David Burd and Dr. Richard Shurtz, President of Stratford University, host Tech Talk, a program about computers and information technology.
     Links to selected programs are below. All programs are archived in RealAudio format. Just click on the RealAudio link below the date to listen. You can listen live over the Internet by clicking ListenLive during show time.

• MSBlaster Variant Author Arrested
  • July 16 Vulnerability Announced
  • July 20-25 Sample Code Released on XFocus Site
  • August 10-12 Worm Hits Internet
  • August 29th Jeff Parson Arrested
  • Script Kiddie Responsible for One Variant Bragged About Exploit
    • Jeffrey Lee Parson
  • 18 year old high school senior known as “Teekid”
  • Hopkins, Minnesota
  • Website t33kid.com included code for the worm (p2p.teekid.c)
    • Whois Registry for t33kid.com lists Jeff Parson with home address
  • Parson's also hacked Minnesota’s Government office
    • Leaving message “site hacked by Teekid.”
  • Modified Blaster by adding a Backdoor Trojan
  • Faces up to 10 years and $250,000 fine
  • Microsoft Has Released FAQ about Blaster
    • http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/blast.asp
  • Get the Tech Talk Blaster Autoresponder with directions for removal and protection by emailing: msblast@stratford.edu
  • The bright side of Blaster.....security holes are now patched
  • Code release is not new for new vulnerabilities
    • David Litchfield released code for Slammer Worm on Jaunary 3, 2003 on the SecurityFocus website to help the security community
    • His code was used for the production version of slammer
• SoBig Part of Spammers Counter Attack
  • DDoS Attack of Open Relay Blacklist Sites
    • Open Relays are mail servers that are configured (inadvertently) to relay email
    • They are used by spammers to send email
    • Open Relay sites are discovered and listed by Open Relay Blacklists
    • Many ISPs block all email orginating from blacklisted open relays
  • SoBig designed to create more open relays
    • Propagates through email with  million infections within 24 hours after fixing bus on August 20th
    • Used by spammers to send email
    • Set up open relay on host machine and waits for updates from 20 master sites
    • FBI is attempting to seize the master machines to track down the hacker
  • Spammers suing AOL saying that spam filters violate their freedom of speech
• GPS Navigation System, 3rd Generation
• DVD Data Disk covers US and Canada
• Voice directions with route recalculation
• Includes Points of Interests (Gas Stations, Restaurants)
• Choose shortest, fastest, toll or no toll, highway or no highway
• Surprisingly accurate
• Portable Battery Summary
  • Online Book Explains the Basics
  • Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad)
    • First high density battery, need deep discharge, oldest technology
  • Nickel Metal Hydride (NiNH)
    • Higher energy density than NiCd, non-toxic, needs deep dischage
  • Lithium Ion (LiIon)
    • No memory, age even if not used, low maintenance
    • Preferred technology for Laptops and Cell Phones
• Microsoft Forced to Change Internet Explorer
  • MS Loses Patent Infringement Suit in Chicago
  • Patent 5,838,906 covering mechanism for embedding objects within distributed hypermedia documents with a control path to objects implementation to support user interaction with the object. Related to what Microsoft calls ActiveX (formerly Object Linking and Embedding OLE)
  • Eolas vs. Microsoft
  • Will require payment of $520 Million in Royalties
  • MS Coordinating with W3C to formulate changes that will have a minimal impact of existing webpages
• Do Not Call List Update
  • 41.7 Million have registered their phone numbers
  • Sunday deadline for first batch of numbers with October 1st start date for blocking
    • Website address: www.donotcall.gov
    • Phone number: 1-888-382-1222
  • Who is covered
    • Law covered interstate sales calls from for profits
    • Non-profit organization calls still permitted
    • Intra-state calls still permitted
• US Sponsors Anonymiser for Iran
