Merlins Tower

The RFID Hacking Underground - How to stumble into millions….

Posted on May 8th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Computing, Gadgets, Hack.

Wired Online has an interesting article about the Underground RFID hacking scene and show how easily it is for someone to brush up against you and steal your RFID. Yes the ones that many Credit Card Companies are using for those quick pay cards - The Turnpike E-Z Pass - The Social Security and Passport IDs - even the swipe cards used to get into security rooms and many business’.

Here is an excerpt from Wired:

“I just need to bump into James and get my hand within a few inches of him,” Westhues says. We’re shivering in the early spring air outside the offices of Sandstorm, the Internet security company Van Bokkelen runs north of Boston. As Van Bokkelen approaches from the parking lot, Westhues brushes past him. A coil of copper wire flashes briefly in Westhues’ palm, then disappears.

Makes me want to make a wallet out of foil or at least a RFID Blocking wallet like these guys did.

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Ruling due in Apple vs Apple case

Posted on May 7th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Computing, Weird Stuff.

Well I was just reading that the High Court Judge is due to rule Monday in the Legal fight between Apple Computer and the Beatles Apple Corps Record Label over the use of the Apple Logo.

Here is what I understand:
Apple Corps is suing Apple Computer saying that the Apple Computer company has broken a 1991 agreement in which each agreed not to enter into the other field of busines. Well - Looks like Apple Computer stepped over the line with its itunes. Apple Corp has been using the Logo since 1968 and they want Apple to remove the logo from iTunes and pay for damages.

I wonder who will come out riper.

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Apple Launches Software to run XP

Posted on April 5th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Computing, Hack.

HOT HOT HOT!!!

Just announced about an hour ago at Apple Computer Inc. is software to help owners of its new Intel-Based Macs Run Windows XP Operating System even though they said they would not do this.

The New software is called "Boot Camp" it is only in Beta form (so be aware) but it is afree download that lets computer users with an XP installation disk load that onto the Mac.

Apple still notes they have no desire or plan to sell or support Windows" but many customers have expressed their interest to run Windows on apples hardware.

Check out the

1 comment.

Google SMS - A quick portable info finder

Posted on March 31st, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Computing, Email, GTD, Google, Hack, Search Engine, Web Service.

I have been using this with my new cell phone and it is working great - How many times have you been out and about and not near a computer and would like to look up some basic info. Well now you can with Google SMS.

Google SMS enables you to send various queries in the form of SMS text message from your cell phone to google and fairly easily get a decent answer. It will not send you the web page or links - just the text. Yup like Joe Friday - Just the Text Mam, just the text.

Google SMS is pretty easy to use. on line they have a easy to cut out and put in your wallet Tip Sheet(PDF) but if your forgot it and need help you can send the text HELP to GOOGLE (46645) Yup Google with out the E. and depending on how busy your service is you should get a text message back with in a few minutes.

Some sample queries that I have use
PIZZA 15122 Get the listing of pizza places in the zip code.
PIZZA HUT, West Mifflin PA Where Pizza Hut is and Phone Number
JOHN SMITH, 15122 Tells me John Smith"s Phone Number from Zip 15122
From PIT to 500 Grant Street, Pittsburgh PA Gives me Driving Directions from Airport Code to Street (Pretty Accurate)
KING KONG 15122 Gives me movie times for King Kong playing around Zip Code
KING KONG Movie name by itself gives you Movie Running time MPA Rating, Critics Rating etc…
WEATHER 15122 Gives me Weather for that ZIP Code
WMT Gives me the latest Stock Quotes for Walmart (WMT)
PRICE 0596007779 Gives Price form book (ISBN) or UPC or Product Name
WHO WROTE MATRIX Gives basic answer - Great for settling bar questions (or cheating at bar trivia) Hehe
D CONDENSES Gives you the Definition of a word
PENGUINS Gives you sports updates on that team
1 MILE IN FEET Google Calculator help solve basic math problems - better then the built in calc.
19.95 USD IN GBP How much is $19.95 in British Pounds

Well the list can go on and on - But I find this to be a great time saver and nice to have this at hand at all times.


Some Cell Phones that Support SMS Messaging:



Technorati Tags: Computing, Email, Google, GTD, Hack, Search Engine, Web Service

2 comments.

Wristband USB Drive

Posted on January 30th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Computing, GTD, Gadgets, USB.

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Imation - Flash Wristband

Now this is a really cool Gadget that was just introduced By Imation - I have not found any places that sell this item just yet. I believe it is too new. So, I have no idea how much this is going for. It is only 256mb Drive that will stay wrapped around your wrist until you need it. You most likely will not forget to put this on in the morning and it actually looks pretty cool. If they make a Yellow LiveStrong Unit that would be really cool.

This would be very good to keep your Contacts, WIKI, Portable USB Software, Notes, Etc.

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Google Helping To Stop Spyware

Posted on January 28th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Computing, Consulting, Google, Search Engine, SpyWare, Web Service.

Well Google keeps getting better and better. Announced today via Official Google Blog was that Google will Co-Sponsor with Sun Microsystems and Lenovo, STOPBadWare.Org. StopBadWare.Org is a new initiative aimed at combating the growing problem of spyware and other deceptive software. This project is led by Harvard’s Berkman Center and the Oxford Internet Institute. And Consumer Reports WebWatch is serving as an unpaid advisor to the effort.

According to their FAQ page: StopBadware.org is a “Neighborhood Watch” campaign aimed at fighting badware. We will seek to provide reliable, objective information about downloadable applications in order to help consumers make better choices about what they download onto their computers. We aim to become a central clearinghouse for research on badware and the bad actors who spread it, and become a focal point for developing collaborative, community-minded approaches to stopping badware.

Learn more here : Official Google Blog: Putting a stop to spyware

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All In One Codec Pack - Freeware

Posted on January 25th, 2006 by Merlin.
Categories: Computing, Consulting, DIVX, Freeware, MP3, Movies.

Ok - I recently got a call asking for help playing a DIVX music video they got from a bands website. While searching for a good codec source I ran across this freeware All in One Codec Pack that was just updated. Listed below are a few of the types of videos and music it will allow your computer to play.

A collection of codecs for playing DivX movies. All you need to see
DivX movies: DivX, XviD, AC3…
This codec pack includes:
- DivX 6.1.1
- XviD Codec Koepi’s 1.1
- DivX, XviD - FFDShow 17.02.2005 Alpha
- MPEG2 2.0.0.0
- Subtitles G400 2.83
- Subtitles DVobSub (Win9x, Win2k and WinXP) 2.23, 2.33
- OGG Vorbis 0.9.9.5
- AC3 1.01a RC5
- Morgan Multimedia Stream Switcher 0.99

Codec Packs - Free Download

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