How I’d Hack Your Weak Passwords

March 31, 2010

If you invited me to try and crack your password, you know the one that you use over and over for like every web page you visit, how many guesses would it take before I got it?

Via: Lifehacker by way of DF

Here’s how I came up with my password…

I first devised two strings of completely random numbers and characters in my head — each a different length — committing them to memory by mentally reciting them to myself over and over during several days until they became so engrained that I could rattle both of them off to myself without thinking. Then, I added a few special characters at logical breaks in the cadence of the strings and combined them — leaving me with a password that’s over 20 characters long consisting of random numbers, upper & lowercase letters, and special characters that I have no trouble remembering or typing quickly.

The key for me was the mental memorization exercise. I’ve never written my password down (not even the smallest bit of it), nor have I ever verbalized any part of it, ever. This string of numbers & letters exists in one place only — my head. And there they shall stay.

Basically, my password is so secure, the sun will burn out before it can be cracked according to the graph in the linked article, and it only took a couple of days of mental gymnastics to accomplish the feat.

Filed Under: Linked List

A Stylish Treat for Mailplane Users

March 29, 2010

With the move of everything back to jimmitchell.org, I decided to use the Google Apps Standard Edition (free) to manage my email, calendaring, et al. The one thing that bugged me the most was the extra ads and other fluff in Gmail that was visually distracting. Because of that, I resorted to using Firefox with the Better Gmail add-on, or Google Chrome with the Better Gmail extension. While they were great, I still wanted my email in a separate app, mostly because I have a habit of quitting my browser when I’m done using it (this goes back to my System 6 days probably).

I’ve been a long time user of the very awesome Mailplane by Ruben Bakker, but was always a little bugged by the afore mentioned ads and other fluff. Because of it, I’d flop back and forth between browser and Mailplane use.

I’m happy to say that I’ve finally solved this dilemma by releasing my very own Mailplane Clean CSS style sheet. This is basically a rework of some styles that are part of the Google Chrome Better Gmail (Unofficial) extension, with the addition of others that I wanted (like making the bottom button bar go away).

The best way to see what it does is download the stylesheet archive, and set Mailplane to use the custom stylesheet in “Preferences > Tweak UI > Custom Stylesheet.” Then restart Mailplane and bask in the awesome goodness. I promise, if you’re a Mailplane user, you’ll like this stylesheet. It makes everything about the Gmail UI so much cleaner.

I will probably add the file to the “mailplaneapp” Google Group in the near future, so keep an eye out for it there if you prefer. If you have any questions or comments about the stylesheet, drop me a line through my contact page.

Filed Under: Code Tagged With: ,

Report: Verizon iPhone finally coming; will you switch?

March 29, 2010

Apple is reportedly developing yet another version of the iPhone for launch this summer, according to “people briefed on the matter” speaking to the Wall Street Journal. On top of this news, the company is also preparing a CDMA version of the new device that will work with Verizon Wireless.

(Via Ars Technica.)

The iPhone on Verizon has been speculative fodder for a long time now. While it seems like it could be plausible, I’m going to say not yet — but it will happen eventually.

AT&T service blows from what I continually read (I’m a satisfied Verizon customer), so I’m sure Apple wants to do something about that. For as much as AT&T service stinks, the next best GSM alternative is T-Mobile, which, as far as I can tell, doesn’t have anywhere near the infrastructure to handle the data needs of most iPhone users. So I say that a Verizon deal will eventually happen — but not this summer. It will only happen when Verizon rolls out more than two 4G cities, which means it might be closer to the end of 2010 (maybe in time for the holidays), or summer 2011.

Additionally, I really, really, really doubt Apple is making a CDMA based iPhone just for Verizon to sell for a year or two while 4G coverage rolls out. So on this point, I call total bull on the “people briefed on the matter” mentioned above. Apple doesn’t brief anyone on anything. We all know that. And if Verizon briefed anyone they may find themselves in hot water.

Admittedly, I’m far from well versed in wireless technology, and could be talking out of my left elbow. If you know more than me on the topic, please set me straight. At any rate, should the iPhone come to Verizon eventually, I might consider dumping my Blackberry in favor it. That is a big maybe, though. I still prefer the BB hardware keyboard over the software version on my iTouch hands down…

Filed Under: Apple, Linked List Tagged With: ,

Yasu 2.6.7 Released

March 24, 2010

I’m pleased to announce that Yasu version 2.6.7 has been released for public consumption. This update adds the following:

  • Added browser cache, history and cookie removal routines for Google Chrome.
  • Addressed a rare issue that caused the “Reset home permissions” option to fail on some systems.
  • Rebranding the software back to the “jimmitchell.org” name.

As always, it’s a recommended update for all users. Click on over to the Yasu page and download now if you haven’t already.

Speaking of releases, do you realize it was nine years ago today that the first version of OS X was released to the general public? Man, how time flies…

Filed Under: Apple, Yasu Tagged With: ,

What to do When Songs on Your iPod Skip

March 18, 2010

Symptoms: While playing a song, iPod unexpectedly skips to the next song. Find out what you can do if your iPod unexpectedly skips while playing a song.

More often than not, my skips are due to damaged song files that were ripped eons ago, which I don’t have the original discs for anymore thanks to the neighbor’s kid who broke into my car…

Anyway, this article does give some good pointers to deal with that unexpected skip.

Filed Under: Linked List Tagged With: , ,