  • Allows Iranian IP address to bypass site filters (it does block porn sites)
  • Same technology was used for Iraq
  • IP address is changed daily as the site filter is updated by Iran
  • A bill that passed the US House of Representatives last month would create an Office of Global Internet Freedom that have up to $50 million dollars per year to help citizens of foreign repressive governments skirt Internet censorship
• MailBag
  • Are machines from computers stores as good as dealer machines (John O’Master)
  • What websites provide free firewalls (Emma Gilliard)
  • Retrieve data from old harddrive (Dan Benson)
  • Can I use two firewalls (Dick St. Clair)
  • New IT job, what certifications do I need? (James Young)
  • Go to Control Panel, Network Services, Microsoft Network services
  • How can I get a large partition using FAT32 for WindowsXP
• Stratford News
  • Dates to Remember
    • Next Start September 8th, 2003
    • Next Seminar September 25th, 2003 (Trends in Wireless Technology)
  • Program News
    • New Digital Design and Animation Program
    • Networking and Security Undergraduate Programs
    • Includes Linux and Wireless
    • Enterprise Business Management
    • Telecommunications

• Tech Talk Guests
  • Billy Ball, Linux Guru, Adjunct Faculty, Stratford University, Author of over 15 Books about Linux/Unix
  • Gina McCabe, Faculty, Stratford University, Graphic and Web Designer  Extraordinaire
• Linux News
  • Joe Pranevich's excellent wrap-up of new features in the upcoming 2.6 series of Linux kernels. (http://www.kniggit.net/wwol26.html)
  • Red Hat's Web site with links to info about upcoming releases. (http://www.redhat.com)
  • Get the latest news and a link to more than 200 different Linux distributions. (http://www.distrowatch.com)
  • A program that enables MS Office 97/2000 to run on Linux systems (http://www.codeweavers.com)
• SCO versus IBM/Linux
  • If you want SCO's side of the story (which can change each week), browse to its home page (http://www.sco.com)
  • Red Hat, Inc.'s  response to the SCO FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt). (http://www.redhat.com/advice/speaks_rhletter2.html)
  • The definitive Open Source  Initiative's response and research paper detailing the facts and falsehoods of SCO's claims, along with a corporate history of UNIX. (http://www.opensource.org/sco-vs-ibm.html)
• Tips for Linux Newbies
  • Hardware Requirements
  • Available Distributions
• Rogue Linux Installs On the Rise
  • Unofficial Linux installs create security problem in corporations
  • Using VMware to allow multiple operating systems to run on same machine
• Microsoft and Open Source
  • High on Microsoft Risk List
  • Number One is the Economy
  • Number Two is Open Source Software
• MS Running Windows and Linux Side-by-side
  • Linux is now deployed in MS test centers
  • Attempted to get performance comparisons
  • Attempting to prove that total cost of ownership for Windows is lower
• Elements of Good Web Site
  • Visual Communication and Navigation
    • Learn Good Design by Looking at Bad Design
    • Web Pages That Suckbpages
  • Good hosting site
    • Bandwidth, Space, Management, Support
    • WebMasters.com is recommended
  • Select and Purchase Your Domain Name
    • Network Solutions is the largest registrar
• The First Disposable Digital Camera
  • Ritz Dakota Digital and the Walgreens Studio 35 Digital
  • Hold 25 pictures with a two-megapixel resolution
  • Enough for enlargements of up to 8 by 10 inches
  • Cost $10.99
  • No display
• Buying a Digital Camera
  • Resolution (Megapixels)
  • Memory (Compact Flash, Memory Stick, Smart Media, Secure Digital)
  • Zoom (Optical, Digital)
  • Input/Output (USB, Serial, Firewire)
  • Size and Form Factor
  • Convenience of Menu System
• Wireless Update
  • 802.11g In the Stores (good option)
    • 2.4 GHz  and backward compatible with 802.11b
    • 54 Mbps (single duplex) with effective throughput of 20Mbps
    • 3 non-overlapping channels
  • 802.11a is loosing ground
    • Main advantage is 8 non-overlapping channels.
