The totally off-topic thread

[Nigelinoz]

I hope everyone out there in AFF land is keeping dry-and safe-not sure about other areas but here in North East Victoria, not too far from ABX we are having
a major rain event.I've seen 130mm's this week so far with 90mm's in the last 24 hours and more to come today and tomorrow,I hope it clears up for my flight to
MEL tomorrow,don't fancy a flight on a SAAB 340 in heavy rain.
Stay safe people.
Cheers
N'oz

 

[rechoboam]

Umm, I think this is a scam but I've now got a second email inviting me to be in Marquis who's who in the world. I ignored the first but finally googled them, expecting a heap of scam hits. However it turns out there actually is a Marquis who's who. Apparently, they got my name via a private nomination process.

Any experiences with this mob (apparently part of News Corp)? I'm still thinking scam. I am but a minor functionaire.


Sent from the Throne (80% chance) using Aust Freq Fly app

I don't think it's actually a scam but presumably they pick people from linked in or somewhere. I have received similar offers that were more blatant scams. I think the intention is for you and your friends to buy copies of the book. Or a phishing attempt as someone suggested.

 

[docjames]

I've seen 130mm's this week so far with 90mm's in the last 24 hours

Sounds like Queensland!

 

[drron]

I don't think it's actually a scam but presumably they pick people from linked in or somewhere. I have received similar offers that were more blatant scams. I think the intention is for you and your friends to buy copies of the book. Or a phishing attempt as someone suggested.

Maybe they read through sites like this and pick out the DYKWIA types thinking they will stump up for such a book.:shock:
:shock:
But then why did they pick Medhead,surely tonyhancock would be a better mark?

 

[medhead]

But then why did they pick Medhead,surely tonyhancock would be a better mark?

Good question. Via private nomination process apparently. I had one paper published in an international scientific journal that some colleagues were impressed about. Maybe they data mine such sources. But today I got an email from a postgraduate student asking to continue his research by working with me, after seeing my paper. :shock: Oh and apparently it's professor Medhead :shock: :shock:

If it is really, I kinda feel sorry for the guy. Can pdfs have virii in them? He attached his CV but I'm not prepared to open it.

 

[drron]

Sounds like Queensland!

We just sent it on.

 

[anat0l]

I had one paper published in an international scientific journal that some colleagues were impressed about. Maybe they data mine such sources. But today I got an email from a postgraduate student asking to continue his research by working with me, after seeing my paper. :shock: Oh and apparently it's professor Medhead :shock: :shock:

I had one paper recently accepted into press and now in corrected proof stage for a good mining engineering journal (it is available online, though). Apparently a student from India has got in contact with me via my name in said paper and is keen on pursuing an internship. PDF CV also sent.

Yes apparently I'm a Professor too :shock: Geez, I haven't even achieved Doctor yet... (I've also had a fair share of emails addressing me as Doctor anat0l even though I've yet to obtain my Doctorate...)

I also used to receive several invitations to speak at conferences in China, Russia and India (some still for the former) based on papers or supposed word of my expertise. Again, dubious at best.

If it is really, I kinda feel sorry for the guy.

Same thoughts, but I can't deal with it.

Can pdfs have virii in them? He attached his CV but I'm not prepared to open it.

Technically anything could have a virus. I don't see why someone couldn't implant a virus in a PDF's code that is set off by rendering tools in PDF software. Or, in Windows, all you need to do is change the magic number of the file to make it look like a PDF but inside it may be malicious content, or a script. Or, for the completely dumb, rename a script as ".pdf.vbs" (but that doesn't work for 98% of this forum).

I did open the CV after a quick virus check. I have my doubts that the applicant would've passed first hoops anyway (I'm not going to start with the errors on that CV).

 

[Mal]

If it is really, I kinda feel sorry for the guy. Can pdfs have virii in them? He attached his CV but I'm not prepared to open it.

Yes they can. There are numerous vulnerabilities in PDF Reader that have been patched by Adobe. Adobe Reader X (ie version 10) is pretty robust though.

 

[medhead]

Yes apparently I'm a Professor too :shock: Geez, I haven't even achieved Doctor yet... (I've also had a fair share of emails addressing me as Doctor anat0l even though I've yet to obtain my Doctorate...)

I recently reviewed a paper and asked the editor about addressing me as Dr, he said that is just standard in case. Kinda of explains Dr, but definitely not Prof. Must be a sub continent thing.

I did open the CV after a quick virus check. I have my doubts that the applicant would've passed first hoops anyway (I'm not going to start with the errors on that CV).

Work doesn't provide me with any obvious virus checker and I can't be bother sending it to home.

 

[Katie]

So does the whole Marquis pooh-poohing ,ean I shouldn't trust another source naming me #55 of 400 globally most influential in my field, because that's basically based on my twitter followers and how many of them are influential in my field??
hmm, maybe I'm secretly a twitter bot. My photo will have to be changed if that's the case!

 

[Flashback]

Work doesn't provide me with any obvious virus checker and I can't be bother sending it to home.

So something like this would be too much effort then? Setting up a sandbox in VMWare to run suspicious files - YouTube

 

[Mal]

Work doesn't provide me with any obvious virus checker and I can't be bother sending it to home.

Nearly every organisation has anti-virus on the desktop. It's pretty much an audit requirement these days. So yes, you should have one. Tried right-clicking the file? "SCAN" may appear in the options. Otherwise, there are web based services - www.virustotal.com is one that I use frequently.

 

[medhead]

They have some sort "thing" that sends out patches, monitors my electricity usage and allows me to scan the computer. But that is all it is, there is no option to pick a drive or file to scan and no indication if it even scans my USB. It's bizarre.

Anyway, more fundamentally I'm not a prof. and I can't offer an internship. So I can rule out reading the CV, despite how interested I might be.


Sent from the Throne (80% chance) using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[anat0l]

So something like this would be too much effort then? Setting up a sandbox in VMWare to run suspicious files - YouTube

I imagine there might be some issues installing that on some office PCs, though if no administrator (super or local) are required, then that's not a bad idea at all.

 

[drewbles]

Reason #18 why you should not leave international roaming data enabled....

Your housemate sends you a picture to your iPhone via iMessage and it chews up close to $50 in credit for one photo.


(this was a work SIM and it's a test service so it isn't out of my pocket, but it's a timely reminder to those who forget to turn off data if they dislike large charges )

 

[drron]

Our local hardware store's sign for today-
Has Clive kicked an own goal?

 

[amaroo]

Our local hardware store's sign for today-
Has Clive kicked an own goal?

By the looks of it - the only thing Clive may be able to kick is a bucket.

 

[QF WP]

Yes, he's not the fittest of human beings. I'll bet he'd have trouble with the round ball as well...most of the FFA senior execs and some (if not all) of the Gold Coast United team would like him to be a goalie for an hour so they can practice their spot kicks

 

[markis10]

A couple of weeks ago one of the MD81s had an engine failure on takeoff at BNE, so at least that explains why he has two, bet he was one of the two potential E-1000 clients taking a look this week!

 

[QF WP]

Why would he need a Cisco wireless router?

That won't fly him far?

But I could see him needing the Intel version