Monday, February 28, 2005

$10M USD would have been saved if the Big Dig had been Open Source

For those outside of Boston, the "Bug Dig" is an incredibly expensive public works project that's become an icon for all that's wrong with public works projects. Now, Computerworld.com reports that "Software ownership battle adds $10M to cost of 'Big Dig'." Specifically, Transdyn Inc. wrote the first stage, and refused to turn over code to Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc. who was writing the second stage. If only it had all been Open Source, they could have just downloaded it off Sourceforge...

Software ownership battle adds $10M to cost of 'Big Dig'
Code ownership adds to woes at infamous Boston project

News Story by Marc Songini

FEBRUARY 25, 2005 (COMPUTERWORLD) - Failure to secure access to the source code of a key application added more than $10 million to the cost of the infamous Big Dig highway construction project in Boston, according to the Massachusetts state auditor.

The application, called the Integrated Project Control System (IPCS), handles traffic, roadway, fire and security systems management for the $14 billion Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel Project. The software development project remains unfinished.

The application was created by Transdyn Inc., which was awarded the contract for the initial phase of the project. The problem occurred when Transdyn refused to hand over access codes for the application to Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc., which won a contract to develop the next phase.

Massachusetts State Auditor Joe DeNucci this week said the failure of project managers to secure "timely ownership" of the IPCS software boosted the cost of the project, which was designed to ease highway traffic congestion moving through and around Boston. The matter wound up in court and cost the state millions in overruns and other costs, he said.

"The significance of this audit is that it's a good example of the kinds of things that went wrong in the project," said a spokesman for DeNucci. It indicates a failure to foresee that "a dispute over the access to the software code [could lead to a] problem that would delay the second phase."

The initial phase of the IPCS project started in 1994, when Pleasanton, Calif.-based transportation software maker Transdyn won a $52 million contract to develop the application for the first phase of the Big Dig. The system was based on Transdyn's Dynac transportation management software. In 1999, Honeywell won a $104 million contract to build the next phase of the system to control and monitor the entire Big Dig project.

At that point, Transdyn refused to turn over the Dynac source code to Honeywell, claiming that the technology was "proprietary and forms the cornerstone of a portion of the business." The state argued that Dynac had been modified as part of the project and had thus become a customized piece of software not subject to the legal safeguards for off-the-shelf applications.

Massachusetts paid Transdyn $350,000 in a 1999 out-of-court settlement of lawsuits that each had filed against the other. Under the agreement, Honeywell sublicensed the software from the state "under certain safeguards."

The auditor based the $10 million price tag for the problem on the state's decision to waive $2.72 million in damages it believed it was owed by Transdyn and an estimated $7.2 million cost for the four-month delay in the project caused by the interruption of the software handover -- bringing the total cost overrun to $10.3 million.

Meanwhile, Honeywell in December negotiated an end to its contract for the project, for which costs have ballooned from $104 million to $188 million since 1999.

Vic Miller, vice president and general counsel at Columbia, Md.-based Honeywell, said the audit bolsters his company's position that the late delivery of the Dynac software was among the factors that affected its ability to deliver its portion of IPCS for the agreed-upon price.

Currently, Transdyn is negotiating with Big Dig authorities to complete the IPCS system, said a Transdyn spokesman. He said the company "is not in a position to comment" on the auditor's report.

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, which manages the Big Dig, declined to comment on the specifics of the audit. In an e-mail statement, the authority said, "We have been very candid about the issues we have encountered with the installation of the IPCS system and have already referred those issues over [to the state attorney general] for potential cost recovery actions."

Thursday, February 24, 2005

Gator in the Hen House

Among the appointees to the department's 20 member "Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee" is [dhs.gov] D. Reed Freeman, the "chief privacy officer" of Claria Corporation.

As reported by Salon. and commented on by slashdot.

Gator CPO at the Department of Homeland Security

pcidevel writes "D. Reed Freeman, the "Chief Privacy Officer" of Claria Networks (formerly Gator), the creators of the pervasive spyware package GAIN, has been appointed to the Department of Homeland Security's "Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee"."

Of course, the anti-spyware laws will now die before coming to a vote, as spyware is the new way to protect our safety.

Now I understand what the government meant by increasing the data they gather.

Linux probably WILL become illegal soon, as it's very nature means you could remove the government back doors if you wanted to.

I'm not sure The Shrub could have come up with a more effective way of announcing what he thinks of privacy concerns without installing two way TV sets in every home and declaring himself the be our big brother.

Crap.

Time to move to Canada.

Salon.com article:

There's a gator guarding your privacy at the Department of Homeland Security.


