High-stakes standardized tests using technology. Thank you Pearson, Deasy, Broad, and Gates!

High-stakes standardized tests using technology. Thank you Pearson, Deasy, Broad, and Gates! #LAUSD #FAIL #edreform pic.twitter.com/9m7R1f6bEc
— Robert D. Skeels (@rdsathene) January 29, 2014

High-stakes standardized tests using technology. Thank you Pearson, Deasy, Broad, and Gates!

Fixing MacPorts Lynx Version 2.8.6rel.5_0+ssl colors

This is a minor update to the past write up Fixing MacPorts Lynx Version 2.8.6rel.4 colors

The MacPorts developer have changed most of the paths, so the old method of fixing things broke. I am posting the old and new paths here. It is doubtful the diffs in the original article are still valid, but the items needing change are exactly the same. I figure anyone technical enough to follow the original fixes can figure out what I mean.

Portfile
/Users/Shared/var/db/dports/sources/rsync.rsync.darwinports.\
org_dpupdate_dports/www/lynx/Portfile

is now

/Users/Shared/var/macports/sources/rsync.macports.org/release/ports/www/\
lynx/Portfile

Config File
/Users/Shared/var/db/dports/build/\
_Users_Shared_var_db_dports_sources_rsync.rsync.darwinports.\
org_dpupdate_dports_www_lynx/work/lynx2-8-6/lynx.cfg

is now

/Users/Shared/var/macports/build/\
_Users_Shared_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.\
org_release_ports_www_lynx/work/lynx2-8-6/lynx.cfg

and

/Users/Shared/var/macports/software/lynx/2.8.6rel.5_0+ssl/Users/Shared/\
etc/lynx.cfg

Fixing MacPorts Lynx Version 2.8.6rel.5_0+ssl colors

CFExpressPro+ PCIe ExpressCard to CompactFlash

CFExpressPro+ PCIe ExpressCard to CompactFlash

MS-DOS paternity suit settled

One more lie in the predatory monopolist's revisionist history unveiled.

MS-DOS paternity suit settled

Error Message (-50) Syncing iPod 5G with iPhoto Solution

I was having this problem and searched on Apple's discussion boards, finding I wasn't alone. The following solved the problem, and is reproduced here since Apple's discussion boards require a login.

The problem was due to escaped unicode characters within the AlbumData.xml file. I first suspected it was the tilde-n combination within many of my photo comments. When using BBEdit to grep them out, I noticed an escape sequence for a unicode character in the search string. Unfortunately, replacing them in the AlbumData.xml file didn't work. On relaunch iPhoto would put the characters back, which meant manually removing a comment sequence from a series of about 120 photos. Finding a script on Apple's site called 'Speak Comments.scpt' and commenting out the lines for speaking the comment (lines 15-18) and adding the following line before them:

set the comment of this_photo to ""

allowed me to remove the problematic comments from just the set of offending photos without having to do them by hand. Upon completion, iTunes recognized iPhoto's libraries and synced them to the 5G iPod without a hitch. Script available from: http://images.apple.com/applescript/iphoto/archive.sit

Error Message (-50) Syncing iPod 5G with iPhoto Solution

Fixing MacPorts Lynx Version 2.8.6rel.4 colors

MacPorts (formerly Darwin Ports) provides management for open source projects under OS X. Back in the day we had to download, patch, configure, etc. ourselves. MacPorts handles all this. This is a disadvantage if the patching or configuring isn't to our liking. The recent version of Lynx is such a case. The current release displays garish colors on a black background. I wanted the default colors of previous versions. After playing with configuration files in various MacPorts build stages, I found something that works. It might take fewer steps than outlined here, but I don't want to spend anymore time on this project.

Notes: File modifications require root or su. I have MacPorts installed under a custom prefix. Where I have /Users/Shared a standard MacPorts installation would use /opt/local

Before preceding modify the Portfile for Lynx:
/Users/Shared/var/db/dports/sources/\
rsync.rsync.darwinports.org_dpupdate_dports/\
www/lynx/Portfile

Here is the diff from the modification and default file:

31c31,33
< --with-ssl=${prefix}
---
> --with-ssl=${prefix} \
> --enable-default-colors \
> --disable-color-style

Run MacPorts patch stage for Lynx. This will fetch, extract, and patch the source.
port -d patch lynx

Locate the Lynx.cfg file within the staged work directory.
/Users/Shared/var/db/dports/build/\
_Users_Shared_var_db_dports_sources_rsync.rsync.darwinports.\
org_dpupdate_dports_www_lynx/work/lynx2-8-6/lynx.cfg

Here is the diff from the modification and default file:

2938c2938
< #COLOR:0:black:white
---
> COLOR:0:black:white
2945c2945
< COLOR:6:brightred:black
---
> #COLOR:6:brightred:black

Install Lynx. The screen should be the familiar white (or light grey) background with black text.
port -d install lynx

Fixing MacPorts Lynx Version 2.8.6rel.4 colors

An end in sight for DRM?

