Mar 21, 2019 | General
So this may deter from IT service and technology talk. If it does, then please forgive me. But there are 7.71 billion people in the world today. Of those, around 2,800 are billionaires. Then of those, only 145 are worth over $10 billion. Guess how many of those 145 are worth over $100 billion: Only two. These are the two centi-billionaires. Here is the common denominator.
So the common denominator is IT support. The two centi-billionaires are Amazon king Jeff Bezos and Microsoft founder Bill Gates. This is according to a recent Bloomberg report. Jeff Bezos became the first centi-billionaire of all time back in 2017. And in 2018 alone, he made another $9.6 billion (Neither he nor Amazon paid a dime of it in taxes…grrrr!). But now, Bloomberg estimates his overall wealth to be at $146 billion.? Gates is the second man to make the $100 billion mark. In 2018, he made $9.5 billion, despite him retiring from his own company back in 2014. But this was enough to make him the second centi-billionaire of all-time. Bill Gates’ net worth now stands past that mark.
What is the common denominator? Well, they’re both innovators in the computer technology world. In the 1970s, Gates founded Microsoft, and developed software that changed the world. In the 1990s, Bezos sold things through his new website Amazon from his Seattle basement. He changed the way we do retail and commerce forever. Maybe not for the best, if you ask most retail store leaders, but it did change. This goes to show you what an impact computer technology and e-commerce has had on the world. But these two men may not be centi-billionaires for long. Because Gates pledged to give away more of his wealth to worthy causes. This is admirable. Then you have Jeff Bezos, you know, the one going through a divorce. Will he be a centi-billionaire after his soon to be ex-wife gets through with him?
Mar 20, 2019 | Wireless
So a few days ago, I did a blog in how earbuds might cause cancer. Yes, there is concern in the IT service world. But it’s not going to deter Apple (nor should it; there’s a lot we don’t know). Let’s introduce the new Apple AirPods.
So earlier today, Apple announced the second generation of their new AirPods. What’s the difference? For one, you can access Siri with your voice, instead of tapping the bud. Also, this one comes with a new wireless charging case. Furthermore, these new AirPods have a new H1 chip, and supports a longer battery life. The first model had W1 chips. But the H1 should make it easier for these AirPods to connect with your other Apple devices.
Now, let’s talk about this new wireless charging case. It can deliver over 24 hours of listening time without ever re-charging. And when you do need it, just put your AirPods over the wireless charger. A new LED signal will show you the charging process. With this wireless charging case, these new Apple Airpods will cost $199. Without the charger, they will cost $159. If you have the first set already, then all you may need is the charging case. That case alone will cost $79. It’s all available at any iStore and most retailers , if not now, then very soon. The online shipping process will begin March 27.
So one thing is obvious. If you have neither, then you may as well get the new Apple AirPods and the wireless charging case as well. I’m liking their attempt to improve battery life. That is so important not only to AirPods, but in all things tech nowadays. Our computer repair techs see it all the time. I guess Apple sees it too. I’m also liking how they’re adding voice controlled technology to the mix. More and more people are moving to that. I’m not, but more people are. I’m not loving the price. But hey, it’s Apple. What do you expect? Would you buy the new Apple AirPods and wireless charging case?
Mar 19, 2019 | General
So it’s been several weeks since New York City kicked Amazon’s second headquarters to the curb. The debate between should they stay or should they go is intense. But I tell you one thing: Big tech should focus more on community good.
I think that’s the lesson here. Because remember, Amazon asked the city for billions for this to happen. When Amazon asks this, they should know the public outcry will be loud. People from union leaders to congressmen spoke against it, to the point Amazon had to respond…by leaving. Also, Arlington VA, Amazon’s other city, wants community initiatives, that Amazon will pay for, for them to set up shop on ‘National Landing’. Will they?
I hope so. Here are two more finalist cities for Amazon: Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Austin, TX. They gave Amazon no tax breaks. No wonder why we never heard from these cities again in the Amazon race. But many IT service giants are getting the message. Look at Microsoft. They’re investing $500 million in low-income and middle class housing. I wish more Boston area IT support giants did the same. Because everywhere you look in this city, condos for the rich are going up, while the homeless and poverty rate skyrockets. So kudos to Microsoft. Also, kudos to Uber. They’re building new facilities in Toronto, but doing so with the promise of community responsibility. I hope they keep that promise.
Also, keep in mind the times we’re living in. Wealth inequality in this country is at it’s highest since the 1920s. And when people read about how Amazon and Jeff Bezos paid NO?taxes this year. No wonder why so many people are so angry with big tech today. Yes, I am thankful for all big tech gave us. Our life wouldn’t be the same without them. But they can’t keep having the party all we get is the hangover. This is why big tech should focus more on community good. Am I asking too much here?
Mar 18, 2019 | News
So in California, there is Meditab. Meditab is a software company that keeps medical records for medical employees and facilities. They also process e-faxes in the medical field. But a problem came up. According to tech media sources like TechCrunch,? a security lapse breaches medical records.
