Remember when Anonymous was not a CoIntelPro Operation?

Anonymous CoIntelPro

Source - Anonymous.

© The Weirding, 2018

US Patent 6506148-B2 - Remote Manipulation through TV

US Patent 6506148-B2

Nervous System Manipulation by Electromagnetic Fields emanating from TVs, computer monitors, and similar devices.  Patent US6506148-B2 was granted to Hendricus Loos of Laguna Beach, CA in 2001.

This silent weaponry is in widespread use throughout the US, and presumably other countries.

© The Weirding, 2017

Brief Interruption

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have to pause regularly-scheduled posts and regroup. It seems some, if not all, of our files may have been infected by the WannaCry trojan or one similar. There is no doubt that our backups were infected, and we know this to be intentional -- what we do not know is which, how many, or exactly what kind of infection they have.

While we were able to clean-up some files (we hope), we do not want to risk spreading anything, and are afraid to access backups and some accounts due to this.

We'll be back soon.

© The Weirding, 2017

Antikythera Mechanism Solved?

Antikythera Mechanism - AP

Speaking from a conference at the Katerina Laskaridis Historical Foundation Library in Greece, researchers claim to have made great strides in determining what the 2100+ year-old Antikythera Mechanism was used for.

Discovered in a shipwreck off of Crete in 1900, the Antikythera Mechanism was long thought to have been used in some manner for Astronomical and Astrological means. Similar devices are mentioned in ancient texts. But researchers have been able to use modern technology to read the Greek text on the mechanism, some of which is merely ¹/₂₀^th an inch wide.

According to a team of scientists who have worked on this for decades, the Antikythera Mechanism was not only used to determine the position of the moon, sun, and stars, but to predict lunar and solar eclipses. Interestingly, one of its functions may have been to predict the color of these eclipses, although the reasoning behind this is unknown.

The team also said that it appears the Antikythera Mechanism was manufactured by at least two people, maybe more, and was not the work of a single individual.

© The Weirding, 2016

PC Problems

Hi guys (and gals), just wanted to let everyone know that I am still having issues with the "new" laptop I purchased months ago. I am having to send it back to the factory yet again in hopes that they can fix it, but I do not have high hopes that they will be able to do so, as no one there seems to know what is wrong with it.

I have a spare tablet to use in the meantime and I'll try my best to post here, but I can make no promises. Being without a computer for this long has thrown everything into a tizzy, so I'm not making any plans to do anything involving computers right now. I haven't even been able to play World of Warcraft in several months despite still paying for a subscription... I've lost so much work that once I do get a PC to work here (and I don't have high hopes for that, either), I'm going to be pretty busy making up for lost time in that area.

© The Weirding, 2015

New Laptop

I spilled tea all over my laptop last week and had to purchase a new one. It is scheduled to arrive later today and will take a few days to setup, including downloading and installing software which may include Windows 10. I had just purchased that laptop about six months ago and it may still be under warranty, but I have to drop it off at a store location and cannot do so for a few days.

It's been one thing after another the past few years, largely due to the faulty wiring in my home which I cannot afford to have fixed at this time. This incident was (hopefully) a freak accident that has never happened before, but I'm not as laptop savvy as most. This was only my second laptop and the first was struck by lightning shortly after I got it, so I have yet to get used to having one around and paying attention as to where it is, and so forth.

Anyway, I wanted to let you all know the situation.

© The Weirding, 2015

Computer Desk Broke

My one and only computer desk broke a while back. The partition you pull out from the desk and set your keyboard on just fell onto my feet! Had I not been sitting the way I was, it might have broken something... luckily, I was fine.

Apparently, some screws or something are missing, and it just fell off these heavy duty drawer slides that held it up. It's many years old, so I ordered a new one but it has yet to arrive. I got one a while back but it was subpar and didn't even come with all the parts. After trying to set it up for about a week, I had to send it back. Money's been really tight lately, so I'm doing what I can.

Registry Repair

It seems like every other time I load a program, it wants me to download some new update or patch. All of this constant modification to programs and the underlying system can lead to serious registry issues you might not even be aware of until you start experiencing performance problems. Registry repair can be confusing and problematic - it can actually cause more problems than it fixes if you do it wrong - so it is usually best to use a trusted program that knows its way around. Be sure to backup your registry before you begin, too!