    • Also 54 Mbsp
    • Not backward compatible with b
  • Multimode receivers available (g/b, a/b, a/b/g)
• New War Driving Antenna and Gear
  • Cantenna (www.cantenna.com)
    • 12 db Gain
    • Circular Waveguide, Linear Polarization
    • $19.95
  • Orinoco Wireless Card (with Lucent Chip Set)
  • NetStumbler (www.netstumbler.com)
• Stratford “Trends” Seminar Series
  • Trends in Open Systems (August 26, 2003) – Billy Ball
  • Make reservation at seminar@stratford.edu
• China Seeking To Become Technological Lead
  • Will avoid royalty payments
  • Will give Chinese companies a competitive advantage
  • China Developing Cell Phone Standard
    • Rejecting CDMA and GSM 3G standards
    • Standards will be developed by TD-SCDMA Industry Alliance
    • Alliance of Chinese companies
    • Cisco, Ericson, Motorola, and Nokia may be loosers
  • China Developing DVD Standards
    • China said it was developing a format called Advanced Versatile Disc (AVD)
    • Some consider it a ploy by Chinese manufacturers to strike a better deal on royalty payments to the DVD manufacturers which is $4/unit.
  • China Developing Digital TV Standards
    • Chinese government has opted for the European digital video broadcasting-cable (DVB-C) standard as transitional platform
    • China's domestic standard should be finalized this year.
    • It will boast of interactive functions, better support for data services and is more user-friendly compared with DVB-C
    • China hopes to save royalty fees of $40/set, which would be over $3.6B for all 100 million cable viewers.
  • China Plans Rival Format to MPEG Audio-Video
    • Manufacturers currently pay $1/device
    • New standard will be known as AVS to be implemented 2004
• Stratford News
  • Dates to Remember
    • Next Start September 8th, 2003
    • Next Seminar August 26th, 2003
  • Program News
    • New Digital Design and Animation Program
    • Networking and Security Undergraduate Programs
    • Includes Linux and Wireless
    • Enterprise Business Management
    • Telecommunications

• Tech Talk Guests
  • Paul Renard, Dean, School of Information Systems, Stratford University
  • Dr. Adil Rajput, Program Director, Stratford School of Graduate Studies
  • Dr. George C. Blankenship. Jr., Adjunct Faculty, Stratford University
• MSBlast (LoveSans) Worm Attacks Microsoft
  • Worm exploited buffer overflow vulnerability in Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
  • RPC vulnerability is found Windows2003, WindowsXP, Windows2000, WindowsNT
  • Worm forced host machine to reboot every 100 seconds and launched a Distributed Denial of Service Attach on Microsoft's Update Website
  • Once installed in a new host, the program scans the Internet for other vulnerable hosts using Port 135
  • For complete instructions for dealing with this virus, email msblast@stratford.edu to received an autoresponse.

• Selecting  Your Laptop
  • Dimensions and Weight (4 to 10 pounds)
  • Display (12 to 16 inch size, 15 optimal, Resolution)
  • Optical Drives (CD-ROM, CD-RW and CD-DVD ROM combo, CD-DVD RW)
  • Hardrives (30 to 80GB, 4,200 to 5,400 RPM)
  • Memory (256 Min, 512 Optimal, 1024 Max)
  • Main Processor (CPU)
    • Reworked Desktop Processors
      • AMD Athlon 4-M, Athlon XP-M and Duron-M (all with PowerNow!)
      • Intel Pentium III-M, Pentium IV-M, and Celeron-M (all with SpeedStep)
    • Truly Mobile (Built from Ground Up)
      • Intel Pentium-M (with enhanced SpeedStep)
      • Transmeta Crusoe (with Code Morphing software interface)
  • Graphics Processor
    • Dedicated Video Memory (8 to 32MB common for mobile)
    • Shared Memory for Desktops
    • Gamers should look for at least 4X AGP
  • Communications Features (56K modem, Ethernet, Wireless)
  • Ports (USB 2.0, Firewire, Multimedia)
  • Battery (Lithium Ion, 2 hours minimum life, 4 hours optimal, Greater than 5 nirvana)
• Building the Mobile Chip from the Ground Up (Two Approaches)
  • Transmeta Crusoe
    • Very Long Instruction Word (VLIW) instruction set
    • Code Morphing Software Interface to match x86 commands to VLIW
    • Architecture permits a significant reduction in transistors and power
    • First new chip architecture in years
    • Slower than Pentium M….but uses less power
  • Intel Pentium M (code name Banias)
    • Developed by Isreali design team that worked on the failed Timna project
    • Modified Architecture
      • Pipeline shorter than P4 longer than P3
      • Micro operations fusion for better pipeline utilization and higher IPC
      • Better Branch Prediction than P3
      • Better stack management
      • Large 1MB L2 cache with low power access method
    • Higher Instructions per Clock Cycle (IPC) 1.3 GHz P-M equal to 2 GHz P4
    • Impressive performance…achieves both low power usage and high processing speed
  • Ultra portables and portables with long battery life use either Crusoe or Pentium M
• Intel’s Dilemma Making the Slower Clockspeed Pentium M Attractive
  • Centrino, a product suite, is the marketing angle
    • Low Power Processor
      • Pentium M (1.3 to 1.6 GHz)
    • Low power chipset 855 for the motherboard
      • 855PM is a discrete memory controller hub
      • 855GM Chipset included integrated graphics
    • Integrated Wireless (the weakest of the centrino suite)
      • 802.11b now…..later a/b…..later a/b/g
      • Automatic switching not compatible with some VPNs
  • Clock speed is not discussed…..mobile power computing with wireless networks and long battery life are.
