[Ben] and his associates over at the University of California at San Diego came up with a way to duplicate keys using a picture of them. They developed an algorithm that uses measurements from known key blanks to extrapolate the bitting code. Because the software is measuring multiple points it can correct the perspective of the photo when the key is not photographed on a flat surface, but from an angle.
They went so far as to test with cell phone cameras and using a telephoto lens from 195 feet away. In most cases, correct keys were produced within…

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Some companies insist on using proprietary pieces. It can be really frustrating when there is no apparent reason other than consumer lock in. It irritates us to feel like we’re being forced to buy their pieces. This is one of the more popular reasons listed when you ask a hacker or modder what got them started.  This project takes us through making a normal power supply work with the compaq proprietary 14 pin plug found in some smaller desktop PCs.
Aside from the plug itself being different, the motherboards require a 3.3v standby voltage. A normal power supply usually…

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Messenger Plus Live is an add on for Windows Live Messenger that adds tons of features and extras to the software Extend the possibilities of Messenger and make your experience a lot more entertaining The only thing needed to use Messenger Plus Live is Windows Live Messenger the latest version of MSN Messenger which requires Windows XP or above Messenger Plus Live is compatible with Windows Live Messenger 8 0 to 9 0 and can be installed on 32bit and 64bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista Installed more than 350 million times since 2001 when it started as…

[Michael] has a keypad in his previous car’s door and he missed it enough to hack one into his Dodge Caliber. He bought a Ford keypad and mounted it inside his door with some custom electronics. He started with an Arduino nano to receive and authenticate button presses. This then splices into wires in the door that control the door lock. The program has a 5-digit code to unlock the door, but simply pressing 1 twice will lock the doors. He also implemented a lockout feature to prevent people from brute-forcing the combination. Although it isn’t wireless, it’s significantly…

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Facebook has decided to let companies file their trademarks to prevent other users from registering a username that they have rights to. This has been an issue that many Twitter users have seen and the company has found it difficult to manage since they respond to trademark disputes on a case by case basis. Facebook is taking a different approach by letting users fill out a username prevention form. Businesses must have a “registration number” but I’m not sure what number Facebook is looking for.

Is it the registration number of the company or a specific trademark registration number? My…

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When you choose a wallpaper using the standard method (selecting a background on the desktop tab, in the properties window), Windows converts this image to a huge .bmp file (even if you selected a .jpg). Then instead of having a nice 220K wallpaper, you get a 3,15MB wallpaper. To get rid of this, try using active desktop’s web capabilities, like this: 1. Right click on your desktop and select “properties”, then select the “desktop” tab.2. Click on “Customize Desktop”.3. Select the “Web” tab and click on “New…”4. Browse for your favorite image and click OK when you are done.5. Make…

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John Battelle is one smart cookie. In a post this morning, John suggests that Twitter leverage Facebook Connect in order to prevent people from never coming back. By integrating with Facebook Connect, the company will be able to help people instantly connect and draw meaning from the site. Twitter could even take things a step further and let people import their Facebook status directly to Twitter to essentially create the ultimate status search engine.

Currently the only recommendations that Twitter provides is for celebrities and as one of my friends suggested to me during lunch the other day, the conversation…

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