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Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a low-cost, low-power variant of a network tapping into frequencies that have become key, early building blocks of 5G.
Group including Amazon and Sinclair notch $3.47 billion deal for the regional sports network that ties into conditions of Disney's acquisition of Fox.
Merger to create major network operator in Asia is still on track to close in November, says Axiata CEO.
Revenues rise on video software company's new 'Framework' offering, but is this improvement a blip or a sign of a sustained comeback?
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Ericsson invests in Polish plant; Sparkle launches Italy-UAE roaming link; Telia takes on the Baltic's poisonous algae.
CDNetworks joined the likes of Akamai and Limelight in hoping to translate its CDN efforts into a broader edge computing strategy.
This week in our WiC roundup: The podcasts that made our workweek; internship interviews are rife with inappropriateness for young women; how to create a majority female company; and more.
Commission's latest broadband report, based on data that's almost two years old, found that connections delivering at least 100 Mbit/s downstream jumped to 40.6 million by the end of 2017.
The partners will build IoT devices like luggage-tracking 'bubbles' and roll cages fitted with trackers.
Hong Kong's ISPs are warning strongly against the imposition of any state-imposed emergency powers that would block access to the Internet or certain mobile apps.
Industrial IoT is often cited as a demand driver for 5G, but, asks William Webb, will many companies actually need 5G to meet their needs?
Although Huawei remains enmeshed in the US-China trade war, the company's telecom networking business continues to pick up market share.
Pay-as-you-go offering, called 'StraightUp Internet,' costs $50 a month, includes a DOCSIS WiFi gateway, and delivers up to 25 Mbit/s downstream.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Vodafone and IBM cloud JV climbs aboard the National Express; InterDigital files patent action against Lenovo; Ericsson and Nokia up the 5G R&D stakes.
Analyst firms like Gartner, IDC and Nomura are raising their forecasts for 5G device sales globally thanks to a concerted push by operators and phone vendors.
The real impact of low-band 5G? It will work better indoors!
Canadian MSO debuts 'Helix' platform featuring broadband gateways, IP video clients, WiFi extenders and home networking management software originating from Videotron's X1 syndication deal with Comcast.
ZTE may be back in the black but its handset sales have fallen off a cliff.
Consumer Cellular, Ting and Red Pocket are among the US MVNOs that are promising to offer 5G.
A new report indicates that the delays dragging at T-Mobile's attempts to merge with Sprint have caused the operator to suspend some of its network upgrade efforts.
Says it is 'fully committed' to completing the $6.5 billion deal despite the objections of Freenet, which has an almost 25% stake in Sunrise.
The rise of ad-supported, free streaming services is helping broadcasters and cable networks find new audiences in the OTT world.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Siri eavesdroppers get the push; Deutsche Telekom develops new small cells; Maroc Telecom strikes $1 billion government investment deal.
The FCC could well side with the wireless industry by reallocating fully 300MHz of the C-Band for 5G and other commercial uses.
Taiwan has brought forward its planned spectrum auction in order to join the Asian 5G race.
John Stankey, Jeff McElfresh, Lori Lee and Susan Johnson may be in the running to ascend to John Donovan's iron throne at AT&T.
Sprint launches Nokia 5G equipment in NYC, Los Angeles, Washington, DC and Phoenix after delays.
VMware is launching tools for radio network optimization, based on its Uhana acquisition, and also upgrading its OpenStack infrastructure support.
As it focuses more on developing its own components, cost-cutting is helping ZTE report improving profits but its revenues are not as impressive.
Following the recent launch of X1 tailored for SMBs, Comcast Business debuts version of a TV app that enables bar and restaurant owners to control up to 16 TVs.
This week the pod's a pre-ping-pong verbal ding-dong. Fact.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Deutsche Telekom and Ericsson combine on campus networks; UK's decision on Huawei due in the fall; it's a Nuuday for Agama Technologies.
VMware plans to embed Kubernetes support into its vSphere virtual server software, part of VMware Tanzu, a Kubernetes portfolio.
Two of China's major network operators have been discussing how they can share 5G infrastructure.
U.S. Cellular is joining AT&T and Verizon in expressing interest in using the soon-to-be-available 3.5GHz CBRS spectrum band.
California court to order 'mandatory settlement proceedings' in the video streaming copyright case brought against Omniverse by Paramount, Universal, 20th Century Fox, Columbia and Warner Bros.
The top telecom executive at AT&T is leaving the company to spend time with his family. AT&T hasn't named a replacement.
As cable operators assess their next moves while DOCSIS 4.0 is developed, traditional top suppliers like Arris, Cisco and Casa are struggling, opening the door to Harmonic and others.
RDX to acquire the managed cloud services company that Time Warner Cable acquired in 2011 for $230 million.
Our series on the state of the SD-WAN market continues with a discussion on what's holding back some companies in the space and how standards and new technologies are advancing the cause of SD-WAN.
Disney details more bells and whistles, device support for Disney+ ahead of the streaming service's November 12 debut.
US wireless network operators are increasingly breaking up the cost of a new smartphone across three years, rather than two, to make the monthly payments easier for consumers to swallow.
The Chinese equipment giant is now ramping up its investments in artificial intelligence.
Former Sling TV exec starts up family-friendly OTT service that aims to pull a batch of consumers back into the pay-TV fold.
Comcast's Xfinity Mobile and Charter's Spectrum Mobile MVNOs will offer Verizon's 5G service to their respective customers at some unspecified point in the future.
VMware adds additional automation and management for its toolset to allow service providers to offer multicloud services to enterprise customers.
China's operators are being driven toward network-sharing partnerships to pay for the rollout of 5G networks.
Enterprises and other organizations want to operate private mobile networks, but what are their options for getting the needed spectrum?
This week in our WiC roundup: Silicon Valley is out of touch; board diversity makes headway; how to be heard in meetings; and more.
Studios urge the court to deny Omniverse's request for a forced mediation and a halt on discovery on a case centered on allegations that Omniverse distributed streaming TV services without authorization.
VMware is bolstering its developer support and security capabilities with the acquisitions of Pivotal Software and Carbon Black.
A right-wing organization wants India's government to ban Huawei and promote indigenous firms.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Salt's second quarter is no great shakes; Serbia Broadband extends gigabit service; Safaricom's bad apples.
Verizon strikes a 5G DAS deal with Boingo, starts outdoor mobile high-band 5G rollout in Phoenix.
T-Mobile's CTO Neville Ray built a traffic-forecasting tool in conjunction with Speedtest provider Ookla that the company said helped direct fully $10 billion in network spending over the past five years.
Detailed RF exposure tests conducted by the Chicago Tribune found that a number of devices, including those from Motorola, Samsung and Apple, exceed some of the FCC's guidelines for radiation emissions.
Findings from university researchers and the WSJ could crash broadband's ARPU party as a growing number of subscribers upgrade to faster, more expensive high-speed Internet tiers.
China's mobile-phone customers are in a frenzy over reports that operators have deliberately slowed down 4G connections.
Behind the shady goings-on in Putin's state may lie a plan for Russian control of 5G technology. That would be a scary development for the country's big mobile operators.
A major bust-up between the Swiss telco and its biggest shareholder could sink the deal to acquire Liberty Global's Swiss cable business.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Ericsson tweaks top table; silly job titles just got sillier; Drei Austria schutz the Internet.
Jio's competitive market, fast growth and expanding customer base present some interesting machine learning and analytics challenges for Guavus, its newly announced analytics partner.
Californian startup claims ultrasound is the best method for wireless power transmission.
T-Mobile acknowledged that it recently resolved an issue affecting its video-throttling practice, a situation that arises amid a renewed debate around wireless operators' network-management efforts.
Apple's subscription VoD service is expected to join a crowded field in November and lead with a free trial, Bloomberg says.
Around 80% of all mobile data traffic is consumed indoors and the fastest variety of 5G spectrum, millimeter-wave, won't get into your home or office in the near future.
The MEF 70 standard looks to clarify the definition of SD-WAN and pave the way for carrier interoperability, certification and faster deployment times for SD-WAN services.
Operators in Australia and New Zealand have been forced to use existing spectrum and Western equipment vendors.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Deutsche Telekom digs into the IoT market; Kudelski Group revenues slump in H1; Porsche teams up with Apple Music; Telenor completes DNA deal.
Even if it had the spectrum, Russia's biggest operator says there is no demand for 5G and therefore no need for an aggressive expansion.
Without Scott but with Dan Warren from Samsung, discussing Three's foray into 5G broadband, developments at Samsung, and much, much more. Well, a bit more.
Implores a California court to step in and 'compel mediation' with ACE to work toward a settlement, because 'there is literally nothing left for litigation' after Omniverse shut down its TV streaming service in June.
The ad-driven video joint venture is attempting to carve out new deals around the world as impressions flatten out thanks to finite inventory and the rise of streaming competitors.
An advertising fracas over what counts as 5G draws attention to the industry's shortcomings.
The satellite network operator is looking to the Open Networking Automaton Platform (ONAP) to automate connecting its space-based network with terrestrial operators.
The smallest of the UK's four mobile operators is forging ahead with its rollout of a home broadband service powered by Huawei's 5G equipment, despite government concern about the Chinese vendor.
Taps into 60GHz millimeter wave spectrum to deliver new 300-Meg, uncapped symmetrical service for $49 per month to parts of the Bay Area.
Huawei denies reports that it worked with local Ugandan police to hack into the phone of an opposition activist.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Telia Denmark CEO leaves; EE irked by Three UK's 5G advertising; CK Hutchison billionaire fancies an Old Speckled Hen.
Indian operator speedily finds a replacement for Balesh Sharma, who has presided over a massive fall in the company's share price and the loss of millions of subscribers.
Chinese vendor lashes out at latest US measures while insisting that its business has not been affected.
But Russia plots 5G millimeter wave in Moscow's Red Square with trials in the fall and a launch in 2020.
For the first time, Light Reading will offer two breakfast roundtables on key tech topics at this fall's SCTE|ISBE Cable-Tec Expo in New Orleans - the first on network virtualization and the second on cable and 5G.
According to new figures from BayStreet Research, 5G phones aren't exactly flying off the shelves.
Tower and small cell company Crown Castle moved to bolster its Beltway firepower with the addition of a new chief lobbyist who hails from Google and Microsoft.
Australia's state-backed national wholesale network charges too much and provides shoddy service, say critics.
Dish has accelerated its pursuit of apartment service deals with a new offering that matches raw connectivity with a managed, property-wide WiFi network, IPTV services and, later, IoT capabilities.
Billed as a 'Televisionary' offering, AT&T's new pay-TV streaming service features five tiers, paired with a 500-hour cloud DVR and access to a large VoD library.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: KCOM acquisition finalized; Telia issues Russian spying disclaimer; France's digital tax feels the heat in Washington.
Harsh weekend words from Trump and prolonged uncertainty will spur the Chinese equipment maker as it tries to become more self-reliant. Its US suppliers should plan accordingly.
Altice said it wants to buy C-Band spectrum, which appears to represent a bit of a change from the company's previous strategy.
It's going to take some televisionary moves for pay-TV providers and big studio owners like AT&T to sort out what consumers want, how to package it and what to call it.
The CEO of Dish Network is urging Sprint's Boost dealers to stick around with the brand while Dish works to acquire the business from Sprint.
Private equity-backed roaming and security specialist has a new line-up of senior executives to manage a business that has just doubled in size.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Ireland takes a closer look at Verizon Media's cookies; EU and Apple prepare for September showdown over tax bill; Sky trumpets addressable TV.
Several US companies put a dollar amount on the losses they incurred from President Trump's Huawei ban. Here's the tally.
This week in our WiC roundup: Coding school teaches kids to help others with tech; '90s TV reigns supreme even in the everything-automated age; computer science programs may have more accountability soon; and more.
Another acquisition in a summer of deals to beef up VMware's networking toolkit.
China's big mobile operators see the country's unlikely 5G new entrant as a prospective partner.
The company seems to be making adjustments in the face of a disappointing quarterly projection; in addition to the layoffs it's also hiring, and shut down development in an emerging cable data networking technology.
As the rate of US video subscriber losses accelerated to a record high in Q2, a top analyst wonders if those losses are about to slow down and stabilize.
In a recent podcast with Light Reading, John Isch discusses how Orange 'co-innovates' with SD-WAN customers, and shares several case studies on what this process looks like by describing collaborations with its SD-WAN customers Siemens and Sony.
The operator plans to have at least a billion IoT devices operating on the network within 2 years.
China's controversial equipment giant denies hacking into phones in Africa at the behest of political strongmen.
Australian operator is hacking away at its workforce like a murderous machine, but its 'turnaround' is questionable at this stage.
Former Scientific-Atlanta and Cisco exec Joe Chow to succeed Larry Robinson, a move that will spark more speculation about the future of the set-top and modem business that CommScope acquired from Arris.
With Fastweb poised to launch a fifth mobile network, Italian operators faced with shrinking sales are taking network sharing to a new level.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Swisscom revenue slides in H1; BT to delist from NYSE; more holograms; 5G ice-cream scoop.
Dell is working with AT&T to bring hardware automation to the Airship open source cloud provisioning project.
However, there are a growing number of state attorneys general who oppose the merger.
Cisco's service provider business declined steeply in its most recent quarter. And Cisco isn't expecting a comeback soon, as 5G profits aren't in the near term for telcos, CEO Chuck Robbins says.
Akamai is hoping to parlay its efforts in the CDN arena into a role in the 5G and edge computing marketplace.
Distribution of premium subscription streaming services are contemplated in new, wide-ranging deal between The Mouse and Charter.
Combined company only will trail Disney, Comcast/NBCU and AT&T/WarnerMedia in that category as streaming battle intensifies.
Verizon is planning to conduct tests that would combine transmissions across CBRS spectrum and its existing licensed spectrum bands, including 1900MHz, AWS and 700MHz.
The Swedish vendor is changing the way it delivers products and shifting production facilities.
Chinese vendor is backing away from the cable network business amid pressures from the US-China trade war and the loss of critical business with cable operators in portions of Europe, industry sources said.
Revenues are down, spending is up, and 5G is on the horizon: A partner could ease the pressure for one of China's big players.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Drei and ZTE fire up 5G in Austria; 5G mmWave network to be tested in Moscow; UK MVNO targets those with hearing loss.
Wi-Charge preps a wireless power system for IoT devices.
The combined company, to be called ViacomCBS, said it would become a global powerhouse that can pump out premium content at grander scale and use OTT and other direct-to-consumer channels to stoke growth.
Sprint is using three vendors for 5G and two of them have already launched commercial service on their gear. Where's Nokia?
5G is gaining momentum, according to the latest numbers from the GSA.
Machine learning is primed to help service providers run more efficient and effective networks, but first the good ideas have to make their way from the lab to the real world – and that's a big challenge, according to the University of Chicago's Nick Feamster.
Joins OTT-TV and satellite TV options in northern New England with a new streaming video service, running on Android TV boxes and a range of retail devices.
President Trump will delay some tariffs on smartphones, in the latest development in his trade war with China.
The vast costs of 5G rollout are weighing heavily on Chinese telcos.
RJio has overtaken Bharti Airtel to become India's second-largest operator. Can it challenge Vodafone Idea for the top spot?
The question of what to do about Huawei will show UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson why a no-deal Brexit is fraught with peril.
With a relatively small investment of 'several hundred million' dollars, CenturyLink plans to bring a fiber network with 5 msec latency to 98% of US enterprises – ideal for emerging categories of edge workloads.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: French broadcasters receive approval for Netflix-challenging Salto service; tough Q2 for Denmark's TDC; EE rules the RootMetrics ratings roost.
CommScope CTO Morgan Kurk is running Ruckus on interim basis following recent departure of unit's former president, Ian Whiting.
The telco giant and Microsoft are joining forces to bring cloud services to India, and Reliance Jio will also build data centers for Microsoft on that subcontinent.
Slated for launch in early September, the new offering will include a package of more than 50 US television channels, including 'faith-based,' premium and international channels.
T-Mobile, Verizon and other operators are working with a range of vendors to smooth out the move from 'non-standalone' to 'standalone' 5G.
Gains by OTT-TV services don't make up for the bloodshed in typically tough period for service providers.
Germany's telecom incumbent has already witnessed ten years of broadband decline at the hands of cable operators. Are things about to get worse?
Companies that use the mobile networks of the big three operators are finally becoming important in China.
CenturyLink is building out more than 100 initial edge compute locations across the US and providing hybrid cloud and managed services.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: DT and friends go password-free with Mobile Connect; O2 complains about 5G auction terms; Telenor enables souffle-defined networking.
U.S. Cellular CTO Michael Irizarry offered a few more details about the operator's 5G plans ahead of the provider's 2020 launch.
Says it's suspending spending on FDX until market timing, ecosystem development and size of the market opportunity can be quantified.
Powercast recieves FCC approval for retail applications for its wireless power transmission system for IoT and more.
President Trump's personal aversion to globalization and trade, and his promotion of US-based manufacturing, appears to be pushing some 5G providers toward American vendors.
Blowout quarter sees revenues rise 59%, 'active' accounts eclipse 30 million as Roku keeps streaming platform lead over Amazon, Apple and Google.
As a keen OSS-BSS observer, I like to parse financial disclosures to gauge the health of the market.
China's equipment giant has taken the wraps off its new operating system.
It has made a noise about its revolutionary network approach, but the Japanese company will make a low-key entry into the mobile market in October.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: MegaFon sales grow; Austrians fret about 5G health effects; Freenet sticks to guidance.
This week in our WiC roundup: A coding school with heart; brains and beauty win the crown; diversity efforts are not enough; and more.
FCC officials said that 5G does not cause health concerns like cancer, nor do transmissions in millimeter-wave spectrum.
CenturyLink is testing edge computing technologies with customers today, according to the company's CEO. And he promised additional announcements on the topic 'in the coming weeks.'
AT&T said it will pay ATN's Commnet $167.5 million to build a wireless network for its commercial users and its FirstNet users in the Southwest.
Departure of long-time Arris exec Bruce McClelland comes about four months after acquisition and as the unit grapples with an expected temporary decline in cable operator capital spending.
The soft launch of 5G in early July was even softer than it appeared, but financial results look strong for the second quarter despite the absence of any German 5G activity.
Some of Asia's biggest telcos have had a difficult start to 2019.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Europe's regulators slam network-sharing in 'Czechia'; Nokia heads to New Zealand in latest 5G deal; MTN defies market conditions with strong Q2.
Light Reading's editors discuss Dish Network, its pioneering past, a few hilarious missteps and why the company seems just as likely as anyone to be the next big player in 5G networks.
Verizon will be the sole US provider for Samsung's Note10+ 5G device, but not for long. AT&T and T-Mobile expect to launch their versions of the same 5G handset by year's end.
VMware's been shopping this summer, buying three cloud and networking startups that will bolster its telco strategy.
Cable One lost another 30,277 video subs in Q2, a 9.4% drop. The cable op ended the period with a pay-TV penetration rate of just 14.5%
The US government's IT purchasing official said that the door is open for federal and state government agencies to begin purchasing 5G services and equipment.
Regional operator Shentel says it plans to expand Internet access in part using LTE fixed wireless technology.
Connections to AT&T and Dish harm Locast's position as a non-profit, do-gooder and add fuel to the arguments being set against Locast by the Big 4 US broadcasters.
Entertainment giant will market combo of Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu's ad-supported SVoD service for $12.99 per month, about $5 less than the a la carte cost.
Verizon's Ronan Dunne offered a few more hints about how Verizon will move forward in 5G in terms of pricing, phones and coverage.
India's youngest service provider is turning itself into a more asset-light company.
As 5G takes off, service providers must plan ahead for its impact on SD-WAN. In addition, Ely says growing demand for 'co-managed' SD-WAN services creates challenges around scalability.
While the industry raves about 5G take-up in South Korea, investors are still wondering why they should give a damn.
The Hong Kong operator is taking aim at rival HKT as it looks to shake up the enterprise sector.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Magyar Telekom names new CTIO; Turkcell hits more than 2 Gbit/s in 5G speed test; Ericsson reaches 24 live 5G networks; mobile money in South Sudan.
Operator to sell Devialet-made 'Altice Amplify' device to Optimum and Suddenlink customers at a discount and lease it to Altice One users for $10 per month.
Pushed by federal and state legislation designed to speed up the small cell approval process, some cities are gearing up for an application explosion. And vendors are pushing things along with lawsuits.
As the Q2 reporting season comes to a close, it's time to look at how Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T stack up against each other.
For any operator, revamping an entire business support system (BSS) architecture in just six months and cutting IT opex by 80% as a result is a notable achievement.
NYC gets AT&T business 5G in downtown Manhattan. The carrier won't have 5G for consumers until next year.
There appears to be dissension in the ranks of satellite companies hoping to cash in on the sale of 5G spectrum.
By including people with disabilities and seniors, Comcast says 3 million more homes are eligible for Internet service, subsidized PCs and digital literacy training targeted to low-income Americans.
Google plans to use both fiber and wireless technologies to deliver Internet services in Austin, a first for the company.
U.S. Cellular acknowledged that cable MVNOs from the likes of Comcast and Charter are now beginning to affect the company's mobile business.
Organization hopes to draw 1,500 for 4Front, a cross-industry event set for June 23-24, 2020, in Denver that will span areas such as gaming, broadband, healthcare, AI, automotive and security.
The Nordic vendors built the French incumbent's domestic mobile network and that means they are likely to become its 5G suppliers too.
The curiously Chinese phenomenon of fake basestations is a long-running problem for the country's authorities.
Verizon has led the way with early high-band, millimeter-wave 5G, but the carrier faces lots of questions about how it can deploy 5G on low- or mid-band frequencies nationwide next year.
SES Networks is using Amdocs to implement the Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP) on Microsoft Azure, to allow its telco customers to seamlessly extend to SES's satellite service.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Arqiva plotting break-up and sale; Ericsson, Elisa test private cellular; Italy's 5-star 5G hotel; Detecon gets new boss; Accenture snaps up Northstream.
CommScope says new remote PHY modules can be snapped into most of its deployed base of fiber nodes and allow for targeted rollouts in areas where cable operators need to add capacity.
The UK's new prime minister may be chasing perfection in the hope of catching excellence, but the country's operators are demanding action on numerous fronts.
'We absolutely do lead with broadband. That is our key product,' Teresa Elder says on WOW's Q2 call.
The international carrier division of Belgium's Proximus is using its roaming network to develop an IoT business.
Service providers rank in fifth place for vertical markets served by the switch powerhouse. Number one? The hypercloud guys.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Ooredoo Algeria gets new boss; Safaricom embarks on fiber expansion; Telecom Italia hiring and firing.
Aaron Boasman-Patel, the TM Forum's VP of AI, Customer Experience and Data, talks about the real-world uses of AI in the telecom sector.
Sprint says it will cover 11 million people with 5G soon. Meanwhile, Texas joins the list of states opposing Sprint's merger with T-Mobile. The states' lawsuit blocking the merger has been postponed until December.
Verizon is taking a page out of Gillette's playbook by announcing five (5!!!) different unlimited plans. And as for 5G, it's definitely going to cost you extra - at some point.
Mariam Sorond was most recently chief wireless architect and VP of technology development at Dish.
Software for broadband devices, believed to support OpenWRT, designed to help customers manage and optimize in-home WiFi, tweak router settings and pause Internet connectivity.
Utility companies like Duke and Xcel are already major players in the telecom market. Now they're looking at how they might participate in 4G and 5G.
Hong Kong firm restructures by setting up a new tower business and lumping its telecom subsidiaries into a single unit.
This week in our WiC roundup: You better smile if you want to work in tech; job descriptions need an overhaul; is being called a 'woman in tech' offensive?; and more.
UK operator's latest trading update came as a further disappointment to investors, sending its share price down on the London Stock Exchange Friday morning.
Also in today's regional roundup: German broadband operators on the block; Android to get extra search tool options in EU; Brits lag on IoT; and more.
A10 Networks, which is struggling to develop a 5G, network security and analytics strategy, is now up for sale. And the founder and CEO is on his way out.
California court hits alleged OTT-TV pirate with $7.6 million fine and permanent injunction on the service and the operation and distribution of a device used to stream hundreds of TV channels for just $20/month.
Equinix racked up its 66th consecutive quarter of revenue growth, and saw its interconnect business grow significantly faster than colo.
After a rough and tumble Q1, cable operators opened the spending spigots on network capacity a bit in Q2 even as many continue to explore and develop their next-gen access network strategies.
What effect might 5G services have on networks? Data out of South Korea certainly indicates that 5G customers, at least initially, will use more data than 4G customers.
Canada's biggest telecom reports robust broadband but slower IPTV subscriber gains as it continues its nationwide rollout of fiber lines.
Analysts on Q2 call worry about Verizon's millimeter wave-based 5G plan as competitors promise low-band nationwide 5G in 2020.
Meanwhile, 'win-share is really good' in handful of markets offering a proprietary version of Verizon's millimeter wave-powered 5G Home broadband service.
Vietnam wants to be among the front ranks of operators bringing 5G technology to market and plans to rely on some local designs in preference to international suppliers.
Juniper is integrating security into its high-performance MX routers and cSRX containerized firewall, to fit 5G and edge applications.
Shares in Europe's 'big six' telcos have fallen sharply in the last few years and 5G holds out little hope for sales growth.
IBM reveals details of how it's using Red Hat software as the foundation for its multicloud strategy, following its $34 billion Red Hat acquisition.
Work underway to reorganize and streamline its product unit as TiVo prepares to separate itself by the second half of 2020.
Also in today's EMEA regional roundup: Three UK takes earnings hit; Veon battered by currency headwinds; Vodafone bags Liberty assets.
Qualcomm is expecting 2020 to be a year of 5G, as its sales falter in fiscal Q3 2019.


