I really liked the new look (redesign) of apple.com last month. But I do feel the iPhone has got a bit too much of the cake!

I for one are now sick and tired of listening to the hype about this new phone (it’s a phone right?) which I for one will have no use for whatsoever as Southern Spain doesn’t support this so-called fantastic new gadget.

Maybe it’s time to focus more on what they actually do best, build decent well designed computers (and now also websites) !?

Protecting your computer and personal files should be considered very important. But according to PC magazine the following ten passwords are used extensively worldwide (mainly for access to the PC on log in).

1. password
2. 123456
3. qwerty
4. abc123
5. letmein
6. monkey
7. myspace1
8. password1
9. link182
10. (your first name)

“If you recognize yours, you may as well hand over your wallet or purse to the first person you see on the street.”

According to a recent study in northern Europe, 36% said they didn’t use a password (Windows) or never changed it. So if the computer gets stolen all the files would be accessible instantly.

Being paranoid I tend to set both a BIOS password and a Win password (not equal off course). This way my private files would remain private should someone steal my precious ones

Do you have some more tips or questions - please fire away!

See how gobsmacked Simon Cowell and the other judges are when this guy starts to sing.

Blogvaria was unavailable for approximately 10 hours yesterday because my brother was repartitioning the discs on the server. I was going to post a brief post up front but simply forgot about it.

Due to location (NTNU), hardware(Dual this and double that) and software(Linux) the server never fails unless my brother is working on it. A 1Gig connection doesn’t hurt either.

Anyway this is what happened, sorry for keeping you waiting on the doorstep yesterday!

Thomas

BBC-correspondent Alan Johnston set free after 114 days in captivity.

Last night Johnston could finally announce his freedom from the British consulate in Jerusalem. Only a few weeks ago the world received frightening photographs of Johnston with a bomb belt strapped around his body.

Living on bread, potatoes and cheese for the last 114 days he admits he is really looking forward to a nice meal.

Despite the terrifying situation he claims to feel fine both mentally and physically at the moment. He even surprised the press by giving a statement just hours after his release. Only time can tell how he manages to cope with what’s happened.

Since April he hasn’t seen the sun and the kidnappers talked about killing him on several occasions. He was moved several times and verbally abused but never physically. It’s like being buried alive he says.

Hours before the release the kidnappers treated him a bit rough but he believes it was only frustration and anger coming to display. The tiny Palestinian fraction with their own and unique agenda had to give in after massive pressure from all sides. According to Johnston they are in no way representative for the general Palestinian as he’s lived and talked with them for several years.

When asked if he ever lost hope he said: “You must hope that one day, somehow… It was only 4 months. Some has been held hostage for years.”

Brave man, congratulations and the best of luck for the future!