USA BASKETBALL TEAM WINS GOLD MEDAL

Riding 27 points from Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat) and 20 points from Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), the 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic Team (8-0) dethroned reigning World Champion Spain (6-2) in a fight-to-the-finish 118-107 victory that earned the USA the Olympic gold medal Sunday afternoon at Wukesong Arena in Beijing, China. The gold was the USA's 13th all-time in Olympic competition and its first gold medal finish in a major international competition since claiming gold in the 2000 Olympics.

Answering every Spanish comeback attempt in the second and third periods, the USA watched its nine-point lead shrink to as little as two in the fourth period before 13 points from Bryant and Wade's fourth 3-pointer of the game propelled the USA past Spain and to its eighth consecutive double-digit win in as many games, including its second over Spain.

In Sunday's bronze medal game, Argentina (6-2) topped Lithuania (5-3) 87-75 to collect the third-place medal.

"I'm proud of our guys. We played with great character in one of the great games in international basketball history, I think," said USA and Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski. "Because if we didn't have great character, we would not have been able to beat another team that had great character. Spain was fabulous. Everything we did, we tried to stop them, and we couldn't stop them completely. It was a great basketball game where everybody involved played at the highest level, and I think it brought out the best in us. We're thoroughly thankful for the opportunity to represent our country. (We're) ecstatic about winning the gold medal."

Both teams were hot from the field, but the USA bettered Spain's 51.4 percent (38-74 FGs) shooting with a 60.0 percent performance (39-65 FGs) of its own, and led by Wade's 4-of-7 shooting from deep, the USA shot 13-of-28 from 3-point to set a U.S. Olympic record for the most 3-pointers made.

"I felt that I haven't had a good game in the last two games, so I really made it a point to come out, be very aggressive from the start," said Wade, who tallied 21 of his 27 points in the first half. "I got into a rhythm early and it just kept going."

LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) added 14 points and six rebounds; Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets) tallied 13 points and five assists and shot 9-of-10 from the free throw line; and Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets) also added 13 points to round out the USA's double-digit scorers. Bryant also dished six assists.

"Every possession counted tonight for all 40 minutes, every possession counted, James stated. "You couldn't take one possession off, one second off. If it wasn't for the determination and the will power we have in each other, we wouldn't have pulled through and got this win. Much respect to Spain, but U.S. is back on top again."

The lead changed six times to start the game before two bonus free-throws for Spain put it ahead 22-17. Paul converted on a 3-point play to kick off a 14-3 run that gave the USA a 31-25 advantage when Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors), who grabbed seven rebounds and shot 6-of-6 from the free throw line, cleaned up a missed free throw by Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic) with 1:31 on the clock. The teams traded scores from there, and Wade drained a 3-pointer 10 seconds before the first break to stretch the U.S. lead to 38-31 after one.

Four different U.S. scorers combined for five made 3-pointers in the second period, including two from Wade, to help the USA counter 13 points from Spain's Rudy Fernandez, and the U.S. held a 69-61 lead at halftime.

Spain outscored the U.S. 10-6 to start the third period, and the USA called a time out at with 6:04 on the clock and just a four point lead, 75-71.

Out of the break, Anthony blocked a shot, Bosh collected the rebound and fired the ball ahead to Anthony on a fast break, and the USA capped the third quarter with a 16-11 run and the score was 91-82 headed into the final 10 minutes.

Spain opened the final stanza with a 7-0 run that forced another USA timeout just 1:47 into the quarter with the U.S. up by just two points, 91-89. Bryant scored two points out of the timeout, Deron Williams (Utah Jazz) sank a 3-pointer and Howard dunked a Bryant assist to cushion the USA advantage to 98-89 with 6:48 left.

As was the case for the entire 40 minutes, Spain refused to quit and two points from Gasol with 3:32 remaining pulled Spain within five points, 104-99. Bryant answered once again, this time drilling a 3-pointer while drawing Fernandez's fifth and final foul. Bryant sank the free throw for a four-point play that restored the U.S. advantage to
108-99.

Bryant's four-point punch didn't knock Spain out, however, as Carlos Jimenez' 3-pointer at 2:25 cut the U.S. lead to 108-104.

It was Wade who dealt the final blow against Spain with his fourth 3-pointer of the game at 2:04 that put the USA back up by seven, 111-104.