text:
Those fabulous people at Bonnier Zaffre books had a bit of a doo at Harrogate festival this year, to which the lovely Katherine Armstrong invited me along. Once I found the not so secret, 'Secret Garden' (there was a big sign pointing to it) These were just a few the lovely people I managed to mix with and snap. There were plenty more there, and a fab couple of hours were passed by.
Ooh Look Fizz! (I may have had a tad too much)
David Mark, Katherine Armstrong and LifeOfCri.me's Kirstie Long
Sarah Hilary looking relaxed 🙂
Susi Holliday
Laura Wilson
Daniel Pembrey and Anya Lipska
As always, 'Pretty in Purple', Leigh Russell
The ever lovely Barry Forshaw
Martyn Waites and Alex Marwood showing the differing approaches to unexpected photos. 😉
Martin Edwards, charming as always
The fantastic Laura Lippman.
One of my favourite people in the world. Zoe Sharp is a great author, and also an amazing cook!
It wouldn't be Harrogate without Mark Billingham
It isn't a proper party until you've got the dazzling duo, Kevin Wignall (above) and Simon Kernick (below)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Uri Friedman
Uri Friedman is deputy managing editor at Foreign Policy. Before joining FP, he reported for the Christian Science Monitor, worked on corporate strategy for Atlantic Media, helped launch the Atlantic Wire, and covered international affairs for the site. A proud native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he studied European history at the University of Pennsylvania and has lived in Barcelona, Spain and Geneva, Switzerland.