  • That renegade Intel Israeli design team has done a good job….
• Quick Overview of Laptop Market
  • PCWorld Midsized Laptop Reviews
  • PCWorld Ultralight Laptop Reviews
  • CNET Midsized Laptop Reviews
  • CNET Ultralight Laptop Reviews
• What is in your Dell anyway?
  • Acer reveals that it is a major supplier of Dell parts
  • Dell does not make it own parts
  • It assembles them
  • A superb supply chain management system
• Who Profits from Spam Anyway?
  • Juan Garavaglia, (aka Zuper Zonda) sends out 30 to 40 million spams/day
    • In one case he collects mortgage information
    • Sold to Ameriquest, Quicken Loans, LoanWeb, Ivy Mortgate
    • They bought the leads from a lead generator
    • Leads are resold before they reach the final customer
    • Yourleadsource.com in Colorado is one middle man (affiliate)
  • Another spam use is traffic driving
    • Affiliates paid for each click through
    • Span used to generate click throughs
    • Target site does not spam
  • ISP Make Money Too
    • Recent bankruptcy of spammer, Ron Scelson, showed Bell South (56K) and Cable & Wireless (4K)
    • Three years ago, AT&T and PSINet were both caught with spammer deals where they sell bandwidth well above normal rates (so called Pink Contracts)
  • Even organ enlargement spam is profitable
    • Amazing Internet Products from New Hampshire
    • Recently customer list was stolen and publisher
    • Braden Bournival 19 year old owns company
    • His is also VP of the New Hampshire Chess Association
    • Sister stuffs the envelops
    • Grosses 500K/month from one affiliate (Goringly.biz)
• Stratford “Trends” Seminar Series
  • Trends in Information Systems (July 23, 2003) – Richard Shurtz
  • Trends in Open Systems (August 26, 2003) – Billy Ball
  • Another current topic will be presented each month
  • Make reservation at seminar@stratford.edu
• Wireless Speakers
  • 900 MHz Speakers are available (but no surround sound systems, low quality)
  • 2.4 GHz Speaker Transmitter/Receivers are available (but no surround sound systems, 3Mbps/channel)
• Stratford News
  • Dates to Remember
    • Next Start This Week, Then September 8th, 2003
    • Next Seminar August 26th, 2003
  • Program News
    • New Digital Design and Animation Program
    • Networking and Security Undergraduate Programs
    • Includes Linux and Wireless
    • Enterprise Business Management
    • Telecommunications

• Siggraph Held Last Week in San Diego
  • ACM SIGGRAPH has grown from a handful of computer graphics enthusiasts to a diverse group of researchers, artists, developers, filmmakers, scientists, and other professionals who share an interest in computer graphics and interactive techniques.
  • This years exhibits included more complex animation
  • “This all centers on Moore’s law, Darin Grant, Chair of this years convention, Software and hardware prices are going down and capabilities are going up.
  • Off-the-shelf software that stole the show: Maya and Adobe Photoshop.
  • Award winning Exigo was a nightmarish battle between armor-clad warriors and goblin, was created by several unknowns fro Hungary.
