Author: Christopher Null

Christopher Null is a veteran technology journalist and the owner of Null Media, a custom blogging company.

My Understanding of the Ukraine Conflict

Do I have this right?

Putin is upset that Ukraine is getting too cozy with Europe and NATO, so he says, “Fine! I’ll bomb the shit out of you! That will make them love me!”

What am I missing?

Just Me?

Am I the only one who looks at CNN’s Chasing Life promo and thinks it’s about a steely-eyed serial killer?


Update: Ah… look who did some Photoshop work! Much better, Sanjay!

I’m Part of the Junior High Zeitgeist, I Guess?

Instructions/Directions: Listen to an audio clip based on the article written by Christopher Null (Null, 2020). The material contains a mother’s sentiment about her child’s difficult situation. After listening thoroughly to the details, write about the situation or problem you would analyze and suggest an effective solution to it. Write on the lines provided accordingly.

Fraud Warning – “CaDMV” Text Message

I renewed the registration for one of our cars yesterday, and today got a fairly credible text message from 833-608-1722, claiming to be the California DMV (“CaDMV”) and that I must update my contact information. The text directed me to a website, which redirects to realidcalifornia.com — again an imperfect but surprisingly credible phishing site.

I’m posting this here in the hopes of warning people who get similar text messages that this is a complete scam. But since I’d just engaged with the DMV’s website only 24 hours earlier, it felt far more authentic than it otherwise would have.

If anyone can shed light on the mechanism for connecting that website visit to my phone number, I’d love to hear it. Malicious cookie or other malware on the DMV website that they don’t know about? Something else?

While We’re at It…

What is the proper etiquette these days when someone is a no-show on a conference call? How long do you officially have to wait before you give up?

(I propose 8 minutes.)

A Modest Proposal for Zoom Etiquette

I hereby propose the following for use in Zoom and other video-based meetings:

If a person is trying to speak but inadvertently has their microphone “on mute,” simply hold your hand over your mouth to indicate visibly that you are unable to hear them.