text:
Counselor killed, children OK in camp accident
July 4, 2013
By JASON DEAREN
(SAN FRANCISCO, AP) — An art counselor at a Jewish summer camp popular with San Francisco Bay Area families was killed when a large oak tree fell on her. Four other adults were injured, but no children were harmed.
The four other adults were treated at hospitals after the tree fell while the children were eating breakfast. The tree took down power lines near the campfire area and dining hall but did not damage any buildings.
Because of the nearby power lines, authorities said Pacific Gas & Electric Co. was responsible for annual inspections of the oak tree. Tuolumne County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Jim Oliver said PG&E had inspected the tree and found nothing wrong with it, calling it a "freak accident."
PG&E spokeswoman Nicole Lieblet said there is an annual inspection process, but she didn't know whether specific records were kept for the tree that fell. She said the utility will closely cooperate with investigators.
"Everyone wants to know how this took place," Liebelt said.
The camp's executive director Ken Kramarz called Rittenberg a "beloved member of our staff."
"As our own hearts are still hurting, we send our sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones," Kramarz said in an email sent to campers' parents.
He said the children had been told only that a tree fell and some staff had been injured.
"We believe that you, their parents, are best suited to share the sad news that one of the injured staff did not survive," read the email.
Parents of the campers said it was nerve-wracking having to wait hours to receive reassurance.
"I can't shake this anxiety about my child, even though I've been assured she is safe," said Lena Brook, of San Francisco.
"Towanga is pretty remote, and that's one of the beauties of being there and sending your kid there in our crazy media, social media and technology-saturated world. That isolation clearly made the communication very difficult. It would have been much more comforting to all of us if we had heard earlier."
Other parents said they were worried about how their kids would process everything.
Rittenberg's mother, Penny Kreitzer, went through the same process without the reassuring ending, hearing about the tree through the news before she knew her daughter was involved. Kreitzer frantically called hospitals and was briefly hopeful when she couldn't find Rittenberg before learning the truth through a law enforcement official.
"I've lost a beautiful child through that tree," Kreitzer, told the Los Angeles Times. "I wish the tree had fallen on Saturday when no one was there."
Rittenberg attended UC Santa Cruz, a campus nestled among coastal redwoods that is itself often compared to an idyllic summer camp.
She was a poised, sweet woman and popular college DJ who served as world music director at the school's radio station, station manager Alec Howard told The Associated Press.
"I'm still kind of reeling back from the shock," Howard said. "Everybody here is really saddened by it."
Sheriff's officials did not release further details about the others' injuries, but camp officials said two of the four injured staffers were treated at hospitals and released, and two others were still receiving care.
There were about 300 campers and 150 staff at Camp Tawonga, which offers sessions for students in second through 12th grades. The camp is located on 160 lush acres on the Tuolumne River, just outside Yosemite National Park. It has been in operation since 1925, according to its website.
Brook said she wanted to hear her 10-year-old daughter's voice for herself but wasn't sure if it would make the situation worse.
"If I was in town right now I would seriously consider picking her up," she said. "Even though I know she is in good hands and there is an incredible bonding and community-building opportunity in going through something like this, as parent it feels like you want to hold your kid and never let them go."


