It’s been around a month since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. So according to the latest reports, forty-nine are confirmed dead. Some speculate the death toll could be as high as 450.? Also, there are dozens are missing, and much of the island is still in the dark. But the US Virgin Islands hardly fared any better. However, AT&T claims to help, and in many ways, are helping. It’s AT&T and Maria.
Phone giant AT&T partnered with Google to bring at least some kind of Internet service. This includes text messaging, emails, and basic Internet service and computer servicing.? At first, the main goal was to establish communication between Puerto Rico locals and their relatives on the mainland. They also use Google Alphabet X’s Project Loon.
These IT support balloons can bring coverage up to 1,930 square miles. That’s over half of Puerto Rico. Soon, they hope to cover most of the island. They use LTD band 8. This works only for those using the most recent iPhones, Samsung Galaxy’s, Moto G’s, and a handful of others. This should provide connectivity during daylight hours only. Apparently, Project Loon worked before. Because last years, they used it for Peru when floods hit that nation. As of this date, AT&T claims they helped 60% of Puerto Rico get power. They also claim they helped 90% of US Virgin Islands get power again.
But some statistics would disagree with that. According to this Weather Channel report, three million are still without power. That’s about 75% of their population. So that means only 25% of locals have power back.? Furthermore, these balloons will only help those who have the newer smartphones. But what about those who have phones more basic? I’m no expert, but I would guess that would be the majority of the island’s population. I could be wrong. Look, I applaud AT&T for trying to do something. However, are these balloons the right thing for the right time?
There’s good news and bad news about Samsung. So first, the good news: Samsung is having a Q3 2017 of the ages! Then the bad news: Oh-Hyun Kwon, the CEO and Vice-Chairman, resigned. It’s Samsung…best of times…worst of times.
Furthermore, as Kwon exited, he said his soon to be former company was in a huge crisis on all sides. He also called for new leadership. I find this funny because 2017 is a fairly good year for Samsung, at lest financially. They reported great first and second quarter profits, and have a strong third quarter to boast about. In fact, it could double that of Q3 2016. On the surface, they truly overcame the the Galaxy S7 debacle of 2016.
But let’s not pop the champagne yet. This smartphone company has legal and social problems. In 2017, Vice-Chairman Jay W. Lee was found guilty of bribery and perjury. They say he paid people off in order for political favors. They also say he gave $36 million in order to win merger support. In August, a South Korean court sentenced him to five years in prison. But Samsung officials elected him as a CEO in 2012. Now, he’s leaving. In a statement, he said he can no longer put off his resignation. Kwon also called for new, young leadership that can roll with IT support’s rapidly changing industry.
This really is Samsung…best of times…worst of times. It’s amazing how they are in the midst of a one of the greatest comebacks in IT service history. But they’re also in the midst of one of the biggest scandals in smartphone history. So how does this happen? First of all, I’m happy Samsung overcame their fiasco. The things they endured last year could have put any company under. It almost did. So if they can overcome that, then can’t they overcome this latest scandal?
We saw many disaster unfold in recent weeks. So most recently, we have the Santa Rosa fires that killed 17 people, and destroyed whole neighborhoods. But how can drones play a part? Disaster drones: Can they save lives?
There is a drone company they call Cy Phy Works. Their locations are in Danvers, MA, about 25 miles north of our Boston computer service shop. So what do disaster drones do? First of all, they take pictures of the disaster area. This is important because they help relief efforts deliver accurate help to the right communities. Furthermore, these cameras are 30x zoom and can survey tens of miles per trip. For example, they took pictures of areas Hurricane Harvey flooded and were able to get the help to desperate area.
Also, for the recent fires, they can use disaster drones to show firefighters which communities need the most aid. But that’s not all. These drones can also deliver medical supplies and other aid. Some supplies could even include instructions for people to help themselves before help arrives. And of course, the drones can get directly to an emergency site. In most cases, they can get there just as fast, perhaps even faster, than first responders can. Obviously, they will work with emergency personnel. This is about saving lives, not a ‘who can get there first’ competition.
Cy Phy Works recently ran tests throughout the Boston area. During our busy times, like the Fourth of July, they provided surveillance with the Boston Police Department. By all accounts, these tests were a success. These drones couldn’t have come at a better time. For the last six weeks or so, we have been bombarded by disasters. And yes, I talk about the bad technology and IT service can do. But once in a while, we should be reminded of what good our industry can do. In this case, it can literally mean the difference between life and death. As a New Englander, it gives me great pride to know my state came up with this drone. Do you think this disaster drone can save lives?