"Not only did we win this gold medal, but it was probably one of the best Olympic games ever," said Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons). "I kept thinking I might have been part of one of the best Olympic basketball games for all time.

Both teams never gave up; both teams shot a high percentage. A different player on each team always came down the court and made a great play."

Both teams converted its free throw opportunities into points. Spain shot 23-of-28 (.821) from the line, while the USA was 27-of-37 (.730) from the charity stripe.

Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks) is the only two-time Olympic gold medalist on the 2008 team and becomes just the 13th U.S. player in history to collect two gold medals; while Kidd, Anthony, Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz), James and Wade now belong to a small group of just 18 two-time U.S. Olympic basketball team members.

"What you saw today was a team," Bryant added. "Everybody wants to talk about NBA players being selfish, being arrogant, being individuals. What you saw today was a team bonding together, facing adversity and coming of here with a big win."

The U.S. men have medaled in every Olympics they have played in, including 13 gold medals, 1 silver and two bronze, while compiling a 122-5 win-loss record for a 96.0 winning percentage. U.S. Olympic teams featuring NBA players are 35-3 in the Olympics, and the USA has won four of five Olympic titles (1992, 1996, 2000 and 2008).

Serving as 2008 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team assistant coaches are Syracuse University and Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, New York Knicks head mentor Mike D'Antoni and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan.

AVRIL LAVIGNE IN THE PHILIPPINES

Birth Name: Avril Ramona Lavigne

Born: September 27, 1984
Genre(s): Modern Rock,Pop Punk,Pop Rock,Teen Pop,Alternative Rock
Years active: 1999-present
Intrument(s):Vocals,Electric guitar,piano,drums,acoustic guitar

Avril Lavigne is a girl who knows what she wants. And when it came to writing her eagerly awaited third album, The Best Damn Thing, she had one very clear goal in mind: To make it fun. While touring in 2004 for her last album, Under My Skin, which sold more than 8 million copies worldwide, the Canadian-born punk-pop dynamo found that her favorite songs to play were the faster, more up-tempo songs so she resolved to make a record that captured the kind of high-spirited, full-throttle energy that she loved to unleash on-stage.

The Best Damn Thing is brimming with gutsy guitar riffs, instantaneously catchy sing-along party-starting choruses, power pop punk, and rebellious rock'n' roll attitude. It's a marked departure from the darker, more introspective tone of Under My Skin and on as the defiant, riotous, kiss-off-to-a-cheating-boyfriend "Everything Back But You", Avril took pleasure in creating scenarios for her lyrics that weren't, as she says, "straight out of my diary." The result is a collection of songs that reveal just how far she's evolved as a songwriter and singer, from the sassy, empowering "I Can Do Better" (one of Avril's personal favorites) to the irrepressible first single "Girlfriend" which unexpectedly combines a hip-hop beat with beefy power chords, hand-claps, and a chanted girl-group-style chorus with a punk rock twist to the emotional ballad "Keep Holding On", which she wrote at the request of 20th Century Fox for the studio's fantasy/adventure film Eragon.


She's Back!
Punk Princess Avril Lavigne is coming to Manila for her "Avril Lavigne 2008: The Best Damn Tour Concert" at Araneta Coliseum this September 3,2008!

According to information gathered by ABS-CBNNEWS.COM, Lavigne will be arriving in the country a day before her concert. The singer goes to Manila after staging a concert in Melox Ax Seoul, South Korea this September 1.

This is the second time that Lavigne will perform to her Filipino fans, her first was last March 31, 2005.

In the concert, Lavigne’s will perform her chart-topping hits which includes -- "Girlfriend," "When Your Gone," "The Best Damn Thing," "My Happy Ending," "He Wasn't, Fall To Pieces," "Complicated," "Sk8ter Boi," "I'mWith You," "Why," "Losing Grip," "Don't Tell Me," "Keep Holding On," "Let Go and "Nobody's Home."

HACKACON 2008 ADVENTURE

August 8 and 9, 2008 at PSE (Philippine Stock Exchange) Penthouse. WEB.COM.PH attended HACKACON 2008 IT Security Seminar. It was such a cool experience for us OJT's of Web.com.ph. Me and Wee were in-charged in manning the booth together with Sir Matthew,we are just back-ups!:D

And the HackAcon adventure started...