• Joel on Software Book Review
  • Rick Chapman’s Book, “In Search of Stupidity"
  • Why did Microsoft succeed?
    •  #2 in 86 and #1 in 2001 in software company earnings ranking
    • Only software company to make both top ten lists
  • MS did not make a fatal mistake and stayed on top
    • Forced by programmers (like Netscape’s code rewrite)
    • Forced by WallStreet (like Ashton Take or Lotus)
  • Was run by programmers who were business men
• Wi-Fi Bubble Is Bursting
  • Paid hot spots are a bust
  • T-Mobile is bleeding red ink
  • Free hotspots are low cost to install and can piggyback on a DSL connection
  • Great new idea for small business owners…give away connections..get customers
• Using Wi-Fi for Home Media Broadcasting
  • The Old Way
    • Problems with the CD Jukebox
    • Wiring the Stereo System and All Those Speakers
  • The New Way
    • Use the Wireless LAN for Music Distribution
    • Rip CD songs into MP3 files
    • Place all MP3 in a central repository with suitable subdirectories
    • Download and install a free Broadcast Server (SHOUTcast from WinAmp)
    • Receivers need computer, wireless card, player.
    • Just point player at port 8000 of server and listen
• Microsoft Security Flaw May Trigger Next Worm
  • Uses vulnerability in RPC portion of DCOM
  • Flaw in virtually every Windows computer
  • 75% of all computers in US affected
  • Code has been distributed for a worm attack against TCP Port 135
  • Won’t spread as fast as slammer which was UDP
  • Homeland Defense is urging all Windows users to install patch.
• WorldCom in the Hot Seat Again
  • Redirecting traffic to by-pass origination and termination fees
  • Termination fees are usually 2 to 3 cents per minute on interstate calls
  • Traffic sent through Canada or laundered through small phone companies
  • Header information forged with fake originating address
  • Long distance calls may look like local calls on caller ID
  • Saved over $1B since 1994
  • Called “Project Invader” or “Project Scorpion”  Classified company secret.
  • US Governments may bar Worldcom from Federal Contracts
    • Temporary ban for 1 month.
    • GSA considering whether is should extended to 3 years
• Data Dump Required Before Flights
  • Date of birth, home address, phone numbers will be checked
  • Look for people wanted for “crimes of violence.”
  • Look for domestic groups accused of terrosism
  • Exclusions praised by Electronic Frontier Foundation
    • No health or financial data will be used.
    • Information will be retained for days, not years
    • No IRS or deadbeat dad databases will be used
• Stratford “Trends” Seminar Series
  • Trends in Information Systems (July 23, 2003) – Richard Shurtz
  • Trends in Open Systems (August 26, 2003) – Billy Ball
  • Other topics will include Information Security, Wireless Technology, Digital Design and Animation, Telecommunication Technology, Network Management, e-Business, Web Services, Security and Biometrics, 64 Bit Processing on the Desktop, and Broadband Regulatory Ease
• DVD Standards (Revisited)
  • DVD-R and DVD-RW (first and most prevalent)
  • DVD+R and DVD+RW (a close second)
  • DVD-RAM (data backup only)
  • Latest multi-standard writers are the best bet
    • Get a Dual DVD Writer (+ and -) if backup is not important
    • Get multi-DVD writer (+, -, and RAM) if backup is important
• Laptops Sales Dollars Top Desktop
  • Dollar value of laptop sales passed that of desktop computer sales in May
  • Hot Technologies Wi-Fi (b or g)
  • Centrino processor includes 802.11b option
  • Mobile processor –M increase battery life
  • 15 inch screens the norm (Apple has a 17 inch screen)
  • Touchpad or Track Point instead of a mouse
  • Some sport HDTV widescreen…but pay the price in weight
  • Not much Bluetooth play
• Stratford News
  • Dates to Remember
  • Next Start This Week, Then September 8th, 2003
  • Next Seminar August 26th, 2003
  • Program Update
    • New Digital Design and Animation Program
    • Networking and Security Undergraduate Programs
    • Includes Linux and Wireless
    • Enterprise Business Management
    • Telecommunications