Surely, you all know of the Las Vegas tragedy that took place late Sunday night. This mass shooting killed 59 people and injured over 500 more. Social media covered it all, some showed sympathy, but others showed disdain. Also, some others used it to push propaganda. Social media responds to Las Vegas massacre.
A CBS executive lost her job. On Facebook, she called the country music concert attendees, “…Republican gun toters.” Her bosses found the post and fired her. Then you have bloggers from the far-right, accusing the shooter of being a left-wing extremist. However, those on the left didn’t hesitate to push their anti-gun campaign using this tragedy. Some even gave out wrong information all together, calling the shooter ‘Gary Danley’. The shooter’s real name is Steven Paddock.
But there are good ways social media responds to Las Vegas massacre. Many in Las Vegas used Facebook’s feature to let loved ones know they’re okay. Many in Washington and Hollywood took to Twitter. They didn’t push an agenda, but sent out real condolences, prayers and sympathies to the victims. In fact, tributes are coming from all walks of life. Silicon Valley leaders also tweeted their sympathies. Facebook also offers a help page for Las Vegas, offering blood donations, food, shelter, and counseling for those directly affected.
Yes, there is talk about this tragedy in our computer service shop. There’s also talk among other IT support companies on what to do. But as you can see, there is good and bad social media is providing out of this. But if I were social media, especially Facebook, I wouldn’t make this too political. Because Facebook is already in trouble in the wake of the Russian ad scandal. And be careful of what you post online. Because it could cost you everything. Just ask that CBS executive. However, we all need to keep the positive vibes going on social media. A lot of people need it.
We at Computer Geeks send our thoughts, prayers, condolences, and good vibes to the victims and their families of this Las Vegas tragedy. Let us take this time to unify in our grief, not to use this as an excuse to divide.
The photos and stories are heartbreaking. So you all know Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. As of today, most citizens there still can’t get smartphone or Internet service. But thankfully, IT support companies are helping out in various ways. This is a report on technology, Puerto Rico, and Maria.
Cell phone providers AT&T and T-Mobile now have a registry. This registry includes the phone numbers of family and friends in Puerto Rico. Then, when they can get cell service, they registry tells them family and friends in the US are trying to reach them. So far, over 12,000 people are in this registry. Then there’s Tesla. They’re sending their Powerwall battery systems to Puerto Rico. In fact, they’re sending hundreds of them. Keep in mind over 90% of the island is without power, and could be for months. Furthermore, Tesla already has their people there to install these systems. Facebook vows to send teams to deliver emergency telecommunication services. Also, Facebook is donating over $1.5 million dollars to relief efforts. They’re doing everything they can to get Puerto Rico back online.? They can even use their drone service to help.
This is an all hands on deck situation. This includes those in computer repair and all other tech fields. For the few computers that are running, they’ll be needed to keep those systems going. Lives are on the line. And I’m glad tech companies are there to help. These are just a handful of examples. For example, here is what Apple is doing. And the situation affects so many. In our computer service shop, a client came in and had to cancel his trip to San Juan. Last time I checked, he’s running a food and water drive to help get supplies down there. So this is the situation all over the land when it comes to technology, Puerto Rico, and Maria. What can you do to help?
A few days ago, President Trump delivered quite a tweet…or one of them. But this one involves the crisis with North Korea. Trump tweeted the little rocket man (we know who that is) “…won’t be around much longer”.? Some praised his strong language, but others criticize it. This is beef between Twitter, Trump, and North Korea.
Some argue that Twitter should ban, or at least censor, President Trump’s threat to North Korea. Twitter execs replied by saying it will update it’s guide on what people can say on Twitter. They also added that ‘newsworthiness’ would be a factor.
There’s more to the controversy. In recent months, Twitter vowed to crack down on ‘bullying’ tweets. We can thank the Leslie Jones twitter bullying scandal for that one, because when they said ugly things about her, Twitter took action. However, some accuse President Trump of some of the most bullying tweets ever. But his Twitter page isn’t even suspended. Just because he might be able to do it just because the rest of us will be able to.
However, look at this particular issue between Twitter, Trump, and North Korea. If this isn’t newsworthy, then I don’t know what newsworthy is. Surely everyone knows the war of words and thoughts between the US and North Korea. Now I will admit, some of Trump’s tweets in the past did borderline on bullying. But not this one. This one puts a total ruthless dictator Kim Jong Un on notice. Look at what this dictator had done to his own people. I wonder what the North Korean people are tweeting? Oh, that’s right…most of them don’t have freedom to access the Internet like we have. In fact, they only have 28 websites to choose from, thanks to dictator Kim Jong Un.? And yes, issues of social media censorship do come up in our Boston computer service shop. So what to you think of the tweet? Is it newsworthy, or bullying?