text:
Big Stone II partners kill project
The remaining partners in a South Dakota coal-fired power plant that was to provide electricity to Upper Midwestern states announced Monday they were killing the project.
The remaining partners in a South Dakota coal-fired power plant that was to provide electricity to Upper Midwestern states announced Monday they were killing the project.
Big Stone II participants were Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Heartland Consumers Power District, Missouri River Energy Services and Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.
Otter Tail Power Co., coordinator of the project, dropped out this summer.
Environmentalists who fought the plant were happy with Monday's announcement.
"This represents the end of our four-year battle to defeat the plant we proved was unneeded, environmentally bad and not the least-cost option for the customers," said Chuck Laszewski of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy.
The announcement follows almost five years of planning and permitting efforts to expand the existing Big Stone power plant near Milbank, S.D., and build electrical lines needed to distribute power throughout the region.
The power plant would have provided 500 megawatts to 600 megawatts of power for customers of the participating utilities. When Otter Tail Power dropped out, its officials cited the economic downturn, uncertainty over federal climate legislation and existing federal environmental regulation.
All those factors, Otter Tail Power leaders said, resulted in challenging credit and equity markets that made proceeding with Big Stone II "untenable" for Otter Tail's customers and shareholders.
That decision played a key role in the latest development.
"On Sept. 11, Otter Tail Power Co., announced that it was withdrawing from the project," said Missouri River Energy Services CEO Tom Heller in a news release issued Monday. "At the same time, the remaining participants announced that they would need to get commitments from at least one additional utility or it was unlikely the project could proceed. No other utility was able to make that commitment within the established timeframe, so we have elected to wind down the project."
Montana-Dakota President and CEO Dave Goodin said that, while it's disappointing that Big Stone II will not be built, the utility has an adequate electric supply for the near-term.
"We have a purchased power agreement through 2015 that was to bridge us to Big Stone II going online; we still have that agreement in place," Goodin said. "We will now look at other supply options that are reliable and cost-beneficial for our customers. We have plans to expand our wind production by 30 megawatts in 2010 and will review other generation options."
Participants include Missouri River Energy Services, which supplies Alexandria Light and Power with most of its power.
Alexandria Light and Power was a supporter of the Big Stone II project, which, according to General Manager Al Crowser, would have helped meet the increasing demand for electricity and stabilized future electricity rates.
"I'm disappointed (by the project's demise), but I understand with all the pressures that it would be difficult to proceed," Crowser said. "We'll just have to go and find something different. ... I still feel that coal is the most cost-effective resource we have."
The Big Stone II project, at one time estimated to cost $1.6 billion, was a controversial one from the start and not only for its cost.
Environmental groups claimed that a new coal plant would only create more pollution by releasing pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide and mercury into the air. They said that Minnesota should focus on boosting production of cleaner renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar.
Big Stone II supporters, however, said that even with the likely possibility of federal legislation regarding carbon emissions, an analysis showed Big Stone II to be the least-cost option for providing base-load power to customers.
"We are disappointed that Big Stone II will not be constructed after having received all its permits. After almost five years of work on the project, we were still unable to move forward, so it is time to move on," said Heller. "Each participant will address its future needs in a way that it deems most appropriate. (Missouri River Energy Services) is exploring several options to meet the need that would have been filled by Big Stone II."
State Capitol Correspondent Don Davis contributed to this report


text:
PRESS RELEASE – The Akron RubberDucks unveiled its uniforms during today's Family Fun Day at the Akron Civic Theatre with the help of local media personalities.
There were five uniforms unveiled: a home uniform with a white jersey and pants, a road uniform with a gray jersey and pants, an official Sunday uniform with off-white jersey and pants, an alternate uniform with blue top and white pants, and a batting practice uniform with black jersey and white pants. All five uniforms are accompanied by the official team socks, which are tire black with three electric blue stripes trimmed in white.
"I think the new uniforms turned out great and we are excited for our fans to see them. They tell the story of the Akron RubberDucks and highlight the heritage and history of the City of Akron," said RubberDucks general manager Jim Pfander.
Je'Rod Cherry, co-host of the "Hooley and Je'Rod" show from 3-6 p.m. on ESPN Cleveland 850 WKNR and former New England Patriots defensive back, modeled the home white uniform. The jersey features the RubberDucks name across the chest with the iconic tire treads, trimmed in tire black with RubberDucks orange and electric blue highlights. The jersey sports a signature triple piping of the tire black and electric blue around the neck and on each sleeve. The RubberDucks webbed foot and tire tread circular "A" logo appears on the left sleeve and the numerals will be black, trimmed in orange and highlighted in electric blue on the front and back. Additionally, only the home uniforms will feature names on the back, which will be in tire black print. The home uniform pants feature the same triple piping as the jersey down each leg. The home cap is black featuring the primary RubberDucks logo.
The custom gray road uniform was modeled by "Waiting for Next Year" blogger Jacob Rosen. The road uniform features the name "Akron" in bold tire black letters on a white background trimmed in orange and electric blue. There's electric blue piping along the sleeves and neck that continues down along each pant leg. The numerals are in tire black and trimmed in orange and blue. The left sleeve features the duck with arms logo, which is also the main batting practice cap logo and symbolizes the strength and blue-collar work ethic of Akron's citizens. The road cap is in electric blue and has the webbed "A" logo encompassed by the circular tire tread mark. Fans will have a chance to see the road uniforms one-night-only at Canal Park on July 5 vs. Bowie Baysox.
Keith Kennedy from Clear Channel Radio and 98.1 WKDD morning host, modeled the batting practice uniform, which is highlighted by an all-black, tight-mesh jersey created specifically for the RubberDucks by Rawlings. It is the only jersey to feature the RubberDucks duck head logo on the left chest and numerals on the right side of the jersey. The hat is a New Era 59-50 fitted mesh black hat with the duck with arms logo. The team will wear either the home or road pants with the batting practice jersey, based on location. The RubberDucks plan on wearing the BP top during seven home games at Canal Park beginning with Sat., April 12 vs. Bowie Baysox.
The fourth uniform unveiled was the official Sunday uniform worn by 1590 WAKR Akron News Now's Ray Horner. The off-white uniform brings a nostalgic feeling with a modern twist. The alternate tire tread "A" logo is featured on the front chest of the jersey and on the electric blue hat. This mark is made of two black tire treads trimmed on orange and meant to pay homage to Akron's heritage as the "Rubber Capital of the World." This is the only uniform regularly worn at home that will feature "Akron" across the front, in tire black letters with orange and electric blue trimming. The jersey and pant legs have electric blue trim and the left sleeve shows the primary duck head logo. The RubberDucks plan to wear this uniform during all but one of the 11 Sunday home games in 2014.
Tommy Bruno, general manager of 91.3 The Summit, modeled the electric blue alternate jersey. The RubberDucks are the only team in Minor League Baseball to feature an electric blue jersey, which was designed by Brandiose and produced by Rawlings. It features white piping on the sleeves and around the neck. Like the home jersey, across the front reads "RubberDucks" marked in tire black with orange and electric blue trimming. It is the only jersey with tire black numerals, trimmed with white and electric blue highlights. The primary duck head logo is on the left sleeve. This uniform is paired with either the home or road uniform pants and uses the home black hat. The alternate is scheduled to appear 24 times at Canal Park in 2014, the first time on Fri., April 11, the first Friday Fireworks night.
All five uniforms were designed by San Diego-based design company Brandiose, along with input from the Akron RubberDucks management team. Rawlings is the manufacturer and New Era is the official on-and-off field hat maker of Minor League Baseball.
The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The 2014 season will be its 18th since moving to Canal Park and its first since becoming the RubberDucks. The team begins its season on April 3 at Binghamton and the home opener at Canal Park is scheduled for Thursday, April 10 at 6:35 p.m. against the Bowie Baysox. For more information and merchandise featuring the Akron RubberDucks, go to www.AkronRubberDucks.com or call 330-253-5151. The Akron RubberDucks are on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AkronRubberDucks and Twitter at @AkronRubberDuck.


text:
GLENDALE, Ariz. » A severed finger left at the crime scene helped police in Arizona arrest a man suspected of trying to steal copper wire.
An air conditioning company employee told Glendale police someone tried to steal the wire from his truck on Oct. 7.
The spool of wire — worth more than $300 — had been pulled out about 20 feet from the truck, and what appeared to be a cut off finger was caught in the wiring.
Police retrieved the finger as evidence, and forensic technicians were able to match the fingerprint to 29-year-old Joshua Allen Goverman.
Goverman told detectives he lost part of a finger while working on a car. He was booked on suspicion of theft.
Authorities didn't know whether Goverman had a lawyer who could be reached for comment.


