This may be the best post yet!

So I just stumbled across an awesome article on MaximumPC (yeah, I spend way too much time there) about making money off of your internet connection. Isn't that something we'd all enjoy? I've always wanted to be able to do that and this is the first time I think I have ever actually seen it as a feasibly option. Check out this article to see how you can sell off your unused network access with credit card ability and automated payment collection:

Home Automation, getting a little more serious

This is a good write up by the boys over at MaximumPC doing a little home automation install. They talk more about the wireless protocols in use, setting up your network, and plenty of ins and out. Check it out:

The Digital Domicile

Xerox being awesome

Ever wanted to change a .pdf to a .epub ebook? This and many other cool services are now available for free on http://open.xerox.com.  Its xerox's latest attempt to get quick feedback from their newest lineup of research and improve it before going to market.  Check it out and see what you can enjoy.

Google Chrome Canary

Ever wanted to run the Beta form of a program so you could play with all the cool new upgrades, but don't want to have to rely on the possible buggy program?  Check out Google Chrome Canary!  Its the most updated version of Google's internet browser, but will run side by side with a regular installation of Google Chrome on your computer.  Have fun playing with the new version!

How to make Money Online

I have always had this question. How can I use my computer or the internet to make money? I haven't been able to do it yet but I plan on coming up with the answer to this questions. If you have come to any idea your open to sharing please post. Lets develop this further and see if we can come up with something better than Google AdSense.

7 Types of Hackers

Here is a cool article I stumbled across the other day that outlines the 7 main types of hackers out there and what their objective is.  It makes some interested point and fun reading.  Enjoy:
http://www.infoworld.com/d/security-central/your-guide-the-seven-types-malicious-hackers-636?source=IFWNLE_nlt_sec_2011-02-08

The Best WebPage Publisher

So the current idea behind this blog is to start something that can then roll into a website of really useful information.  So, the first real question should probably be what are the best tools for making a website?  Here are a couple basics I have found but I could really use some feedback on this one:

Woorkedup.com has a pretty good, basic html5 cheat sheet:
http://woorkup.com/2009/12/16/html5-visual-cheat-sheet-reloaded/

Adobe Dreamweaver meets freeware?:
http://kompozer.net/

Any other suggestions?

New Light Peak devices

Apparently Apple wasn't the only one ready for Light Peak to hit the market.  LaCie has announced its new SSD DAS that will use two 250gb ssd drives with the new Thunderbolt connection.  Theoretically doesn't this mean you could fill up the entire drive in just a matter of minutes?  Check it out here: http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/nas/nas-news/31429-lacie-unveils-thunderbolt-ssd-das

Also, Promise has announced the Pegasus 4 and 6 bay raid enclosures that will use the new technology.  Check it out here: http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/nas/nas-news/31428-promise-announces-thunderbolt-raid-storage

Desktop Replacements

So I have heard a number of people talk about desktop replacements in reference to the oversized 17 and 18 inch laptops that have become so widely available, but I have never actually heard a manufacturer refer to themselves as a manufacturer of desktop replacements until now.  Eurocom makes powerful, portable machines to be used as portable desktops or even portable servers.  Intel i7 and Xeon processors available with plenty of video card options and up to 24gb of ram these things are beasts.  Check it out: http://eurocom.com/

Light Peak Finally Arrives

Intel's project for faster data transfer through fiber optics known as 'Light Peak' has finally arrived today.  Its present in the upgraded features of Apple's new and improved MacBook Pro laptops and its call 'Thunderbolt'.  They say its capable of reaching speeds up to 10Gbps.  Here is a link to the Maximum PC article giving you all the good details http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/intels_light_peak_arrives_thunderbolt 

I can't wait to get my hands on one of these for backing up my movie collection, although I'm guess PCs still have a little while to go.

Crazy 'Anonymous' Security hack of HBGary Security Firm

If any of you have read or followed any of the story the HBGary security firm, I found this article awesome.  To explain, HBGary was hired to track down a group that has been taking out the websites of those trying to shut down wikileaks.org.  The firm found this group that they call 'Anonymous' and said they were about ready to announce and reveal these hackers.  Upon hearing this 'Anonymous' launched a large attack on the firm infiltrating all sorts of data they had including their government division HBGary Federal.  This article details how 'Anonymous' was able to perform such an attach and embarrass this group out to reveal them.  Here is the link: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/02/anonymous-speaks-the-inside-story-of-the-hbgary-hack.ars/2

To Start Things Off

This is the first post of my new blog. The idea of this blog is to start some support for a new website I want to make. I have come to the realization that I spend an awful lot of my time researching various topics online, from cyber security, to sharing files between multiple platforms, to wanting to build my home media network, etc. I am sure there are others like me out there who are not necessarily seeking to become great and mighty IT gods, but just would like the advantages of an integrated life. Please post your comments, questions, or curiosities on any topics that I might be able to share what I have learned and spent all my time researching so that you don't have to.