Among the appointees to the department's 20 member "Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee" is D. Reed Freeman, the "chief privacy officer" of Claria Corporation.

That's the company formerly known as Gator, infamous for its software, a.k.a. GAIN, which stands for Gator Advertising Information Network. It's sadly familiar to many frustrated Web surfers, who have been surprised to discover it mysteriously installed on their desktops serving them extra helpings of ads.

The New York Times, the Washington Post and the Dow Jones Company sued Gator back in 2002 for the way its ads appeared as parasites on their sites. But even though the original Gator software can be considered one of the original plague carriers of the spyware blight -- be careful about calling it that. The company has repeatedly threatened its critics with libel lawsuits for dubbing it "spyware."

The fact that a "privacy officer" for a company that made its name sneaking onto computers all over the word is now helping to determine what should be done with data collected by the Department of Homeland Security might be alarming to some people. But is it really all that shocking? The D.H.S.'s own chief privacy officer is no stranger to the ins and outs of interactive marketing either. She used to work for the online marketing firm, DoubleClick.

The Privacy Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting April 6, 2005 in Washington D.C. Can pop-up ads promoting every fluctuation in the terror alert level be far behind?

-- Katharine Mieszkowski

Biblical Marriages.

Just a thought I had in reference to this thread about The Bush Administration appointing the Gator CPO to a post with the Department of Homeland Security

Wait a second...

The Marriages described in The Bible allow men to have as many wives as they can afford, concubines, especially if they can't get an acceptable heir out of one of the wives, and the women are treated as property with no rights of their own.

So I guess if I wanted to have a "Biblical" marriage, I'd have to be a particularly unpleasant polygamist Mormon.

Oh, and kick each wife out of the house while she's having her period, because she's unclean.

And kill any of them who cheat on me.

Man, this "Biblical Marriage" thing sounds like far too much work, expense and surveillance. I'll stick with my current marriage. This whole "Equal Partner" thing works much better in my opinion.

And as a side note, in my experience, Lesbian couples have FUN weddings. Far less stuffy and more fun than the normal "Church, white wedding, reception at a bad event center".

Thursday, February 17, 2005

An odd source of Blog SPAM

Well, this one takes the cake for odd BLOG SPAM.

As many of you know, This Blog receives a number of posts per day of random jerks trying to boost their search engine ranking by spewing out BLOG Spam. I filter my posts, so I end up deleting them long before they are visible on this site.

Most of them are for Poker, Porn or Viagra, with the occasional post from places like an alleged Data Recovery company.

I can now add Military Academies to the lists of places using BLOG SPAM to boost their search engine rankings. Get a load of this:



Date: 2005-02-16
Time: 17:16:44

IP Address: 61.19.243.11
Name: military schools
Email Address: troubledteen@militaryschools.com
URL: http://www.able-militaryschools.com
Comments:

Dealing with troubled teens? Maybe it's time to consider military school.



It's a typically formulaic post, so it could have been from an actual bot. While this could be one of the "students" lashing out, the search terms "troubled teens" and "military school" are the kinds of phrases a military school would WANT associated with it.

At first I was going to assume someone at said sites was actually dumb or immoral enough to contact with one of the "Boost your Search Engine Rankings Now!" sites. Then I took a look at the sites.

They're basically link sites pimping supposed military academies, so it's even more likely that the people behind this Blog Spam are just building a portal as a revenue source.

It just started yesterday, and neither of the sites being pimped have any real web presence in terms of sites linking to them, but then, neither does this blog, so that's hardly an indication of anything sleazy, just a lack of interest on the part of others.

Anyway, below is Whois data on both sites.


Domain name: able-militaryschools.com

Administrative Contact:

Netscraper WebServices (domains@netscraper.net)
+1.14357031858
Fax: +1.4358651588
3679 Crimson Fairway
Washington, UT 84780
US

Billing Contact:

Netscraper WebServices (domains@netscraper.net)
+1.14357031858
Fax: +1.4358651588
3679 Crimson Fairway
Washington, UT 84780
US

Technical Contact:

Netscraper WebServices (domains@netscraper.net)
+1.14357031858
Fax: +1.4358651588
3679 Crimson Fairway
Washington, UT 84780
US

Registrant Contact:

Netscraper WebServices (domains@netscraper.net)
+1.14357031858
Fax: +1.4358651588
3679 Crimson Fairway
Washington, UT 84780
US

Status: Locked

Name Servers:
ns.rackspace.com
ns2.rackspace.com

Creation date: 30 Jan 2001 13:30:32
Expiration date: 30 Jan 2006 13:30:32



Registration Service Provided By:
Contact: domains@netscraper.net
Visit:

