Archive for December, 2007

Big Rock Graphics extends our warmest to all our clients over this holiday period and hope you all stay safe during this festive season.

We will also be closing the doors this holiday period until 7 January 2008. You will still be able to send comments, feedback and emails requesting graphic design or IT&T consultancy services but these will not be processed until the 7 January 2008.

We are in the hopes that the new year will bring more clients into our midst to enjoy our “no bull” approach to your needs. We deliver what you need in the fastest time possible with turnaround times and client satisfaction unmatched by our competition. Guaranteed!

So merry Christmas, and a happy New Year, from all of us here at Big Rock Graphics. May you and your families have an enjoyable break from the hectic pace we find ourselves entrenched in these days. I know we will be

Alex Serpo, ZDNet Australia
14 December 2007 07:42 AM

Researchers from the University of Queensland have taken a significant step in the quest to build a quantum computer, creating a light-based quantum circuit capable of basic calculations and moving quantum computing closer to a becoming a reality.

Theoretically, quantum computers leave even today’s most powerful conventional supercomputers in the dust. It has also been long known that hypothetical large scale quantum computers could find the prime roots of large composite numbers, allowing them to “crack” modern data encryption.

Source: http://www.zdnet.com.au/

So what do quantum computers mean to you and me? Well not a lot yet really but in theory they could produce graphic artworks as you think of them and thus putting us out of work… On the flip side, they’ll need that creative input to begin with so the only fear now is AI, and with the advent of quantum computers, that shouldn’t be far away either.

I think we’re safe for now but it won’t be too long. Not if compared to the span of the rise computers in general is any indication.

Most of the staff have asked one simple question of this amazing technology so far though; What games can we play on it? We have to admit that’s not a bad question either. Though we’re more concerned as to how fast and accurately we can produce a clients contracted design more than anything. We’re guessing, 2-3 hours to sketch and design, and 30 seconds for the quantum computer to produce it.

Exciting times ahead.

By Mark Schliebs
December 10, 2007 04:34pm

A man who allegedly tried to extort money by hijacking the internet connections of unsuspecting users to send threatening emails has been arrested in an undercover police sting.

For several months, the 22-year-old man allegedly accessed other Rockhampton residents’ wireless connections to send emails that could not be traced back to him, police in the northern Queensland city said.

According to police, the man allegedly used his handheld computer or PDA, the unsecured connections and a “masking” service that allowed him to send the alleged threats to a variety of people using a magazine editor’s email address.

Police in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria – as well the Australian Federal Police – were involved in investiging the emails.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/

This highlights the lack of information that Australian ISP’s provide customers when they purchase home WiFi networks. The most important thing anyone can do, who owns a home WiFi network, is to secure that connection from outside access. Big Rock Graphics recommends you have at least a WPA passkey on your router to prevent such an occurrence in the above story happening to you.

The story is an extreme example of what can happen with an unsecured network. More insidious is the theft of bandwidth which is on the rise due to home WiFi network sales also being on the rise. With Australian ISP’s offering such low bandwidth quota’s (as opposed to the USA, Europe and Asia) you really do need to protect what little you have.

We’d also like to recommend that the Herald Sun’s Mark Schliebs obtain a spell-check too…

If you have a home, SOE or corporate environment WiFi network and would like further information on how to secure your network, please contact our Big Rock Graphics sales team today, and we’ll see to it that you’re protected.

By Erin McWhirter, Film Writer
December 07, 2007 12:00am

He has played a gladiator, a legendary criminal and a giant green Hulk, but it was Eric Bana’s role as a tortured soul in Romulus, My Father that has won him his first Australian Film Institute Award in seven years.

Rushing in from the Toronto set of The Traveller’s Wife, the 39-year-old pocketed two gongs at the L’Oreal Paris AFI Awards last night for his leading role in the true story.

Source: http://www.news.com.au/

We here at Big Rock Graphics think Eric Bana is one of the most talented actors to have ever graced the screen in a very long time. From comedy, to drama and action films, this man can do it all. Even his switch from hero to villain roles are flawless.

Well done Eric we all wish you even more success for your future endeavours, and it’s good to see the “nice guy” getting what he has deserved for many years, finally come to pass.