on an autumn day in 1982 in the northern regions of Norway, where the hospital had their flag up, because a princess was born… I’m not your average Norwegian. I’m not tall, not blonde and I definitely do not appreciate a good snow day. You won’t find me whooping with joy as I swoop down the skiing tracks. You might find me at the bottom of said track, drinking cocoa and thinking about how my socks are wet, but I wouldn’t count on it.

Renate also studies history– an obsessive hobby of which I am also addicted. So what have we, between the two of us– we both love geekery, history, and humor. And I am of Norwegian ancestry!

Seriously, this is a fine blog for the more literary readers. There are also VERY FEW pictures. I saw NONE on the first page. It’s all Renate’s writing that the reader must connect with. And she does not disappoint! The style is fun, quirky, everyday, and masterful. Is Norwegian Renate’s first tongue? Because she writes like my English teacher: impeccable. This is a terrific blog for REAL readers.

About the theme. It’s a Wordpress-powered blog, and the theme is all home-grown by Renate herself. It is very sleek and I love the swirly emblem in the header. However, there are a few discrepancies. I see a very long html code tag in the sidebar, which detracts the eye and ruins the elegant look of the theme. Also, the titles to the posts are not clickable. Clicking the “permalink” link at the bottom of the post enables me to view the individual post, but it is one of those “picky” things about blogs that I personally prefer. And the comments, which I would like to follow, look like this:

Ikkje sånn kjempemange flere timan enn med tog, men betydelig mindre komfortabelt. Og så må æ jo uansett toge til Oslo for å ta bussen, så det hadde vært veldi digg å slippe å veksle så mellom transportan.

I guess I need to study my Norwegian a little more! I’ve been stuck on Swedish Chef Swedish for so long…

Everything else worked well. There is minimal content in the sidebar (reminds me of those Pergo ads I see in magazines– a beautiful wood-looking floor with just a few pieces of colorful furniture). I am used to the big baubles of American and Asian blogs, so the minimalistic Scandinavian look was something akin to culture shock. But I like it.

I like learning about how people live in other countries. Renate’s Merilin blog is wonderful for such a purpose. (And, Renate, I’m REALLY REALLY sorry about your home loan and the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis. It’s not my fault and I have been against the moneylenders schemes, ok?!)

In the mood for some good reading? Try Renate’s Merilin.

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