text:
This episode Nicole Wakelin is joined by GeekMom Jules Sherred to talk about World Lupus Awareness Month and how it affects her as someone who deals with Lupus every day. We then attempt to settle the eternal debate of Kirk vs. Picard and finish up with a little braiiiiins! Questions? Thoughts? Suggestions? Email us email@example.com
Subscribe in iTunes
Subscribe via our RSS feed using your favorite podcatcher.
Direct download
Nicole Wakelin: TotalFanGirl and Twitter
Jules Sherred: Website Twitter Google+ Radio Show Lupus Info
Theme Music: Rebecca Angel


text: Technically clean design and personable designers seem to go hand in hand at this Paraguayan agency. They pride themselves on creating attractive work, but they also play well together as a team. Which is more important? Neither! What's more important is they are happy together doing their work, and the end result is that everyone wins!... More


text:
These days, antivirus is a must-have due to the ubiquity of adware, malware, viruses, and worms—yes, even if you are running a Mac. ;) Antivirus does a good job catching the low hanging fruit and other annoyances, but have you ever wondered what happens to the files that the A/V catches? Typically, antivirus engines will deactivate the suspected virus and then store an inert (encoded) copy in a quarantine folder to prevent accidental execution. McAfee's VirusScan will allow you to restore the binary; however in all scenarios using VirusScan may not be ideal. This article will take you through the process of recovering the quarantined binary and metadata surrounding it. But why would you want to do this? Potentially for the following reasons:
- You are a corporate A/V administrator and A/V misidentified a user's file
- You are a malware analyst and would like to dissect the detected binary
- You are a home user and A/V grabbed a file you wanted (think netcat or a sysinternals tool) and the restore function did not work
As a bonus, at the bottom of the article, we have included a bash shell script and (faster) Perl script to break apart McAfee BUPs from within a Linux environment. We wrote these scripts because we could not find a Linux BUP tool. It was prototyped in bash because it was quick to code and it removed as many dependencies as possible. Unfortunately, bash bitwise Exclusive or (XOR) was too slow and the tool was rewritten in (well-commented) Perl.
In case you are not familiar with the binary operation XOR, a truth table is provided below:
Note that an output of 1 is only produced for an odd amount of 1's on the input.
How McAfee deactivation worksMcAfee VirusScan, like other antivirus engines, will deactivate the binary and store an inert copy in a pre-defined location. McAfee appears to deactivate the binary by doing the following:
- Creates a metadata text file
- Performs a bitwise XOR on the metadata file and binary with a well-known key (0x6A)
- Combines the original binary and metadata text file into a single file using Microsoft's compound document format
- Stores the file (with .BUP extension) in a quarantine folder defined by the Quarantine Manager Policy (default is C:\QUARANTINE\)
Triggering Antivirus to Create a BUPFor this demonstration, we will be using the test file for Global Threat Intelligence (GTI - formerly known as Artemis). This test file is similar to the EICAR antivirus test file, but it triggers a heuristic detection for McAfee VirusScan. You could also use John the Ripper, Cain, netcat, pwdump, or other common hack tools to trigger an A/V event.
You can read more about the test file from the How to verify that GTI File Reputation is installed correctly and that endpoints can communicate with the GTI server McAfee KnowledgeBase article.
A direct link to the test file:
The password is to unzip the file is: password
If On-Access detection does not detect the file right away, right-click and scan to activate an On-Demand scan. We disabled the On-Access protection in order to run a hash on the binary and provide it for your convenience. SHA1 would normally be used as MD5 has a chance of collisions—however, MD5 hashes are sufficient for our purposes in this demo.
$ md5sum.exe ArtemisTest.exe
5db32a316f079fe7947100f899d8db86 *ArtemisTest.exe
Now, after re-enabling On-Access scan and we have a detection:
Now we check the quarantine folder defined in Quarantine Manager Policy shown above and eureka! We have a .BUP file:
If this file did not trigger, you may not have GTI enabled. Try to first enable GTI or use another known-safe, yet detected, binary to generate the BUP file.
Extracting the BUP in WindowsTo extract the BUP in Windows, I followed the helpful How to restore a quarantined file not listed in the VSE Quarantine Manager McAfee KnowledgeBase article.
- 7-zip (Used to decompress the Microsoft compound document format)
- Bitwise XOR binary such as: xor.exe
If you are extracting the BUP on the same computer that your McAfee antivirus is running on, make sure you disable On-Access scan or exclude the target folder from scans.
Use 7-zip to extract the file by right clicking it, selecting 7-Zip, then Extract Here.
The results should be two files:
- Details
- File_0
$ md5sum.exe Details
c0bb879bdfd5b5277fc661da602f7460 *Details
$ md5sum.exe File_0
02ab0a6723bca2e8b6b70571680210a9 *File_0
Now, use the xor.exe binary to perform a bitwise XOR against the key (0x6A) in order to obtain two new files. Feel free to use the following syntax in a command prompt:
C:\QUARANTINE>xor.exe Details Details.txt 0X6A
C:\QUARANTINE>xor.exe File_0 Captured.exe 0X6A
If you would like to restore the original file name to the binary, just look at the metadata from Details.txt. The most useful items that we see in the metadata are the following:
- A/V detection name - Useful for discovering more information about the detection
- Major and minor versions of A/V engine - Can be used to troubleshoot why some hosts detect and others miss
- Major and minor versions of A/V DATs - Can be used to troubleshoot why some hosts detect and others miss
- When the file was captured (Creation fields) - Helps you create a timeline if detected by On-Access scan
- Time zone of host - Useful for timeline
- Original file name - Often reveals a good amount of information about the binary
Snippet of Details.txt:
TimeZoneName=Eastern Daylight Time
Now that you have the original file, you can restore it, reverse it, or whatever your heart desires.
But first let's make sure the hash from the original file matches with the hash before deactivation. For completeness, we will also provide the hash for Details.txt.
$ md5sum.exe Captured.exe
5db32a316f079fe7947100f899d8db86 *Captured.exe <- This matches
$ md5sum.exe Details.txt
46c09e5ba29658a69527ca32c6895c08 *Details.txt
Extracting the BUP in LinuxWe just detailed the process to recover the binary from a BUP in Windows. You can perform this same process in Linux if you have 7zip and Wine (used to run the xor.exe binary). However, the goal of this tool was to automate the process, add some features, and remove the Wine dependency.
The UnBup ToolThe first thing you should know about UnBup is the usage menu:
Usage: UnBup.sh [option]
-d = details file only (no executable)
-h = help menu
-s = safe executable (extension is .ex)
Please report bugs to email@example.com and email@example.com
- No options - Yields the Details.txt and original binary
- - d option - Yields the Details.txt file only (No binary)
- - s option - Yields the Details.txt file and the binary, with an extension of .ex to prevent accidental execution
Demo: No Options
UnBup.sh file.bup
Supplying UnBup with no options and just the BUP file produces the details.txt file and the binary. Note that the MD5 hashes are the same as what was seen in the Windows section.
Demo: The -d Option
UnBup.sh -d file.bup
The -d option is useful for those who may not want to reverse or dig into the binary—but would like a little more information around the detection.
Demo: The -s Option
UnBup.sh -s file.bup
The -s option is not a foolproof measure to prevent execution of the binary, however it can help prevent accidental execution. In this case, since we are extracting Windows malware in a Linux environment, this adds another level of protection as it is harder (if not impossible) to cross infect a different operating system.
How it works (simplistically)If you look at the supplied bash code below and think: "This must be a backdoor, there is no way I am going to run it on my box…", then the screenshot below is directed at you.
The binary math in bash was the most annoying part of the process, but it was the most important. Here is the breakdown of each step:
- xxd to convert the binary to hex
- Performing the XOR
- Converting the decimal result to hex
- The step to convert hex to ASCII is to show you the readable output (not performed in script)
The Shell Script – (SLOW – You may want to use the Perl code below)Download it here: https://raw.github.com/OpenSecurityResearch/unbup/master/UnBup.sh
In case, file download is blocked, feel free to copy and paste it from here:
# UnBup
# Tony Lee and Travis Rosiek
# Tony.Lee-at-Foundstone.com
# Travis_Rosiek-at-McAfee.com
# Bup Extraction tool - Reverse a McAfee Quarantined Bup file with Bash
# Input: Bup File
# Output: Details.txt file and original binary (optional)
# Note: This does not put the file back to the original location (output is to current directory)
# Requirements - 7z (7zip), xxd (hexdumper), awk, cut, grep
##### Function Usage #####
# Prints usage statement
echo "UnBup v1.0
Usage: UnBup.sh [option]
-d = details file only (no executable)
-h = help menu
-s = safe executable (extension is .ex)
Please report bugs to Tony.Lee-at-Foundstone.com and Travis_Rosiek-at-McAfee.com"
# Detect the absence of command line parameters. If the user did not specify any, print usage statement
[[ -n "$1" ]] || { Usage; exit 0; }
##### Function XorLoop #####
# Loop through files to perform bitwise xor with key write binary to file
for byte in `xxd -c 1 -p $INPUT`; do # For loop converts binary to hex 1 byte per line
#echo "$byte"
decimal=`echo $((0x$byte ^ 0x6A))` # xor with 6A and convert to decimal
#echo "decimal = $decimal"
hex=`echo "obase=16; $decimal" | bc` # Convert decimal to hex
#echo "hex = $hex"
echo -ne "\x$hex" >> $OUTPUT; # Write raw hex to output file
##### Function CreateDetails #####
# Create the Details.txt file with metadata on bup'd file
# Check to see if the text file exists, if not let the user know
[[ -e "$BupName" ]] || { echo -e "\nError: The file $BupName does not exist\n"; Usage; exit 0; }
echo "Extracting encoded files from Bup";
7z e $BupName > /dev/null; # Extract the xor encoded files (Details and File_0)
INPUT=Details; # Set INPUT variable to the Details file to get the details and filename
OUTPUT=Details.txt; # Set OUTPUT variable to Details.txt filename
echo "Creating the Details.txt file";
XorLoop; # Call XorLoop function with variables set
##### Function ExtractBinary #####
# Extracts the original binary from the bup file
Field=`grep OriginalName Details.txt | awk -F '\' '{ print NF }'`; # Find the binary name field
OUTNAME=`grep OriginalName Details.txt | cut -d '\' -f $Field`;
OUTPUT=`echo "${OUTNAME%?}"`; # Get rid of trailing /r
echo "Extracting the binary";
XorLoop; # Call xor function again
# Parse the command line options
case $1 in
-d) BupName=$2; CreateDetails;;
-h) Usage; exit 0;; # Details.txt file only
-s) BupName=$2; CreateDetails; ExtractBinary; mv $OUTPUT `echo "${OUTPUT%?}"`;; # Safe binary
*) BupName=$1; CreateDetails; ExtractBinary;; # Full process of the bup
rm Details File_0; # Clean up xor'd files
Our Perl script (MUCH FASTER – You probably want to use this over the shell script)When processing small files like the Artemis test file, bash shell scripting worked just fine. However, when processing larger executables, the XOR process was too time consuming. We searched for a simple XOR Perl script on-line, but did not find anything to fit what we were looking for so we wrote our own.
xor.pl Usage:
Simple xor script
Usage: ./xor.pl [Input File] [Output File]
./xor.pl 7dc7ed19123df0.bup 7dc7ed19123df0.xord
Download : https://raw.github.com/OpenSecurityResearch/unbup/master/xor.pl
# Simple xor decoder
# Written because I could not find one on the Intertubes
# Email me with problems at Tony.Lee-at-Foundstone.com
# Detection to make sure there are two arguments supplied (an input file and output file)
if (@ARGV < 2) {
die "Simple xor script\n Usage: $0 <Input File> <Output File>\n\nTony.Lee-at-Foundstone.com\n";
# Open input file as read only to avoid accidentally modifying the file
open INPUT, "<$ARGV[0]" or die "Input file \"$ARGV[0]\" does not exist\n";
# Open the output file to write to it
open OUTPUT, ">$ARGV[1]" or die "Cannot open file \"$ARGV[1]\"";
# Loop until all bytes in the file are read
while (($n = read INPUT, $byte, 1) != 0)
$decode = $byte ^ 'j'; # xor byte against ASCII 'j' = Hex 0x6A = Dec 106
print OUTPUT $decode; # write the decoded output to a file
close INPUT;
close OUTPUT;
After writing the XOR Perl script, we converted the Bash script to Perl to speed the process up.
Download : https://raw.github.com/OpenSecurityResearch/unbup/master/UnBup.pl
# UnBup
# Tony Lee and Travis Rosiek
# Tony.Lee-at-Foundstone.com
# Travis_Rosiek-at-McAfee.com
# Bup Extraction tool - Reverse a McAfee Quarantined Bup file with Bash
# Input: Bup File
# Output: Details.txt file and original binary (optional)
# Note: This does not put the file back to the original location (output is to current directory)
# Detect the absence of command line parameters. If the user did not specify any, print usage statement
if (@ARGV == 0) { Usage(); exit(); }
##### Function Usage #####
# Prints usage statement
sub Usage
print "UnBup v1.0
Usage: UnBup.pl [option]
-d = details file only (no executable)
-h = help menu
-s = safe executable (extension is .ex)
Please report bugs to Tony.Lee-at-Foundstone.com and Travis_Rosiek-at-McAfee.com\n"
##### Function XorLoop #####
# Loop through files to perform bitwise xor with key write binary to file
# Input arguments input filename and output filename
# example: XorLoop(Details, Details.txt)
sub XorLoop
# Open input file as read only to avoid accidentally modifying the file
open INPUT, "<$_[0]" or die "Input file \"$_[0]\" does not exist\n";
# Open the output file to write to it
open OUTPUT, ">$_[1]" or die "Cannot open file \"$_[1]\"";
# Loop until all bytes in the file are read
while (($n = read INPUT, $byte, 1) != 0)
$decode = $byte ^ 'j'; # xor byte against ASCII 'j' = Hex 0x6A = Dec 106
print OUTPUT $decode; # write the decoded output to a file
close INPUT;
close OUTPUT;
##### Function CreateDetails #####
# Create the Details.txt file with metadata on bup'd file
sub CreateDetails
# Check to see if the text file exists, if not let the user know
unless(-e "$BupName") { print "\nError: The file \"$BupName\" does not exist\n"; Usage; exit 0; }
print "Extracting encoded files from Bup\n";
`7z e $BupName`; # Extract the xor encoded files (Details and File_0)
print "Creating the Details.txt file\n";
XorLoop("Details", "Details.txt"); # Call XorLoop function with variables set
##### Function ExtractBinary #####
# Extracts the original binary from the bup file
sub ExtractBinary
$Field=`grep OriginalName Details.txt | awk -F '\\' '{ print NF }'`; # Find the binary name field
$OUTNAME=`grep OriginalName Details.txt | cut -d '\\' -f $Field`; # Find the binary name
print "Extracting the binary\n";
XorLoop("$INPUT", "$OUTNAME"); # Call xor function again
if ($ARGV[0] eq "-d"){ # Print details file only
`rm Details File_0`; # Clean up original files
elsif ($ARGV[0] eq "-h"){ # Print usage statement
elsif ($ARGV[0] eq "-s"){ # Create "safe" binary
$OLD=$OUTNAME; # Store original name in $OLD variable
`mv $OLD $OUTNAME`; # Rename the binary to remove that last E
`rm Details File_0`; # Clean up original files
else {
CreateDetails($ARGV[0]); # Extract details file and binary
`rm Details File_0`; # Clean up original files
Final thoughts and coding challengeWe provided two different methods for extracting a McAfee Bup tool in Linux. It may not be the most graceful solution—but it works and it did not take much time to hack up. However, we are looking for options that would be useful to others. If you have some options, please feel free to state what you would find useful.
Additionally, these scripts (bash and Perl) fit the bill for us—but it may not meet the needs for those without the 7zip extractor (bash and perl) or xxd (bash script only) utility. Our challenge to anyone that wants to geek out is the following:
- Reduce the dependencies (No need for 7zip or xxd)
- Code it in your favorite language (python, ruby, C, LUA… whatever you want)
- Be as concise and clear as possible
One hint to anyone who gets started on manually parsing the format:
hexdump -C 7dc7ed19123df0.bup | head -n 1
00000000 d0 cf 11 e0 a1 b1 1a e1 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 |................|
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compound_File_Binary_Format
- http://www.openoffice.org/sc/compdocfileformat.pdf
Feel free to post back. :) Happy hacking!