Computer Woes

The new updates released by Microsoft the last few days hosed a program or two on my PC, so I'm repairing it now. It's been working since about 11:30am yesterday and is somewhere in the neighborhood of 30% complete... I got absolutely nothing done today. Yesterday, the phones were out in my area for most of the work day. I got nothing done then, either.

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

Boy Sold Kidney for iPad

Five have been charged with illegal organ trading over an incident involving a 17-year-old boy who sold one of his kidneys for enough money to buy an iPad. The boy, who has not been identified, is now suffering from renal failure and other complications. The surgeon who performed the operation was among those charged for the crime. The boy was paid nearly $5,000 for his kidney.

This all took place in China. The boy is from one of the poorest provinces in the country - a province most people leave to look for better jobs. It is also said that illegal organ trading is becoming a bigger problem in China, as demand for organs outstrips donors. Apple products are the most popular, but also the most cost-prohibitive.

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

New Computer

I just got the new computer - the latest in a long string that I've been forced to purchase due to continued lightning strikes on the phoneline - and am setting it up and working out the kinks and so forth. I will probably be away for a few days doing this, though I cannot say for sure. Luckily, I use a third-party bookmarks system, so all my bookmarks are intact.

There are also storms in the area, as there have been off and on all week, and I am unplugging the modem when the weather gets bad in the area. This is another reason things have been slow here lately.

© C Harris Lynn, 2012

It Happened Again!

Lightning traveled through the phonelines and destroyed a fourth (or fifth - I've honestly lost count) computer Friday night. I went offline and IRL all weekend and actually enjoyed it, but it sucked not being able to get back online at all until last night. Then I had to spend hours updating and loading software on the backup computer I bought on the offhand chance that this might happen again.

Anyway, I am still working to get everything together on this new computer. It will be a few days, then I have to get the information off the old hard drive onto this one, which could be a few weeks. It's a madhouse here, A MADHOUSE!

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Another "New" PC

I have "new" in quotes because it's actually a refurbished machine I bought off of eBay, but it's new to me. I bought it after lightning struck the house Saturday and destroyed my brand new HP-Pavilion, which HP then refused to repair because it was an "Act of God." Needless to say, I won't be purchasing anything else from Wal-Mart or HP.

I'm still getting it up and going, and I have to try to slave the old hard drive to it later today to save myself $50-100.00; otherwise, I'll take it to the local computer shop to have them do a data transfer.

I'll be posting along the way.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

Man Updates Facebook During Standoff

A known Utah criminal managed to keep friends and family members updated via Facebook during a tense 16-hour standoff in a motel room. Jason Valdez held a woman hostage while SWAT team members waited outside his motel room. Valdez apparently continued to update his Facebook profile during the standoff and even received helpful tips from Friends following the ordeal.

When SWAT stormed the motel room, Valdez shot himself in the chest. He is listed in critical condition.

© C Harris Lynn, 2011

'Apostle' Decrees USB Satanic

The "Apostle" Welder Saldanha of the Paz do Senhor Amado sect claims USB connections are Satanic because the symbol resembles the trident of Satan. The cult, whose name translates into "Peace of the Beloved Lord," allowed its followers to trade-in their USB cords and connections for those more in-line with the Word of Jesus Christ.

I do not know if said Apostle has heard of FireWire, but I tend to think he wouldn't approve.

© C Harris Lynn, 2010

30-Hour Power Outage

Sorry. The power went out at around 4:30p Wednesday afternoon and didn't come back on until 9:30-10:00p last night!  The phone was also out, but it turns out that's because the storm killed my Vista box!!!  Luckily, I have this trusty Win 98 back-up.  I can't afford to have the Vista computer repaired right now; it would take every dime I have.  Maybe I can have someone look at it in a few weeks.  In the meantime, I'll make-do with this superior piece of machinery.

Anyway, I didn't get your Ghost Adventures preview posted yesterday, but it's a few hours before the show, so I'll get it to you in a few.

© C Harris Lynn, 2009

UPDATE:  May have been some sort of glitch. - 2018

The X Contest

Do you know much about XML? I am not a programmer, though I have played around a bit throughout the years. In fact, back in Windows 3.11, I coded some programs which allowed me to move groups of files from the command line (as opposed to moving them individually), but that was no real feat of programming; basically, it was a batch file compiled into an executive. From what I can fathom of XML, it is an entire... engine, for lack. Honestly, I'm a bit lost and nothing I have found explains it clearly.

