My wife asked me if I had a spare USB memory stick for her to use. I did, and when I was preparing it for her, discovered that there’s no decent free portable anti-virus application for USB flash drives.

My wife is not very computer-savvy, so what I was looking for was an app that would autorun and scan any files being transferred to/from the memory stick. The idea being to protect the memory stick and/or the host computer, particularly where the drive is used on an unprotected machine.

There are portable AV apps available out there, but they rely on manual scanning, and are mainly intended for cleaning infected machines from the flash drive, rather than protecting the flash drive from an infected machine or vice versa.

AV software vendors, how about bundling a portable “inoculation” app along these lines with your workstation products? http://amplify.com/u/a1jdyn

Toilet lids and seats that won’t stay up on their own. Who actually designs and manufactures these things!? http://amplify.com/u/a1j7ky

People who ask questions in seminars, not to learn, but to showboat or grandstand. Whoopee for you that you already have a successful ~!@#ing business, but I’m actually here to learn from the lecturer! http://amplify.com/u/a1j7iw

I happened to visit Eastgate mall a few Sundays ago and passed through the banking court, where all the major banks in SA are represented. Although it was Sunday morning, all of the bank branches were open and buzzing, with the exception of … Standard Bank. What’s the thinking there in the ivory tower? We’re too big to have to compete? http://amplify.com/u/a1i980

Just when the phenomenon of the space tourist and near-space tourist has become a reality, the richest nation on the planet has decided that space exploration is simply too expensive! http://amplify.com/u/a1hv2n

Why is that, when you have a deadline to meet, everyone else’s stuff is suddenly screamingly urgent too! http://amplify.com/u/a1hu9a

Went onto the SABC TV Licence Website to update the school’s details and make payment for 2011/12. The Website promptly proceeded to collapse like a badly-built house of cards! It’s difficult to over-estimate how much sh*t is actually out there! http://amplify.com/u/a1edmb

Working with domains in the .co.za namespace is becoming a real pain! I’m starting to think I should avoid registering .co.za domains at all costs in future. The technology behind DotCoZa appears to be absolutely antediluvian! http://amplify.com/u/a1edma

Just wondering… why doesn’t Outlook spell-check the Subject field of an e-mail message (through O/L 2003 anyway)? It’s been bugging me for years… http://amplify.com/u/a1e33o

Mishkan T'filah is a worthy successor to previous prayer books (siddurim) used by the Progressive Jewish community. I just think that those who compiled it lost a superb opportunity to abbreviate the services (or at least the material making up each service). Instead, the opposite appears to have happened, with material which was absent from previous siddurim now having made a comeback.



Anyone who thinks deeply about the role of Judaism (or any form of religion, for that matter) in modern life would realise that the length of our services is a real issue. Services are, quite simply, too long and High Holy Day services are excessively so.



While I’m starting to understand the logic of the internal structure of services, to the outsider the material must appear quite repetitious.



Let’s hope we won’t have to wait until the next siddur is published before this issue is confronted!



The New Reform Prayerbook - Mishkan T'filah - URJ

http://urj.org/worship/mishkan/ http://amplify.com/u/a1dyad

While the conspiracy theories around the NASA moon landings are unconvincing, I’ve often wondered why “we” never went back. The last manned moon landing was 1972, while the last unmanned mission was 1976, i.e. almost 40 years ago! As a youngster poring over accounts of the moon landings in newspapers and magazines (hey, we never had TV in SA in those days!), I would have expected the next step to be a manned space station on the moon, not an almost total end to any lunar exploration! http://amplify.com/u/a1dc66

#ConstantContact, just in case you haven’t noticed, you’ve completely broken #NutshellMail with your latest round of "upgrades". Just thought you’d want to know… Or not… http://amplify.com/u/a1d2tq

We are constantly reminded that a single one of current digital devices has more computing power than was available to:

- Break the Enigma Code

- Land Apollo 11 on the moon

- Etc.

That may well be, but they weren’t trying to run Windows as well as doing their jobs! http://amplify.com/u/a1cuvk

I can understand the usual discrimination against (or suspicion of) darker people with strange customs and habits, who speak grating languages in ludicrous accents. The one type of discrimination that I simply can’t get my mind around is discrimination against women, girls, females, the fairer sex.