text:
Is there hope for this?
I say YES!
First take out the shoulder pads.
Then cut off the sleeves.
Next, cut off the extra around the arm holes.
Pin the sides to fit.
Sew new side seams.
Trim seams.
Cut a new neckline. For symmetry, cut the first side then fold it over and continue cutting, using it as a pattern.
Cut the bottom off the sleeves.
Using a rotary cutter, cut 2 inch strips.
Cut them open and lay flat.
Sew all the short sides of the strips together.
Using the longest stitch and the highest tension, sew down the middle of the strip and it will automatically ruffle.
Pin the ruffle around the new neckline and down the front then sew again down the middle of the ruffle.
I was going for this look from Pinterest , now I just need a navy cardigan. It's not exactly like the shirt, I think I'll try a softer tee shirt next time.
I used the same technique for the ruffle on this dress.
You might also like:


text:
The HAARP induction magnetometer has, and is still reading steady at 2.5 Hz with a few spikes here and there. We first noticed the increase March 11, 2013.
We last saw a similar pattern during the great Japan Quake, and anomalies in the Haiti earthquake.
Is this a predictor of some catastrophic event coming soon? We have a CME expected to impact earth today and PanStarr is still speeding by. Another CME, earth directed is coming in time for St. Patrick's Day. May the luck of the Irish be with the people of Earth!
Space weather, like earthquake prediction is not an exact science. Maybe we are just noticing patterns more frequently now that many more are paying attention to data and have Internet access.
"There is some intriguing research about whether large earthquakes are associated with ionospheric changes caused by electromagnetic signals released by the crushing of rock crystalline structures. If so, then this might be a mechanism for major earthquake prediction." From Stanford NASA Research
Earlier this week there were some odd tones coming from HAARP that sounded like the movie, "Close encounters of the third kind."
Have a Listen to HAARP Tones The mp3 audio is 8 seconds of audio, of well- something. Opinions?
Via iPhone on March 15, 2013


