ICICI Bank has been doing (at least what I think is) multi-factor authorization for transactions (regular login, transaction password, atm/debit card 3 digit dynamic pin). It appears safe at least on that front. I'm not disputing that there may be other loopholes.
Read "When SSL isn't Safe" if your online banking system does just regular username/login and the occasional transaction password. Something to definitely think about !!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Thinking about a new mobile phone ...
During the past few days, for some strange, unfathomable reason, I've begun thinking about getting myself a new mobile phone.
My present one, Motorola c350e, is working "perfectly fine" - if one can call it that ! Read my earlier crib about my phone :) Unfortunately, it is sporting a broken faceplate for a few weeks thanks to my accidentally sitting on it ! I've been too tied up to take it to the repair shop since then :(
Coming to the topic, I still don't know what I want in the new phone. I can think of
* camera,
* Update: mp3 player/recorder (needs to serve as a recorder of external conversations, just like a regular tape recorder),
* Update: speaker,
* wi-fi,
* edge/gprs connectivity,
* browser,
* lots of apps,
* ability to download additional apps (should be a popular platform that has lots of third party utilities - of course available for free),
* kewl contact management capabilities,
* email client (?)
* ...
I still haven't thought about the kind of service available for internet connection for GSM phones, cost of such plans, etc available here in India. Nonetheless ...
So, any recommendations ? Not that I'd be shopping immediately, but who knows when the bug will bite ?! :)
My present one, Motorola c350e, is working "perfectly fine" - if one can call it that ! Read my earlier crib about my phone :) Unfortunately, it is sporting a broken faceplate for a few weeks thanks to my accidentally sitting on it ! I've been too tied up to take it to the repair shop since then :(
Coming to the topic, I still don't know what I want in the new phone. I can think of
* camera,
* Update: mp3 player/recorder (needs to serve as a recorder of external conversations, just like a regular tape recorder),
* Update: speaker,
* wi-fi,
* edge/gprs connectivity,
* browser,
* lots of apps,
* ability to download additional apps (should be a popular platform that has lots of third party utilities - of course available for free),
* kewl contact management capabilities,
* email client (?)
* ...
I still haven't thought about the kind of service available for internet connection for GSM phones, cost of such plans, etc available here in India. Nonetheless ...
So, any recommendations ? Not that I'd be shopping immediately, but who knows when the bug will bite ?! :)
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Asolutely hilarious ...
BBC goofs up during on-air interview and talks to the wrong guy (pun intended) !
Check out the hilarious news article in BBC's own words @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4774429.stm
Thanks to Kiruba for pointing this out.
Check out the hilarious news article in BBC's own words @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4774429.stm
Thanks to Kiruba for pointing this out.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Tanenbaum Vs. Linus debate time again ...
A bit dated, nonetheless ...
For those of you who are familiar with or have heard of the famous "Microkernel Vs. Monolithic kernel" debate between Tanenbaum (Computer Networks book fame) and Linus (creator of Linux), here's some interesting fodder.
Original Debate: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/opensources/book/appa.html
Debate Time again, featured @ http://linux.slashdot.org/linux/06/05/10/0439246.shtml?tid=190
Recent Trigger:
Linus: http://www.realworldtech.com/forums/index.cfm?action=detail&id=66630&threadid=66595&roomid=11
Tanenbaum reply: http://www.cs.vu.nl/~ast/reliable-os/
Interesting related reads:
Earlier Tanenbaum writeup defending Linus: http://www.cs.vu.nl/~ast/brown/
Followup: http://www.cs.vu.nl/~ast/brown/followup/
For those of you who are familiar with or have heard of the famous "Microkernel Vs. Monolithic kernel" debate between Tanenbaum (Computer Networks book fame) and Linus (creator of Linux), here's some interesting fodder.
Original Debate: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/opensources/book/appa.html
Debate Time again, featured @ http://linux.slashdot.org/linux/06/05/10/0439246.shtml?tid=190
Recent Trigger:
Linus: http://www.realworldtech.com/forums/index.cfm?action=detail&id=66630&threadid=66595&roomid=11
Tanenbaum reply: http://www.cs.vu.nl/~ast/reliable-os/
Interesting related reads:
Earlier Tanenbaum writeup defending Linus: http://www.cs.vu.nl/~ast/brown/
Followup: http://www.cs.vu.nl/~ast/brown/followup/
Friday, May 12, 2006
List of feeds that I'm subscribed to ...
I'm nowadays being very occasional on blog posting or blog reading. From more than 250+ feeds in erstwhile days, I've now shrunk to less than 100 and even there I'm not monitoring a lot of them (actual interest maybe around 20-25 and I read them in bunches few at a time).
Anyway, for those who are interested in what I'm currently reading/subscribed to, here's the OPMLised list. For the keen observer, there's more of an underlying technology thread amongst all those blogs.
Anyway, for those who are interested in what I'm currently reading/subscribed to, here's the OPMLised list. For the keen observer, there's more of an underlying technology thread amongst all those blogs.
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