Dec 3, 2018 | Computer technology
So AI technology now determines, or at least studies, human health. It even studies our proteins. Now then, let’s look at AI technology and proteins.
So we can thank DeepMind, Google’s AI creation, for this. They’re using DeepMind’s 3D structures to study human protein molecules, even down to the genetics. They even look at the protein designs and how amino acids work with each other. But why invest so much into these studies? Because they say understanding proteins will help with bioengineering.? They also say it will help improve diagnosing and fighting diseases in the future. However, it’s easier to write about than actually do.
They’re using this IT service and IT support through two methods. I’m by no means a scientists, but I’ll try to explain the methods. One is studying the distance between pairs of amino acids (click this link to learn more about amino acids). The other is looking at their angles. It used these methods to look at protein structures. DeepMind isn’t claiming success yet. But they do claim, “early success in protein folding”. They also admit this is very early in these studies and there is a lot of work left to do. However, they credit AI and machine learning for helping them get this far.
Like I said, I am no scientist. You don’t want to know what was on my report card in that subject (sigh…Mom was right again!). But I see pictures of AI technology and proteins and they are pretty cool. And they really are using this for good, like studying diseases. I can only hope that this could be used for treatment and cures. We often read about AI technology and what evil it could produce. And yes, there is a lot of evil AI technology can produce. But it can produce a lot of good as well. What do you think of AI technology and proteins?
Nov 30, 2018 | News
So did you stay at a Marriott, Hyatt, Sheraton, or W hotel recently? When I recently, I mean the last several years. Then you better be on guard. Because someone breached Starwood hotels (this includes Marriott, Hyatt, Sheraton, W, LeMeridian, etc…).
Back on November 19, Starwood Hotel leaders say an ‘unauthorized party’ got, then compromised data. But wait…there’s more. Because some of this data goes back to 2014. There are over 320 million pieces of info on the line. This includes names, emails, phone numbers, addresses, and passport numbers. This also includes your travel information, like when you stayed and where you stayed and how long you stayed.
Am I scaring you yet? Just keep reading. Because they also say can’t rule out credit card data. What are they doing about it? Well, they issued a statement. They said they’re answering every question through their call center and website. They’re also working with police and other local law officials to track down the offenders. But I don’t know if this point is the scariest and most promising. They say they are ‘phasing out’ the old IT support and reservation system with a new one. I hope this new one is a better system. Because what’s there to say the new one is going to be worse than the old one?
Forgive my cynicism. However, this isn’t the first time someone breached Starwood Hotels. In fact, somebody did this three time in three years. Back in 2016, Starwood and Marriott merged. Together, they have well over 6,000 hotel buildings in over 110 countries. We don’t know which countries got hit, but I’m guessing the USA is one of them. We know, little, or anything about the hackers, or hacking group. Could it be an inside job? Could it be a foreign enemy? Or maybe could it be a theft? Or maybe, just maybe, could this be a practice run for something far more sinister in the future?
Nov 14, 2018 | News
So for months, Americans asked one question, even us computer repair folks. Where will Amazon place it’s new headquarters? Over 20 cities competed for the role, including Boston. But now, it seems we have our answer. This is breaking news: Amazon chooses new headquarters.
However, it’s not just one city. First, Amazon leaders said they will build a new facility in NYC’s Queens. This will hold around 25,000 new employees. Then there is greater Washington, DC; they shouldn’t feel left out. Because they’re going to build a second facility in Northern Virginia. That N. Virginia town is Arlington, literally right next door to DC across the Potomac River. But we do know these are the two winners of the Amazon new headquarters race. Maybe 2 1/2. Because Nashville, Tennessee gets an Amazon hub as well. That hub will create around 5,000 for that city.
According to IT support king Jeff Bezos himself, they chose these places because he believes these cities will provide world class talent. He also believes these places will be best to attract customers for years and decades to come. These places beat out 17 other places, including Chicago, Los Angeles, the Silicon Valley area, and their home town of Seattle. All 3 places already have low unemployment rates. For example, Nashville’s unemployment rate is only 3%.
So what about the losers? Personally, I’m glad Silicon Valley didn’t get it. Jobs there are so competitive and rents and cost of living is so high. Coffee can costs $20 a cup. Maybe it’s a good thing they didn’t choose their hometown of Seattle as well. Also, I’m happy they chose 2 1/2 places (Nashville being the half) instead of just one. However, I wish they would have chosen a place where there was a little less known. That way, Amazon could build up that pool. But congratulations to Queens, Arlington and Nashville. This is how Amazon chooses new headquarters. Which city would you choose?
Nov 12, 2018 | News
So over the last few days, the worst wildfires of all-time hit both sides of California. Not only that, but dozens are dead, thousands are running for their lives, and there seems to be little end in sight. But what is IT support doing about it? It’s IT service verses California wildfire.
Friday, on the first full day of the fire, Apple’s Tim Cook tweeted his prayers. He also said the company is donating. But he didn’t say how much or what Apple is donating. Facebook is helping out as well. They have their Safety Check people, in which people could can mark themselves safe in this disasters. In fact, some of my FB friends used this to let us know their families are safe. Furthermore, the social media giant pledged to donate $250,000 to the American Red Cross. Google’s sending support to the direct fire zones their SOS alerts. Here’s an ironic thing: A couple of weeks ago, Google donated $1 million to help firefighters cope with stress and trauma. They’re surely going to need it now.
Then there’s Cisco. They will match donations up to $25,000 and give it to the American Red Cross. Twitter pledges it’s help through communication means. They will use efforts to coordinate with local leaders, first respondents, and local media to let people know which neighborhoods are safe. Also, they’ll let people know which ones to avoid. If you’d like to pitch in, Go Fund Me can help. Here is a link that will update you on this disaster and tell you where and how you can donate. There are just a few ways it’s IT service verses California wildfire. Other tech companies are doing more. After all, it is their home state, for the most part. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by these wildfires. Stay safe out there.
Oct 30, 2018 | General
So yes, I know Apple is having their live event show right now. I also know Apple is promoting many of their latest products. Furthermore, I know many of our computer repair customers can’t get enough Apple (for reasons I can’t understand). But I want to talk about Twitter. Twitter doubles character count, but not use.
So remember last year, when Twitter doubled the maximum character count from 140 to 280? They thought this would boost Twitter use, because not even the NFL could do that. However, neither does doubling the character count. In fact, it doesn’t change anything at all. For instance, only 12% of all tweets surpass 140 characters. Only one percent even made it to 280 characters.
Here’s something else. When Twitter’s maximum count was 140, the average tweet was only 34 characters. Not that twitter doubles character count, the average tweet is only 33 characters. Maybe I should be more clear. Because while people aren’t using the new maximum count, people are using Twitter more. The number of tweets going out increased 30% since this new ruling. And responses to these tweets are going up as well. This is what we know of English speaking tweets. They’re still working on those of other languages, but they’re expecting the same results worldwide.
However, this is the most astonishing stat, and in a good way. The phrases ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ have increased since Twitter doubles character count. On the surface, that might not sound like much. But in this era where this is so much division, hatred and strife, hearing the phrase ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ more often is a huge step up! It even gives me hope for humanity. Also, keep in mind how much people use twitter and other IT services for trolling and other stuff. So yes, Twitter use itself is increasing. But is Twitter benefiting from other uses?