THURSDAY: We went to Richmond Hotel since we all know it is the place of the event.When we arrived there, we are supposed to go to the 25th floor, but the hotel has only 23 floors... [whhaaatt..??!]so Sir Mathhew called the HackAcon in-charge and was informed that the event will be held at PSE and that Richmond Hotel is just a sponsor...*sigh* [ sayang! wee and I were "ready na" pa naman for picture taking sa hotel.. ganda kasi! hehe :D ] We walked from the hotel to PSE...[ang layo ha!] I felt so wasted and so tired because we have our materials and laptops with us.... After that, we took rest and ate in McDonalds El Pueblo.
FRIDAY: First day of the HACKACON Event. We set-upped our booth with laptops, flyers and calling cards. Many people made an inquiries about us. I talked one of the participants of the event and I felt proud because he knows us and said that he heard that WEB.COM.PH OFFERS GOOD SERVICES TO THEIR CLIENTS.. very true! ^^ yeah! We also attended the CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker Seminar. Amazing! Lots of things we learned - of being a hacker - white hacker... :D especially the tools...the things we discovered...its just a secret! haha...

Wee & Sir Matthew...

That's our booth! hehe.. :D

Our flyers... designed by Wee...

SATURDAY: The Last Day. Wee and I made our own adventure. We entered all the vacant rooms of penthouse. Its great! It's overlooking! Wee took some pictures of the buildings near from PSE. And the funny thing we did - "anti-gravity" thing of wee... hehe...

Anti-Gravity thing of Wee... [mei laptop p yan! haha..]

CEH - CERTIFIED ETHICAL HACKERS

Ever had thoughts of becoming a hacker, an ethical one that is? The EC-Council has released a certification called Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH). Its goal is to certify security practitioners in the methodology of ethical hacking. This vendor neutral certification covers the standards and language involved in common exploits, vulnerabilities, and countermeasures.

If you have been to a bookstore lately, you've most likely seen that there is an abundance of books on hacking and "how to hack." Until now, few organizations have worked toward quantifying ethical hacking, defining its legalities, or specifying its useful role in modern organizations. This is what the EC-Council is attempting to do with this certification.


Why Must We Have Ethical Hackers?
Organizations must secure their IT infrastructure and networks. Just as corporations employ auditors to routinely examine financial records, so should corporations audit security policy. We have all seen the havoc that a lack of real financial audits can cause. Just as accountants perform bookkeeping audits, ethical hackers perform security audits. Without security audits and compliance controls, no real security exists. This is a big problem. There are plenty of individuals waiting to test and probe your organization's security stance. These individuals range from government and corporate spies, to hackers, crackers, script kiddies, or those who write and release malicious code into the wild. Their presence in your network in not a good thing!

Who Are Ethical Hackers?
An ethical hacker is most similar to a penetration tester. The ethical hacker is an individual who is employed or contracted to undertake an attempted penetration test. These individuals use the same methods employed by hackers. In case you were unsure; hacking is a felony in the United States. Ethical hackers have written authorization to probe a network. Only then is this attempted hack legal, as there is a contract between the ethical hacker and the organization. In 1995, long before today's more stringent guidelines, one individual received 3 felony counts, 5 years probation, 480 hours of community service, and a $68,000 legal bill for failing to insure proper authorization. Don't let this happen to you!

How is Ethical Hacking Performed?
Primarily, ethical hackers are employed in groups to perform penetration tests. These groups are commonly referred to as "Red Teams." These individuals are being paid by the organization to poke, prod, and determine the overall level of security. Again, what is important here is that they have been given written permission to perform this test and have detailed boundaries to work within. Don't be lulled into believing that the penalties for illegal penetration are low, it is a felony!