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This is my third year of playing the Reading Bingo Card. I like it because during the year I don't look for books to fill in the card – I just read what I want to read and then see whether the books I've read will match the squares. I also like it because it is an excellent way of looking back at the books I've read and reminding me of how much I enjoyed them.
Here is my completed card for 2018:
A Book With More Than 500 pages.
Victoria: A Life by A N Wilson – 656 pages. It took me three months to read this biography and I learned so much and enjoyed it immensely. Victoria was 81 when she died and had been Queen for nearly 64 years, from 1837 to 1901. She'd had 9 children and was grandmother of 42. It's detailed, well researched and illustrated, with copious notes, an extensive bibliography and an index. He portrays Victoria both as a woman, a wife and a mother as well as a queen, set against the backdrop of the political scene in Britain and Europe.
A Forgotten Classic
The British Library series of crime classics presents forgotten classics many of which have been out of print since before the Second War. I've read several of them, including Bats in the Belfry by E C R Lorac, a pen name of Edith Caroline Rivett who was a prolific writer of crime fiction from the 1930s to the 1950s. It was first published in 1937 and I think it is one of the better Golden Age Mysteries that I've read. It's set in London in the 1930s, full of descriptive writing, painting vivid pictures of the streets of London and in particular the spooky, Gothic tower in which a corpse is discovered, 'headless and handless'.
A Book That Became a Movie
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck Set against the background of dust bowl Oklahoma and Californian migrant life, it tells of the Joad family, who, like thousands of others, are forced to travel West in search of the promised land. The book became a movie in 1940 directed by John Ford and starring Henry Fonda.
A Book Published This Year
Turning for Home by Barney Norris was published in January this year. It's a novel of love and loss, grief and guilt. Every year, Robert's family come together at a rambling old house to celebrate his birthday. Aunts, uncles, distant cousins – it has been a milestone in their lives for decades. But this year Robert doesn't want to be reminded of what has happened since they last met.
A Book with a Number in the Title
The Three Evangelists by Fred Vargas, quirky crime fiction, with eccentric characters and an intricate plot. The three title characters are thirty-something historians, Mathias, Marc and Lucien, all down on their luck. Together with Marc's uncle and godfather, Armand Vandoosler, an ex-policeman, they have just moved into a house next door to retired opera singer Sophia Siméonidis and her husband Pierre. When a tree unexpectedly appears in Sophia's garden she asks for their help in digging around the tree to see if something has been buried there.
A Book Written by Someone Under Thirty
The Dancer at the Gai-Moulin by Georges Simenon, is one of the early Maigret books published in 1931 when Simenon was 28. Set in Liege in Belgium, a corpse is found in the Botanical Gardens in a large laundry basket in the middle of a lawn.
A Book With Non-Human Characters
The Toymakers by Robert Dinsdale – a wonderful book about Papa Jack's Emporium in London, a toyshop extraordinaire. The toys it sells aren't ordinary toys – they seem alive, from patchwork dogs, to flying pegasi, Russian dolls that climb out of one another, runnerless rocking horses, whales that devour ships, fire-breathing dragons and many others to the toy soldiers that wage war on each other.
A Funny Book
Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome. When Jerome began writing this book he intended it to be a serious travel book about the Thames, its scenery and history, but, as he wrote, it turned into a funny book. The Thames remains at the centre of the book but it is also full of anecdotes about the events that happened to him and his friends whilst out on the river, interspersed with passages about the scenery and history. It's a gentle, witty book that kept me entertained all the way through
A Book By A Female Author
I'm spoilt for choice in this category, with lots of female authors to choose from. In the end I've picked No Further Questions by Gillian McAllister, one of the 5* books I've read this year. It plunges straight into a trial as Martha sits in the courtroom listening to expert witnesses being questioned and cross-examined about the death of her baby, Layla, just eight weeks old. Her sister Becky is accused of murdering her. She found Layla dead in her cot and denies killing her. It looked like a cot death – until the postmortem showed otherwise – and the police are convinced it was murder.
A Book With A Mystery
I could have chosen any one of the many crime fiction novels I've read this year, but I've picked Watching You by Lisa Jewell, crime fiction that keeps you guessing about everything right from the first page – someone was murdered, but who was it and why, and just who was the killer? Full of suspense and drama, it is only right at the end of the book that all becomes clear. I loved it.
A Book With A One Word Title
Munich by Robert Harris is a novel about the 1938 Munich Conference, a mix of fact and fiction. Harris uses two fictional characters, Hugh Legat as one of Chamberlain's private secretaries and Paul Hartmann, a German diplomat and a member of the anti-Hitler resistance to tell his story.
A Book of Short Stories
Foreign Bodies edited by Martin Edwards. A collection of 15 stories, vintage crime fiction in translation, written by authors from Hungary, Japan, Denmark, India, Germany, Mexico, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia and France. Martin Edwards has prefaced each one with a brief biographical note. Authors include – Arthur Conan Doyle, G K Chesterton, Michael Innes, Margery Allingham and Dorothy L Sayers.
Free Square
For this square I've chosen a book in translation. It's Time is a Killer by Michel Bussi, translated from the French by Shaun Whiteside. Every summer Clotilde, her brother, Nicolas and her parents, Paul and Palma Idrissi visit Paul's parents in Corsica. In 1989 Paul, Palma and Nicolas are killed in a car crash. Twenty seven years later Clotilde returns. Her grandparents are still alive but are reluctant to talk about the accident and the locals seem to resent her presence. As Clotilde delves into her memories she begins to realise that the past is not quite as she thought it was.
A Book Set On A Different Continent
Force of Nature by Jane Harper – I loved this book, set in the fictional Giralang Ranges in Australia, seeing the Mirror Falls roaring down from a cliff edge into the pool fifteen metres below, the eucalyptus trees and the dense bush, and the breathtaking views of rolling hills and valleys as the gum trees give way, with the sun hanging low in the distance. But this is the story of a team-building event that went badly wrong when Alice went missing and a search party is sent out into the bush to find her.
A Book of Non Fiction
Painting as a Pastime by Winston Churchill – a wonderful book, I loved it. He wrote about the pleasure he discovered in a heightened sense of observation and also about the need for a change to rest and strengthen the mind that painting provided – 'Whatever the worries of the hour or the threats of the future, once the picture has begun to flow along, there is no room for them in the mental screen. They pass out into shadow and darkness.'
The First Book By a Favourite Author
After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell – her debut novel. The main character, Alice is in a coma after being in road accident, which may or may not have been a suicide attempt. She has been grieving the death of her husband, John.
A Book You Heard About On Line
Many of the books I read these days are books I've heard about on line. I've chosen A Perfectly Good Man by Patrick Gale because when I wrote about Notes From an Exhibition Café Society recommended it. The 'perfectly good man' is Barnaby Johnson, a parish priest, a man who always tries to do the right thing, but he doesn't always manage it. It's a beautifully written book about faith and the loss of faith, about love and cruelty and deception, about ordinary life and about everyday tragedies, and also sublime moments.
A Best Selling Book
Tombland by C J Sansom, the 7th book in his Shardlake series. Another 5* book! It's 1549, Edward VI is king, England is ruled by the Duke of Somerset as Lord Protector and rebellion is spreading throughout the land. Matthew Shardlake is asked to investigate the murder of Edith Boleyn, the wife of John Boleyn – a distant Norfolk relation of Elizabeth's mother Anne Boleyn. Then he and his assistants get caught up in the rebellion against the landowners' enclosures of the common land as thousands of peasants led by Robert Kett establish a vast camp outside Norwich.
A Book Based On A True Story
The Hunger by Alma Katsu, one of the 5* books I've read this year. It's historical fiction based on the true story of the Donner Party, a group of pioneers, people who were looking for a better life in the American West. They formed a wagon train under the leadership of George Donner and James Reed making their way west to California in 1846. Alma Katsu's book interweaves fact with fiction and with hints of the supernatural and Indian myths it becomes a thrilling, spine tingling horrific tale.
A Book At The Bottom of Your To Be Read Pile
The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney – I've had this book since 2007. It's set in Canada in 1867 beginning in a small place called Dove River on the north shore of Georgian Bay where Mr and Mrs Ross were the first people to settle. The setting is beautiful and as I read I felt as though I was in the wilds of Canada. It's complex book with many characters and many sub-plots as the search for the murderer of the French-Canadian trapper, Laurent Jammet.
A Book Your Friend Loves
Wedlock by Wendy Moore is a book recommended by a friend, who thought it was very good. She was quite right and I loved this biography of Mary Eleanor Bowes, who was one of Britain's richest young heiresses in 18th century Britain. Her first husband was the Count of Strathmore – the Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, was a direct descendant of their marriage. Her second marriage to Andrew Robinson Stoney was an absolute disaster. He was brutally cruel and treated her with such violence, humiliation, deception and kidnap, that she lived in fear for her life.
A Book that Scares You
The Craftsman by Sharon Bolton. This is one of her standalone books. They are all really scary, creepy books and I was inescapably drawn into this chilling and terrifying story with the horrors of being buried alive clearly described. It is a remarkably powerful book, full of tension and fear about coffin-maker Larry Glassbrook, a serial child killer who buried his victims alive.
A Book That Is More Then Ten Years Old
Absent in the Spring by Agatha Christie, writing as Mary Westmacott, first published in 1944. I was thoroughly absorbed in the story of Joan Scudamore. It is set in Mesopotamia (corresponding to today's Iraq, mostly, but also parts of modern-day Iran, Syria and Turkey) in a railway rest-house at Tel Abu Hamid on the Turkish border, where Joan is stranded, delayed by floods. She occupies the time with reading and then by thinking about herself. Gradually she relives her past, all the time with a growing feeling of unease and anxiety that she is not the person she thought she was.
The Second Book In A Series
Bump in the Night by Colin Watson, the second book in his Flaxborough series. It's crime fiction full of wordplay, innuendo, practical jokes and murder. Inspector Purbright investigates a series of explosions, culminating in the death of the local haulage contractor.
A Book With A Blue Cover
The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse, the first in a new trilogy set in Languedoc in the south-west of France. It's set in 1562 during the French Wars of Religion, centred on the Joubert family, Catholics living in Carcassonne and Piet Reydon, one of the Huguenot leaders. Bernard Joubert, a bookseller had been imprisoned accused of being a traitor and a heretic, and Pietis on a dangerous mission in Carcassone to further the Huguenot cause. He finds his life is in danger from the priest Vidal.


