MindComet

Defcon 18

On July 29th, I hopped a plane to Las Vegas to attend Defcon 18.  There I went to talk after talk given by bright minds in computer security, absorbing knowledge of security threats—all with the intent of bringing it back to MindComet, where I could apply what I learned about security weaknesses to the quality assurance process. About a week after my return, I gave a lunch presentation to the company, laying out some of the big issues that are applicable to our work. Below is an overview of the pieces of the talk, with a quick summary of what you’ll find in the undecorated slides:

 
• Connection String Parameter Attacks - Methods of abusing database connection strings, with insights on how to prevent the attacks.
 
• Decoding reCAPTCHA - Cutting edge of breaking Google’s reCAPTCHA, and insights in what to look for when evaluating anti-spam.
 
• App Attack: Surviving the Mobile Application Explosion - Massive security overview of Android and iPhone application security, with security pitfalls to avoid.

Click below to view the presentation.

Read More & View Comments

Posted by carneywilson on Aug. 24, 2010

International Space Station Tour

Back in the beginning of 2009, astronaut Mike Fincke gave a thorough tour of the International Space Station. In traditional NASA outreach style, they posted the 30+ minute series on YouTube. Video embeds after the jump.

Read More & View Comments

Posted by carneywilson on Aug. 09, 2010

Sailing in Space

On July 9th, JAXA (the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency) announced that they had successfully deployed and used a solar sail—a 2,153 square foot foil membrane that accelerates a space ship with sunlight and solar wind. At about 0.00025 pounds of force, the acceleration is tiny; but the ship is lighter due to lack of onboard fuel, and that acceleration can continue right through the flyby of Venus in six months.

Even stranger is the use of LCD screens near the edge of the sail, which allow the sail to change its angle by varying the amount of light reflected from the screens. Of course, they’re powered by solar cells further in on the sail.

If the IKAROS is successful in its flight, later this year JAXA will launch a new satellite with nearly 13,500 square feet of sail area. This time, the goal will be to visit Jupiter and the Trojan asteroids.

Read More & View Comments

Posted by carneywilson on Jul. 19, 2010

Sith Lord, would it be OK if I took your photo?

In a recent performance by Improv Everywhere, New York City subway riders were presented with glorious Star Wars reenactment: Star Wars Subway Car (video after the jump.)

Read More & View Comments

Posted by carneywilson on Jul. 14, 2010

Wherever You Are, Whatever You Do, Look Around You

Sometimes it takes a video to realize the beauty of something. In this case, I’d like to remind you of the beauty of maths—presented by our friends Look Around You, courtesy of the BBC. (Video after the jump.)

Read More & View Comments

Posted by carneywilson on Jul. 01, 2010

Handmade Vacuum Tubes

While vacuum tubes are still used in specialty situations like guitar amps and enthusiast audio equipment, finding older models is becoming quite difficult as the supply dries up. Of course, if you’re awesome enough, you can simply make your own (video after the cut.)

Read More & View Comments

Posted by carneywilson on Jun. 23, 2010

Using Galaxies as a Telescope

In one of the first tests of Einstein’s theory of general relativity, scientists pointed a telescope at the sun during a solar eclipse. The goal was to measure how much the sun’s gravity deflected the light from stars.

In a manner similar to that experiment, scientists are using massive gravitational bodies in space and their effect on light as an experimental tool, with a side effect of producing beautiful images of the process.

Read More & View Comments

Posted by carneywilson on Jun. 22, 2010