Domain name: schoolsfortroubledteens.com

Registrant Contact:
NA
Roger Lichfield (lich@infowest.com)
NA
Fax:
P.O. Box 925
La Verkin, UT 84745 US
NA,
US

Administrative Contact:
NA
Roger Lichfield (lich@infowest.com)
NA
Fax:
P.O. Box 925
La Verkin, UT 84745 US
NA,
US

Technical Contact:
NA

Host Master (core@web2010.com)
407-445-3033
Fax:
NA
NA,
US

Billing Contact:
NA
Roger Lichfield (lich@infowest.com)
NA
Fax:
P.O. Box 925
La Verkin, UT 84745 US
NA,
US

Status: Locked

Name Servers:
NS.WEB2010.COM
NS2.WEB2010.COM
NS3.WEB2010.COM
NS4.WEB2010.COM

Creation date: 17 May 2000 18:27:40
Expiration date: 17 May 2005 18:27:40

Posted by Halleyscomet at 09:49 AM

Thursday, February 10, 2005

More Phone calls from Global Travel International

So I'm sitting at my desk, and my cell phone rings at 5:02 pm with “Unavailable” as the phone number. As calls from my mother often have this designation, I answered it.

It was another recording from Global Travel International.

During the message, I heard the “Call Waiting” beep, so I hung up, and answered the incoming call.

It was yet ANOTHER recording from Global Travel International. It was still 5:02 pm.

So, rather pissed off, I called them at 888-521-0176, where I spoke with “Mark.”

He said that my phone number had been entered into their web site on 2-10-2005, and that the e-mail address that had been provided was: kinghtc562003@yahoo.com

He deleted me from the database.

I told him I wanted my number placed on their permanent Do Not Call List.

His reply is what's infuriated me. He said that, per the Federal Do Not Call regulations, if someone requests information from them, and provides my phone number, they can call me.

He further stated that if my phone number was submitted AGAIN they WOULD call me again.

The fact that this is a cell phone was not a factor.

Mark then gave me what he said was his direct line at 800-717-4230. Haven't called it yet though.

This brings me to a question: Anyone know if their refusal to leave me alone is legal? Can they really just call whoever they want if someone else provides a phone number, even if someone from that number has already called to complain?

Posted by Halleyscomet at 05:14 PM

Monday, February 7, 2005

Minidisc or IPod?

Whuffle and I have been debating what to spend some CITI reward points on, an IPod or a Minidisc player.

As Whuffle is a MAC user, MAC support is a litmus test feature, so not knowing of any MAC support for my NET-MG Minidisc recorder, I decided to look online during lunch. All I found was instructions on how to use the digital or analog out of a MAC to record audio in real time. Want to record two hours to a Minidisc? Then it'll take two hours!

So I contacted Sony Customer support:




Customer:
Message : My wife needs a new portable audio device. She has an old Minidisc player, but the recorder has passed on. The repairs cost almost as much as getting her a portable NET-MG.

While I've been very unhappy with the software you've released to work with the Minidisc, I've been very happy with the hardware itself.

My question is, Is there a way to get any of the portable Sony Minidisc players to connect to a MAC via USB or firewire? While Itunes integration would be ideal, it's hardly necessary.

The bottom line is, if there's a Minidisc player that works with MAC, then my wife will get that Minidisc player, if not, then she'll be getting an Ipod.

So, is there a portable Minidisc player that's MAC OS X compatible?



Response (Brent) 02/07/2005 10:08 AM
Thank you for contacting us with your inquiry regarding Sony's Mini Disc Walkmans.

The software supplied with the MD Walkmans currently showcased at Sony Style is not compatible with the Mac operating system.

The Sony Style Team is available to assist you with further inquiries.



Customer 02/07/2005 11:57 AM
That's a shame. She used to have a Minidisc recorder that was part of the stereo system, and she liked it. We were really hoping to find something she could use with her MAC.

Since I'm transitioning to Linux, and she's a MAC user, we'll be getting an IPod instead. While Linux support for the IPod is unofficial, at least it exists.

Does the Linux RealOne player support Net-MG? I'd like to keep using my Minidisc recorder. Is there any Linux support for Minidisc players? I've been using the RealOne software with my Minidisc player on Windows, since the Sony software is pretty much non functional.



Response (Brent) 02/07/2005 12:11 PM
Thank you for contacting us with your inquiry regarding Sony's Mini Disc Walkmans.

The software supplied with the MD Walkmans currently showcased at Sony Style is not compatible with the Linux operating system.