What is on the Test?
The Certified Ethical Hacker exam consists of 21 domains covered in 50 questions. It has a two-hour time limit. These questions are multiple choice. During the test, you are allowed to mark questions if you're not sure of an answer and return for later review. The format of the questions is choose one or choose all that apply. The domains were compiled to evaluate the full range of security testing. One must also demonstrate how hacker tools work and demonstrate knowledge of professional security tools, as well as how these tools are utilized. The 21 domains are as follows:

1. Ethics and Legal Issues
2. Footprinting
3. Scanning
4. Enumeration
5. System Hacking
6. Trojans and Backdoors
7. Sniffers
8. Denial of Service
9. Social Engineering
10. Session Hijacking
11. Hacking Web Servers
12. Web Application Vulnerabilities
13. Web Based Password Cracking Techniques
14. SQL Injection
15. Hacking Wireless Networks
16. Virus and Worms
17. Hacking Novell
18. Hacking Linux
19. IDS, Firewalls, and Honeypots
20. Buffer Overflows
21. Cryptography

These domains comprise a full body of ethical hacking knowledge. It's good that the exams first domain is centered on ethics and legal issues. This is an important domain. Always make sure you have written consent to perform any type of penetration test or security audit.

Go and certify... [ click me ]

MAKING APRIL

MAKING APRIL - Official Site
[ click me ]

Origin: Verplanck,New York, USA
Genre(s): Alternative Rock, Piano Rock
Years Active: 2005 - present
Label(s): Universal Republic (USA)
Radtone(JPN)

Members:
Sean Scanlon [ lead vocals, piano, guitar ]
Greg Federspiel [ bass guitar ]
Steven McCaffrey [ lead guitar, backing vocals ]

Former:
Thomas Robertine [drums ]

FAQ's:

Q. How did you guys come up with the name, Making April?

A. We had just recorded some demo songs in late March of 2005 and we were looking to get them online and start promoting them. We had to think of a name in order to do this but couldn't settle on anything. We kept telling each other that we had to make up a name by April, so once April came and we still had no name, our name became Making April. Bling!

Q. I looked everywhere and couldn't find your CD. How do i get it?

A. We are an unsigned artist which means we don't have distribution through a record label. Therefore, our CD isn't available to buy at your local record store. The only way to get our music is to order a CD online through SmartPunk.com, send money to our address and have a CD mailed to you, or download it from itunes. All of the links are in the music section of our myspace page.

OK... so my turn... :D
I'm not a fan of rock music. I'm not even familiar with them. I just heard about them from someone (JC,which he heard also from someone...hehe.. =D).
What made me interested with them is when I listened to their song,"All of yours".

It's a great song...
full of meaning...
amazing...

The song:



The Lyrics:

My blood bleeds red
For all those thoughts you left unsaid
Well how could you let your guard down
And let me impose
We’re dying the further this thing goes
Well can we go back to where we were before
You dropped your heart on my floor
‘Cause it was easiest to hide it all away
And never say what we were thinking
No you’d never catch me blinking that night
‘Cause I was all of yours
But don’t say we became too late
Well I just think you’re humoring yourself
Let me say one more thing before you fly
And this charade is out of sight
I’ve been wrong but now I’m right
So let your precious sky come down on you tonight
I’m right outside
With every useless key I’ve tried
You’re seamlessly wrapped in secrets
Unraveling now
But you don’t know just why or how

Bridge
(left your heart at my door)
(blinking those nights)

Chorus
(Let me say one more thing before these
Beautiful mistakes we’ve made run dry
Well I thought this would all blow by
And everything would just turn out alright
And this would all be fine)
So say goodbye to days like these
I’ll give it one more try and hope it all seems better in your eyes
Well maybe not this time

DAVID COOK CONCERT IN RP

A surprise announcement from David Cook himself had his web fan site buzzing with excitement, especially from its Filipino subscribers: “American Idol”’s Season 7 champ is coming to Manila for a concert.

Comments from the website ranged from incredulity to amazement to simple joy, in a thread whose common question was the need to present proof.

Inquirer pursued a tip that the evidence was earlier posted on YouTube, and indeed, there it was (type in: CHUMFM interview with David Cook). The audio clip, 4 minutes and 15 seconds long, has Cook being interviewed by DJ Richie on a Canadian radio station. The conversation starts with Cook’s scheduled visit to Toronto as part of the “Idol” tour.

Cook proceeded to discuss his coming major-label debut CD, set for a November release and with Rob Cavallo (Green Day, My Chemical Romance) as producer.

And then the announcement: “We just booked my first show, post-‘Idol,’ Jan. 27 in the Philippines … a one-off show and then we start the tour in the States …”

Courtesy of: davidcookweb.com