Come on guys, get real! We’re talking about 50% of the human race here. Our mothers, sisters, wives, daughters, girlfriends and mistresses. Those we share our beds with, who raise our children. Caregivers and life partners.

Why on earth would you discriminate against those closest to you?! http://amplify.com/u/a1cklw

I think we all hate feeling ripped off, even if it’s only a couple of bucks. Ran into Hyde Park Corner, bought two pairs of school denims for my daughter, then straight back out again. According to the parking ticket, the time in was 16.07 and the time out 16.31, whereas the time out was actually only 16.17 (MTN network time)! I was charged R7, even although I was in the centre for under 15 minutes (supposedly free).



p.s. The only reason I ever go there is because my daughter’s school outfitters are there. http://amplify.com/u/a1cjg8

Backing up using the built-in Windows XP Backup with default settings. Why, oh why would we need our Temporary Internet Files backed up!? http://amplify.com/u/a1cgtq

On my travels around Joburg, I’ve noticed a sudden “outbreak” of traffic lights facing the wrong direction. This is causing considerable confusion in some cases, and could lead to collisions. The last time this happened, suspicion fell on unscrupulous tow-truck operators, and at least one person was even arrested/confessed to working for interests in this industry.



Is the same thing happening again, or is there some other explanation for this? http://amplify.com/u/a1bspu

On my travels around Joburg, I’ve noticed a sudden “outbreak” of traffic lights facing the wrong direction. This is causing considerable confusion in some cases, and could lead to collisions. The last time this happened, suspicion fell on unscrupulous tow-truck operators, and at least one person was even arrested/confessed to working for interests in this industry.



Is the same thing happening again, or is there some other explanation for this? http://amplify.com/u/a1bspu

I’ve always liked shutters, even the decorative, permanently pinned back variety we mostly find here in South Africa. In the new SA, however, with the increasing concern around land invasion, squatting and violent home invasions, shutters are filling a new role; the role of security. http://amplify.com/u/a1amiw

After watching footage of the riots in England, it’s obvious that Hoodies (hooded jackets) should be treated in the same way as the burka in France; as a security risk, subjecting the wearer to random stop and searches. http://amplify.com/u/a1ama7

I thought I’d seen it all with Windows! Rebuilt a Windows XP machine for a client, working offsite and using my trusty old PS/2 keyboard and mouse. Back on site, booted with the client’s USB keyboard and mouse. Windows detected them, claimed to load drivers, but neither device ever responded. Rebooted, tried again, same result. Eventually forced to rebuild the machine onsite, using the USB kit. http://amplify.com/u/a17p9g

This is crazy. With 1 or 2 exceptions, all the Windows rescue & recovery CD’s I can find out there run some form of Linux. So, we aren’t we all running Linux instead of Windows!? (Reminds me of the bumper stickers often found on Toyota and other 4x4’s: “Land Rover Recover Vehicle”. Is Linux the Windows Recovery Vehicle? http://amplify.com/u/a17p75

United Parcel Service notification #5564

May 2011 United Parcel Service tracking number #94115

Good morning Parcel notification The parcel was sent your home adress. And it will arrive within 3 buisness days. More information and the parcel tracking number are attached in document below. Thank you

United Parcel Service of America (c) 153 James Street, Suite100, Long Beach CA, 90000

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a15faj

As someone who should really have been “well-travelled”, I enjoy much of the content on DSTV’s Travel Channel. Unfortunately, far too much of it, falls into the category of “visit faraway places, see interesting creatures, kill and eat them”. Yes, exotic cuisine is (or was) part of the mystique of travel, but let’s face it, some local diets are just too disgusting for words. And yes, my viewpoint is Euro-centric and – to my mind – a Euro-centric viewpoint is the only one worth having. http://amplify.com/u/a14of0

I don’t think any manufacturer of laptops, netbooks and notebooks would dare to release a machine without an onboard Ethernet connection and built-in 802.11x wireless networking. I’m hoping that the next item to become part of any respectable machine’s standard configuration will be a built-in 3G modem, requiring that you only insert your contract or pre-paid SIM card. Here’s to no more 3G USB dongles! http://amplify.com/u/a14e5r