I suggest that you have a look at the MDPORTDG2 PC link kit that is compatible with Windows 98, 2000 or Me and Mac OS 9.0.4 or higher with Apple Extension; not currently compatible with Mac OSX.

To view the MDPORTDG2 PC link kit online at Sony Style, please click on the link below:

http://servicesales.sel.sony.com

Please enter the model number as "MDPORTDG2" in the search box on the displayed page. Please select the "Part or Accessory number " radio button and click on the Search link.

Please feel free to contact the Sony Style Team for further assistance.



Customer 02/07/2005 12:52 PM
She already has a digital out on her MAC, so the MDPORTDG2 wouldn't be of much use. This looks like a real time recording option, and a digital cable from Radio Shack would do the same job for her, only under OS X.

I'm disappointed. I didn't buy a Clie because it only accepted Memory Stick for external memory. Now I find Minidiscs are pretty much a PC only option.

Your only option for transferring data to a Minidisc player under MAC involves running an older version of the OS, and real time recording instead of something faster. Even that option doesn't exist under Linux. Not supporting Linux I can understand, but why ignore the MAC?

Are there any plans for MAC Support? If it's in the pipeline, we would be willing to wait on a purchase, but if it's not planned, we'll just get an Ipod and be done with it.



Response (Brent) 02/07/2005 01:14 PM
Thank you for contacting us with your inquiry regarding Sony's Mini Disc Walkmans.

We have not yet received any information on future support of Mac OS by Mini Disc walkmans.

The Sony Style Team is available to assist you with further inquiries.



Customer 02/07/2005 01:26 PM
Thank you for your help. I'm sorry the Sony product won't meet my needs.



So, it looks like we'll be saving up our reward points for an Ipod.
Posted by Halleyscomet at 04:56 PM

Friday, February 4, 2005

Telemarketing calls on my cell phone

Thursday, I received a message from "Global Travel International"

They left a phone number of: "888-521-0176"

It was a recording, telling me about the $250 discount there offering me on the Travel Agent Training program they claimed I had requested.

Today, I received two more such messages.

So I called them at their 888 number, and actually spoke to a real human being, named "Donna."

"So, who are you and why am I receiving voicemail from you?"

"Well, when did you request information on..."

"I didn't."

Long and short of the conversation is that "Donna" claimed that they would only have gotten my information from someone logging it in on their web site. She took my name and number, and said she would "Take you off our list."

Remembering the Junkbuster.com information on the danger of that phrase, I said "Place me on your 'Do Not Call List.' I am on the federal 'Do Not Call' registry and if you contact me again, I'll bill you for the time it takes me to call you again."

By the time I finished that sentence, she'd hung up.

As far as I can tell, this is their web site.

I find all of this somewhat disconcerting, as I did receive a "Thank you for your resume" last week when it's been about seven months since I've even sent out any resumes.

I think I'll be paranoid about this and start the process of requesting my credit report and so on. Better safe than sorry.

If www.globaltravel.com is their web site, then below is their whois data:

Registrant:
Global Travel International (MAIICTZXED)
2600 Lake Lucien Drive, Ste 201
Maitland, FL 32751
US

Domain Name: GLOBALTRAVEL.COM

Administrative Contact, Technical Contact:
Global Travel International (KMFWDXPDRO) DNS_mgmt@globaltravel.com
2600 Lake Lucien Drive, Ste 201
Maitland, FL 32751
US
407-660-7800 fax: 123 123 1234

Record expires on 06-Dec-2005.
Record created on 01-Apr-1998.
Database last updated on 4-Feb-2005 17:48:18 EST.

Domain servers in listed order:

NS1.IAD.QWEST.NET 216.207.84.25
NS1.JSV.QWEST.NET 208.44.134.25

Posted by Halleyscomet at 05:44 PM

Thursday, February 3, 2005

www.try-logos.com, SPAM based firm

Well, I would consider this a new and creative SPAM.

www.try-logos.com sent me this scam gem.

#########################################################################
Return-Path:
Delivered-To:
Received: (qmail 10863 invoked from network); 3 Feb 2005 04:11:23 -0000
Received: from unknown (HELO S01060040f42ce708.wp.shawcable.net) (24.76.231.202)
by mail-da-1.dns-solutions.net - 24.76.231.202 with SMTP; 3 Feb 2005 04:11:22 -0000
Date: Wen, 2 Feb 2005 20:16:07 +0000
From: Janet Connolly
X-Mailer: The Bat! (v3.0.0.8) UNREG / RH197U5YJKWVW
Reply-To: Janet Connolly
X-Priority: 3 (Normal)
Message-ID: <078356732387.194811467498234@s01060040f42ce708.wp.shawcable.net>
To:
Subject: YJM: A custom Logo that express es your company! UDXZNTVM6O
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=Windows-1252
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Our art team creates a custom logo for you, based on your needs.
Years of experience have taught us how to create a logo that makes a statement that is unique to you.