Of course, those who know about it have no problem understanding all the concepts and terms involved, so instead of embarrassing myself with my lack of knowledge, how about I just explain to you what the IDUG contest is:

IDUG is sponsoring a contest for all levels of mastery - from the simple, armchair hobbyist to professionals - to increase both awareness of, and familiarity with, XQuery, XML and DB2. There are several ways to enter.

You can make a video, which is judged monthly by the community. You can also do the same with a gadget or widget (also monthly). Port an application into one of the languages (are they languages? platforms?) - the winners of this are determined by a panel of judges. You can also develop an app under one of the languages - also judged by panel. And finally, you can answer a series of questions by developing queries in Xquery - the prizes get bigger as the queries get harder.

Again, I am not a programmer, but I wouldn't mind learning more about things like this - if only I had the time. This definitely sounds like a fun and easy way to get recognized for your talent, as well as hone your skills - and get prizes for doing so! SO if you happen to know a thing or two about XML, Xquery, or DB2, make sure to follow the link and find out more today! If you enter, let us know - and let us know how you do! Good luck!

MoD Keeps Losing Files

The Ministry of Defense admitted to having "lost" more than 100 USB memory cards since 2004, some of which contained files classified as "secret."

Further, they said something like 650 laptops have disappeared, as well. Many of their laptops were not encrypted at the time -- actually, just this year, they have recalled over 20,000 laptops to encrypt them. Those that were incapable of being encrypted were removed from service.

Some of the information that has been lost includes:

• The personal details of 25 million people, collected by the IRS
• Files on counter-terrorism, which were left on a train
• A laptop containing 600k peoples' personal information

Liberal Democrat MP, Sarah Teather, said, "This shows a shocking degree of incompetence."

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Self-Replicating Robot

I am not sure what to make of this one, so I am just leaving you the link so you can decide for yourself.

It is certainly neat, but I'm not sure what practical use one could find for it. Of course, the article notes that you make your computer build you your own printer, but I think it would be easier to buy one - pre-built - and certainly faster. Of course, if I understand the basics, once it made one, it could make several others, so you could develop a nice, little side-job, making printers for the neighborhood.

I don't know, but check it out and let me know what you think.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008

Machines Will Have AI by 2029

One researcher has predicted that machines will have human-level intelligence by 2029.

Ray Kurzweil, an American Inventor, suggests that the dark future of Cyberpunk is upon us. By 2029, not only will computers and machines have achieved human-level intelligence, they will be routinely implanted into humans to improve our skills sets, intelligence, and more, as well as "automatically go into full emergent virtual reality environments through the nervous system."

In the Cyberpunk tabletop role-playing game, fully-supported by The Weirding, based on sci-fi literature and films, this type of technology is commonplace. Nanotechnology and virtual reality simulation is a routine, and integral, part of everyday life. This is not a plug; I bring this up because I am intimately familiar with the concepts as put-forth in the literature and games of the Cyberpunk genre, so I have some small insight into this topic.

Within the genre, most characters are neurally-enhanced by cybernetics, which allow them to "login" (called "jacking-in") to everyday appliances in order to symbiotically enhance their use. For example, soldiers jack-in to their weapons, making them "smart guns," which improve their accuracy. In this example, the soldier's aim is improved tremendously because his nervous system is cybernetically boosted; instead of having to concentrate on aiming, he simply points his weapon in the general direction of what he is trying to hit and the machines within his body send a signal to his hand to pull the trigger when the target is in the weapon's sights.

Also featured in the game are "chipsets," which basically grant the characters skills without them having to study. If a character wants to "learn" martial arts, he simply buys a martial arts chip, which implants the knowledge into his brain and body. While this was developed straight from the Neuromancer novel and series (on which The Matrix movie was based), advancements in computers have since changed the idea somewhat.

In the game, written in the 1980s, these chipsets function as independent floppy-disks on which this information is stored; when the chip is removed, the character loses the abilities associated with the chip. The Matrix movie suggested a method far more likely to come to bear: one where the information is downloaded into/onto the brain. Both require cybernetic implants connected directly to the central nervous system.

Kurzweil was one of 18 "geniuses" chosen by the US National Academy of Engineering to outline the technological challenges facing humanity in the 21^st-Century.

© C Harris Lynn, 2008