Sometimes I think we need “criminal-centred” as well as crime-centred criminal justice systems. We need to put more effort into protecting society from certain individuals, making sure that they are brought to book for all their activities. Or maybe I just watch too many cop dramas… http://amplify.com/u/a14duu

The Massmart acquisition may make sense to Wal-Mart, but it does little for consumer interests and competition in SA. Instead of allowing Wal-Mart to acquire a 51% stake in Massmart, it should instead have been encouraged or incentivised to establish – from the ground up – a chain of Wal-Mart stores to compete head-on against Massmart’s existing Game and Makro stores. That way, the hard-pressed SA consumer could have ended up with two competing groups of stores, instead of just a couple of brands marching in lock-step with one another price-wise. At the most, Wal-Mart should have been permitted to acquire one of the less dominant players in the industry, e.g. Stax. http://amplify.com/u/a1497g

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

A very effective and convincing presentation, but here’s a few other perspectives on the issues:

Is it possible that the best way for Israel to gain secure and defensible borders is through making peace with all its neighbours, including the Palestinians?

I would love to see an Israel that encompasses the entire Eretz Israel west of the Jordan, but what about the several millions of non-Jewish inhabitants of these territories? Do we expel them (or worse)? Give them Israeli citizenship, and watch Israel disappear as a Jewish state? Keep them under occupation, and watch Israel become a true Apartheid state?

Immediately after the Six-Day War, it was clearly understood by all that changes to Israel’s borders would need to be made, for sound strategic reasons. In the 45 years that have elapsed since then however, the picture has been completely muddied and obscured by all the pseudo-Halachic BS around the Land of Israel and the public relations disaster that is “The Settlements”. We wanted it all, we failed to explain clearly and categorically what our red lines were, and as a result we will end up with nothing. The so-called Settlement Blocs are useless to Israel strategically, and will now only be gained by means of “land swaps”, something that was never contemplated back then.

A strong IDF – without the morally debilitating occupation – and peace with all her neighbours are Israel’s only hope for survival as a flourishing Jewish and democratic state. The outlines of Israel’s alternative are already clear to those with vision. A grim garrison state, ruled by bearded, black-garbed madmen who refuse to work or bear arms, until it eventually falls to the sword of Islam.

Time is not on our side, and Israel today is led by a pompous windbag who has just rejected the notion of a two-state solution within Israel’s existing borders, the very thing that we begged for after 1948 and 1967. Another opportunity is slipping away…

in reference to: YouTube - Israel's Critical Security Needs for a Viable Peace (view on Google Sidewiki)

The mind boggles! From a recent SAJBD update:

“Cape: SAUJS Cape Town hosted a very successful Shabbat dinner at which ANC Youth League President Julius Malema spoke. Mr Jacobson and Mr King attended on behalf of the Cape Council.“

What value could this dangerous, racist buffoon add to a Shabbat dinner? Have our young leaders totally lost the plot?

SAJBD – SA Jewish Board of Deputies

SAUJS – SA Union of Jewish Students http://amplify.com/u/bzmf6

Those signs that advertise “Tree felling and refuse removal” (usually nailed to the trunk of a beautiful, mature tree) really offend me. As if trees were just another form of refuse, something to be cleared out the way, instead of what they actually are: the life forms that quite literally hold the surface of our planet together, while putting oxygen in our lungs! http://amplify.com/u/byuwu

Those of the Orthodox persuasion and lacking a sense of humour may not find this as amusing as the rest of us:

Which tractate of the Talmud is the most popular with the Orthodox? Tractate 64 (alternatively, Tractate 48) - Bubbe Meises. http://amplify.com/u/by171

Jewish tribal loyalty and the Jewish conscience

I find myself agreeing with just about everything that Donniel Hartman writes. Support for Israel has somehow become a divisive issue for Jews. On the one hand, Jewish tribal loyalty seems to demand almost unquestioning support for Israel. On the other hand, though, the Jewish conscience and our experience with oppression is telling us that all is not well, and that Jewish governments can and do make some morally questionable choices (like the settlements in the West Bank). Those who question these decisions made by flawed mortals should not be seen as outside the pale. Loyalty must be balanced with conscience and reason.

