Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

subzerohitman721 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:30:42 GMT

@webguy

There is a virus called OSX.Leap.A that uses the jpeg encoding technique. It was considered the first true worm for OS-X and showed that a compromise was possible. That is what I'm using for precedent of such an attack. Its documented at Symantec if you want more on that virus. Yes its an oldie, but I'm sure someone out there has a variant if the system doesn't have anti-virus. A slight creative licence but still very logical and possible.

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

WebGuy3000 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:15:29 GMT

@ subzerohitman721

Yes, I'm familiar with jpeg viruses. I'm not aware of any that ever affected Macs, however, which I thought took a bit of the edge off your little satire. Sorry if I was oblique.

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

subzerohitman721 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:06:06 GMT

@Doc,

He's dating Dunst now. Thats why I included her.

@WebGuy,

One of the virus writer's techniques, very popular with porn and celebrity photos is to insert virus code within a jpeg image. You download the jpeg and when you view it, it starts sending malicious code that can compromise your system. Its one of the defenses in both Defender and the Malicious Software Removal Tool thats updated very often by Microsoft.

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

WebGuy3000 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:49:04 GMT

Jpeg viruses?

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

DRWAM — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:42:23 GMT

Sub, that's too funny! Did he date Kirsten too? If so, I'm going to cry too!

Doc

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

subzerohitman721 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:58:15 GMT

New idea for a commercial.

(White background and two people standing. One in jeans and a tshirt, another with a business suit on.)

Mac: (Facing down to the floor and sweating profusely. Groaning.)

PC: And I'm a PC. Mac, are you okay?

(Mac looks down grabbing his stomach, puts his hands to the stomach.)

PC: He must have downloaded that early version of iTunes 8. Good thing I waited. Looks like he downloaded some bad photographs too. I warned him about those jpeg viruses. He was looking for Drew Barrymore pics, I think? I don't get his obsession with her. We'll Mac, not so smug now aren't cha. (PC walks over and pats him on the back.)

(Mac pukes on himself and the floor.)

PC: Oh, goodness. That must be the Kirsten Dunst photos. Defender caught that. Oh, I thought Blaster had made me sick. Come on Mac, we'll take you down to IT. Purge those bad bad drivers, Barrymore and Dunst pictures, and maybe we'll put a copy of Vista on ya. Then you can browse the web without those nasty little bugs cluttering your hard drive.

(Mac helping PC off to the IT department. Walking off screen.)

PC: Does anyone have an antivirus disk around here?

Vista: Security Included.

(The Windows Orb appears on the screen.)

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

shark47 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:15:59 GMT

Isn't it funny (and a little ironical) that when you change "Vista" in the latest set of Mac internet ads to "iPhone" or "iTunes", it still makes sense? :-)

But that's how all software works these days. Every software needs bug fixes after release. That Apple would make such a big deal about it is strange.

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

DRWAM — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:03:13 GMT

Our IT guy just showed me hid Blackjack II, which he just updated WinMo. It funny how my iPhone and the BJ II are so similar and do so many similar things, but the iPhone hype is incredible. Obviously the screen is larger and web surfing is nice on the iphone, but the rest is pretty darn similar. he bought a MacBookAir BTW. He really loves it, but did not bring it with. Isn't that the point? Maybe it's on a shrine:)

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

DRWAM — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:55:31 GMT

The 2.1 iPhone firmware is out. The fixes certainly prove that problems exist. I'll wait to update. My Treo had one single update during it's life. Another reason Palm is losing business to the competition.

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

DRWAM — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:06:06 GMT

Also gents, after owning a gadget for slightly more than a month without a problem, I don't consider it a success until longer term use proves it. My Treo failed in 3.5 months and my RAZR had problems after 10 months of use. Early problems with newly released gadgets can be expected, but quick fixes are also to be expected from good companies. If not, they suck. Lack of good testing is not smart and akin to rolling dice. Reputations are at risk, and therefore sensable planning [testing] should be a top goal.

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

mikegalos@msn.com — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:51:12 GMT

FYI: According to Ed Bott's blog blogs.zdnet.com/Bott what Apple did in this "fix" was to roll back the updated USB driver to the version that shipped with iTunes 7.7

So, either there was no need to update the driver for iTunes 8 or whatever features the new USB driver enabled are less important than getting this fiasco under control.

If it's the first, then you really have to wonder what Apple was thinking when they updated a kernel level driver for no compelling reason.

If it's the second, then Apple failing to document what features are now broken by the lack of the new driver is yet another of Apple's "secrecy takes precedence over the good of the users" choice.

It'll be interesting to see which it is.

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

mikegalos@msn.com — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:40:18 GMT

johnbaxter

I'm pretty sure even Leo didn't install "I Am RIch"

On the other hand, the insanely restrictive developer program was justified by claiming that as a result iPhone apps would be safe to install. It's fair to forgive Apple for either the restrictions on 3rd party developers or buggy 3rd party apps but not both.

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

mikegalos@msn.com — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:35:37 GMT

beaker

By far most iPod owners are Windows users.

On the other hand, most Windows users don't have an iPod.

(As for them switching to Zune, with the accessory lock in and the Apple DRMed AAC file lock in, I understand that it's awfully hard for a lot of them to switch.)

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

Ocean — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:35:28 GMT

The touch is enough for me. I just want the improved web experience and the music player. Maybe a game or two.

My Windows Mobile phone is good enough for email, contacts and business apps.

re: Apple fixes BSOD problem it caused with iTunes 8

DRWAM — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:30:21 GMT

My Treo 650 was so buggy. I know 5 people with one and 4 of 5 had failures that needed replaced! Apple better consider better testing as we and they all know what is happening to Palm.