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Ravens first-round safety Matt Elam doesn't plan to hire an agent at this time and will negotiate his own rookie contract, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.
The source emphasized that Elam's contract will be finalized in time for training camp and no deal is imminent. Rookies, quarterbacks and selected veterans report July 21.
Under the NFL collective bargaining agreement, Elam isn't required to have an agent to negotiate an NFL contract. Recently, San Francisco 49ers veteran defensive end Justin Smith negotiated his own contract extension without representation.
Drafted 32nd overall by the Super Bowl champions, Elam is being advised by his older brother, veteran NFL safety Abram Elam.
The Ravens will spend $1.23 million against the salary cap in the first year when they sign Elam.
Under the NFL slotting system, Elam is slated to sign a four-year, $6.767 million contract that will include a $3.301 million signing bonus.
Elam has met with several agents before and after the draft, but has opted to not sign with one. Elam recently struck a multi-year endorsement deal with Under Armour.
Getting acclimated to the NFL hasn't been a slow process for Elam.
The former University of Florida All-American has been picking up the defense quickly and hasn't displayed any hesitation while lining up at strong safety and other positions.
Baltimore Ravens Insider
Although the more difficult litmus tests will occur in training camp and the regular season, Elam has made a positive impression on the Ravens' veteran defensive backs.
Elam is slated to compete with James Ihedigbo for the starting job. Ihedigbo once competed with Abram Elam when they were both with the New York Jets.
"Matt's a great player, he's a great guy," Ihedigbo said. "I played with his brother, Abe, with the Jets, so he comes with a great pedigree. I'm excited. At the end of the day, the best 11 players will be on the field."
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Elam recorded 176 career tackles, 24 for losses, six interceptions and two forced fumbles in three seasons for the Gators before being picked in the first round by general manager Ozzie Newsome.
"He's a great young man, quiet young man but not quiet on the field," cornerback Lardarius Webb said. "I'm glad he's here. I'm very impressed. Ozzie picked a nice young man in the first round."


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Merry Christmas everyone! I hope all of my friends, readers, and fellow bloggers have an amazing day and can spend time with your loved ones. And maybe make a little time to catch up on that backlog of dramas we all have! Thank you all for the gift of your time that you've spent on this site reading and commenting this year. It's a wonderful present for me!
Merry Christmas!


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A little fellow I drew up over Easter… Didnt have my Wacom board so just did it with the pen tool in Illustrator CC and some Photoshop blend-mode craziness (too much in hindsight).
Mad RSI happening in my wrist right now! 🙂
Hello all you Panic-lovers out there.
Well… a few you have wondered what is the go with all the Jesus inspired Panics of late so now is the time to let you know the deal! 🙂
Around six months ago I began to question my long-held beliefs of "non-belief". I had come to a dead-end in my atheistic, reductionist way of thinking and found something I had always been looking for in Christ. Believe me, it was a very confronting and uneasy time for me seeing I had all but discounted religion (and especially Christianity) as being a bunch of non-sense! But though many days and nights of reflection, study, YouTubing, Interwebbing and the like, what I had always been looking for was to be found (for me) in the Gospels.
For those who know me, I am not one to accept anything on word alone but in Christ I have found Truth… and now to introduce the new chapter in my illustrative life… A Creative Ministry. A place where I minister to the world through illustration and word. If you have any interest in the Good News or just like some sweet illustrative goodness, I would love for you to follow.
This doesn't mean the end of the Creative Panic… I will still be posting illustrative goodness to this blog, but of a secular variety and all my "Jesus stuff" will be heading to http://www.acreativeministry.com
Thank you to all of you who continue to follow thecreativepanic.com!
Much love and God bless!
I'm currently nurturing a sweet Mo for Movember… check out my MoSpace page here and feel free to donate a dollar or two to a great cause which is Men's Health! YAAAAAY!


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You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'o.b. tampons' tag.
I'm working on a post that explains my long absence but this news couldn't wait: Johnson and Johnson has issued a formal apology for creating a run on feminine plugs.
complained about alerted people to this problem in my post, "What's the Dealio Johnson and Johnson?" last February. I had hoped that someone at J&J would send me a personal response to my fantastically worded email, but I'll just have to accept their personalized video apology, instead.
Go to O.B. tampons' website, type in your name, and voila! A good-looking nerd will croon a "triple sorry" just for you. I watched it twice (the Canadian version doesn't seem to be different from its U.S. sister). You'll enjoy the white baby grand piano, rose petals and heart tattoos. Hilariously excellent.
Thanks to astute OINKtales readers, Kaki, for forwarding me the link to the apology and Meredith, who recommended I purchase my feminine hygiene products from drugstore.com. You warm my dove surrounded heart!
To paraphrase an 80s glam rock band: I didn't know what I had until I didn't. For over two months now, I have been on a quest for a name-brand product that has seemingly disappeared from the market. I have relied on this product my entire adult life never fearing that it would go the way of Elaine Benes' sponges. But after a search that has extended across two New England states, reality has set in.
What is this mystery product that is in such demand, you ask? Well, it's kind of like Elaine's sponges except it's used for an altogether different reason. The monthly kind of reason. If you are a woman reading this post, you know exactly what I mean. If you are a man and you are still reading this post, then Kudos! I bet you've stared down hordes of pimply faced teenagers at your local grocery store on your wife/girlfriend/daughter's behalf.
You may think I'm exaggerating, but I'm not. And I'm far from being the only one lamenting the loss of her preferred cotton plug. CNNMoney.com reports that the dearth of O.B. tampons has created a black market for them. I'm not kidding. As they said, it's "for reals." Johnson & Johnson, O.B.'s maker and distributor has given no explanation for the shortage. Their website simply promises that O.B. tampons are increasingly in-stock at more stores nationwide. Only not in the six stores I checked over the weekend.
I reached my breaking point after dodging traffic on foot at a busy Boston intersection just so I could dart into a CVS pharmacy while my family circled the block in our borrowed car. Shortly thereafter, O.B.'s information center received the following missive:
Dear O.B. –
For over twenty years, you have been not just by my side but in my insides once a month for three or more days (definitely more since I've had kids). We ought to be better communicators given the intimate nature of our relationship. I'm not ready to break up with you but I have to say I've been really irritated by your unexpected absence. Where have you gone? What's happened to you? When I stopped finding you on the shelves of my grocery and drug stores, I went online and read you were having "manufacturing difficulties." Seeing how you've absorbed my troubles so handily over the years, I was willing to cut you some slack. I emptied all my purses and handbags of my just-in-case-I'm-surprised stashes and made do. But it's been two months and I have had enough. I've been to CVS, Kinney Drugs, Price Chopper and Hannafords in two states and found just empty shelves staring back at me. Your competitors have nothing on you; it's just not the same. Please tell me when you will be coming back. I can't stand this much longer. I need you.
In desperation and loyalty,
Who would have thought that a tampon could inspire passion?


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MSU Baseball Wins Series At Georgia
ATHENS, Ga. (MSU Athletics) – Mississippi State junior left-hander Ross Mitchell threw his team's first complete game of the season as the Bulldogs knocked off Georgia 6-1 in the opening game of a Southeastern Conference doubleheader Saturday at Foley Field.
Trevor Fitts, Jacob Lindgren and Jonathan Holder followed that lead as the trio of Bulldog hurlers turned in another masterpiece in the nightcap. MSU completed the doubleheader sweep with a 4-1 victory.
MSU improved to 15-8 overall and 2-1 in league play, while winning a series at Georgia for the first time since 1997.Georgia saw its 11-game win streak snapped in Saturday's opener and finished the day at 13-8 and 1-2.
"You can't say too many superlatives for what our pitchers did today against a good offensive team," MSU head coach John Cohen said. "We had our main guys on the bump. When they pitch, you can tell there is a different vibe in the dugout. The numbers are staggering when we have the lead late in a game. When you have really good guys at the back end of your pitching staff, you should be able to close out wins."
In the opener, Mitchell (3-1) needed 129 pitches to throw his first complete game in the Maroon and White. His previous career high was eight innings thrown. Mitchell is now 19-1 in his MSU career. The complete game was the first by a Bulldog hurler since Kendall Graveman threw one at Texas A&M on April 13, 2013.
The MSU offensive attack included a three-run third inning and a three-run seventh inning.
In the third inning, Zack Randolph started things with a one-out walk. Matthew Britton followed with an RBI-double to the outfield gap. After a single by Jake Vickerson, Alex Detz doubled both runners home.
In the seventh inning, MSU started things with a leadoff walk by Cody Brown and an infield error by Georgia which reached Randolph. Britton followed with a two-run single and Brett Pirtle added an infield hit for another run.
Detz had a hit in all three games in the series. Britton had two hits and three RBIs as the Bulldogs finished with six total hits.
Georgia broke up the shutout in the eighth inning but did not threaten against Mitchell in the ninth inning.
"We just had a much better day at the plate," Cohen said. "We played with more confidence and attacked more. When you have the pitchers on the mound that we had today, you just want to get some type of lead. Scoring runs early proved really big for this ballclub."
In game two, MSU scored first with a lone run in the first inning on an RBI-single by Detz. The lead was stretched to 3-0 in the fourth inning on a two-run double by C.T. Bradford.
Fitts drew the start for MSU but was lifted with two outs in the fifth inning and his team leading 3-1. Lindgren (2-0) worked MSU out of that tight spot and dominated until running into difficulty of his own in the eighth inning. With two runners on, Holder entered and got the strikeout before working the ninth inning for his second save.
MSU finished with seven hits, including another RBI-single by Detz in the ninth inning. Bradford was the lone multiple hitter for MSU in this contest.
MSU does not play a midweek game this weekend. Conference play resumes next weekend when Vanderbilt comes to Dudy Noble Field. The Bulldogs and Commodores are scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. Friday (Comcast Sports Southeast), 6:30 p.m. Saturday (ESPNU) and 1:30 p.m. Sunday.