Hagrin.com

As posted on the Official Google Blog, Google announced that they will provide companies with a free Google Mini if companies replace their legacy search engine hardware.  Interested parties can click here to sign up for the offer. 

Well, I've started to have my issues with Google (even though I will support them and recognize them as an industry leader right now). I have two major concerns that I want to address, but both have the same "mystery" theme.

Issue #1 stems from their non-disclosure and inability to easily determine the latest versions of their software. Currently, the have Desktop Search, Toolbar, Earth, Talk, Secure Access and other apps released to users (regardless of the beta tag), but each product's respective page doesn't state anything about current product version. How is a user supposed to know or be alerted that a new version of software they use has been updated? I've tried adding as many of the Google Blogs to my RSS Reader (not their Reader which has issues) and even setup Google News Alerts for new product information.

I've also installed the Hagrin.com Photo Album today. I will be working on configuring it, but I finally got rid of yet another "dead link" on the front page. You can view the Hagrin.com Photo Album here.

Today was a slower day than most due to the fact my work VPN seems to be down. Currently, I am in MS SQL 2000 Admin training and it's going extremely well so far. I've definitely learned a few tricks to bring back to work with me, but not enough to take the cert test I don't think. To accomplish that, looks like I will be reading the text on my own.

In other database news, MSFT has released a Community Technology Preview of SQL Server 2005. They released 32 and 64-bit versions which are encompassed over two CDs - one for the actual server and one for the tools. In addition, you can download a MSI for the September 2005 release of the SQL Books Online (easily MSFT's best help) for this specific SQL 2005 release. I'm looking forward to trying it out and providing some feedback here.

Google has done it again - creating a secure WiFi alternative that could actually be used as one giant proxy server by the entire world. I for one welcome our new Google overlords ...You can read the review and info here on my forums!

I wrote a really quick book review on Stealing the Network - How to Own a Continent which is a fictional conspiracy that is carried out with non-fictional tools and practices. You can read my review here. Also, if you are looking to purchase this title, you can buy the book by clicking the link below:

A new intelligent online personalized radio station web site has been created under the Music Genome Project called Pandora. The extremely intelligent features of this site exist in their ability to match your artist or song search to other songs that have a very similar sound/construction based on a highly in-depth description. They are currently offering a 10 hour free preview which I have utilized and really like. Other than listening to music you already know you like, this search engine and playlist compiler has the nice side effect of exposing you to music in the same genre that you may have never heard of before.

Google Talk Instant Messaging/VoIP Client released. So Google has finally entered the IM market with a pretty interesting application. The obvious highlight of this application is single click VoIP calling to any user you have on your Buddy List. Basically, all you need is a Gmail (Google e-mail) account and a microphone and you're all set (well you need friends too, but I can't help you with that). I've posted more info about the Google Talk client and some of its features such as the Wumpus Easter Egg game here.

I have created a process to upload a list of all the music albums I currently own. I will be working on making the page a little more user friendly, but for now, the complete list of albums can be found here. In addition, I quickly changed all the top, bottom, left and right side navigation to PHP includes for more efficient site maintenance (and good programming/scripting obviously). If anyone has any questions, let me know.

Google Hacking Using Unsalted MD5 Hashes - After being inspired by a recent Slashdot article, I worte up a quick "How To" on utilizing Google's search capabilities (and potentially even more dangerous, The Wayback Machine) to perform cracks on unsalted MD5 hashes. You can find my quick little forum write-up in the Hagrin.com forum.