in reference to: Talking About Israel: Goldstone, J-Street, AIPAC and the Space in Between (view on Google Sidewiki)

With hours to go until the end of the 31st, the nice folks at Microsoft have shut down Live Mesh Beta (how typical of Microsoft, to shut down an excellent product and replace it with a mediocre one). Couldn't they have even had the decency to wait until 0h00 across ALL time zones before flipping the switch? On top of it all, the graphics card on my desktop has failed, so I can't even check to see whether I have local copies of the files or not. I know it's been said many times before, but you suck, Microsoft, you really do suck! http://amplify.com/u/bxcgp

Microsoft Office Live Add-In

Administrators/Users should probably be advised to uninstall the Microsoft Office Live Add-In to prevent confusion and conflicts with the MS cloud “solution”.

in reference to: Compatibility with other Microsoft® Office add-ins : Google Cloud Connect - Google Docs Help (view on Google Sidewiki)

The timing couldn’t be better!

Thank goodness Google has come to the rescue with this general release of Google Cloud Connect for Microsoft Office, just weeks before the clowns in Redmond pull the plug on the much-loved and incredibly useful Live Mesh beta, while ensuring that Windows Live Mesh does not and will not support Windows XP. Way to go, Google. You too Redmond. Both doing what you do best…

in reference to: Google Cloud Connect for Microsoft Office (view on Google Sidewiki)

One of the ironies of the New SA…Isn’t it ironic that, just when the White population of South Africa has largely abandoned (indeed, reversed) the racism of the Apartheid era, an increasing number of Blacks appear to be discovering and revelling in it. At times, the hatred for Whites, Coloureds and Indians (not to mention Blacks from outside SA) is almost palpable. Anything from casual, offhand slurs to the chanting of “one settler, one bullet” or “kill the Boer” has become the order of the day. http://amplify.com/u/bskyw

An old friend – I’m talking about the 70s and 80s – now living in the UK connected with me on Facebook a while back. We no longer share the same interests, but a friend is a friend, and I enjoyed reading his status updates. A little while back I noticed that my friend count had dropped by 1. (Yes, I do notice; with a few exceptions, everyone I connect with on Facebook is (or was) a family member or friend IRL (In Real Life).) I didn’t manage to work it out at the time, but the penny just dropped today. Yes, indeed, said friend has un-friended me somewhere along the line. All I can say is, WTF!? http://amplify.com/u/bs5m3

Line item on a statement from an ophthalmologist. Bear in mind this is supposed to be a description of the medical service provided:“Basic capital equipment used in own room”I recall that a decade or two ago, motoring journalists in SA fought the creeping trend of service stations to charge for “consumables” (basically, rags) when carrying out a service on a vehicle. I don’t suppose we have any medical journalists prepared to make a stand on an issue like this?Who says it’s not just all about the money? http://amplify.com/u/br6ch

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

This article really needs to be updated to take into account Custom and Predefined Filters, in terms of which many of the instructions are now obsolete or incorrect.

in reference to: How do I exclude my internal traffic from reports? - Analytics Help (view on Google Sidewiki)

Google Sidewiki entry by Russell

Don't bother downloading the manual from this particular site, unless you're totally comfortable with Spanish!

in reference to: User manual SAMSUNG SF-365TP Printer - User guide SAMSUNG SF-365TP - Portuguese - Diplodocs (view on Google Sidewiki)

Is what we’re seeing in the Maghreb and elsewhere the start of a democratic revolution? Or will it quickly become an Islamic fundamentalist counter-revolution, as happened in Iran in the late 70s? http://amplify.com/u/anqxz

My new Samsung CLX-3185FW multifunction printer needs a “catch a ****ing wake-up” button! I wish I’d bought an HP… http://amplify.com/u/anpe4

When did Standard Bank’s Internet Banking become so bloody useless? Just tried to log on and got the error message “Technical Error: Please try again later”. Fair enough. A split second later, however, I got the usual SMS message saying “Standard Bank Internet Banking – you logged on, on [date] at [time]. Go figure… http://amplify.com/u/anm84