Lookingfor a job in Bozeman, Montana? Better cough up that Facebook password

The title pretty much says it all.  Apparently in Bozeman, Montana common sense and privacy are something that take a back seat to job checks.  The relinquishing of social networking account user names and passwords is something that to the more tech minded, seems rediculous and downright illegal.  Now before you get too hot and bothered, according to AP:

The city argues that it only uses the information to verify application information — and says it won’t hold it against anyone for refusing to provide it. City officials say such checks can be useful, especially when hiring police officers and others in a position of public trust. …

Bozeman City Attorney Greg Sullivan told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle Thursday that the city may look at changing the policy so that they could view an applicant’s social networking sites without asking for login information. One option would be to have an applicant add the city as a “friend” on such sites as Facebook.

While they claim they won’t discriminate on if you accept/decline to offer up your social butterfly stats, one can easily assume that such bias will show up at some point.  The fact that this has even become a “non-official” requirement is ludicrous.  Even more dumb…who want’s to add their city as a friend on any social networking site?  Can you say nerd?  (And I don’t mean it in a good way.)  Heres hoping that that crap stays in Montana (no disrespect to the fine peoples of Montana).

**Update**It seems that the fine local government of Bozeman, Montana has realized their “mistake” and has since dropped the social networking requirement. +1 for the people!

Source: Alley Insider, Image Source

Pwnage Tool 3.0 releases all except the newcomer

Hackers and jailbreakers take note, iPhone and iPhone 3G running OS 3.0…check.  Jailbreakable?  Check.  Now, the newcomers.  iPhone 3G S, not so fast.  If you have picked up one of the latest omnipresent phones, your best bet is to not even try as the current Pwnage 3.0 tool won’t do a damn thing for you.  However, if you’re running a non-iPhone 3G S, by all means go ahead and open her up!  Oh one more thing, an unlocking solution for 3,0 is not available…yet.  We’ll have to wait for ultrasn0w for that added bit of freedom. 

Source: Gizmodo, Image Source

Microsoft wants XP to forever be in our hearts, minds, and computers

Windows XP brings different emotions to different people.  For those in the IT world, XP has matured into a more or less solid operating system that has been tweaked and loved to the fullest extent.  For home users, it is something they’ve been staring at for years now, possibly even growing a tad long in the tooth.  They want change.  It seems Microsoft isn’t ready to send this aging beast to the grave just yet as they are…again…extending the XP downgrade option.  This time, the magical date that is as solid as water is rather vague — “up to 18 months after Windows 7 is released or until the first Win 7 Service Pack…which every comes first”.  Right then.  XP is becoming the OS that just won’t go away.  While again it is a now mature and very common OS with ultra wide support, don’t you think it has had its time?  Someone else should come fill XP’s shoes…say I don’t know…Windows 7?  Microsoft really has to just let go and bite the bullet and let their customers get their own ducks in a line and stop holding their hands. Before long, XP will seem as old as that dear piece of plastic above.  Agree?

Source: Engadget, Image Source

Super Universal Car Mount screams excessive/nerd

There are gadget geeks….and then there are gadget geeks.  Anyone who owns the Super Universal Car Mount belongs to the latter.  Featuring 3 fluid like extensions constructed from “Goose Pipe”, the Super Mount will allow you to attach 3 gadgets of your choice.  Humans don’t have three arms, let alone one spare one when driving.  The Super Mount looks to make up for those shortcomings by providing sensory overload all in the name of hands free safety.  If you are anti-hand holding and are looking to pick up a Super Mount for yourself, $30 and it’s yours. 

[Product Page]

Source: Crunch Gear, Gear Diary

BlackBerry Onyx/Bold 9020 rockin’ optical track pad afterall

For those of you who are following the ongoing drama and news surrounding the Blackberry Onyx/Bold 9020, the last few days have been full of drool worthy news.  A couple days ago, the latest word was that the trackpad was destined to a life of living on econo-Berries and that the trackball would remain the navigation tool of choice for the higher end models.  However, that can now be labeled a fallacy as several inside sources who have claimed to see the actual unit with their own two Berry loving eyes have confirmed that the BlackBerry Onyx/Bold 9020 is indeed shipping with an optical trackpad bringing a new generation of navigation to CrackBerry enthusiasts everywhere.  Whether or not the trackpad will appease everyone remains to be seen.  So far, Kevin over at CrackBerry has had nothing but good things to say about it so I’m highly optimistic about the new experience.  I definitely can’t wait to wrap my hands around the Onyx and give every feature a thorough flogging.  So what is your take so far on the whole idea of an optical trackpad gracing Berries of the near future?  Yay or nay?

**Pardon my quickie photoshoped trackpad above that looks beyond terrible

Source: CrackBerry

So you think 7.2Mbps cellular data networks are fast?

*Chart property of Gizmodo*

I’m sure most of you have seen at least a dozen commercials from the likes various cellular service providers all advertizing the hell out of their network.  The claims often include such things as “We’re the fastest”, “We have the biggest network”, etc.  With the iPhone 3G S launch today, the big focus was speed.  Ignoring the upgraded processor and focusing on what really matters to mobile data users, the new support for higher network speeds has been heavily marketed in Apple and carrier networks’ (for this article and region: AT&T) commercials.  The average joe (or jan) will see the 7.2Mbps plastered across their screen and think to themselves that they could be using a screaming wireless network.  Oh dear digital newbie, don’t forget the ever important placement of decimal places and powers.

New Windows 7 build leaked — New wallpaper insues

I’m pretty sure the top thing on everyone’s “Windows 7 fix list” was a new wallpaper (picture above).  All jokes and sarcasm aside, the latest builds 7232 and 7260 which were both leaked yesterday to the world of nerds alike actually contain quite a few bug fixes.  So far, actual differences between the two builds are pretty minor as no one has stepped forward with any revolutionary enhancements or changes.  However, Windows 7 build 7260 is labeled as an “RTM Escrow” build meaning that it will be the final code assuming there aren’t any major nasties that pop up.  So those of you who are on top of the Windows 7 leaked builds scene, how are 7232/7260 faring?  Is that new wallpaper worth it?  Step inside for a look at the new Win 7 wallpaper.