So according to these sources,? it started with a server. This server didn’t have a password. This server leaked thousands of medical records. This includes everything from prescriptions to diagnosis, and then some. If this isn’t enough, then keep in mind Meditab is the best at what they do. At least that’s their reputation. However, in this case, someone failed to fully secure the fax server, with no password. And as the saying goes, “When the cats are away, the rats will play.”.
Since March 2018, Meditab processed over six million medical records. But because somebody didn’t give this server a password, anybody can break in and read other people’s records. So I guess we can be thankful that the breach leaked only thousands of records, instead of millions. Like I said, these faxes included lots of medical information. And I mean intimate information. But they also include things like names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and payment info. What is even scarier? Some of the info was on child patients. Then to add on to the scary, none of this info was encrypted.
That is how this security lapse breaches medical records. Here at Geek Choice, we tell all clients the importance of password protection. By 2019, this should be computer repair 101. But as we can see, anyone can make an honest mistake. It was a bad one, but an honest one. So far, this is all we know about the breach. I’m talking about this because this can happen to anybody, no matter how big or small your business is. What are other lessons playing out here? And what is Meditab doing about it?
Mar 15, 2019 | Computer technology
So it looks like all that hard work for IT support mogul Elon Musk is about to pay off. In fact, he even slept on his own factory floor. And now, the Tesla Model Y is almost here.
So when I mean here, I mean we can expect it to be on car showrooms by fall 2020. This week, Musk himself revealed it. It is an all-electric car and looks eerily similar to his Model 3. Don’t let the size fool you, because it can fit seven people, or so they say. If the electric car and good room isn’t enough, then maybe the panoramic car roof will entice you.
But wait. There is more. It has a 15-inch touchscreen interface. The Model Y can go for 300 miles without a fill up…I mean…charge up. It reaches speed of up to 130mph. This model goes from o-60mph in about 5.5 seconds. The starting price for this model will be $47,000. That’s cheaper than most luxury cars, and not much more expensive than an average new car. However, you can secure a Model Y with a minimum down payment for $2,500. But I must tell you I’m just describing the Long Range model. Others will be out between 2020-21. Of course, prices and features will vary.
The Tesla Model Y is almost here. In recent years, Musk sold around 500,000 of his Tesla models. While the Model Y has it’s differences, it also has a lot of similarities. Also, a lot of people are getting environmentally conscious. People in the computer repair game sure is. So it has that going for it. Not to mention the see-saw gas prices. How will the Tesla Model Y do? Will this be a hit of flop for Musk?
We at Geek Choice would like to extend our thoughts, prayers and condolences to the victims and their friends and families of the senseless mass shooting/terrorist attack that occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand today.
Mar 14, 2019 | General
So, you can do anything with drones today. Those in IT service know this. You can you them as toys. However, you can use them in natural disasters and save lives. But how can you better use them to transport goods? Here is introducing the tiny claw drone that perches.
So these drones have claws that not only carry things, but save battery life. Certain birds, like the owl, or songbird, inspire this feature. So do bats. Because these creatures have specific claws that help them do anything. One thing they do with these claws is hunt and gather prey. But another thing they do is perch, which means to align or rest on something.
This is where the claws come in. They are grippers that can grab certain objects. Then, these drones can perch on these objects as they travel in air or rest on something. Or the drone itself can rest on something. I saw some cool pictures where the drone perches on poles and trees. For example, say you’re flying one of these drones. Instead of bringing it to you, you can rest, or perch it, on a tree in your backyard. Then, it will rest itself and shut off it’s own motors. That’s how you save battery life.
In some cases, this may be a necessity. But there are some difficulties. First of all, how do you secure it tightly enough so that it perches right without the drone being dropped? Then, how do you keep it from being stolen? Let’s say you’re indoors. Yet, someone knows that you perched the drone. They can take control of the drone, un-perch it, and you’ll never see it again. But keep in mind, they’re just introducing the tiny claw drone that perches. This is still in the research stage. And as anyone in computer repair will tell you, research is critical.? Do you see this drone having a future, or doing well in the future?
Mar 13, 2019 | Wireless
So wireless headphones are convenient? as well as popular. In fact, Apple sold over 28 million Apple Airpods so far. This shows no signs of slowing down. But health experts and researchers worry. Can wireless headphones cause cancer?
So these concerns mainly come from the UN (United Nations) and WHO (World Health Organization). About 250 health leaders signed pacts with these global institutions. Because they have serious concerns about Apple Airpods and other wireless headphones causing cancer. Already, there are legal limits to avoid this threat. For example, they can only allow so many EMF’s (electromagnetic radio waves). But is that enough? Some of these health leaders say no, it’s not.
Because some of these experts say EMF’s isn’t the only problem. The big problem is how we wear these wireless headphones. We wear them in the ear canal. One health professor argues headphones this close to the ear canal exposes the canals to radiation. He also goes on to say EMF exposure this close can affect them, even though the EMF is at or below the legal limit. They say more needs to be done. This is why they signed these petitions. They also lists other potential effects of wireless headphones: memory loss, brain disorders, even the increase of stress.
