Following On …

Hmmm …

This is literally going to be fairly quick: but do you remember, a few days ago, I told you about the ‘critical security flaw’ that Adobe had discovered in their Flash Player software … ?

It was definitely something to be aware of, as — according to both Adobe and the BBC report — this flaw was something that could affect machines running Mac OS X, Linux based PC’s, and — obviously — the various Windoze machines, out there.

I know I’ve told most of my friends to be a) bloody careful and b) follow the security advice on the relevant page of the Adobe site.

Thankfully, they have.

And if they haven’t, they’ve been care to not visit YouTube, or play too many flash-based games for a few days.

But I know I thought to check on the BBC’s Technology News pages, just now: where I found that Adobe have released their Flash Player 10.1 update.

Now I know that I, as a Mac owner, am going to have less chance of being hit by any malicious software out there, purely because there’s less aimed at both Mac OS X and the various Linux and Unix distributions out there.

But, given that Flash is so ubiquitous, I’d hate to leave myself open to any that are around: the more likely possibility is that I, or my Linux using friends, could easily pass on something to my Windoze using friends.

Politer not too, wouldn’t you say … ?

And — on top of that — I’d hate to be the first person to get a Flash-based OS X virus, just because I’ve not kept up-to-date …

•••••

Actually, though …

That Flash-borne problems may — or may not — be an problems for long. For a given value of ‘for long’, of course.

Because one thing I know I’ve been seeing on assorted tech news sights is references to HTML5.

Which Apple have now issued support for, in the new versio of their browser, Safari 5.

As you may or may not know, HTML is the basic computer language that defines the text in websites, how that text looks, and where it links to.

Well …

From what I’m given to understand, HTML5 is the (still under development) version which is projected to include support for ‘ rich internet application’ stuff: interactive games and multi-media streams from the likes of YouTube and Popcap Games.

And hopefully reduce the need for vulnerable, third party plug-ins.

Personally … ?

I’m just glad Apple have introduced the ability to scroll through tabs with the Ctrl (^) and tab (⇥) keys.

Given the amount of tabs I have open at any one time, that’s handy!

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The News Zoo

OK, this is going to be as quick as I can possibly get it to be, but I’ve had a couple of things wander across me attention.

First off, I’ve been having a float ’round both the BBC teletext service, and their online news page.

Seemingly, Adobe have admitted that there’s a “critical security vulnerability” in its Reader, Acrobat and Flash Player products.

And that these are cross platform: in other words, the vulnerability affects versions of the software on Mac OS X, Windows and Linux distros.

Understandably, I’ve warned as many of my friends as possible.

It’s also why I’m telling you … !

If I’ve understood things correctly, by the way, Adobe are advising people to update to the most recent versions of the relevant software, AND update what virus protection we’re using.

Well … ?

Don’t just SIT there, this could be a bad one … !!!

•••••

Second into bat, is the news that — as most Apple developers will be able to tell you — today sees the start of Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference.

And my cynical side is turning ’round and wondering who’s complaining about the lack of iPhone support for Flash, now?

But I’ve got to admit, I’ve just had a look at some of Apple’s bumf about the new generation of iPhone, announced by Steve Jobs, at that conference.

It does look impressive.

But I can only hope that’s the boys from Cupertino have managed to clean up that water-damage problem Watchdog mentioned, a while back …

•••••

Finally, and with all due thanks to the team at Life, Dr Who and ComBom for mentioning this … !!

It looks like the BBC has commissioned a fourth series of Torchwood.

No guarantees, of course, as it’s in partnership with a US channel called Starz, but it looks like Russell T. Davies and Julie Gardner will be in charge.

Which, for those of us who are missing them, could be fun … !!

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