In a professional manner we learn about your image and how you would like the world to perceive you and your company.
With this informat ion we then create a logo that is not 0nly unique but reflects the purpose of you and your company.

For value and a logo that reflects your image, take a few minutes and visit TryLogos!

http://www.try-logos.com/

Sincerel y
Logo Design Team

Stop this mailings: http://www.try-logos.com/uns.php
#########################################################################

Here's the whois data on the domain. Notice the contact name. Someone in their "Let's hide behind fake information" department has a sense of humor.

Registration Service Provided By: ESTHOST
Contact: sales@esthost.com
Abuse Desk Email Address: abuse@esthost.com

Domain Name: TRY-LOGOS.COM

Registrant:
Search Media Int
George Washington (support@ovishost.com)
45-89 Lenina str.
Minsk
,789521
BY
Tel. +998.214589

Creation Date: 12-Nov-2004
Expiration Date: 11-Nov-2005

Domain servers in listed order:
ns2.vhosted.biz
ns1.vhosted.biz


Administrative Contact:
Search Media Int
George Washington (support@ovishost.com)
45-89 Lenina str.
Minsk
,789521
BY
Tel. +998.214589

Technical Contact:
Search Media Int
George Washington (support@ovishost.com)
45-89 Lenina str.
Minsk
,789521
BY
Tel. +998.214589

Billing Contact:
Search Media Int
George Washington (support@ovishost.com)
45-89 Lenina str.
Minsk
,789521
BY
Tel. +998.214589

Status:LOCKED

Posted by Halleyscomet at 09:56 AM

www.try-logos.com, SPAM based firm.

Well, I would consider this a new and creative SPAM.

www.try-logos.com sent me this scam gem.

#########################################################################
Return-Path:
Delivered-To:
Received: (qmail 10863 invoked from network); 3 Feb 2005 04:11:23 -0000
Received: from unknown (HELO S01060040f42ce708.wp.shawcable.net) (24.76.231.202)
by mail-da-1.dns-solutions.net - 24.76.231.202 with SMTP; 3 Feb 2005 04:11:22 -0000
Date: Wen, 2 Feb 2005 20:16:07 +0000
From: Janet Connolly
X-Mailer: The Bat! (v3.0.0.8) UNREG / RH197U5YJKWVW
Reply-To: Janet Connolly
X-Priority: 3 (Normal)
Message-ID: <078356732387.194811467498234@s01060040f42ce708.wp.shawcable.net>
To:
Subject: YJM: A custom Logo that express es your company! UDXZNTVM6O
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=Windows-1252
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

Our art team creates a custom logo for you, based on your needs.
Years of experience have taught us how to create a logo that makes a statement that is unique to you.


In a professional manner we learn about your image and how you would like the world to perceive you and your company.
With this informat ion we then create a logo that is not 0nly unique but reflects the purpose of you and your company.


For value and a logo that reflects your image, take a few minutes and visit TryLogos!

http://www.try-logos.com/



Sincerel y
Logo Design Team



Stop this mailings: http://www.try-logos.com/uns.php
#########################################################################

Here's the whois data on the domain. Notice the contact name. Someone in their "Let's hide behind fake information" department has a sense of humor.

Registration Service Provided By: ESTHOST
Contact: sales@esthost.com
Abuse Desk Email Address: abuse@esthost.com

Domain Name: TRY-LOGOS.COM

Registrant:
Search Media Int
George Washington (support@ovishost.com)
45-89 Lenina str.
Minsk
,789521
BY
Tel. +998.214589

Creation Date: 12-Nov-2004
Expiration Date: 11-Nov-2005

Domain servers in listed order:
ns2.vhosted.biz
ns1.vhosted.biz


Administrative Contact:
Search Media Int
George Washington (support@ovishost.com)
45-89 Lenina str.
Minsk
,789521
BY
Tel. +998.214589

Technical Contact:
Search Media Int
George Washington (support@ovishost.com)
45-89 Lenina str.
Minsk
,789521
BY
Tel. +998.214589

Billing Contact:
Search Media Int
George Washington (support@ovishost.com)
45-89 Lenina str.
Minsk
,789521
BY
Tel. +998.214589

Status:LOCKED