So what do we in IT service and IT support make of this? Obviously, a lot more research needs to be done. I’m not going to change my listening habits over the report of 250 scientists. I don’t care how intelligent and hard working they are. But it is something to consider, and not to totally ignore. This is why I’m glad they signed the petition, but I want more proof. At least this starts the conversation. They also say cell phones cause cancer. Some people dismiss that. But some other still believe that. So can wireless headphones cause cancer?
Mar 12, 2019 | internet
So thirty years ago, Sir Tim Berners-Lee gave a plan for a computer information management system. That system eventually became what we know today as the Internet. The IT support era was about to begin. But now, he finds himself in a new battle. Let’s see how this Internet pioneer fights online misinformation.
So Berners-Lee’s new letter of concern talks about three issues of misinformation. The first is malicious intent. This includes hacking, online bullying, sextortion, and promoting criminal behavior like terrorism. Then there is the second concern. Berners-Lee calls this, “…creating perverse incentives.”. This includes companies rewarding third-parties to publish misinformation. But the third is the grayest of them all. This is what he calls, “…unintended negative consequences”. You may not mean to harm someone. But the damage is already done.
But first, let me call to Berners-Lee’s optimist spirit. He says we should never give up on the Internet. However, he makes it clear there is a lot of work to do. He calls on laws to make the first concern tougher for the bad guys to do. For the second and third concerns, he calls for all of us in the IT service industry to consider new designs and patterns. Like most, he’s tired of the social division online and calls for us all to come together. Because all of us, governments, businesses and individuals need to come together to solve these problems.
I agree with Berners…somewhat. Look at his first concern. How many lives do malicious intent destroy? I think too many to count. So yes, I’m with him there. But the second, and especially the third, I don’t know. Because this is what could lead to censorship. What I mean is, if it offends somebody, then they can just take it down. That’s an assault on free speech. Yes, we do need to exercise responsibility and common sense.? But I’m afraid where this could lead. They could call anything that offends anybody, “misinformation”. Censorship is even more dangerous than the bad content itself. So this is how this Internet pioneer fights online misinformation. I agree it’s a big problem. But what do we do about it?
Mar 11, 2019 | News
So what does the upcoming 2020 election and big IT service have in common? Apparently, lots. Because one presidential hopeful vows to break up big tech companies. It’s Senator Elizabeth Warren vs. big tech.
So recently, the Massachusetts senator called for major tech companies to break up. These include Amazon, Google and Facebook. She also called out Apple. Sen. Warren suggests that Apple should spin off it’s Apple Store. As you know, that’s where Apple users get all their apps from. She claims these companies “bulldozed” small companies and gives competition little, if any, chances. Then she pledged strict anti-trust laws.
One thing she would do is prevent all these mergers, like WhatsApp with Facebook and Whole Foods with Amazon. There would also be stricter regulations for those IT support companies who make over $25 billion a year. For example, Amazon wouldn’t be able to sell it’s own products against competitors on it’s website. Google wouldn’t be able to promote it’s own ratings features over Yelp. She compared Silicon Valley in the early 21st century to big oil and big railroads of the early 20th century. In her plan, for example, Google would have to sale Nest and Waze.
So what is to make of this? In principal I do sympathize with Sen. Warren. It’s a shame that most of big tech is in control of a handful of companies. Also shameful is that when a group of entrepreneurs want to start a tech company, they’re often either swallowed up or bought out by the big boys. Then look at the retail industry. For example, in two days, over 450 retail stores went out of business. Gee, I wonder where these consumers are going. However, I doubt what Sen. Warren is proposing is realistic. How is she going to force Apple to give up it own Apple Store? How is she going to force Google to sale back Nest and Waze? They won’t. This fight between Senator Elizabeth Warren vs. big tech is just beginning. How will it end?
Mar 8, 2019 | internet, Security
So, a miracle is taking place in the IT support world. After years of scandal and scrutiny, from Russia hacking allegations to Cambridge Analytica, Facebook vows to do something about it. Now, Facebook cares about your privacy.
So on Wednesday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared his plan to make Facebook more secure for all. This includes encrypting messages. This also could include combining Facebook services. I’m talking about things like WhatsApp and Instagram. Also, soon you can send messages using SMS (short message service). But this will be an optional service. There’s a reason why Facebook would merger it’s big 3 services. It’s because by combining the 3, you can send encrypted messages.
As of now, you can’t do that. Zuckerberg himself said the three fastest features have to do with privacy. They are small chat, private messaging and diapering content. Then there is the Stories feature. You tell your story in moving still pictures. But these stories disappear? in 24 hours after you put them up. With post you write, they can stay up there forever. Maybe that’s why 500 million are using the Instagram Stories app. He also stated that people should feel comfortable about posting. They shouldn’t have to fear what might happen later.
But some people are still skeptical. One senator from Hawaii tweeted his praise for the encryption, he was cynical about the privacy. But I say let’s give this a try. It’s a start, and a good one. The conference I saw Wednesday was a good one. Zuckerberg said the right things and made good promises. Can he keep them? IT service companies have let us down before. That’s why so many are so cynical. Maybe recent hackings and scandals woke him up. Who knows, maybe it will wake up other Silicon Valley leaders as well. Now, Facebook cares about your privacy. But is it because they have to now?