EMI Music launches DRM-free superior sound quality downloads across its entire digital repertoire
Apple Unveils Higher Quality DRM-Free Music on the iTunes Store

Industry executives, the RIAA, European politicians, EU representatives, Redmond, end users, and all those who called Steve Jobs disingenuous in his call for eliminating DRM--what do you say now? Indeed as soon as EMI made the offer, Jobs did exactly what he said he would. Maybe, just maybe, this will begin a trend towards eliminating DRM and other heavy handed schemes for good.

An end in sight for DRM?

Thomas Jefferson: Crypto Rebel?

From the OpenBSD Crypto Globe T-shirt

The OpenBSD 'ramblo' munitions blowfish with 'Make Crypto Not Munitions' on the front. Map of the world according to Crypto Laws on the back, with all-american saying from U.S. founding father Ben Franklin. Currently shipping versions of this T-shirt are on a flat Navy blue background. Original versions were made out of a "tie dye" blue material. If you do not understand what the statement being made by this T-shirt, perhaps you should read an article by Wendy McElroy.

Although the article OpenBSD links to is on a reactionary site, and has a fairly right-wing-cum-libertarian slant to it, it does point out how hypocritical the U.S. is when it comes to cryptography and free speech.

Thomas Jefferson: Crypto Rebel?

OpenSSL gets hard-fought revalidation

OpenSSL gets hard-fought revalidation

Apple calls for dropping DRM entirely

The third alternative is to abolish DRMs entirely. Imagine a world where every online store sells DRM-free music encoded in open licensable formats. In such a world, any player can play music purchased from any store, and any store can sell music which is playable on all players. This is clearly the best alternative for consumers, and Apple would embrace it in a heartbeat. If the big four music companies would license Apple their music without the requirement that it be protected with a DRM, we would switch to selling only DRM-free music on our iTunes store. Every iPod ever made will play this DRM-free music.

This is the real way to deal with this, and unfortunately the sneaky RIAA and Record Industry has escaped the European criticisms for reasons discussed further in Steve's letter.

Apple calls for dropping DRM entirely

'No Microsoft here' says WSF organisers

'Microsoft is imperialistic' says open source advocates - 'No Microsoft here' says WSF organisers

By: David Kezio-Musoke and Timothy Kasonde
-----------------------------------------------------------
Article summary:
The World Social Forum (WSF) taking place in Nairobi, Kenya has become a no-go area for Microsoft products.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Microsoft Corporation's products have been locked out of the on-going World Social Forum (WSF) in Nairobi Kenya.

With over 300 computers provided for participants and the press, organizers of the WSF have preferred to provide open source software products and blocked all Microsoft related products for the forum's usage and its related activities.

Participants attending WSF, which for the first time is entirely taking place in an African country say that this was a gesture done as a way of promoting the free social movement at the same time also as a way of fighting Microsoft's 'imperialistic tendencies.'

Activists at the forum also believe that since Microsoft is a corporate brand from the United States of America, a country they believe has intentions of maintaining the status quo of a unipolar world over which it is above international law and the UN, the brand should be locked out.

In its sixth year, the WSF has developed itself as one of the foremost expressions of the struggle of social and political movements on the planet. Open source activists have since joined these movements.

Anoop Sukumaran of the Focus on the Global South, said that, since one has to pay licenses for any kind of Microsoft 's software, the multinational computer technology corporation is in a way controlling the flow of global information instead of releasing it free without any charge.

"Microsoft has no thinking. And the unfortunate thing is that the whole third world including almost all of Africa is being forced to use Microsoft products, through the pretext of these trade treaties like the WIPO and the WTO", Sukumaran says.

"The open source movement is providing Linux, a robust free software. Everybody owns it and it can be shared. And this is what WSF is all about - a free society, a movement fighting for ownership of free resources", he adds.

With an annual revenue of over US$44.28 billion as of July 2006, Microsoft develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products for computing devices.

Participants from the International South Group Network (ISGN) who are advocating for open source software at the WSF are set to give out over 100 free CDs of the kubuntu brand of the open source software here at the forum as a way of fighting Microsoft.

Open source is a conceivable tool of communication, a weapon to fight for ones own right. Users of open source software are (generally) able to view the source code, alter and re-distribute the software.

'No Microsoft here' says WSF organisers

Greatest hits, in the palm of your hand

Greatest hits, in the palm of your hand

Stop piping cats

Despite giggling when I first saw this heading, this is a mistake I've made for years.

Stop piping cats

Robolobster

Robolobster

Stallman dead on in article

This might be one of the most clear examples catering to non-programmers in explaining the absurdity and inherent dangers of software patents. Patent absurdity

Stallman dead on in article