Derek

Member since: Dec 18th, 2006

Derek's Latest Comments

Blog Activity

Blog	# of Comments
TUAW.com	4 Comments
Engadget	1 Comment
Download Squad	1 Comment

Recent Comments:

TUAW Tip: Wipe down an old Mac with Target Disk Mode (TUAW.com)

Apr 27th 2009 12:58PM The key (and incorrect) assumption you make is that the physical medium has two states, 1 and 0. The data does, but the drive does not. Every time you flip a bit, it's never quite right; it's somewhere between that 1 and 0 state.

Your data would likely be gone to most OS kernels and disk recovery/repair tools. However, if somebody were to get your drive, they could reconstitute the data by examining the degree to which bits were misaligned. This is why the secure erase "combs" your drive by putting garbage data over it several times; this way, even determining what that bit was two-three iterations before won't help. Security isn't about defeating the benign user, it's about defeating the determined, malicious and well-equipped one.

TUAW Tip: Wipe down an old Mac with Target Disk Mode (TUAW.com)

Apr 27th 2009 11:52AM Great tip, but this article ought to be retitled. "Cleaning" and securely "formatting" ("erasing") a disk are typically considered to be very different things. You're missing the people you're trying to target, and getting those you aren't. Best of luck!

Golden Shellback waterproofing defies water, reality (Engadget)

Jul 23rd 2008 1:05AM Furthermore, if the iPod Touch screen relies on electro-conductivity (as opposed to "old-style" pressure screens), does this mean the screen won't work? They showed the iPod Touch in various states, but never actually used the screen (only the actual button).

Ask TUAW: recording online radio, screenshots, rescuing a Performa, restoring a Time Machine backup and more (TUAW.com)

Apr 15th 2008 3:09PM That should read "I use hotkeys on Quicksilver triggers for my iTunes volume, so it's NOT a problem". So much for proofreading.

Ask TUAW: recording online radio, screenshots, rescuing a Performa, restoring a Time Machine backup and more (TUAW.com)

Apr 15th 2008 12:39PM Question: when I plug my digital speakers into my MacBook Pro (v1,1 w/ 10.5.2), I get digital audio. Yay for hybrid TOSLINK jacks. However, as most are aware, the OSX volume controls then deactivate. Fair enough.

But why then can apps (especially, iTunes) still control the output volume? Why can't OSX simply control the output in the same way and continue to offer volume controls? I use hotkeys on Quicksilver triggers for my iTunes volume, so it's a problem; however, I'm curious as to why this is the case, and why OSX doesn't offer similar controls.

Thanks!

g4me - Mac OS X widget checks Gmail for Your Domain (Download Squad)

Dec 18th 2006 3:16PM Don't forget that Google Notifier from Google has supported Gmail for your Domain for several months, and also has Growl integration (via "Gmail+Growl": http://wafflesoftware.net/gmailgrowl/google-notifier).